KINGSBRIDGE 7'6" WIDE VINTAGE BUS RUNNING DAY Saturday 19th September 2009 The Bus Station, Kingsbridge, South Devon	Sponsored by

We are pleased to announce that after a very successful first Kingsbridge 7'6" Running Day last year, which saw 21 vehicles operating on 11 routes carrying around 1700 passengers and two dogs, we are now inviting entries for the second event to be held on Saturday 19th September. This will be followed by WHOTT's Westpoint Rally on Sunday 20th September, in order to give enthusiasts and bus owners from further afield a full weekend of West Country bus related nostalgia.

The Kingsbridge event will see the return to operation of Colin Billington’s newly restored 1933 Bristol H FJ8967 which was Western National No. 137. 137 was a South Devon area vehicle spending its operational life working from Dartmouth, Kingsbridge and Plymouth depots until withdrawal in 1957.  Colin purchased 137 from Colin Shears on 6 October 1996 and since then has undertaken a complete restoration which is now nearing completion.  This will be a special day for all concerned with its restoration and testament to Colin Shear's efforts at Winkleigh to save as many important West Country vehicles as possible.

The routes we plan to operate are those formerly operated by the Great Western Railway Road Motors, the Western National Omnibus Company and other local operators such as Tally Ho!

Services to Beesands, East Portlemouth, South Poole, Slapton, Salcombe, Thurlestone, Bantham, Loddiswell, California Cross and East Allington are being scheduled as last year and there will be several new routes.  This is a special year for bus services around Kingsbridge as it is 100 years ago that the first GWR Road Motors service to Salcombe was inaugurated.

Most vehicles in use will be limited to those with a width not exceeding 7’6” (apart from mirrors). This is necessary because of the width of many of the roads in the area over which we are planning to operate. Full width vehicles will be able to be used on the routes to Slapton, Salcombe and Modbury.

Programmes are now available - see below for details

RUNNING DAY PROGRAMME This 28-page A5 programme includes vehicle details, a route map, timetables and vehicle duties.  It also highlights photo opportunities, meetings points, interchanges and journey crossings to help passengers plan their day.  The programme includes an illustrated history about the local routes and their development marking, in particular, the centenary of the GWR Kingsbridge-Salcombe service.  There is also an illustrated article on the Bristol H destined to make a debut appearance at Kingsbridge, following a major restoration, back in its home territory more than 50 years after withdrawal from service.

Programmes can be obtained NOW for £5.50 including postage and packing by sending a cheque, payable to 'WHOTT' to Ledger Farm, Forest Green Road, Fifield, Maidenhead SL6 2NR and enclosing name and address details. 

Programmes will also be available on the day for £4 and in advance, in person, from 8 September from the Tourist Information Centre adjacent to Kingsbridge bus station.

If you are the owner of an historic 7’6” wide bus or coach, you are warmly invited to complete the entry form and send it to us as soon as possible to ensure inclusion in the event programme and for a duty to be allocated.

Overnight parking for vehicles will be available for the nights both before and after the running day at Loddiswell which is about 3 miles from Kingsbridge. We will happily shuttle you to your accommodation in the Kingsbridge area. If you would like any recommendations for accommodation please ask.

We look forward to receiving your entry.

Terry Partridge

Running Day Entry Co-ordinator

For more information contact:

Terry Partridge, 19 Pondfield Road, Saltash, Plymouth, PL12 4UA or Email: tg.partridge@gmail.com  

Kingsbridge Vehicle Entry Form          Event Information           Westpoint Vehicle Entry Form   

More details can be found on the Kingsbridge Vintage Bus Running Day Website

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