way back when I was 18, I worked at a Tomato and Flower Nursery. I used to be caked in mud and catch the number 8 to GY Town Centre, from Second Ave Caister, I had to walk quite a way to catch the bus there, I’d be extremely tired as well as mucky, I’d love to know what I looked like 😂

I got talking to the driver & conductor, as I wouldn’t sit on the seats because of my state, I’d stand at the front, I was usually the only one on that bus for a little while, a lot of the time it was Cliff who conducted.
He was curious of what I did, so we got taliking about the work, he was under the impression I got paid a good wage, when I told him I only got £20 a week he was visibly shocked. He and his driver said that was disgusting, and something was wrong, I was being exploited, they told me to leave, and they’d get me an application form to work with them on the Blue Buses. They were true to their word! The next time I caught their Bus, Cliff handed me the form, I filled it in and sent it off. I had an interview and was offered a job. I left the Nursery, and started my new job as a conductor.

That my friends is how I ended up on the Blues!

I’ve a lot to thank Cliff & Malcolm for, I loved my time working that Summer with them, and all the others. I went back the following Summer, and was lucky enough to be chosen to stay on permanently, I learned to drive Double Deckers, but unfortunately I was made redundant when all Buses were One Person Operated.

I had good friends in Cliff & Mary, I got to see the girls grow up, I met John when he was a baby, but life got in the way, so I didn’t see much of him. Being the lollipop lady in Caister though meant I saw Cliff taking the girls to school, or his parents. I often saw him walking the Whippets too, always had a chat with him. He was a lovely quiet gentle kind of man, who always had time for you.

He will be so sorely missed, taken far too soon.

My most Sincere Condolences to Mary and Family.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.