Essex Now – Autumn 2015

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Essex

now

Autumn 2015

The magazine for First people in Essex

Employees views are crucial

PAGE SIX

john is all revved up for

c i s s a l C s

e k bi

PAGE SEVEN

EXCELLENCE AWARDS SUCCESSES CENTRE PAGES

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now Awards come at a time of change for the company

By Managing Director

Alex Jones

I have great pleasure in opening this column by congratulating colleagues who won accolades and achieved recognition at the UK Bus Excellence Awards in Reading. We’re very proud of our nine shortlisted nominees.

Chelmsford Driver Paul Ashman was named Driver of the Year with Phil Sage and the Chelmsford Vehicle Quality Operative Team being highly commended. Read more about them on pages four and five.

It has been busy with our Colchester team moving into their new Quayside depot, part of a £3.5 million investment. It will provide better facilities for everyone and a more cost effective proposition working out of one site. In addition 17 brand new Streetlite buses are destined for Colchester.

We recently announced our intention to close Braintree depot. It was an extremely difficult decision to take but we need to focus on building a more sustainable network and provide better working facilities for our staff. The site is in desperate need of renovation which is not sustainably viable.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all 75 staff at Braintree for their dedication and hard work over the years.

As confirmed, there will not be any job losses or redundancies – all staff will be offered the chance to re-locate to either Colchester or Chelmsford depots.

Nikki Allder has moved to Australia leaving the business in great shape for new General Manager Steve Leonard. Alvin Parker has been promoted to Assistant General Manager and I’m sure you’ll join me in wishing him well.

I’d also like to welcome Fleet Engineer Chris Phillips and his can do attitude from 34 years’ service in the Armed Forces.

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AUTUMN 2015

New depot oozes Quayside quality OLCHESTER’S new Quayside depot is now operational after a smooth weekend move saw services transferred from Queen Street to purpose-built premises in Haven Road.

It completes a £3.5 million redevelopment in the town which has also seen the opening of a new travel shop in St Botolph’s Road.

The new depot comes complete with state-of-the-art engineering facilities and offices and has been a few years in the planning.

Staff Manager Gerry Mullery said: “We completed the operational move in one weekend with the help of Group Properties.

In one day all 72 buses, 90 drivers and the engineering department made the swap.

“We’d had some problems with buses bottoming out on the new yard so once that had been put right we tested it using two buses, one of them a Streetlite, to make sure everything was okay.

“It was a massive operation to move everything but it seemed to go smoothly and everyone is now settling down to life in their new home.

“We’ve been getting great feedback from customers about the new depot and the travel shop so hopefully it’ll encourage more people to use the buses.”

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VQO Supervisor Dave Murdoch tests the new hose set up at the Quayside depot.

Two senior general managers appointed

New Assistant General Manager Alvin Parker.

FIRST Essex now has two new senior managers following the departure of Nikki Allder who has moved to Australia with her family after landing a top job in the bus industry there.

Former Chelmsford based Operations Manager Alvin Parker has been promoted to Assistant General Manager and a new General Manager, Steve Leonard, will join the company soon.

Alvin said: “I am pleased at my promotion and intend to use the experience gained at Chelmsford to help the business across Essex.”

Nikki, who had been with First Essex for two-and-a-

half years, is now Managing Director of Transdev New South Wales, which operates 500 buses in Sydney.

The 40-year-old has a four year contract and is settling in to life in Australia with husband Mark, a primary school teacher, and their son Jack, aged eight.

She said: “I’ve loved working for First Essex but this was too good an opportunity to turn down so we said let’s go for it.

“I will miss everyone at First Essex and would have liked to have taken my team with me! I’m also missing my family in the North East but they will be coming to visit and there’s always Skype.”

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Andy clocks up 40 years HADLEIGH Operations Manager Andy Spicer has celebrated 40 years in the bus industry – all at the same depot.

He started work at Hadleigh depot aged 18.

Andy has been in his current post for the last 18 years, where he manages a depot with about 150 staff and 58 buses. He said: “It’s a way of life rather than a job and I still enjoy challenges as no day is the same.”

Andy was presented with a bottle of champagne by former General Manager Nikki Allder and Assistant General Manager Alvin Parker to mark his long service.

“”

I’m really looking forward to the challenges I’m going to face.

Chris Phillips FIRST ESSEX FLEET ENGINEER

Ex-Army man is new

Fleet Engineer EW Fleet Engineer Chris Phillips has returned to Essex after a globetrotting Army career that saw him travel the world.

The 53-year-old who is now based at Chelmsford had previously been Engineering Manager at First’s Hengrove depot in Bristol – a role he took up after leaving the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in 2013.

His military career spanned 34 years during which he was stationed in Germany and the UK while serving in the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq as well as the US, Canada, Poland and Czechoslovakia.

Chris said: “Working at Bristol was an excellent introduction to the industry. I learnt a lot and I am extremely grateful to the team there. Because of them I found the transition from Army life to working for First relatively straight forward.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenges I’m going to face, a larger fleet of vehicles, a new depot in Colchester, new buses being delivered and getting around the business in Essex and meeting as many people as I can.”

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AN all Essex three monthly bus pass was the main prize of a promotional push staged during Catch the Bus Week.

With staff on hand at an event in Chelmsford, Managing Director Alex Jones said: “We wanted to be able to demonstrate that bus travel not only benefits the environment but also helps stimulate our local economy, reduces stress and brings people together.”

Extra funds CHARITY fundraisers across the company are being reminded they can apply to First UK Bus for matched funding to boost their coffers.

They can apply for up to £200 from the Group by simply emailing communityfirst@firstgroup. com or visit firstgroupplc. com/community for an application form.

Major Chris Phillips pictured at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, in 2010.

Runners raise more than £3,000 for hospices TEAM Essex covered themselves in glory at the Southend Half Marathon – raising more than £3,000 in sponsorship and First matched funding for Havens Hospices.

A total of 15 took part in the

Benefits of bus travel

end with 13 from Hadleigh depot joined by Network Manager Julian Elliott and his wife Andrea.

Hadleigh Driver Neil Taylor said: “Some people had to pull out through injury but in the end we did very well.

“A couple walked it, one filmed it on a head camera and the rest ran it.

“Some got good times but that wasn’t the point. Taking part was the main thing and we raised a lot for a great cause.”

X30 lift off BETTER X30 bus services are on the cards as First Essex works closely with London Southend and London Stansted Airport.

The company has produced a questionnaire and is asking for feedback as it strives to improve the customer experience.

AUTUMN 2015

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now WIN

For Driver Norman Lawrence, a good journey is like a good cake – it has to have the right ingredients with a cherry on top which is why he likes Service 132...

£50 worth of vouchers in FUN QUIZ OUR fun competition is based on the stories to be found in this edition of Essex Now with Love2Shop vouchers worth £50 the prize for the lucky winner. All you have to do to win is correctly answer the following questions:

1

How many nominations did First Essex receive at the Excellence Awards?

2

Name the new Fleet Engineer and who did he serve with in the Army?

3

Which Clacton Driver has a collection of classic motorcycles?

4

Who were the First Essex team raising money for when they took on the Southend Half Marathon?

5

How many Yellow School Buses does First Essex operate?

Entries should be emailed to ady.culpin@firstgroup.com and should include your name and contact telephone numbers.

The first entry to be drawn out of a hat with the five correct answers wins the prize. The closing date is October 31.

Basildon’s new calendar stars VEHICLE Quality Operatives Sue Sipple and her sister Trish Shinnick have turned some of the boys at Basildon depot into unlikely pin-ups after persuading some of them to partially strip off for a calendar.

And their efforts paid off as it won the First Essex leg of the groupwide Lifelong Learning 12 Months in the Bus Lane competition.

The tasteful calendar now goes forward to regional and hopefully national level as part of the promotion to support Prostate Cancer UK. Sue, who leads a team of about five at Basildon as Cleaner Supervisor, said: “We had to bribe a few to get their kit off but they’re all very food orientated here so it wasn’t too difficult. Trish took the pictures. I directed and everyone had a good laugh.”

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AUTUMN 2015

Student Travel Manager Phil Sage with his highly commended certificate in the Safety First Award category.

Paul Ashman with the coveted regional Driver of the Year trophy.

Customer service skills help Paul

win top driver accolade HELMSFORD Driver Paul Ashman scooped the prestigious Driver of the Year Award at the inaugural First South of England and Wales Excellence Awards.

He was nominated after literally going the extra mile by using a company pool car to get customers to the airport when the X30 Stansted Airport service faced severe delays.

He also helped out two girls hit by the delays, lending them £20 of his own money to buy food and a drink.

Up against six other drivers, his nomination read: “Since Paul joined the team at Chelmsford, he has consistently shown excellent customer service skills and it is easy to see that he genuinely cares about them all.”

The 47-year-old, a driver for years who has only been with First Essex for about 12 months, said: “I was shocked and amazed to win. I don’t do anything different that I haven't been doing for the last 16 and a half years. I don’t do what I do to be flash. I do it to

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represent the company.”

First Essex picked up two further awards when employees and teams were highly commended in their categories.

The Chelmsford Vehicle Quality Operative Team were runners up in the Innovation and Change of the Year category for launching a customer feedback website.

Student Travel Manager Phil Sage narrowly missed out on the Safety First Award but was highly commended for his passionate support of DriveGreen and improving journeys for customers.

Former General Manager Nikki Allder was shortlisted for Leader of the Year and Matthew Edes from Chelmsford was in the running for Apprentice of the Year. Also in Chelmsford, Matthew Elsey made a list of three for Young Manager of the Year, Ryan Osbourne was up for Engineer of the Year and both Chelmsford and Clacton made the Depot of the Year shortlist.

Norman Lawrence with one of the many attractive floral displays in Halstead. Below, the Service 132 bus on its way through town.

THE right ingredients are good weather conditions, varied and appreciative passengers and the cherry is the route – which is why I had no hesitation in going for Service 132 between Halstead and Witham.

The 14 miles take 85 minutes and is highly affordable due to our Braintree Day and 132 period tickets which help people hop on and off to explore.

We get a number of students, commuters, shoppers and regulars aboard for the journey which takes us through the very picturesque and award winning town of Halstead, always bursting with flowers throughout the year thanks to Julia Smith, her volunteers and sponsors.

Within literally minutes we’re driving along country lanes, past White Ash Green and Gosfield before finally entering the outskirts of Braintree, or should I say

Bocking! At the college we bid farewell to some of our students and then it’s onwards into 11th century Braintree town.

Freeport is our next port of call, a large retail outlet centre, and then on to Silver End before Rivenhall and past St Mary’s and All Saints on our left dating back possibly to the 12th century.

There’s one particular bungalow to our right that’s ablaze with colour in the summer due to the green fingers of Mandy and David Haines who plant thousands of flowers.

After yet another country lane we begin to enter Witham, past Rickstones’ Academy and onwards to the railway station which connects London with the east coast. In just a few minutes we’re onto the High Street before most of our passengers get off and we start all over again – but naturally in reverse.

Facilities and VQO Manager Mick Crowle holds aloft the highly commended certificate awarded to the Chelmsford Vehicle Quality Operative Team in the Innovation and Change of the Year category. Pictured with him are VQOs, left to right, Dean Pepper, Jeff Parker and George Wilcox.

AUTUMN 2015

5

Essex Now p4&5

8/9/15

16:45

Page 1

Essex

now WIN

For Driver Norman Lawrence, a good journey is like a good cake – it has to have the right ingredients with a cherry on top which is why he likes Service 132...

£50 worth of vouchers in FUN QUIZ OUR fun competition is based on the stories to be found in this edition of Essex Now with Love2Shop vouchers worth £50 the prize for the lucky winner. All you have to do to win is correctly answer the following questions:

1

How many nominations did First Essex receive at the Excellence Awards?

2

Name the new Fleet Engineer and who did he serve with in the Army?

3

Which Clacton Driver has a collection of classic motorcycles?

4

Who were the First Essex team raising money for when they took on the Southend Half Marathon?

5

How many Yellow School Buses does First Essex operate?

Entries should be emailed to ady.culpin@firstgroup.com and should include your name and contact telephone numbers.

The first entry to be drawn out of a hat with the five correct answers wins the prize. The closing date is October 31.

Basildon’s new calendar stars VEHICLE Quality Operatives Sue Sipple and her sister Trish Shinnick have turned some of the boys at Basildon depot into unlikely pin-ups after persuading some of them to partially strip off for a calendar.

And their efforts paid off as it won the First Essex leg of the groupwide Lifelong Learning 12 Months in the Bus Lane competition.

The tasteful calendar now goes forward to regional and hopefully national level as part of the promotion to support Prostate Cancer UK. Sue, who leads a team of about five at Basildon as Cleaner Supervisor, said: “We had to bribe a few to get their kit off but they’re all very food orientated here so it wasn’t too difficult. Trish took the pictures. I directed and everyone had a good laugh.”

4

AUTUMN 2015

Student Travel Manager Phil Sage with his highly commended certificate in the Safety First Award category.

Paul Ashman with the coveted regional Driver of the Year trophy.

Customer service skills help Paul

win top driver accolade HELMSFORD Driver Paul Ashman scooped the prestigious Driver of the Year Award at the inaugural First South of England and Wales Excellence Awards.

He was nominated after literally going the extra mile by using a company pool car to get customers to the airport when the X30 Stansted Airport service faced severe delays.

He also helped out two girls hit by the delays, lending them £20 of his own money to buy food and a drink.

Up against six other drivers, his nomination read: “Since Paul joined the team at Chelmsford, he has consistently shown excellent customer service skills and it is easy to see that he genuinely cares about them all.”

The 47-year-old, a driver for years who has only been with First Essex for about 12 months, said: “I was shocked and amazed to win. I don’t do anything different that I haven't been doing for the last 16 and a half years. I don’t do what I do to be flash. I do it to

C

represent the company.”

First Essex picked up two further awards when employees and teams were highly commended in their categories.

The Chelmsford Vehicle Quality Operative Team were runners up in the Innovation and Change of the Year category for launching a customer feedback website.

Student Travel Manager Phil Sage narrowly missed out on the Safety First Award but was highly commended for his passionate support of DriveGreen and improving journeys for customers.

Former General Manager Nikki Allder was shortlisted for Leader of the Year and Matthew Edes from Chelmsford was in the running for Apprentice of the Year. Also in Chelmsford, Matthew Elsey made a list of three for Young Manager of the Year, Ryan Osbourne was up for Engineer of the Year and both Chelmsford and Clacton made the Depot of the Year shortlist.

Norman Lawrence with one of the many attractive floral displays in Halstead. Below, the Service 132 bus on its way through town.

THE right ingredients are good weather conditions, varied and appreciative passengers and the cherry is the route – which is why I had no hesitation in going for Service 132 between Halstead and Witham.

The 14 miles take 85 minutes and is highly affordable due to our Braintree Day and 132 period tickets which help people hop on and off to explore.

We get a number of students, commuters, shoppers and regulars aboard for the journey which takes us through the very picturesque and award winning town of Halstead, always bursting with flowers throughout the year thanks to Julia Smith, her volunteers and sponsors.

Within literally minutes we’re driving along country lanes, past White Ash Green and Gosfield before finally entering the outskirts of Braintree, or should I say

Bocking! At the college we bid farewell to some of our students and then it’s onwards into 11th century Braintree town.

Freeport is our next port of call, a large retail outlet centre, and then on to Silver End before Rivenhall and past St Mary’s and All Saints on our left dating back possibly to the 12th century.

There’s one particular bungalow to our right that’s ablaze with colour in the summer due to the green fingers of Mandy and David Haines who plant thousands of flowers.

After yet another country lane we begin to enter Witham, past Rickstones’ Academy and onwards to the railway station which connects London with the east coast. In just a few minutes we’re onto the High Street before most of our passengers get off and we start all over again – but naturally in reverse.

Facilities and VQO Manager Mick Crowle holds aloft the highly commended certificate awarded to the Chelmsford Vehicle Quality Operative Team in the Innovation and Change of the Year category. Pictured with him are VQOs, left to right, Dean Pepper, Jeff Parker and George Wilcox.

AUTUMN 2015

5

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now Union backs Your Voice survey TRADE Union representative Mick Dowds, who is UNITE Convenor and Chair of the National Joint Consultative Forum, underlined the importance of taking part in the survey.

He said: “The employee survey is very important to us as a union because it helps communication and engagement between the employee and the employer.

“It’s important every employee has their say whether positive or negative. It will help ensure the business continues in the right direction.

“One of the biggest changes for us was communication.

“I can say after a few years of working on Better Journeys for Life that communications has moved on.”

Employee views will shape all our

futures E’RE urging every one of First Bus’s 17,000 employees to help the company improve by taking part in the 2015 Your Voice survey.

Employees can have their say – in total confidence – on what is good about working for First Bus and what can be improved.

It will give an invaluable picture of opinion and an opportunity to address issues identified.

We’d like employees to complete the survey online where possible, but printed copies are available.

So we’ve pledged to donate £1 for every paper copy sent in, and £2 for every completed online survey, to our national charity partner Prostate Cancer UK. The survey starts on October 5. Go to www.yourvoicesurvey.com – the password is VOICE2015.

It’s important that as many people as possible take part so we can understand the depth of what’s going on in the business.

The survey is confidential and while we need to know job titles and depots there is no way you can be identified from the results.

An independent firm will compile results and we will share them with you. You will see what’s All been said winners from and what s the First UK Bu we will be Excellence Awards doing in d ere ent n bee have response p’s rou into FirstG to make international the Be First business an Awards. even better

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AUTUMN 2015

You can watch the latest Channel First episode and videos from our excellence awards ceremonies by following the AR instructions below and scanning the Channel First logo above.

By First UK Bus Managing Director

Giles Fearnley place to work. Last year’s survey told us people were more confident in where we’re heading as a business and felt we were looking after customers better.

Issues of how we work together as teams were highlighted in some cases.

Again, we have been working hard to support each other better.

Anyone who needs help completing the survey can speak to their manager, supervisor, trade union rep or employee director.

So please help us to continue improving First Bus for everyone’s benefit.

Please make a difference by spending some time completing the Your Voice survey.

Package rewards all staff FIRST Bus employees are being urged to sign up to the company’s rewards scheme at www.firstmyrewards.com The site contains a huge number of exclusive offers and useful information on pay and pensions.

Employees can take advantage of First Exclusives for great savings with popular brands including ASDA, Thomas Cook and B&Q. They can buy shares in First while paying less tax and the company even throws in some shares for free!

There’s free bus travel in the UK and discounted rail fares like a FirstRail Day Rover ticket for just £6! ● All you need to log on is your National Insurance Number. To find out more visit firstmyrewards.com

Bring the page to life with our exciting mobile app

Download our free First Bus AR app from the app store.

Scan the photo or logo where you see the ‘Scan Here’ marker.

When the video starts, double-tap your screen for full screen view.

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John Williams with three bikes from his classic collection – a 500cc 1956 DBD Goldstar, right, a 1961 650cc A10 Spitfire and, at the back, a 600cc 1950 Model M21 with a Busmar astral double adult sidecar.

Brilliant LASSIC motorcycle fan John Williams enjoys driving a bus by day but two-wheeled vehicles are his love – and his collection of 14 vintage bikes is his pride and joy. The 59-year-old who joined First Essex two-and-a-half years ago has a particular passion for BSAs – he even passed his test on one when he was 16 and now owns 12 rare bikes built by the Birmingham Small Arms company.

They range from a 1948 D1 rigid Bantam to

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Question time Network Manager JULIAN ELLIOTT shares his love of vehicles, animals, music and comedy...

a 1970 650cc Thunderbolt. His favourite bike is a 500cc 1956 DBD Goldstar which has just had a full engine rebuild.

A member of the BSA Owners Club and the BSA Bantam Club, John said: “My current collection is only around three years old. I had some savings which were doing nothing in the bank so I’ve invested in classic bikes. They’ll appreciate in value.

“I cut my teeth on Bantams. I’m a real mug for them and I have five in the collection. Most of my bikes are in showroom condition.

“I’ve just bought two extremely rare D7 Trail Broncs which had been exported

How long have you worked in the bus industry?

I started 20 years ago at Basildon depot. It doesn’t seem long ago looking back, but I have seen many changes since.

What are your hobbies and interests?

We have two dogs – one’s a new puppy – and two cats.

Our first dog is a very energetic border collie – a real character. I also enjoy socialising and entertaining as well as going to shows, whether it be a music gig, live theatre or a musical. I play the bass guitar and have a music room at home.

Julian Elliott with his bass guitar.

How else do you relax?

I enjoy watching drama, comedies and documentaries. I never grow tired of classics such as Fawlty Towers and

to America. They weren’t a huge success and only 300 were made. I’m going to restore one and leave the other exactly as found. They’re a real barn find.

“I take my bikes to shows most Sundays in the summer and ride my D14 Bantam Sport to work at Clacton. My partner Linda is brilliant, kind and supportive most of the time but can be stubborn when I suggest rearranging the furniture and complementing our living area with BSAs. “That’s when I’m given the ultimatum to live indoors in comfort or outside in the garage with my bikes.”

Blackadder, although I also really enjoy satirical comedy such as Mock the Week and Have I Got News for You. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I’ve always been interested in transport and vehicles in general, whether it be buses, trains, cars or motorcycles.

As a child, I’d watch the Number 8 buses from my Nan’s tower block in Bow so I thought I would end up working in the transport industry at some point, although my first nine years at work were spent in a supermarket which taught me a lot about good customer service.

Which people, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party and why?

Musicians, comedians and

actors for their diverse skill and ability to entertain: Stephen Fry, Hugh Dennis, Matthew Bellamy, Freddie Mercury, John Lennon, Keeley Hawes, Sheridan Smith and Idris Elba.

What is the most challenging thing you have ever done?

I trained for the Southend Half Marathon this year, which I successfully completed.

There was a fair bit of training involved but it all came together on the day and I would like to thank my colleagues who encouraged me to take part and generously donated to a good cause.

Best piece of advice you have ever been given?

Always treat people how you would like to be treated yourself.

AUTUMN 2015

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In the swing for charity fundraising – Driver Alan Keyte.

Golfers boost charity OLCHESTER Driver Alan Keyte joined three golfing pals to play four back-to-back 18-hole rounds for charity. He and fellow Frinton Golf Club members Chris Hemmingway, Nigel Anderson and Michael Lionardi teed off on the 6,265 yard seaside links course at 4.30am.

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They had just one 30 minute break before completing their Macmillan Longest Day of Golf challenge at 7.40pm.

Alan, a Driver with First for two years, said: “There was no wind and it was baking hot so it was hard work at the end but I think we did pretty well.

“We’ve now submitted our

points score and waiting to see if we’re through to the next round.

There’s a good chance we'll have to do it all again.

“We’ve raised around £3,000 for Macmillan so far including a £300 contribution from First Essex and are already talking about doing it next year but taking on five rounds this time.”

Couple take right route to wedded bliss LYNNE Smith’s wedding was just the ticket – though she was determined the honeymoon would not be a busman’s holiday as her husband Andy also works in the industry.

The PA to the Managing Director and Fleet Engineer met Andy when he started work for a London bus company in 2009 after a 22 year Army career with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Andy, who was Fleet Engineer for First Essex before moving on in 2013 and is now Head of Engineering Performance for Arriva London, proposed during a surprise Valentine’s weekend trip to Prague.

They tied the knot at the Marygreen Manor in Brentwood, Essex, on July 4.

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AUTUMN 2015

Andy and Lynne Smith cut the cake with a ceremonial sword on their wedding day.

YSB ready for the new school term YELLOW School Bus is back on the road in Essex after a summer of service promotion and vehicle maintenance.

A nine-strong fleet is used to carry about 400 pupils a day to and from seven senior schools in Chelmsford and one in Colchester including King Edwards VI Grammar and the Anglo European School.

Eight dedicated and specially-trained drivers ply the same route each day so they can build trust and good relationships with the children they look after.

First Essex Student Travel Manager Phil Sage said: “We were busy during the summer preparing to get back out on the road. Each bus was given a thorough service and safety check while we were out at feeder schools to meet parents and sign up their children.

“Our drivers undergo special training covering child safety and First Aid and really do go the extra mile. We have a YSB hotline so parents can let us know if their children are travelling or not and each driver takes a register so they know where the child got on and where they got off.

“They do a fantastic job as we work closely with our schools and parents to make sure our children get to and from school safely everyday.”