'D' Coaches of Swansea - Book

 

‘D’ COACHES of SWANSEA

‘D’ Coaches of Morriston, Swansea, also known as Rees & Williams/West Wales; Morriston Travel Centre; Diamond Tours; Diamond-Glantawe; Diamond Holidays, and Brian Isaac Holidays, were one of Swansea’s largest family owned passenger vehicle operators during the late 20^th century.

Comparatively a late starter in the transport industry, the business was founded by Brynmor Davies (Bryn Davies), as a taxi business, just after World War 2 ended, and expanded in 1949 to include a luxury coach.

Trading as Bryn Davies Coaches, Bryn passed away in 1960, leaving his widow Gwyneth to run the business until 1964, when she handed it over to her only son Daryll.

After Daryll took the reins, the business quickly expanded, and was soon renamed ‘D’ Coaches.

Further expansion took place in 1969, with the absorption of local operators Bryn Demery of Morriston, and D.T. Davies of Llansamlet, and in 1970, the businesses of E.G. Warren at Neath, and A.L. Smale, Swansea, were swallowed up.

The business of John Lewis Coaches, Morriston, was absorbed in 1978, together with his coachbuilding activities, and the old established business of West Wales Motors in Tycroes, Ammanford, was taken over in 1984.

Three years later, the business of Rees & Williams, Tycroes, was absorbed, reuniting the breakaway business of West Wales Motors with Rees & Williams after almost 60 years, and in 1995, ‘D’ Coaches merged with Glantawe Enterprises (Glantawe Coaches) of Pontardawe, to form the largest Holiday business in South Wales.

In January 1996, the Rees & Williams / West Wales business was sold to First Bus PLC., and the proceeds were invested into the purchase of Glantawe Enterprises Ltd., and Glantawe Worldwide Travel Ltd., to form Diamond-Glantawe Holidays.

Local service work ceased altogether in January 1996, but other contracted work remained until 2001, when the directors decided to concentrate solely on holiday tours and private hire.

In 2005, the holiday tour business of neighbouring competitor, Brian Isaac Coaches was absorbed, and the final company take over came about in December 2008, when a 50% share of Kingfisher Travel, Pontllanfraith, was acquired.

However, after investing heavily on 14 new coaches in 2009, the company had two poor holiday seasons in 2009/2010, leaving them heavily in debt. This debt inevitably led to the insolvency of the mother company, ‘D’ Coaches Ltd., together with Diamond Holidays and Brian Isaac Holidays, in January 2011.

Title:                  'D' Coaches of Swansea

ISBN number:   978-0-9574045-9-5

Format:              Softback

                           272 pages

                           365 Photographs and other memorabilia

Dimensions:       210 mm x 150 mm

Author:               Vernon Morgan

Publisher:           Vernon Morgan

Price:                  £22.00  plus postage, £2.80