Taken in the early 1960s, the Beeline bus sign says Torquay but it is an unlikely destination for so many buses from a school. The headmaster, Sid Rawlings can be seen surrounded by female staff wearing their 'pac a macs' which were a must in the 1960s on potentially rainy school trips ! The teacher looking towards the camera is Miss Lilian Watchman. Probably a trip to the Roman Wall indicated on another photo.
Date (of image) : 1963
Donor : Frances Wilson
Location
Private bus company which was founded in West Hartlepool in 1934. The company provided holiday tours to resorts around the UK, later into Europe and actually owned the Royal York Hotel on the Isle of Wight in the past. They were also known for day trips, mystery tours and were hired for private tours. The company had large garage premises in Oxford Road until closure in 1986.
It appears Beeline headquarters later became Linthorpe Middlesbrough and the company later became Ellerman Beeline before disappearing.
Many people of Hartlepool will remember travelling 'on the Beeline' as was commonly said at the time.
More detail »Images relating to buses, coaches and other passenger vehicles in Hartlepool and the surrounding area.
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