Veteran journalist John Ware who hung up his pen in 2020, recounts some of the more memorable stories he covered during 60 years on the Teignbridge beat for locals and nationals
BACK in 1985 British Rail organised a glamorous surprise to one of its regular travelers.
He notched up about a quarter of a million miles, and to mark his final journey was greeted on the platform by a scantily clad girl who braved the autumn sea breezes to throw her arms around him and plant a kiss on his cheek.
His missus Sylvia was also there, and did not mind a bit – it was her idea to mark his retirement.
‘I thought he deserved it after all these years at work, and he certainly seemed to enjoy the attentions of the kissogram girl,’ she said.
Sixty-two-year-old Don was of one of British Rail’s best customers.
He began commuting in 1937, and apart from the war years caught the 8am to Exeter, and the 5pm back.
He worked in the retail carpet trade all his life starting at 2s 6d a week, and finishing as carpet manager at Waring and Gillow.
‘In the old days there were quite a few who used to catch the train to work. They all got into the same carriage, but over the years the numbers dwindled as more and more people drove to work,’ Sylvia recollected.
Don’s routine was interrupted during the war when he served for six years as an infantry sergeant in the Hampshires, and fought in the Italian campaign.
Besides the kissogram girl, there were also glasses of bubbly and a party in the evening.
A British Rail spokesman from Swindon said: ‘We would like to thank Don for putting faith in the railways for all those years.
‘He must have had some interesting experiences.
‘We wish him all the best for his retirement, and will be sending him a senior citizen rail card so he can enjoy more widespread travel!’