Greenslades - a short history of an Exeter company

Charabancs and Model T's

It was back in 1912 that brothers William and Gilbert Greenslade started their coach business with three Ford Model T Tourers for private hire. They quickly expanded the business by purchasing a couple of French built, 14/20 seater, charabancs and commenced a coach service from Bradninch, near Cullompton. The vehicles were driven by the brothers, touring on day trips from Exeter through Devon. These were the days when their customers arrived by train from London and the north of the country. The business flourished and the charabancs had to be serviced at night as they were constantly working during the day.

The First War and after

Their sister, Evelyn ran the business during the First War, while the brothers served in the Royal Flying Corps. Bill Greenslade continued his interest in the RAF after the First War, and in the late 1940's was the commanding officer of the local ATC. The boys in the corp were often ferried to Exeter Airport in a Greenslades coach for glider training.

After demobilisation in 1919, the brothers purchased a house with stables at 85 Paris Street (where the Civic Centre now stands) and moved the business from Bradninch to Exeter, where they were joined by their younger brother, Percy Greenslade, who ran the maintenance shop. A range of vehicles from different manufacturers were added through the 1920's, including a number of canvas topped charabancs, and in the 1930's the company standardised on a 30 strong fleet of Bedford built coaches.

Touring and a bus service

In addition to day trips and touring, Greenslades purchased, in 1932, The Witheridge Transport Co Ltd which provided a bus service from the Witheridge area, west of Tiverton. They further expanded, by purchasing the Crediton company of Milton Services. It was in May 1933 that the company became Greenslades Tours Limited.

Sometime later, the business moved to 10 Queen Street, and then 84 Queen Street - in 1942 they moved to 14 Queen Street, where they remained for two decades. Trade continued through the Second War, running utility Bedfords and some secondhand AEC's. They weren't unscathed during the 1942 blitz, as along with the rest of Paris Street, their paint shop was gutted in the fire that swept through after the raid.

Silent Guide

A feature that Greenslades offered, from the 1920's to after the Second War, was the so called 'Silent Guide' on their coaches. Each passenger who rode on one of their day trips would be given a booklet, with numbered paragraphs, describing the features and country side through which the coach was passing. When the coach passed a particular beauty spot or interesting building, the driver would display the number for that place on the front, interior bulkhead.

Takeover and expansion

The era after the war saw the company sell their bus business to Devon General and start to concentrate on longer trips by obtaining a licence for extended tours. Holiday tours across the country and in to Europe were organised, providing the first taste of foreign travel to many. In 1953, the business was purchased by British Electric Traction (B.E.T.). The main depot was in Exeter, but the expansion under B.E.T. required bases in Budleigh Salterton, Dawlish, Exmouth, Sidmouth and Teignmouth, as the country started to take longer holidays in the Devon seaside resorts, and the European tours were extended.

The brothers were well respected in Exeter, and Gilbert became the Sheriff of Exeter in 1950, and Mayor of the City in 1953. William left the business in 1963, and started up a new touring company of his own.

Hookways Greenslades

In 1969 B.E.T. sold out to the state owned National Bus Company and hence became part of Western National. The Thatcher Government saw big changes to Britain's bus and coach operators with the advent of privatisation. First, in 1983, Greenslades passed to a newly formed Devon General, then in 1986 Devon General was itself, subject of a management buyout. Greenslades was purchased in 1987 by Nightingale Coaches of Exmouth. The recession of the late 1980's was difficult for Greenslades, but in 1990, Hookways of Meeth, took over to form Hookways Greenslades and give the combined Exeter company a new lease of life. The company's fleet is still maintained at Pinhoe, Exeter, with large overhauls carried out at Hookways depots in Meeth and Bude.

Sources - Greenslades history on their website. City Council guide books. A history of Exeter public transport