The Bus Crew work hard getting people to school, work, shops and even holidays. Sometimes things go well and
sometimes they go badly wrong.
About
Meet The Bus Crew - six buses that play a very important part in their local community. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses but they all play their part and are much loved by the people who ride on them. In the dark, cold days of winter they face a big challenge as the weather goes from bad to worse and leaves one poor bus and her shivering passengers stranded in deep snow. There is only one other bus in the crew that can save them from a desperate situation.
A book written for six to ten-year-olds that you can order here.
The crew
All the buses in today’s crew are based on real ones from many years ago.
- Poppy is always kind and willing
- Bella is beautiful and doesn't like getting dirty
- Billy is bright, cheerful and hard working
- Humphrey tends to be a bit grumpy
- Lawrence is very good looking
- Archie is so tall that he doesn’t fit this page. He hates windy days
Our drivers
Our writer, Barrie Hedges (right), grew up around country buses. His family ran the small company that inspired this book and his Dad was the Chief Engineer. Barrie never actually worked with the buses, though he often wishes that he had. Instead, he grew up to be a newspaper reporter and devoted much of his working life to writing. In 2020, he and his friend, David Wilder, published a book about the bus company and its role in local life.
Illustrator Mike Ilsley (left) is a retired Primary School Headmaster and Adviser who has always drawn in coloured pencil, both for fun, and many years ago for profit. He spends his retirement on his allotment and in his studio, trying to increase his skills in linocutting, and undertaking whatever art project comes his way!
