Over 40 Coaches expected at Beverley's Festival of Christmas

David Boden is the man at the East Riding of Yorkshire Council who has responsibility for transport services and who will have the happy challenge of handling visitors coming to The Festival of Christmas by coach. Last year there were 23 coaches pre-booked with 40 arriving; this year there are 40 pre-booked with 50 expected!

Coaches visiting the Festival are welcomed free of charge, their drivers get a welcome pack with a free meal voucher, and tea and coffee provided by volunteers from Beverley Tourist Information.

This year, the first 12 coaches to arrive will park on School Lane, the rest, once their passengers have alighted at the Magistrates Court Lay-by, will be directed to Annie Reed Road with a free shuttle bus service running into town for the drivers.

David said 'There will be 6 coaches arriving every 1/4 hour between 10am and 11am! They have scheduled arrival times and this year, their leaving times are also scheduled. Most passengers remember who they have travelled with, but the fun starts when people forget or coaches leave without their full complement. Last year, one coach company left three elderly ladies behind! Fortunately, between Tourist Information and Northern Rail, we managed to get them home safely, free of charge and not too late in the day! It's all about teamwork and the excellent way in which Sharron Wilson from Visit Hull and East Yorkshire, Beverley Tourist Information and ERYC work together to attract and welcome people to the Festival.'