North Wales operator Voel Coaches has announced details of a grand celebration of its 75th anniversary in 2024.
The Dyserth business will mark the occasion with a two-day event composed of music, celebrations, activities, and opportunities for customers to win prizes, but it notes that such a gathering is “just the beginning” of what is planned in its diamond year.
Those plans follow up an event in 2019 that marked the operator’s 70th anniversary. The centrepiece bash is to be hosted at the Pavilion Theatre in Rhyl on 20-21 September 2024, for which coach travel will be offered to attendees.
Opening the first of those days is The Voel Variety Show, with performers including Heather Small (formerly of M People), The Jerseys, Welsh of the West End, Trelawnyd Male Voice Choir, and upcoming local talent Ella-Grace.
The following day, a concert will host a line-up of Blue, Boyzlife, and a guest DJ. Voel has previously taken customers on coach trips to see some of the performers that will be on stage over the course of the celebration weekend.
Additionally, the operator will stage competitions to win holidays, family activities, and what it says will be “exclusive after parties.” The concerts are open to the public, with pre-sale tickets having opened via Voel’s website on 22 November, and general sale to follow on 24 November.
Voel Coaches employees Jessica Blacknell and Chris Gentile are organising and managing the September event.
They note that the 75th anniversary is “a significant milestone” for the business, which employs around 43 staff. It also runs 24 coaches (of which eight are for tours), along with seven smaller vehicles, and is noted for its orange livery.
The company remains in the ownership of the Kerfoot-Davies family, with William Kerfoot-Davies having founded Voel as a coach operator 1949. The third and fourth generations are now actively involved in running things.
Speaking about preparations for the 75th anniversary celebrations, Proprietors Mavis and Melvyn Kerfoot-Davies (pictured, top) say: “To mark this prestigious milestone of our company, we are really excited to be bringing these fantastic concerts to the local area for our surrounding communities that have supported us over the years.
“We have some extra surprises coming up in 2024,” the couple add. Managing Director Michelle Kerfoot-Higginson has acknowledged the contribution of Voel’s staff to reaching 75 years, noting that she is “very proud to be managing a team of supportive employees.”
