Meet the team

Danny Harrison

Danny lives with his wife Bev and two children in Swartmoor - he established TopGear School of Motoring 20 years ago and quickly adapted a professional, successful flare for business which saw TopGear expand to where it is now. The best thing about driver training for Danny is the feeling of achievement when an instructor passes his final exam.

One of Danny's funniest stories (although there are a lot) was when instructor training in Preston a convertible pulled up alongside with an elderly man driving and what appeared in the mirror to be a blonde model in the passenger seat. On closer inspection the model turned out to be a blow up doll!!

Outside of work Danny enjoys testing his driving skills in foreign cities. His first car was a red Vauxhall Chevette and his dream car is a Bugatti Veyron.

Testimonial Passed first time with one minor, thanks to Danny. Absolutely fantastic instructor - The Big Cheese!!

Dave Penny

Dave had over 20 years experience training local engineering apprentices before his change of career nearly 10 years ago.

He enjoys watching all sports especially football and especially his son playing for local team Ulverston Rangers. Dave was also a rock band member in the 60's and occasionally comes out of retirement for the odd gig.

Dave can relate to all different age groups and backgrounds when teaching - some learners are not natural drivers so it is always great when they reach test standard and pass. The look on their face is worth all the hard work and effort.

One nervous client once stalled at a roundabout and two vehicles behind who were not " keeping their distance" collided behind them. Although not involved, Dave stopped and pulled over to check everyone was ok - when he turned around to check on his client he was being sick over a wall!!

Daves dream car would be also be a Bugatti Veyron - if he wins the lottery!

His personal motto is "Never judge a book by its cover" - "treat each new pupil as an individual and don't pre judge their abilities"

Testimonial Thanks to Dave for his patience and fantastic tuition I passed first time - Dawn, June 2011

Joanne Addison

Jo has lived and worked in the Ulverston area for the last 20 years - she was originally brought up on a farm driving tractors and chasing sheep.
She has been with TopGear for nearly 8 years.

The best thing about being a driving instructor for Jo is seeing the most nervous pupil develop confidence - can't beat the smiles and tears when pupils pass their test.

Jo enjoys the independance that driving brings - go anywhere at any time.

Her first car was a clapped out white VW - with no working wipers - this was discovered when it rained on the way home after picking it up!! There have been so many funny things that have happened over the years of teaching but one that stands out was the time Jo and her pupil drove past some builders - the windows were down and the builders wolf whistled. Jo smiled sweetly in acceptance and then they shouted "not you, the young one!!"

Jo's personal motto is "anyone can learn to drive".

Testimonial TopGear is the best by far. Jo was superb and taught me far more than I already knew.Many thanks to Jo and the team as it has been great.

Kev Smith

Kev has been married to Kaz for over 15 years, he has 4 kids, 2 dogs and a budgie.

The best thing about teaching people to drive for Kev is the day they pass - and their first big wave when they pass you in their first car.

Kev's favourite aspect of driving is the freedom to go wherever and whenever - his first car was a Vauxhall Chevette (Chevy) and after he passed he started his passion for minis with an orange 1275GT.

Kev remembers when the new one way system was introduced to Barrow and the fun and games all the instructors had to endure before it was established!

His personal motto is "If I can do it, so can you" or "they should have set off earlier" for the unfortunate car stuck behind the new learner!!

Testimonial Kev is easy to get on with and makes learning to drive a pleasure.

Luanne McKenna

Luanne lives in Barrow with her husband Dean and daughter Fay.She joined TopGear in early 2008 and considers herself lucky to be working with such a great team.

For Luanne the best thing about teaching is the moment they pass their test and seeing their faces - especially when a few months before they couldn't move a car.

Luannes favourite aspect of driving is having the freedom to jump in the car and drive to Manchester for shopping or nights out, watching bands etc.

Her first car was a Vauxhall Corsa (there seems to be a Vauxhall theme going on here!!) and anything big and expensive, paid for by someone else would do as her dream car!

One of Luanne's most memorable moments was driving down a country lane with a pupil when they turned a corner and were face to face with 8 loose bulls, completely blocking the road - with no chance to reverse or turn round they had to edge forward very slowly until they were hered back to the field.

Scary wasn't really the word to describe it!! Luanne believes that if you put the time and effort into something you will always succeed.

Testimonial Luanne makes me feel secure, gives me confidence and takes time to explain things properly. I would recommend TopGear to anyone.

Andy Murphy

Andy's last job involved training so driving instruction seemed a natural progression. The best thing for Andy about being an instructor is getting to know the pupils and of course enjoying the moment when they pass.

Andy's dream car is a BMW M5 and he like the others enjoys the independance driving brings. His most memorable occurrence was experiencing a pupil attempting to drive the wrong way around a roundabout. His personal motto is "Failure to plan ahead, is planning to fail"

TestimonialThanks Andy for your encouragement and having faith in me. Its been a pleasure knowing you.

Bev Harrison

Although not an instructor Bev has run the office side of the business since 2004.

The favourite aspect of her job is talking to different people everyday and starting the process of their driving career by taking that first phone call, often putting nervous, unsure clients at ease and encouraging them to take that first step.

One of her most memorable experiences is being woken at 4am by someone wanting to book a driving lesson. When she remined the caller what time it was the reply was "its light isn't it?"

Bev loves the feeling of being on the open road, with the sunroof down and favourite music playing and loves her Mazda 6 MPS although her dream car is actually an Audi S5 Cabriolet . She will keep dreaming!! Bev's motto is "Communication is paramount"

Testimonial Thankyou Bev - you've been so helpful in arranging lessons - always cheerful and accommodating.

Anita Guy

Anita lives in Ulverston and is married to Stephen, she has 2 boys, Ryan and Will.

When she's not working she is often found on the side of a football or cricket match cheering on her youngest son Will. If any spare time left she enjoys running, walking and spending time with good friends.

Anita enjoys the challenges and rewards you get from teaching, watching them struggle at the beginning turning to joy when they pass. Its such a big milestone in your life and she enjoys the fact she has helped them achieve it.

Freedom and independance are the best thing about driving for Anita - her first car was a silver Ford Fiesta - which she later sold to pay for a holiday - BIG mistake!!

Anita's dream car is an Audi R8 - which she had the opportunity to drive on a race track recently.

Testimonial Anita was an excellent, very friendly, patient instructor. I thoroughly enjoyed my lessons with her. I would recommend TopGear to anybody - by far the best.

Steve Johnson

Steve has been instructing since 2005, before that he was in the motor trade and has always loved cars. Steve finds the best thing about teaching is meeting different people and parting with his knowledge and seeing it come to fruition.

His favourite aspect about driving is using his skills for a relaxing drive away from towns with no time constraints.

His dream car is an Aston Martin DB9 or a classic mini which he now owns.

His funniest memory is teaching a pupil who will remain nameless to stay on the black stuff and the left hand side of the road! His personal joke motto is "keep death off the road - drive up the pavement".

Testimonial Steve has been a great instructor. He is very friendly and makes new drivers feel at ease.

Martin Wise

Martin was born in Reading, lived in Cumbria since 1983. He has worked in outdoor centres and has been self-employed as a management trainer for many years before becoming a driving instructor. He passed his car test in 1980 & motorbike test in 1985.

His favourite thing about driving is the flexibility & easy transport of a car (warm & dry compared with a motorbike!)

His first car was a Hillman Avenger and his dream car would be one powered by hydrogen!

The best thing about teaching people to drive for Martin is seeing how different people deal with the same mechanical tasks in such a great variety of ways; adapting his instruction to the way their brain works!

One of Martin's most memorable experiences was driving through Ormsgill and seeing a horse standing in a front garden, looking over the low wall!

His personal motto is "Potius sero quam numquam" (better late than never)

Testimonial I've had a great time throughout the whole learning experience, made better by passing today.Thanks Martin and TopGear.

Barry Edwards

Barry has lived in the Barrow area all his life and lives with his wife Angela and his two daughters.

His favourite aspect of driving is driving around new and challenging roads and discovering new places of interest.

His first car was a blue Ford Cortina which he bought in 1984 - his dream car is an Aston Martin DBS.

Barry thinks the best thing about instructing is teaching someone a new life skill and enjoys the constant reminder to put signals back on! His best memory in his driving instructing career was when his very first pupil passed their test.

Barry's has a motto "Fail to prepare, prepare to fail"

Denis Hetherington

Denis lives in Maryport with his wife Lorraine who runs a hairdressing / beauty salon in the town. Denis is primarily our Motorbike instructor but he also finds time to teach learner drivers and trailer train. Denis loves the sense of achievement he gets from sharing his knowledge and expertise at teaching people to ride and drive.

His first car was a white mini and his first bike a Honda 50 which he aquired at the age of 12! His car of choice would be an E type Jaguar and he is saving up for a Suzuki Hayabusa!! Denis enjoys the freedom of the road when biking, the unique solitary experience of taking to the road and getting away from it all.

A funny moment that happened for Denis was when a young lady approached him at a petrol station when he was in full biker gear including helmet and asked if we were "THE TopGear". Tongue in cheek Denis replied "yer" and she responded with "are you the Stig?" Not having the heart to disappoint her Denis said he was and she went away delighted after meeting her first "famous" person!!

Denis has a great motto "The impossible I can do at once, miracles take a while longer!!"

Top Gear Motorbike training and motorcycle lessons in Ulverston and Dalton in Furness, South Cumbria

Top Gear School of Motoring and driving lessons in Barrow in Furness, South Cumbria