University ReadiBus associates meet royalty
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Dr Sophie Bowlby meets HRH The Countess of Wessex
ReadiBus, has a long association with the University of Reading. HRH The Countess of Wessex recently visited ReadiBus in Craddock Road Reading, where she met several members of the University who have been instrumental in either setting up or maintaining the work of ReadiBus.
ReadiBus provides mobility and independence to people with restricted mobility who would otherwise have great difficulty in getting out and about. Its principal service is a dial-a-ride, door-to-door, fully accessible, assisted bus service.
ReadiBus, which will have its 30th birthday later this year, was established as a result of research carried out at Bulmershe. Professor Robert Curnow, Emeritus Professor of Maths helped establish the service as an independent charity and was the Chair of its Board of Directors from 1986 to 1987.
The first design for the ReadiBus logo was prepared by the Department of Typography.
The current General Manager, Mr Peter Absolon, is a Human Geography graduate. He was appointed in 1987.
Dr Sophie Bowlby (pictured), Geography and Environmental Science who carried out research on behalf of the Department of Transport when the service was first established, became its second Chair from 1987 to 1994.
Professor Robert Gurney, Director of the University's Environmental Systems Science Centre, was Chair of the Board for 14 years from 1994 to 2007.
Recently Dr Bowlby has become Chair for a second time (2007 to date).
All three past and current Chairs and Peter Absolon were presented to the Countess of Wessex when she visited the ReadiBus office to see how the service is organised and run.