Photo: Morebus
A procession of buses passed through Poole bus station to pay tribute to Andrew Wickham MBE, the late managing director of Morebus, who died last month after a long illness.
Fourteen buses and coaches joined the funeral cortege alongside the hearse, pausing at the station before continuing to a service at St Mary’s Church in Sturminster Marshall, where Andrew lived. A police escort accompanied the journey to reduce traffic disruption, and members of the public gathered along the route to pay their respects.
Andrew Wickham led Morebus for 14 years and was widely credited with transforming local bus services. He continued working until shortly before his death and remained closely involved in day-to-day operations.
Vehicles in the procession included buses linked to different stages of Andrew’s life and career, with support from companies he once led, including Bluestar, Southern Vectis, Damory, Salisbury Reds, Swindon’s Bus Company and Excelsior.
Morebus interim managing director Ben Murray described Andrew as a lifelong public transport enthusiast and said the entire farewell reflected his wishes.
After the church service, a celebration of life was held at Upton Country Park, with a dedicated bus service transporting guests — in a way Andrew himself had planned.
Tributes were also paid to him at the Bournemouth Bus Rally, held in King’s Park yesterday.