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Wilf Bearshaw
• In a way Wilf Bearshaw is a man of many roles; liaison officer, trouble-shooter, ombudsman and — perhaps most important at this time of year — organizer. For as well as being on the staff of coaching firm T. Unsworth and Sons (Wigan) Ltd. Wilf also acts as secretary of the Wigan and District Excursion and Tours Operators Association and secretary to the National Coach Rally.
As anyone knows who has ever participated in the National Coach Rally, it is Wilts name that automatically springs to mind whenever any problems arise — and after being involved in all 13 of these annual events it goes without saying that Wilf roust have seen many, despite the great length he and all those involved go to in an effort to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible.
On one past rally, Wilf remembers, he awoke on the Sunday morning only to find that there had been a blizzard in the night and the middle promenade, Blackpool, where the manoeuvring tests are held, blanketed ir several inches of snow. Within minutes Will went into action by making all the necessary arrangements with the result that by the time the rally got under way again the snow hac been cleared from the promenade and gritting operation carried out by a veritan army of willing workers.
As secretary of the WDETOA Wilf take; several roles. For he finds that a licensinc dispute between any of the eight membe firms can often be settled through clos( liaison and discussion rather than a prolongec licensing court battle and by acting as Halsor officer /ombudsman he has helped tr overcome a number of disputes.
In his position with Unsworth and Sons Wilf, who has been actively engaged in thi coaching industry for 30 years, is in genera control of the day to day running am operation of five coaches mainly employed oi excursions and tours and private hire work Over the years he has witnessed the growtl in excursions and tours and now believes the the trend must turn towards Continental travE — especially as far as the small operator i concerned who has already begun to see tit potential in this field.
Wilf says he would like to see the abolitio of backing licences which he believes are c little value to the excursions and tour operator, although he hopes that existin control over catchment areas, fares anc needless to say, public safety will remain.