We’re all going on a... busman’s holiday

BIG day out: the first outing to Blackpool, organised by the Oldham Passenger Transport Social and Recreation Club, snapped by a Chronicle photographer in May, 1951

60 years of day trips celebrated as the tradition lives on
OLDHAM’S bus drivers are celebrating six decades of social outings “on the buses”.

The tradition began 60 years ago, in 1951, when the Oldham Passenger Transport Social and Recreation Club, as it was then known, organised a summer day-trip for superannuated staff with at least 25 years’ service.

It sparked an annual event which has been enjoyed ever since — offering a treat to retired busmen and women which was subsidised by members of the club.

The first trip took place in May, 1951, when the day trippers headed to Blackpool for fun and frolics.

The tradition continued, despite several changes in ownership of the bus company, which is now run by First Group.

The social club was rocked when its meeting place at the Pennine Lounge, Mumps, closed down three years ago, and the first year went by without an outing.

But enthusiasm for the venture was maintained by a core of members who sent out letters and word-of-mouth invitations to a reunion evening.

Dougie Watts headed the meeting, and the Oldham Passenger Transport Reunion group was formed to rescue the annual trips on a pay-as-you-go basis.

The minimum 25 years service was abolished, and now trips are run for all serving and former employees.

Messages of support rolled in from as far as Portsmouth, Carlisle and South Wales, and even from foreign shores in Barbados and Turkey. The club now has more than 200 members from all trades and positions within the passenger transport industry, and around 60 people regularly attend reunions.

Club member Ray White explained: “We get together with old buddies and colleagues that are normally only contacted by a chance encounter.

“It gives us an opportunity to catch up with each other’s current events and news, and maybe travel down memory lane with stories and jokes of past times over a favourite tipple.”

He added: “With colleagues now working for other operators, the ambience of the reunions creates a camaraderie within the industry, and helps to make it a happier job.”

The club celebrates its 60th anniversary with a function on December 9, at the Royal Oak, Union Street, Mumps. All current and former Oldham Passenger Transport workers and their partners are welcome.

Next year will see an extra special anniversary outing to Chester on July 31.

Information from Ray White on 07738-260968.