Where do you start?

Almost a month since the last post, and we've been busy with new buses arriving, and the first of 10 'toy Borismaster' buses. More on those in another post. 

I've mentioned, before, about my influences in the industry and much of it is down to one man, who gave me a summer job back in 2004 which began my career in the industry.  Sadly, a couple of months after I moved on to do year 2 of my transport degree at University he passed away. But he left an impression on me which never has left.

This tribute appeared on the company's website not too long after the funeral and I saved the page not long after. That was fortunate, as the company went into liquidation just over 10 years ago.  

Whenever I'm in the village I always pop into the churchyard and have a chat with Charlie. 

"Charlie Hookway, died on Tuesday 30th November 2004. He was 53 and had been involved with the family business since he left school at the age of 14, in 1966.

Charlie joined his father in a hands on capacity and as soon as possible he learned how to drive and began finding his way around the coach roads of Britain. He became more actively involved with the management of the business during the 1970's and inherited the operation upon his father's death in 1983.

Always a unique character, Charlie was known far and wide throughout the industry and in the communities that his coach operation served. Those that worked with him knew that although he could on occasions fly off the handle, he was much more likely to help or assist. He was from that generation that believed "...you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."

Charlie had the enthusiasm to achieve many things and the small village operator grew into a major force in coaching in the west country. He was always buzzing with ideas and plans and never let anything stand in the way of having a go at something he knew would work. He was always happiest close to the coaches he believed in so much and loved to get behind the wheel and drive whenever he could. He was equally at home in the workshop and liked to prove that he could put something back together and make it work for a living again long after others would have given up and thrown it away.

In more recent years changes in legislation, and the bureaucracy that goes with it, frustrated him. He fought back refusing to bow to some of these changes and this brought him into conflict with some of the powers that be. Nevertheless he gained a kind of respect from everyone and privately many wished him well and hoped that he would succeed in his endeavours to keep things as they were.

The world moves on of course, and it was not to be. Charlie had a good team around him and many friends who continued to support him, as he did them, even when the chips were down.

Charlie Hookways funeral took place on Saturday 11th December at St Michael and All Angel's church Meeth. Family, friends, employees, ex-employees, operators, ex-operators, representatives of trade organisations, dealers, County Councils representatives and the Department of Transport attended. Some 350 people were there. The village of Meeth came to a complete stand-still and the little village church and churchyard were packed. Messages came from all over the country and Tony Hunt, his old friend and proprietor of Taw and Torridge Coaches in the next village, gave a particularly moving account of his friendship with Charlie and told of their often humorous antics together since the day they first met at school.

Charlie was buried alongside his father, and we know they will both continue to keep an eye on happenings across the road."