Too Good to Lose Thread, Brighton & Hove Buses

Brighton & Hove Buses are all named commemorating people, past and present who have/had links with the city (Brighton & Hove now being a city). Many of the names I see on the buses mean nothing to me and I've had to look them up. I was rather upset that one person who was very special to the children of Brighton was omitted.

He was 'Uncle' Jack Howe, a Brighton Welfare Officer back in the 50s, 60s and 70s. During the school holidays he had a little stage set up in Peter Pan's Playground along the seafront and children would go on stage to sing, dance, recite a poem, play an instrument or whatever to entertain and earn a big lollipop from Uncle Jack. He was a lovely man, originally from Yorkshire, and his wife Edna would be on hand with a good supply of lollipops and home made Parkin.

He was father in law to my last school teacher, whom I kept in touch with after leaving school (he was newly qualified and not so much older than me). His wife and I became good friends, in fact she met most of my boyfriends and told me that Dave would be the one I married, when she first met him. Through our friendship we got to love Jack and asked him to be godfather to our son Steve.

Sorry, I'm digressing, but one thing leads to another, and I think you will understand why I was so pleased with the news I had.
Jack was so dedicated to the children of Brighton, that he wouldn't take early retirement and follow his daughter and family to New Zealand. He refused to visit them until he could retire there. But sadly he died before he retired, Steve was 6 and heartbroken.

Anyway, I got to thinking that there should be a bus dedicated to Uncle Jack, so emailed the bus company to ask why there wasn't one for him, not really expecting any reply. I did get an acknowledgement saying they would look into it. That was at the beginning of this year. This week I had an email saying that they are taking delivery of 18 new buses in July (I know, our company PDIs and does the warranty work on them) and one of them would be dedicated to Uncle Jack, could they have a photo of him for their website.

So I emailed his daughter in NZ and got said photo and also learn that Edna, his widow, is still alive. I'm amazed, she was a frail old lady when we visited NZ in 1992, she must be more than 100 years old now.

So Uncle Jack will get 'his' bus at last and I am so pleased.
By the way, Carol White of Cathy Come Home fame made her stage debut on Uncle Jack's stage

http://www.buses.co.uk/frameset.html...namesintro.htm

http://buses.co.uk/history/fleethist/678jh.htm

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The size of a cars engine doesn't always equate with the size of the driver's brain

A very interesting post and links, June. I can understand how pleased you must be feeling that Jack has got a bus dedicated to him after all this time.

Thank you Bonnie for your comments, it's appreciated. Not bad 1 out of 35. :roll:

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The size of a cars engine doesn't always equate with the size of the driver's brain

Yes very interesting June, Glad you managed to get him noticed. There were a lot of characters who were more than willing to spend their free time in entertaining children in those days. Then television came along, and the children were no longer interested, so that saw the end of an era. These days?? If some one tried to do that sort of thing, the councils, the law, and just about every one else, would jump on the bandwagon to make sure whoever it was, either couldn't, or was so seriously vetted and controlled, that it just wouldn't be worth doing.

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I think I am OK. Apart from the usual discomfort of being awake.

Very pleased to hear you were successful in getting Jack Howe remembered in this way, June.

I remember seeing him on my first visit to Brighton back in 1961 - and when I moved to Sussex in 1971 I was surprised and pleased to see that he was still working his magic on the seafront. He certainly was a gem - and very much part of the seaside of that era.

Dear Hawkweed

Great post, wonderful about Jack Howe.

I have spent ages going through the bus names, knew a few of the famous Brighton names but wasn't aware of many of the connections.

I love Brighton, goes back a long way. In the early fifties my gran and her friend used to take me there regularly on the Brighton Belle from London and spoilt me rotten. Besides the sea air they both enjoyed a glass of stout, I am not sure but it might have been at Henekey's.

Didn't know that Brighton is now a 'city' - perhaps they should change the name of the football team - might bring them a bit of luck

Well done June. I don't usually visit this Forum and have only just read your post, even if it is a few months after it was originally posted.

Certainly a good idea naming the buses after people and this chap deserves the honour of having one named after him.

Hi June,
Heartfelt congratulations on your splendid achievement. I also usually trawl through all the topics, but missed this heart warming story. BRILLIANT!.
Regards,
Chris.,

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All good things come to those who wait. HEY!. I'm still waiting.

Thank you for all your comments. Yes Graham, it would have been Henekeys.

Brighton is now officially the City of Brighton & Hove and the football team has always been Brighton and Hove Albion (The Seagulls)

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The size of a cars engine doesn't always equate with the size of the driver's brain