9 minute read
Shaws of Maxey celebrate 100 years
Shaws of Maxey
celebrate 100 years of their family business
Outside the old Wembley Stadium
This year, Shaws of Maxey celebrate their centenary. For 100 years they’ve travelled the length and breadth of the UK (and beyond), making sure that your next adventure is one to remember. Their story shows courage and determination with local spirit and family at its heart.
The family business was founded in 1922 by Edwin ‘Teddy’ Shaw, grandfather of present partners Jane, Richard and Chris. Edwin had an engineering background in Yorkshire but during The Great War he was transferred to Peterborough to work for Peter Brotherhood as a millwright. Edwin fell for a local girl; they moved to Maxey and took the momentous decision to buy their first bus, which was kept in Mr. Frisby’s barn on Castle End Road. They ran a local service into Peterborough (see page 20) along with anything else that came their way, including furniture removals! They couldn’t afford to have the vehicle off the road for long and repairs were usually made by candlelight with the help of neighbours.
A couple of years later Edwin took a chance and purchased the house and land at 49 High Street in Maxey, which you will still recognise as their depot today (see pic 3). The building you can see in the background was recently damaged in strong winds but things were built to last back then and with a bit of modification the building remains in use as a storage facility. After the war Edwin worked hard to build the business back up and by then he was joined by his son, Harry, whose favourite job was as team driver for Peterborough United! Harry, with support from wife Doreen, gradually took over the running of the business and it flourished under his leadership. He had a real talent for buying and selling coaches with many winter Sundays spent journeying across the country to ‘look at a bus’.
Harry died suddenly in 1981 and it was then that Jane, Richard and Chris inherited the business with Richard’s wife Carol joining in 2010 and his daughter Tory coming on board in 2015. Their first holiday brochure was published in 1982 and featured just six tours, one of which had just six passengers (including their mum and gran!). Their first touring coach was a Bova Europa. It was a real luxury to find a coach equipped with a toilet and drinks facility and Les Staniforth (see below) was, and still is, at the wheel! In March this year Les celebrated 45 years with the company – three generations of Shaws have had the pleasure of working with Les whose loyalty and dedication have never faltered. Les even has his own son, Darren, behind the wheel too now!
Harry and Edwin outside the Maxey depot during the 1940’s. Petrol was sold from the site until 1995
It’s not just the owners and the (fantastic!) team that have contributed to the success of this local family business. The hotels, destinations and customers all play a huge part. The Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells featured in their 1984 brochure (see page 22), and continues to feature 38 years later in their 2022 programme! Like Shaws, this wonderful hotel is family run and in its fifth generation, and just in case you’re reading the hotel small print from the 80s… they can confirm that all rooms are now ensuite! Opposite the bus shelter in Glinton Rd Helpston in the 1920’s
Their loyal, local customers return time and time again safe in the knowledge that they will receive a welcoming, professional service. A particularly special mention must be given to Fay and Stan Jarvis from Marholm who travelled (with driver Les) on Shaws’ very first holiday in 1982 and toured with them almost every year since. Stan’s last holiday was in 2018 but Fay continued to travel until Shaws’ annual reunion weekend in 2020, going full circle with Les at the wheel once again. This treasured 40-year connection ended with Fay’s passing earlier this year. Computer records don’t go back far enough to count the number of holidays they took but, like many of their customers, it was the friendship and loyalty that were valued and appreciated the most.
Family run company Free, no obligation design service Supply only or supply with installation Siemens and Neff Master Partner
43-45 Bridge Street, Deeping St James Lincolnshire PE6 8HA Tel: 01778 346415 www.devonportskitchensbathrooms.co.uk Tuesday - Friday 10am - 4pm and Saturday - By Appointment Only
Outside of Maxey Church April 2022
Shaws’ latest brochure (see page 17) looks rather different from their 1982 publication. It’s full of colour with over 150 enticing ideas for top UK destinations. It features famous attractions such as Buckingham Palace, RHS Flower Shows, Land’s End and Brecon’s spectacular Mountain Railway, alongside lesser known (but equally brilliant) destinations like the Beth Chatto Gardens, the Shuttleworth Aircraft Collection, a Lake District Mountain Goat journey and an Elan Valley local ranger tour. There’s also plenty of ideas for quiet days by the coast and in the country, or sightseeing and shopping in bustling city spots. 100 year celebratory events include a Centenary Reunion short break in November, a summer afternoon tea and a festive get together this winter. Keep an eye out for more information coming soon.
Contact 01778 342224, enquiries@shawscoaches. co.uk, www.shawscoaches.co.uk Find them on Facebook and Twitter
Shaws handpick their holiday touring programme, ensuring they’re designed with the flexibility that allows you to visit top attractions and to enjoy time at leisure in sought after destinations – with FREE insurance on every holiday. There’s over 35 local departure points on their Great Days Out with prices starting from just £19.50pp – look out for senior specials and membership savings too! Visit their website or request their brochure to find your next wonderful journey.
DEEPING ST JAMES PHARMACY DEEPING ST JAMES PHARMACY
We are an independent pharmacy giving patients a one-to-one service. We like to model ourselves on the old community pharmacy where patients get to know us and you will always see a familiar face. Here at Deeping St James Pharmacy, we are proud to be part of the community and are always striving to give the community the best service open to them.
We are an independent pharmacy
giving patients a one-to-one service. We like to model ourselves on the old community pharmacy where patients get to know us and and you will always see a familiar face. Here at Deeping St James Pharmacy, we are proud to be part of the community and are always striving to give the community the best service available to them.
We understand how important it is to speak faceto-face with a pharmacist about your medicines and prescriptions. Our services give you the chance to chat to a pharmacist about your concerns, while getting expert advice on how to improve your health in our private consultation room. We stock a wide range of prescription medications
fast and efficient wholesaler service to enable us to We are an independent pharmacy giving patients a one-to-one service. We like to model ourselves on the old community fulfil all the prescriptions promptly. We also keep a pharmacy where patients get to know us and wide range of over-the-counter medicines and also and you will always see a familiar face. Here vitamins and mineral supplements at Deeping St James Pharmacy, we are proud
Our other services includeto be part of the community and are always striving to give the community the best service
available to them. ● We offer blister pack medication to patients who meet the criteria.We understand how important it is to speak face● Flu vaccinations will be available this to-face with a pharmacist about your medicines winter as a pre-book or drop-in service.and prescriptions. Our services give you the chance ● NHS unwanted medicine service, where you can return all unwanted medicines to the to chat to a pharmacist about your concerns, while getting expert advice on how to improve your health in our private consultation room. pharmacy where we will dispose of them safely. ● Emergency supplies: if you need one of your We stock a wide range of prescription medications and dressings from all the main brands. We keep regular medicines in an emergency and you a comprehensive stock of all medicines and use a are unable to contact your doctor, we may be able to help.
We understand how important it is to speak face-to-face with a pharmacist about your medicines and prescriptions. Our fast and efficient wholesaler service to enable us to fulfil all the prescriptions promptly. We also keep a services give you the chance to chat to a pharmacist about wide range of over-the-counter medicines and also your concerns, while getting expert advice on how to impove vitamins and mineral supplements your health in our private consultation room. Our other services include ● We offer blister pack medication to We stock a wide range of prescription medications and patients who meet the criteria. dressings from all the main brands. We keep a comprehensive ● Flu vaccinations will be available this stock of all medicines and use a fast and efficient wholesaler winter as a pre-book or drop-in service. service to enable us to fulfill all the prescriptions promptly. We ● NHS unwanted medicine service, where you also keep a whole range of over the counter medicines and also vitamins and other mineral supplements. ● can return all unwanted medicines to the pharmacy where we will dispose of them safely. Emergency supplies: if you need one of your regular medicines in an emergency and you are unable to contact your doctor, we may be able to help. Come in and say hello, we’d be very glad to see you and assist you with anything you need.
Our other services include
• We offer blister pack medication to patients who meet the criteria. • Flu vaccinations will be available this winter as a pre-book or drop in service. • NHS unwanted medicine service, where you can return all unwanted medicines to the pharmacy where we will dispose of them safely. • Emergency supplies. If you need one of your regular medicines in an emergency and you are unable to contact your doctor, we may be able to help.
