As the fourth generation gets behind the wheel, we speak to Tracey Laughton, Tours Director at Taw and Torridge Coaches about how far
the firm has come
Established in 1976, Taw and Torridge has celebrated its latest achievement – its fourth generation has hit the road.
Following in the footsteps of his father Chris Laughton, mother Tracey, uncle Mark Hunt, and grandfather Tony Hunt, George Laughton has also gained his PCV licence at just 18 years old.
Expressing her proudness of his achievements, Tracey says: “Because everybody in the family has done the test at 18, when he turned 18 he wanted to give it a go and passed first time.
“At that age, it is quite an achievement.”
An achievement
Although he has expressed that his career aspiration does not lie fully within the family-run business, he hasn’t discarded it completely – expressing that coach driving is his back-up plan.
George is currently at university studying paramedic science and, despite holding a licence to drive the coaches on school runs, he will need to sit an extra exam in order to drive an ambulance.
He sat through three theory examinations and a 90-minute practical exam – from then, he started transporting passengers across North Devon.
“He has a huge interest in the company and since he finished college, he worked here all summer doing the ground work that we’ve all done,” Tracey says.
“We all had to start at the bottom, doing work in the yard cleaning coaches – in my day it was getting apple cores out of the ashtrays – so at least he doesn’t have to do that.”
A journey
Speaking to the North Devon Gazette, George has spoken about his journey to attaining his PCV licence.
He says he’s “excited” to get behind the wheel, with his first journey being his old school run.
“I think it will make me a better driver,” he says.
“Most young drivers get a bad reputation, so I think it’s good for someone of my age to do something extra and be recognised in a professional driving job.”
The evolution
George’s great-grandfather, John, started driving in 1960 and it was in 1965 when George’s grandfather, Tony, left school and joined his father’s business, AMG Coaches, as a mechanic in Merton.
Eight years after joining as a mechanic, Tony expanded the coach side of the business and entered the world of coach holidays and European tours.
In 1976, business is described as being ‘good’ and Taw and Torridge was formed – allowing it to further strengthen its reputation in the industry, regularly expanding and updating the fleet and going that extra mile for clients – something the family continues with to this day.
The company outgrew its premises just six years later, and a new purpose-built coach depot was built in Grange Lane, Merton – where its head office is still based today.
Tracey has been involved in the family firm since she was 18 years old and her husband, Chris, is the Engineering Director, as well as one of the Transport Managers.
Just keeps growing
Taw and Torridge purchased Loverings Coaches of Combe Martin in 2004, and just two short years later, the firm acquired Bath-based luxury coach tour company, SwanTours.
SwanTours’ headquarters were relocated to North Devon and an extensive overhaul of the fleet took place, leading to the delivery of two brand new coaches in 2013.
The family-run operation wasn’t finished with upsizing and, in 2011, it expanded its portfolio further by purchasing TW Coaches in South Molton.
That company was re-named TT Coaches and operated 18 vehicles. With the purchase of TW Coaches, Taw and Torridge also gained a contract with West Buckland School to provide its daily school transport and private hire.
In late 2012, another opportunity arose for the family to obtain the former First Bus depot and garage in Coney Avenue, Barnstaple.
“It was too good an opportunity to miss,” the firm says, and it set up a new depot, complete with a fully-automated coach wash, valeting area, toilet drop and designated steam cleaning bay.
As well as modern-day coaching, the business also offers a vintage and classic car fleet which can be hired for special events such as weddings, birthdays and school proms, in addition to a 24-passenger 1950s vintage coach.
40-year milestone
In March 2016, the firm celebrated its 40th year in operation. To mark the occasion, it took delivery of two brand-new Mercedes coaches.
And it was just two years later that it welcomed the fourth-generation family member onboard.
Speaking about George leaving for university, Tracey says: “George has had this interest in the medical industry, so he has to go off and pursue it. I don’t want him to look back and say, ‘you stopped me from doing it’.
“But if it doesn’t work out, he wouldn’t hesitate to come back and he would be welcomed, because he does love driving and he loves the people – I’m sure he would do the job well, but he needs to go off and do that first.”
