Last
updated 8 November 2011
Wearing
a livery intended to recall Bournemouth's distinctive yellow buses, this is the
Internet home of the British Bus Preservation Group. The group plays a vital
part in saving buses from oblivion. On this page, we explain who the BBPG is,
what we do, how you can help, and
how to join
.
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** HELP!
BUS COLLECTION IN DISTRESS **
And since this
webpage wears a Bournemouth
livery, it's appropriate that the Group has received an appeal from the
Bournemouth Passenger Transport Association, as follows;
"You may well
have heard of the problems that have fallen on the BPTA of Bournemouth. I had
hoped that by now we would have found homes for some of the Buses that we have
stored on a farm in Dorset. They are open to the weather and are now beginning
to suffer badly. I have tried to organise an auction by sealed bid but this
has proved more difficult than I ever imagined, so the buses are still in
the barn."
"One of our
biggest problems is that we are only a small group of four, two retired, and two
not very fit, while time and money are in very short supply."
"We have managed to repatriate Trolleybus 301 from
Leyland to Bournemouth recently. This vehicle is in excellent condition and must
be the first to find a new home under cover, and where hopefully it can be
seen by the public. Trolleybus 297 of the same batch will also have
to find another home, but it may go to Sandtoft. This vehicle we had
restored some 3 years ago."
"301 LJ is, in
theory, the easy one - the others are far harder - but we are open to
suggestions that may pave the way for some to be restored, perhaps by a new
group, who we would be happy to pass custody to."
"Among the
vehicles in our yard are 6167 RU (Titan PD3), KLJ 346 (BUT trolleybus), DKY
711/712 (Karrier trolleybuses), KEL 127 and 110 (Titan PD2s), and Notts and
Derby 353 (BUT trolleybus). These vehicles need alternative accommodation
as the Bus Company needs more room."
"If any of your Members feel that they can help us,
please put them in touch with me. We thank you for any help you or your members
are able to offer. Martin A Judge."
So, can
you help in any way? Please e-mail
here
with any ideas that
might be useful. Thanks.
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OUR GILFORD HAS BEEN SAVED AT LAST !
The BBPG has
for a long time had in its care this classic Gilford AS6 coach dating from 1931.
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.
She had been in preservation, when she looked beautiful, but had since
fallen on hard times, having been subject to flooding, then stored outside
before finding a haven in the BBPG's undercover storage near Northampton.
The weather had ravaged her body, which was in a dreadful state, and required
major surgery and refurbishment.
Recently, ongoing difficulties about ownership of the bus have been
resolved and the BBPG transferred it to a well-known and extremely competent
restorer who has a fine track record in bus preservation. Work has progressed
at an amazing rate and BBPG Committee Members and others recently visited
the bus to find that the body framing has already been thoroughly renewed,
following the original rather unusual (for a vehicle body) construction methods,
and that mechanical restoration too is well under way. We are proud to have
played our part in the survival of this splendid, historic vehicle and look
forward to seeing it return to the rally scene in the years to come.
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THE STORY SO FAR
Since being formed in September 1990,
the BBPG and its members have 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 - individuals and preservation groups, vicars and
police officers, bus drivers and bus company owners - 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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This delightful little
Austin K8 from 1950, with a 12-seater Kenex body, is just one of the many buses
of all shapes and sizes once rescued by the British Bus Preservation Group. Now
beautifully restored and occasionally seen at rallies, this privately-owned
vehicle lives in Northamptonshire and would have been scrapped many years ago if
the BBPG had not intervened and saved it. Find out more about the BBPG and its
efforts below. (Photo taken at Rushden in 2006, and reproduced by kind permision
of Richard Haughey.)
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AIMS OF THE B.B.P.G.
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OUR MAJOR APPEALS AND PROJECTS
BBPG RESCUE FUND
The BBPG puts as much as possible into
this fund. The cash is used to buy and put cash deposits on vehicles and in some
cases for their removal to safe storage.
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.
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 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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BRITISH BUS NEWS
The BBPG produces its own magazine, British Bus News, four times
a year. It contains details of the group's activities, bus preservation news,
information about vehicles in need of rescue, advertisements (FREE to members)
for vehicles and spares available for sale, details about the members and
their buses, a letters section and much more.
This magazine is sent free to all paid-up members and is an
essential document for all those interested in the saving and preservation
of the British bus and coach heritage. Incidentally there is a full set of
all back issues available for sale if anyone is interested. Contact the BBPG
for details.
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BBPG "SPARES DATING" SERVICE
The BBPG runs a "spares dating" service to match buyers and
sellers of spare parts. This is becoming hugely popular and is proving to
be a very useful facility for those trying to track down parts for their
vehicles. It's almost worth joining the BBPG just for this service ! So join
up now and make use of it.
To
learn more - join the BBPG !
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BBPG "TRADE PLATES" SERVICE
One of the assets of being a BBPG member is the
ability to use the group's trade plates to move or road-test a vehicle. They are
available for a modest fee, plus a refundable deposit to ensure their safe
return within the specified time limit. Their use is strictly controlled and we
will gladly send you the necessary paperwork on receipt of a stamped
addressed envelope. Ensure that you plan several weeks in advance to guarantee
their availability.
To learn more - join the BBPG!
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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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BBPG WEBSITE TURNS UP A RARITY
The 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."
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SAVED, AFTER 50 YEARS
A 1946 ex-Northampton Crossley, rescued
by the BBPG from a scrapyard in 1996. Despite having had a tree fall on
it, VV 9148 was mechanically pretty sound ! The bus was reduced to spare parts
to keep other historic Crossley vehicles running for the future.
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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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BUSES THAT SLIPPED THROUGH THE NET
Just two of the thousands of vehicles that will never be seen
again.
Languishing in a Bolton scrapyard in 1972 are Manchester No.3494
(TNA 494), an all-Leyland PD2/40 of 1958, and Ex London Transport RTL 837
(KYY 807), later serving with Barton. Both perished and passed into history.
Join the BBPG and save our bus heritage from slipping away.
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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, our regular magazine, which is crammed
with news of finds, rescues and other activities. In emergency situations, we
can put out an immediate news release to our members.
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 !).
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.
Click here to go to a printable
form
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CONTACTING THE BBPG
We receive hundreds of info requests 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 all
of our officers are unpaid volunteers, therefore we do expect people to consider
at least becoming members. See our contact details below.
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NAMES AND CONTACTS
Chairman; Geoff Percy, geoffpercy@blueyonder.co.uk, 25
The Rise, Hillingdon, Middlesex, UB10 0JL (01895-239602)
General Secretary; Mike Lloyd,
secretary@bbpg.co.uk, 42a Moss Lane,
Platt Bridge, Wigan WN2 3TL (01942-865331 before 9pm ONLY).
Membership Secretary; Steve Mortimore,
members@bbpg.co.uk, 14 Hartwell Drive,
Kempston, Bedford MK42 8UY (01234-855659).
Spares Co-ordinator; Mike Edmunds,
spares@bbpg.co.uk, Kenmar, Old Main
Road, Scamblesbury, Louth, Lincolnshire LN11 9XG. (01507-303602)
Storage Co-ordinator; Nick Larkin,
storage@bbpg.co.uk, 7 Woodbyth Road,
Peterborough, Cambs. PE1 3PE (01733-347776)
Vehicle Co-ordinator; Dr.John Willis,
vehicles@bbpg.co.uk, "Llanerch", 2 Pwll y
Waen, Ty'n y Groes, Conwy LL32 8TQ (01492-650835)
Treasurer; Geoff Percy, geoffpercy@blueyonder.co.uk, 25
The Rise, Hillingdon, Middlesex UB10 0JL (01895-239602)
Newsletter Editor; *** SITUATION VACANT - please
contact any of the above officers to apply.***
(send Newsletter contributions, articles
or advertisements
by
email here.)
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Classic Buses Homepage
Webmaster; Dick Gilbert
