'Mr Sussex' Ian Steedman has name on Brighton and Hove Bus

Ian Steedman, dubbed Mr Sussex, helped to establish Sussex Day which is celebrated every year to celebrate the county.

His family said bus-mad Ian would be “delighted” to have his name on a bus following his death last year at the age of 74.

His sister Nicola Steedman, 59, said: “I was so excited to see his name on the bus. He was a very proud man and was like an encyclopaedia about Brighton.

Ian and Ruth Steedman (Image: Supplied)

“He loved his buses and would have loved to have his name on one.”

Ian’s wife Ruth, 83, said: “He would have been delighted to know he was named on the front of a bus and it has been a real delight for me and my family to see him honoured on one of the new buses. I hope Sussex Day can continue to flourish in his memory.”

“Sussex-mad” Ian, 74, worked as a bus conductor for Brighton and Hove Bus Corporation for many years and helped to promote Sussex Day, now celebrated every June 16.

He was born in Hollingbury, Brighton, Ian spent most of his life in Sussex and was an avid reader and letter writer for The Argus.

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His family said one of his biggest interests was the redevelopment of the Brighton Hippodrome  and he would have been delighted that planning permission was granted for the scheme last week.

Ian died on February 6 last year.

The bus with Ian's name on it (Image: Supplied)

Ian’s name is on a Brighton and Hove Coaster bus used for the 12 and 12X routes.

The bus bearing his name is among 38 new buses being rolled out along the route.

Nick Hill, of Brighton and Hove Buses, said the company was “extremely proud” to have Ian’s name on the bus which will take passengers past “some of Sussex’s wonderful sights and attractions”.

Ian is survived by Ruth and siblings Graham, Jeanette, Denise, Nicola and Bobbie. He also had two children from his first marriage, Vanessa and Nicholas, and two grandchildren, Holly and Chloe.