New Book Honours Bus Anniversary
THE
history and sad demise of a legendary Ammanford bus company, which
disappeared 50 years ago, is the subject of a fascinating new book by a
Llanelli bus driver.
Vernon Morgan spent eight years researching
the story of J James and Sons Ltd, Ammanford, and the fruits of his
labours can be seen in his self-published work.
Illustrated with
112 photographs, the book is a limited edition to commemorate the 50th
anniversary of the company’s demise and the 100th anniversary of their
first vehicle.
Founded
by John James, the company was not only the first bus operator in
Ammanford, but also held the distinction of putting the first
double-decker on the roads of Carmarthenshire.
“The name was
synonymous with a high-quality, reputable omnibus service in the Amman,
Gwendraeth and Swansea Valleys,” Mr Morgan, 68, told the Guardian. “It
was a muchloved company whose name became a household word in the west
Wales mining communities.
“At one time it was the county’s largest
public service vehicle operator, running 54 buses on 21 services to
Neath, Swansea, Llanelli, Burry Port, Lampeter and Aberystwyth.
“When
it was absorbed by The South Wales Transport Company on September 1,
1962, a lot of Ammanford people were very sad to witness its passing.”
John
James first became involved with public transport in 1900, when he
bought a mews at Ammanford, diversifying from his grocery business in
Wind Street.
Operating horse-drawn traps and brakes, he became a
posting master – his clientele being the best-known commercial
travellers in South Wales. Goods were also carried and the James family
also ran a successful funeral business.
Switching to motor
vehicles in 1912, James launched a service to Pantyffynnon and Brynaman
which successfully competed against a passenger railway and fought off
numerous competitors.
The book covers the historic six-week
Ammanford bus strike, which led to a riot on Ammanford Square, bus
windows being smashed and no fewer than 18 arrests.
● James of
Ammanford, is available from Vernon Morgan, vernonmorgan44@gmail.com or
ring 07751260069, priced at £18 (£2 p & p).
No comments:
Post a Comment