Archive News 2008
Update: 15 December 2008
We're open 365-24-7
Book early to make sure you secure the dates you want.
We don't need a calendar to mark down the days we shut down over Christmas and New Year - we don't shut down, not even for a single day!
Public transport may grind to a halt, but Redwing Coaches keeps on going throughout the Christmas season, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, seven days a week, twenty four hours per day.
Our Operations Department is available 24 hours per day on 020 7733 1124 option 1, or 020 7326 3780 direct. Call Operations if you have a query about your booking.
Our Sales Department will be open over the Christmas period from 09.00 to 17.00 on 29, 30, 31 December 2008 and 2 January 2009, on 020 7733 1124 option 2.
Update: 15 December 2008
Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!
A Redwing coach in Trafalgar Square with the traditional Norwegian Christmas Tree.
Everyone at Redwing Coaches would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
There's still time to book a coach for your Christmas Party, group tour of the Christmas Lights in London, or any other locations you'd like to visit over the Christmas break. But don't leave it too late!
Our coaches are operating throughout the Christmas period as usual, including Christmas Day.
Update: 15 December 2008
300 VIPs at the Jose Carreras Concert
The Royal Albert Hall in Kensington.
Following a sold-out Jose Carreras Gala Concert performance at the Royal Albert Hall, Redwing transported three hundred VIP guests to the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel for a gala reception.
The event was in aid of the Jose Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation and Mencap, the leading UK charity for people with a learning disability.
Seven coaches were involved in the event and, thanks to thorough planning and attention to detail, the VIPs were whisked promptly and efficiently between the two venues.
We have enormous experience handling time critical, 'no second chance' assignments like this. We know what we're doing, and we do it very well. If you have an important event that absolutely must run like clockwork then call our Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne and Tanya Matthews, on 020 7733 1124.
Update: 15 December 2008
Left it too late? Celebrate Christmas in January!
You don't have to celebrate Christmas in December!
We still have limited availability for your Christmas Party evening transfers in December - but you'll have to be quick, Christmas is nearly upon us!
Did you know that increasing numbers of companies are holding their Christmas Parties in January?
It's an excellent strategy - staff and guests love it as it's one more event to enjoy before settling down to the hard grind of another New Year.
Company managers love it too - there are fantastic deals to be done with restaurants, venues and entertainment in the weeks following the mad pre-Christmas rush.
However and wherever you decide to enjoy yourself, we'll take you where you need to go. Comfortably, safely, efficiently and without fuss.
Call Leslie Okyne or Tanya Matthews, our Sales Managers, on 020 7733 1124 to find out how much your coach will cost
Update: 15 December 2008
Book now for the British F1 Grand Prix 2009
Would you believe it? Murray Walker has come out of retirement for occasional commentary duties during the 2009 Formula One season.
2009 sees the last Grand Prix at Silverstone, on the weekend of 19-21 June 2009, before the move to Donnington Park in 2010. We're already receiving lots of enquiries about booking a coach for this weekend, so if you want to book please do it sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.
Our friendly Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne and Tanya Matthews, will give you all the details if you call them on 020 7733 1123.
Update: 12 November 2008
Our Newsletter is back - now with Special Offers!
Our Newsletters usually include a Special Offer Code only made available to Newsletter subscribers.
After a break of eighteen months our email Newsletter is back.
It's new, it's improved, and most importantly it now has regular Special Offers.
The Newsletter will usually be the ONLY place that we publish these Special Offers, so it's worth signing up just for those alone. We don't plan to promote these Special Offers anywhere else, often not even on the website itself.
Some Special Offers may reward you for booking early. Other offers may be Last Minute Offers, perhaps when a coach becomes available due to a cancellation, and we'll send out a quick Newsletter at very short notice. It all depends on the season and the state of our bookings. But the bottom line is that one day you may open your Newsletter and find a valuable, money saving offer that exactly suits your requirements. But only if you're signed up to receive it!
Click here to sign up for our Newsletter!
You can instantly (and genuinely) Unsubscribe at any time by clicking the Unsubscribe link at the bottom of every Newsletter.
If you have any questions about the Newsletter just call our Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne and Tanya Matthews, on 020 7733 1124.
Update: 12 November 2008
Multi million pound investment in new coaches
Coming soon: 74 new wheels on 11 new coaches.
We've just ordered eleven brand new coaches, built to our exacting specifications and due for delivery in 2009.
Redwing has a longstanding tradition of buying new coaches every year. As a result, our fleet of luxury coaches is one of the youngest and most technologically advanced in Europe.
Four of the new coaches will be rather different from the others. Instead of one axle at the rear they have two axles, and the length of the coach is 13.7m, compared to conventional 12m coaches.
These tri-axle eight wheel coaches have a greater luggage capacity and slightly more spacious seating, as despite the extra cabin length we have opted to retain the same 49 seat configuration as our other coaches, rather than adding an extra row of seats.
They are ideal for transporting tour groups who arrive with lots of heavy luggage.
Update: 23 October 2008
Hire a coach for your Christmas Party
Book early for your Christmas Party.
Christmas Parties don't organise themselves. Someone's got to take charge and make all the arrangements. If that person is you then please call us as soon as possible, because we can make your task a lot easier.
Hiring a luxury coach to take your staff to and from the Christmas Party venue makes a lot of sense. Everyone gets to the party on time. No one gets lost on the way. There are no parking problems, no parking charges, no problems with drinking and driving. No wandering about on foot in the rain trying to find the venue.
Your Redwing coach provides a door to door service. What could be more convenient?
Time is moving on, so you'll need to book soon to finalise your Christmas arrangements. If you have any questions please call our helpful Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne and Tanya Matthews, on 020 7733 1124.
Update: 23 October 2008
1,000 teachers travel with Redwing
The Teaching Awards Gold Plato trophy.
We transported nearly 1000 teachers to the National Teaching Awards in a fleet of twenty Redwing coaches.
Now an English teacher might quibble with that sentence, as it could be interpreted to mean that the Teaching Awards took place actually inside the Redwing coaches, but never mind...
The event, hosted by Jeremy Vine and Myleene Klass and screened on BBC2, was held at the world famous London Palladium, right in the busy centre of London. Thanks to careful advance planning our client arranged to reserve sufficient parking bays in nearby Argyll Street to allow an efficient drop off and pick up operation.
Redwing Coaches are experts at organising and implementing large scale, time-critical transfers to difficult city centre destinations. It's not a job for amateurs.
When you need the job done properly just call our friendly Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne or Tanya Matthews, on 020 7733 1124 and they'll talk you through what's involved and how much it costs.
Update: 26 September 2008
Event Organisers - we make your life easier!
It's a tough job being an Event Organiser. All your hard work, careful planning and creativity can be ruined on the day by the actions of one of the numerous suppliers and sub-contractors you depend on.
So when it comes to booking your luxury coaches it pays to call Leslie Okyne or Tanya Matthews, Redwing's friendly and experienced Sales Managers.
Our reputation for good service and reliability is second to none, and we always go the extra mile to make sure we don't let you down.
Call on 020 7733 1124 when you have a few minutes and find out how we can become your reliable coach travel provider.
Update: 26 September 2008
Skiing by coach
Redwing Coaches have years of experience with ski trips to destinations all over Europe.
If you're organising a skiing trip for your group, consider the benefits of travelling by coach to your ski resort.
Complicated and stressful group check ins at airports and train stations are eliminated. You just climb on board your luxury coach at a convenient meeting point and step off again at the door of your hotel or chalet.
What could be more convenient?
In addition you will normally have the use of your coach during your stay, which is ideal for private sightseeing trips. And for keen skiers who are taking their own equipment rather than hiring at the resort we have lots of space for luggage, including skis.
Just call Leslie Okyne or Tanya Matthews, our Sales Managers, on 020 7733 1124 to discuss your next skiing trip and find out how little it will cost.
Update: 25 August 2008
Shopping trips by coach
There's plenty of luggage space for your shopping on a Redwing coach.
Shopping by coach is always an economical and convenient experience.
Leave your car at home, get a group together and hire a luxury Redwing coach to take you shopping somewhere nice.
Serious shoppers might head for Bluewater, Lakeside or the 'outlets' at Bicester Village. Or combine your shopping with local sightseeing somewhere interesting like Brighton. Or pop across to the Continent.
No car parking fees, no traffic wardens, no getting lost, no rail connections, and no struggling home on the train and bus with your purchases. When you travel by private coach the journey becomes part of the fun - a relaxing, social occasion. And it's cost effective, too.
We'll drop you off in your chosen shopping area and pick you up later. The possibilities are endless. Where would you go?
Call our Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne and Tanya Matthews, on 020 7733 1124 to find out how little it costs to hire one of our luxury coaches for a trip like this.
Update: 29 July 2008
Redwing play on with Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace home kit for the 2008-2009 season.
Redwing Coaches has once again signed up with Crystal Palace Football Club, providing Away matchday travel for the forthcoming 2008/2009 season.
Crystal Palace require a first class coach service for their fans, over and above the basic expectations. We put together a superb package last season that addressed all the Club's requirements, and we'll be continuing to offer this superior travel service during the current season.
We have lots of experience providing away coach travel for other London clubs, so we're the ideal choice for any organisation that needs to move a lot of people a long way, efficiently, professionally and to a tight deadline.
To find out how we can help you with your large scale coach transfer requirements, please phone Leslie Okyne or Tanya Matthews, our Sales Managers, on 020 7733 1124.
Update: 8 July 2008
Nigel Taylor appointed Operations Manager
Nigel Taylor has been appointed Operations Manager, replacing Barry Nunn who left Redwing on 4 July.
Nigel operated his own coach company in the North of England for twenty years before moving down south and joining Redwing in 1999. He was promoted to Night Manager in 2006 and then Reservations Manager in 2007.
We're delighted he has accepted the demanding job of Operations Manager. His long experience in all aspects of the coach industry make him the ideal man for the job.
Barry Nunn spent many years with Redwing and we're very grateful for all his hard work and the benefit of his experience. Barry has accepted a management position with another London coach company and we wish him every success in his new job.
Update: 8 July 2008
Another Mini coach to cope with demand
A Redwing 19/16 seater Mini coach provides stylish travel for a small group.
Our two 19 seater luxury Mini coaches have proved very popular, so we've added a third Mini coach to our fleet.
The new Mini coach is outwardly identical to the existing 19 seaters, but it has 16 seats and increased luggage capacity.
If you have a small group and you want to travel in comfort and style our Mini coach is the answer.
Check out our Coaches page for interior and exterior photos of our 19/16 seat Mini coaches, plus detailed specifications.
Please call our friendly Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne and Tanya Matthews, on 020 7733 1124 and they'll give you an immediate quote for your next trip.
Update: 16 June 2008
Quick quotes to speed you on your way
Don't you just hate it when you ask for a price for something and after a lot of anguished tooth-sucking they say 'We'll get back to you this afternoon/tomorrow/next week'?
You don't get that with Redwing. When you ring our Sales Managers and ask for a quote you'll get a price immediately, right there and then, while you're still on the phone. No hanging around.
We know you want a quote quickly so you can finalise your plans. So don't hesitate to call us to discuss your requirements - we're here to help.
Visit our Request a Quote page for more information about getting a quote. You can even request a quote online if that's more convenient for you.
Put us to the test - call up and ask for a price. Our Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne and Tanya Matthews, will be only too happy to answer all your questions on 020 7733 1124.
Update: 2 June 2008
FA Trophy Winner fans travel with Redwing
Redwing Coaches carried thirty coaches of Ebbsfleet fans to the FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium.
Along with our sister company Reliance Travel, based in Gravesend, we jointly supplied thirty coaches to take Ebbsfleet United supporters to their victorious FA Carlsberg Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium on 10 May.
Ebbsfleet United, based at Northfleet in Gravesend, is Gravesend's local team and of the forty thousand attendance at Wembley an estimated twenty five thousand made their way from the Gravesend area.
Ebbsfleet beat opponents Torquay 1 - 0, the single goal occurring just before half time. Ironically Ebbsfleet's winning goal was scored by Chris McPhee, who last season played as striker for opponents Torquay.
The coach transfer was smooth and efficient, resulting in a great day out for the Ebbsfleet fans on their first trip to Wembley.
We are expert at organising large scale, time-critical transfers like this. Just give our Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne and Tanya Matthews, a call on 020 7733 1124 to discuss your next event.
Update: 28 May 2008
Summer is booking up fast
Redwing Coaches operates a fleet of 75 luxury coaches. This is a 49 seater Executive model.
If you're organising an event this Summer, please book your coach transport as soon as possible.
We already have several periods that are booked solid. If you wait too long you might find it hard to find a coach - even from a competitor - on the days you require.
So our message is: Please Book Now!
For an event organiser there's nothing worse than having your event dates set in stone, and then discovering you can't find anyone to provide the matching transport. It's very stressful and very embarassing. Avoid the problem by calling us now.
Our Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne and Tanya Matthews, will be delighted to give you a value for money quote for your Summer event. Just call Leslie or Tanya on 020 7733 1124.
Update: 28 May 2008
Part of a team
Toyota's top of the range Land Cruiser.
Redwing Coaches, with one of the biggest fleet of private hire coaches in the UK, can handle even the largest jobs with minimal assistance from other coach operators.
But sometimes, as is commonplace in the coach hire industry, we're one of several coach companies asked to provide coaches for a large project supervised by another coach company.
When this happens we're always happy to get involved, and we take our place as part of the team. We cooperate fully with the event's transport supervisor and maintain our usual high standards of performance and reliability.
As a recent example, we provided fifteen coaches out of the eighty required for the recent Enjoy Toyota sales conference at the Excel Exhibition Centre in London's Docklands.
We may be big, but we're a team player too.
Call our Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne and Tanya Matthews, on 020 7733 1124 for a friendly, no obligation discussion about your coach hire requirements.
Update: 28 May 2008
Wembley Stadium Meeting Rooms
Working on behalf of our client, Mirage Events, we provided transport for a private three day conference held at the Wembley Stadium Meeting Rooms in north London.
With fifteen Redwing coaches on hand every day, all the delegates were whisked to and fro efficiently and comfortably.
Redwing Coaches has tremendous experience supporting the organisers of large events in this way. If you're an event or conference organiser we'll help you plan and implement a superb transport service for your guests.
Please call our Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne and Tanya Matthews, on 020 7733 1124. They'll be delighted to discuss your forthcoming projects.
Update: 23 April 2008
Seventy ski trips since Christmas
Redwing Coaches have years of experience with ski trips to Europe.
The European skiing season is now over. We've operated more than 70 skiing trips since Christmas, many of them for schools.
It's a great way to travel. No airport traumas or complicated transfers. Just get on your coach in England and get off outside your hotel or chalet in the ski resort. As an added benefit, the coach is usually available for local sightseeing during your stay.
Take a look at our Skiing page for more information.
Our Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne and Tanya Matthews, can tell you all you want to know and give you an immediate quote for your next trip. Just call them on 020 7733 1124.
Update: 23 April 2008
Book now for Summer. Don't risk waiting!
Don't delay booking your Summer coach trips.
The weather is hotting up now and that means we'll receive many more enquiries about hiring coaches.
Already we have some periods in May, June and July that are completely booked solid.
If you are planning an event in the next few months, please call us as soon as possible to book your luxury coach. The longer you leave it the more you risk disappointment, along with the panic and stress that naturally arises when you have committed to an event but have no transport to get there!
Call Leslie Okyne and Tanya Matthews, our friendly Sales Managers, on 020 7733 1124 to discuss your requirements.
Update: 23 April 2008
We have a new Reservations Manager
Leslie Okyne has been promoted to Reservations Manager.
The Reservations department takes over your booking once you've signed on the dotted line with our Sales Managers. Leslie and his team make all the arrangements from there on and liaise with you directly. There's a lot of work involved, particularly with complex operations such as European tours, or large scale transfers involving large numbers of coaches simultaneously.
We'd like to congratulate Leslie on his promotion and wish him every success.
Update: 26 March 2008
More happy Redwing customers
An extract from our Clients page. Why not take a look? There are many client comments and a list of some of our clients.
It's always nice to hear we're doing a good job.
Liz and the girls from the Alberta Netball Association travelled all the way from Canada for a 10 day tour, competing all over the UK and travelling in their own Redwing coach. Driver Barry was a big hit the last time they came over, so he drove them on this year's tour, too.
Tim from the Jitsu Foundation used our coaches for a weekend tournament.
Tia from Shelton Entertainment required a complex schedule of coach transfers for an event.
You can read what they had to say about their experiences with Redwing Coaches on our Clients page.
Update: 26 March 2008
The wisdom of the ages?
John Ruskin (1819-1900), famous Victorian author, architect, critic, poet and artist.
There's a beautiful park, called Ruskin Park, a few hundred metres from our offices.
It's named after John Ruskin (1819-1900), a famous Victorian author, architect, critic, poet and artist who once lived in the vicinity.
Although unfamiliar with the 21st century coach hire industry, he knew a thing or two about getting value for money and his words, written in the 1800s, still ring true today:
"It is unwise to pay too much, but it is unwise to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money; that is all. When you pay too little you sometimes lose everything. Because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing you bought it to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot. It cannot be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run and if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better."
He could have been talking about hiring a coach! There's more information on our Price Guide page.
Call our Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne or Tanya Matthews, on 020 7733 1124 for help, advice and a great value quote.
Update: 4 March 2008
Win free coach travel for your school!
We have a great new promotion for Schools, running throughout 2008.
All you have to do is book coach travel over a certain value during 2008 and we'll enter you in our Prize Draw at the end of the year.
First Prize is £650 worth of coach travel for your school. Second Prize is £250 worth of coach travel and Third Prize is £100 worth.
So how much coach travel do you need in 2008 to qualify for the Draw? Don't worry, it's easily achievable - just give our Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne or Tanya Matthews, a call on 020 7733 1124 and they'll tell you all the details.
Visit our School Trips page for more details about our coach hire services for schools.
»Zoom photo
Keep a look out for this flyer, distributed to schools in the London area. Or call us now on 020 7733 1124 for full details.
Update: 22 February 2008
Coach travel 'less stressful' than train, air or car
Survey shows coach travellers experience less stress than train, air and car passengers.
A survey has concluded that coach travel is the least stressful way of getting to a holiday destination.
People travelling by coach are more likely to remain relaxed throughout their journey than those travelling by air, train or car.
Four families travelling from Britain to Disneyland Paris were fitted with heart rate monitors for the survey, carried out by travel magazine TTG and a holiday operator. Readings were taken before the trip and then every thirty minutes.
Perhaps surprisingly, train travel had the greatest effect on blood pressure, with air travel rated the next most stressful. Car drivers also suffered, but the pulse rate of the coach passengers was relatively untroubled, rising only while waiting for the coach to arrive and when fumbling for travel documents before the trip started.
Well, now you know! Come and relax on one of our coaches. Don't 'let the train take the strain' - it sends your pulse rate soaring even more!
Our Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne and Tanya Matthews, are ready and waiting to tell you about our excellent, low stress coach hire services on 020 7733 1124.
Update: 22 February 2008
We're not kidding - book early for Summer!
Summer may seem a long way off - in theory we've got several months of cold weather to endure first - but Summer bookings are already brisk.
Some weekends in June, for example, are already fully booked up, despite the fact that we have one of the largest private hire coach fleets in the country, numbering 75 luxury coaches.
The message is clear - please book as early as you can. Once you've finalised your arrangements you can sit back and relax. There's nothing worse than leaving things to the last moment and then finding that all the best coach companies are booked solid for the dates you need.
For information, advice and quotations, please call our helpful Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne or Tanya Matthews, on 020 7733 1124.
Update: 22 February 2008
New website brings in clients
Our new website proves a success with old and new clients.
If you're a regular Redwing client you've probably noticed that we've redesigned this website.
The new design, with its greatly expanded content, went online last December. It's a fresh new look, but more importantly we've made it easier for many potential clients to quickly find information relevant to their specific needs.
Clients in the UK and abroad have complimented us on the upgrade, with a gentleman from California who booked two coaches over the phone commenting that it was 'the most professional website' he had found whilst searching for a coach hire company in London.
If you know someone who requires coach travel from time to time, please let them know our website address (www.redwing-coaches.co.uk), and they'll find all the information they need to make an informed decision.
Update: 28 January 2008
Chelsea reach Carling Cup Final
Chelsea meet Tottenham in the Carling Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on 24 February.
Congratulations to our regular client Chelsea FC, who have made it to the final of the Carling Cup. The match kicks off at Wembley Stadium on 24 February against opponents Tottenham Hotspur.
Redwing will be taking fifteen coachloads of devoted Chelsea fans to the match. They'll travel door to door in our luxury coaches, avoiding all the trials and tribulations of public transport.
If you run a sports team or a supporters club, please give our Sales Managers a call to find out how we can help you. Just call Leslie Okyne or Tanya Matthews on 020 7733 1124.
Update: 28 January 2008
Plan now for Ascot Week
Lucky number 13 on the start line at Royal Ascot. Travel to Royal Ascot in a luxury Redwing coach.
Royal Ascot, dating back to 1768, is an internationally renowned sporting and social occasion where tradition, pageantry, fashion and style all meet in a glorious setting.
This year the event runs from Tuesday 17 June to Saturday 21 June. Tickets always sell fast, so if you're planning to take your group to Ascot you need to act now, by buying your tickets and arranging your luxury coach.
Call our Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne or Tanya Matthews, on 020 7733 1124 for help, advice and a great value quote.
Update: 28 January 2008
Half Term Skiing with Redwing
Twenty Redwing coaches will visit the European ski resorts during half term.
We've got a busy half-term ahead of us!
We're taking twenty different groups to Europe for skiing holidays in Austria, Switzerland and Italy during half term. Most of the groups are from local schools and many of the trips were organised by our new associates at Hourmont Total Ski.
Our luxury coaches are fully equipped for winter conditions, with snow chains and all the correct safety equipment carried on board. Two drivers are usually assigned to each coach, at least one of whom is fully experienced with European winter conditions.
If you're planning a skiing trip for your group, take a look at our Skiing page and then call Leslie Okyne and Tanya Matthews, our Sales Managers, on 020 7733 1124 to find out more.
Update: 28 January 2008
Moving 1000 children in 30 minutes
Every year PricewaterhouseCoopers organises a charity pantomime for thousands of inner city children. More than two hundred PwC employees are involved in the production, which is staged over four days at the Peacock Theatre, just off busy Kingsway in central London.
Redwing has been involved with the project for many years. This year we had up to thirty Redwing coaches on duty every day, transporting children from boroughs all over London.
It's a demanding task, as over 1,000 children have to be delivered to the theatre and then collected again within a thirty minute time slot, on one of the busiest roads in central London.
Large scale, time sensitive coach transfers like this must be run with military precision or they will end in disaster. Considerable advance planning is required in cooperation with the police and local authorities. Thanks to the professionalism of Redwing's drivers and managers the tranfers went smoothly and the children had a great day out.
Redwing are the large transfer experts. We've had lots of practice. If you need to move large numbers of people quickly and efficiently please call our Sales Managers, Leslie Okyne or Tanya Matthews, on 020 7733 1124 to find out how we can help you.
