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Club Talks Sell Coach Travel

24th May 1963, Page 71
24th May 1963
Page 71
Page 72
Page 71, 24th May 1963 — Club Talks Sell Coach Travel
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IN a holiday resort such as Southport there is always plenty for the visitor to do. But the attractions of the town are greatly enhanced by the availability of coach services which bring with:n striking distance the major beauty spots of the North of England, to say nothing of the places in North Wales and the Midlands. Services of this character have been provided for a considerable number of years by the Southport and Birkdale Motor and Carriage Co. Ltd., more familiarly known as Gore's Tours.

Throughout the season they run as far afield as Gretna Green, Scarborough, Stratford-on-Avon and Barmauth. The most expensive of these trips is the one to Scarborough, which includes a journey through some of the most beautiful Yorkshire moorland scenery. Barmouth is another full day, taking in the Denbighshire moors, Bettws-y-Coed, Dolgelly and Bala Lake. Mr. Neville Gore, who is in charge of the administration side of the business, told me that many passengers love the old favourites and book for the same destinations year after year.

Blackpool, Keswick and North Wales are perhaps the most popular, but many strangers to the district insist on a trip through the Mersey Tunnel, a journey which may bring them ultimately to Chester or New Brighton. Although many visitors from other parts of the country hold mistaken ideas on the subject, Lancashire comprises far more countryside than industrial belt and quite a number of shorter trips are devoted to the beauty spots within the county. Altogether there are more than 100 principal destinations on the Gore licence.

Starting Point The business was started in the very early days of the century by the late Mr. Richard Gore, horse-drawn vehicles then being used. At a later stage solid-tyred char-k-bancs were acquired, vehicles on which there were hoods and curtains which took 20 minutes to erect, so that in the case of sudden rain passengers were liable to be decidedly damp before the necessary protection was in place. The

mid-twenties saw the acquisition of more modern coaches in the form of a couple of Lancias, these being followed by Leyland Lionesses and Tigers. Mrs. E. M. Wray, who has now been with the company for 35 years, helped to draw up the existing routes for the tours quite a long time before transport licensing came into force.

The founder had two sons, Mr. T. Gore and Mr. R. P. Gore, who carried on the business, they being followed by the two grandsons of the founder, Mr. Neville Gore, and his cousin Mr. Peter Gore, who is in charge of the garage and bookings. In any sphere of transport the personal touch spells success and Mr. Peter visits many clubs and other organizations giving lectures on their business and explaining how their facilities can be best used.

Th rteen Coaches Altogether 13 coaches are operated, comprising six 41-seaters, two 37-seaters, two 33-seaters, one 35-seater, one 29

seater and one 28-seater, the bodywork being by Plaxton, Duple, Harrington and Burlingham. The chassis include, A.E.C.. Reliance, Leyland Royal Tiger, Leyland, Bedford and Daimler.

Absolutely full capacity operation is usually limited to the June-August period, during part of that time hiring frequently being necessary. After a modest demand for tours at Easter there is a decrease until the Whitsuntide period, this being accompanied by a sharp rise with the number of passengers staying at a high level until the beginning of September. Over the peak period the vehicles cover approximately 1,000 miles a week. During the winter, about half the fleet remains licensed, the rest being given a thorough overhaul ready for the next season. As many drivers as possible are kept on and employed in cleaning and mechanical work. The vehicles carry school children and do private party work to hockey, football and Rugby matches, to races at Aintree and Haydock Park, to pantomimes and to factories, as well as running to conferences and theatres with various women's organizations.

Regular overhauls. and general maintenance are performed by the company's mechanics but the large jobs such as rebores are contracted out to specialists. Tours originate at the garage in Nevin Street, also at Moorgate, Ormskirk, but there are picking-up points at Hillside, Ainsdale and Formby, with agents at these places.

Because of the seasonal nature of the

work there is some difficulty in obtaining really suitable staff, and men who can not only drive well, but also tell, the passengers in an interesting manner all about the places they are visiting, are sure of regular employment. The foreman-driver is Mr. J. G„ Sycamore, who was among the prize winners at the recent National Coach Rally at Blackpool. The senior taxi-driver Mr. J. Rimmer has been with the company for 35 years.

During the last war the business was kept going and munitions workers were carried to Euxton and Kirkby. The " Southport Variety Vees " troupe was transported to numerous camps entertaining the troops and a taxi service was operated all through the black-out. M.P.


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