Kindly Wyre binmen make truck-mad youngster Bruce's year

A truck-obsessed little boy from Cleveleys has been adopted as the unofficial mascot of a crew of binmen - and their kindness has helped the family during a nightmare year.
Mum Tanya Stevens with little Bruce, and, from left, binmen Ian Merrick, Steven Penman and Jamie HickenMum Tanya Stevens with little Bruce, and, from left, binmen Ian Merrick, Steven Penman and Jamie Hicken
Mum Tanya Stevens with little Bruce, and, from left, binmen Ian Merrick, Steven Penman and Jamie Hicken

Little Bruce Stevens, aged two, became fascinated with big trucks at the start of the year and soon the sight of the binmen's lorry outside the house every Tuesday became a highlight of his week.

At first he would just wave excitedly from the window, but soon driver Ian Merrick noticed him and would toot the horn and wave back.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bruce was soon waiting outside by the garden gate every week, even in pouring rain, to wave at them with his mum and dad, Tanya and Steve Stevens.

Bruce Stevens, two, has been cheered up by local binmen thoughout lockdown, pictured with parents Steven Stevens and Tanya Stevens.Bruce Stevens, two, has been cheered up by local binmen thoughout lockdown, pictured with parents Steven Stevens and Tanya Stevens.
Bruce Stevens, two, has been cheered up by local binmen thoughout lockdown, pictured with parents Steven Stevens and Tanya Stevens.

And the crew agreed that the next time they were in the street, they would have a little chocolate bar for him - and Bruce gave them a home-made card the next week.

The crew are on first name terms with the family and make a fuss of Bruce every week.

Tanya, 29, a former Radio Wave presenter, said: "The binmen didn't know it, but the fuss they have made of Bruce has been the best thing to happen this year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It's been a hard time for us - we were flooded in February during the storms, and lockdown meant the house couldn't be fixed and we had no electricity and soaking wet floorboards for months.

Steve and Tanya Stevens with little BruceSteve and Tanya Stevens with little Bruce
Steve and Tanya Stevens with little Bruce

"Then Steve lost his dad in a motorcycle accident, and both of my grandparents died just ten weeks apart.

"Bruce couldn't meet up with his little friends because the playgroup was closed for months during lockdown and he's really missed them.

"It has been a horrible, stressful year for us all.

"So when binmen Tuesday comes around, it's something to look forward to, he gets so excited. It's made a big difference to Bruce and has given us all a lift."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Steve, a circus strongman, said: "When he sees them, he'll start shouting 'binmen, binmen' and he'll practically drag us to the front door.

"They don't have to do this, they're busy lads with a long shift to get through, so we appreciate it, we all love it when they come down the street."

Ian, 43, from Cleveleys, said: "It's the highlight of our shift every Tuesday, to be honest, he's become our unofficial mascot.

"He's out in all weather, ready to meet us every single time.. We all said we should get him something and it's gone from there."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This week the crew even presented Bruce with his own a little hard hat, 43 and florescent vest and a basket of chocolate.

They all work for the company Veolia, which has the refuse contract with Wyre Council, and from their base on Copse Road, Fleetwood, the crew covers Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Thornton and Poulton.

Damien Bigley, contract manager, said: "This is what it's all about, the interaction with customers and giving a friendly service - it's given us a lift too."

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.