Islington Bus Company

S/IBC

1972-1989

Islington Bus Company was a Community Resource and Information Centre that worked exclusively in the borough between 1972 and 1988. The Bus Co. operated under a contract with Islington Council for the provision of services to support Islington community organisations. One of the priorities of the Council at that time was to encourage community development and local participation and the Bus Co. worked extensively with the local voluntary sector offering resources, equipment, video and sound recording facilities, information and training as well as collaborative projects in areas such us under fives, play, youth work, community arts, campaigns etc. The Bus Co. operated from premises in the Manor Gardens Centre and later Palmer Place but its most distinctive base was its double-decker (and later single-decker) bus. In addition to offering daily outings for playgroups and playschemes, the bus was converted to provide a range of functions such as creches, parent and toddler groups, puppet shows and craft workshops, councillor surgeries, information events and exhibitions. The Islington Bus Company collection is organised in two main sections. First, the internal administrative and organisational aspects of the Bus Co. including annual reports, staff minutes etc. Second, material relating to the activities and services provided to the several hundred voluntary organisations in the borough e.g. under fives project work; play and youth projects; community development projects and information projects as well as extensive examples of printed material produced by local organisations e.g. newsletters, leaflets, publicity materials and silkscreen posters. The scope of the collection reflects only what was provided by the Bus Co. team when it closed. There are some significant gaps however, not least the several hundred videos produced by the Bus Co. and community groups over the years as well as extensive sound and music recordings from the sound studio. Nevertheless, the entire scope of its work is reflected in the Annual Reports which are housed in the archives.

10 boxes + 2 oversized boxes

fonds