WHEN Tony Jenkins retires this summer he may be changing gear but he won't be completely driving away from his long-held occupation.
Mr Jenkins, who was UK Bus Driver of the Year in 1991, is one of a group devoted to the preservation of a grand old lady of the road.
He also has a room at his home in Thornhill, Cwmbran, dedicated to transport company Western Welsh, is trying to put a book together on the firm with which he started his career and, along with a Tredegar man, is trying to set up a museum to house their bus memorabilia.
Mr Jenkins, 64, said: "John Wiltshire, of Tredegar, has a single decker and we are trying to get hold of an old building to turn into a museum. We are hoping to get lottery funding and be able to put the buses in there." Mr Jenkins is secretary of the Cwmbran Preservation Club, which was set up in 2002 to care for a very special bus.
In its day the Western Welsh double decker, which carries adverts for the South Wales Argus, was a star among buses.
It came straight from being showcased at Earl's Court to the company's Cwmbran depot.
"It was the first of its kind and now it's the last of its kind," said Mr Jenkins, who began working as a driver for Western Welsh in 1959 and is due to retire from Stagecoach this June.
He speaks affectionately of the old bus as "she". "She's a lot better than the new buses. You had to be a driver to drive one of them," he enthused, explaining that she had no automatic gears, and heavy steering.
After finishing her working life as a service bus, the double decker then became a driver instructor bus.
In 2002, it was bought by Mr Jenkins' father-in law, Jim Baker, who then became president of the club, members of which share an enthusiasm for the bus.
They pay a monthly subscription, which goes towards the upkeep of the double decker and they proudly show it off around the country. When not on the road, the bus is kept at Newport Transport's depot.
Mr Jenkins is appealing for any Western Welsh memorabilia or photographs for his planned book. Call Jane Helmich on 01633 777247 for details.
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