A hard day in the garden yesterday but at last most of the garden has been put to bed and bulbs planted for spring, I put in about a thousand yesterday afternoon after taking out the dead summer plants, all back breaking work. The green house becomes an ark for Fuschias, Beganias and the like. All thats left is a few flowers in bloom around the shelter of the house, I wonder if they'll make it to Christmas. The bark chippings go on the borders last and apart from decoration stop the cats from digging up the bulbs.
We still haven't had any Christmas rush for DVDs on the PMP front, I hope everyone isn't leaving it till the last minute, perhaps we won't get any, even e bay has gone a bit quiet. I had a moan from Canada, they'd bought off e bay and then visited the web site and seen that we post free worldwide, a leap too far to conclude that with a standard price of ?16 they had a bargain at ?12. The moans didn't stop there, a European customer visited our web site and listed all the quirks and errors he could find, ok something I should know about but there are ways and it hit me in a very tired condition. One day I'll just say to hell with it.
Before bed last night I managed to rattle off the latest West Midlands film which has Walsall and Wolverhampton Feb/Nov.
Tonight i hope to do the potteries connection running day plus material from Wythall and Bristol running days.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Sunday, November 12, 2006
FRIENDLY WOLVERHAMPTON
Working backwards to Friday, I fill up with fuel in Runcorn where they do it for you, saves getting your hands dirty, this time they put petrol in the deisel car so had to wait while it was drained and then refill, managed to pick up the spare cover for my still camera, quoted ?55 for sending away plus 4 weeks to do, paid ?15 for the spare and took a chance, it was a push fit and took 5 seconds. Saturday we went to the midlands.
First we did some filming in Woverhampton, what a wonderful set of crews, everyone responded with waves and smiles, lights flashing and thumbs up. The weather was bright but cold, this gets our prog started back in Feb finished. In the afternoon after lunch in the Irish pub in Birmingham city centre we went to the theatre
. The Hippodrome is a great place but first we visited the National Trust Back to Back houses next door and the sweet shop
A great performance by WNO of Tristan und Isolde, the evening flew by, we had sandwiches and cake in the interval. We've had some of my family history this week so now something from Mandy, it stands in the halway at No17 and is a family heirloom with several generations riding upon this rocking horse which was restored by friend Sean Cavanagh in Ireland.I'm trying to put stuff on e bay this evening but its going very slow.
Friday, November 10, 2006
WHERE THERES A WILL VINCENT FAMILY
I've posted little on family history so far, so in the hope that there are Vincents out there of my clan heres a taste of researcher Gill Blanchards work for me, taking my direct ancestry from my mother back to the 1400s,
NCC Will. 1546. Henry Vyncent. Westfelde, husb. 155 to 159 Whyteffott
Précis 8 pages
The xx daye of Februarye in the yere ccccc xlo I Henrye VYNCENT of Westfelde Norff Husbandman .....
my bodye to be buryed in the churche of sent Andrew in Westfelde at the end of ower Ladyes aultar on the Northe Side of the saide churche
to the hye altar in Westfelde affore saide for my tythes and dutyes neclygentlye forgotton and not paide iijs iiijd .....
to the towns peoppe of Westfelde afore saide a close calleyd dunyngs lying in (?.... ?.....) belonging to the ten~t of barronet HOLDER of the bishoppe of Cly as of his manner of Shipdhm And ther to enter at the fest of Sent Mychaell the Archangell next after the daye of my dischr and myn executors to sell the grounde there to them and I give the inhabitants of Westfelde aforesaide & x marks to be payed yerelye a mark untyll the saide x marks be fully contented and payed .....
to the awltar at Shypdhm afforesaide xxd
myn executors shall dispose to the poor folke in Est Derehm to paye for the sowle of Syr Roger BALKEWELL late pryar there xxd
to the mayntnance of the Sepulter lyght in Westfelde aforesaide vijs viijd
my executors shall cover my grave wt a grave stone of marble whereupon it wyll have graven my name and the daye of my buryall in brasse
my executors immediatelye after my buryall daye shall leye uppon my grave a blacke clothe to cover it wt all and a candell to stande bernning thereupon of a quarter a pounde of waxe by the space of one yere untyll the said stone be layede upon my saide grave
my executors shalbe stowe upon my buryal Daye iijli xjs viijd in meate and drinke for my neybors and pore folke And I wyll have on my herse on the saide Buryall day xxxti lyghts the prce of xxd
I wyll that and my neybors and pore folke shall have meate and drinke on my sevynthe daye and such howsehold in Westfelde Whynboroghe and (?.... ?.....) a peny worthe of brede and xx lyghte to be sett upon my herce the pryce vd
on my xxx daye in lyke manr wt .... and yf there come any preeste and saye masse I wyll that evry one of them shall have for ther labor xxjd
I wyll that x yeares After the daye of my dethe shalbe delt yerely at my funerall daye evry howseholde in Westfilde Whinborgh and (?.... ?.....) aforesaide a penye worthe of brede
I wyll have an honest secular payt to sing at ower Ladyes aultar in Westfelde aforesaide one hooll yere next after my decisse having for his labor and payn vijs and for a ladde to helpe him to sing iijs iiijd ...............
I wyll that Ales Vyncent my wyff shall have my ten~t called Popes and the iij acres of mydow there unto belongyng for term of her lyf And xij dayes after her dethe And to have sufficient wood of stewings to be delyvyd unto her by myn executors yerely for her sufficient svell during her lyff so that she make no wast of the wood there ......
Ales my saide wyff shall have ij ?...he kem and the holl stuffe in the Insett howse that is to saye all bedding brasse wt all and pwyler stuff ......
to Ales SALUSBERYE the dowter of Peter SALUSBERY xiijs iiijd to be payed at her daye of mariage And if she dye to Remayn to the next of her blode
to Katherin SKYNNER my dowter all my messe and copyeholde lands sevrallye holden of the bisshoppe of Clye and of Clye and of Syr Richard SOWTHWELL Knyght except the saide closse called dunnings ....
And I wyll that Robert SKYNNER howseband of the saide Katherin shall make the saide Katherin an assurans for terme of her lyff .....
that the saide Peter SALUSBERYE husband of the said Johan shall make the saide Johan an assurance for terme of her lyfe .....
my Messuage in Est Derehm wt the appurtencs wyth pcell of ij Messuags which I late bowght of John METTEN of Shyppdhm and Allso xi acres and an halfe of Fre lande called Tymmes and vij acres and an halfe of Fre lande of the ten~t if popys And ij acres and an halfe of Fre lande lyeing in (?dinds percys) and iiij acres of lande fre at Heyacrees in Westfelde be solde by myn executors and the mony thereof to be disposed of in the pformances of this my Testament
to Godfrye VYNCENT the ^Sone of John VINCENT vis viiijd to be payed as it maye be borne
And to Henry VYNCENT the Sonne of the saide John VYNCENT vis viiijd to be payed as it maye be borne
to Margaret (?ALLESOLL) vis viiijd to be payed at the daye of her marryage
to Edmund PELLYS vis viiijd and to Henrye FLEGGE vis viiijd to be payed as it maye be borne
to Richard ROSE and his syster vis viiijd to be payed at the daye of ther mariage
And to evry one of my godchildren that be unmaryed one platter of pewter the pryce of xijd
The residue of all my goods an cattalles before not bequeathed wtall my detts to be coming I put them to the good order and disposition of my executors whom I do ordain and make Robert SKYNNER of Boston my Sone in Lawe And I wyll that John ALYSON of Westfelde be Supervisor and I give to yche one of them for ther labors xiijs iiijd ....
Thomas MYSCHELL of Est Dereh~m otherwise called BARKER. Jamys PYEEC of the same town John DYE of Westfelde and John CHAPMA~ of the same towne wtesses
Proved xx Maij [1546]
Perhaps this will be as far as we get but there is a chance that manorial records will puch back even further
NCC Will. 1546. Henry Vyncent. Westfelde, husb. 155 to 159 Whyteffott
Précis 8 pages
The xx daye of Februarye in the yere ccccc xlo I Henrye VYNCENT of Westfelde Norff Husbandman .....
my bodye to be buryed in the churche of sent Andrew in Westfelde at the end of ower Ladyes aultar on the Northe Side of the saide churche
to the hye altar in Westfelde affore saide for my tythes and dutyes neclygentlye forgotton and not paide iijs iiijd .....
to the towns peoppe of Westfelde afore saide a close calleyd dunyngs lying in (?.... ?.....) belonging to the ten~t of barronet HOLDER of the bishoppe of Cly as of his manner of Shipdhm And ther to enter at the fest of Sent Mychaell the Archangell next after the daye of my dischr and myn executors to sell the grounde there to them and I give the inhabitants of Westfelde aforesaide & x marks to be payed yerelye a mark untyll the saide x marks be fully contented and payed .....
to the awltar at Shypdhm afforesaide xxd
myn executors shall dispose to the poor folke in Est Derehm to paye for the sowle of Syr Roger BALKEWELL late pryar there xxd
to the mayntnance of the Sepulter lyght in Westfelde aforesaide vijs viijd
my executors shall cover my grave wt a grave stone of marble whereupon it wyll have graven my name and the daye of my buryall in brasse
my executors immediatelye after my buryall daye shall leye uppon my grave a blacke clothe to cover it wt all and a candell to stande bernning thereupon of a quarter a pounde of waxe by the space of one yere untyll the said stone be layede upon my saide grave
my executors shalbe stowe upon my buryal Daye iijli xjs viijd in meate and drinke for my neybors and pore folke And I wyll have on my herse on the saide Buryall day xxxti lyghts the prce of xxd
I wyll that and my neybors and pore folke shall have meate and drinke on my sevynthe daye and such howsehold in Westfelde Whynboroghe and (?.... ?.....) a peny worthe of brede and xx lyghte to be sett upon my herce the pryce vd
on my xxx daye in lyke manr wt .... and yf there come any preeste and saye masse I wyll that evry one of them shall have for ther labor xxjd
I wyll that x yeares After the daye of my dethe shalbe delt yerely at my funerall daye evry howseholde in Westfilde Whinborgh and (?.... ?.....) aforesaide a penye worthe of brede
I wyll have an honest secular payt to sing at ower Ladyes aultar in Westfelde aforesaide one hooll yere next after my decisse having for his labor and payn vijs and for a ladde to helpe him to sing iijs iiijd ...............
I wyll that Ales Vyncent my wyff shall have my ten~t called Popes and the iij acres of mydow there unto belongyng for term of her lyf And xij dayes after her dethe And to have sufficient wood of stewings to be delyvyd unto her by myn executors yerely for her sufficient svell during her lyff so that she make no wast of the wood there ......
Ales my saide wyff shall have ij ?...he kem and the holl stuffe in the Insett howse that is to saye all bedding brasse wt all and pwyler stuff ......
to Ales SALUSBERYE the dowter of Peter SALUSBERY xiijs iiijd to be payed at her daye of mariage And if she dye to Remayn to the next of her blode
to Katherin SKYNNER my dowter all my messe and copyeholde lands sevrallye holden of the bisshoppe of Clye and of Clye and of Syr Richard SOWTHWELL Knyght except the saide closse called dunnings ....
And I wyll that Robert SKYNNER howseband of the saide Katherin shall make the saide Katherin an assurans for terme of her lyff .....
that the saide Peter SALUSBERYE husband of the said Johan shall make the saide Johan an assurance for terme of her lyfe .....
my Messuage in Est Derehm wt the appurtencs wyth pcell of ij Messuags which I late bowght of John METTEN of Shyppdhm and Allso xi acres and an halfe of Fre lande called Tymmes and vij acres and an halfe of Fre lande of the ten~t if popys And ij acres and an halfe of Fre lande lyeing in (?dinds percys) and iiij acres of lande fre at Heyacrees in Westfelde be solde by myn executors and the mony thereof to be disposed of in the pformances of this my Testament
to Godfrye VYNCENT the ^Sone of John VINCENT vis viiijd to be payed as it maye be borne
And to Henry VYNCENT the Sonne of the saide John VYNCENT vis viiijd to be payed as it maye be borne
to Margaret (?ALLESOLL) vis viiijd to be payed at the daye of her marryage
to Edmund PELLYS vis viiijd and to Henrye FLEGGE vis viiijd to be payed as it maye be borne
to Richard ROSE and his syster vis viiijd to be payed at the daye of ther mariage
And to evry one of my godchildren that be unmaryed one platter of pewter the pryce of xijd
The residue of all my goods an cattalles before not bequeathed wtall my detts to be coming I put them to the good order and disposition of my executors whom I do ordain and make Robert SKYNNER of Boston my Sone in Lawe And I wyll that John ALYSON of Westfelde be Supervisor and I give to yche one of them for ther labors xiijs iiijd ....
Thomas MYSCHELL of Est Dereh~m otherwise called BARKER. Jamys PYEEC of the same town John DYE of Westfelde and John CHAPMA~ of the same towne wtesses
Proved xx Maij [1546]
Perhaps this will be as far as we get but there is a chance that manorial records will puch back even further
TROLLEYS MERLINS AND SWIFTS
a busy week at work with yesterday up at Windermere at a works do , thus not a lot of progress with the LT trolleybus dvd, John Bishop has offered his 2006 coverage of the London Trolleybus event near Ipswich at Carlton Colville which will round it off nicely, Johns coming up to Cheshire in a couple of weeks so i'll put it on the back burner till then. Thus I'll make a start with the London Swifts Merlins and London Country. The former under Bus Marque and the latter a Best Ever. The new EFE model will be an RLH speaking of L Country and while on models we hwear that Hornby has taken over the bankrupt Humbrol/Airfix business.I'm doing a bit hit of auction items on E bay on Sunday evening. Mandy was at Leighton hospital yesterday getting measured up for a brace for her knee, this weekend we will be in the west Midlands Saturday, opera in Birmingham Sat night and finishing removing garden bedding and planthing bulbs Sunday.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
LONDON TROLLEYBUSES
The next DVD project now underway, look for these photographs on the cover all coutesy John Bishop. Trooleys in London , afterlife in Spain plus preservation.Ordered spares for my broken still camera and collected extra bird food for the garden, tomorrow I've got a meeting in the lakes so probably little to report. Working on a big e bay loading at the weekend for auctions.
MANCHESTER TART MURDER IN SALFORD
Verdi's Rigoletto in Opera Norths production at the Lowrey in Salford last night was so bang up to date that it could have been filmed on location a stones throw away behing Piccadilly station or no doubt near the companies refurbished Grand Theatre in Leeds. Not everybodys idea of a good show in a modern setting but very striking and competent rather than awe inspiring performance, the theatre was almost full. Rigoletto is very much a male opera although the lead lady always gets the plaudits.
I hate the Lowrey and more so Mandy, its not the most disabled friendly place, ugly, gloomy, 70s orange and purple and full of slopes and odd angles which make it torture for those with mobility problems. Added to this the menu at the cafe was a baked potatoe or a salad unless you were a child in which case there seemed to be a large choice of sensible options, the restarant proper was full so we ended up with cheese on toast before bed. That was after sorting out the printer which went on strike and trying to download the eveings e bay sales and trade orders and messages from all you good souls out there.
I'll soon be publishing links to my favourite rally calender site and for Thomas Fischer tours for 2007.
I hate the Lowrey and more so Mandy, its not the most disabled friendly place, ugly, gloomy, 70s orange and purple and full of slopes and odd angles which make it torture for those with mobility problems. Added to this the menu at the cafe was a baked potatoe or a salad unless you were a child in which case there seemed to be a large choice of sensible options, the restarant proper was full so we ended up with cheese on toast before bed. That was after sorting out the printer which went on strike and trying to download the eveings e bay sales and trade orders and messages from all you good souls out there.
I'll soon be publishing links to my favourite rally calender site and for Thomas Fischer tours for 2007.
Monday, November 06, 2006
BAD GUYS, BOATS THAT PASS
cold misty mornings but busy as usual. Last night I finished the cover for Best Ever Bournemouth Trolleybuses and sent out the first orders pre booked at LOTs last Saturday. Downloaded the London Trolleybus material including trolleys afterlife in Spain , I'll probably top up with some preserved scenes which at least reveal the source of the sounds! Arriva featured here in Chester assumes unlikely bad guy role in demise of Chester. ( oops I think I deleted it)
Meanwhile in Eastbourne the municipal operation has Roger Bowker back at the helm as temp sick relief, also rumoured as being in charge of disposal
, so cameras out in Sussex as well.I must get more stuff photographed ready for e bay, its been a good month and don't want to let the momentum go.
A night off as we go to Rigoletto at Lowry tonight. I've been putting flesh to next years film trips, one will take in new French systems Switzerland, Germany and Luxenbourg plus possibly Charleroi as its en route. One of our 5 countries in 7 days eforts, nice and relaxed eh.
Meanwhile in Eastbourne the municipal operation has Roger Bowker back at the helm as temp sick relief, also rumoured as being in charge of disposal
, so cameras out in Sussex as well.I must get more stuff photographed ready for e bay, its been a good month and don't want to let the momentum go.A night off as we go to Rigoletto at Lowry tonight. I've been putting flesh to next years film trips, one will take in new French systems Switzerland, Germany and Luxenbourg plus possibly Charleroi as its en route. One of our 5 countries in 7 days eforts, nice and relaxed eh.
THE END OF CHESTER LOTS AND MORE
good morning, the start of another autumal week but perhaps without the sunshine which offset the chill last week. At risk of sounding a grumpy old man, I turned the radio over this morning on the way to work, as is my wont I was listening to the Today prog on R4 when it was given over to some hysteric American babbling on making funny noises ( no it wasn't Bush), all so very different when it was dear old Brian Redhead at the helm. Anyway a hectic wekend, as you can see I popped into Chester Friday lunch time, Chester Council have started legal appeal against
Arriva registration of routes to run on all Chester Buys routes in the New Year which would see them run into the ground a bit like Stagecoach used to do at Lancaster and Darlington. Other photographers were out and about as well. Saturday was the annual LOTS sale at the harrow Leisure centre. Our best day ever, it was almost like being back at the Westminster venure with quite large crowds at times, great to meet everyone, John and Maureen Bishop joined us, John signed his books and I even pressed the flesh and signed DVDs! Isn't fame wonderful. John and Maureen joined us at the hotel ( Premiere Travel Inn) South Epsom where we usually stay and had a good dinner, as usual a good quiet night at this location after some fireworks earlier. Sunday we visited my family in Stoneleigh and had late Sunday lunch on Epsom Downs overlooking the racecourse, but I forgot to take my camera.
I picked up 5 new model buses for my collection and thankfully have finished the Bournemouth Trolleybus DVD, this week I'm doing one on London Trolleybuses. Also now in the pipeline as well as Merlins is London Country , then I'll try and get a few golden oldiers on DVD of the Manchester area ahead of Boyle St.
Arriva registration of routes to run on all Chester Buys routes in the New Year which would see them run into the ground a bit like Stagecoach used to do at Lancaster and Darlington. Other photographers were out and about as well. Saturday was the annual LOTS sale at the harrow Leisure centre. Our best day ever, it was almost like being back at the Westminster venure with quite large crowds at times, great to meet everyone, John and Maureen Bishop joined us, John signed his books and I even pressed the flesh and signed DVDs! Isn't fame wonderful. John and Maureen joined us at the hotel ( Premiere Travel Inn) South Epsom where we usually stay and had a good dinner, as usual a good quiet night at this location after some fireworks earlier. Sunday we visited my family in Stoneleigh and had late Sunday lunch on Epsom Downs overlooking the racecourse, but I forgot to take my camera.
I picked up 5 new model buses for my collection and thankfully have finished the Bournemouth Trolleybus DVD, this week I'm doing one on London Trolleybuses. Also now in the pipeline as well as Merlins is London Country , then I'll try and get a few golden oldiers on DVD of the Manchester area ahead of Boyle St.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
PMP AIRFIX MODELS & POTTS & TROLLEYBUSES
The pictures are all finished on Best Ever Bournemouth Trolleybuses and now the sound is almost complete, the cover is ready so it should be available next week. 
The seagulls are there along with the 'singing' wires and frogs.. photo again courtesy Photobus, which makes me think how quiet it will be setting up at Boyle St in December instaed of competing with Arnold Richardson for access, it never mattered how early I got there, Arnold would always have squeezed his large car right down to his tables, then complain about the heater warping his photos! Still we miss them when there are gone. Next we have a London B type bus circa 1914, an Airfix model, for sale on my e bay site this week, no offers yet so hurry, Airfix went bust this year, happy childhood memories of glue and paint, made everything from Henry VIII through to Spitfires.These buses even went off to the front in the 1st World War, Old Bill they were called, painted brown khaki. Then lets recall that Sunday in the potteries, I must get the DVD done for the event. The next archive feature will probably still be the London Trolleybus then Swifts / Merlins and possibly then London Country. Somewhere along the line Alan Mortimers Australian film may see more releases, there are some wonderful scenes. The blog is picking up visitors worldwide, remember for US you can view the DVDs on your computer even without a multi format DVD which of course is the very best option.
The temperature was down to -3 this morning, still busy getting plants into the greenhouse, the heater is back on , the dahlias are all dead now, just two weeks ago it was a garden of colour, still at least the days however short are bright and sunny
The seagulls are there along with the 'singing' wires and frogs.. photo again courtesy Photobus, which makes me think how quiet it will be setting up at Boyle St in December instaed of competing with Arnold Richardson for access, it never mattered how early I got there, Arnold would always have squeezed his large car right down to his tables, then complain about the heater warping his photos! Still we miss them when there are gone. Next we have a London B type bus circa 1914, an Airfix model, for sale on my e bay site this week, no offers yet so hurry, Airfix went bust this year, happy childhood memories of glue and paint, made everything from Henry VIII through to Spitfires.These buses even went off to the front in the 1st World War, Old Bill they were called, painted brown khaki. Then lets recall that Sunday in the potteries, I must get the DVD done for the event. The next archive feature will probably still be the London Trolleybus then Swifts / Merlins and possibly then London Country. Somewhere along the line Alan Mortimers Australian film may see more releases, there are some wonderful scenes. The blog is picking up visitors worldwide, remember for US you can view the DVDs on your computer even without a multi format DVD which of course is the very best option.The temperature was down to -3 this morning, still busy getting plants into the greenhouse, the heater is back on , the dahlias are all dead now, just two weeks ago it was a garden of colour, still at least the days however short are bright and sunny
BOURNEMOUTH TROLLEYBUSES TO LAMB SHANK
Well its been difficult loading pictures on google blogs this last week, I did these before 7 am this moring. Last week with the visit to the eliminations or illusions as the children called the illuminations is now a distant memory and the frosty mornings have seen me working by candle light in the garden after work rescuing my begonias and fuchias into the shelter of the greenhouse. After that cold work what better than a hearty dinner, here Mandy finishes off and serves up Rick Steins Moroccan Lamb Shank with Cous Cous, slightly hot but not firey and makes the whole house smell of heaven.We are still scouring our local paper for a suitable bungalow as our stairs are beginning to be a real pain for Mandy. We've been here 25 years so its not a hasty decision.
In the evening it was time to get back to work on The Best Ever Bournemouth Trolleybus DVD. Photo courtesy Photobus, all the video images are now complete but that leaves sound to add which takes even longer but hopefully I should have it wrapped up before the weekend. Talking of which I hope that you'll come and see us at LOTS in London on Saturday, we'll have plenty of bargain books and of course as many DVDs as we can take including many older London programmes converted to DVD for the first time.
In the evening it was time to get back to work on The Best Ever Bournemouth Trolleybus DVD. Photo courtesy Photobus, all the video images are now complete but that leaves sound to add which takes even longer but hopefully I should have it wrapped up before the weekend. Talking of which I hope that you'll come and see us at LOTS in London on Saturday, we'll have plenty of bargain books and of course as many DVDs as we can take including many older London programmes converted to DVD for the first time.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
THAT WAS MY OCTOBER BUSES TRAMS ET AL
A model post box with guy on e bay
, lots of sales on e bay
My grandfather Shoves sister Charlotte, a little family history
, lots of sales on e bay
My grandfather Shoves sister Charlotte, a little family history
NICE FEEDBACK IN A STESSFUL WEEK
Its ben a hectic week both at 'proper' work and with our hobby, sometimes people still forget that we only share our interest we are not a public corporation!
We recall the superb weekend in Glasgow at the GVVT Bridgeton and got this message, we again commend the museum and its events and hope to add more photos
Hello Dave
Just a quick note to thank you for your newsletter, and for all the good things you say about our SVVT open day. This is useful publicity for us, and we are grateful for it. We are very pleased that most of the stall holders and attendees seemed to enjoy this year’s event; without you all, there would be no event. It looks as though next year’s open day will be 14th October, to avoid a Parkhead football match the previous weekend. We do hope you will be able to come along again, and look forward to welcoming you then.
Yours sincerely
Douglas
the Potteries running day was a successful first time event, again positive feed back
Hi Dave,
Many thanks for your support on 22nd October. Both sites have confirmed that they're already 'up for next year', which is good news. Is there any chance you could email me a few stills for personal use please.
Thanks again
Mark
we have of course sent Mark some pics and again hope to add some more for you all to enjoy.
We have started work on The Best Ever Bournemouth Trolleybus album which should be finished by next week. Also in progress The Best Ever London Trolleybus Album icluding the three axle jobs sent to Spain. Bus Marque Swifts and Merlins is also on the table as are regional archive features.
I hate winter and short days, the mild spell looks as if its ending, the begonias are being lifted from the garden so it must be winter!
Dave
We recall the superb weekend in Glasgow at the GVVT Bridgeton and got this message, we again commend the museum and its events and hope to add more photos
Hello Dave
Just a quick note to thank you for your newsletter, and for all the good things you say about our SVVT open day. This is useful publicity for us, and we are grateful for it. We are very pleased that most of the stall holders and attendees seemed to enjoy this year’s event; without you all, there would be no event. It looks as though next year’s open day will be 14th October, to avoid a Parkhead football match the previous weekend. We do hope you will be able to come along again, and look forward to welcoming you then.
Yours sincerely
Douglas
the Potteries running day was a successful first time event, again positive feed back
Hi Dave,
Many thanks for your support on 22nd October. Both sites have confirmed that they're already 'up for next year', which is good news. Is there any chance you could email me a few stills for personal use please.
Thanks again
Mark
we have of course sent Mark some pics and again hope to add some more for you all to enjoy.
We have started work on The Best Ever Bournemouth Trolleybus album which should be finished by next week. Also in progress The Best Ever London Trolleybus Album icluding the three axle jobs sent to Spain. Bus Marque Swifts and Merlins is also on the table as are regional archive features.
I hate winter and short days, the mild spell looks as if its ending, the begonias are being lifted from the garden so it must be winter!
Dave
Monday, October 30, 2006
MELBOURNE TRAM CENTENNIAL
News from our outspoken PMP source in Australia!
Dear Dave Spencer,
Now I am back in Canberra - even if only for a few days! - I thought I would send you some information regarding the Electric Tram Centennial in Melbourne.
There has always been some discussion regarding the actual inaugural date of electric trams in that city. Firstly, there was the Doncaster - Box Hill put down in 1888 but which was dismantled after going broke in the 1890s Depression.
Secondly, the Victorian Railways began their 5' 3" gauge services from St Kilda to Brighton in May 1906. The last section of this line was closed in 1959. But the 3 "modern" cars built in the early 1940s were purchased at closure by the M & MTB. Numbered 52, 53 and 54 they somewhat resembled the W6 Class trams on the main system. To non enthusiasts the main difference was their having only two piece windscreens rather than the usual three piece. Although not a worry to the the VR drivers, the window break right in front of the controls was not well liked by the M & MTB motormen.
Anyway, Nos 52 and 53 were regauged and had modifications to the doors and other bits and pieces over the years - but two section windscreens remained. No 54 was never regauged and used as a source of spares for the other two cars.
Stationed at Essendon Depot these two cars normally worked the Footscray - Moonee Ponds line. For those who mourned closure of the VR lines, it was a chance to relive at least a little of the "good olde days". A number of fan trips were organised over the years utilising one or both of these trams. Until advent of the Z Class, they retained their former VR numbers but were then assigned new ones so there would be no confusion with the new trams. Finally they were "retired" but saved for preservation. During 2006 VR 53 was taken to the Bendigo Tramway Workshops where the staff did a good job of taking it back to original condition as much as possible. A special tour day was held in Bendigo during July for those interested. I was not there but understand the day was a great success.
Finally, the first portion of what is the present system was opened 11 October 1906. This was the Essendon Depot with two lines which are now parts of the present West Maribyrnong and Airport West routes. Some minor changes to them have been made over the years but essentially they are the same. This Depot is still the or one of the largest on the network. Both of these original routes are quite heavily patronised and it is not unusual to go past Essendon Depot at afternoon peak and see it all but completely devoid of trams inside.
Gradually other suburban tram systems opened over the following 10 years - all basically feeding passengers in to meet the cable trams which plied into the city centre. Bit by bit these small suburban systems joined up to form a link right round the cable system. Then, towards end of World War I, the M & MTB was formed to bring all this under the one organisation.
From then until 1940 the main task was replacement of nearly all cable routes with electric ones. Only 3 or 4 cable runs were not electrified. As this took place, there were other extensions and the like to the whole system, making it a very comprehensive one. The Depression slowed cable replacements but in October 1940 the last cable car lines were closed. By then buses had become the "in" mode of transport so double decker ones replaced the last cable cars.
Fortunately for the future of Melbourne trams, these double decker buses were a failure right from the start. No one liked them; stories abound of their being "cold", "stairs too steep", etc etc. It being the War years nothing could be done about it then but plans were made for these routes to be electrified. This was fortified in 1948 by appointment of Major General Risson as the Head of M & MTB; a position he retained until 1970.
A martinet, he was also a great advocate of trams. More lines were put down and the Bourke Street routes were electrified in readiness for the 1956 Olympic Games. Even a change of government shortly before that did not deter this project; only the cutting back of building the last W7 Class to run it.
Stories of Risson are still legion all these years later. One is of his putting all tram tracks in concrete as he said it was more economical. Behind his back it was said he did it to ensure the trams remained for a long time to come. When the Centennial of Cable Cars was being celebrated in November 1985, Risson was, although very elderly, still hale and hearty. Reporters visited him at his home and he spoke of his time with the trams.
Naturally, they asked him about his concreting the tracks and was it really due to it being more economical and not just to retain them. He replied that it was more economical to concrete them and - with a smile - added "and if it was the other I wouldn't tell you anyway!"
Kennet's privatisation of the system is too well known for me to make more than a mention of that. But it appears to be working - or bumbling - along okay. Yarra Trams seem to be doing their best for all concerned. Everyone was told to hold off on any Centennial Celebrations earlier in the year as Commonwealth Games took precedence. But even after the Games finished no one knew what was going to be done to celebrate the event.
May saw the VR Tram Centennial pass on a very low key. Nothing much was said or done but a walk along the St Kilda- Brighton route was arranged one Saturday morning. To everyone's surprise, quite a number turned up for this event. One who did was David Frost - no, not the English one! - who lived on this route until it closed and still lives just round the corner from where it ran.
Normally a quiet unassuming person, David, has a wide and deep knowledge of the VR trams as for years he not only lived on and used the Brighton line but also the Sandringham VR line to go to and from work. When the Ballarat group was formed he joined that and became one of their stalwart drivers. Later he joined TMSV and still drives at Bylands for them. Initially David had to learn on the Melbourne system under the same conditions as any applying for a licence to drive trams on it.
So he became the focus of attention on the tram walk. Being so long since the line closed there are now few about who have comprehensive knowledge of it.
Along with his tram interests David also is involved with other local historic groups in the area. This led to his putting out a small photocopied sheet of a short history about the VR lines. Other enthusiasts then got him to expand on this and in July a small booklet was released about the VR trams. Although a booklet it does contain quite a bit of information on the subject.
So, now to the Centennial itself. I was going down to it anyway, but some of the organisers were enthusiasts known to David and myself. From what I can gather, Yarra Trams got them to ask known enthusiasts and members of the 4 Victorian Tram Groups (Ballarat, Bendigo, Haddon and TMSV) to assist on the day.
I was in my suit as it is some years since I last wore my Ballarat uniform (have expanded outwards a lot since then!) but most others came in various uniforms of M & MTB, and Bendigo. Bendigo Trust sent down a busload of their drivers in uniform and did they look smart! David Frost caused quite a stir as he came in the M & MTB brown uniform of the early 1970s. It is very rare to see this one nowadays and his was the only one of that type there.
So rare and such a stir that he was interviewed by ABC (our national) TV as well as Chinese Cable TV. Both also interviewed Campbell Blight, a friend of ours, who had brought along a book of old tram tickets he had collected. Both of them "hammed it up" so naturally for the cameras. They saw themselves on TV that night!
Sunday 8 October dawned fine and sunny and the whole day was just what the Dr ordered weather-wise. During the early hours of that morning they brought a number of old trams from the Preston Workshops and Hawthorn Depot to the Docklands at City West. Outside Telstra Dome there is a long passing loop intended for trams associated with crowds to and from the Stadium. All the through routes were cut short of these tracks for the day and City Circle went down Spence St instead of going to the Docklands.
Each tram was set on its own so that one could take photos with other trams impinging on it. The only single truck car was V214 (now back to its original 1906 No 13), the oldest electric tram in Melbourne. All types of W Class and other bogie trams were displayed, including the Z, A, B, Citadis and Combino.
VR 53 was there and a big hit was the "Malcolm Tram" from the movie of that name. Everyone but everyone wanted to be photoed on the seat of that one!
Inside the Z Tram a screen had been set up and a continuous movie of the beginning and [close to] end of "Malcolm" along with some publicity film of the trams from the 1960s.
There were large loads of "goodies" - posters, badges, pens, caps, history sheets, etc, etc, - handed out all day byt Yarra Trams. Even though little had been heard before the day, they had certainly put together a nice range of items and displays for all present. The Tramways Band ( or whatever it is called now) played for a while, too. All in all, a most pleasant day.
No special tram rides were held; all the trams remained static during the day. They were driven away about 2.00 a.m. on the Monday morning. Three of them - VR 53, No !3 and another old bogie car - were taken to Essendon Depot in readiness for a special Centennial Day there on the Wednesday 11/10. We saw them still there on the afternoon of Tuesday 17/10.
Then, about 11.30 a.m. Wednesday 18/10, I happened to be waiting for a tram on Swanston at Latrobe when I spotted VR 53 coming along from Victoria St connecting line. As at most times I had my camera with me and got some shots of it approaching me. Then as luck would have it, I ran out of film and had to change rolls. While I did this it turned into Latrobe and ran on down to a crossover just past Elizabeth St. Thence it made its way back towards me.
By then my camera was reloaded and ready. Got a number of shots of it and was doubly in luck as it had to pull up for a red light where I was standing. It gave me enough time to grab some more shots, one of which I am told will be made into a post card. As you would gather, to see VR 53 in the streets of Melbourne is something very much out of the ordinary. While at the lights the driver told me it was being taken from Essendon to Preston Workshops. Then immediately afterwards they were either getting a cab or being driven back to Essendon Depot to collect No 13. Boy, was I lucky!!
Two trams have been painted to celebrate the Centennial. Combino 5006 is in a white with sort screen print pictures of various old trams on it. On the apron is a small copy of the Centennial Logo which shows a stylised version of the old No 13 and front of a Combino. Simple but effective design. Inside the tram are all sorts of small do-dahs depicting old ones hanging from the roof. This trams seems to ply the St Kilda - Brunswick lines along Bourke St.
The other one painted as such is W6 909 which does the City Circle. Shortly after capturing VR 53, I was in front of Flinders St Station meeting a friend - in fact I was on my way to meet him when I came across VR 53 - when 909 came along. Normally it is far too crowded at this intersection to get a good shot but somehow the crowds parted enough for me to grab two quick ones. One of these is also to be made into a post card, I am told! So meeting my friend had some good results!! It was a lovely clear day with good sunlight in all the spots where these trams were so I could not complain.
There is to be a special tram tour in conjunction with the COTMA Conference in November. To be held on Wednesday 22 November, there are all sorts of stories about this event having vintage and new trams but I am playing a "wait and see" policy so as not to be disappointed if it only has new ones. Due to all these new insurance and accreditation policies, tram tours are now becoming so rare as not to be had.
Will close for now
"Canberra Kid" a.k.a. "Count de Tranvias" - Earl Ewers
Dear Dave Spencer,
Now I am back in Canberra - even if only for a few days! - I thought I would send you some information regarding the Electric Tram Centennial in Melbourne.
There has always been some discussion regarding the actual inaugural date of electric trams in that city. Firstly, there was the Doncaster - Box Hill put down in 1888 but which was dismantled after going broke in the 1890s Depression.
Secondly, the Victorian Railways began their 5' 3" gauge services from St Kilda to Brighton in May 1906. The last section of this line was closed in 1959. But the 3 "modern" cars built in the early 1940s were purchased at closure by the M & MTB. Numbered 52, 53 and 54 they somewhat resembled the W6 Class trams on the main system. To non enthusiasts the main difference was their having only two piece windscreens rather than the usual three piece. Although not a worry to the the VR drivers, the window break right in front of the controls was not well liked by the M & MTB motormen.
Anyway, Nos 52 and 53 were regauged and had modifications to the doors and other bits and pieces over the years - but two section windscreens remained. No 54 was never regauged and used as a source of spares for the other two cars.
Stationed at Essendon Depot these two cars normally worked the Footscray - Moonee Ponds line. For those who mourned closure of the VR lines, it was a chance to relive at least a little of the "good olde days". A number of fan trips were organised over the years utilising one or both of these trams. Until advent of the Z Class, they retained their former VR numbers but were then assigned new ones so there would be no confusion with the new trams. Finally they were "retired" but saved for preservation. During 2006 VR 53 was taken to the Bendigo Tramway Workshops where the staff did a good job of taking it back to original condition as much as possible. A special tour day was held in Bendigo during July for those interested. I was not there but understand the day was a great success.
Finally, the first portion of what is the present system was opened 11 October 1906. This was the Essendon Depot with two lines which are now parts of the present West Maribyrnong and Airport West routes. Some minor changes to them have been made over the years but essentially they are the same. This Depot is still the or one of the largest on the network. Both of these original routes are quite heavily patronised and it is not unusual to go past Essendon Depot at afternoon peak and see it all but completely devoid of trams inside.
Gradually other suburban tram systems opened over the following 10 years - all basically feeding passengers in to meet the cable trams which plied into the city centre. Bit by bit these small suburban systems joined up to form a link right round the cable system. Then, towards end of World War I, the M & MTB was formed to bring all this under the one organisation.
From then until 1940 the main task was replacement of nearly all cable routes with electric ones. Only 3 or 4 cable runs were not electrified. As this took place, there were other extensions and the like to the whole system, making it a very comprehensive one. The Depression slowed cable replacements but in October 1940 the last cable car lines were closed. By then buses had become the "in" mode of transport so double decker ones replaced the last cable cars.
Fortunately for the future of Melbourne trams, these double decker buses were a failure right from the start. No one liked them; stories abound of their being "cold", "stairs too steep", etc etc. It being the War years nothing could be done about it then but plans were made for these routes to be electrified. This was fortified in 1948 by appointment of Major General Risson as the Head of M & MTB; a position he retained until 1970.
A martinet, he was also a great advocate of trams. More lines were put down and the Bourke Street routes were electrified in readiness for the 1956 Olympic Games. Even a change of government shortly before that did not deter this project; only the cutting back of building the last W7 Class to run it.
Stories of Risson are still legion all these years later. One is of his putting all tram tracks in concrete as he said it was more economical. Behind his back it was said he did it to ensure the trams remained for a long time to come. When the Centennial of Cable Cars was being celebrated in November 1985, Risson was, although very elderly, still hale and hearty. Reporters visited him at his home and he spoke of his time with the trams.
Naturally, they asked him about his concreting the tracks and was it really due to it being more economical and not just to retain them. He replied that it was more economical to concrete them and - with a smile - added "and if it was the other I wouldn't tell you anyway!"
Kennet's privatisation of the system is too well known for me to make more than a mention of that. But it appears to be working - or bumbling - along okay. Yarra Trams seem to be doing their best for all concerned. Everyone was told to hold off on any Centennial Celebrations earlier in the year as Commonwealth Games took precedence. But even after the Games finished no one knew what was going to be done to celebrate the event.
May saw the VR Tram Centennial pass on a very low key. Nothing much was said or done but a walk along the St Kilda- Brighton route was arranged one Saturday morning. To everyone's surprise, quite a number turned up for this event. One who did was David Frost - no, not the English one! - who lived on this route until it closed and still lives just round the corner from where it ran.
Normally a quiet unassuming person, David, has a wide and deep knowledge of the VR trams as for years he not only lived on and used the Brighton line but also the Sandringham VR line to go to and from work. When the Ballarat group was formed he joined that and became one of their stalwart drivers. Later he joined TMSV and still drives at Bylands for them. Initially David had to learn on the Melbourne system under the same conditions as any applying for a licence to drive trams on it.
So he became the focus of attention on the tram walk. Being so long since the line closed there are now few about who have comprehensive knowledge of it.
Along with his tram interests David also is involved with other local historic groups in the area. This led to his putting out a small photocopied sheet of a short history about the VR lines. Other enthusiasts then got him to expand on this and in July a small booklet was released about the VR trams. Although a booklet it does contain quite a bit of information on the subject.
So, now to the Centennial itself. I was going down to it anyway, but some of the organisers were enthusiasts known to David and myself. From what I can gather, Yarra Trams got them to ask known enthusiasts and members of the 4 Victorian Tram Groups (Ballarat, Bendigo, Haddon and TMSV) to assist on the day.
I was in my suit as it is some years since I last wore my Ballarat uniform (have expanded outwards a lot since then!) but most others came in various uniforms of M & MTB, and Bendigo. Bendigo Trust sent down a busload of their drivers in uniform and did they look smart! David Frost caused quite a stir as he came in the M & MTB brown uniform of the early 1970s. It is very rare to see this one nowadays and his was the only one of that type there.
So rare and such a stir that he was interviewed by ABC (our national) TV as well as Chinese Cable TV. Both also interviewed Campbell Blight, a friend of ours, who had brought along a book of old tram tickets he had collected. Both of them "hammed it up" so naturally for the cameras. They saw themselves on TV that night!
Sunday 8 October dawned fine and sunny and the whole day was just what the Dr ordered weather-wise. During the early hours of that morning they brought a number of old trams from the Preston Workshops and Hawthorn Depot to the Docklands at City West. Outside Telstra Dome there is a long passing loop intended for trams associated with crowds to and from the Stadium. All the through routes were cut short of these tracks for the day and City Circle went down Spence St instead of going to the Docklands.
Each tram was set on its own so that one could take photos with other trams impinging on it. The only single truck car was V214 (now back to its original 1906 No 13), the oldest electric tram in Melbourne. All types of W Class and other bogie trams were displayed, including the Z, A, B, Citadis and Combino.
VR 53 was there and a big hit was the "Malcolm Tram" from the movie of that name. Everyone but everyone wanted to be photoed on the seat of that one!
Inside the Z Tram a screen had been set up and a continuous movie of the beginning and [close to] end of "Malcolm" along with some publicity film of the trams from the 1960s.
There were large loads of "goodies" - posters, badges, pens, caps, history sheets, etc, etc, - handed out all day byt Yarra Trams. Even though little had been heard before the day, they had certainly put together a nice range of items and displays for all present. The Tramways Band ( or whatever it is called now) played for a while, too. All in all, a most pleasant day.
No special tram rides were held; all the trams remained static during the day. They were driven away about 2.00 a.m. on the Monday morning. Three of them - VR 53, No !3 and another old bogie car - were taken to Essendon Depot in readiness for a special Centennial Day there on the Wednesday 11/10. We saw them still there on the afternoon of Tuesday 17/10.
Then, about 11.30 a.m. Wednesday 18/10, I happened to be waiting for a tram on Swanston at Latrobe when I spotted VR 53 coming along from Victoria St connecting line. As at most times I had my camera with me and got some shots of it approaching me. Then as luck would have it, I ran out of film and had to change rolls. While I did this it turned into Latrobe and ran on down to a crossover just past Elizabeth St. Thence it made its way back towards me.
By then my camera was reloaded and ready. Got a number of shots of it and was doubly in luck as it had to pull up for a red light where I was standing. It gave me enough time to grab some more shots, one of which I am told will be made into a post card. As you would gather, to see VR 53 in the streets of Melbourne is something very much out of the ordinary. While at the lights the driver told me it was being taken from Essendon to Preston Workshops. Then immediately afterwards they were either getting a cab or being driven back to Essendon Depot to collect No 13. Boy, was I lucky!!
Two trams have been painted to celebrate the Centennial. Combino 5006 is in a white with sort screen print pictures of various old trams on it. On the apron is a small copy of the Centennial Logo which shows a stylised version of the old No 13 and front of a Combino. Simple but effective design. Inside the tram are all sorts of small do-dahs depicting old ones hanging from the roof. This trams seems to ply the St Kilda - Brunswick lines along Bourke St.
The other one painted as such is W6 909 which does the City Circle. Shortly after capturing VR 53, I was in front of Flinders St Station meeting a friend - in fact I was on my way to meet him when I came across VR 53 - when 909 came along. Normally it is far too crowded at this intersection to get a good shot but somehow the crowds parted enough for me to grab two quick ones. One of these is also to be made into a post card, I am told! So meeting my friend had some good results!! It was a lovely clear day with good sunlight in all the spots where these trams were so I could not complain.
There is to be a special tram tour in conjunction with the COTMA Conference in November. To be held on Wednesday 22 November, there are all sorts of stories about this event having vintage and new trams but I am playing a "wait and see" policy so as not to be disappointed if it only has new ones. Due to all these new insurance and accreditation policies, tram tours are now becoming so rare as not to be had.
Will close for now
"Canberra Kid" a.k.a. "Count de Tranvias" - Earl Ewers
Saturday, October 28, 2006
NEW RELEASES AND TRIP TO READING
Here are the most recent release, for golden oldies on DVD for the first time see our web site or request full list direct
1427. Greater Manchester. UK. Buses. Sept 2006. Sunny visits to Bury for school traffic, Oldham weekday new buses and Heaton Park rally in the rain.
1428. Showbus Part One. UK. Buses. Cambridgeshire. Sept 2006 The first 75 minutes , the biggest and best bus rally in the world, arrivals up to about 10.20.
1429. Showbus Part Two. UK. Buses. Cambridgeshire. Sept 2006. The remainder of the arrivals through to the Routemaster Gold Run filmed from airside.
1430. Cambridgeshire. UK. Buses. Sept 2006. Visits to Perborough, new buses with Stagecoach plenty of independents then to Cambridge lots of action there.
1431. Yorkshire. UK. Buses. August September 2006. First a look at Halifax on a summer weekday afternoon then Huddersfield at the end of September.
1432. Yorkshire. UK. Buses. September 2006. First a look at Wakefield bus station on Saturday morning then on to Barnsley with ex Tracky Stagecoach buses.
1433. Wirral Bus & Tram Show. Oct 2006. UK. Bus. Tram. The usual mix of bus rally, bus running day and street tram running, also scenes of 2003 &2004.
1434. GVVT. Glasgow Running Day. UK. Buses. Oct 2006. A superb turn out of buses in service plus the huge array of buses resident at the Bridgeton depot.
1435. Ttally Blackpool. UK. Trams.Buses. 2006. The Totally Transport rally with mainly trams in the summer plus illumination trams and a look at buses in Oct.
1436. Preston & Lancaster. UK. Buses. October 2006. reston city centre, unbroken sunshine updating coverage , new buses / livery then Lancaster ex LT Titans.
1437. Leicester. UK. Buses. October 2006. A bright sunny autumnal day with large quantities of new buses in service, both Arriva and First much modernised
Today we went down to Reading and also covered Oxford. No hassles and reasonable weather for the time of year. We found an empty parking place in Oxford when we got back it transpired that it was outside the doss house, no wonder nobody parked there!
1427. Greater Manchester. UK. Buses. Sept 2006. Sunny visits to Bury for school traffic, Oldham weekday new buses and Heaton Park rally in the rain.
1428. Showbus Part One. UK. Buses. Cambridgeshire. Sept 2006 The first 75 minutes , the biggest and best bus rally in the world, arrivals up to about 10.20.
1429. Showbus Part Two. UK. Buses. Cambridgeshire. Sept 2006. The remainder of the arrivals through to the Routemaster Gold Run filmed from airside.
1430. Cambridgeshire. UK. Buses. Sept 2006. Visits to Perborough, new buses with Stagecoach plenty of independents then to Cambridge lots of action there.
1431. Yorkshire. UK. Buses. August September 2006. First a look at Halifax on a summer weekday afternoon then Huddersfield at the end of September.
1432. Yorkshire. UK. Buses. September 2006. First a look at Wakefield bus station on Saturday morning then on to Barnsley with ex Tracky Stagecoach buses.
1433. Wirral Bus & Tram Show. Oct 2006. UK. Bus. Tram. The usual mix of bus rally, bus running day and street tram running, also scenes of 2003 &2004.
1434. GVVT. Glasgow Running Day. UK. Buses. Oct 2006. A superb turn out of buses in service plus the huge array of buses resident at the Bridgeton depot.
1435. Ttally Blackpool. UK. Trams.Buses. 2006. The Totally Transport rally with mainly trams in the summer plus illumination trams and a look at buses in Oct.
1436. Preston & Lancaster. UK. Buses. October 2006. reston city centre, unbroken sunshine updating coverage , new buses / livery then Lancaster ex LT Titans.
1437. Leicester. UK. Buses. October 2006. A bright sunny autumnal day with large quantities of new buses in service, both Arriva and First much modernised
Today we went down to Reading and also covered Oxford. No hassles and reasonable weather for the time of year. We found an empty parking place in Oxford when we got back it transpired that it was outside the doss house, no wonder nobody parked there!
Friday, October 27, 2006
BIG ONE BLOWN OUT AT BLACKPOOL
The last few days has seen us play host to Daves sisters , nephews and niece from Hampshire, we went to Blackpool illuminations and nearly got blown away, Jake was sad to miss out on the Big One at the pleasure beach, closed due to high winds. The back log of orders which built up is being cleared, another shot from Daves office of the manchester Ship Canal on a rare sunny moment and one from Blackpool of the closed ride.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
EXTRACT FROM DAVES AUTOBIOGRAPHY
remembering Aberfan 1966
1966. Aged 14
Aberfan, a name which still chills the soul of those who were around at this unhappy time, as a youngster you could only too easily identify with the children who perished in the tragedy which saw a huge slag heap of coal waste sweep away a junior school in South Wales. I suppose up to now it was a part of the country we knew little of a, certainly the collieries in the valleys were alien to those of is accustomed to the clean ozone laden air by the seaside in Sussex. The Queen visited the disaster, she talked of her distress, for the first time both catastrophe and our monarch were perhaps real and not just images. With the swinging Britain also saw ordinary working people once more flex their collective muscle, the presence of a labour government at a time of industrial strife wasn’t as anachronistic as we look back in hindsight after experiencing Tony Blair .Emergency powers were enacted as the ports ground to a halt with the seaman’s strike which was resolved by mid year. One of Harold Wilson’s favourite and inspired ideas was to make further education more widely available and nearly twenty universities had opened in the past five years, even more revolutionary was the Open University.
Till Death Us Do Part appeared on television, the foul mouthed bigot Alf Garnett a hero to as many that loathed him and his poor wife Elsie long suffering and perhaps the most real character. Daktari was part of a long running genre of films based on wildlife this time dramatised; Africa was still crawling with big game. Softly Softly was the latest in another long line this time of police dramas following on with a CID bias from Z Cars. Oz mag arrived in the UK; it pushed the boundaries beyond satire and political comment into the family, sex, drugs and relationships. Already interested in aircraft I regularly read Flight magazine and my friends Dave Diplock and Peter Needham were enrolled in the Royal Observer Corps. They’d seen a stand for the ROC at Prince’s Park in carnival week. We had regular trips to air shows, the largest was at Biggin Hill and the regular trade based show at Farnborough. The trips were quite a jaunt in Big Dave’s cars, ranging from Ford perpendicular Pops to a 100E Prefect. Hairy moments came a plenty, brake failure could come at any time such as heading across the A23 on our way home and the windscreen wipers slowed to a grind at speed, sometime you had to hang out and try to clear your vision with a rag. When Dave had an Austin Ruby we changed the engine in the back lane behind his house on Seaside, the ‘new’ engine came from a Reliant Robin three wheeler, it fitted perfectly. Still to become a true classic Dave gave it to a bloke who collected these old bangers.
As well as aircraft I was very much into war gaming and sported an extensive collection of modern and historic models of soldiers and weaponry backed up by books and magazines. At some stage I created my own society which later got hijacked and a chap called Brian Hylands ‘deemed’ me out of it. There were some nice people involved , in particular I recall a couple of chaps from near Hastings, I used to cycle over to one who had a tremendous collection, up at Tunbridge Wells one of the main authors in war gaming had a huge hall given over to it. I must have kept it all up for a few years, certainly after I had left school, Marion must have been pleased when it petered out as my room was dominated by a vast layout with landscapes carved out of polystyrene tiles and foliated by trees from lichen. From the ceiling hung my model aircraft by the score, the entirety a dust trap .Shelves were added almost monthly and soon surrounded the bed, I had an old bookcase from the living room with a glass front, a small portable gas fire provided warmth.
A defining year for popular music as the decade stood still for a few minutes just like the new Harrier Jump Jet at Farnborough Air Show. The onslaught of hit groups took a rest and a more relaxed style seemed to prevail for a while as the first wave of pop groups sought new directions in which to lead their fans. The Overlanders sang gentle Michelle from the Beatles ‘Rubber Soul’ Album, Nancy Sinatra growled These Boots Are Made For Walking and for the Walker Brothers ‘The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore ‘, it didn’t for them as they split up soon afterwards. Dusty Springfield reached the height of her career and not to be outdone Nancy’s dad Frank brought us another gentle ballad with Strangers In The Night proving that he had plenty of mileage and last tours yet to perform. The Kinks whiles away their time with Sunny Afternoon and the Beatles hinted at their new directions with Paperback Writer, the fans didn’t know where they were going but followed anyway.
The Stones had already sealed their fate but perhaps were also learning to deal with the problems of stardom and fame as they faced problems with their social lives bringing drug abuse to the attention of the public in a big way for the first time. For the minute I’ll dive forward to the end of the year as Tom Jones wailed of The Green Green Grass Of Home, this lasted at the top through December and well into January, an all timer classic from someone who always seems to have been there. Bigger already in what we would now call the disco was The Four Tops with the Motown sound with Reach Out I’ll Be There.
Already enormous in the states were the Beach Boys, they got their first hit in the UK with Good Vibrations. Posthumous success for Jim Reeves with Distant Drums, the American country music star again fabulously popular loyal following in the middle of the road scene. Missing from my recollections the observant music fans will note the perhaps most important change in the direction of popular music mid sixties and certainly leading us all into the psychedelic time which is what people now call the ‘Sixties’. This was of course The Beatles with Yellow Submarine and Eleanor Rigby. This was the 11th release in a row to reach NO1 in the record charts a feat never again rivalled.
Witnessing England’s win in the soccer world cup even if just on television seems to be an increasingly attractive accolade given our inability to repeat the historic victory. It wasn’t football that marks the year out in my mind but the Beatles Yellow Submarine. I’d already got a weekend job at Kings Caravan Park down on the Crumbles. Run by a sort of wannabe Butlins entrepreneur it had caravans and chalets, shop and club and later even a nightclub over the road. I worked in the shop at weekends and then full time in the summer holidays. There was a jukebox and during the hot summer days the kids would play Yellow Submarine constantly until it drove you mad. A nice enough couple ran the establishment and I enjoyed my first taste of work.
1966. Aged 14
Aberfan, a name which still chills the soul of those who were around at this unhappy time, as a youngster you could only too easily identify with the children who perished in the tragedy which saw a huge slag heap of coal waste sweep away a junior school in South Wales. I suppose up to now it was a part of the country we knew little of a, certainly the collieries in the valleys were alien to those of is accustomed to the clean ozone laden air by the seaside in Sussex. The Queen visited the disaster, she talked of her distress, for the first time both catastrophe and our monarch were perhaps real and not just images. With the swinging Britain also saw ordinary working people once more flex their collective muscle, the presence of a labour government at a time of industrial strife wasn’t as anachronistic as we look back in hindsight after experiencing Tony Blair .Emergency powers were enacted as the ports ground to a halt with the seaman’s strike which was resolved by mid year. One of Harold Wilson’s favourite and inspired ideas was to make further education more widely available and nearly twenty universities had opened in the past five years, even more revolutionary was the Open University.
Till Death Us Do Part appeared on television, the foul mouthed bigot Alf Garnett a hero to as many that loathed him and his poor wife Elsie long suffering and perhaps the most real character. Daktari was part of a long running genre of films based on wildlife this time dramatised; Africa was still crawling with big game. Softly Softly was the latest in another long line this time of police dramas following on with a CID bias from Z Cars. Oz mag arrived in the UK; it pushed the boundaries beyond satire and political comment into the family, sex, drugs and relationships. Already interested in aircraft I regularly read Flight magazine and my friends Dave Diplock and Peter Needham were enrolled in the Royal Observer Corps. They’d seen a stand for the ROC at Prince’s Park in carnival week. We had regular trips to air shows, the largest was at Biggin Hill and the regular trade based show at Farnborough. The trips were quite a jaunt in Big Dave’s cars, ranging from Ford perpendicular Pops to a 100E Prefect. Hairy moments came a plenty, brake failure could come at any time such as heading across the A23 on our way home and the windscreen wipers slowed to a grind at speed, sometime you had to hang out and try to clear your vision with a rag. When Dave had an Austin Ruby we changed the engine in the back lane behind his house on Seaside, the ‘new’ engine came from a Reliant Robin three wheeler, it fitted perfectly. Still to become a true classic Dave gave it to a bloke who collected these old bangers.
As well as aircraft I was very much into war gaming and sported an extensive collection of modern and historic models of soldiers and weaponry backed up by books and magazines. At some stage I created my own society which later got hijacked and a chap called Brian Hylands ‘deemed’ me out of it. There were some nice people involved , in particular I recall a couple of chaps from near Hastings, I used to cycle over to one who had a tremendous collection, up at Tunbridge Wells one of the main authors in war gaming had a huge hall given over to it. I must have kept it all up for a few years, certainly after I had left school, Marion must have been pleased when it petered out as my room was dominated by a vast layout with landscapes carved out of polystyrene tiles and foliated by trees from lichen. From the ceiling hung my model aircraft by the score, the entirety a dust trap .Shelves were added almost monthly and soon surrounded the bed, I had an old bookcase from the living room with a glass front, a small portable gas fire provided warmth.
A defining year for popular music as the decade stood still for a few minutes just like the new Harrier Jump Jet at Farnborough Air Show. The onslaught of hit groups took a rest and a more relaxed style seemed to prevail for a while as the first wave of pop groups sought new directions in which to lead their fans. The Overlanders sang gentle Michelle from the Beatles ‘Rubber Soul’ Album, Nancy Sinatra growled These Boots Are Made For Walking and for the Walker Brothers ‘The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore ‘, it didn’t for them as they split up soon afterwards. Dusty Springfield reached the height of her career and not to be outdone Nancy’s dad Frank brought us another gentle ballad with Strangers In The Night proving that he had plenty of mileage and last tours yet to perform. The Kinks whiles away their time with Sunny Afternoon and the Beatles hinted at their new directions with Paperback Writer, the fans didn’t know where they were going but followed anyway.
The Stones had already sealed their fate but perhaps were also learning to deal with the problems of stardom and fame as they faced problems with their social lives bringing drug abuse to the attention of the public in a big way for the first time. For the minute I’ll dive forward to the end of the year as Tom Jones wailed of The Green Green Grass Of Home, this lasted at the top through December and well into January, an all timer classic from someone who always seems to have been there. Bigger already in what we would now call the disco was The Four Tops with the Motown sound with Reach Out I’ll Be There.
Already enormous in the states were the Beach Boys, they got their first hit in the UK with Good Vibrations. Posthumous success for Jim Reeves with Distant Drums, the American country music star again fabulously popular loyal following in the middle of the road scene. Missing from my recollections the observant music fans will note the perhaps most important change in the direction of popular music mid sixties and certainly leading us all into the psychedelic time which is what people now call the ‘Sixties’. This was of course The Beatles with Yellow Submarine and Eleanor Rigby. This was the 11th release in a row to reach NO1 in the record charts a feat never again rivalled.
Witnessing England’s win in the soccer world cup even if just on television seems to be an increasingly attractive accolade given our inability to repeat the historic victory. It wasn’t football that marks the year out in my mind but the Beatles Yellow Submarine. I’d already got a weekend job at Kings Caravan Park down on the Crumbles. Run by a sort of wannabe Butlins entrepreneur it had caravans and chalets, shop and club and later even a nightclub over the road. I worked in the shop at weekends and then full time in the summer holidays. There was a jukebox and during the hot summer days the kids would play Yellow Submarine constantly until it drove you mad. A nice enough couple ran the establishment and I enjoyed my first taste of work.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
POTTERIES BUS RUNNING DAY
Half way!The Newcastle end of the route
Mandy at Gladstone pottery Museum on PMP stand
needless to say it rained for packing up
Saturday, October 21, 2006
TODAY LEICESTER TOMORROW THE WORLD
Today inLeicester, sunny, no hassle, new buses, what more could I ask
then home to this, my own special restaurant in Lower Peover
another shot outside my office, by the time I hear them they are going past
Tomorrow Gladstone pottery Museum, Stoke, Potteries Bus Running Day, hope to see you there
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