A Cutt Above

From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years

- Jessica Grainger

Many regulars on the show scene will instantly recognise this company name and Brian’s lorries. With their simple white cabs, black chassis, green lettering and detailing they’re an exceptionally tidy small fleet.

Brian Calcutt’s steadily expanding fleet of six stands out as it’s made up of four flatbed rigids and one artic which usually pulls a flat trailer. A Ford Transit pickup is the baby of the bunch. By his own admission he fondly remembers the simpler, less stressful times of just him and one other truck to find work for, but the good service provided by this eye-catching fleet has led to an increase in vehicles, and perhaps some more grey hairs on his part!

Brian represents the fourth generation of Calcutt in transport. His great-grandad started the business as a coal merchant back in 1937 offering doorstep sack delivery. Coal was delivered loose to their yard and then bagged on site by hand using an elevator; serious hard graft by any standard. This process still happens to this day but on a much smaller scale, with 500 tonnes annually bagged into either an open top or plastic pre-pack sack. This is very much a seasonal part of the business; during a cold snap the coal does go a little crazy and it’s all hands on deck to get deliveries out. Compared to the 3000 tonnes moved annually 25 years ago, this shows the decrease in general household coal use.

Brian’s dad Geoff is now 74 and is still very much involved in the business day-to-day, while Brian’s sister Sarah took over the accounts side from their mum Wendy. The company is a real family affair, with Brian’s wife Tracey and children Lauren and Luke also employed.