Within a clock stroke hope for changes, some many echoes from the past.
New Year, New Century and millennium, question how long can peace last.
On a planet filled with mysteries, from an unknown universe.
So great the thirst for knowledge, always threatening reverse.
Whilst wills seeming united, on actions that would ease.
World poverty and hunger, pestilence from disease.
Years of human progress, with few voice to retort.
That what it is were seeking, a corrupted planet cannot support.
But unless armed against injustice, with social conscience to what is sown.
Cannot be ours alone.
Brighton's original 23 Virgin Drivers late 2000
Back Row Left - Right: John Hornby Manager, Gareth Williams, Phil Ward,
Todd Walsh, Mark Ryan, Andy Hobden, Alan Morton, Dave Shephard (H&S Rep),
Andy Gregg (LDC Rep), Malcolm Bradord*, Mark Henningham, Fred "Jimmy " Williams,
Mel Power, Graham Hussey Depot Manager, Sue Lavesconte Admin.
Front Row:
Ron "Bagpuss" Bales Management, Paul Fish *(LDC Rep), Darren Nolan, Mark Hughes,
Steve Brooke, David Neish*, Chris Hughes, Phil Dawe, Rosie Turner, Paul Barrow*
Nick Johnson, Danny Lodge*
* Remained at Brighton after depot closure.
Out of the twenty three drivers, there was only seven qualified drivers from the Brighton
Connex South Central depot, of which only one driver signed the various routes and traction
as far as Reading.
Virgin decided to recruit sixteen trainee drivers and whilst turning down a number of
qualified Brighton Connex South Central drivers who had been working over the route with
the traction that was being used at that time. In time Virgin recruited more qualified drivers
many of who were from the Brighton Connex South Central depot but none of these drivers
had previously worked over the route.
NICK JOHNSON COLLECTION
BRIGHTON
'MILLENNIUM BUGS'
VIRGIN TRAINEE DRIVERS AT CREWE 2000
Nick Johnson, Paul, Barrow, Andy Hobden, Todd Walsh, Pete Dawe, Gareth Williams,
Rosie Turner, Darren Nolan & Phil Ward
SIMON WELLER COLLECTION
The Connex 2000 Picket Line
Left - Right: Paul Osborne, Ian Osborne, John Osborne, Paul Barber, Simon Weller,
Paul Barber, Harry Penter & Mark Thompson
Brighton Branch visiting A.S.L.E.& F.
Head Office in May 2000
BRIGHTON BRANCH COLLECTION
Left ~ Right: John Osborne, Dave Tyson (E.C,), Unknown
(E.C.), Tony West (A.G.S.), Ivan Wilson (Branch Chairman), Mark Thompson (Assistant
Secretary), Dawn Vallance, Chris Newton (Branch Secretary), Bill Rutter,
Andy Reed (E.C.), & Martin Samways (E.C.).
BRIGHTON BRANCH COLLECTION
Left-Right: Mark Thompson (Assistant Branch Secretary), John Osborne, Ivan Wilson
(Branch Chairman), Bill Rutter, Chris Newton (Branch Secretary), Dawn Vallance
& Floyd Langridge
Andy Owen
Andy Owen on his last day working his last train
22:06 Connex EspressVictoria - Brighton
Peter White's Retirement Presentation
December 2000.
Left ~ Right Tony Farmer, Dave Griffiths, Ivan Wilson & Peter White.
All four men have held position of A.S.L.E.F. L.D.C. reps at Brighton Thameslink.
Peter along with Tony Farmer become the first L.D.C. reps. at the newly opened Thameslink depot in 1997.
Peter entered the footplate grades on 02.05.1960. Peter transferred too Brighton in c1992. During his footplate career Peter held various ASLE&F positions at many depots.