BVBG - News

Bristol Vintage Bus Group

5th - 12th May 2013

OTT98, GHT127 and FTT704 took part in the Taunton running day on 12th May. More photos.

GHT127 and FTT704 in front of some architectural splendour in Taunton. Photo: Ken Jones

15th April - 4th May 2013

Several of the group's buses went to the Bristol Harbourside rally on 28th April. See the video (on YouTube).

OTT98 arrives at the rally. Photo: Ken Jones

RTW29 has now been sold by its longstanding owner, Roy Adams, and has left the group's collection for a new home in Weston-Super-Mare.

8th - 14th April 2013

Our new Bristol RE, HHW920L has been thoroughly inspected and found to have a number of maintenance needs. A bad water leak has already been rectified, but there's still a lot to do.

Meanwhile RM1363 failed on Sunday 14th April, the likely cause being fuel problems. Further investigation is needed.

1st - 7th April 2013

The Group's mini-running day took place on 7th April at Flowers Hill. A good number of both visitors and buses came along, but the big news of the day was the arrival of our new acquisition, Bristol RE HHW920L, a Bristol Omnibus city services dual-door bus new in 1972.

HHW920L poses at Hick's Gate

Dave Withers and Richard Avery inspect the interior

MOD978 has now been taken to Winkleigh for rewiring to be undertaken.

11th February - 31st March 2013

The latest edition of the Group's newsletter is available on the members' area of the website.

A new bus model is being released by EFE this week:

Plaxton Panorama Coach with the “Bristol Dome”
Reg: UUO 453J Fleet No:308 On route to Bristol,

This is available from South West Bus Models as part of a deal which means that every time one of our members buys a model from them, they give £1 to the Group. Details are available on their website.

28th January - 10th February 2013

Please note that the date of the AGM has been altered again to Sunday 24th March at 10.30, Unit 'H' Flowers Hill. Formal notice of the meeting will arrive with members shortly by post or email.

The Trustees have approved the rally and events programme for 2013, and this is now available on the website.

Minutes of the Trustees' meeting of December 2012 are now available on the members' area of the website.

14th - 27th January

In the interest of making our collection of vehicles relevant to a younger generation, the Trustees are currently negotiating to buy a dual-door Bristol city Bristol RE. Further announcements will be made shortly. In preparation for that, we've been working on making space in unit 'H' to accommodate it. By tidying up and moving the stores to the area at the back of the unit, it will be possible to get three buses side-by-side in the main area of shed rather than two as at present. This has required the removal of the racking in the rear area of the shed, which was not used.

Dayley Lawrence at work tidying up in preparation for this area to become the stores

Paul Tovey and Chris Knight have obtained a supply of moquette from Mike Walker to enable KLJ749 to be re-upholstered. The seats are the one area of this bus that is not up to standard, and this is a project for this year. Unfortunately an exact match with the original moquette is not possible without getting a supply specially manufactured, which would be prohibitively expensive, but Mike had a supply that, whilst not an exact match, will be appropriate to the age and style of the bus.

Paul Tovey and Dayley Lawrence measuring the replacement moquette

7th - 13th January

The date of the Group's AGM has been announced as Sunday 10th February at 11.30, Unit 'H', Flowers Hill. All members are invited. Any items of business to be discussed at the meeing must be notified to the Secretary in advance: lionel.tancock@tiscali.co.uk.

The Group's New Year lunch took place on Sunday 13th January at the Old Down Inn, at Emborough, with AHU803 providing the transport.

AHU803 outside the Old Down Inn. Photo: Ken Jones

Members pose with the bus after a hearty New Year meal. Photo: Sally Jones

17th December 2012 - 6th January 2013

On New Year's Day 2013, EMW284 took part in the annual Winchester event.

EMW284 at Sutton Scotney en route for Winchester...

...and its crew. Photos: Ken Jones

19th November - 16th December 2012

The December edition of the group's newsletter is on its way to members. It includes your invitation to our New Year lunch, which this year takes place on Sunday 13th January at the Old Down Inn at Emborough. If you're a member you can also view the newsletter by logging onto the members' area of the website.

5th - 18th November 2012

John Grigg took RM1363 to visit Begbrook Primary School on Wednesday 14th November. Afterwards the teacher, Laura Jenkins emailed John:

Hi John,

Thank you again so much for coming in yesterday! The children LOVED it and were absolutely buzzing for the rest of the day. I've attached our blog link and some photos for you! I hope you enjoyed it too. MANY thanks again!

Laura Jenkins

Year 1 Leader

Here's the blog link - it's well worth a look: http://begbrookyear1.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/the-big-red-bus-came-to-school.html

John Grigg and pupils from Year 1 at Begbrook Primary School with RM1363

News items 2012