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Southdown bus book stops at Memory Lane
EASTBOURNE severed its link with the golden age of public transport last year when the municipal bus service was swallowed up by Stagecoach.
A financial crisis and the reality of running a modern transport undertaking sent Eastbourne Buses the way of many other independent operators.
Those who fondly remember the heyday of Eastbourne's blue and cream buses will no doubt have the same affection for another famous fleet which graced the area – Southdown, perhaps the Rolls Royce of bus companies.
That accolade is proposed by Hailsham writer Glyn Kraemer-Johnson in Southdown Memories, his fifth title in collaboration with John Bishop, about the much-loved Sussex bus operation.
Southdown was formed in 1915, became a part of the National Bus Company in 1969 and was privatised again in 1987 when it reverted to its familiar green and cream livery.
More turnoil followed and the name disappeared in 1993, only to be resurrected by a West Sussex operator which runs Southdown Motor Services to this day.
Mr Kraemer-Johnson reveals that in its prime Southdown was managed with an almost military discipline - rattles on buses were fixed immediately, all the windows opened and closed smoothly, and the highest standards were expected of staff.
Anyone reporting for duty less than five minutes before the bus was due to depart would be sent home with the loss of a days pay. The distinctive uniform and cap was obligatory.
Mr Kraemer-Johnson provides a feast of information about makes and models of buses that will enthral the diehard enthusiast, as will John Bishop's extensive selection of photographs.
But there is plenty for the non bus spotter who can nevertheless recall with affection the age when conductors would urge you to 'hold very tight' and when buses really did seem to run on time.
• Southdown Memories (ISBN 978 0 7110 3255 2) is published by Ian Allan Publishing, priced 16.99.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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