Another blog post – so soon after the last one, it must be
important and it is.
Those of you who have subscribed to my blog through thick
and thin over the years will no doubt be acquainted with my friend (and fellow
Walpole lookout) Bruce Billingham. I’ve known Bruce for nearly 20 years through
our enthusiasm for all things Excel and a great friendship has developed over
this time. He was an essential part of this blog over the years.
Bruce became well known for his cheery wave to Excel drivers
as they passed his bungalow -for years it was easy to spot the two Leyland
Nationals in his back garden too, though latterly he had sold one on and the
expanding undergrowth around his property had made it pretty hard to see the
other LN.
Sadly, Bruce’s health declined over the years and even until a month or so ago, he would manage to get out the front to see his favourite buses and drivers. I took him to a couple of hospital and Doctor’s appointments in January and it was clear that things were not good. On January 28th Bruce discovered he had inoperable cancer and he told me he had months, or even weeks to live. I visited him on February 4th for the last time and sadly he passed away on the night of 6th/7th aged 78. He will be sadly missed by his family, myself and all the drivers who used to enjoy acknowledging him as they passed by on their daily grind. I will give an update on arrangements for his funeral in due course at which there will be a definite XL presence. RIP Brucey.
