James John Prior born in Great Sampford, Essex.  He worked as a farm hand after leaving school at 11 until he was 16.

At the age of 26, after working for several companies and saving enough money, he formed JJ Prior and purchased Bye Balls Farm in Great Sampford, Essex.

Signed a lease with Great Eastern Railway for Orchard Wharf that became the home of the business until 1990.

The business expanded owning 3 farms, 200 horses and cart steam rollers, 3 sailing barges, 3 lorries and depots in Loughton, Bermondsey and Poplar.

A.J.C. (Bert) Prior joined the company after the death of his grandfather and founder.

James and Len joined the company. Mr Bert, as he was known, saw the benefits of river transport and built up a fleet of 11 motor barges.

Bert Prior became involved with a sand marketing company at Fingringhoe. By 1934 he had purchased the company which was known as Thames and Colne River Aggregates.

The Sherfield (later Peter Prior) was involved in the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk.

The freehold of Orchard Wharf was purchased from Great Eastern Railway and the same year the adjoining Silvocea Wharf was purchased. Peter Prior joined the business and became Managing Director. He was the son of Bert Prior.

Two new barges were built for the Prior business, the James Prior and the Bert Prior.

Peter became Chairman of the family business in 1976 after the death of Bert Prior.

The London Docklands Corporation compulsorily purchased Orchard and Silvocea Wharfs. For the first time Priors had no main office in London hence the relocation of the head office to Fingringhoe in Essex.

The Mark Prior was added to the fleet.  Throughout the 90s freight grants were available to the business and most vessels underwent refurbishment.

The Peter Prior was added to the fleet. She was capable of carrying 600 tonnes, twice as much as the normal vessels. The first of many Gold Awards was won for being judged an outstanding operator in the quarrying industry.

The cement barge Gabriela joined the fleet carrying cement in bulk to wharfs along the River Thames.

Planning permission for the next 10 years was obtained allowing 100% of the company’s products to be delivered by barge to its customers.

A new agreement with Euromix Concrete saw a state of the art concrete production unit built at the Greenwich Wharf.  This is still operational today taking some 6000 HGV movements per year off London’s congested roads.

Thames & Colne River Aggregates and JJ Prior Transport merged to form JJ Prior Limited.

Purchase of modern efficient equipment ensures the continuation of the business.

Purchase of a larger vessel to continue trading along the River Thames for the next 10 years.