Where to find work in the South West

[the nodding donkey]

Keedwell?????????????? do not forget your saddle and boots lol

When is the last time you worked for Keedwell?

For what it's worth, if I lived near Highbridge, I'd probably still work for Keedwell. Main reason I left, was the unavailability of odd extra days overtime on the 4on 4off rota from Newport.
And the craptros trucks...

[silverman]

Ha, you chose three of the worse areas in the city.

[the nodding donkey]

Hi all,

Currently I am training to be a driver and thinking about where I would like to base myself once qualified. My partner works from home full time and can move anywhere in the country. Currently we live in Sheffield and would really like to move somewhere down towards the South West (Devon, Cornwall, Somerset etc). My question would be where would be best??? I'm guessing if I'm doing class 1 work we are talking about being close to regional distribution centres (Bristol, Exeter etc) and for class 2 work I could plonk myself anywhere hopefully. I'm hoping to earn £35-40k a year, be on decent hours and would like to find myself in a place where there's work and it pays well.

Any advice and help would be appreciated. Thanks

We looked years ago to move back to Bristol , we could afford a house for what we could get for ours in Grantham , but not as nice , we looked round knowle west , hartcliffe & southmead , I was fine with it but mrs wouldn’t entertain living in those areas
So we didn’t move forward , but one day

Your Mrs was correct dozy those areas in Bristol are like scum Central chav land.

Yet our dozy was happy to go and live there...

[James Richards]

Those are the worst suburbs of Bristol, not even the SAS would go there.

[Stussy]

I drive for Pallex based in Launceston, night trunk is 40k.
Was on nights, at Davidstow ex farm milk and only 32k.
I wouldn’t bother with Conway unless you like tramping on near minimum wage

[Gavv8]

If you want the money then Bristol or around that area, 30k is about the going rate for day mon-fri driving south of Bristol.
Don’t listen to the anti Gregory crew too much as most of them have never been near the firm or just talk out of their backside, they’re a big company with a lot of different contracts that might suit you.

[Stussy]

I had no issues at all when I was at Gregory’s

[the nodding donkey]

I had no issues at all when I was at Gregory’s

I did ...

[cheersdrive]

You can earn £35k in Exeter but there's not a huge choice of work. If you were committing to moving from a different part of the country it's risky, and gets more risky the further south you go. Maybe a backup plan if things go wrong?

I would suggest living in Taunton and work in Bridgwater at the Morrisons RDC, its run by Wincanton. Bristol is a great choice for work and as has been said before, you could live in south wales and commute, although I have no idea of house prices or quality of life around Newport.

I didn't take to Somerset personally, Devon is nicer. I lived in Clevedon, North Somerset, for a while which is just weird in a way you can't put your finger on. Bridgwater is full of inbreds. I found North Devon to be a category of it's own due to it's geographical location, a bit insular if that's the right word. Don't be tempted to move somewhere just because it has lovely beaches.

[SWEDISH BLUE]

I had no issues at all when I was at Gregory’s

My only issue was the TM "Dopy Colin"

[James Richards]

Which depot is this Colin, Shepton Mallet has Colin Feather ?I know what you mean about Clevedon, Burnham on Sea and Portishead, to me, I can’t put a finger on it too as they are all odd places, must be the Victorian architecture which is grey and depression.
Gregory have bought a lot of the big players in Scotland so must be something right.

[driveress]

You can earn £35k in Exeter but there's not a huge choice of work. If you were committing to moving from a different part of the country it's risky, and gets more risky the further south you go. Maybe a backup plan if things go wrong?

I would suggest living in Taunton and work in Bridgwater at the Morrisons RDC, its run by Wincanton. Bristol is a great choice for work and as has been said before, you could live in south wales and commute, although I have no idea of house prices or quality of life around Newport.

I didn't take to Somerset personally, Devon is nicer. I lived in Clevedon, North Somerset, for a while which is just weird in a way you can't put your finger on. Bridgwater is full of inbreds. I found North Devon to be a category of it's own due to it's geographical location, a bit insular if that's the right word. Don't be tempted to move somewhere just because it has lovely beaches.

+1
Choose carefully where to live first. Taunton is on the up but popular with city escapees who can now work from anywhere since lockdown. Rail link to London and close to M5. North Devon is in a category of its own, true. Barnstaple is a dump, like those areas of Bristol mentioned. North Devon is insular in the sense that it’s a traditional agricultural community full of isolated farms, and early closing on a Wednesday and Saturday in places, and if people do go on holiday they go next door, to Cornwall. It’s the sort of place that visitors are surprised to find a soya skinny latte But it’s a friendly place which is accepting of incomers of which there are a lot. People who move to ND either think it’s Devon’s best kept secret or a ****hole. Beautiful scenery. Everywhere is at least half an hour away. South Devon is much more touristy and loads of second homes and much more expensive. Exeter is a nice city, if you still want to live in a city.

[James Richards]

Concur with Exeter and Topsham with its Dutch style houses and naval history, the free guided tour in Exeter Cathedral is worth doing especially the story about the Luftwaffe.
Appledore is a very nice place and the rumour of the Jackson family renting a house there , and Instow beach but now both places are too popular with locals unable to afford to live there .

[Stussy]

I had no issues at all when I was at Gregory’s

My only issue was the TM "Dopy Colin"

Never heard of him tbh

[trevorking1964]

I passed my test in July 2020.
Started at Jaga Bros in Newport in August, a week and a half later.
After a week to make sure it was for me, I moved from Manchester to the Forest of Dean and I'm still there.
Was a huge gamble and it was very scary, but it's worked out.
I love my job, I'm well paid and looked after. Was given a new Scania after 4 months, which is a nice touch.

Moving for a job can work and definitely has for me.
Good luck.

[driveress]

Concur with Exeter and Topsham with its Dutch style houses and naval history, the free guided tour in Exeter Cathedral is worth doing especially the story about the Luftwaffe.
Appledore is a very nice place and the rumour of the Jackson family renting a house there , and Instow beach but now both places are too popular with locals unable to afford to live there .

Thank you for your contribution, Google.