You can't keep a good man down a pit
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WORKING on the principle that if one looks after the gallons, the pounds will take care of themselves, Bill Thomas, of Swanbrook Coaches, is reputed to have made a million. At 14 he was a miner but in his spare time he helped to ventilate his lungs with a saxophone in a local dance band. This led him to the retail music trade but when it struck a dull note in the 1939-45 war, Bill became a canny farmer.
His entry into transport was with two minicoaches which he OAF TRUCKS (GB) has signed up international showjumper Jean Germany in a three-year sponsorship deal worth £100,000. She will be travelling throughout Europe in a handsome, silver-painted Daf FT 3300 artic with horsebox trailer.
Jean, who holds the coveted Queen Elizabeth ll cup, qualified for her hgv 1 licence three years ago. She joins other sporting personalities sponsored by the importer — former world boxing bought in 1960 to start his exRAF son in business. Now he has 70 vehicles. His preoccupation with fuel economy has produced such sweet music from the till that at 73 he has a twinkling eye on his second million. When it comes to business, there is no doubting Thomas.