Newbury Transport Group celebrates 30th anniversary in Thatcham – but needs new leadership to continue

A community group has celebrated 30 years since it first formed.

Twenty people attended the 30th anniversary event for Newbury Transport Group at Kennet School in Thatcham on Monday, March 17.

Bob Morley founded the group for those with a passion for transport and invites speakers to give talks at the school each month.

David and Marion Canning, both former pupils at the school, have managed the group for the past 25 years.

Mr Canning, whose wife was unable to attend, said at the event: “Welcome to our 30th birthday meeting.

“Well, we said then we were not sure if we would still be running the group much longer. Well, we are, just.”

Mr Morley then thanked the couple for all their support, who confirmed they are now stepping down.

Mr Canning added: “We are finding things harder going now, so this must be our last year in charge.

“Hopefully someone else will take over. If not, the group will cease to function after a special meeting in December.

“We must give a big thanks to Bob who started the group in the first place.

“We would also like to thank Grace Rigg and her staff for still allowing us to come and use the facilities.”

Ms Rigg thanked Mr and Mrs Canning for the group’s magazine Translines, which the couple edit each month.

A copy of the magazine is always displayed in the school library and has generated enough interest for the school to start its own transport group.

The group previously met at Bayers HQ in Newbury. Once this closed, it moved its meetings to Kennet School, welcomed by then headmaster Paul Dick.

“If it had not been for the school, we would not have been able to carry on with the group,” Mr Canning added.