The Delaine

One Hundred and Thirty Years of The Delaine Buses of Bourne, Lincolnshire.

Back to the dark nights of winter, on October 14th, this was the second indoor meeting since Government restrictions were lifted and was held once again in the St Andrews Reform Church in Netherton. 

Trevor our Chairman, introduced the meeting promptly at 7.30 pm with a few society notices. 

A reminder that the annual subscriptions of £14 per member, are now due. Payment can be made by Cheque, to Roger or by bank transfer to the society account (details in members email)

Novembers meeting on the 11th. will be the AGM followed by a talk by June and Vernon Bull who’s subject is Secret Peterborough. The venue for this meeting is still to be decided.

The evening’s speaker was Peter Moore a retired school teacher who became a part-time driver for The Delaine bus company and who has helped compile the history of the company and has published two books about the company, its history and its buses.

The Delaine Bus company, now 130 years old is now operated by the fifth and sixth generation of the Delaine-Smith family. The company’s iconic 30 buses have routes operating over much of the local area between Bourne, Stamford, the Deepings and Spalding. The distinctive blue and white livery making them easy to pick out in the areas bus stations and stops. 

Peter continued to give us a fascinating illustrated insight into the history of the company. Illustrating its history, hierarchy, the buses and their route and excursions.  Beginning in 1890 when William Smith ran a general contracting company, continuing on through the years describing the buses, coaches the family directors and the company’s many name changes. 

The Delaine company has a Museum in Bourne, housing a collection of their heritage bus fleet and much more memorabilia collected over the years. The museum in Spalding Road, Bourne is well worth a visit. There is also a  comprehensive website dedicated to the museum and the company history. https://delaineheritagetrust.org/index.html 

Two coaches from the Delaines heritage fleet.

Our thanks go to Peter Moore for his engrossing talk. Peter donated his fee for the evening’s talk to the British Red Cross.