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All Aboard the Chudbus

Throughout 2004 Sundial Group celebrated forty years at Highgate House, its first venue. In 1964 Michael and Diana Chudley moved their large family of nine into the 17th Century coaching inn in Northamptonshire and began building this very special business, which, I am delighted to say, remains wholly owned and managed by my family.

Our family transport, the 'Chudbus' became well known around Northamptonshire and indeed across the UK when Gaumont Rank showed newsreel and the BBC broadcast the story about us and our travels in the bus, which was equipped with the very latest domestic facilities and appliances available at the time. Publicity also followed with a live appearance on Cliff Mitchelmore's Tonight programme when we took our bus to America, and we were approached by film makers to allow them to use the idea as a basis for a movie, which became Cliff Richard's memorable Summer Holiday.

At the National Venue Show last year a 21st century Chudbus was unveiled, and although the 'new' bus itself is also 40 years old, first registered in 1964, it has been transformed into a mobile small meetings venue, equipped with all the latest technology and comfort levels that you would expect from any of the four Sundial venues. However, the vehicle's insurance (and the absence of fixed seating and seatbelts) mean we are unable to carry passengers.

The Chudbus has been tremendously successful: as well as appearing at two national exhibitions last year, it has been to visit customers up and down the UK and is scheduled to appear at shows local to our venues in July 2005. The Chudbus also won three awards at the International Association of Conference Centres 'Forum for Great Ideas' in April. (Full story here).

I am delighted to open the family album to you on these web pages. Please click here for information regarding the original Chudbus, and here for the 2004 Chudbus.

I hope you get as much enjoyment out of these buses as I have,

Tim Chudley,

Sundial Group Managing Director

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