A READING man, in a roundabout way, is stepping down from the job he loves after more than 34 years at the helm.
Brian Dawber joined Reading Buses back in the 1980s, intending to be a short-term placement.
Instead, the 59-year-old went from driving buses to help out in the control room in 1991.
Brian had left the Merchant Navy and was looking for a catering job.
“I really wanted to continue my career in catering, but I took to the role in the control room where I subsequently worked shifts with a great bunch of people from all walks of life,” he says.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with a small control room team at the Great Knollys Street depot for the last 34 years and it is with a heavy heart, due to health reasons, that I have decided to retire.”
Born in south London, he lived in Kent (twice) and Scotland before arriving in Reading.
As control room duty manager at Reading Buses, where there was a total of 12 staff, he was responsible for buses and drivers going out on schedule. His reputation for timing and punctuality earned him two bus industry awards.
He was presented with a UK national bus award and later a Pride of Reading employee of the year award in 2013.
He held five different positions in the Reading Buses control room over 34 years.
Brian also met his wife Teresa – ‘another of the good things to come out of Reading Buses’ – 29 years’ ago.
She has held a number of positions, from working in the canteen to bus driving, prior to her latest role on the cleaning side.
The firm’s HR director, Caroline Anscombe, said: “Brian was a pillar of our control room team for over 34 years and it is with a real sadness that we have to say goodbye to him. He was well respected across every department in the business.
“We wish him all the best for the future and hope he pops back in to visit whenever he can.”
