A Builth Wells family coach operator is preparing to celebrate a major milestone this year as it marks 35 years in business – and is appealing for passengers past and present to share their memories.

Weales Wheels, which has been operating since 1991, will reach its 35th anniversary in September 2026. Over the decades, the company has provided transport for thousands of passengers across Radnorshire, Powys and further afield, from daily school runs to long-distance trips to theatres, sporting events, exhibitions and leisure destinations.

As part of the celebrations, the firm is launching a “memory drive” to track down former passengers and gather stories, photographs and recollections of journeys taken over the years.

Founder Martin Weale began his working life on the family farm and later worked as a contractor baling in the summer months. His first experience in transport came informally in the late 1980s, when he began giving friends and family lifts home at weekends after nights out in local pubs and barn dances. The popularity of those lifts led him to purchase his first minibus – a “rather old, slightly tired and bright orange” vehicle - before expanding into school transport contracts and building the business into a fleet operation.

Today, the company employs local staff and transports around 300 children to schools each day across Powys. It also works with leisure travel operator JJ Travels.

Looking ahead to the anniversary, Mr Weale said: “It’s taken a lot of hard work to get to where we are today, but I’m really proud of Weales Wheels and the team for what we’ve achieved. I’ve tried to build a family business that provides a valuable service for my community, and 35 years in, I think I can safely say that Weales Wheels is most certainly doing that! I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve been given over the years from my family, especially my wife Jessica (who keeps everything behind the scenes running smoothly), the local community and not forgetting our valued passengers. There have been times over the years when things have been incredibly tough, most recently the pandemic, but we’ve kept going thanks to having solid foundations coupled with amazing support from across the community - all the ingredients I need to keep Weales Wheels going for another 35 years!”

Beyond its transport services, the business says it has long been involved in supporting community causes, including charities such as Cancer Research UK and Mid and North Powys Mind, as well as sponsoring local grassroots organisations including Young Farmers and school events.

The wider Weale family is also involved in the transport sector, with Martin’s sons Harrison and Toby running their own companies, Radnorshire Travel and Highway Adventures, while daughters Maddy and Meg both work as drivers. His wife Jessica also operates JJ Travels.

As part of the anniversary, the company is now encouraging anyone who has travelled with Weales Wheels over the years to get in touch and share their stories.

Stories and photographs can be sent to: [email protected]