Trudie
This year I am finding an increasing number of schools in Sheffield are
willing to bus in to the cemetery for our infant mortality and
environmental sessions. We're lucky to be on a good bus route (though the
bus fares in Sheffield aren't what they used to be). In fact one school
comes in from Stocksbridge, some eight miles away and changes buses in the
city centre.
Whenever I have put in for funding for any heritage projects I have run
(HLF, Biglottery) I have included a chunk of money for coach travel. For a
project in Leeds I ran two years ago I found there was a monopoly of two or
three coach companies, but I managed to negotiate a small reduction by
going directly to the coach company and organising the visits on behalf of
the different schools. On the same project two months later, but in York,
the local coach company gave a cheaper price yet. Two months later I ran
exactly the same project in Rotherham, and the coach prices were slightly
cheaper again, partly because Rotherham is a poorer area, and parents and
schools can afford less, But SIGNIFICANTLY, I found that there were smaller
family owned coach firms in the area who seemed to be a bit more biddable
on price. In the end I used a coach company based in Barnsley, which was
cheaper still, and just as efficient. The upshot is that there is a local
market (to some extent)in coach travel and it pays to shop around. I think
many schools probably don't do this, sticking to the tried and tested ones
(which is understandable).
Applying for funding to pay for coach travel of course often doesn't apply
to those museums who draw solely from their core funding to bring in
groups. But I was wondering if there is any reason why a 'friends of'
group, which many museums have, can't apply for grants, and set up a coach
travel fund on behalf of the museum ? I'm sure there will be a restriction
on it, but just a thought.
Brian Holmshaw
Heritage Education Consultant and
P/T Cemetery Manager
Sheffield General Cemetery
Original Message:
-----------------
From: Trudie Cole [log in to unmask]
Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 14:19:35 +0100
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Coaches and transport issues
Hi All,
Do you all have the same issue with coaches that I have? In that they
are incredibly expensive and proving to be a barrier in schools
visiting. I am planning to offer more outreach to address this, but
nothing replaces a trip out. Has anyone dabbled with the idea of buying
a coach (and driver) or secured good discounts by creating a
relationship with a coach company?
Any ideas and solutions would be welcome.
Cheers
Trudie
Trudie Cole
Learning and Access Manager
Poole Museum
01202 262623
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