The team from Driver Hire Leeds West recently held a celebration afternoon tea at Browns in Leeds to mark 20 years of outstanding service from one of their drivers, Brian Morley.
“Brian did his first shifts for Driver Hire way back in 2004, long before we were involved in the business,” explain Fiona and Tim Hennah, the current Leeds West franchisees. “We quickly discovered that customers love Brian for his can-do approach and his easy charm. Over the years he’s driven everything from HGVs to vans, coaches and minibuses. But he is so much more than just a driver. When we took over the business three years ago, Brian was just brilliant to us – a source of knowledge when we were finding our feet, always available to help, day or night. It’s no exaggeration to say that the business would not be the success it is today, without Brian.”
Brian is now aged 84 and showing no sign of hanging up his keys (he’s still Institute of Advanced Motorists accredited). “I’ve always loved trucks, buses and driving,” says Brian. “My father was a haulier in the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. I spent much of my childhood and teenage years in and around trucks. One of my earliest recollections was the winter of 1947, with my father changing a broken rear leaf spring on a Bedford at the roadside in thick snow and ice. A very hard life, it’s so much easier now. Crash gearboxes in those days, no cab heaters – now there’s power steering, electric parking brakes and automatic gearboxes.”
“Some of my favourite Driver Hire jobs have been with the TV and film companies. I’ve worked with production crews on series like Victoria, Gentleman Jack and All Creatures Great and Small, always good fun. But in the end it all comes down to the people you meet in this line of work. I still enjoy it, and I have some more miles in me yet.”
“We’re so proud of Brian,” conclude Tim and Fiona, “and we were delighted to be able to celebrate his achievements with him. Thank you, Brian, for all that you’ve done for Driver Hire and for so many people in Leeds, over the years.”
