ROYAL BLUE RUN - 14-15 June 2008

This year we have decided it is time to have another run into Cornwall.  In mid summer with the long light evenings we thought a coastal run would be appropriate. When I was a lad two Bristol Ls would sit in Taunton Bus Station in summertime and at around 3.45 pm other coaches would arrive, including the through Royal Blue from Bournemouth and Yeovil to Ilfracombe, passengers and luggage would swap coaches and, at 4pm, the coaches would head out of Tower Street, the Royal Blues on their way to Ilfracombe, Westward Ho! and Bude.  Our first run in 2002 did the Taunton - Ilfracombe route so this time we are going to combine the Westward Ho! and Bude services, Westward Ho! only being a short diversion of the Bude route.  The Taunton - Bude route originated as a National Omnibus & Transport weekend service from London to North Devon and Cornwall in the late 1920s and was integrated into the Royal Blue network in 1935 under Route G.  It continued after the war as a Summer daily service from Taunton but integrated with the through Bournemouth - Taunton - North Devon service P.  It ceased in 1965 and was replaced by a route via Exeter although the Taunton route to Westward Ho! with connections to Hartland continued.  There was also a Taunton - Minehead - Lynton - Ilfracombe - Barnstaple - Bude - Helston route (P/1) which beckons for the future!  Therefore the routes we shall follow span the full time period of the coaches expected to take part.

If you would like to join us please fill in the form and return it to us.  You can type over the lines using the 'Insert' button.  Submission by email confirms that you will comply with the declaration on the form.  Route instructions will be mailed about a week before the event.  In order to defray some of the cost of the route details and instructions we would ask that you send us a donation of £10.  We apologise for having to make this charge but we feel that it is right that the Trust should not have to meet this cost when we are all going to have such a wonderful time.

We believe that at least one Royal Blue coach which has not joined us before will be taking part and we always hope for more.  We look forward to seeing you again this summer.

Colin Billington

Chairman

Vehicle Entry Form

We already have twelve entries for this coaching event which will recreate some spectacular Royal Blue routes through North Devon and North Cornwall.  On Friday 13 those coming from the North and East will run from the former Black and White Coach Station in Cheltenham, leaving at 2.30pm.  We will stay overnight in Taunton and depart from the coach park in Castle Street at 10.30am on Saturday.  The run will take the route to Barnstaple along using the old A361 via Wiveliscombe, Bampton and South Molton.  From Barnstaple we will follow the old A39 via Fremington to Bideford, diverting through Northam to Westward Ho!.  Having rejoined the A39 we will turn off for Hartland and then rejoin the A39 as far as Stratton, then arriving at Bude for an overnight stay. 

On Sunday we plan to leave Bude at 9.30am going South to Widemouth Bay before rejoining the A39 to Wadebridge.  Subject to a final route survey, we will run into Polzeath via Trebetherick to avoid a double run and turning in the beach car park.  The Polzeath-Exeter leg will follow Route R138 via Delabole, Tintagel, Boscastle, Launceston and Okehampton along the old A30. 

WHOTT Friends are welcome to travel with us over the whole route or for any part of it.  If you wish to take advantage of this, please contact Colin Billington.  If you are planning an overnight stay in either Taunton or Bude you should book your own accommodation.  Several coaches are expected to be travelling from Exeter via Taunton after the run if you choose to leave your car there but it is essential that you make this known beforehand to ensure arrangements are made