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Green light for Kingsbridge on 18 September |
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Preparations
for the Kingsbridge Mini
Running Day on Saturday 18 September are at full
tilt. The narrow Bristol SUs - introduced in 1960
and once stalwarts of the Kingsbridge fleet – will
be on display. Routes will sample the new 164
Totnes – Kingsbridge – Salcombe GWR/Tally Ho service
– progress, with a touch of history repeating.
See
what’s attending,
check out Totnes feeder services,
and buy your programme
here. |
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556 – The Final Push |
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Supporters enjoying the latest (bumper) edition of
TV&GWOT’s magazine
To and fro’
are reading about the tremendous progress
restoring TV LL 556 (FMO938) to its former glory. A
Final Push Appeal has been launched to
reinstate the original early 1950s-style seat frames
and upholstery to complete the authentic Thames
Valley experience for future passengers.
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Marking the
TVTCo. Centenary(+1) July 2021 |
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A curious but significant location…. The Thames
Valley Traction Company, established on 10 July
1920, based its initial HQ alongside its depot in
central Maidenhead - the site is now occupied by
Waitrose. Covid regulations precluded the large
event planned for 11 July this year so instead our
Thames Valley Bristol K 446 made a symbolic
excursion in tribute to the heritage TV&GWOT
celebrates. |
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Extended restrictions preclude TVT Co. Centenary+1
event |
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With outdoor gatherings still limited to 30 people,
TV&GWOT cannot legally proceed with the running day
celebration planned for 11 July. It is also clear
that a road run cannot fairly satisfy the level of
interest while private vehicles (as Trust and
volunteers’ buses are classed) are restricted to 6
people. The Trust shares and regrets the
disappointment and any inconvenience. |
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Royal Blue
Run 18-21 June 2021 |
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Some 20 coaches joined the Royal Blue Run 2021 to
mark the centenary (+1) of the registration of NOTC
and 140 (+1) years from the origins of Royal Blue.
Despite horrendous weather, parties limited to 6,
accommodation restrictions, and an epic 750 mile
route, the vehicles and their crews triumphed –
testament to the owners’ care and commitment. Read
more about the event
here and
watch coverage on our
Facebook page. |
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#Busflyby – Penzance and Counting |
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We counted them out and we counted them back… the 22
local buses & coaches participating in the CBPS/TV&GWOT
Penzance & West Cornwall Vintage #Busflyby on Sunday
18 April. Buses ranged in age from 15 to 70 years
and represented a range of local and more distant
fleets.
Scheduling ensured buses passed through Helston,
Penzance, Hayle, St Just and Marazion at 15 minute
intervals creating a spectacle for locals and those
watching online.
Vehicles were immaculately turned out and crews
adhered to Covid restrictions and social distancing,
showcasing just what can be achieved. We were sorry
not to be able to carry passengers but hope the
third Sunday in April 2022 (17th) will
bring that opportunity once again.
The event may have passed but the atmosphere can
still be enjoyed by watching the videos on
Facebook with some additional images on the
event page |
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#Busflyby – Penzance Countdown continues |
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We're counting
down to our Penzance Vintage #Busflyby next Sunday
18 April, when more than 20 locally-based vintage
buses will be on the roads of West Cornwall.
Although we cannot carry passengers, we hope the
buses will make a fine sight for local people to
capture and share with the world using #Busflyby.
Buses can be seen at 15 minute intervals passing
through Helston, Penzance, Hayle, St Just and
Marazion. We expect to bring some live footage to
our Facebook page for those following online, as
well as photos and video highlights.
Further details including vehicles, routes and
timetables can be found
here.
Further updates will appear on our
Facebook page.
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Penzance &
West Cornwall Vintage #busflyby 2021 |
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Although it
will not be possible to stage our usual Penzance
Running Day in April, we are pleased to announce
plans for a one-off Penzance & West Cornwall
Vintage Bus Flyby on Sunday 18 April 2021. We
hope this socially-distanced run for locally-based
vintage buses and coaches will bring some
well-deserved smiles to the people of West Cornwall
as they pass by. With overnight hotel/B&B stays not
possible and travel discouraged, we hope others will
enjoy following the run from their homes, both via
our Facebook page and by following the hashtag
#busflyby.
For the safety of all, we regret that passengers
will not be carried by vehicles at this event. |
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Is
Service-19 coming your way? |
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Supporters have just received some relief from
lockdown in the form of an 8th edition of
their ad-hoc Newsletter, keeping in touch while
normal activities are curtailed. This is 22
pages of conversation with memories, interesting
pictures and conundrum shared and commented on.
Why not
become a Supporter
and see what’s going on. The exclusive
newsletter is in addition to the flagship
To and fro’
magazine.
Why relief? Well, the logistics of relief
services on the Royal Blue / Southdown / East Kent
South Coast service Bournemouth-Margate are revealed
in
Service-19. |
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Rescued
from lockdown
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TV&GWOT is delighted to announce that, after a
lockdown of more than 50 years, Royal Blue 1264 (LTA
893) has joined the Trust's Collection.
Watch our (socially distanced) Supporters in action
completing 1264's rescue from a field near Sidmouth,
where it had been parked since 1969.
Facebook link
The full story of rescue and recovery is told in the
Autumn edition of TV&GWOT Supporters' magazine To
and fro'. If you'd like to find out more,
support us in bringing these vehicles back to life,
or get involved yourself,
join us now.
TV&GWOT is grateful to The Oxford Bus Museum for
this 'opportunity'! |
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Thames
Valley Traction Co. Ltd Centenary+1 |
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It was on 10
July 1920 that the Thames Valley Traction Company
Ltd was registered. Its legacy is celebrated 100
years on, particularly by TV&GWOT. The Centenary
event planned for 2020 couldn’t go ahead but
planning for a Centenary+1 occasion on 11 July 2021
is underway.
TV 556, the Bristol LL (FMO938), was acquired by TV&GWOT
in 2020 and, like Tilling-Stevens 152 and Bristol K
446, now has a secure long-term future taking the
TVTCo. heritage into its second century with style.
A significant restoration is well advanced thanks to
generous donations but further funds are needed.
There is a window of opportunity, with your help, to
ensure 556 takes pride of place at TVTCo.
Centenary+1, in July. Find
out more
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Virtual Bus Running Day |
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Enjoy the
sights and sounds of a running day with a difference
from the comfort of your home. Join us on
Facebook to enjoy a virtual TV&GWOT Running Day,
featuring rides on board ten of our regular
performers, filmed during happier times. They will
return. |
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Reading 100 celebrated in style |
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TV&GWOT’s celebration of the Reading Motorbus
centenary on 6/8 December 2019 was a great success
see more.
The Trust’s new book “100 years of Reading
Motorbuses” was very well received. It
presents new material charting the development of
the Reading routes and fleet decade by decade from
the first Tilehurst to Caversham Heights venture.
Copies of the book can be purchased exclusively from
TV&GWOT. Find
out more.
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