Ilesbus UK and Temsa Sales UK will jointly stage a coach operators’ gathering dubbed Coachfest on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 August. It will be held at the latter dealership’s base in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire.
The event will highlight new and used coaches from both businesses, with opportunities for attendees to test drive some of those. It will also involve supporting suppliers and classic coaches and buses, with a charity raffle forming part of the social side of the two days.
Temsa Regional Sales Manager Paul Gardner says that the gathering is expected to mix business with pleasure, with vehicles new, used and old and suppliers sitting alongside food and drink – including a planned ice cream van – and entertainment and activities for children.
“I feel that we are rocking some boxes on this event with the informal feel and quantity of displays and exhibits,” Mr Gardner tells routeone. He adds that initial plans to include classic cars and trucks in the line-up have been changed to permit more space for used stock and classic coaches and buses.
Preferential accommodation rates have been secured at the nearby Gomersal Park Hotel, which is around 1.5 miles from Temsa Sales UK’s Whitehall Road West premises.
Fourway Coaches will provide a shuttle service between the two sites. When booking at the Gomersal Park Hotel, Temsa or Coachfest should be quoted to obtain the relevant discount. Parking will also be available at the Temsa Sales UK base.
A number of heritage coaches and buses from operators’ fleets are expected to be present, with Mr Gardner adding that more are hoped for.
Among those already due to attend are examples from the Proctors Coaches stable, which extends from a 1934 Renault bus used in Paris to a 1983 Bova Europa. Leicester operator GH Watts is also supporting the display of classics, with its restored fleet including a well-known 1984 Drögmöller E330 Comet that is said to be unique in the UK.
Table space for suppliers remains available. While it is free, those suppliers attending have been asked to donate a prize to the charity raffle. Proceeds will be donated to the MND Association, which supports those affected by motor neurone disease. Already put forward as raffle prizes are high street vouchers, parts credits, products for coaches and much else.
Former Leeds Rhinos scrum half Rob Burrow MBE suffers from motor neurone disease and the Rhinos Temsa HD12 – operated by Fourway Coaches – will be present at Coachfest.
For further information contact Mr Gardner on 07768 560938 or via LinkedIn.
