Stagecoach passengers Anne & Lesley celebrated their six-decade long friendship by taking a trip down memory lane on the bus.
The pair, who met in their twenties working at the now demolished AVRO factory in Woodford, have remained best friends ever since, with trips on the bus playing a huge role in their later years.
Anne Harvey (82) commented on the pair receiving their first concessionary bus pass: “We wanted to get to London! We used to go into Stockport together and get on the first bus we saw. We’d just get off wherever we fancied and have some great adventures.”
The duo visited the site where it all began, at the now demolished AVRO headquarters in Woodford, where they worked in the Drawing Stores. They went on to visit the space where Lesley ran a bakery in her early 20s, as well as some restaurants and pubs along the way that the pair would visit with their husbands in tow.
Lesley Hill (84) who now resides in a care home in Stockport, can’t get out and about on the bus as much as she once could, and commented that whilst she was “shattered” after a long morning seeing some old haunts, it had been a lovely day with her friend.
Residents in Greater Manchester can also make the most of their concessionary bus passes and enjoy free travel to get together with family and friends. They can enjoy a coffee and cake in one of the many great coffee shops in the region, appreciate the wonderful Manchester Art Gallery and explore the scenic parks and gardens including the stunning RHS Garden Bridgewater. With so much on offer in the region, including may free activities, they can enjoy many adventures just like Anne and Lesley.
Holly Shortall, Marketing Manager for Borough Care, commented: “At Borough Care we love hearing stories about our residents’ lives, so we were thrilled when Stagecoach invited our resident Lesley and her best friend Anne to take a trip down memory lane. Both Stagecoach and Stockport played a big part in the ladies’ friendship, and they had a fantastic day reminiscing about their lives together.
Borough Care’s whole approach is to encourage every resident to live the most fulfilled and valuable life and continuing to make precious memories is a vital part of that. Thank you to everyone involved for creating such a magical moment for Lesley and Anne to add to their 60 years’ of friendship.”
Lee Wasnidge, Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester said: “Anne and Lesley’s latest bus journey is a lovely testament to their 60-year friendship. It’s wonderful that they’ve stayed in touch through the years, and we’re so thrilled to hear about the role that the bus services across the region played in their friendship.
“It was an absolute pleasure to take Anne and Lesley out for the morning, and we hope to see them on more adventures very soon!”
A full video including commentary from Anne and Lesley, can be viewed here:
For more information on Stagecoach Manchester, please visit: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/about/manchester
For more information about Borough Care, and their work in the communities that they serve, please visit: https://boroughcare.org.uk/
