BOUYANT BANK HOLIDAY
It is always difficult to decide how much prominence should be given to the Sunday of a Bank Holiday when the following day will offer a much bigger show. Previously little has occurred on the Sunday of the August holiday weekend but this year we advertised in the leaflet and the enthusiast press that the little trains and an hourly bus service would operate. Local press advertising, which was expanded to include some local papers to the south of Wythall, concentrated on Monday’s show. Buses were pulled out on the Saturday to make way for Monday’s sales stands so, on Sunday, there was a very good opportunity to view and photograph the bus collection. The day ticked over nicely but may benefit in future from a minimal reference in the local press ads.
August Bank Holiday Monday is always a very busy day but the routine for coping with the demand is now well established, including shuttle buses to a car park kindly provided by Britannic Assurance. This does not lessen the credit due to all the volunteers who, as usual, worked splendidly as a team - this year to the extent that I cannot recall a single adverse comment from a visitor. Any problems that arose were quickly demolished. Despite prominent, sponsored, advertising in the enthusiast press, visiting vehicle numbers were disappointing, not least because they bring in visitors as well as additional interest. We evidently have a problem here which needs researching but may be due to a reputation for a cramped site. Sales stands, however, were plentiful and most had a good or very good day. This is important because at least two of the most significant rallies elsewhere are more about enthusiasts who have a general interest in buses and wish to stock up, rather than have a specific interest in old vehicles. In addition to old vehicle enthusiasts, it is easy to forget there are at least two other markets to look after, the general enthusiast and the general public. Their presence in considerable numbers is reflected in the number of admission only tickets sold.
The theme this year was Town & City Buses. This was prompted by the approaching centenary of Birmingham Corporation’s transport department. A splendid line of BCT buses was again arranged along the drive; some were there for the first time in new coats of paint and all looked fabulous. Meanwhile WMPTE buses occupied the space in the main yard. Some were restored but the remainder, not least Keith Billingsley’s newly acquired Foden double-decker, offer promise of equally fabulous line-ups in the years to come. Thanks to all the visiting vehicles for their part in the celebration, especially those included among no less than fifteen buses offering rides through the day (BCT 1107, 2707, 2976, 3102, 3225, WMPTE 4613, 4738, Walsall 116, Midland Red 5399, 5545, 126, Trent 1256 and three Bristols - Crosville L5G, Red & White MW and Eastern Counties RE).
This fantastic variety must help next year’s attendance, which will be called The Big Operating Day, instead of styling itself a rally. Visitor numbers for the Monday event were well up on 2002 but still falls short of the record day in 2001 when foot and mouth disease had shut down other attractions. If, however, you combine Sunday and Monday figures together, 2003 gets a lot closer to 2001.
Final and special thanks to the souls who put all the buses away at the end of a long day and had the additional need to move vehicles to allow the building contractors access.
Malcolm Keeley
It is rare to need to question the writings of such an experienced wordsmith as Malcolm Keeley, but one must ask whether these “old vehicle enthusiasts” are senior citizens that like vehicles of any vintage, or persons of unspecified age that like elderly vehicles? Ed.
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