READING Ken Holmes’ kind tribute to Whitby Charles Oliver (Letters, May 9) prompted me to write my first ever letter to The Press.

I was transport manager at Whitby C Oliver and Sons, becoming its removals director. This position brought me into daily contact with one of the most influential persons in my business life, Wilfred Charles Oliver, son of Whitby.

As the company’s removal director I was in fact taking over the section of the business that he, Wilfred, had been the head of, and because of this I spent many hours in his presence.

His help to me was invaluable. During this time I attended many business and social functions with Wilfred and from these events it soon became apparent to me what a modest, inspirational and respected person Wilfred Oliver was within the York business circuit.

As was his father Whitby Charles Oliver, he too was a local politician being the city sheriff in 1967.

Soon I will be attending the annual conference of the British Association of Removers in Belfast, this is attended by delegates from many parts of the world and I know that I will be asked by many “how are Whitby Olivers?”

Such is the respect of the company.

The comments made by Ken Holmes, who I do not know but hope to meet, and myself is reflection of two fine York businessmen, Whitby Charles Oliver and his son Wilfred Charles Oliver.

Frank Rose, Huntington, York.