LETTERS TO 'OMNIBUS'
Impressed With The View
I have been an infrequent but very interested visitor to Wythall during the construction of the Power Hall. On 26 April I took the opportunity to call in for a brief look at the (almost) finished job.
I have driven through the main gate in the past, more times over more years than I care to remember, including the early times when we didn't have a main gate or a good access road! However, I can say in all conscience that the initial view of the redeveloped site was an emotional one, causing me to reflect on very many years of hard and devoted work by all members concerned since we opened at Wythall, but in particular the unstinting efforts by everyone concerned in this transformation.
No words of congratulation are adequate for what has been achieved in this redevelopment, the confidence placed in the Museum Trustees, Management and participating members by the Heritage Lottery Fund has been well justified.
Alan King, Little Inkberrow
Good News, Bad News
Recent editions of ‘Omnibus’ and the website gallery have made the long winter months speed by with the prospect of visiting the refurbished site and the new Power Hall in 2007. Congratulations to all who have contributed so much to this major project, which was only just starting when I last visited for the tour of Shropshire back in September.
However, for every good news story there always seems to be a report of something bad happening. And 'Omnibus' no.178 was no different. The news of the arson at The Nottingham Heritage Transport Centre (Ruddington) is quite shocking. I visited the site for the Bus Rally on 13 August last year. Unfortunately the day was overcast, damp and on the coldish side. But the collection of Nottinghamshire operators (and some from Derbyshire) was impressive. Unlike major days at Wythall very few vehicles from the collection were running, but most appeared immaculately maintained and as always in such events the local volunteers and enthusiasts were very welcoming and encouraging. So what a shock to read that seven of the vehicles were destroyed. Looking through the pictures I took on the day, I have a line up of four Nottingham City Transport vehicles beside the main garage; the two in the middle - 370 the AEC Renown and 523 the Atlantean - were destroyed. Another photo shows South Notts Fleetline 117 which the report I read states was the source of the original fire. As the 'Omnibus' article said ... sympathies to everyone who has spent so much time and love on these vehicles.
Noel Baker, Worcester
Another Midland Red
Regarding BMMO S23s in a different shade of red [Letters, ‘Omnibus no.178] I recall that prior to NBC imposing poppy red, there was an earlier directive on livery shades. Subsidiaries could have a choice of two shades of red, both of which were darker than the traditional Midland Red, of which the company chose the lighter of the two darker shades, if you follow me! WMPTE inherited buses in standard Midland Red, the darker shade and poppy red.
Meanwhile, Brian Dicks wondered if any of the coach cruise booklets had survived. The archives seem to indicate that no-one ever threw them away! We have lots of them, usually retaining the passenger list of the particular tour.
Malcolm Keeley, Solihull
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
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