Among 75 employees of the Western National Bus Co honoured

for more than 40 years with the firm, at a dinner at Exeter, were a number from Bideford district.

The dinner was the first of its kind organised by the company, and the long-serving staff members were presented with inscribed watches by a director and general manager, Mr Henry Ellis.

Award winners included: R A Parker, A M Beer, A E Cole, G E Kelly, S Lamey, W H Braund, E Daniel, R M England, W H Parkhouse.

Mr Ellis said the award earned by Mr S Lugg, who died last October, would be presented to his widow.

Gazette article dated 2 April 1971