Video footage of the final few days of A1 Service, prior to the Stagecoach takeover on 29th January 1995. For more information, visit our website at www.a1-service.co.uk
I spent a good few years with my dad at Parkhouse Garage (Sure it was the Duff family that had it) when I was wee probably why I ended up being a mechanic. I was told to be careful going between the buses as not all the length of the pits had boards. Sure enough I fell through. The video brought back some very good memories. We lived in Bourtreehill and the house backed onto the bus route. If I had a home lunch and was lucky enough my dad would be on his way back to the garage after swapping a bus at kilmarnock bus station and I would get a run back to school on the bus with just me and my dad, happy days.
Back in the good ol' days when we had variety in the area. We had A1, AA, Clyde Coast and Shuttle Buses. Western had already succumbed. Had variety in the buses as well. Nowadays, it's all bloody Stagecoach with Enviros and Solos.
My family connection goes back to my Grandfather,John L. Stewart and his 2 brothers, Jonathan and William, [based in Stevenston,]who became owners in 1925. On Death of Jonathan -1959, his share passed to Sister Christina and then to her son Claude Dunn.. My Grandfather's garages [2] was in Factory lane Saltcoats, [sadly not iconed on the map on this video,] It was John L.Stewart and sons. On his death his sons John Lawrence Stewart and George Laurie Stewart took ownership. They stayed in business until my Father John L. [known as Jackie], retired in April 1987, his brother George in Nov 1988. Their shares passed to the Meney family.
This brings back so many memories. 1 during school hols worked for Bill Boyd delivering bleach/firewood during the week and cleaning A1 buses at Parks garage at the weekend
I stayed in kilwinning far 1979 tay 1986 so I ken the A1 service bus company and also the AA service bus company tay, miss them very much, how much itll be gid if they made a comeback
