High 5 - Autumn 2015

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Autumn 2015

The magazine for First people across Norfolk and Suffolk

Employees views are crucial DRIVER FUNDRAISES FOR AIR AMBULANCE AFTER , PARAMEDIC SAVED COLLEAGUE S LIFE PAGE THREE

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Proud of dedication within the company

By Business Director

Steve Wickers WELCOME to the autumn issue of High 5, the staff magazine for First Eastern Counties. The main focus in this issue is on individual and team excellence.

I have always been proud of everyone’s dedication within the company. This made it an easy decision to take up my new role of Business Director.

Congratulations to all nominees who attended the First Excellence Awards on July 31.

I was delighted that Ipswich depot was Highly Commended for its excellence in DriveGreen and customer service – a credit to everyone.

Also, well done to Brian Wright and Lawrence Baker who received Special Recognition awards in the Bus Driver of the Year and Safety First categories respectively.

Well done to Richard Gilmore, nominated as Apprentice of the Year, and to King’s Lynn’s X1 team, nominated in the Team of the Year category.

Also featured is Engineer Tim Laws-Chapman who was part of a winning FirstGroup team at the national IRTE Skills Challenge – a fantastic achievement.

Meanwhile I would like to give special recognition to all staff who, in their own time, raise money for charitable organisations to support the local community.

The magazine includes a great example, Simon Taylor’s fundraising for the East Anglian Air Ambulance – as well as other articles on fascinating pastimes.

Please keep sending details of your hobbies and achievements for future issues of High 5.

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Out and about – new Business Director Steve Wickers.

Aim is to develop sustainable routes EWLY-APPOINTED Business Director Steve Wickers has a distinguished track record of working for First Eastern Counties.

Norwich-born Steve, who first joined the Finance team in 1987, aims to use his experience to lead the company to new successes in delivering Better Journeys for Life.

During his 20 years in the Finance Department Steve held a number of roles including Assistant Accountant, Business Finance Manager and Finance and Commercial Director.

Following a restructure in 2009, he was promoted to Commercial and Customer Care Director for

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the Eastern Counties and Essex businesses with responsibility for Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex network development, managing operations and leading the PR, marketing and customer services teams.

In 2012, following another restructure, he was again promoted to the position of Regional Commercial Director for the First South East and Midlands operating companies.

This role changed in 2014 to cover the Eastern Counties and Essex businesses.

“Throughout this 28-year period I have always worked for First Eastern Counties in various roles, as it changed from being a private

limited company to be taken over

by GRT Limited before the merger with Badgerline to become First,” said Steve.

“My aim and focus as Business Director is to develop sustainable networks through improved customer service and deliver targeted marketing as well as seeking new opportunities and partnerships. I also want to encourage employee engagement throughout the company.”

Steve’s hobbies are centered around sporting activities (mainly spectating), holidays and meals or nights out.

He is based at First Eastern Counties new headquarters in Davey House, Norwich.

Depot recycling drive is producing results THE recycling drive underway at First Eastern Counties is producing encouraging results.

A number of depots are exceeding the target of 68 per cent recycling of waste and an overall reduction of five per cent in energy consumption has been achieved.

Recent initiatives have included a waste audit by Biffa, adjusting bin and skip sizes to suit each depot better.

Monthly usage charts are being produced so that depots can carry out end-of-day checks, ensuring equipment is not left switched on.

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National accolade rewards engineer’s top skills ORWICH Engineer Tim Laws-Chapman has always been a top body technician – and now he has received national recognition. The Vulcan Road-based employee was a member of a three-strong team from FirstGroup which entered the IRTE (Institute of Road Transport Engineers) Skills Challenge 2015.

He took part in a timed engineering test which needed him to display coolness of nerve as well as technical knowledge.

His expertise in bodywork combined with his colleagues’ talents in mechanical and electrical disciplines ensured that they jointly emerged with the Outstanding Team Award.

Tim’s challenge was to build a three-layer

Tim Laws-Chapman pictured taking part in the IRTE Skills Challenge.

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sill section and then demonstrate that he could dismantle and replace it seamlessly.

“It was the second time I had taken part in the competition but the first time I had been in the winning team,” said the Engineer, who has been in the bus industry for 10 years.

“My individual challenge, which I carried out at a Bristol engineering centre, lasted five

Charity sky dive is gesture of thanks for air ambulance WHEN the life of one of his Great Yarmouth colleagues was saved by paramedics, Simon Taylor decided to make a personal gesture of thanks to the rescue teams that attended.

With fellow Driver Paul Chipperfield now on the road to recovery after an horrific car accident, Simon is in training to do a sky dive to raise money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA).

Paul was driving over to Norwich to act as cover on shuttle buses during Radio One’s Big Weekend when he was involved in a collision. He ended up drowning in a ditch in his upturned car and initially had to be pulled out by drivers from the vehicle behind.

Soon afterwards, the emergency services arrived to resuscitate him three times – both at the scene, and on the way to hospital. An EAAA doctor provided vital emergency care with EAAA critical care paramedics in attendance. “I was really touched when I learned how the rescuers had saved Paul’s life through their prompt attendance and I decided to give something back,” said Simon.

“Paul was doing Norwich depot a good turn – it could so easily

have been me in the accident.

“As an individual I can make a difference. I want to thank East Anglian Air Ambulance for attending and help them to save somebody’s life by donating some funds.”

Paul, who suffered multiple broken bones and bruising to the brain, said: “It’s a wonderful gesture that Simon is making.”

To support Simon’s fundraising go to justgiving.com/ SimonFirstBusNorwich.

The EAAA relies solely on funding from the public. Anyone who would like to do some fundraising for the organisation should contact North Norfolk Fundraising Officer Sophie Emmanuel on 01603 480410 or sophie.emmanual@eaaa.org.uk

hours. It’s always good to keep your skills up and get out of your comfort zone – it was a nice feeling to be recognised as one of the winners.”

Organised by Institute of Road Transport Engineers, the IRTE Skills Challenge champions and rewards the vital work and skills of bus and coach engineers nationwide.

Simon Taylor at Beccles Airport, Suffolk, where he is training for his fundraising parachute jump.

Matched funding is bonus CHARITY fundraisers across the company are being reminded they can apply to First UK Bus for matched funding to boost their coffers. They can apply for up to £200 from the Group by simply emailing communityfirst@firstgroup.com or visit firstgroupplc.com/community for an application form.

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Staff Manager Steve Fountain pins DriveGreen information on the depot notice board.

Justin brings notable expertise to new role

Customer Sharon Collingwood checks out the latest ticket offers in the window of the Ipswich Travel Centre.

Grant Harvey with a Freddie the Frog cartoon on a bus livery.

Teamwork helps propel depot to

new levels of service FFECTIVE teamworking centred around DriveGreen and safety – with a little help from the Freddie the Frog mascot – has propelled Ipswich depot to new successes.

Increased employee engagement delivering eco-friendly driving and excellent customer service led it to be Highly Commended in the First Excellence Awards.

Meanwhile, Ipswich was the highest-ranking depot in FirstGroup in the July survey of customer confidence carried out by Illuma.

Ipswich has led the way in improving vehicle presentation with the introduction of the Fresh Start cleaning programme taking bus presentation to another level.

According to Depot Manager Cliff Hussey everyone at the depot has bought into improvements that have boosted Better Journeys for Life.

Staff contributed ideas and successes such as DriveGreen scores dropping have been celebrated at Donut Days and pizza sessions.

“It’s been quite a family affair,” said Cliff. “We have celebrated milestones with everybody included such as out-of-hours drivers, engineers and the presentation team.

“Instead of telling people what to do we have been advising and helping them in a real atmosphere of

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Special recognition awards IPSWICH Driver Lawrence Baker, pictured above, received a Special Recognition Award in the Safety First category of the First Excellence Awards for his praiseworthy actions when a fire broke out at the depot.

Lawrence, whose quick thinking actions were highlighted in a previous issue of High 5, ignored potential risks to investigate before calling the emergency services.

Great Yarmouth Driver Brian Wright was given a Special

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Recognition Award in the Driver of the Year category for giving CPR to a middle-aged passenger who had a heart attack.

The X1 team at King’s Lynn depot was nominated in the Team of the Year category.

The team of 43 drivers, three controllers and an engineering department were praised for excellent team working to ensure a reduction in complaints, collisions and lost mileage.

employee engagement. To help this we have changed paper headings to include the Freddie the Frog logo, and we have used the power of the cartoon to get our messages across.

“Freddie has visited us at Ipswich and we have taken him out into the community. All our people know him now.”

The citation praising Ipswich at the First Excellence Awards highlighted the “complete transformation both operationally and in staff engagement since Ipswich was inherited under the OpCo restructure”.

Praise was given to the significant improvement in DriveGreen and reductions in complaints and lost mileage, with “good staff engagement and team working across the business”.

Currently most of Ipswich’s team of drivers are driving “in green” and the depot has the best team safety score within First Eastern Counties.

Staff Manager Steve Fountain, who leads the DriveGreen initiative with Controller Pete Symonds, said: “Overall the depot has been in green

Ñewly appointed Finance Business Manager Justin Williams, pictured above, is the author of two books.

The Norfolk-born 44-year-old, whose role is to help boost the financial wellbeing of First Eastern Counties, is an expert in spreadsheets. His electronic Excel Training Manuals, already well-used in the business world, are currently being converted into a Kindle format.

Justin took up his post after previously working in finance at Aviva in Norwich.

He is employed by UK Bus South and based at

Davey House as a business partner to First Eastern Counties.

“My role involves translating operational strategy into financial planning,” said Justin.

“I quantify how much a business change will make, in a positive way.

I will also be assisting in providing UK Bus with end-of-year forecasts and plans, as well as five-year forecasts.”

Justin will also be involved in analysing local market trends.

In previous jobs, where he gained experience in property development and construction as well as finance, he worked in Kent, London and Cambridge.

Mini conference starts safety weeks initiative Fresh Start Premises Supervisor Paulo Mota, left, and General Service Operative Graham Day make sure a bus is spick and span for service.

for the vast majority of 12 months.

“With fantastic support from our engineering team we have made sure all the DriveGreen equipment on the buses works and engage in an ongoing dialogue with the staff about the techniques and benefits of the system.”

Chris Speed, Ipswich General Manager said: “I am really proud of

Ipswich being Highly Commended at the First Excellence Awards.

“We have moved on so far over the last 18 months. The success is due to operations, engineering and the cleaners all working as one team.

“Everyone at the depot understands that our customers want an outstanding bus service, and they know how to deliver it.”

A programme of safety weeks is being launched at First Eastern Counties.

Norwich will be the first venue starting with a mini Safety Conference on the Monday.

Topics to be covered during the week include driver distractions, winter preparation, safety tours and DriveGreen. “All staff will be issued with a high-vis vest as part of the initiative,” said Chris

Speed, Safety, Environment and Facilities Manager.

“A key theme of the safety weeks, which will be held at all depots over the next six months, is that the most important thing is for our staff to return home to their families fit and well at the end of their shifts.”

Anybody wishing to contact Chris about health and safety issues can email him at chris.speed@ firstgroup.com.

AUTUMN 2015

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Staff Manager Steve Fountain pins DriveGreen information on the depot notice board.

Justin brings notable expertise to new role

Customer Sharon Collingwood checks out the latest ticket offers in the window of the Ipswich Travel Centre.

Grant Harvey with a Freddie the Frog cartoon on a bus livery.

Teamwork helps propel depot to

new levels of service FFECTIVE teamworking centred around DriveGreen and safety – with a little help from the Freddie the Frog mascot – has propelled Ipswich depot to new successes.

Increased employee engagement delivering eco-friendly driving and excellent customer service led it to be Highly Commended in the First Excellence Awards.

Meanwhile, Ipswich was the highest-ranking depot in FirstGroup in the July survey of customer confidence carried out by Illuma.

Ipswich has led the way in improving vehicle presentation with the introduction of the Fresh Start cleaning programme taking bus presentation to another level.

According to Depot Manager Cliff Hussey everyone at the depot has bought into improvements that have boosted Better Journeys for Life.

Staff contributed ideas and successes such as DriveGreen scores dropping have been celebrated at Donut Days and pizza sessions.

“It’s been quite a family affair,” said Cliff. “We have celebrated milestones with everybody included such as out-of-hours drivers, engineers and the presentation team.

“Instead of telling people what to do we have been advising and helping them in a real atmosphere of

E

Special recognition awards IPSWICH Driver Lawrence Baker, pictured above, received a Special Recognition Award in the Safety First category of the First Excellence Awards for his praiseworthy actions when a fire broke out at the depot.

Lawrence, whose quick thinking actions were highlighted in a previous issue of High 5, ignored potential risks to investigate before calling the emergency services.

Great Yarmouth Driver Brian Wright was given a Special

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AUTUMN 2015

Recognition Award in the Driver of the Year category for giving CPR to a middle-aged passenger who had a heart attack.

The X1 team at King’s Lynn depot was nominated in the Team of the Year category.

The team of 43 drivers, three controllers and an engineering department were praised for excellent team working to ensure a reduction in complaints, collisions and lost mileage.

employee engagement. To help this we have changed paper headings to include the Freddie the Frog logo, and we have used the power of the cartoon to get our messages across.

“Freddie has visited us at Ipswich and we have taken him out into the community. All our people know him now.”

The citation praising Ipswich at the First Excellence Awards highlighted the “complete transformation both operationally and in staff engagement since Ipswich was inherited under the OpCo restructure”.

Praise was given to the significant improvement in DriveGreen and reductions in complaints and lost mileage, with “good staff engagement and team working across the business”.

Currently most of Ipswich’s team of drivers are driving “in green” and the depot has the best team safety score within First Eastern Counties.

Staff Manager Steve Fountain, who leads the DriveGreen initiative with Controller Pete Symonds, said: “Overall the depot has been in green

Ñewly appointed Finance Business Manager Justin Williams, pictured above, is the author of two books.

The Norfolk-born 44-year-old, whose role is to help boost the financial wellbeing of First Eastern Counties, is an expert in spreadsheets. His electronic Excel Training Manuals, already well-used in the business world, are currently being converted into a Kindle format.

Justin took up his post after previously working in finance at Aviva in Norwich.

He is employed by UK Bus South and based at

Davey House as a business partner to First Eastern Counties.

“My role involves translating operational strategy into financial planning,” said Justin.

“I quantify how much a business change will make, in a positive way.

I will also be assisting in providing UK Bus with end-of-year forecasts and plans, as well as five-year forecasts.”

Justin will also be involved in analysing local market trends.

In previous jobs, where he gained experience in property development and construction as well as finance, he worked in Kent, London and Cambridge.

Mini conference starts safety weeks initiative Fresh Start Premises Supervisor Paulo Mota, left, and General Service Operative Graham Day make sure a bus is spick and span for service.

for the vast majority of 12 months.

“With fantastic support from our engineering team we have made sure all the DriveGreen equipment on the buses works and engage in an ongoing dialogue with the staff about the techniques and benefits of the system.”

Chris Speed, Ipswich General Manager said: “I am really proud of

Ipswich being Highly Commended at the First Excellence Awards.

“We have moved on so far over the last 18 months. The success is due to operations, engineering and the cleaners all working as one team.

“Everyone at the depot understands that our customers want an outstanding bus service, and they know how to deliver it.”

A programme of safety weeks is being launched at First Eastern Counties.

Norwich will be the first venue starting with a mini Safety Conference on the Monday.

Topics to be covered during the week include driver distractions, winter preparation, safety tours and DriveGreen. “All staff will be issued with a high-vis vest as part of the initiative,” said Chris

Speed, Safety, Environment and Facilities Manager.

“A key theme of the safety weeks, which will be held at all depots over the next six months, is that the most important thing is for our staff to return home to their families fit and well at the end of their shifts.”

Anybody wishing to contact Chris about health and safety issues can email him at chris.speed@ firstgroup.com.

AUTUMN 2015

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Union backs Your Voice survey TRADE Union representative Mick Dowds, who is UNITE Convenor and Chair of the National Joint Consultative Forum, underlined the importance of taking part in the survey.

He said: “The employee survey is very important to us as a union because it helps communication and engagement between the employee and the employer.

“It’s important every employee has their say whether positive or negative. It will help ensure the business continues in the right direction.

“One of the biggest changes for us was communication.

“I can say after a few years of working on Better Journeys for Life that communications has moved on.”

Employee views will shape all our

futures E’RE urging every one of First Bus’s 17,000 employees to help the company improve by taking part in the 2015 Your Voice survey.

Employees can have their say – in total confidence – on what is good about working for First Bus and what can be improved.

It will give an invaluable picture of opinion and an opportunity to address issues identified.

We’d like employees to complete the survey online where possible, but printed copies are available.

So we’ve pledged to donate £1 for every paper copy sent in, and £2 for every completed online survey, to our national charity partner Prostate Cancer UK. The survey starts on October 5. Go to www.yourvoicesurvey.com – the password is VOICE2015.

It’s important that as many people as possible take part so we can understand the depth of what’s going on in the business.

The survey is confidential and while we need to know job titles and depots there is no way you can be identified from the results.

An independent firm will compile results and we will share them with you. You will see what’s All been said winners from and what s the First UK Bu we will be Excellence Awards doing in d ere ent n bee have response p’s rou into FirstG to make international the Be First business an Awards. even better

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You can watch the latest Channel First episode and videos from our excellence awards ceremonies by following the AR instructions below and scanning the Channel First logo above.

By First UK Bus Managing Director

Giles Fearnley place to work. Last year’s survey told us people were more confident in where we’re heading as a business and felt we were looking after customers better.

Issues of how we work together as teams were highlighted in some cases.

Again, we have been working hard to support each other better.

Anyone who needs help completing the survey can speak to their manager, supervisor, trade union rep or employee director.

So please help us to continue improving First Bus for everyone’s benefit.

Please make a difference by spending some time completing the Your Voice survey.

Package rewards all staff FIRST Bus employees are being urged to sign up to the company’s rewards scheme at www.firstmyrewards.com The site contains a huge number of exclusive offers and useful information on pay and pensions.

Employees can take advantage of First Exclusives for great savings with popular brands including ASDA, Thomas Cook and B&Q. They can buy shares in First while paying less tax and the company even throws in some shares for free!

There’s free bus travel in the UK and discounted rail fares like a FirstRail Day Rover ticket for just £6! ● All you need to log on is your National Insurance Number. To find out more visit firstmyrewards.com

Bring the page to life with our exciting mobile app

Download our free First Bus AR app from the app store.

Scan the photo or logo where you see the ‘Scan Here’ marker.

When the video starts, double-tap your screen for full screen view.

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Former Apprentice Richard Gilmore who has become a full-time Auto Electrician.

time

Question DEBBIE HARDING, Driver at Lowestoft, takes time out to answer our questions. Debbie, aged 50, met her husband Darren on the buses – he also works as a Driver for First Eastern Counties.

What do you like best about your job?

Apart from the great banter in the canteen I enjoy meeting the regular passengers. We get to know them and share a laugh with them. Every day is different and when you get a tough day running late due to road traffic you actually get a thankyou. I enjoyed doing one term as a shop steward at Lowestoft, and getting to work on the services to the London 2012 Olympics.

What is the most unusual thing that has happened to you at work?

My dad was very proud of me becoming a bus driver so he came on board as a passenger to record my trip.

Like father like son...

ICHARD Gilmore is following in the footsteps of his dad as he progresses in his First Eastern Counties career.

After four years as an apprentice at Star Lane depot in Ipswich, he has just been taken on as a full-time Auto Electrician.

His father Richard is especially proud – he began his engineering apprenticeship at the same age as his son and in due course

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became First Essex Engineering Manager based at Colchester.

“My dad was my inspiration to become an engineer,” said Richard, who was nominated as Apprentice of the Year in the First Excellence Awards.

“I used to go to work with him on Saturdays when we lived in Devon and he was Engineering Manager at First’s Plymouth depot. I also used to work on his Land Rovers in my spare time.”

If you had a time machine to which era would you go back?

Probably 1940 to 1950 as people seemed to enjoy life with very little when being rationed,

What is your most valuable possession?

My keepsake box with mementos of my mum and dad such as photos, jewellery and medals from my dad’s cycling race days.

Which famous people would you invite to a dinner party?

The Krays, Elvis, Frank Bruno, Emmeline Pankhurst, Oskar Schindler and Joseph Merrick.

Imagine the interesting stories that would be told of murder, championships, politics, sadness, happiness and music.

What did you want to be when you were young?

I always wanted to be a nurse in the RAF. It’s still an ambition as I would love to use my caring nature to help others.

What is your favourite place in the world?

My favourite places in the UK are Whitby and Cornwall. I also love The Cotswolds and hope to go to San Francisco with my hubby one day.

Debbie Harding pictured on her bus at Lowestoft.

More owls on the way NORWICH depot’s “owl man” Alastair Fairbairn is building a second aviary to extend his collection of the mysterious birds. Already well advanced in training two 10-year-old females, he has now placed an order for three new ones – of the Tawny, Scops and Chako varieties.

Driver Alastair recently decided to branch out into owls to add variety to his collection of zebra finches and cockatiels.

How do you relax?

I enjoy spending quality time with my kids and hubby, walking my dog Guinness, decorating and gardening (although I make a better bus driver than a gardener).

making the best of everything.

Women were ladies with lovely curls, red lipstick and stockings while kids respected their elders.

He has trained females Barney – pictured above – and Dixie to fly to his glove and has them out in his garden when the weather permits.

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More join in the golfing GOLFERS from Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth depots are enjoying regular competitions in their spare time at the Rookery Park Golf Club, Lowestoft.

A group of up to 10 players are taking part in monthly matches on the nine-hole Par 3 course at the club.

The organisers are Lowestoft Drivers Danny Clark and Gordon Swan together with Acting Controller Lawrence Collins.

“The three of us play most weekends but recently we have been encouraging colleagues to join the monthly session,” said Danny.

Battle to be fit in time Richard Lambert with his restored 1970 Ford Zephyr. Inset, his image in the wing mirror. Below, Richard with his Elvis figure.

Zephyr zooms Richard

back to the 70s ICHARD Lambert is a fan of the 1970s – and he’s discovered a sure-fire route to travelling back in time.

The Lowestoft driver has found that restoring a classic seventies motor car has revived the memories of his youth.

He spotted a 1970 Ford Zephyr for sale online and snapped it up, arranging for it to be brought down from Newcastle upon Tyne to his house in Kessingland.

After solving problems with the carburettor, coil and indicator lights Richard brought it back to roadworthiness and is now using it for excursions in his spare time.

“I’m a Tamla Motown and Elvis music fan and I have always been a 70s enthusiast – especially for the cars,” said Richard.

“There were four basic things wrong with the Zephyr and after restoration it sailed through its MOT. Me and my brother took it

Confidential phone line

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KING’S Lynn Controller Gavin Costick is battling against injury to enter a top cycling challenge. He injured his hamstring during gym-based bike training and although still at work is unable to pursue his hobby.

Gavin has his sights set on the 70-mile Wiggle Royal Flier Sportive in November in Fakenham and hopes to be fighting fit in time.

A regular in Time Trials, the keen competitor also enters cycling events such as the Gran Fondo and the Ely Hardriders.

A confidential hotline number for people with concerns at work is being advertised on notice boards at all First Eastern Counties depots.

The free phone line, for people at FirstGroup but not operated by FirstGroup, is for those who wish to report issues around safety, security, bullying, fraud and theft anonymously.

Have you got news for us? out on a trip to Southwold and it really did feel like we were back 40 years ago.

“The car is simply a pleasure to drive – the acceleration was so

smooth it felt like a dream.”

Richard once owned a Mark 3 Cortina and he has a special interest in classic motors with fin designs.

IF you have a news item to flag up or ideas to shape the future content of High 5 please contact Marketing Manager David Jordan by telephoning 01603 215301.