Silver Jubilee of Readibus

I was invited to help celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Readibus by attending a tea party on board the Rose of Hungerford on the afternoon of Monday 23 July as it sailed up the River Kennet.

I arrived with Edwina Cooper, the Mayoress, at the Hungerford Wharf where we were met by Barbara Bavistock, the Newbury Team Leader. We also met the crew of the Rose of Hungerford who were all volunteers of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust. They were ready to cast off when we went aboard and noted that the boat was almost full of the senior citizens and disabled people who are regular users of Readibus. We were given a health and safety briefing by one of the crew and then proceeded slowly (I believe the fastest rate is 4 knots) towards Kintbury. It is a different perspective going by barge; you have time to note the various features along the river bank, the flora and fauna and the wild fowl and swans. We quickly moved around the guests and found that some had been on the Mayor's Drive and most, if not all, came from the Newbury area.

There were four volunteer Readibus drivers on board and it was evident that they were all popular and well-known to all their customers. All had been driving for many years. Cups of tea were served and there was an iced cake with 25 years iced upon it, in celebration of their Silver Jubilee. There was also some other tempting cake which was well received. I thanked the Readibus staff for all that they did and congratulated them on 25 years of service.

There was a boat full of happy and contented people when we returned eventually to Hungerford Wharf. The passengers disembarked and went to their respective buses to be driven home. We were pleased to have been invited to take part in their Silver Jubilee celebration and believe it or not, it did not rain.