Names on the buses

834 Herbert Menges

468 Herbert Menges

Connections with Brighton and Hove : Born in 1902, Menges was an infant prodigy who played the violin from the age of three. His mother formed the Brighton Symphonic Players and when Menges conducted them in 1925 at Hove Town Hall, this is generally reckoned to have marked the foundation of the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra. Menges became musical director from then until 1972 when he died and he is well remembered today. In 2000, there was a concert to mark the 75th anniversary of the orchestra. He also became musical director of the Royalty Theatre in London and founded the London Rehearsal Orchestra in 1931 to help young musicians learn difficult pieces. Menges directed music at the Old Vic in London and conducted many other national orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic. Rubinstein, Dame Myra Hess and Solomon were among the many musicians who recognised his talent as a conductor. A memorial to him in the Dome says that he conducted 326 concerts there while musical director of the Phil. It adds: "He founded a tradition which is his permanent memorial."

834 Dennis Trident - carried name since delivery in March 2000, on METRO Line 49, repainted into standard livery October 2005.  The bus was sold in October 2012.  468 Volvo Gemini carried name since delivery in June 2013 on Route 5.

Photograph of Herbert Menges reproduced with the kind permission of the Royal Pavilion, Libraries and Museums (Brighton and Hove).