THE WEEKEND STARTED HERE...
On Saturday 11 October the 1685 Group celebrated 40 years in the bus preservation business. Around fifty members, former members, wives, partners and friends travelled on 1107 and 1685 to the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway at Toddington. There they boarded steam trains bathed in sunshine and, at the far end of the line, a vehicle rally was being held at Cheltenham Racecourse. Then it was back to Wythall where the 1685 Group's third bus - Midland Red LD8 4031 - could be seen, for the first time, repainted, lined out and lettered.
Joined by BaMMOT supporters for a joint members' evening, the primary task was to demolish one of Liz's legendary buffets before everybody took an atmospheric night ride on 1107 and 1685. Thanks to Liz and her team for their delicious contributions despite a house move and the big day to follow.
To celebrate this very special anniversary and thanks to home publishing, Dave Allen circulated his long-awaited generously illustrated book showing 1685 Group activities and its members over those 40 years. This was a wonderful trip down Memory Lane for 1685 Group personnel and some younger BaMMOT members were taken by surprise by the range of activities undertaken. The 1685 Group veterans agreed that the book was a wonderful record and, regarding the day's fun, it was difficult to think how it could have been improved.
Mentally fortified, we were ready on Sunday to tackle the last big event of the season, the Midland Red Day. Great efforts had been made to ensure as many BMMO buses as possible, Wythall residents and visiting, were on the apron in front of the Shire Hall with its proud Midland Red wheel-and-tyre emblems. As usual, the two visiting C1s delighted photographers. Another set piece was the BCT bus terminus, acting as Bearwood Bus Station, with BCT 1107 and 1685 hard at work again, dressed as Rosebery Street Daimlers and Leylands working the B82, jointly operated with Midland Red. Dominating the stand, however, was D7 4482 although unable to give rides. West Bromwich 248 was also at work, appropriately showing 220 destinations while stood at 'Bearwood'. The backdrop was the Power Hall with the LD8 looking stunning in the entrance.
Lots of different buses offered rides; the D10 was demonstrated, accumulating four journeys using timed tickets to prevent fistfights! There was also a splendid line-up of pre-war cars, mostly Austins built only a few miles away. Thanks to all the private owners and bus companies that supported the event - the car park shuttle took on a contrasting modern air with many journeys worked by Arriva Midlands and Midland Rider vehicles. Lots of e-mails have come in from visitors all over the country delighted by their day out.
The shop was lucky to be one of the first outlets of the new book "Working Days: Midland Red", which was an unexpected find for the visitors. The hefty stock was cleared shortly before closing time, much to Dave Potts' satisfaction. This was the busiest day of the year (ask the café staff!) although, perhaps surprisingly, not as busy as the equivalent day last year - the Birmingham Buses Birthday Bash. For the second time this year, the increasingly incompetent major local newspaper failed to print our advertisements, obviously seriously damaging the non-enthusiast numbers. Nevertheless, despite this and the appalling weather on major days earlier this year, the overall total of admissions is on course to equal and hopefully exceed our record year, 2005. That would be a splendid reward for all the hard work by volunteers throughout 2008.
Malcolm Keeley
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
