FAMILY FUNDAY
This year's Family Day was held on Sunday 27 July and was themed on the 1970s and 80s - more 70s as it turned out!
Dave Taylor excelled at organising appropriate period items, from cars to Rubik cubes. The mess room building looks every inch a dodgy car sales office and this was dressed up - or is it down? - with Bodgett & Leggitt signwriting. A good spread of appropriate cars was provided by members and visitors.
Dave obtained some exceptionally silly wigs worn enthusiastically by many volunteers who all looked like Stavros, the brother of detective Kojak. Needless to say, with enough on your head to keep Davy Crockett warm in winter the weather went raving mad and tried to fry us all. Some volunteers managed to locate period attire too. Yvonne became a pink-haired punk and was asked by a visitor if she had properly researched the period - no need, she'd lived through it!
Buses that ran in the decades provided the rides, the oldest being BCT Guy 2976, but Fleetlines naturally comprised much of the menu. 6311, still workshy, refused to start for the first journey. We then had a classic '70s scenario, repeated in many UK cities and faithfully reproduced at Wythall, as passengers were led off the rear-engine vehicle and a 1950s open-platform preselector took over.
Rather like training horses, 6311 was quickly made to work.
Did 6311 accurately have its rear seat cushion propped against its engine cover? No, the seat didn't get a chance. Various frustrated persons like Alex Potts were determined not to allow it to get away with not working so the bonnet was up throughout until it finally fired and stayed lit!
The day was huge fun, only marred by the Evening Mail failing to publish our advertisements so fewer visitors were able to enjoy the great efforts made by all
Malcolm Keeley
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
