Bird's eye view
Page 56
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by the Hawk * Tristesse
At the RHA sub-area dinner in Exeter last week the chairman, Roger Bowden, made an interesting list of his guests' names and their meanings. Sub-area secretary Ted Trist was defined as sad and gloomy, which apparently suits Ted's secretarial image. Ernie Foster, area secretary, is more ortunate: his name means. to rear and nourish, and the growth of the sub-area bears that out. Gerald Valiance, area chairman, is used to taking knocks and Valiance was defined as a kicking board. "That figures," says Gerald. Aid. Dowell is a coachbuilder—the connection here is obvious. Less apparent was Sherriff (CM's deputy editor, who was present)—a local judge, but Roger suggested the definition should be turned round: "a judge of locals". And they say that journalists play with words !
* Cheaper
Gerald Valiance paid a compliment to CM this week. "Long before the days of the RTITB and day-release courses the industry depended on CM for its education. I increased my transport knowledge by close study of its pages and I still do today", he said. And then in an aside to colleague fain Sherriff, he added: "and at much less cost".
* Skittling
Here is a new line in man management. Ron Irons, the new BRS Western area manager, has formed a skittles team with players drawn from all sectors of the staff. This ex-Pickford man is a real enthusiast and is already welcomed at all levels in the West Country. He is particularly pleased with his immediate reception by fellow operators. "Harold Russett introduces me as one of us' and fora BRS man to be so accepted is something."
Ron intends to commercialize Harold's friendship. "I want the LDoY cups to come to Bristol next year so if Harold wants our friendship to blossom he can help me get a competition going."
Since going back to the West Country— he was there before with BRS Parcels—Ron has developed a habit of paying unannounced visits to his depots and has been known to be at the depot gates waiting for them to be opened. Not the kind of thing you might think to endear him to his deE ot manager, but I'm told that already they think he's the most.
* Straw in the wind?
Colleague Derek Moses on his recent trip to Sweden to see the Scania bus and learn about the Swedish end of the Metro-Scania project was intrigued to find that E.G. Hardy, chief engineer of the National Bus Company, was in the party. Engineers from NBC su sidiary companies were also there, and showed considerable interest in the mechanical units and in the integral bus body construction at the Scania Bussar plant.
One wonders if they'll be using the MetroScania vehicle as a yardstick for measuring the design of the new Leyland National single-decker; or shall we perhaps see some of the Anglo-Swedish buses in NBC fleets before long?
Incidentally, our report last week did less than justice to one aspect of the Scania 11-metre city bus, which took right-angle turns without difficulty—not "with" difficulty, which is how it read because of a printing error.
* Revelations
Despite statements that details of the Leyland National bus will not be revealed until April next year, several busmen on the Scania trip talked about it as though they had actually seen one. And again at the MPTA conference in Edinburgh references were made to specific data concerning the LN, or whatever it is to be called.
I gather that a very detailed mock-up of the new British integral bus already exists, so maybe it will not be so long, after all, before so much detail leaks out that Leyland National will feel obliged to put something tangible on public view.
* The action
That ball of fire Jack Wood has not exactly been idle since he retired from his North Western trade group job with the TGWU earlier this year. As group training officer of the Manchester Transport Training Group he has really been making things happen. Whoever suggested offering him the post deserves a medal. I guess he has found a position where his long experience of handling men and his flair for organization and management have an excellent outlet. He makes some of the young lads look as though they are standing still.
Latest bit of intelligence from Jack is to the effect that his group has just started an education scheme which co-ordinates two technical colleges operating the same syllabus, with exchange tutors. It's run in co-operation with the Training Board.
And although the course, in senior management, is running at Salford Tech and St. John's College, Manchester, the syllabus was compiled by the training group's management committee, which is composed of active hauliers. The course costs £55, and is on one day a week for 15 weeks. Among the specialist tutors drawn from the operating industry, Jack himself is lecturing on industrial relations, negotiating techniques, and productivity.
Before you rush to join, perhaps I should add that although the course has not been advertised, there are already 120 applicants for 32 places.
* Quote of the week
"Going to the MoT testing station is like going to the vet; you either get a pat on the back and a lump of sugar or a bullet in the head."