Omibus Society

President 2003

Male Placeholder

Belfast and Dublin 19th-23rd September, 2003

Timetable and description of events:

Every year the Omnibus Society holds its most prestigious event, the summer Presidential Weekend, located in the area of the current President, who this year is Ted Hesketh, retiring Managing Director of Translink, which operates bus and train services in Northern Ireland and over the border into the Republic.

The event is residential and therefore allows a good social mix. It gives a great opportunity for newer members, and for longer-standing members - whether frequent or infrequent attendees - to enjoy the events and to see much of what the Omnibus Society is about:

  • the mix of individual interests. Meet members involved in transport history

  • those members with local knowledge and the keen-eyed photographers

  • those who work in the industry - perhaps have reached the top and retired with good memories, - and those with views on how they see the future of the industry

The Society's 2003 President, Ted Hesketh, retiring Managing Director of Translink, is hosting his Presidential Weekend in Belfast, Ulster and Dublin, with the backing of Translink.

The programme is as follows:

Friday 19th September

  • Members are responsible for making their own way to Belfast, and should ensure that they arrive no later than 4 p.m. so as to be in good time for the Civic Reception which is planned for that evening.

Saturday 20th September

  • Visits in Belfast and Ulster, including Wrights of Ballymena, Newtonabbey Depot, Bangor, Belfast Central Station and Short Strand Depot.

  • A group picture of the visit to Wrights works can be seen below:

  • Presidential Dinner in the evening at the Ramada Belfast Hotel.

Sunday 21st September

  • Further visits in the Province, including Coleraine Transport Interchange, Giant's Causeway, Giant's Causeway Railway and Bushmills Distillery.

  • Evening meeting of the Provincial Historical Research Group, incorporating a presentation by the Irish Transport Trust.

Monday 22nd September

  • Visit to Dublin, with the option to return direct to the UK from Dublin, or to return to Belfast for a return the following day. Visits to Bus Eireann, Dublin Bus and possibly LUAS.

Further details and a booking form will be found in the Omnibus Masgazine No.450. Members intending to participate may wish to book their airline tickets in good time to get the best fares.