The end of an era
Elias Jones was originally a coal merchant in his home village of Rhosllanerchrugog obtaining part of his business in the 1950s from Edmund and Charles Wright of Penycae who ironically decided to make their main business buses and coaches.
Elias had in total five sons, David, Selwyn, Gareth, Gwyn and Barry and to various degrees they played a part in his businesses.
The bus and coach business began in about 1968 when an almost new Bedford CA minibus was purchased. The business gradually grew with more minibuses and later with larger buses. The work was primarily school contracts, factory runs with some private hire. The last two sons to join the business were Gwyn, who had served an apprenticeship as a fitter with Gresford Garage, and Barry, who had been a panel beater and he returned from Australia to join the firm when the business began to grow.
Elias died in 1978 but the business continued under the name of E Jones and Sons (EJS).
Two significant firms were involved in the history of the growth of EJS. Hughie Phillips, who traded as Phillips of Rhostyllen, retired in 1979 and whilst the service work was taken over by Crosville EJS purchased five vehicles and the work associated with the coaches was acquired. In 1986 Clifford Evans who traded as M A Evans retired and the buses and routes of this firm were acquired by EJS.
1995 saw a split within the firm of EJS and the family. Due to a disagreement as to how the business was to operate the firm split into two with David and Selwyn and David’s son Gary running one business and Barry and Gwyn the other part. David and his son Gary eventually traded as D Jones and Son operating from Acrefair. Barry and Gwyn retained the name of E Jones and Sons. The business of D Jones and Sons ceased in December 2017 and David died in 2022.
Selwyn died in 2000 and Gareth died more recently.
Barry and Gwyn concentrated on school contracts and private hire and have operated from their depot in the village of Rhosllanerchrugog where they have run a fleet of around 10 coaches. One interesting contract they have is conveying passengers on their the return trip on the Llangollen canal.
They have now decided to retire and although Barry will oversee the transfer of the business to Pats Coaches they will retain their premises in Rhos where they will continue to be involved with classical cars and motorcycles.
Three of the E Jones and Sons coaches will transfer to Pats Coaches and their contracts, current work and the goodwill of the firm will transfer to Pats.
Barry and Gwyn are offered very best wishes for their new era.