All Welcome to Safeguard’s Charity Open Day To Celebrate 90th Anniversary

Published on: 17 Mar, 2014
Updated on: 17 Mar, 2014

Safeguard Coaches is celebrating its 90th anniversary with a special charity open day at its Guildford Park Road premises on Saturday, March 29.

The well known bus and coach company has been in the same family’s ownership for its whole duration, now with the third, fourth and fifth generations of the family at the helm.

Safeguard’s charity open day is on Saturday, March 29.

The event, that runs from 10am to 4pm, will see displays of new and old vehicles, the launch of a commemorative book charting the history and people of the firm, a beer tent selling a specially commissioned Safeguard commemorative ale brewed by Guildford’s Little Beer Corporation based at Slyfield, workshop demonstrations of its current vehicle lifts and heritage buses, plus a visiting new London Routemeaster bus.

The Routemaster bus will be providing free rides to and from the Guildford railway station, bus station, cathedral and the new Onslow Park and ride site.

One of Safeguard’s current buses.

The event will be opened by the Mayor of Guildford, and there will be activities for children including a bouncy castle and face painting. They can also try their hand at bus washing, plus there will be a tombola, a barbecue and refreshments, and a stand manned by members of the Park Barn & Westborough Community Association.

All proceeds will go to charity, primarily Great Ormond Street Hospital and the British Heart Foundation.

The managing director of Safeguard Coaches, Andrew Hailliday, said: “This is very much a family orientated and community event. Come along and see what we do.”

A coach in the current Safeguard fleet.

More about Safeguard Coaches and the new book by Laurie James on the history of the firm and its people, coming soon on The Guildford Dragon NEWS, in our Through Time section.

A Safeguard bus of yesteryear.

Responses to All Welcome to Safeguard’s Charity Open Day To Celebrate 90th Anniversary

Mike Melbourne Reply

March 17, 2014 at 9:57 pm

When I was seven years old, my family and I moved from a prefab in Egerton Close to a new house in Cabell Road in Park Barn.

I still have fond memories of the first Safeguard bus I travelled in which in those days terminated where the community centre is now.

The first stop on the return was outside our house at number 78.
Colin McCarthy Reply

March 26, 2014 at 10:03 pm

I look forward to the celebration of the 90th anniversary on Saturday 29th March.
I have used Safeguard buses since living in Southway over the last 17 years.
The staff on the buses are very friendly, happy and always have a big smile.
They are a credit to Safeguard. My daughter likes travelling on the Safeguard buses.
Julia McShane Reply

March 28, 2014 at 11:24 am

Looking forward to helping out on the day in support of Safeguard who provide a fabulous service for the residents of Park Barn and Westborough. Congratulations on 90 years and may there be many more!
Brian Holt Reply

March 28, 2014 at 10:31 pm

I am also looking forward to Safeguards 90th anniversary on Saturday 29th March.
They deserve a successful and well supported day from the local community, as a thank you for the excellent bus service they have given Guildford over the years.
Their buses are always clean and are the latest up-to-date vehicles, very reliable as they are always on time. And you are given a smooth and quiet ride.
The drivers are always smart and polite.
Shirley and Brian West Reply

March 29, 2014 at 5:52 pm

A wonderful day. The British Heart Foundation Guildford and Godalming Branch would like to thank Andrew and his staff for making us so welcome on their 90th anniversary, and choosing us as one of their charities for the day.

I am sure the beautiful weather added to a very successful day for all the families that came to ride on those old buses.

Great day had by all.