The JCB driver who turned 'men's work' into her passion

Irish Examiner

22-05-2025

Driving some of the most iconic diggers in the world in front of tens of thousands of people might sound like a dream come true for many little boys. But for Laure Ashton, the only female member of the world-famous 'Dancing Diggers', joining the team meant so much more.
Her remarkable journey took her from training as a secretary to driving JCBs on a world stage.
The 13-strong team of
digger operators are based in a quarry in Staffordshire, England, owned by JCB, which is used for demonstration purposes and only puts on the high-octane stunts and acrobatics for very special occasions — including appearances for royalty and as part of the Top Gear Live tour.
Team leader Matthew Lucas explained the performances stem back to 1962, when JCB founder Joseph Cyril Bamford was demonstrating the machines to a customer at the factory.
'The customer was not quite convinced that the machine was strong enough for what he needed, and so he decided to put his own Cadillac car underneath a machine that was stood up. He left for lunch and, by the time he returned, he was convinced,' Matthew said.
'After that, they realised it was a great way of demonstrating the machines when customers came to the factory. They added more equipment, some music, and that's how it all began. When we do these routines, really, the idea is to show people the power, the strength, stability, and ruggedness of the machines.'
The Dancing Diggers' stunts aim to show people the power, the strength, stability, and ruggedness of the machines. Picture: Brian Thompson Photography
All of the machines used this week belong to customers and were sold by Northern Ireland dealer Dennison JCB.
'The machines are no different from how they were when they were purchased. We haven't changed anything to make them stand up … other than adding the pyro kits for the fireworks,' he said.
While the team is famous for its digger choreography, dancing is only one aspect of the job.
'We travel the globe to demonstrate the machines, not just to dance them. We are trained to demonstrate and do installations,' Matthew said.
'But also we have to wash them and clean them,' adds ex-military digger driver Jack Fowkes, who joined the team in recent years.
'It isn't just a case of turning up and getting in the cab.'
Like Jack, many of the other members of the troupe have operated diggers in their previous careers.
Veteran member Nigel Walker, for instance, used to drive them on farms before he joined the team, giving him over 20 years of combined experience driving JCBs.
'We all go through professional CPCS [Construction Plant Competence Scheme] training with the Construction Industry Training Board — that's where you learn how to operate a digger for construction. In the team, you typically start on a Loadall and work your way up to a backhoe,' Matthew added.
This year's performance at Balmoral, Scotland, not only marked their return to the show for the first time in more than 30 years — it also debuted a new routine created by a choreographer.
'What we normally do is go to a site, see what space we've got, see what machines we've got, and make it there, and then tailor it with the music to suit the country we're in.
'For example, here we had to slow the speed down to preserve the lawns.
'We have really enjoyed being here. It's been a great experience. The Irish people are good fun. Everybody we speak to wants to know about what we do and 'have the craic'.'
The Dancing Diggers at the 2025 Balmoral Show. Picture: Brian Thompson Photography
The impressive line-up of machines sourced by the local dealer included the one millionth 4CX, signed personally by Mr Banford.
The model includes dual drive, which allows the operator chair to rotate in sync with the direction of travel of the machine.
One crowd favourite, skiing beneath the backhoes in the Loadall, was Laure Ashton — the sole female on the team.
Her incredible story, from secretary to global JCB demonstrator, has inspired many.
Laure has been with JCB for three years, previously working on the Loadall backhoe assembly line.
'My family are so proud, and my children are so proud of me,' she said.
Her favourite machine is the 370X Excavator.
'I like them because they are bigger. Bigger is always better,' she laughs.
But Laure's journey hasn't been an easy one. As a child, she was strongly discouraged from pursuing anything that might be considered a 'man's job'.
'When I was a little girl, I remember I said to my mum I want to go to engineering school. I asked if could I do something in like electricity, or anything in engineering?
''No, no, no, no, it's for boys,' I was told. I said: 'Okay, mom, I want to do masonry.' And it was the same: 'No, no, no. It is for boys. You're not going to do that. The best thing you need to do is secretary training.'
'So I've been to secretary training, learning typing, shorthand … that kind of thing.
'When I got married to my husband, he was farming and had a few trucks. I said to myself: 'I've got it. That's where I'm going to learn, improve myself , and get driving the tractors, driving the big machines.
'When I started driving tractors, oh, that's nice. I love that. Then I start driving it all the time. When the JCB job come along, I applied for it.
'The farm really inspired me, because that's when I realised this is what I want to do — driving big machines.'
Even more impressively, her move into machinery came when she was already in her 40s.
'I wanted to finish having all my children first and get them to school before I applied for JCB. So then when my son — who is my youngest — started primary school, I said: 'There we go. This is my time.'
'My husband wasn't thrilled at first, but I told him I was doing it, and I did.'
Her advice to young girls interested in diggers?
'Go for your dream — do what you love and you are happy to do it. It might be a men's job, but I'm happy to do it and I'm glad to be part of such a great team.'