Rambler Coaches 1924-2018 The Rowland Years

The book charts the foundations of the company laid down by Dick Rowland in 1924, after moving to the seaside town of Hastings from Margate in Kent. Business flourished in the 1930’s but with the onset of WWII, his coaches were requestioned in early 1940 and business activities would not resume again until 1946. The 1950s and 60s were boom years for excursions and private hire bookings, although in 1966 Dick sadly passed away. At this time, he was operating three coaches. His young son Colin persuaded his mother to keep the business going and the 1970s saw the gradual growth with a new business partner, John Goodwin, joining them in 1974. In 2010 the company reached its largest fleet at some 41 vehicles. Its diverse story has been told through its former owner, Colin Rowland, and written by the owner of Empress Coaches, Stephen Dine, taking his family story through to Colin Rowland’s retirement and sale of Rambler Coaches in 2018.