Belle Vue Manchester’s oldest driver is welcoming the operator’s newest recruit – his grandson.
John Gilbody, 73, has been passing on his wealth of experience to 22-year-old grandson Louie Mulcair, who joined the Stockport company as a valeter and went on to pass his PCV qualifications at his first attempt.
Louie and John, who both live in Stockport, have already worked together on trips, including taking Manchester City fans to Wembley, a wedding party to London and charity bike riders to Blackpool.
John says: “Louie has done very well for himself. He qualified with flying colours, and is now gaining experience across the range of services that Belle Vue operates.
“It’s been great when we’ve been paired together on trips, and I get a lot of pleasure from seeing him thriving in his career.”
As with John in 1979, Louie’s path into the coach industry began when he was made redundant from his previous job during the pandemic. He was later offered the chance to train as a driver by Belle Vue.
John, who joined the company 12 years ago, having previously worked for what was then Greater Manchester Transport, has been delighted to hand over some of his 40-plus years’ worth of knowledge to the new generation.
“Louie comes and asks me questions about routes he’s been assigned to, and I try to help wherever I can, although he does a lot of the necessary research himself,” he says. It’s strange to think that, in a way, he is following the career path I took so many years ago.”
Belle Vue Managing Director Phil Hitchen explains it was a “no brainer” to get Louie trained up after seeing his potential. He also notes the pairing are the latest of several family groupings among his staff at the business, which in April started operating as a FlixBus partner.
Louie says: “I’ve been interested in coaches and buses since I was very young, and my grandad would show me his vehicles.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunities given to me at Belle Vue, and I’m really enjoying the varied work that driving offers.
“I’m gaining experience with the help of my grandad, who has a wealth of knowledge. I always go to him with any questions. He gives me advice and information about the routes I am doing when I require it, and the other drivers are always willing to assist me. They also often rely on grandad for advice.
“I’ve been on a few jobs with my grandad where two drivers are required, or two coaches, and I’ve greatly enjoyed the experience of working with him.
“Being a driver is a really good job – you are never doing the same thing every day and it’s fantastic to visit different towns or cities.
“My first European tour was to Noordwijk in the Netherlands with a hockey team, and my grandad informed me that his first European tour was also to Noordwijk, nearly 40 years ago. History is certainly repeating itself!”
