Archive News 2005
Update: 20 December 2005
Another new baby for Christmas
More news from the east - there's another new baby this Christmas.
This one is 10 metres long and has a star on the front. Our latest Mercedes Benz Tourino is smaller than most of our fleet with 32 seats compared to 48-53 seats in our full-size coaches. It's a replacement for our well-liked MAN Berkhof coach. Luxurious and very stylish, we think the Tourino is going to prove extremely popular.
No room at the inn? Our wise men advise you to book the Tourino and go to another hotel.
Give our Sales Managers a call on 020 7733 1124 to find out more about hiring this excellent new coach.
Update: 20 December 2005
Excursions 2006 group travel show
Excursions 2006 is the UK's premier one-day group travel show, the top event for coach party organisers seeking facts and figures about what's on offer for Days Out and Short Breaks.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Excursions 2006 is open to group travel organisers, coach and tour operators, tourism guides, corporate social clubs, school and higher education teachers, youth organisations, language schools and in fact anyone who is involved in arranging away days and short breaks for groups.
It's held at Alexandra Palace in London on Saturday 14 January 2006, so make sure you make a date in your diary. Redwing Coaches operates the free shuttle service for visitors between local Underground stations and Alexandra Palace, so you have a chance to try out our coaches as well!
Visit our Links page and click through to their website for full details.
Update: 7 December 2005
Happy Christmas!
All of us at Redwing Coaches would like to wish you a very Happy Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
There's still time to book a coach for your group tour of the Christmas Lights in London, and any other locations you may wish to visit in the final run up to Christmas. But don't leave it too late!
We're open throughout the Christmas period as usual, including Christmas Day. Public transport may grind to a halt, but we don't! We operate 365 days per year, 7 days per week and 24 hours per day.
And looking forward to 2006, it's never too early to book your coaches for January and February. If you sort it out before Christmas that's one less thing to worry about when you return in the New Year. Just call our Sales Managers on 020 7733 1124 and make all your problems go away.
Update: 7 December 2005
World Travel Market success stories
Our first 'wrapped' coach went out on the road promoting the Catalonia Tourist Board during the World Travel Market exhibition at Excel. As well as transporting passengers, who can see right through the wrapped design even though it covers the windows, the coach and its message attracted a lot of attention.
The official handover took place on the Embankment, when our Sales and Marketing Manager introduced representatives of the Catalonia Tourist Board to their eyecatching mobile advertisement. They were delighted with the finished result.
Perhaps we will be 'wrapping' more coaches in the future?
Our Official shuttle service at the World Travel Market was a great success, with 15 coaches transferring visitors to and from local hotels. We have operated this service for several years. Visitor numbers were at record levels.
Our clients at the show included Reed Exhibitions, organisers of the World Travel Market, as well as the Greek National Tourist Board, and Thames Clippers River Service.
Our photo (bottom right) shows two Redwing coaches, including the 'wrapped' coach, serving the Sunborn Yacht Hotel, not far from the Excel exhibition centre.
Update: 7 December 2005
Redwing acquires TWH Travel
The Redwing Coaches group of companies has recently expanded with the acquisition of respected operator TWH Travel, adding a further 15 coaches to our fleet, an increase of 25%.
Our group fleet now consists of 15 coaches at TWH Travel, 15 coaches at Reliance Travel in Gravesend and 45 coaches in our Redwing fleet. This means we can field up to 75 luxury coaches from within our own group.
This acquisition consolidates our position in the market and demonstrates once again that we keep our eye on the ball at all times, whether it is in providing superlative service for our customers, or attending to matters of strategic planning to maintain Redwing Coaches at the top of the tree.
Watch this space for updates to find out what happens next.
Update: 7 December 2005
Book now for the World Cup 2006 in Germany
The World Cup 2006 in Germany is not far off. We've already had lots of enquiries about travelling there with Redwing.
If you are thinking of taking a group to the tournament you would do well to work out how, when and where you might wish to travel in your Redwing coach. Then call us on 020 7733 1124 and we'll give you a quotation. The sooner you start planning, the easier it will be.
Our photo shows England captain Bobby Moore waving the World Cup trophy following England's triumphant win over West Germany by 4 goals to 2 in the final at Wembley in 1966.
On a related note, in a recent episode of the BBC sports quiz 'They Think It's All Over' one of the questions referred to Charlton Athletic as the only London football club to sponsor home match coach travel - of which we are one of the suppliers. We have considerable experience taking sports fans to their destinations all over the UK and Europe. Please bear that in mind when you're choosing your coach operator for sporting fixtures.
Update: 7 December 2005
Small is beautiful
We have placed an order for a new Mercedes Benz Tourino coach. It is a smaller 10 metre coach and will shortly replace our well regarded MAN Berkhof coach. The final specification is yet to be finalised - all our coaches are built to our own specifications - but it will definitely have 32 seats.
Our photo shows one of the demonstrator models.
This is a very useful size of coach for many groups. If you want to reserve it next Summer and be one of the first to enjoy it, just give our Sales Managers a call on 020 7733 1124.
Update: 7 December 2005
Yellow Seas in Kingsway
We often receive strange requests from our customers. One recent enquiry was for a coach to take a group of people to 'Yellow Seas' in Kingsway.
Could it be some kind of restaurant? Or an art exhibition? Or what?
We all know London very well, so we racked our brains to identify the mystery destination. Finally someone realised it must be the LSE, the London School of Economics: 'yellow seas' - LSE. Mystery solved, though it's unlikely to make it into the dictionary of Cockney rhyming slang.
We love dealing with customers from all over the world. Though we may not speak your language, we greatly appreciate your interest in our services and we will do everything we can to make booking a coach with us a pleasant and easy task.
If you're ringing from outside the UK, our number is +44 20 7733 1124, and ask for our Sales Managers.
Update: 7 December 2005
Our White Fleet goes to Kensington
Redwing coaches come in many colours at the moment. Although our company livery is bright red and cream, seven of our coaches are painted in the livery of major tour operator Globus.
Last week all seven coaches turned up together - a very rare sight - in Holland Park, taking local children to the final rehearsals for their annual Christmas festival concert, which takes place later this week at Kensington Town Hall.
We used 10 coaches for this project, transporting about 500 children all at the same time, with tight deadlines and no room for error. Because we plan these things very carefully, and because we have enormous experience in large scale, time sensitive transfers, the job was accomplished with military precision and everyone went home happy.
For more of the same, call our Sales Managers on 020 7733 1124.
Update: 17 November 2005
World Travel Market update - final day tomorrow!
Redwing's official shuttle bus service for delegates attending the World Travel Market at the Excel exhibition centre in London's Docklands has, once again, proved a great success. We're operating 15 coaches on a continual schedule of shuttle services to and from local hotels.
Visitor numbers appear to be up this year and we had to lay on additional coaches at short notice to absorb the extra demand. However, with an overall fleet size of 75 luxury coaches to call on, thanks to our ownership of Reliance Travel and our recent purchase of TWH Travel, we were able to provide the additional coaches from our own fleet.
That's one of the benefits of dealing with a large fleet operator like Redwing - we have the resources and flexibility to find solutions to situations that a smaller operator simply cannot deal with.
If you're planning to visit the World Travel Market make it soon - the final day is Friday 18 November. Make sure you take a look at our luxury coaches while you're there. You'll find them delivering eager travel professionals to the entrance area.
Update: 11 November 2005
Customised coach takes to the road
Wow, look what they did to our coach!
Take one bright red 12 metre 48 seater Redwing coach. Add the specialist team from Vinyl Creations and look what they gave us. A huge and very eyecatching mobile poster, promoting the beautiful region of Catalonia on behalf of one of our clients, the Catalonia Tourist Board.
Each side of the coach features a different graphic, and the rear end is customised as well. Passengers inside the coach can still see out of the windows, even though the design covers the windows.
Rick and the team from Vinyl Creations finished the job last night and they're delighted with the finished result. So are we and, more importantly, so is our client the Catalonia Tourist Board. Vinyl Creations specialise in designing, producing and applying graphics like this for all sizes of vehicle, from Minis to huge coaches.
You can see this vehicular work of art on the roads all next week on the streets of London as it takes part in our official shuttle service for delegates attending the World Travel Market at the Excel exhibition centre in London's Docklands.
Visit our Links page for a link to the Vinyl Creations website.
Update: 10 November 2005
Redwing gets ready for World Travel Market
The World Travel Market opens at Excel next Monday 14 November and runs through to Thursday 17th November.
As in previous years, Redwing Coaches will be operating the official coach shuttle service between the Excel exhibition centre and hotels in the local area.
We also have an interesting project on show for the Catalonia Tourism board - stunning customised coach graphics applied to one of our coaches by Vinyl Creations. The photo shows the huge graphics being applied. This is a bit of a first for us and the results are spectacular. The finished coach will be on the road in central London next week.
Make sure you come and see us at the World Travel Market next week. Our Sales and Marketing Manager will be there to meet you in person.
Update: 29 October 2005
History Lessons
This month, we'd like to give you a history lesson. Our photo shows a historical artefact recently discovered by archaeologists near your children's school. Twenty years ago vehicles like this were brand, spanking new, with all the technological and safety features of the time. Which meant NO climate control, NO seatbelts, NO ABS system and NO low emissions.
Unfortunately there are still many coaches like this on the roads today, often hired out to schools. You've probably seen them yourself, chugging down the road with 50 small children gurning through the windows.
Surely you wouldn't be happy if your school hired third rate, obsolete coaches to transport your children on our busy roads?
Redwing Coaches operate only the latest, most technologically advanced luxury coaches on the roads today. They have safety built in from the ground up. Not only are they safer, they're also considerably more comfortable than the coaches of old. We've renewed 30 coaches in our fleet so far this year, at a cost of over six million pounds - all part of our continual planned renewal that ensures we always have one of the most modern fleets in Europe.
School children travel on the same coaches that we hire out to blue chip businesses. We don't have special, third rate coaches for school hire like some operators. To find out how much hiring a Redwing coach costs for your next school trip, just call our Sales Managers on 020 7733 1124. You may be surprised at the rates we quote, especially in the Winter months.
Update: 29 October 2005
Leaves On The Line for the 176th year
The perrenial problem known as Leaves On The Line will be in the news again soon, no doubt. Trains are still slipping and sliding on the tracks, 176 years after Stevenson's Rocket first took to the rails. After all that time, some would say that Leaves On The Line is not so much a problem, as an excuse.
Nevertheless, it is apparently a very difficult problem to overcome, as the pressure of the train wheels turns the leaf mulch into a hard, slippery deposit.
Fortunately leaves are not a problem for our luxury coaches. We do not suffer from Leaves on the Road, or indeed anything else slippery on the road - we manage to get everywhere on time 97.45% of the time.
It's a very rare occasion when we are forced to change our arrangements due to bad weather. So, as the nights draw in and the weather gets colder, think how nice it would be to travel from door to door on your next group trip in a luxury Redwing coach, rather than a more fragmented journey starting and ending on a freezing, wind-swept railway station with tracks covered in leaf mulch!
Update: 29 October 2005
Bonkers about Baileys
Here's a curious piece of market research recently supplied to us. When a Redwing coach travels by P & O ferry to France, the sales of Baileys goes up. Why should that be? We've no idea, frankly. Perhaps we should arrange a special deal on that particular drink for our valued customers!
Trips to Calais are a great way to take care of your Christmas shopping and save some money at the same time. All you have to do is get a group of likeminded people together and we'll arrange a trip specially for you. Call our Sales Managers on 020 7733 1124 for a value for money quote.
Update: 29 October 2005
Americans Over Here taking Royalty Over There
Tourism has inevitably suffered to some extent in the light of recent world events. One of the major American TV channels recently staged broadcasts to their American viewers direct from inside Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, courtesy of Her Majesty the Queen.
Quite an inspired idea, and hopefully it will encourage more American tourists to come over and enjoy our history and culture.
We arrange coach hire in London for many tour operators and individuals from around the world. Many of our overseas customers found us on the internet - just like you, perhaps - and then contacted us by email or phone to make arrangements. So don't be shy, give us a call on +44 20 7733 1124 and let us offer you the finest coach hire service in Europe.
Update: 29 September 2005
Less Late Bookings, Please!
We've noticed a trend lately for some customers to book their coaches only at the last moment. Of course, we're extremely grateful that you book with us at all, but please take our sincere advice and book early to avoid disappointment. We don't want to let you down by not having any coaches available on the dates you want.
Your job as a travel organiser is fraught enough without adding to your stress by not being able to book the coach you want on the day you want. But, with a bit of forward planning and an early phone call to Redwing, all that screaming and hair-tearing is avoidable.
If you've got an event coming up phone us now - not next month - on 020 7733 1124 and make your life simpler, sweeter and altogether more enjoyable.
Update: 29 September 2005
Fuel Blockade Fizzles Out
Fortunately this year's fuel blockade demonstrations failed to disrupt travel on the roads, despite record oil prices of 90-100 dollars per barrel.
Back in 2000, when the pumps ran dry, we circumvented the UK fuel shortages by taking a convoy of 11 coaches over to France on the ferry and filling up there. There and back in the early hours, ready for a full day's work back in the UK. Quite an extreme solution, you might think, but as a result we did not have to cancel a single booking, and every Redwing customer got their coach trips as scheduled, despite the fuel crisis. Those are the type of lengths we'll to go to in the name of flawless customer service. Customers of some other coach operators were less fortunate, and their schedules were cancelled due to a lack of fuel.
Our photo shows Redwing coaches filling up at a petrol station in northern France during the 2000 UK fuel crisis.
Update: 29 September 2005
Olympic Update
We read in the sports pages that 'London wants better coaches' for its athletes preparing for the Olympic games. What luck! We've got 45 'better coaches' available for hire right now, and they all comply with the upcoming LEZ (Low Emission Zones) regulations.
What? Not that type of coach? Aah...
Call our Sales Managers to find out how we can solve your people moving problems with the best coach fleet in the UK. The number to ring is 020 7733 1124.
Update: 29 September 2005
Chinese Visitor
The unusually named King Long coach came to see us recently. It was manufactured in China, though this one normally lives in Coventry.
What do you think of it?
Now that Chinese tourists can obtain visas to visit the UK more easily, no doubt we shall be seeing a large increase in tourist numbers from South East Asia. But a lot of people will be surprised to discover that their coaches have already made it over here.
Update: 29 September 2005
Olympic Drinking Problems
We were saddened to hear about the plight of the Light House Pub at Fish Island in the East End of London. It's situated just a few hundred metres from the future site of the main Olympic stadium, and landlord Mr Patel has been given notice that his pub is to be demolished to make way for a coach park for the Olympics. He says he has just spent a considerable sum on refurbishing the pub.
The least we can do is encourage you to pay a visit to the Light House Pub while it's still there.
Not many people have heard of Fish Island, and it's not marked on your A to Z. Just south west of Stratford station, it's an otherwise landlocked area of east London bounded by small tributaries of the River Lea that make it - technically at least - an island.
Update: 29 September 2005
Solar Bus Stops for London
The London authorities have announced that bus stops illuminated by solar power will be introduced shortly. It's an interesting idea that will be welcomed by anyone who has waited alone late at night in the dark for a bus.
We already operate Globus coaches. Geddit? Glo-bus... glow-bus... come on!
Yes, if you have the requirement for a permanent fleet of coaches operated on your behalf and painted in your own livery, like tour operator Globus, this is something we do. Call our Sales and Marketing Manager on 020 7733 1124 to find out more.
Our photo shows one of our Globus-liveried coaches displayed at the London Guildhall earlier this year.
Update: 12 August 2005
Consort Tours launches new website
We're pleased to announce the launch of the new Consort Tours website at www.consort-tours.co.uk
Consort Tours, one of Redwing's sister companies, offers a wide range of Day Trip Excursions, Short Breaks and Holidays by luxury coach from departure points in south east London. Formerly based in Croydon, the Consort Tours head office recently re-located to Redwing's main offices in south London.
Visit the website to sign up for Consort Tours' monthly email Newsletter for details of Special Offers and forthcoming events. All their excursions, short breaks and holidays are detailed in an attractive free, 24 page, full colour printed brochure. Just call 020 7323 1126 to request your copy - or order the brochure online - and we'll post it to your home to read at your leisure. (Consort Tours closed in Dec 2006)
Update: 12 August 2005
Neil adopts the Lotus position
Neil Bourne, our Commercial Manager, is an active member of the Kent Lotus Club. At the Kent Hop Farm Motor Pageant in July, Neil was part of a team that raised £800 to help the Kent Air Ambulance Trust fund their sophisticated McDonnell Douglas MD-902 Explorer helicopter ambulance.
Club members decided that others should benefit from their automotive indulgences, so a Lotus Elise was filled to the brim with plastic balls and everyone was invited to pay £1 to guess the number contained in the car. The actual number was 2380 and the winning guess was only 2 away!
According to Karen Watson, Community Fundraiser at the Kent Air Ambulance Trust, over 60 percent of air ambulance call outs are to road traffic accidents, so working with local car clubs provides the perfect synergy for both parties involved.
Our photo shows Neil Bourne (left, holding cheque) with crewmembers and representatives of the Kent Air Ambulance Trust.
Update: 12 August 2005
62 Dollars a Barrel and Redwing still offers great value!
Phwew! Oil prices are the highest on record and yet we still offer you exceptional value for your travel requirements.
When you do the sums you quickly discover that travelling by private luxury coach is extremely cost effective compared with everyone travelling by car or other forms of transport.
The trouble is you can't actually 'do the sums' until you've rung us up and asked for a quote for your intended journey. So we urge you to do just that: give our Sales Managers a call on 020 7733 1124 and ask for a quote for your next trip. You won't have to wait for your quote, you'll get it straight away, while you're on the phone. Then you can compare costs with other modes of travel and make your own conclusions.
Update: 12 August 2005
Peace of mind in these uncertain times
Value for money is not the only area where hiring a Redwing coach scores highly.
When a group travels together there are many other advantages: no one gets lost, no one gets stressed, there are no problems with drinking and driving, and everyone arrives in the right place at the right time in a relaxed frame of mind. Ready for whatever is in store, whether it's a high-flying conference in Manchester or a peaceful cream tea in Devon.
Last, but not least, travelling all together in a private party on your own luxury coach has definite security advantages in these uncertain times. Peace of mind is a benefit your group members will undoubtedly appreciate.
Update: 12 August 2005
Blues and Two's on a forty foot coach
Redwing's in-house engineering facility is a Ministry Approved Testing Station, which means we can officially inspect coaches on behalf of the government. As a result, some interesting coaches pass through our hands from time to time.
This remarkable coach visited our engineering facility recently for some attention. It is a full sized coach in the livery of The Across Trust, a charity set up to take sick and disabled passengers on pilgrimages to Lourdes.
Known appropriately as a 'Jumbulance', the coach is fitted with stretchers and equipped for every kind of medical care. It comes complete with blue lights and two tone horns, which work very well indeed. We could do with some of these to get us through the traffic a little quicker!
Update: 12 August 2005
The Art of Twitching
This peregrine falcon (inset, photo) was spotted nesting in the upper bastions of the Tate Modern art gallery. They're clearly birds with sophisticated aesthetic sensibilities. They caused quite a stir, apparently, with lots of 'twitchers' turning up with their binoculars to take a 'gander' (yes, an irresistibly weak ornithological pun).
We frequently encourage you to get a group together and hire one of our luxury coaches, but here's a question: what would happen if a group of twitchers hired a coach? Is such a thing possible, or is the rivalry too intense to share a discovery with four dozen fellow twitchers? Would it all end in tears and ruffled feathers?
Maybe one day we'll find out - we just need one brave twitcher to take the plunge, give us a call and hire a coach.
Update: 29 July 2005
Panto at the Zoo this Christmas - Book Now!
It's Panto time in the Zoo! Visitors to London Zoo this Christmas have a treat in store - Dick Whittington and his Magical Cat! For the first time ever, the Zoo presents a full-scale, top-notch traditional Pantomime. Tickets are attractively priced and many include entry to the Zoo as well for a terrific and original day out. The show runs from 23 December 2005 to 8 January 2006 with up to three performances per day.
The classic tale of Dick’s journey from rags to riches is a magical blend of love and adventure, packed with comedy and festive fun for all ages. Add to this the huge range of amazing animals at the zoo and you have the ideal Christmas holiday trip.
Set in a purpose built pantomime theatre in the heart of the Zoo, this highly entertaining adventure will take you from the delights of London town to the Moroccan shores and back again. Seek your fortune with Dick Whittington and his amazing friends: Fairy Bow Bells, Alice Fitzwarren, Dame Sarah the Cook, Alderman Fitzwarren and Tommy the Magical Cat.
This is a must-see event, and it's ideal for group trips - a visit to see the animals plus a traditional pantomime! Full details on the London Zoo Panto Page. Book your coach with Redwing Coaches on 020 7733 1124 for a first class trip to a first class show.
Update: 8 July 2005
'They will not change our way of living'
The Staff of Redwing Coaches offer their thoughts and best wishes to those involved in the London incidents on July 7th.
We cannot put the sentiment any clearer than Her Majesty the Queen, who said on Friday: 'They will not change our way of living'.
Update: 8 July 2005
Olympic Coaches Required
We heard in the media that lots of Olympic coaches will be required over the next few years. So that means lots of coaches to take athletes here and there, does it? Well, that's the interpretation we'd like to put on it, anyway!
We already do a lot of work for sports teams and organisations, so we'd appreciate the chance to take your sports team to your next fixture. Our coaches are clean, safe, comfortable and luxurious, so your star performers will arrive in peak condition and raring to go.
Call our Sales Managers on 020 7733 1124 and find out how we can make your life easier.
Update: 6 July 2005
Are you an Olympic banker, architect or engineer?
Congratulations to the British Olympic bid team for winning the 2012 Olympics for London, announced a few hours ago!
Now this enormous project is in the bag it's time to start designing and building the infrastructure.
Make sure your PA has our number on speed-dial - 020 7733 1124 - so you can organise all your fact-finding visits, architect and designer site visits, investor tours, contractor site visits and VIP visits to the proposed developments in the Lea Valley area of East London.
Shares in construction companies are already rising and mortgage lenders are predicting house prices will rocket.
We operate the finest fleet of private luxury coaches in London - the perfect solution to your site visit requirements.
Call our Sales Managers on 020 7733 1124 to find out how we can make your life simpler.
Update: 6 July 2005
I love Paris in the Springtime - or anytime
Now is a magnificent time to take all your friends to Paris for a short break. The weather's getting better and the city will soon empty of locals, off on their month's summer holiday.
You can get around easily on the public transport system - as long as it's not on strike, as it was during the Olympic inspectors' crucial visit. Did that play a part in the Olympic decision? The inspectors say no, but it can't have helped!
Join your luxury Redwing coach in London then cross the Channel by sea ferry or Eurotunnel - your choice - before speeding comfortably through northern france towards Paris to start your tailor made trip.
Give our Sales Managers a call on 020 7733 1124 to find out exactly how to organise your trip to Paris easily, quickly, painlessly and economically.
Update: 6 July 2005
Three wheels on my wagon...
Considering that most of Redwing's staff members are professional drivers or former professional drivers, you might be surprised at some of the personal vehicles they turn up to work in.
May we present, clockwise from top left: A Bond Bug three wheeler; a mountain bike; a Lotus Elise; and a Triumph TR7.
Buzzing home in a Bond Bug after manoeuvring a 40 foot coach around the streets of London must be quite a contrast...
Update: 6 July 2005
Sandy Balls for holiday bliss
We touched on holiday camps in a recent Newsletter which prompted one of our customers to recommend the Sandy Balls holiday camp and caravan centre in the New Forest. Find out all about them at www.sandy-balls.co.uk.
Update: 6 July 2005
Rolling back the years with Redwing on Radio Two
When he heard 'Sylvia' by early 70s Dutch supergroup Focus blasting out on Radio Two's Ken Bruce Show, Keith Payne, our Sales and Marketing Manager, entered a state of nostalgic reverie. He fired off a quick email to the show praising Redwing's hard working coach drivers and minutes later Ken Bruce read it out on air.
The effect was surprising. Within minutes the phone started ringing as customers, drivers, friends, lapsed customers and names from the past got in touch to say hello, we heard your radio message.
Contacts re-established, goodwill generated and our name 'in lights' for a few brief seconds, all thanks to a spur of the moment email. The power of radio...
Send your own message to Ken Bruce and see if it works for you at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/bruce/contact.shtml, weekdays 09.30 to 12.00.
Update: 29 June 2005
Coach in a hole
London Roads are at their worst since 1970, but fortunately they're not as bad as this one! This coach fell down a sink hole in a major street. Our photo comes from www.wreckedexotics.com, who boast a quarter of a billion dollars worth of wrecked Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Rolls Royces, De Loreans, McClaren F1s and other desirable automobiles on their alarming website.
Drive carefully and keep the speed down is probably the best message to take away from all this mayhem!
Safety has been top priority at Redwing right from the start. Our drivers always put safety first, and our coaches are electronically speed-limited, which means it's impossible for them to exceed certain limits. We were one of the first coach companies to install proper seat belts for all our passengers, long before it was a legal requirement.
We maintain our coaches ourselves and our on-site maintenance facility is equipped and staffed to such a high standard that it is a Ministry-Approved testing station. We even have a giant 'rolling road' so our forty foot coaches can drive along whilst standing still!
Call our Sales Managers on 020 7733 1124 to book one of our big, red luxury coaches for your group.
Update: 29 June 2005
Flaming June is here at last...
Summer is here and the recent good weather has seen a surge in booking levels. Unfortunately that has already meant disappointment for some of you. Even with our large fleet of 45 luxury coaches, the peak demands of Summer can be tricky to accommodate.
The best advice we can offer is always to book as early as you can and never to leave things to the last minute. Your task as a travel organiser will be made infinitely more pleasant and a lot less stressful if you firm up your plans - coaches, hotels, venues - at the earliest possible opportunity. There is nothing worse than watching a unmovable deadline approach and realising you're going to struggle to meet it. Book early and often - you know it makes sense!
Update: 20 May 2005
Consort Tours: on the move
Consort Tours, one of our sister companies, operates a busy schedule of sight seeing and shopping excursions by coach for customers in south London and the suburbs. Destinations include towns, cities and attractions all over the United Kingdom as well as frequent shopping trips to the Continent.
In addition to day trips, all of which are operated using luxury Redwing executive coaches, Consort Tours also offers short breaks in the UK and Europe and longer Christmas and New Year holidays in southern Spain.
After many years operating from a shop in Croydon, the Consort Tours management and sales team have relocated to the Redwing Coaches Head Office and Coach Depot at Herne Hill, south London.
With the coaches, drivers, managers and booking office now all operating from the same location we believe Consort Tours will be able to offer an even better service.
A new Consort Tours website will launch during July with a lot more content and regularly updated details of many special last minute deals.
Update: 20 May 2005
Ladies Who Lunch
We have worked closely with Tony Heath of TJ Hire for many years. TJ Hire provide top of the range chauffeur driven Mercedes saloons for short or extended bookings. Business travel, airport transfers, sightseeing excursions and weddings are Tony's bread and butter.
Lately, however, he has discovered an interesting new market: Ladies Who Lunch.
Meeting up at Claridges or Nobu is all very well, but getting there by train and rattly old black cab is not quite the same as arriving in a pristine air conditioned Mercedes with uniformed driver.
Make a day of it and plan a busy schedule of shopping, galleries, lunch, more shopping, afternoon tea and theatre. With your own chauffeur driven Mercedes the day is effortless, comfortable and hassle free - and infinitely more enjoyable as a result.
If you lunch, and you're a lady, we strongly urge you to get in touch with Tony Heath at TJ Hire and make arrangements for your next get together.
Update: 20 May 2005
Donkeys Who Lunch
Donkeys on Blackpool Pleasure Beach now enjoy compulsory rest periods. They have a formal lunch hour and Fridays off completely. It's no wonder Blackpool sports a well known family friendly bar called The Laughing Donkey (That's their logo on the right).
Although for southerners Blackpool may appear to be a long way up the west coast of England, in fact it is easily and comfortably reachable in a few hours by luxury coach. We regularly take coach groups to Blackpool for the day, particularly when the famous Blackpool Illuminations are on display.
If you want to take your group on a long distance day trip, or any other type of trip, give our Sales Managers a call on 020 7733 1124 and find out how far you can go and how much it will cost.
Update: 20 May 2005
Redwing Coaches joins UKinbound
Redwing Coaches is now a member of UKinbound (formerly the British Inbound Tour Operators Association). Our coaches are promoted 'virtually' around the world on the UKinbound website, a popular and trusted resource for travel organisers throughout the world.
Members of UKinbound are required to comply with a strict Code Of Conduct that helps to maintain and improve the high standards of professional and business behaviour expected of travel industry leaders.
UKinbound provides travel trade professionals and visitors from around the world with comprehensive information about the UK tourism industry.
Update: 22 April 2005
Redwing wins Best Standard Coach at UK Coach Rally 2005
The annual Brighton Coach Rally, held this year on April 16th and 17th, is an important fixture in the coach industry's diary.
We try to take part every year and the competition is always tough.
Once again we succeeded in winning one of the top awards, the A W Chapman Cup awarded for the Best Standard Coach. It was first awarded in 1958 and Redwing have already won this impressive trophy three times since 1998.
Coaches must be in tip top condition to stand any chance of winning. No detail is too small to be ignored, and as a result even the raised lettering on our EuroRider's Michelin tyres was neatly picked out with a whitening compound.
Neil Bourne, our Commercial Manager, abandoned his desk to get back behind the wheel and beat nearly all the 70 or so competitors in the Road Trials, achieving an excellent fourth place. The road trials, conducted over a one hundred mile course around the beautiful Sussex countryside, are a stern test of driving and navigating skills. Neil was ably assisted by our General Manager John Fowler in the navigator's seat.
Irisbus, manufacturers of the Iveco Beulas range of coaches, kindly awarded us Best Beulas Coach at the rally. By the end of the day we'd acquired an impressive collection of cups, plaques and certificates for the trophy cabinet.
Our thanks go to the organisers of the 51st UK Coach Rally 2005 for yet another successful and enjoyable event. We're looking forward to next year!
If you'd like to travel with our award winning fleet of luxury coaches please get in touch with our Sales Manager on 020 7733 1124. He'll tell you everything you want to know about our service and give you an instant quotation too, if you already have an itinerary in mind.
Update: 22 April 2005
Redwing wins Best Standard Coach at UK Coach Rally 2005
UK Coach and Bus, the only UK suppliers of the Irisbus Beulas range of coaches - as used by Redwing Coaches - have kindly published a notice in the forthcoming edition of Bus and Coach Buyer magazine congratulating us on our Best Standard Coach award at the recent 51st UK Coach Rally 2005 at Brighton.
As a regular purchaser of large numbers of brand new coaches, including the excellent Irisbus Iveco Beulas EuroRider C35A, we know how important it is to have good working relationships with our key suppliers. We look forward to continuing our association with UK Coach and Bus in the future.
Update: 21 April 2005
Redwing's new luxury coach fleet launched at Guildhall
We launched our new fleet of luxury coaches to the waiting world back in March at the Guildhall in London. By replacing almost half of our 45-strong luxury coach fleet with 20 brand new Iveco Beulas EuroRider C35A coaches, built to our own specifications, we continue to operate what is almost certainly the finest and newest large fleet of luxury coaches in Europe.
More than eighty invited guests celebrated the launch with us, representing the travel industry, our corporate customers, group travel organisers, the coach manufacturers and the coach industry press. The weather was glorious, allowing guests to inspect five of the shiny new coaches displayed in the Guildhall's courtyard. The new coaches, including examples of Redwing's traditional bright red and cream livery and an example painted in the livery of Globus, one of our major corporate customers, were a popular attraction for many of our guests.
Feedback about the event was very positive. Here's just one comment we received:
Dear Keith, Is it really a week since the fine hospitality you supplied at the Guildhall? In which case I have been remiss in not thanking you sooner for a fine evening (and the coaches were interesting as well). The food was just the ticket and the champagne chilled to perfection. We will certainly be using the services of Redwing.
Moral of the story - people like the way we do things. And when it comes to running Redwing Coaches, we do it really well. You're in good hands when you ask us to provide transport for your event!
If you're a travel organiser we are the answer to your prayers - quality, integrity, experience and the finest coaches you could ask for. Call our Sales Managers to find out more on 020 7733 1124.
Update: 19 April 2005
The Grand Tour in a day
Keith Payne, our Sales and Marketing Manager, recently enjoyed a fascinating tour of Painshill Park in Cobham, Surrey. Director Teige O'Brien took him on an extensive tour of the Charles Hamilton Gardens, inspired by the leisurely Grand Tours of Europe enjoyed by people with time on their hands during the 18th and 19th centuries, long before Gap Years and InterRail tickets washed all the glamour out of it!
These gardens were the talk of the town when they were created in the mid 1700s and they have undergone continual improvement and restoration over the past twenty five years. The result is a stunning location of great beauty, easily accessible by anyone in London and the South East.
A trip to Painshill Park is time well spent, especially with their new 'American Roots' exhibition opening in July. This major exhibition recreates the 18th century exchange of plants between Europe and America.
What better way to travel to Painshill Park than to organise a group and hire one of our luxury Redwing coaches? You'll find a link to Painshill Park's website on our Links page. When you've taken a look, call our Sales Managers at Redwing on 020 7733 1124 to find out how little it will cost to hire your luxury coach.
Update: 19 April 2005
Complete Colour Coordination
Chanel have introduced an audacious new lipstick shade called London Bus Red. 'Men are beguiled by it at any hour, even those who claim not to approve of slap', says the Sunday Times.
Whilst Chanel probably had the traditional London Routemaster in mind (photo, right), our bright red luxury Redwing coaches are a reasonable match with London Bus Red too.
If you demand complete colour coordination on your next trip in one of our coaches, pop along to your nearest Chanel stockist and grab some London Bus Red. About £14 and worth every penny, probably...
Update: 15 April 2005
Brighton Coach Rally on 16th-17th April
If there was an award for the shiniest coach, we should certainly win it. Our Commercial Manager, Neil Bourne, has spent much time preparing one of our new Iveco Beulas EuroRider C35A coaches to take part in the Brighton Coach Rally which takes place on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th of April.
This is an annual event, displaying the best that the industry has to offer and testing the aptitude of the country's top drivers. Our General Manager, John Fowler, will be there navigating around Sussex whilst Neil shows off his driving prowess. Neil is pictured here making sure our new Iveco is up to scratch.
We wish them great success - the competition is tough. If you are passing through Brighton on Sunday, go to Madeira Drive and cheer on the best coach - it's easy to spot, it's the red and cream one with Redwing written on it!
Update: 18 March 2005
Two new appointments at Redwing
We welcome Cyril Wells to the Redwing management team as Assistant Operations Manager.
Cyril has many years of experience in the coach industry and will be closely involved in the day to day management of our complex, twenty four hour operations.
Meanwhile, one of our experienced drivers, Brian Payne, will be driving a desk in future, following his appointment as Night Manager.
Redwing operates twenty four hours a day and also manages a dedicated booking system for one of our larger clients, so the Night Manager's job is no picnic!
We hope Cyril and Brian enjoy their new jobs with Redwing.
Update: 18 March 2005
Spring is here - at a cost of Six Million Pounds!
You can always tell when Spring has arrived - it's when Redwing's new coach deliveries traditionally take place.
This year we are renewing 30 of our 45 coaches, representing a massive investment of over six million pounds.
We are taking 10 new Setra S315 GTHD coaches and 20 Iveco Beulas Stergo Eurorider coaches. Our photos show some of the new coaches at the dealer's premises prior to delivery.
We have considerable experience operating both these types of coaches. Passengers love them, our drivers and mechanics love them and so do our managers, so we're looking forward to getting the new models on the road.
Update: 18 March 2005
Job Vacancy: Drive for Redwing
At Redwing Coaches we now have vacancies for Experienced Manual PCV Coach Drivers in London.
We offer a highly competitive employment package and accommodation may even be available in certain cases.
You'll be driving new or late model coaches that are maintained to the highest standards by our own mechanics. What could be better than that? More details on our Recruitment page.
Call our General Manager on 020 7733 1124 if you'd like to find out more.
Alternatively, if you know anyone who might be interested in this opportunity, please let them know.
Update: 18 March 2005
Redwing's New Coach Launch at London's Guildhall
The prestigious Guildhall is the venue for the official launch of our new coach fleet later this month.
We'll be displaying 5 of our 30 brand new coaches in the courtyard shown in our photo (right). Our fleet of 45 luxury coaches will be one of the most modern large fleets in Europe.
It promises to be an enjoyable event, attended by the press, incoming tour companies and many of our major clients. Redwing is a major force in the UK coach industry so as well as the drinks and the buffet there's likely to be a lot of serious networking going on too.
We'll have photos and details of the event online in next month's news.
Update: 18 March 2005
The London Olympics 2012
This may surprise you, but Herne Hill in South London, home to Redwing Coaches, has its own Olympic venue just five minutes from our depot.
The Herne Hill Velodrome was built in 1892 and hosted the cycling events at the previous London Olympics in 1948. It still operates today.
Our photo from the 1948 London Olympics shows plucky World Champion Reg Harris from the British team (right of photo) narrowly losing the Gold Medal to Mario Ghella of Italy in the 1000 metres Matched Sprint. Or winning the Silver, depending on how you look at it.
As a London Olympic heritage venue Herne Hill will play a positive role in the capital's 2012 Olympic bid. The Velodrome has a vital supporting role as a key regional development and training venue for track cycling. However, the Olympic events themselves will probably take place in a new Velodrome costing some twenty million pounds which is likely to be built close to the other proposed Olympic venues in the Lower Lea Valley.
Update: 18 March 2005
Bow Locks
Yes, Bow Locks is a real place in the East End of London! No sniggering at the back...
We were delighted to provide five coaches for prestigious fashion label Diesel recently, supporting a launch party they held at the Three Mills Studio, a film studio located at Bow Locks in the East End.
Our passengers were predominantly young, highly fashion conscious and good looking. Our drivers, whilst undoubtedly good looking, couldn't compete in the fashion stakes and fortunately didn't display bare midriffs like so many of the enthusiastic partygoers!
If you need to arrange coach transfers for your important event then Redwing is the coach company of choice. We have enormous experience organising and operating 'mission critical' transfers for clients large and small. Call our Sales Managers on 020 7733 1124 to find out how we can help you.
Update: 11 February 2005
The House of Windsor
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles are getting married on 8th April. The couple will be married in a civil ceremony at the Windsor Guildhall near Windsor Castle, followed by a prayer service led by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
This unexpected event will certainly boost Windsor's popularity in the coming months.
Why not go there ahead of the crowds and take a tour of the many sights in and around Windsor and Windsor Castle? If you hire one of our luxury coaches for your group we can guarantee you a service fit for a king.
Royal ceremonial transport usually involves horse drawn carriages. We don't have any of those, but you'll certainly enjoy your experience on board our luxury coaches.
Call our Sales Managers on 020 7733 1124 to find out more.
Update: 04 February 2005
Royal Artillery and Belvedere Concert Band Charity Concert
The Band of the Royal Artillery joins forces once again with the Belvedere Concert Band to perform An Evening of Music from Stage and Screen. The event takes place at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford, on Saturday 12th February at 7.30pm.
Highlights include Chicago, Lord of the Dance, Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Wars.
All proceeds from this concert will go to the Ellenor Foundation, Neo-Natal Unit Queen Mary's Hospital Sidcup and the Corps of Army Music Trust. Help us to raise monies for these worthy causes and enjoy a superb evening's entertainment.
The Ellenor Foundation is a registered charity. Their aim is to provide hospice care for patients of all ages living with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses, together with the support of their family and friends.
The Corps of Army Music (CAMUS), in keeping with all other Corps within the Army, has it's own charity, the Corps of Army Music Trust. Established in 1999, it caters for the benevolent and welfare needs of the members of the CAMUS.
Tickets for the concert are a very reasonable £12 - £13. Call the Orchard Box Office on 01322 220000 or visit www.orchardtheatre.co.uk
Update: 06 January 2005
See Redwing at Excursions 2005 on Saturday 8 January 2005
Come and visit us on Stand SE42 at Excursions 2005 on Saturday 8 January 2005. Our Sales and Marketing Manager will be on hand to answer all your questions.
Excursions is the premier one-day group travel exhibition in the South of England, held annually at Alexandra Palace in North London. According to the organisers, research conducted at the 2004 show found that a staggering 100% of visitors rated the show as 'worthwhile' or 'very worthwhile'. For more information take a look at www.excursions.org.uk
We not only have a display stand at the exhibition, we are also operating the free coach shuttle between the Alexandra Palace venue and Wood Green Underground Station and Alexandra Palace Railway Station. So, if you're coming by Tube or Train you can 'try before you buy'! See you there...
