The page for enthusiasts in the Oxford Chilterns Area - News from you and news for you - pictures too  ~~~~   The page for enthusiasts in the Oxford Chilterns Area - News from you and news for you - pictures too  ~~~~   The page for enthusiasts in the Oxford Chilterns Area - News from you and news for you - pictures too  

News Page
Concessionary Travel, Buses in the Landscape, Running Days and Historical articles

Issue 286
(OBP-499)
Tuesday 14th April 2009
(next update week ending 25th April 2009)

this section published 22nd April 2009

Now in our 11th year

Visit the "OXFORD & CHILTERN BUS PAGE " Archives from October 2002

Visit the "OXFORD BUS PAGE" Archive 1998 - 2002

Please note that any comments made in this news page are those of the Editors' and in no way constitute 
any official points of view from the bus companies mentioned,  or indeed any other official body. 
As a news page we reserve the right to make valid comments as seen from an editorial point of view.

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Concessionary Travel, Buses in the Landscape, Running Days and Historical articles

Concessionary Travel

Comments from Graham Monk

As a regular reader of the bus page, I note your article about changes to the English National Bus Pass scheme from 1st April 2009. I found this website whilst surfing which is the Government's clarification of the changes to be made. 

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/busconcession/governmentresponse.pdf 

I see that the passes will no longer be accepted on National Express from 1st April 2009 although I tried to use mine on the 737 from Oxford back in January and the driver said it was no longer valid and on your page a correspondent tried to use his on the 737 from High Wycombe to Oxford and had to pay £3.55. (National Express withdrew free concession use from late last year on the section from Oxford to High Wycombe and until April 1st 2009, the Wycombe-Hatfield section was all that remained. ED.) 

It will also no longer be valid on Tourist routes. I can understand that it wouldn't be valid on Sightseeing buses but I wonder if it will be valid on the Routemaster routes in London or the open top bus tours such as Southern Vectis run on the Isle Of Wight which appear in their timetable. 

As ever keep up the good work. I look forward to each new edition.

Buses in the Landscape

From John Marsh visiting Edinburgh

"Lothian 63 was taken from a window in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament."

On the first three trips I was certain that a good photograph could be obtained if we were able to park the buses in a lay-by just short of Berwick on Tweed on the A1. However, the lay-by was always full until the last journey. I hope you like the result and will consider it for the above feature."


I think this one was taken in Auchterarder? The bus is owned by Midland Docherty.

Other contributions


Andrew Morgan took this picture at the recent Kingston event mentioned further down this page.


Buses in the Landscape - Munros 468 SK51AYC 250306-Dave Ballantyne

Running Days

Cobham 2009

This year the weather was kind and I include a selection of pictures taken on the day by various people.

The biggest attraction was probably RT1 which is now under threat of export to the USA following its £250,000 restoration to as new condition. I include some earlier pictures taken by Gavin Francis in the days when it lived at Amersham.


A wonderful picture taken by Mark Lyons who I was pleased to meet at Cobham.


RT1 whilst at Amersham Garage of LT.- Gavin Francis.


Three more pictures of RT1 taken by Gavin Francis.


RT1 shares centre stage with the last RT 4825 from the LT Museum, David Allen of Ian Allan launches an appeal for it to stay in the U.K.


Mark Lyons, who I was pleased to meet at Cobham, picks the daisies in his efforts to get the perfect picture.


Those were the days when one had to queue to get on the bus or coach to the seaside. 32 seats would soon be filled with Londoners heading to the coast
or the Kent hop fields for the day. This coach is owned by Ward Jones of High Wycombe.


Another Ward Jones gem is this early Bristol K new to Thames Valley in 1946.


Some memories for me were evoked by this Blackpool Engineers Car which spent much of its later life waiting for the call on the Blackpool sea front.


Perhaps more up to date was this Olympian now carrying visitors to the Isle of Wight.


The rear of this bus evoked memories of a previous generation of buses to carry the tourist.


It was kind of bus like but was in fact a London fire tender.


James Freeman proudly brings one of his GREEN buses to the event. Reading Buses.


For someone who sees the 321 route almost everyday of his current working life, I did like this RT with blinds set for a trip from Luton to St Albans.


My goodness what a lot of buses and people.


Even the smallest of us was catered for at this years event. What I would have given for one of these when I was a child.


Routemaster line up, showing only a small number of this class present.


Peter Cartwright was there again this year with his RML - 2440.


How this advert always evokes memories for us older ones. It seemed in the days of ones youth that never a day went by with Bisto being part of scene.


The road outside the museum is always full of buses and this shows of the 8ft width of the RTW to good measure.


One man and his dog enjoy a ride on an RM. Don't you think the dog looks as if he is enjoying it even more than his master.

Kingston event reported by Andrew Morgan

Andrew sent some pictures from the recent Kingston gathering, which if you are a London buff, should give you some pleasure.


Cobham sent two of their prize possessions in the shape of the T and the Q.


The 1970s sae the widespread use of the AEC Merlin, not the most successful of London buses.


Do you like RFs? You should have been at Kingston.


RFs in action. You can nearly imagine being there.


Cobham's TD heading towards Walton.

Visits etc

Gez writes "We have got a trip organised for the Stagecoach depots in Warwickshire on June 6th may be of interest, Ken Pitt our new visits co-ordinator has penned some details."

I think one may have to join to group to be included. Ed.

THE GREAT BRITAIN BUS GROUP 

Ken Pitt,
Visits Co-Ordinator,
52, Loxley Close,
REDDITCH,
Worcestershire. B98 9JG.

April 2009

I have pleasure in announcing details of The Group’s first Bus Tour and Depot Visit, named “The Warwickshire Wanderer”, which will take place on SATURDAY JUNE 6th.

The Tour will start from COVENTRY RAIL STATION at 1000hrs, and will visit Depots at NUNEATON, RUGBY, LEAMINGTON and STRATFORD, prior to returning to COVENTRY by 1730hrs. It is hoped to arrange brief stops at NUNEATON BUS STATION, and also NatEx WM Depot at COVENTRY. The vehicle will be provided by Stagecoach Warwickshire from Stratford Depot, and a lunch (or spotting !!) break will be taken allowed in RUGBY Town Centre.

The fare is £15.00, and all are welcome. Please detach the Booking Form and send with Cheque (and s.a.e. please) to Ken Pitt at  the above address.

The running of subsequent trips depends on the success of this one, so I hope that you will support us and come along. For this trip we are grateful to Clive Jones, Commercial Manager of Stagecoach Warwickshire at Rugby for all arrangements made. I expect that HV Vests will be required – if you have one bring it along, if not it should be possible to loan on he day. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me – 01527 591195.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =  = = = =

GBBG TRIP – 6th JUNE 2009

I wish to book    tickets for the above Trip & enclose a Cheque / Postal Order for £      , payable to GBBG.

Name           ______________________            Contact Phone ________________

Address         ______________________

                   ______________________

                   ______________________

Reference      ______________________      )      Details inserted by GBBG

Received       _______________________    )

PLEASE RETAIN THIS RECEIPT & PRODUCE ON THE TRIP

Historical items

Glenn Knight finds an real gem.


Glenn, during his visit to Northampton visited the Yorks depot and found this old timer which really takes one back.


Les Burton sent this lovely shot of COMS 312 which was attending a Trans Pennine Ruin back in the '60s or '70s.

New Thames Valley history from Paul Lacey


 

Paul's latest volume in his comprehensive work on Thames Valley will soon be available.

Paul Lacey is pleased to announce the completion of his latest and long-awaited book:

A HISTORY OF THE THAMES VALLEY TRACTION CO. LTD., 1946 ~ 1960

224 A4 pages, perfect bound in laminated covers, with 544 half-tone illustrations, full fleet list, service fleet list, route map, and appendices covering livery details, background to Newbury & District and South Midland, as well as allocations of vehicles, working arrangements and premises. A highly detailed and evocative account of all aspects of the Thames Valley activities, with the experience of over 40 years of research, fully illustrated with almost all unpublished photos

Retail Price: £25  Order your copy NOW direct for just £20!

Please quote the OCBP when ordering

Other titles currently available: 

A History of the Thames Valley Traction Co. Ltd., 1920 – 1930

Retail Price: £15                                                     Special Offer Price: £5

A History of the Thames Valley Traction Co. Ltd., 1931 – 1945

Retail Price: £25                                                     Special Offer Price: £5

Thackray’s Way – A Family in Road Transport

Retail Price: £10                                                     Special Offer Price: £5

50 Years of South Midland, 1921 – 1970           Written by David Flitton

Retail Price: £11                                                      Special Offer Price: £5 

Offer prices apply to orders placed with the new volume only. Send to:

Paul Lacey, 17 Sparrow Close, Woosehill, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 3HT, cheque payable to Paul Lacey  -(post & packing inclusive). 

If you live locally and prefer to collect, please call on 0118 979 4097 to arrange a mutually convenient time to visit (please do not just turn up!).  

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