Who remembers Cooks Coaches at Westfield?

Stephen Dine, the owner of Hastings based Empress Coaches has just completed a fascinating book on local firm, Cooks Coaches of Westfield.
Steve Dine with his new book SUS-200807-120123001Steve Dine with his new book SUS-200807-120123001
Steve Dine with his new book SUS-200807-120123001

Cooks had first started out just after the end of the Second World War at Cripps Corner Garage, moving to Westfield in 1959.

Run by a young husband and wife team of Wilf and Jean Tomsett the book will take you through the changing times of the village coach firm in the 1950’s up until Cooks later owner Mr Brian Gain retired in 2011.

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Jean drove the coaches too, a rare sight in early 1950’s Sussex and for a young woman in her twenties. Its written as a social history and has a wide appeal.

Steve Dine SUS-200807-120025001Steve Dine SUS-200807-120025001
Steve Dine SUS-200807-120025001

Cooks provided transport for Battle County Secondary School when it opened in 1955 and will be remembered by thousands of pupils who attended there.

Stephen had first written a book on Empress Coaches for its 80th anniversary some ten years ago, and with Covid-19 stopping work it gave him the chance to finish the Cooks story and finally publish it.

Stephen joined Empress back in 1987 after leaving Hillcrest School.

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He has also completed another title about Welbeck Motors, the true story London’s first ever large scale minicab operator that started in out 1961 with a fleet of over 250 Renault Dauphines.

For anyone who has seen the film ‘Carry on Cabbie’ the film was inspired by the real life events that took place. Its ready for release in the Autumn

The thoroughly researched and illustrated Cooks coaches book is priced at £15 + £3.50 p&p and copies can be ordered through www.stephendinebooks.com.

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