Leamington bus driver turned author wins national award for recollections of Midland Red bus history
A former Leamington bus driver turned author and transport historian has won a prestigious national prize for his book about the iconic Midland Red bus company.
Ashley Wakelin has received the Railway & Canal Historical Society Book Award in the Popular Book category for his work Midland Red - Evolution or Revolution?.
The book explores the golden age of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company (BMMO), affectionately known to millions as Midland Red.
The judges praised the book for its meticulous research into Midland Red and its profound impact on the communities of the Midlands, and on the books high standard of presentation, page layout and the many historic photographs.
Ashley said: “"I wanted to capture the stories of some of the amazing employees, of all levels, who were patient enough to talk with me at length from the late 1960s - and some of these guys had worked for Midland Red since before the war.
"Winning this national award proves that our local transport heritage, and that Midland Red spirit, still holds a really important place in people's hearts today."
Ashley, a former bus driver and conductor said he enjoyed he enjoyed his time working in the industry - which spanned 50 years.
Realising that it had dramatically changed from the calmer 1960s to the stresses and realities of modern times, he decided to put pen to paper to recall the story of his passion for, and work-life with, the country’s once biggest independent bus company.
To find out more about, or to buy, Ashley’s books visit https://www.midlandred.co.uk/index.htm