What better way to mark the retirement of a dedicated East Midlands busman than take him for a farewell trip aboard a landmark preserved double-decker from the same part of the world? JOHN YOUNG reports and provides the photographs.
Friday 5 May was a significant day for passenger transport in the Chesterfield area. It formally marked the retirement of Alan Thorne, after 47 years’ dedicated service to the industry.
He started in the traffic department of East Midland Motor Services and enjoyed a long and successful career in the schedules department. Always remaining local, for many years he was a valued member of the local Stagecoach team.
Colleagues were keen to mark the occasion in a fitting way. A lunchtime meal with those closest to him was arranged in Barlborough; this much of the plan Alan knew. A vehicle of interest was considered to be a necessary ingredient, although he was blissfully unaware of this element.
Even when the double-decker roared up the drive to Stonegravels depot at Chesterfield, he was so engrossed in the detail of planning future timetable changes that he neither saw nor heard its approach.
Once taken out in to the main depot, the look on Alan’s face was such that we knew he f…
