OUR BEST DAY EVER!
Our Midland Red centenary event on 10 October was by far our most successful day ever. How astonishing that a company that ran into difficulties forty years ago and disappeared over twenty years ago continues to command such a loyal following. Undoubtedly the splendid eight-page preview in Bus & Coach Preservation magazine excited interest and increased expectations.
In fact we weren't able to do quite all the things we wanted to do due to sheer pressure on space as owners of other Midland Reds joined in the celebration. The main yard outside the Shire Hall was transformed into a Midland Red country garage with rows of buses, all in BMMO livery, on three sides and the hall itself, with its BMMO wheel and tyre motifs aloft, providing a reasonably authentic garage backdrop. Anything non-BMMO was banned from the yard, meaning nearly all the buses normally outside were parked within the Shire Hall, refilling it entirely. Much of the Scania Hall was cleared for a large number of sales stands, which proved tremendously popular. Midland Red buses and coaches in National Bus and later liveries had their own groupings on the main drive. One of our sponsors, Arriva, also brought several buses and both Arriva and Stagecoach commemorative liveried buses were there. Ashley Wakelin brought Wheels' Bristol LH bodied as a veteran charabanc; this was once owned by Midland Red North - Ashley's company has acquired the right to use the Midland Red Coaches name.
The exceptional visitor numbers, needless to say, caused us to creak at the seams in most departments but the team kept the site and the queues moving! To think that we wondered whether the numbers would warrant borrowing the large Britannic car park. In fact at 11.30 (half an hour after the official opening!) we had to ask Britannic to let us use a second car park. Into this very buoyant park & ride demand, Fred and Dick's fabulously restored Birmingham Tiger was introduced, looking good working alongside BCT 1107 and 2976, helping out on this Midland Red day! Also on the park & ride was Keith Billingsley's Black Prince ex-London Volvo with front and rear doors, recalling the layout of the second D10, along with the Red & White Bristol MW and WMPTE Fleetline 4613.
Midland Red was centre stage, of course, and we especially thank Alex Potts, Peter Lea and the Worcester Bus Preservation Group whose vehicles supplemented the museum collection in providing rides; all in all visitors could ride on D9, S15, S16, S17, S23 buses and a Leopard coach, plus the Trent PD2 pretending to be a Midland Red! The weather (this was the Sunday formerly occupied by the perennially sunny Kidderminster rally) was on good form too.
We are closing the centenary year with another event on 31 July 2005 when we will have the opportunity to do the things we didn't achieve in October. It has been pointed out that all of us who worked on the day were too busy to enjoy and soak up what had been created. The Trustees earnestly thank all those involved, both on the day and before and after it, not to forget the many years of preparation on the vehicles themselves.
10 October has somewhat eclipsed earlier events, but they were successful days too.
The August Bank Holiday weekend has always been very important, its success or otherwise strongly influencing whether the entire year has been good. The congestion on holiday Mondays has led this year to attempts to persuade people to come on the Sunday, with advertising reminding potential visitors of the pleasures of visiting and riding on a quieter day. This had some success, Sunday being much higher than last year and reducing numbers marginally on the Monday - not that areas such as the cafe, still under enormous pressure, would have noticed. Both days taken together showed an increase on 2003, happily continuing the general trend.
The Monday theme this year was the Big Operating Day, meaning we could run anything and visitors would hopefully find something to their taste. The intention was to try to fill the loss of events elsewhere that had the reputation of 'good riding days' - Halifax and Warminster springing to mind. Altogether we offered eighteen buses. The Britannic car park shuttle was handled almost entirely by WMPTE vehicles, four Fleetlines and Ailsa 4738, all attracting much favourable comment for their quality of turnout - important because the newer the vehicle, the less forgiving people are about imperfections. The exception was London RT 191, one of no less than five RT buses on site on the Monday - jokingly referred to as Wythall's response to the 50th anniversary of Routemasters! The other dozen buses were Midland Red S15, S16 and D9, BCT Guy, Daimler COG5 and CVG6, Trent PD2, Crosville L5G, Red & White MW, Eastern Counties RE, South Yorkshire Atlantean and another RT (227). Incidentally both RT191 and RT227 were roofbox examples and ran together to the Maypole on the Sunday, a fine sight. Thanks to the owners of these plus, of course, all the other private owner operating and visiting buses.
The following Sunday saw the route tour to Banbury Cross, operating through essentially single-deck country. Patronage required a big fella so the S16 was called upon again to do the honours. We headed off via Meriden; we traditionally stop here because it appears to have the last open public toilet in England. Then it was off to Rugby where lunch was taken, 5545 resting outside the garage, which only operated single-deckers until 1966. Refreshed, we loped off to Banbury, setting down at the famous Cross for afternoon tea. The countryside had been pleasant but unexceptional but the scenery changed immediately we left Banbury en route to Stratford-upon-Avon. We were actually covering what was, until 1971, Stratford Blue territory (who in turn acquired the services from Kineton Green) as we travelled through the Cotswold style villages. Organising these route tours has emphasised to me what a fabulously beautiful operating area Stratford Blue had - we must get one on the road!
Special thanks to Phil Ireland, who was at the helm of the S16. Any thought that the route tours might have outlived their novelty was quashed as the passengers alighted at the end with cries of satisfaction and requests to book up for next year!
The value of having the right blinds was again demonstrated; we were able to make good use of the Rugby 'upper' blind kindly donated by Geoff Hodkinson and reported in the last edition. The photo stops were as follows:- Meriden (548), Brandon (586), Rugby (R74), Dunchurch (R77), Banbury (509), Edgehill (35), Radway (511).
Malcolm Keeley
The following are extracts from letters and e-mails we have received about 10 October:-
What a terrific day! That was such a tremendous line-up of vehicles ...Such events do not happen by accident and require a very great deal of hard work by a large number of people, not only in presenting the vehicles so professionally but in every other way also; from car parks to cups of tea and shuttle buses to ticket selling. I would like to thank everyone for all their efforts that combined to make it a unique day, to be remembered for a long time. I am so pleased that we brought 5905 up from Devon for the day - if I had travelled up by car I would have regretted greatly not bringing the bus! Thank you too for the warm and friendly welcome we received from everyone and you even managed to organise the October weather successfully!
Bob Rowley, Devon
May I thank you for a most enjoyable Sunday, it was brilliant, a joy to attend with my bus 343. All who travelled with me expressed their satisfaction and delight. I would also like to convey my sincere thanks to all involved on what was a day to be remembered.
Tony Reekie, Shropshire
Just a quick note to thank and congratulate everybody on yesterday's show, which we hope the effort was justified by the turnout. My companion is in a wheelchair after a recent serious accident and we were treated with helpfulness and courtesy by the staff on the gate. It made such a difference and we both really enjoyed the day. Looking forward to another visit next year.
David Verity, Sheffield
... We both spent a lovely educational day and would like to say 'thank you' for making this possible. Brought back many happy memories for both of us. My life was centred around the Midland Red and Birmingham Transport buses when I lived in Birmingham. My friend and I (both district midwives) were the first passengers to travel on the 3am coach from Digbeth to Victoria when the M1 was first opened! Once again you must be congratulated on the perfect day we both enjoyed yesterday - and especially the ride to Earlswood. Keep up the good work - we look forward to our next visit.
Mrs J Morris, Shropshire, aged 78 years
You must be congratulated on the centenary event last weekend. Brilliant! My first visit to Wythall for thirteen years, and what a difference ... so many friends, human and mechanical to see, really good, a tonic. Apologies to anyone I didn't speak to, but there were so many. It was good to see you all. I mustn't leave it so long until my next visit.
Robin Woodcock, Weymouth
Congratulations on an excellent execution for the Midland Red Centenary Day. It is always a challenge arranging any display of vehicles - but what your team achieved could not be faulted. And the 'ride and experience' opportunity using some valuable vehicles must rate as one of the Museum's biggest successes ... I shall certainly return sooner, rather than later.
Steven Knight, Peterborough
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
