Reflections plaques share memories with passengers
Robert Murrell, a former Public Transport Co-ordinator with Durham County Council, is to be remembered with a set of memorial plaques, carried on one of Go North East’s Prince Bishops buses.
The plaques are a dedication from his wife, Janet, and his family, who chose the Go North East Reflections plaque scheme as a fitting way to commemorate his life and the contribution he made to public transport.
Mrs Murrell will be welcomed aboard the Prince Bishops bus at Belmont Park and Ride at 10am on Wednesday, April 9 to see the plaques in place. Two plaques will be carried on the outside of the bus and one inside.
Robert Murrell, who died in 1997, worked for Durham County Council from 1973 until he retired in 1990 and was responsible for co-ordinating public transport in the Durham area. Born in Norfolk and graduating from Oxford University, he dedicated his life to public transport, having worked for British Rail and London Transport before relocating to Durham with his family to take up the post of Public Transport Co-ordinator.
“Robert was such an advocate of public transport and we both felt it was our fate to come to Durham,” said Mrs Murrell. “Having a young family, we had just decided to move from the city where we lived to a more rural setting when Robert found the Durham job in the paper the very next day.
“Being able to have these plaques carried on a bus which travels around the area he worked in and loved so much is a perfect combination.”
The Reflections, Memories into Action plaque scheme was set up by Go North East in 2006 to give people the opportunity to remember their loved ones in a unique way. As well as carrying a personal dedication on any one of more than 600 buses operated by Go North East, the scheme requires a sum to be paid to one of five local charities. This personal donation is then boosted with a contribution by Go North East.
Mrs Murell has chosen to support St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham.
Martin Harris, Commercial Director with Go North East said,
“Our fleet of vehicles reach out region-wide to serve the local community and are seen by thousands of people seven days a week, every week of the year. We are delighted Mrs Murrell has chosen our Reflections scheme as a way of sharing her husband’s memory.”
Angela Dinsdale, Chief Executive of St Cuthbert’s Hospice said:
“We are delighted that Mrs Murell has decided to support St Cuthbert’s Hospice through The Reflections initiative. It seems particularly fitting given her husband Robert’s involvement in public transport in County Durham over many years. The scheme allows people to have a lasting memorial to a loved one, while supporting the Hospice, which is a local charity providing care and support to people from across North Durham.”
The Reflections Memories into Action plaques are available to anyone for a minimum donation of £150 to one of Go North East’s chosen charities. A minumum donation of £100 will also be added by Go North East.