A PLAQUE remembering one of the best-known companies in south Wales and the Forest was unveiled on Saturday – but its been a long journey. 

Former bus driver Ken Morgan first had the idea of a plaque to commemorate the Red and White bus company some 12 years ago. 

He enlisted the help of Chepstow bus enthusiast John Probert who got on board about eight years ago and the plaque in Albion Square, opposite Chepstow bus station, was unveiled by the town’s mayor, Cllr Tony Redhead. 

The company had its headquarters in Chepstow from 1920 to 1978 and employed thousands of people in the region. 

Mr Morgan spent many years on the number 73 between Gloucester, Lydney, Chepstow and Cardiff – and even met his wife, Shirley, on the buses. He brought along the 1949 double decker that he bought. 

The plaque was designed and made by Chepstow-based ceramicist and town councillor Ned Heywood. 

Former Red and White employees and bus enthusiasts were at the unveiling on Saturday morning (September 22). 

Mr Probert said: “We thought this day would never come but it’s marvellous to see this fantastic plaque in its rightful place on the Red and White building. 

“Ken wasn’t getting anywhere so he came to me and I was only too happy to help. 

“At first we couldn’t even find out who owned the building but I got a couple of tip-offs and contacted the owner Mr Beverley Jones. 

“By a twist of fate his father-in-law was a director of Red and White so there was a mutual interest. 

“He was only too willing for the plaque to go there but it was a listed building so we had to go through all that red tape. 

“Ken started it about 12 years ago and I’ve been working on it for eight or nine.” 

He also thanked town and county councillor Paul Pavia who he approached at a surgery. 

He said: “It was a major employer not just in the town but across south east Wales and into the Forest of Dean 

“I’d like to thank John Probert and Ken for pushing the project forward – Ken had the plaque commissioned and town councillor Ned Heywood made the plaque and has sited it. 

Cllr Redhead said he was pleased to see such a good turnout for the unveiling, particularly former Red and White staff members. 

Following the unveiling, two vintage Red and White buses took guests to Lydney, where the company was founded by Mr John Watts.