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Photo by Emma Chaplin<br />
m y lew es<br />
Profession: Proprietor of GM taxi company. I’ve<br />
been running my own business for nine years, but I’m<br />
still a driver, and have been for fifteen years. My dad<br />
was a cab driver in <strong>Lewes</strong> too.<br />
What do you drive? A black Peugeot 407. My cab is<br />
also the family car.<br />
Who have you had in the back of your cab? I’m not<br />
sure I’ve had anyone famous. My drivers have. We’re<br />
very busy at the moment because of Glyndebourne, we<br />
take an awful lot of people there. I’m wondering if the<br />
new Amex stadium will make a difference to business.<br />
What is the hardest part of being a taxi driver?<br />
Being patient with drunks. One most important thing<br />
we do for some people is listen to their problems.<br />
Obviously what’s said is kept ‘in the car’. We’ve got a<br />
lot of elderly customers who call us because they like<br />
to get out and have a good old chat.<br />
How do you deal with difficult customers? When<br />
they get in the car, you work out what sort of person<br />
they are. If they seem difficult I tend to keep quiet and<br />
don’t try to talk to them. I’m a good judge of character,<br />
definitely, you have to be.<br />
Are you local? Yes, I live in Landport and I’ve lived<br />
in <strong>Lewes</strong> all my life and brought up my kids here. I’ve<br />
never lived anywhere else.<br />
Are you Bonfire? Yes, I’ve been a member of Cliffe<br />
for twenty years. We do it as a family.<br />
What do you like about <strong>Lewes</strong>? It’s friendly, it’s<br />
home and it’s safe. Everybody knows one another.<br />
There’s not a stranger in <strong>Lewes</strong>.<br />
What don’t you like? I don’t think there’s anything.<br />
gI NA M A R SH A L L<br />
I’ve never had a problem. This is all I’ve ever known<br />
and I really like it.<br />
How do you get on with the traffic wardens? Normally<br />
fine, but there was a time a driver had taken an<br />
old lady to the bank, and he got out to get the wheelchair<br />
out of the boot for her, and he was ticketed.<br />
What’s your favourite place? I love the country<br />
lanes of Barcombe. You get amazing views. When<br />
you’re driving a cab you don’t see the world around<br />
you so much, but when you walk, there’s an amazing<br />
difference.<br />
What’s a good night out for you? I don’t get much<br />
time to go out, but I do love seeing a show. Mamma<br />
Mia was brilliant.<br />
Waitrose, Tesco (or Aldi when it opens)? Tesco. I’m<br />
not sure how well Aldi will do.<br />
Do you read a newspaper? We’re too busy, I don’t<br />
get the chance. But when I can I like to keep up with<br />
what’s going on around me with the Sussex Express,<br />
the Argus and <strong>Lewes</strong> News.<br />
How would you spend a perfect Sunday? Houseworking!<br />
I’m away from it so much during the week, I<br />
like to get it in order. But I can be working until 4am<br />
Fridays and Saturdays, so I rest in the morning to get<br />
a bit of energy first.<br />
What did you have for breakfast? Just a coffee. I<br />
have the odd croissant when it’s bought for me.<br />
Recommend somewhere to eat out. I like sausage<br />
and mash in the Real Eating Company.<br />
And a film? I love Harry Potter. I’m hoping to see the<br />
last one soon. EC<br />
2 7
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