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  1. #316
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
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    Bus Memories

    I have just found this very interesting site and thought that I would contribute a little something of the Southport buses I remembered before my move down South in the early 1960s.
    At that time the buses were all in that pleasing red and cream livery and the letter part of their registrations ended with either FY or WM which I believe denoted a Southport registration as, in those days, it was possible to identify the place of registration for any vehicle by reference to a table which appeared in the AA members handbook.
    Some buses were Daimlers with their distinctive crinkled radiator cover. There were some, which I think they called utility buses, that had slatted wooden seats rather than upholstered. In summer the bus crew would don a white cover for their caps and the tickets were dispensed from a rack and, as a boy, I think I paid only a penny or penny-halfpenny to ride into town. It was said that if the serial number of your ticket added up to twenty-one you could win a prize but it was never explained how this was claimed!
    There was one conductor who was a bit of a comedian who, as we approached the stop at the Monument, would call out “Mrs Dale’s gardener” as Monument was I believe the name of the gardener in the radio’s popular serial Mrs Dale’s Diary.
    From where I lived on a main road, I was about fifty yards from the nearest bus stop and could see my bus approaching from the front room window – One day and destined for Chapel Street station, I was running late and spotted the bus actually at the stop – I ran like crazy to catch it and just made it in time. On boarding and no doubt panting a little, the conductor declared “ If you can run like that lad, you’ll not need to catch a ruddy bus!” – It was proud moment!
    I remember the conductors standing on the platform bagging up their change into paper money bags and winding a crank to change the destination indicator at both the front and rear.
    A regular cry from the conductor would be “Hurry along please” and “Plenty of room on top”
    The buses always seemed immaculately clean and litter free without any advertisements, which was such a contrast from the London buses, which I saw when visiting relatives.
    I have been back to my old hometown a few times and am aware that there have been many changes not only to the buses but also to the town in general – but I guess change is inevitable though not always for the better! Who was it that said –“Nostalgia is not what it used to be!”

  2. #317
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
    Posts
    27,734
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    Quote Originally Posted by Classicmister View Post
    I have just found this very interesting site and thought that I would contribute a little something of the Southport buses I remembered before my move down South in the early 1960s.
    At that time the buses were all in that pleasing red and cream livery and the letter part of their registrations ended with either FY or WM which I believe denoted a Southport registration as, in those days, it was possible to identify the place of registration for any vehicle by reference to a table which appeared in the AA members handbook.
    Some buses were Daimlers with their distinctive crinkled radiator cover. There were some, which I think they called utility buses, that had slatted wooden seats rather than upholstered. In summer the bus crew would don a white cover for their caps and the tickets were dispensed from a rack and, as a boy, I think I paid only a penny or penny-halfpenny to ride into town. It was said that if the serial number of your ticket added up to twenty-one you could win a prize but it was never explained how this was claimed!
    There was one conductor who was a bit of a comedian who, as we approached the stop at the Monument, would call out “Mrs Dale’s gardener” as Monument was I believe the name of the gardener in the radio’s popular serial Mrs Dale’s Diary.
    From where I lived on a main road, I was about fifty yards from the nearest bus stop and could see my bus approaching from the front room window – One day and destined for Chapel Street station, I was running late and spotted the bus actually at the stop – I ran like crazy to catch it and just made it in time. On boarding and no doubt panting a little, the conductor declared “ If you can run like that lad, you’ll not need to catch a ruddy bus!” – It was proud moment!
    I remember the conductors standing on the platform bagging up their change into paper money bags and winding a crank to change the destination indicator at both the front and rear.
    A regular cry from the conductor would be “Hurry along please” and “Plenty of room on top”
    The buses always seemed immaculately clean and litter free without any advertisements, which was such a contrast from the London buses, which I saw when visiting relatives.
    I have been back to my old hometown a few times and am aware that there have been many changes not only to the buses but also to the town in general – but I guess change is inevitable though not always for the better! Who was it that said –“Nostalgia is not what it used to be!”
    What a good post and I can relate to all of it, particularly in the late 40s and the 50s. Although I would say that nostalgia becomes very much an important part of ones life, the older you get.
    Just be yourself, no one else is better qualified!!

  3. #318
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    The sea of Honilee
    Posts
    11
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    Quote Originally Posted by njam52 View Post
    Hi
    Does anyone out there remember a bus driver called William (Bill) gillies
    in the 1960s

    Thanks.
    I do, he used to drive the bus to Birkdale High when I was there, nice bloke if i recall correctly
    Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt - Mark Twain

  4. #319
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Burtonwood, Warrington
    Posts
    16
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    I am a volunteer at The North West Museum of Transport in St. Helens.

    At present we are restoring two Southport Corporation buses.

    We are restoring Southport 43 a leyland Titan of 1934 vintage (formerly 143) and Southport 62 a Daimler CWA 6 wartime utility bus which after withdrawal was passed to Blundells coaches of Cemetery rd., and then to Aintree racecourse as a Stewards bus for the racecourse.

    We also have in service Southport 87 an open to bus which has been restored and just returned to service after over 10 years being stood down.

    Our website is www.nwmort.co.uk for any further details, we are also open to the public on Sat / Sun 12-1600 and bank holidays.
    There but for the grace of God Go I!

    He who hasn,t made mistakes hasn,t made anything!

    Always take care, as Confucious says it is better to be 10 minutes late in this world, than 10 years early for the next one!

  5. #320
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Burtonwood, Warrington
    Posts
    16
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    Southport Daimler Utility No. 62

    I am a volunteer at The North West Museum of Transport in St. Helens.

    We are at present restoring a 1934 open top Leyland Titan ex Southport 43 (formerly143) and are looking for any information about this bus from any ex employees who might have any information on this bus which was withdrawn in 1964 after being used as a Driver Training bus.

    We are also at present restoring a 1946 Daimler CWA 6 wartime utility bus formerly Southport 62 which when withdrawn was purchased by Blundells Coaches of Cemetery rd., and then was acquired by Aintree Racecourse and became a Stewards bus.

    Any information on either of these two vehicles would be greatly appreciated to enable us record any historical views or anecdotes etc.

    Both vehicles are resident at North West Museum of Transport at St. Helens
    The website address is www.nwmort@co.uk
    There but for the grace of God Go I!

    He who hasn,t made mistakes hasn,t made anything!

    Always take care, as Confucious says it is better to be 10 minutes late in this world, than 10 years early for the next one!

  6. #321
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Dreaming of Tuesday nights!
    Posts
    1,153
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    Quote Originally Posted by DennisD View Post
    Whilst visiting the Leyland Museum I bought a copy of this publication.It is full of old pictures and stories about the Corporation Buses.
    If interested will try and scan more pictures. Anyone else got a copy?
    Attachment 108588
    £7.95 inc p&p


    http://www.leylandsociety.co.uk/fleetpublications.htm
    Weather forecast for tonight: Dark. Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning.
    George Carlin.

  7. #322
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    364
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    Quote Originally Posted by a.l.guzzler View Post
    Yes, I have a copy of this book.

  8. #323
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    26
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    Quote Originally Posted by BarryDrel View Post
    Thanks for the reply about Blowick.

    Small world. I was also a conductor at from 1968. for my sins I still work in the industry, but now at Rossendale Transport.

    I often meet Stephen Barber who was also a conductor. He still works for Ribble - sorry Stagecoach (North West) .

    Do you remember me (Barry Drelincourt) - Who are you?
    I too remember you Barry. You may remember me the name is: Kevin Mclaughlin. Worked as a Conductor, then went through Ribble's Driving School, taking up Driving duties around March 1969. Years served, January 1968 to September 1978.

  9. #324
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    26
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ken B View Post
    a few more,
    Harold Bray,
    Len Hall,
    Gordon Bedford,
    Nat Rawlings,
    Harry Walworth,
    Jack Rimmer,
    Ron Parry,
    Albert Smith,
    Ted Fewtrell,
    Stan Heywood,
    Bill Bland,
    Derek Sawyer,
    Cyril Hardy,
    the chief inspector of the time was called Ball, but i dont recall his first name,& i think both Duggie Scales & Wally Gee were involved with the Southport swimming club.
    I remember
    Bill Blundell
    Harry ( Harold ) Bray
    Gordon Bedford
    Memories from my days on Ribble ( Southport Depot ).

  10. #325
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    far far away (with the fairies)!!!!
    Posts
    42
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    Open Top Buses

    On Sunday took the grandkids on the open top bus provided by the heritage trust - just a query, out on the road (for the first time in a long while) was FFY 404 bus number 87 does anyone know how old this one is - it wasn't being used as a tour bus - they were the newer 1449 and 1551, just i think as an advertisement for the tours
    my glass is half full - or is it half empty I can't remember - too many glasses to be clear!!!

  11. #326
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    53.7° N 3.0° W
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    1,466
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    FFY404 is a 1947 Leyland PD2 and is owned by the North West Museum of Transport in St Helens. The other 2 buses are owned by the Merseyside Transport Trust based at Burscough.
    No one cares...

  12. #327
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    The sea of Honilee
    Posts
    11
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    This thread is the best on the whole site, great pictures and makes me feel sad that I am not Gary Sparrow so I could go back and see Southport pre war.
    Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt - Mark Twain

  13. #328
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    263
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    Peter clifford, far right, with george hodge and peggy from the canteen (60's i think)
     

  14. #329
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Posts
    6
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    Southport 87

    Quote Originally Posted by over the hill View Post
    On Sunday took the grandkids on the open top bus provided by the heritage trust - just a query, out on the road (for the first time in a long while) was FFY 404 bus number 87 does anyone know how old this one is - it wasn't being used as a tour bus - they were the newer 1449 and 1551, just i think as an advertisement for the tours
    87 is a 1947 Leyland PD2 one of the first 8ft wide buses purchased by Southport Corporation, it is owned and used regularly (subject to weather) by The North West Museum of Transport at Hall St. St. Helens where Southport 43 (a 1934 Leyland Titan TD3) is undergoing a complete restoration and also a Daimler Utility bus no. 62 which is awaiting restoration as well, the museum is open from 11-4 on Saturday and Sunday and 87 is used regularly subject to wether and crew availability as the staff are all volunteers. Southport 87 is not owned or operated by the owners of the open top bus you mentioned.

  15. #330
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    far far away (with the fairies)!!!!
    Posts
    42
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    Quote Originally Posted by kevmacker View Post
    I too remember you Barry. You may remember me the name is: Kevin Mclaughlin. Worked as a Conductor, then went through Ribble's Driving School, taking up Driving duties around March 1969. Years served, January 1968 to September 1978.
    My late dad was on the Ribble at Southport until he took ill summer 77 and subsequently passed away NY day 1978. A name I definitely remember is Gordon Bedford and I recently bumped into his daughter. There are probably many others I would know if my memory was jogged
    my glass is half full - or is it half empty I can't remember - too many glasses to be clear!!!

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