Cornwall Bus Preservation Society

I was thinking to myself, it's wet, the kids are on summer holiday it must be August and I haven't done the news update! So here we go with the latest for the month of August which hasn't been the balmy month promised us earlier in the year so I hope lots of you have had a chance to look at the new website and try it out. We are pleased with it but 'fine tuning' is on going so stick with us and let us know what you think by becoming a 'friend' of CBPSCornwall Bus Preservation Society - formed by a group of bus and coach enthusiasts who are involved in maintaining, restoring and preserving a number of buses which saw operational service in Cornwall that have been bought, donated or even loaned to members of the group. By doing this, you are able to log on and send us your photos you have taken of our vehicles or others that you think we would appreciate. 'Friends' can enjoy each others photos and from those, we will select the best ones to go live on the 'site'. The Gallery has a section for 'friends' (members) photographs as well as those of the CBPS vehicles. If you think the 'site' has its failings, let us know, we can take it!

Since the last news update in July, we attended the Western National Preservation GroupWestern National Preservation Group's rally on the Hoe at Plymouth with our Bristol LHBristol Commercial Vehicles Light Horizontal engined 716 (MUO 328F), Bristol VRBristol VR was Bristol's rear-engined bus chassis, designed as a competitor to the Leyland Atlantean and Daimler Fleetline. 1003 (VDV 141S) and Mercedes VarioMercedes-Benz Vario (model designation W670) is a heavy van manufactured by Mercedes-Benz 52529 (S529 RWP). The Bristol LH received two class wins which was very pleasing (see photograph in the gallery). The St Buryan Rally was held at the end of July and we had our LH and GWR VR there for both days (see Blog). We were pleased to be able to help out the West of England Steam Rally at Stithians show ground this month by providing Bristol VR 1003 (VDV 141S) as a base for the show commentators at one of the rings. Our next event is the Helston/Lizard Run on Sunday 29 August 2010 when again we hope to have 716 and 1003 involved. The 3rd Kingsbridge Vintage Bus Running Day is on Saturday 18 September 2010 with our Mercedes Vario working some routes. Most of the routes are for 7' 6" wide vehicles but full sized buses are also used. This is a very good event organised by Colin Billington and Terry Partridge using a variety of former Western National vehicles in spectacular countryside. WHOTTS 8th Rally follows on the Sunday and we will have some of our vehicles at Westpoint, Exeter on the day.

Currently, we have Bristol LH 716 (MUO 328F), Bristol VR 1003 (VDV 141S), LeylandLeyland Bus was a British bus manufacturer. It emerged from the Rover Group (formerly British Leyland) as a management buyout of the bus business. It was subsequently acquired by Volvo Buses in 1988 and the name finally disappeared in 1993 OlympianLeyland Olympian was a double-decker bus built by British Leyland/Leyland Bus in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1993. 34754 (A754 VAF) and Mercedes Vario 52529 (S529 RWP) with MOT and road tax. Bristol VR's 1147/38749 (AFJ 749T), 1226/38873 (LFJ 873W) and 1141 (AFJ 706T) are stored. I will update you on possible repaints being considered next month.   

If you have looked at the 'friends' gallery recently you will have noticed a couple of interesting photos. One is of a blue Bristol MW looking 'just a little rough' and the other is of a red Bristol LD 'in France'. The former Royal Blue Bristol MW coach is 1421 (EDV 503D) which has been outdoors on a farm near St Columb Major since 1986 (at least that's the last date on the tax disc displayed). After finishing active bus service, St Dennis Band used the vehicle as their travelling base to attend venues around the country and had it fitted out with tables, wardrobe and work units. More on this next month. The red Bristol LD is a former Southern National vehicle, 1906 (UOD 489) which has been located in France and is still in a reaonable condition. It would be nice to get her back home as she did work in Cornwall. Watch out for more news next month.

If any of this is of interest to you, contact us or better still, become a 'friend' now.