Cornwall Bus Preservation Society

The 3rd Kingsbridge Vintage Bus Running Day was held on Saturday 18 September 2010 and the weather was brilliant. We had a few problems with our LH, 716(MUO 328F) when the doors refused to operate. We thought we could live with that as it was warm and sunny but then we had a total electrical failure and that was it for the day. Still, we had our Vario there so she was pressed into service. Our VR 1003(VDV 141S) was used on several trips and proved to be popular. Passenger numbers were up on last year and plans are already being made for 2011 so look out for it. The following day it was off it to Westpoint, Exeter for WHOTTS 8th Rally. We took the Vario and WHOTT's Bristol RE 1460(OTA 632G) but the weather was cooler and overcast and I think that the number of vehicles attending was fewer as was the visitor numbers. I was lucky enough to get to the EFE Showbus International rally at Duxford on 26 September 2010 thanks to Colin Billington offering to take his Royal Blue Bristol LL6B 1250 (LTA 729). This event is huge and well worth a visit but the weather can put a dampner on a good day as was the case this year.

The vehicles we have in the 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 remains as before. The possible new addition to the fleet that I mentioned last month did not work out for us but it may only be a set back and not a total loss. There is not a lot happening at the moment as the 'friends' work commitments have made things slow up. We still hope to repaint our 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) this winter and the white 'National Express' livery of the 1980's is still favoured. First though we have to get her through her MOT which is now due. We also need to finish the fitting of 'autumn gold' seats to VR 38749(AFJ 749T) along with getting sister 1141(AFJ 706T) back on the road. We still require covered storage for our vehicles in Cornwall so if you can help, please let us know asap. We are always looking to 'save' more vehicles from the scrap heap so your help would be appreciated. The Penzance Running Day will again take place in April 2011 so watch this space for details.