There are no jokes about women drivers from the two latest recruits on a Midland Red

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There are no jokes about women drivers from the two latest recruits on a Midland Red

There are no jokes about women drivers from the two latest recruits on a Midland Red driving course in Leamington - for they are women.
They are the first of a group of 10 bidding to become the first women to earn their place behind the wheel at the Leamington garage. Miss Althea Litwinski. and Miss Alma Watkis have both been conductresses with the company for a number of years, and have now decided to exchange their ticket machines for the driving wheel. Miss Litwinski, of Avenue Road, Leamington, explained: " It is no joke. We are already doing a mans job conducting, so I do not see why we should not drive as well. " I have never driven anything before I have only ridden a bike but it does not worry me. There is no reason why women should not be every bit as good as men." Miss Watkis, of Warwick Place, Leamington, agreed. " I am looking forward to driving. Once we have got through the six-week course we will be a match for any man." They admitted they had taken some good-humoured banter from their male colleagues, but they are determined to show their driving is no laughing matter. The garages chief instructor, Mr. Douglas Newey, said that if they pass the course they would be as good as any male bus driver " and 100 per cent. better than the average motorist." " This is a really tough course -And no concessions will be made because they are women. " If, after the first week, we do not think they have the makings of drivers they will be dropped. We give them our own rigorous test and this is followed by the company test and finally the Traffic Commissioners put them through a further one. " If they get through all that they are real drivers and will be able to drive any vehicle in this or any other garage, " said Mr. Newey.
18th May 1971

Coventry Telegraph Archive
Mirrorpix
Leamington
Warwickshire
England

Media ID 21611025

© Mirrorpix

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