Cast your mind back to 1977 when George Cleasby started working for DAF Trucks in the northeast. When North East DAF bought Solway in 1980, George became a key part of the sales team in the area. Six years later, in 1986 when North East DAF de-merged, Peter Fullelove became the new majority shareholder. During this transition, George became a director and minority shareholder at the newly transformed DAF group and worked closely with Peter. The two gentlemen worked well together and began setting up new DAF workshops across the region, this group became known as Solway DAF.
George sadly died in 1990, and his shares passed to his wife Hazel, who did not sit idle, but continued to show invaluable interest in the company. Their son, Shaun, is also part of the DAF family. He owns and drives a DAF truck that he has lovingly maintained over many years. Furthermore, his son Tom, works as an HGV Technician at Penrith, which means three generations of the Cleasby family are connected to Solway DAF!
The Solway group is now owned by Motus Commercials, with Dan Haynes at the helm of truck sales. He has continued to uphold the family values that Solway DAF was famous for. Just before the Motus handover was completed, Peter and the team sold one more truck… That truck has now been delivered and is out on the road being used for agricultural work by none other than Shaun Cleasby!
Forty-seven years after their father started down this road, the Cleasby family have taken delivery of a brand new, show-spec, DAF XF 530 FTR in metallic silver. The truck boasts plenty of bells and whistles, and looks great with the black grille, ready for their next truck show!
Written on the rear of the cab: ‘the end of the road’ is a heartfelt goodbye to the original ownership of Solway DAF. Peter, who has now retired, visited Carlisle for this special occasion and to officially hand over the truck. Hazel Cleasby can be seen sitting in the cab and in the group photo from left to right: Peter Fullelove, Shaun Cleasby, Hazel Cleasby and Stuart Davidson.
