Last Updated 22 April 2008
This website is proud to be the custodian of the British Bus Preservation Group homepage. On this page, the BBPG explains who they are, what they do, how you can help, and how to join. On Page 2 you can find the latest news about some of their activities, excerpts from their magazine BRITISH BUS NEWS, and a few of the many vehicles currently available for sale or in need of rescue.
This group plays a vital part in saving buses from oblivion, and we are pleased to be able to help publicise their valuable work and promote their organisation.
..and we hope you like our new colour scheme - it's supposed to remind you of London's country buses.
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The "last" RLH
The last (numerically) RLH (RLH76 - MXX 76) has been broken up and sold for its mechanical parts. The chassis complete with its engine, gearbox and axles etc. have been bought by a gentlemen in Cheshire. It is not known what he intends to do with the spares, the bus was too far gone to ever have the chance of a rebuild but at least the BBPG saved some parts of the bus for further preservation perhaps.
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BBPG Website turns up a rarity
The well-known Ian Allan Publishing Ltd. magazine "Preserved Bus" ran the following story in their July 2000 issue;
"If anyone doubted the benefit of the Internet, then the British Bus Preservation Group's website should certainly win over the doubters. An owner in the USA, who did not know what to do with his prized vehicle, surfed the web and found the BBPG site, resulting in the planned repatriation to the UK, by BBPG member Roger Burdett, of a 1933 Bristol GO5G, originally registered VG 5541.
New to Norwich City Transport, the GO5G was taken into the Eastern Counties fleet and rebodied in 1950 by ECW as an open topper for use on the Felixstowe seafront service. Exported to the USA in 1962, enthusiasts believed that this vehicle had gone for scrap. Not so - it has been in use regularly, but has seemingly eluded being photographed by visiting UK enthusiasts.
Roger Burdett said "I believe this to be a very rare find. It still has its original six bay frame and is a runner, although it is in need of some restoration around the rear end and a good dose of TLC. I believe that when it returns around the end of August this year, it will be the only working Bristol G in bus form in the UK. The current owner has been very easy to deal with, and is pleased that it is not going to end up as a burger bar in the USA, but will have a secure future back home in the UK."
Acknowledgements to "Preserved Bus" for this item.
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NOT DEAD !
The BBPG is still alive and well, contrary to stories which have been published elsewhere on the internet. Another bus preservation group with a remarkably similar name had been started some years ago, and it is this latter group which has now been wound up. We cannot prove that this other group chose its name for any malicious reasons and we must accept that it was merely coincidence, but we are happy to reassure all visitors to this site that the British Bus Preservation Group is still active, and we hope to see many members demonstrating this activity at our AGM in March, details of which are shown below.
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Fancy restoring a Gilford ?
The BBPG has in its care this classic Gilford AS6 coach dating from 1931, and we really need someone to take the project in hand. It was first registered to Rivers of Ipswich, has an Eaton body and a Buda engine, and is registered DX 9547. It once appeared in an episode of Dad's Army!
At the Brighton Rally in 1967. Photo: Mike Edmunds
She had been in preservation, when she looked beautiful, but has since fallen on hard times, having been stored outside before finding a haven in the BBPG's undercover storage near Northampton. The weather had ravaged her body, which is in a sorry state, and it requires major surgery and refurbishment.
At Stanford Hall (Northants) Rally 10/09/67. Photo: Mike Edmunds.
However she has not gone beyond repair, is a beautiful little coach, and would richly reward anyone prepared to sponsor her renovation, or offer to undertake the restoration work.
If you would like to get involved, then please contact John Willis or Glyn Matthews, whose contact details you will find at the foot of this page.
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AIMS OF THE B.B.P.G.
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THE STORY SO FAR
Since being formed in September 1990, the BBPG has been responsible for securing the future of more than 250 historic buses and coaches, many of which were saved at extremely short notice from being broken up. This track record has only been achieved through the dedication of our members, who now number more than 600 individuals and preservation groups. Vicars and police officers, bus drivers and bus company owners are among our members, who include many of Britain's best known bus-preservationists.
We originate from a small group set up to save ex-Pontypridd / Taff Ely No.7, AEC Regent V (UTG 312G). No.7's restoration was financed under a share scheme, a method which proved highly successful in steam locomotive preservation, and one we've used to save other buses. A lot of people wanted to get involved with No.7 but were not in a position to buy a share, and we were pleased to form a 'supporters organisation', enabling as many people as possible to enjoy this fine vehicle.
Many people expressed increasing concern over the rising tide of legislation affecting the preserved vehicle movement. Something had to be done to monitor this and take action.
We met enthusiasts struggling to maintain buses in gardens or lorry parks, often with little or no help or support. So many 'preserved' buses were being lost because of a single problem - storage. Many reports were received of buses in danger and we wanted to do more than merely mourn their demise. Many enthusiasts dearly wished to become involved with saving vehicles but felt their aims were frustrated by lack of time, storage facilities and restoration skills.
All this led to one conclusion; a national bus preservation group catering for enthusiasts, whether or not they owned buses, pledged and able to take swift action when needed, but also to thoroughly enjoy being involved with old PSVs. The result is the BBPG !
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SAVED FROM DESTRUCTION.........
This AEC Reliance with Plaxton body was delivered new to Timpson's in April 1967. NMX 586E is one of only a couple of vehicles remaining from this once vast fleet. Fortunately it is now safe in the hands of the great Alexander Timpson's grandson, Malcolm.
Many significant vehicles like this can disappear unless a co-ordinated effort is made to rescue and find homes for them. In order to keep our present bus and coach heritage from vanishing in front of our eyes, help the BBPG by joining today !
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OUR MAJOR APPEALS AND PROJECTS
BBPG RESCUE FUND
The BBPG puts as much of the subscription money as possible into this fund, which is also topped up with fundraising and donations. The cash is used to buy and put cash deposits on vehicles and in some cases for their removal to safe storage. The account number is 81184849 at the Midland Bank, 171 London Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 2RD, Sort Code 40-46-15.
BBPG STORAGE APPEAL
Storage is the biggest problem facing bus preservationists, and many important vehicles have been lost through vandalism and deterioration, simply because there has been nowhere to keep them. Now we're taking action. We're compiling a national list of available spaces, which is available free of charge.
We already have the use of a barn near Hull, Humberside, where rescued buses are stored, and negotiations to acquire other buildings are well underway. Some schemes are being run in conjunction with other groups and open to all historic vehicles. The eventual aim is a national network of sites.
BBPG BUILDING APPEAL
With the above in mind, we have set up a building fund. The aim is to build or buy premises which would be a permanent home for preserved vehicles in our care. The building could be anywhere in the country, and is also primarily intended for extremely historic buses and coaches which are long-term restoration projects. There are still unique pre-war and early post-war vehicles in jeopardy, and the building would at least secure their future until restorers are found.
BBPG SPARES APPEAL
This system aims to link available spares with those who need them.
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VEHICLES SAVED
One of the most astonishing discoveries since forming the group has been how many vehicles of 25 years old or more are still around, well out of the public eye, and often in danger. We are not at present in a position to build up a large fleet of BBPG-owned vehicles, but we do act as a 'clearing house' for buses and coaches, often putting wheels in motion to save them at extremely short notice, then doing our best to pass them on to good homes - and keeping in touch over their future.
Just a few of the vehicles saved by the BBPG include;
and many, many others.
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A BBPG SUCCESS STORY
This glorious Daimler CCG5DD was the subject of a British Bus Preservation Group rescue from a Scottish scrapyard in 1990, and it has now been fully restored by the Burton Daimler Group.
Built in 1964 it has a Massey 61-seat body and was No.87 in the fleet of Burton Corporation.
TFA 987 was winner of the "Chairman's Choice" prize of best overall vehicle at the show at the BBPG Annual Rally in June 1998.
This picture shows the bus at the show, and the "1st" award certificate is proudly displayed under the windscreen wiper !
Its fine restoration is a credit to the excellent work of the Burton Daimler Group, and is an example of the successful outcomes that can result from BBPG efforts.
We are proud of success stories like this. Help us in our work and join the British Bus Preservation Group !
For details of how to become a member, see the information below, and do come along to our annual rallies to see more of the vehicles that have been saved by the Group.
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THE FUTURE, FINANCE AND MEMBERSHIP
We've already made great strides, but we have a lot of aims to achieve. We can only fulfil these by providing the best possible service to our members. They are kept informed by BRITISH BUS NEWS (see details on Page 2), our bi-monthly magazine, which is crammed with news of finds, rescues and other activities produced to an extremely high standard. In emergency situations, we can put out an immediate news release to our members.
Currently, around 90% of subscription monies go straight into our vehicle rescue and preservation activities, for example to put a deposit on buses in scrapyards to give them a stay of execution. We only go for historic vehicles in immediate danger, unless particularly rare. We never compete with other preservationists to buy a particular vehicle.
It is the absolute crux of our policy that the group remains an informal, pomposity-free, but effective organisation, which LISTENS to its members, who are warmly invited to submit ideas and criticisms at any time (and often do !).
THERE IS A LOT HAPPENING AT THE MOMENT, AND EXCITING TIMES ARE AHEAD. THE BBPG WAS FORMED TO ENABLE ANYONE, WHATEVER THEIR SKILLS, FINANCES OR AVAILABLE SPARE TIME, TO PLAY A MAJOR PART IN BUS PRESERVATION.
PLEASE JOIN US !
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HOW TO JOIN THE BBPG
Membership is £13 per year. Overseas members £18 sterling per year. The high cost of bank charges means that we are only able to accept payment in pounds sterling.
Write to; Harry Glover, 51 Market Close, Shirebrook, Mansfield, Notts, NG20 8AE.
or click here to go to a printable form (compatible with MS Internet Explorer or Netscape).
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CONTACTING THE BBPG
We receive hundreds of info and pleas for help from around the world and are more than happy to help where we can. But please remember that we are a non profit making organisation and that all of our officers are unwaged, therefore we do expect people to consider at least becoming members. You can email us at this address
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NAMES AND CONTACTS
Chairman (and General info); Glyn Matthews , 25 Oldfield Road, Bexleyheath, Kent DA7 4DX
General Secretary; Mike Lloyd, 42a Moss Lane, Platt Bridge, Wigan WN2 3TL (01942-865331 before 9pm ONLY).
Membership Secretary; Harry Glover, 51 Market Close, Shirebrook, Mansfield, Notts, NG20 8AE.
Spares Co-ordinator; Mike Edmunds, 81 New Street, Clifton, Brighouse, West Yorkshire HD6 4HN. (01484-400436)
Storage Co-ordinator; Nick Larkin, 7 Woodbyth Road, Peterborough, Cambs. PE1 3PE (01733-347776)
Vehicle Co-ordinator; Dr.John Willis, "Llanerch", 2 Pwll y Waen, Ty'n y Groes, Conwy LL32 8TQ (01492-650835)
Treasurer; Colin Temple, 7 Spencer Close, Uttoxeter, Staffs. ST14 8YA (01889-567183)
Newsletter Editor; Nigel Furness
Go to BBPG Page 2
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Webmaster; Dick Gilbert
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