FAMILY, friends and colleagues of a former Salisbury Reds director gathered to honour him following his death.

Andrew Wickham MBE passed away last month following a long battle with illness but remained in post and heavily involved in the day-to-day running of the business right up until his death.

Salisbury Reds said he was loved and respected by colleagues and stakeholders alike.

His funeral cortege, which included the hearse and 14 buses and coaches, made its way through Poole bus station for a final salute and on to a church service in Andrew’s home village of Sturminster Marshall – with a police escort to ensure minimal disruption along the way.

The route was lined by local people who showed their respect for Andrew, who “completely transformed” bus travel across the region during his 14-year tenure as Salisbury Reds boss.

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A Salisbury Reds spokesperson said: “His outstanding leadership drove forward his team – with colleagues utterly dedicated to Andrew’s vision to improve services and increase the popularity of bus travel.”

Salisbury Reds interim managing director Ben Murray, said: “Andrew was, above all, a lifelong public transport enthusiast – and this was reflected in his journey from Poole to St Mary’s Church in Sturminster Marshall.

“As in life, Andrew very much led the way and was specific about how his funeral and wake should play out. The buses, which carried mourners to the service, included vehicles which had been important to him during different periods of his life.

“There were also buses and coaches from each of the other operators Andrew led – including Bluestar, Southern Vectis, Damory, Swindon’s Bus Company, Morebus and Excelsior.

“He was one of a kind, and we were incredibly fortunate to have him at the helm. He was also a great family man, and we hope we did them proud with this wonderful procession.

“Our thoughts are with them as they come to terms with this incredibly sad and untimely loss.”

Those present at the church service later attended a special celebration of life event at Upton Country Park – with a very special bus service arranged to transport them between various locations, exactly as Andrew would have wanted.