Tales from Break Away Tours – Jackie Hurley
At our first meeting of the season local businesswoman Jackie Hurley gave us an insight of her experiences of running a holiday company. After working in PR and as a tour guide she retired in 2000 and decided to start up her own business, consisting of days out and holidays by coach. She did her research and always visited the venues, discussed hotel menus, looked at kitchens, size of rooms etc.
She also always went with her holiday makers, sharing their experiences. Her first holiday was to Weymouth. She catered for the over 50s and did such trips as Turkey and Tinsel – a pre Christmas event. At first she roped in friends and neighbours, but word spread and she didn’t need to advertise, save for a brochure given to customers.
She travelled the UK and Europe by coach, also visiting the Isle of Man where they met the late Norman Wisdom at his home. He was president of the Isle of Man Men-Cap Society and gave her a mascot teddy bear, which she brought to the meeting.
She told us a few stories of problems, some funny, which she always sorted out. In the 22 years of running the company only three people died on trips, Jackie keeping up her first aid training. There were also various accidents and she said she knows most of the hospitals up and down the country.
In 2001 she decided to take a trip on the Orient Express (The British Pullman), just to Felixstowe. This was followed by several more, including York. In 2003 she chartered a whole train to Dover, leaving from Victoria. All the ladies were given a buttonhole and the group looked like a wedding party. She was the first single tour operator to have chartered the train. Later she took her passengers to Paris and Venice.
She also did cruises, using Saga vessels, and did 24 in all, where they met Captains and had personal attention, with welcome and farewell parties. On one occasion a passenger brought his roller skates for use on board, which he used to use whilst working in the Tesco aisles. She was always telling jokes on her trips and told one at the meeting.
After 22 years in business Jackie had received many awards and certificates, including Woman of the Year. For the late Queen’s 60th jubilee the Spirit of Chartwell was being refurbished, like Pullman carriages, and Jackie was asked to look at menus. She also spoke on Essex Radio, answering questions and did a talk at the Port of Tilbury to school leavers.
When Covid struck in 2020 with its travel restrictions, she decided to retire, realising that there was more to life than working. She now enjoys painting etc. and finished her talk with a poem, one of which she penned each day during lockdown.
This was an eye-opener on the perils of running your own business, but also the enjoyment and the making of many friends.
Our next meeting is on Friday 18th October at St John’s church hall, Victoria Avenue, Grays, when our speaker will be the museum curator Michelle Savage. Visitors are always welcome.
