2006 Brighton Coach Rally
Brighton Coach Rally took place on 15-16 April 2006. The weekend involved 56 drivers competing against each other for the prestigous title of 'Driver of the Year'.
We are proud to say that Chris Bibby won this year.
To achieve the title Chris had to complete a number of trials which included 'a road section', where the drivers are all given a map and times they had to be at a number of check points along the route. Negotiating various speed limits, varied traffic and all the every day occurrences on the roads today makes this section very demanding and one which Chris needed the support of his experienced team.
After the road section the drivers headed back down to Madeira Drive on Brighton’s seafront for the start of the manoeuvring tests. A course of bollards and barriers is set out and the drivers have to complete the timed course as quickly as they can without touching anything, otherwise they incur penalties.
After an exhilarating day it is announced which 12 drivers will be in the final on Sunday. There is a further driving test course the following day that decides the winner. Chris did a brilliant run leading him to victory. His trophy is on display in our reception.
Peter Bibby also triumphed over the weekend. On the Sunday he entered the Directors Challenge, which he won, so it was an extremely successful day for Bibbys.
50th Anniversary
On Saturday 8 April 2006 we celebrated our 50th anniversary at Garstang Golf & Country Club. 180 guests that included past and present employees, coach operators and suppliers attended the event. Mike Morgan, the editor of Route One magazine, made presentations to two long-standing employees Coates Bargh and John Slinger. We sat down for a 4-course meal, were entertained by the comedian Mick Miller then danced into the early hours.
Booking Day
We start selling our Summer Brochure at the end of November each year. The first day of booking is on a Sunday and we open our depot to customers who can come along to book their holidays.
We provide refreshments and it is a great opportunity to catch up with people you have been on holiday with before and a chance to talk to some of our tour drivers and other members of staff.
November 2005 was another successful day. We took our first booking at 7.30 am and the last customers left at around 4.00 pm. We sold 678 seats with around people visiting.
UK COACH RALLY BRIGHTON 2008
With our long tradition of successes at the UK Coach Rally in Brighton, we once again entered with our brand new DAF coach with Chris Bibby at the wheel.
After a 70 mile timed road section on the Saturday morning, Chris would undergo driving tests on Saturday afternoon. On the Saturday evening we find that not only had we qualified for Sunday's driving final but we had won the road section with a penalty free run.
On Sunday morning all the vehicles are judged on various things, access, colour co-ordination, seating and design. On Sunday afternoon Chris produced a solid run in his driving test, and this was not to be beaten, so he carried off the coveted "Coach Driver of the Year" title which he also won in 2006.
Peter then showed he hadn't lost his touch by beating other Company Director's in the Director's Driving challenge. This made it a Bibby double for father and son. After our hard work on Saturday morning we were also delighted to pick up the "Top Team of the Year" trophy for the first time.
With 8 "Coach Driver of the Year" titles awarded to Bibby's since the UK Coach Rally started we are the most successful company in the history of the rally. We are very proud of our achievements and as a company we will continue to support the UK Coach Rally at Brighton. We believe it to be an essential meeting point for coach operators throughout the UK and many friendships have been formed through the rally.
2009 Brochure Launch!
We launched our 2009 Summer Holiday Collection on Sunday, 16 November. It was extremely successful with enthusiastic travellers arriving early for the 7.00 am opening.
Four booking stations were hectic all day and drivers were enlisted to help with car parking, refreshments and general organising.
Most popular tours were Provence, Costa Brava, Eastbourne and Bantry Bay and on the day 817 holidays were booked. The following day the telephone bookings were non stop all day with another 450 holidays booked.
By the end of the week all the staff were in need of a holiday !!
