Colleagues, family and friends gathered at The Hollies last Thursday to wish the longest serving Midsomer Norton and Radstock Dial-a- Ride driver a very happy retirement.
Paul Vernon joined the Dial-a-Ride team as a driver on the Midsomer Norton and Radstock bus in 2006, with Dial-a-Ride sub-contracting Paul's services from Bath and North East Somerset Council.
Paul has been on sickness leave since November 2013 and in April 2014, had an operation to remove a cancerous growth from his oesophagus. The operation went well and Paul is currently recuperating. He is making good steady progress, but a full recovery will take quite a while, so he has taken the option to retire early from B&NES, effective from June 2014.
Paul has always had a cheery word for his customers. In 2008, he rescued two elderly residents from a house fire in Hillside Avenue, Midsomer Norton. Whilst driving his bus past the property, he noticed smoke issuing from the ground floor windows and doors. He immediately stopped the bus and entered the heavily smoke-logged ground-floor twice. On each occasion, he led out one of the two occupants. He undoubtably saved two lives that day and received a Chief Fire Officer's Commendation for Bravery from Avon Fire Service, as well as a National Local Government Staff Award for Outstanding Customer Care.
Irene Heal, a Dial-a-Ride Founder Trustee, presented Paul with a retirement card and Marks & Spencer gift vouchers after a collection was made from customers and colleagues.
We all wish Paul a speedy recovery to full health to enable him to enjoy his well-deserved retirement.