Smith's Coaches of Reading, 1922-1979

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Reading Civic Society

Author and Historian Paul  Smith will give a talk about Smiths Coaches

Watlington House

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Paul Smith will give a talk about Smiths Coaches which operated in Reading between 1922 and 1979. This will be in the historic Tin Tabernacle in the Garden of Watlington House, access off South Street only.Smith’s Coaches of Reading, with their distinctively coloured blue and orange vehicles, were an integral part of the local scene for six decades, as well as being seen all over the county on excursions, tours and seasonal coastal expresses. Paul will explain the development of  Smiths Coaches from a single open charabanc to becoming the largest family-owned coach operation in the South of England. This is also the story of an enterprising local man, well known around the town as also a generous supporter of local causes and two-times Mayor of Reading. Paul has undertaken very detailed research using many primary sources and records now lost to the passage of time. Paul Smith has been researching local transport history for over 50 years, living in the Reading area since a small boy.  He has published 20 books and numerous magazine articles over the  years.  Although he spent most of his working life in print and design, I was latterly Transport Co-ordinator for Wokingham District/Borough Council prior to retiring.Copies of the book and information on others published will be available at the talk.C﻿ost of ticketsThe event is open to all. T﻿he event is free to Reading Civic Society Members. We ask non members for a donation at the door of £5 per head towards the cost of hiring the hall and the speaker, in exchange you will be offered free membership of Reading Civic Society for a year. Other InformationThe presentation will be in the Garden Hall -a Tin Tabernacle. on Saturday 4 November . Access access via the double garden gates on South Street opposite to no 71 South Street. Doors open from 1:30pm. The Presentation will start at 2:00pm. 70 people can be seated. Toilets are available, however t﻿here are no disabled toilets. The doors to the hall are unfortunately not wide enough for most wheelchairsLimited p﻿arking is available in the rear of the garden (access South Street) otherwise it is pay parking in South Street. Far better to walk or catch the No 17.

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Smith's Coaches of Reading, 1922-1979

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