CELEBRATING BRITAIN
As society develops, many women are taking up jobs previously thought of as predominantly for men
‘Lorry driving is not a job, it’s a way of life’
Mel Griffiths, 57, is a long-distance HGV driver, travelling the country all week and returning to her home in Retford, Nottinghamshire, at weekends.
From the first time I rode in my stepdad’s lorry at the age of five, I knew it was what I wanted to do. But I couldn’t take an HGV driving test until I was 21, and by then I had my daughter, so my dream was put on hold.
When my daughter turned two, I couldn’t ignore it any longer. I rang every haulage company nearby to see who would take me on. One did, and that set me up for life. My daughter is also now in the industry, working for a haulage company in New Zealand.
I’ve been driving for 35 years and have my own six-wheel, 44-tonne articulated lorry.
Ican be down south at the beginning of the week and at the top of Scotland by Friday, sleeping in my cab all week. I’ve even had amicrowave put in, and I’ve got my kettle and toaster. There are two bunks, and it’s pink and cream inside and out. It’s surprisingly comfy!
When I started driving lorries, I was a bit of a novelty. Even now, only 1% of HGV drivers are women. However, I can do the job as well as any man. I can count the derogatory comments I’ve received on one hand. And if I ever feel uncomfortable, I simply move on.
In 2021, I was thrilled when a group of female drivers set up Girl Torque to encourage more women into the industry. For us, driving lorries is more than a job – it’s a way of life.
✱Find out more at girltorque.co.uk
‘I’M KNOWN AS THE IRON LADY!’
Natalie Bradwell, 39, runs her blacksmith business from a workshop near Worthing, West Sussex.
I was fascinated by making things as a child and thought I might be a sculptor. At university, doing a course on 3D craft and design, I was introduced to metal and fell in love with it straight away. Bending such a hard material and turning a bar into an intricate shape such as a seahorse felt very exciting and empowering.
I became an artist blacksmith but struggled to find work, so retrained in welding. It’s still a very male environment and I found it difficult to cope with the casual sexism. So, in 2010, I set up as a sole trader.
