The death has occurred at the age of 88 of Eden-based haulier Colin Alderson, whose can-do attitude inspired many of his employees to successful careers in the transport sector and other fields of industry.
Something of a legend in the haulage industry because of his belief that failure was not an option, combined with a dry sense of humour, he was also held in high regard by those who worked with him — although they rather dreaded hearing his stock phrase “Well, here’s the plan”.
However, they appreciated his approach when problems arose of continuing to offer drivers his support while letting them work out the solutions for themselves. The initiative this fostered stood many of them in good stead as they went on to do well in their chosen careers.
A man who loved seeing new places, he was known by many as Walt, after Sir Walter Raleigh, because, as with the famous Elizabethan soldier and explorer, wherever his friends went he had been there before them.
Born at Brough, Colin was one of three sons of the late George and Mabel Alderson. His two brothers were Bruce and David.
The family moved to Appleby when Colin was three and he later attended Appleby County School. After leaving school he went to work for his uncles at Low Barn Farm, near Flakebridge, in the summer and for his father in the winter catching rabbits.
He went into the army in 1952 and was sent to Malaya on board the ship Empire Windrush. He served as a cook, despite never having cooked before in his life! The knack he picked up of cracking an egg in each hand remained with him and became something of a party piece.
After completing his national service he went back to rabbit catching in the winter and driving for the Macraes, collecting milk, in the summer. After the horrible disease myxomatosis arrived in the UK and killed off almost all of the rabbits he worked on milk collection for the Winters, at Clickham, and Mullens.
It was in 1956 that he married Miss Jane Burrows, whose parents ran a shop in Penrith’s Townhead area. The couple bought a two-bedroom house in Penrith’s Scotland Road for £250 and later bought the property next door for £700 so they could combine the two. They had two daughters, Jacqueline and Fiona.
His father bought a Guy tipper lorry for Colin to drive hauling lime. This was traded in for a Leyland with an A licence so Colin could do general haulage all over the country.
One of his brothers, Bruce, left the Express Dairy in 1970 to join Colin in the family business, and his other brother, David, also joined it in 1975. By this time they had four lorries hauling containers.
They expanded to the point they had more than 20 lorries and were doing refrigerated work all over Europe for Frigoscandia and tilt work for Curries, of Dumfries. Their vehicles even went through the Iron Curtain to what was then East Germany, at that time largely controlled by the old Soviet Union.
Former drivers often say Colin’s speciality was getting them to go to places where and when they did not want — such as to France just before Christmas so they could unload on Boxing Day. The same applied at New Year. Colin continued driving well into his 70s before eventually retiring.
His love of travel extended into his leisure interests and he enjoyed many overseas holidays. He always wanted to know about the things he encountered, such as how the pyramids had been aligned when he saw them as he went through the Suez Canal.
He is survived by his brother David, Appleby, and daughters Jacqueline Cochrane and Fiona Warwick, both of Penrith. He had five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The funeral service was held at Christ Church, Penrith, on May 6. Arrangements were in the hands of Co-op Funeralcare, Carlisle.
