Bus company’s tribute to Hull Bee Lady

‘PROUD’: Keith Holmes with the new Jean Bishop artwork

Bus company East Yorkshire has paid tribute to Hull’s Bee Lady by including her in the artwork on its special heritage vehicle.

The Hull Heritage Bus, which was unveiled in 2016, portrays some of the region’s best known personalities and landmarks, including pilot Amy Johnson, poet Philip Larkin and anti-slavery activist William Wilberforce.

The bus livery has now had a new panel added featuring the late Jean Bishop, who passed away last month aged 99, and the Jean Bishop Integrated Care Centre.

Mrs Bishop earned iconic status raising money for Age UK dressed in a bee outfit, collecting more than £125,000 over 30 years.

The Jean Bishop Integrated Care Centre is a new facility, named in her honour, which provides out of hospital care for older people, reducing unnecessary admissions and helping them keep fit, healthy and living independently in their own homes.

East Yorkshire employee Keith Holmes, who designed and painted the bus, was inspired to add Mrs Bishop to the design after reading stories about her incredible fundraising feats.

‘LEGACY LIVES ON’: Staff from the Jean Bishop Integrated Care Centre with the Hull Heritage Bus

“I really want the design of the bus to educate people about the great characters and landmarks of Hull,” he said. 

“The city’s residents have so much to be proud of, so I want everyone to remember that every time they see the Heritage Bus. 

“Jean Bishop devoted her life to helping others, and the Jean Bishop Integrated Care Centre is doing some fantastic work in caring for the city’s elderly, so I felt it was only right to add them to the portraits on the bus.”

Clare Cornelius, Assistant at Citycare Estates, developer of the care centre, said: “When East Yorkshire approached us to get involved in their tribute to Hull icon Jean Bishop, we were honoured. 

“Jean is an inspiration and her legacy lives on with the Integrated Care Centre. We're delighted to see her featured on the bus and are proud to have the centre as its backdrop."