The contribution to the coach industry made by the late Cyril Kenzie was marked at a gathering of Plaxton vehicles that was held at Whistlestop Valley – formerly the Kirklees Light Railway – in Huddersfield on 2 October.
Three former members of Mr Kenzie’s well-known heritage fleet, all carrying Supreme IV bodywork and retaining the Kenzies Coaches livery, were present. They were each decorated with black ribbons and bows and with flower arrangements on the dashboard as a mark of respect to Mr Kenzie, whose funeral took place two days before the gathering.
Owen Ryder organised the event. He is also the owner of one of the former Kenzies vehicles, a 10m Bedford YMQ with 45-seat bodywork that dates from 1980. It was joined by an 11m YMT 53-seater from 1979 owned by Paul Bryan and a 12m Volvo B58 with 50-seat bodywork that dates from 1980 and which is now in the care of Connexionsbuses Managing Director Craig Temple. The three coaches were all owned by Kenzies from new before being sold in 2019, when the Shepreth operator closed its doors.
Mr Ryder says that despite poor weather, the gathering was well attended by both visitors and exhibitors. Among other Plaxton-bodied coaches entered by members of the industry were:
- A 1947 Leyland PS1, shown by Procters Coaches of Leeming Bar
- A 1976 Seddon Pennine 7 with Supreme bodywork, owned by Bibby’s of Ingleton
- A 1978 DAF MB200 with Supreme III body, owned by McCalls Coaches of Lockerbie
- A 1983 Leyland Tiger with Paramount 3500 body, owned by Chris Stainton of KT’s Coaches of Kendal
- A 1985 Ford R1115 with Paramount 3200 body, owned by York Pullman.
Cyril Kenzie died on 22 September at the age of 93.
