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Hobbies are interesting things, but rarely are they the same as making it a day to day occupation - so here we have precious little time for other hobbies, but we are involved in the bus preservation world - one of the several threads on which the original Wheels concept was based. We have decided to develop this thread where interested people can share their hobby together, but in an organised manner.
One of the originators of Wheels is Ashley and one of his main interests is the History of Midland Red - he is a bit of a Midland Red historian, and has in the past given several talks on the subject. The bus which sparked off the original Wheels idea was an original Midland Red designed and built vehicle, it is still in preservation, and is the S22 vehicle shown below. Many happy hours have been spent in the 1980's attending the autumn rallies held at Kidderminster station and also at Woburn Abbey, all with the obligatory sales stand in front of the bus. Ashley is also extremely keen on vehicles of Bristol manufacture. Over the years his interest has developed and at most times he has owned one or more of either make of bus. He is a member of The British Bus Preservation Group and has various associations with other groups and museums and has gained much valuable experience from these.
In 1998 Ashley formed a small interest group known as Preservabus. Formed for like-minded people, it has developed into a group assisting in looking after an increasing number of vehicles and has become the driving force behind a new and exciting heritage project. In 1999, Wheels hosted the Preservabus web pages on its web site telling its own story of bus preservation, now this story is developing. Founder member George Pittam has become Secretary of Preservabus. George is an enthusiastic member who has experience of other charitable organisations. Storage of our vehicles is an increasing cost and the very special vehicles need added care and attention and this is taking much of our resources.
We are collecting artifacts and items of historical interest from past Midland Red years - in fact anything from the era the Company was known as BMMO - (Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company) -so from 1904 until 1973 or thereabouts. We are gathering many types of items, from uniform and badges, paperwork items from coach and bus tickets to office paperwork, items from the Engineering section of the company and of the Traffic Department and all garage details, we are especially looking for Films showing any part of Midland Reds activities, it could be from a Midland Red Holiday film or photographs, it could be from films shot for a totally different reason which shows Midland Red buses and staff over the years. We also would like to hear from anyone who can help us with any information or details of The Midland Red Concert Orchestra, and The Midland Red Choir. Please contact us if can help or know anyone who may be able to help us.
We will eventually be able to show varied contents that will tell the story of public transport as well as painting a wider picture involving local businesses, social history, a useful educational facility, a research library, and use some of the items when we provide talks on the once empire-like Midland Red company.
Preservabus, our small window on the preservation of buses and coaches in the Midlands is widening its boundaries.
We are always looking for help in various areas to speed our restoration along. If you have a preserved vehicle or have some time to spare and can offer a skill to our small group, especially with ENGINEERING SKILLS please contact us for more information on how you can help us. We are also looking for an auto-electrician, and a vehicle painter.
From our own experiences we would like to offer a remember to anyone contemplating buying a bus or coach, keeping preserved buses and coaches is a big responsibility and commitment. Buying the vehicle is the easy bit. Keeping buses outdoors can only be seen as temporary as in just a few seasons any work that has been undertaken will be undone by the elements and in no time, a vehicle can be beyond economic repair. Always line-up secure storage before making the commitment. Help with storage facilities is available to members of The British Bus Preservation Group - see their web site or contact us on 07966 237888 10am-5pm and leave us details. Good Luck!
This page shows some of the vehicles Ashley has been involved with over the years and describes some of the problems encountered along the way. Most of these involved the difficulty of finding secure and reliable storage space with good facilities.
The first vehicle Ashley bought was a Bedford OB coach in the very early 1970's. Parking problems and lack of facilities meant that within 2 years the bus was swapped for a leather jacket! Since this time, Ashley has purchased and been the prime mover in the initial preservation of a number of very rare and interesting vehicles including BMMO vehicles CM6T 5656 and the last BMMO S16 5545, and later would see ownership of one of just a few operational D9's.
 Later the BMMO S22 5901 became available and was purchased
from the West Midlands Preservation
Society. This bus attended numerous rallies and was
regularly mot'd at UCOC. (United Counties Omnibus Company) at
Northampton. You'll also find it featured in
our history pages. The vehicle was subsequently cared for by the Midland Red Worcester
Group and was regularly seen at rallies.
Whilst it was owned by Ashley, it returned on occasions to its birthplace - Carlyle Works in Birmingham, for both routine work and major jobs like the renewal of all its BMMO rubber suspension units. |
 The rare Bristol VRL was a preservation
coup, but its open barn storage was a problem when arson
on an adjacent vehicle caused minimal damage to the VRL. It
was sold soon afterwards as no other safer storage was
available locally. This is a significantly important vehicle to be
saved for the future, and now the vehicle resides in its home area -
with the Ribble Enthusiasts Group. We eagerly await its return
to the open roads.Ashley's first association with the Bristol VRL was at the 1968 Earls Court Motor Show. It was there that the prototype was exhibited, then only 13yrs old it made a significant impact on him as did the Bristol REMH Scottish motorway express coach which was also exhibited. It is interesting to see how things developed as later he was lucky enough to own both types ! |
 Ashley and his "Coaching at Wheels"
project owned some 14 buses and coaches, mainly Bristol RE's. An
exception was the BMMO D9 (the last in 'real' psv use and
always causing a stir) won the best in-service PSV cup in
the Birmingham Outer Circle event for 1995. When a move was made to a
single deck garage only, the D9 was sold into preservation - Happily, 5415
was repainted in full Midland Red livery and was
regularly seen at many local events especailly those held at Aston Manor
Museum.
Wheels launched the D9 in 1:50 model form and one of the examples is based on this particular vehicle. We are now very pleased that after five years of negotiations, our D9 has once again re-joined us. Being re-trimmed it is now available for special private hire duties and weddings. |
 Leyland Leopard PSU4 1971 Willowbrook body
TKG518J ex Red and White service bus. It was later
converted and used as a tow-bus, withdrawn by Stagecoach,
sold to West Kent Coach Sales To Preservabus 6/00. It was never used and
passed to 60/60 coaches in Merthyr Tydfil - so it returned to its home
terrritory.
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SPECIAL D9 DAY in Leicester - 22nd November 2009
It's hard to believe but it is 30 years since the familiar
D9 double decker ended everyday life with Midland Red. Join in the
Celebrations with us.
It was
in 1979 that the last regular Midland Red bus service ran using the familiar D9
double decker buses. They were then retired.
The D9 last operated in Leicester. So on Sunday 22nd November we are running a trip to Leicester from Coventry, Bedworth, Nuneaton and Hinckley, and then on to Leicester via Wigston depot if required.
The trip is taking passengers but is also available for Staff, Retired Staff and
their friends and family.
Anyone from Leamington or Nuneaton Garages, or those who previously worked at
Hinckley Garage - please get in touch. And for staff from Wigston Garage who want to
join in the celebrations, we can also pick up there.
There will be free time in Leicester to do as you please (Christmas shopping
etc), as well as being able to travel to the Leicester Space Centre where up to FOUR
D9's will meet up for a unique photoshoot. There may also be opportunities
to ride on other vehicles too. A parade on the streets should also see D9s
in the City.
Return from Leicester will be at 1600hrs (4pm) again calling at Wigston, Hinckley, Nuneaton, Bedworth,and Coventry as necessary.
Contact Ashley on 077 3388 4914 for further details and to reserve your
seats.
Email: buses@wheels.co.uk
Our Big Red Double Decker - the Midland Red BMMO D9 was 40 years old in 2006. We carefully planned a birthday trip to celebrate this momentous occasions - after all, these vehicles were only built to provide a bus service for around 10 - 15 years at most. Our bus has lasted almost twice as long in "preservation" as it did in actual Midland Red service, and that's a real reason for a party!
The journey started in Coventry at 1330hrs on Sunday April 9th .
The journey had photo-breaks at locations en route where a few surprises were in store.
A special D9 Birthday Cake was cut to celebrate the occasion by an ex wartime clippie
An visit inclusive of a guided tour of the Midland Bus Museum guided by Ashley and Bus Museum's Malcolm Keeley was a great success followed by a tasty afternoon tea prepared by Liz Potts.
Ironically 40 passengers to celebrate 40 year! Passengers from as far afield as London, Shrewsbury, Nottingham, Sheffield, Hertford, Wolverhampton, Swadlincote, and other parts of the Midland Red territory.
Midland Red D9, 5415 was be used for the trip
What is the story behind the growth of the local bus company whose buses and coaches in their familiar colours that were so well known throughout "Shakespeare Country"? That livery of deep blue and off white was shared with another associated company - that of Midland General in Derbyshire.
On April 1st 1927 two local residents, Messrs. Grail and Joyne inaugurated a service with one 14-seater Chevrolet Bus between Stratford-upon-Avon and. the village of Shottery. Within three years this small undertaking had increased its fleet to nine 20-seater Thornycroft vehicles, and had extended its operation to include services to Tiddington, Alveston, Bidford-on-Avon, Evesham, Snitterfield, Learnington and Shipston-on-Stour. It had office accommodation in Wood Street Stratford-upon-Avon, and its buses were housed in the Cattle Market. The possibilities of providing a connecting service between Leamington, Stratford, Evesham and Cheltenham were visualised at this time, and late in 1930 a service between Evesham and Cheltenham was purchased from another operator - a Mr. Martin of Cheltenham.
Around this time many routes/operators were controlled by Messrs. Balfour, Beatty and Company Ltd, and in May 1931 that Company acquired Messrs. Grail and Joyner's interest in Stratford-upon-Avon Blue Motors Ltd. The business then included a Petrol Filling Station at Bridgetown, and the acquisition arrangements also included a number of adjacent residential properties where the tenants used to pop into the enquiry office at the depot to pay their rents each week.
The Stratford Company continued to grow. In February 1932 it acquired the assets and eight buses of the Reliance Bus Company of Bidfordon-Avon, who operated services between Stratford, Welford, Bidford and Evesham. And other routes between Evesham, Fladbury, Pershore, Cropthorne and Tewkesbury by arrangement were transferred to the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company Ltd who paid £1000 for the goodwill for these routes. In January 1933 a site in Warwick Road on which the headquarters of the Stratford Blue Company once stood was purchased, Garage and Office buildings being erected and occupied early in 1934.
In 1932, control of Stratford-upon-Avon Blue Motors Ltd passed from Messrs. Balfour, Beatty and Company Ltd to the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company Ltd. On 28th June 1935, BMMO bought all of the issued share capital of Stratford Blue Motor Services for just over £15,000. It was then decided that the Stratford Company should continue to operate as a totally separate undertaking.
Further progress continued to be made. On the last day of 1936 Stratford Blue acquired the Kineton Green Bus Company, including the small garage premises in the old Warwickshire town which lies about ten miles away from Stratford to the south-east.
Services operated by the Kineton Company between Kineton and Stratford, Leamington, Banbury etc., were taken over and operated from the beginning of 1937 by Stratford Blue. The Stratford Company's next acquisition was the business of Bennett's Bus Service of Ilmington in February 1953, which included two small services between Ilmington and Stratford, and Ilmington and Shipston-on-Stour. In the following year new garage premises and offices were built at Brookhampton Road, Kineton. This garage and offices closely resembled depots being built by Midland Red at the time.
On April 1st 1962 the Stratford Blue Company made its most recent acquisition when it purchased the coach business of the Warwickshire County Garage Ltd of Stratford-upon-Avon and one of that firm's coaches.
Such, briefly, is the history of the Stratford Blue Company. Let us now take a look at the Company as it was in its closing days; and it will perhaps be appropriate first to say something of the Company's omnibuses and coaches since they are the most obvious items of the "stock-in-trade" of every operator of public service vehicles. During the period from 1931 until 1948, the Stratford Blue fleet consisted mainly of Tilling Stevens vehicles. After 1948 these were replaced with new single-deck and double-dock omnibuses of Leyland manufacture. Considering its ownership by Midland Red it is perhaps surprising that SOS/BMMO vehicles were not operated. Although there was one SOS SON dating from 1937 which was used by Stratford Blue - but not before it had been converted into a tree-cutter - that vehicle lasted until 1964. Latterly a couple of D9's were used for short periods.
Stage carriage services are operated on 415 miles of route in Warwickshire and parts of north Worcestershire Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. In addition, a comprehensive programme of day and half-day tours was provided to local places of local interest and especially the Cotswolds. Most of the fleet was regularly based at the Company's headquarters in Warwick Road, Stratford, but almost a dozen were stabled at the Kineton garage, where only running repairs are effected, all major maintenance work being done at Stratford.
In its heyday, Stratford
Blue employed over one hundred and twenty staff, many clocking up
more than twenty-five years' service. They were the days !
On January 1st 1969 Stratford Blue became part of National Bus Company, as a result of the same happening to Midland Red. Exactly two years later to the day, Stratford Blue was totally absorbed into Midland Red, and when in 1981 Midland Red was split up and Midland Red South company was formed, that company inherited the property staff and vehicles of what was once Stratford Blue. However, what appears to be a slimming down exercise (or should we call it asset stripping) took place and the prime site Warwick Road depot was sold along with the Kineton depot. Stratford's buses were now run from a discarded council depot.
The British Road Transport Stamp Group organised an interesting souvenir cover to mark the passing of Stratford Blue. Bus tickets were stuck onto the covers and the letters did a return bus route before being posted. This of course marks another interesting service which many of the old bus companies offered - that of the posting of letters and parcels services. In fact, Stratford's Red Lion Bus Station was once not only a busy bus station, but a busy interchange point for parcels.
The Stratford Blue fleet had operated in what was virtually an international showplace. During the theatre season visitors from all parts of the world converge on the town in their thousands. In such circumstances, courtesy and consideration on the part of drivers and conductors, well maintained vehicles and efficiency of services were of great importance. Stratford Blue Motors Limited endeavored to provide for both the multitude of visitors and the growing resident population of the town, who were glad to have an undertaking like "The Blue" to cater for their transport needs.
Sadly those once familiar Warwickshire registration plate letters "AC" "NX" and "UE" are no longer seen on the equally once familiar blue and off-white liveried Leyland buses of Stratford Blue.
More recently, Midland Red (now Stagecoach) pulled out of Stratford operations altogether. Some services went to tourist operator "Guide Friday" and in the more recent past- a revival of the Stratford Blue name was made by ex Midland Red Manager, Alan Newland who operated using the name as a trading name of the operator Newmark Coaches which itself was formed out of Anthonys Coaches. If anyone has any photographs or cine film of Stratford Blue or Midland Red or other films with scenes of Stratford Blue or Midland Red subjects, please contact us.
By email: ashley@wheels.co.uk
Ashley Wakelin.
Be sure to visit the excellent Dick Gilbert's Classic Buses Website.
If you are serious about bus and coach preservation, please join us and you may also like to read the magazine BUS & COACH PRESERVATION. Until recently it was edited by our friend Nick Larkin, but has now joined the Ian Allan empire. We hope it will continue to be an up to date quality monthly publication. At WHEELS some back copies are also available.
MIDLAND RED COACHES (Postal Office)
23, Broad Street, Brinklow,
Warwickshire. CV23 0LS
Contact us by email if you have specific requirements - much of the proceeds go to the heritage project and the upkeep of our rare vehicles. Your support is very welcome.
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