NCT honours community champion
Nottingham City Transport (NCT) has named one of its electric buses after a figure in its local community.
The bus was named after Tony Miller (1941-2024), a lifelong Nottingham resident and much-loved champion of the St Ann’s community in the city, during a special ceremony held in the city’s St Ann’s area on the first anniversary of his passing.
A Blue Line bus, which operates on NCT’s 40, 41, 42 services through St Ann’s has been named after Tony, in recognition of the area he was born, raised and loved.
(L to R) Nick Miller (son) Ann Miller (wife), Lisa Boaden (daughter), Jack Boaden (grandson) and Matthew Boaden (son in law)
The St Ann’s Well Road Pre-Demolition Facebook Group was founded by Tony Miller on 31 December 2011 with three friends. Frustrated by negative portrayals of St Ann’s in the media, Tony created the group to celebrate the true spirit of the neighbourhood — its people, its past, and its strong sense of community before the major redevelopment of the 1970s. The group quickly grew to over 4,000 members all around the world. Tony helped organise regular reunions in Nottingham, giving former residents the chance to meet, reminisce and keep their shared history alive.
The bus naming took place near the St Ann’s Valley Centre with Tony’s family and many friends in attendance on 2 July, the annual date the group met for their yearly gathering.
“I have happy memories of Tony catching the 40 and 47 bus outside his family shop front” – Tony’s wife Ann
Tony’s wife Ann said: “I’m pleased and proud of the bus naming. I have happy memories of Tony catching the 40 and 47 bus outside his family shop front. He’d journey from St Ann’s Wells Road to Union Road to see me and to Will Hill Tailors in Trinity Square where he worked. He’d always run for the last bus home after seeing me.”
Tony’s children Lisa Boaden and Nick Miller added: “Dad cherished the St Ann’s area his whole life and it shaped his identity. He revelled in its local history, the stories and experiences of its colourful characters that he met growing up there pre-demolition, and the years that followed after. This bus naming is a wonderfully fitting tribute to a thoughtful caring man who simply couldn’t do enough to help others in the community. Not bad for a boy from ‘Senty’ who left school at 14.”
Anthony Carver-Smith, NCT Head of Marketing and Projects, said: “Tony sounds like a remarkable character and someone who was clearly very passionate about the area he grew up in. When we were approached by members of the group to honour Tony for his work for improving the image of St Ann’s, it was an obvious yes from NCT.”