TIME was, sending a parcel or letter by bus was just the ticket – with Midland Red once operating an express service.
Yes, back in the day the humble bus was the Yodel, Hermes or DPD of its day, and it did the job so well the service lasted for some 65 years.
How it came about, how efficient and reliable the service was and just what it was like to use are it all part of a fascinating talk being put on by Redditch History Society next Monday, March 14 at 2pm at the Oasis Christian Centre on Plymouth Road.
Guest speaker will be Alan Godfrey, chair of Alcester and District Local History Society, and his talk is entitled ‘Parcels and Newspapers by Bus: Midland Red Parcels Service’.
It’s an aspect of the local bus service that has all but been forgotten, but there was a time when letters, parcels, and bundles of newspapers were carried by bus and delivered across the Midlands, using the network of 500 parcels agents on Midland Red bus routes.
Redditch History Society offers a packed programme of monthly get-togethers which also feature a special tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in this her platinum year, the story of the Cadburys, the recreation of the gardens at Hanbury Hall by the head gardener and much more.
Membership won’t break the bank and includes free entry to all the talks.
Non-members are also welcome to go along for a listen for just £3.
The society meetson the second Monday of the month and a programme of all meetings for 2022 can be found at http://www.redditchhistorysociety.org.uk/meetings.htm.
