640 Graham GreeneNames on the buses
Connections with Brighton and Hove : Grahame Greene was an English writer and journalist regarded by many as one of the leading English novelists of the 20th century. Born in 1904 into a large, influential family that included the owners of Greene King Brewery, bankers, and statesmen, he was the fourth of six children. After leaving Oxford University in 1925, Greene worked for a period of time as a private tutor and then turned to journalism— first on the Nottingham Journal, and then as a sub-editor on The Times. Many of his books touched on the themes of religion, guilt and a search for redemption and a significant amount of his works have been adapted for film or television, including Brighton Rock, published in 1938, regarded as one of his most powerful novels. The book depicts a seedy world of criminality in pre-war Brighton, exploring the tension between the illuminated tourist façade and the gangster-ridden industry behind it. Twice adapted into a feature film (most recently in 2010), the 1947 release starring a young Richard Attenborough prompted a critical uproar in Britain due to its depictions of crime and violence. The film was banned in New South Wales, Australia. The 1947 version has aged well, however, and as of 2020 scores 95% on the Rotten Tomatoes website. Greene often visited Brighton over the years and once said ‘No city . . . had such a hold on my affections’ In 1986, he was awarded Britain’s Order of Merit. He died in Switzerland in 1991, aged 86.
640 - Scania Omnidekka carried name since September 2004 on Coaster 12. Rebranded to Metro 25 livery in June 2008. Metro 25 branding removed August 2012. Bus sold in October 2019. Name reappeared in October 2020 on Alexander Dennis Enviro bus 339.