Names on the buses

869 Les Hamilton

808 Les Hamilton

707 Les Hamilton

Connections with Brighton and Hove : Starting from humble beginnings, this true man of Portslade became one of the best-known politicians in the city of Brighton and Hove. He worked as an insurance agent but it was as a politician that he found local fame. He was elected to the Portslade urban council in 1958 and became its chairman six years later. When Hove took over Portslade in 1974, Les Hamilton was elected on to the council for North Portslade and even though he was a Labour man, was chosen as Mayor by the Tory majority. Later when Labour took over the council, Les Hamilton became its last Mayor before the merger with Brighton in 1997. He also served for many years on East Sussex County Council and became its chairman. He was in addition a magistrate at Hove. Known for his quick wit and easy manner, Les Hamilton was a popular man who was known for his common sense approach to problems. His son, also Les, is a member of the city council.

869 Dennis Trident - carried name since delivery in April 2002, then renamed Rudyard Kipling in May 2002 swapping with 808, originally on METRO Line 1 then METRO Line 7 from April 2004, repainted in the new livery November 2004. Bus converted to Open Top in January 2009 and name transferred to new Scania Omnicity 707 on Metro 5 in January 2009.