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Pandora’s People – The Hastings Coachways and Pandora Holidays story
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  1. Pandora’s People – The Hastings Coachways and Pandora Holidays story
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Pandora’s People – The Hastings Coachways and Pandora Holidays story

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When George Hirst arrived in Hastings, Sussex, from his home in Yorkshire in 1948 he set about establishing a taxi business which became the first in the area to take advantage of two-way radio technology. Soon, he also made chauffeur-driven cars available for wealthy clients wishing to travel to Europe.
In the late 1950’s the business expanded into coach operation as Hastings Coachways, to exploit the growing market for continental tours ; and also travel agencies – Hirst Travel – which featured the Pandora Holidays brand with its all-inclusive continental coach breaks.
When George retired in 1974, he sold the coach fleet, along with Pandora Holidays, to Mike Tilyard. However, the economic climate in the UK at that time was becoming difficult – and a rocky road lay ahead. This is the story of Pandora’s People.

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Their story became a source of fascination to me from an early age for the romance of continental coach travel of the early 1960’s. I met its founder Mr George Hirst when I was in my twenties and looking back, lacked experience to know how to ask the right questions to record his story. I came away with just a little information. Having gained much experience in writing years later, I now had the confidence to attempt to find former employees that would share their stories with me. I hit gold in the respect that with the help of my daughter Beth, she helped me track down the companies last owner, Mike Tilyard. What a fun person and his stories of the coach industry of the 1960’s and 70’s are hilarious! A thoroughly enjoyable book to write.
Image: Mike and Sheila Tilyard at their home in Yalding hosting Steve with former Pandora Holidays staff, Pauline Bourn, Mick & Gaye Philcox.
Michael Gotla, the real life entrepreneur.

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