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All aboard the Bentley bus
publication date: Nov 28, 2009
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author/source: Robin Roberts
 | | | | Bentley has built a bus with a difference.
A former London Routemaster bus, which has been
luxuriously restored by Bentley Motors, has been handed over to the
hospice St Luke's. | |  | | St Luke's, who are based in Winsford, Cheshire, secured
the double-decker bus earlier this year and appealed to the luxury car
manufacturer Bentley for help in its restoration. | | Bentley Motors has supported the hospice for the past
three years, most recently in April when it helped renovate one of the
hospice's charity shops and rejuvenated the hospice garden during a
production shutdown at its Crewe factory.
This latest project has taken 2000 hours to complete with 59 Bentley
workers involved The team has sought to retain many of the original
features of the bus but adapt it to the needs of St Luke's in a typical
Bentley way.
This has meant using the leather for which Bentley cars are synonymous
throughout, all hand stitched with the St Luke's and Bentley logos.
Other skilled craftsmen from Bentley's woodshop, toolroom and
maintenance departments developed bespoke work surfaces, rails, kitchen
unit and shelves to help St Luke's staff in their public awareness and
fundraising activities.
The craftsmen are particularly proud of the "used ticket" bin, a
feature at the exit of all Routemaster buses which has now been
converted into a donation tin.
The Bentley production manager in charge of the project, Gary Lazenby,
said, "This has been a real labour of love for all those involved.
Bentley staff are incredibly proud of the cars we produce but applying
those skills to a bus was a totally new experience for all. We are very
grateful to the many local suppliers who provided materials free of
charge to help make this iconic vehicle fit for a new lease of life."
The bus, named Luke, will be used as a travelling shop for colleges and
universities as well as an education and awareness base to visit
schools and other events.
There will also be an on-board charity shop to help the hospice raise funds while on the road. |
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