These are people remembered from the WMPTE era in Coventry by Steven Knight of Steven Knight Photography
Rose was a larger than life character, who led the call for CVG6, 239Y (VWK239), now
with DeCourcey, to be withdrawn. With several other members of the PTE staff
and others she formed a group which bought the CVG6 from the PTE when it was
withdrawn. Rose first became associated with 239Y in 1976 when she was asked
to drive it to a rally at Burton-on-Trent.
Photograph courtesy of Steven Knight Photography
Nigel lived in Leamington and joined Coventry Transport in the early 1970,
working in the Schedules department at Harnall Lane. He later moved to
Schedules at Summer Lane and currently (2012) is based at Perry Barr garage with
National Express West Midlands.
Photograph courtesy of Steven Knight Photography
John Fallon was the Admin Officer at Harnall Lane offices. Like many office staff at Harnall Lane, John gained his PSV licence.
Photograph courtesy of Steven Knight Photography
Steven
Knight joined the Schedules Office in July 1974, spending three years in
Schedules and a year working with Mary Moore who headed the Accident and
Claims section. Moving to the PTE's Summer Lane offices in 1978 he now works
as a freelance journalist and photographer as well as a part time role as a
Press Officer with Virgin Trains. He is pictured here with John Fallon and Fleetline 114Y,
which the previous day had picked up an award at the Showbus Rally.
Original photograph taken from the Coventry Telegraph
Vince was another of the drivers who supported the PTE's attendance at Showbus rallies in the mid-1970s. He is seen here giving fellow driver Rose Bradley a helping hand to change the blinds on 239Y.
Photograph courtesy of Steven Knight Photography
Pulling 333Y back into Harnall Lane after a private tour just six days before it was withdrawn from service. Pictured are Kevin Williams, a management trainee who spent time working in various departments at Harnall Lane, Chris Williamson who worked in the Paintshop at Harnall Lane, Steven Knight who worked in the Schedules and Claims section at Harnall Lane and, partially hidden, John Taylor, who owns preserved Coventry Fleetline 23.
Photograph courtesy of Steven Knight Photography
Under the PTE ownership, the position of General Manager was dispensed with, but Coventry did have its own Operations Manager. The first Operations Manager (East) was James (Jim) Stokes, who is seen in a rare picture in his office on the first floor at Harnall Lane.
Photograph courtesy of Steven Knight Photography
Gerry Carpenter worked in the offices in the Schedules Department
George Balint was believed to be a former driver/inspector and was a schedules officer. George also drove many of the afternoon trips that the council organised as part of its special needs transport with Bourton-on-the-Water being a favourite destination.
Peter Jacques worked in the offices in the Schedules Department
Robert (Bob) Shilling worked as a Traffic Assistant (Operations)
Ron Batter worked in the driving school. He had been there since the days of CCT in the 1950s. He was Peter Walduck's instructor when he joined CCT from the Midland Red and Peter thought he was "a very nice bloke". After many years service with Coventry Transport he finally left and joined Blackpool buses. The training record below, rescued from a skip at Harnall Lane by Alex Phelan, shows that on September 8, 1959 he had charge of Drivers O'Hara, Ryan and Wilson.
Mick Hudson was a Garage Engineer at Harnall Lane. Mick went on to be Depot Engineer at the PTE's Acocks Green Garage.
Dot Callaghan assisted Phyllis Baker with Private Hire planning and bookings, which was part of the Schedules Office.
Brent Abbott was Engineering Manager
Jim Jobson provided admin support to the Engineering Function
Bernard Delaney was the Traffic Assistant (Licensing), who went on to head Travel Coventry
Elsie McGukian was the secretary to Jim Stokes
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