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  PENZANCE RUNNING DAY - 19 April 2020  
     
 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Penzance Running Day Cancelled

We have taken the very difficult decision to cancel our 2020 Penzance Running Day, scheduled for 19 April. Along with our event partners at the Cornwall Bus Preservation Society, we have been closely following developments with the spread of Coronavirus COVID-19, in particular, the UK Government's advice on mass gatherings and events, and do not feel it is appropriate to go ahead with the event given the current situation. We regret the disappointment this will cause, but feel sure you will understand our decision.

Subject to developments, we hope to be able to welcome you back to Penzance later in the year.

Please check this website regularly for updates on our other 2020 events, and visit our Facebook page for regular announcements.

Those who have pre-ordered programmes will be reimbursed in full via PayPal by 18 March.
   
       
 

The Cornwall Bus Preservation Society (CBPS) in association with the Thames Valley & Great Western Omnibus Trust (TV&GWOT) invite you to come to sunny, warm West Cornwall for our event on Sunday 19 April 2020. This will be our 13th vintage bus running day in Penzance following the original Final VR Running Day on 9 December 2006.

The Running Day will again be based at Penzance Bus Station (adjacent to the main railway station) with vintage bus services running from 10.00 until 17.30. Routes around West Cornwall include Penzance to Camborne, St Ives, St Just, Hayle, Marazion/Perranuthnoe, Goldsithney, Praa Sands, Paul/Sheffield and out to Sennen Cove and Land’s End (and the airport) with small vehicles going into Mousehole, a highlight for many.  A surprise new route is also in the planning.

There will be feeder bus services to and from Camborne, Newquay, St Ives and Goldsithney. Details will be posted in due course.

In 2019, despite competition from Easter gatherings and from the beaches on what was the hottest day of the year so far, a record number of 6,800 passenger journeys were provided on 32 vehicles over 124 services

2020 is the centenary year of the formation of the National Omnibus & Transport Company which, in West Cornwall, became the fondly remembered ‘Western National’.  This significant event for Penzance and the surrounding area will be covered in the historical article in the programme.  Special features will also describe the recent restoration of vehicles by CBPS and TV&GWOT which will be making their first appearances at the Penzance Running Day this year.

    
     
 
   

Bristol LHS 1254 (VOD124k) rests alongside Mousehole harbour having successfully been piloted round the narrow turns into the village. © Thomas Drake

   St Ives - despite limited access to the Malakoff in 2019, the setting still makes for a spectacular photograph featuring Bristol SUL 420. (C) David Sheppard Jr  

As always, the day revived memories with a variety of vehicles taking part to the delight of enthusiasts, photographers and the wider public. (C) Helen Billington
 
     
 

Entry Form

Bus and coach owners are invited to enter their vehicles for the vintage bus running day.  Entry forms in Word and pdf can be downloaded for completion and return to penzance@tvagwot.org.uk as soon as possible but no later than 13th March, please

Programmes

To accompany this event a fully illustrated colour programme is being produced.  In addition to timetables and details of the vehicles attending, the programme includes an illustrated history of developments since the National Omnibus & Transport Company was formed a century ago.

Programme advertising  There are opportunities for local businesses to advertise in the programme with ¼, ½ or full page ads – please contact penzance@tvagwot.org.uk for details.

Programmes can be purchased on the day or in advance so you can plan your day.  They will be available from 6 April:

The former 300 service route around West Cornwall took volunteers up Chywoone Hill out of Newlyn on Easter Monday - Leyland Olympian C412 HJN and Bristol VR UWV 614S took the 1 in 6 gradient in their stride. (C) Helen Billington
 
 

IN PERSON for £5 at local outlets including Sullivan’s Diner Opposite Penzance Bus Station

or

BY POST for £6.50 including p&p by either:

  -   Sending a cheque payable to ‘TV&GWOT’ to Ledger Farm, Forest Green Road, Fifield, Maidenhead SL6 2NR, or

  -   Paying by Paypal (including any postal / delivery instructions in the notes)

 

  
 

Vehicles attending:

Details of vehicles attending will be added in due course.

Reg No

Fleet No

Chassis / Body

Body Code

Operator

Year

 

Information about previous events and programme articles can be found here.  

TV&GWOT’s Blog also has an account of the 2016 Penzance event.

  
 

(C) Copyright The Thames Valley & Great Western Omnibus Trust

Company Registered in England No. 5035702.  Registered Charity No. 1125980