Nick Larkin reports from the centenary celebrations of Surrey operator Safeguard
We were overwhelmed by the turnout and the atmosphere.” That was Managing Director Andrew Halliday’s summing up of the Safeguard Coaches centenary event, based at Guildford Cathedral in Surrey, paying tribute to the highly regarded family-owned independent operator.
Added Andrew: “Everything went really well, people had a great time and we would like to thank everyone.”
The event included buses and coaches old and new, on display and giving free rides. There were also official handovers of recent additions to the fleet – one having just celebrated its 60th birthday.
Preserved vehicles operated shuttle services from the cathedral to town centre locations, Park Barn and the Onslow park & ride. London Bus Museum and the Friends of King Alfred Buses were among the providers.
The event, on 16 March, raised £5,239 for The Fountain Centre, a charity based at St Luke’s Cancer Centre at the Royal Surrey Hospital. This was chosen in memory of Safeguard’s late engineering manager Brett Lambley. Sales of a limited edition booklet and ‘goody bags’ helped raise the funds.
The centenary celebration aimed to offer something for everyone, with attractions also including performances by Farnham Brass Band and the Guildford Rock Choir. Model railways were also part of the mix along with a mobile farm and mask making.
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