SPECTACULAR BLUE AND CREAM END TO 2007 EVENTS SEASON
The Birmingham Buses Birthday Bash on 14 October was the Museum's last major operating day this year. Enormous effort went into the event and was rewarded by an exceptionally high attendance, only beaten by the two Midland Red centenary events held in 2004 and 2005.
At the heart of the event was the 70th birthday of Birmingham 1107, looking very sprightly and handsomely decorated by John James' children. The day also marked 30 years since the Birmingham 'Standards' last ran and 10 years since the Fleetlines followed. Altogether 21 different buses offered rides, including those on the car park shuttle. These comprised one Daimler COG5, one Crossley, two Guys, one Daimler CVG6, one BMMO D9, one BMMO S15, two S23s, one Lodekka, one Ailsa, one Bristol VRT, no less than eight Fleetlines and our latest acquisition, West Midlands Travel Ford Transit 553.
As may be presumed from the above, other owners' buses joined us - it was especially nice to see Colin Hawketts' Daimler CVA6, 1486, join PD2 1685 on our new BCT bus terminus. The BCT buses, including of course 1107, ran for much of the afternoon in pairs to give photographers some good combinations.
Normally by 4.00pm visitors are on their way home but not on 14 October. At that time, Keith Billingsley's Ailsa, 4738, was whistling one good load around while the 2489 Group's BCT Crossley, accompanied by the Black Country Museum Transport Group's BMMO D9, 5342, was engaging many more passengers. 2976 was able to satisfy the demand for the 4.00pm to Brum. Shop, café and sales stands continued to be busy all day.
Our visitors did not know how much activity we would provide so why the sudden surge in demand? Good question, because we'd like to repeat the success! The weather was not too sunny, overcast but warm - a good recipe for us. We'd received coverage in local papers (but we've enjoyed that throughout this season). There was a classic car show next door at Resolution and we distracted some of those visitors. But the sheer numbers surprised but did not overwhelm us. Perhaps word had got around about last year's hugely enjoyable Wumpty Twenty event that was effectively the prototype for this year. Hopefully few went away disappointed. We certainly weren't. Thanks to all our staff and the owners of visiting buses who did so much to meet the unexpected demand.
Malcolm Keeley
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
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