Tuesday 29th December
2015 ended with a fresh look for our A.C.E Swift 1 - JOW 499E after it received a fresh coat of paint. The repaint was carried out by Reynolds Commercial Body Repairs in Totton. It's first outing was at the Copythorne Victorian Christmas on Saturday 12th December.
Thursday 10th December
As the curtains close on 2015 we've had a most eventful year here at the Southampton & District Transport Heritage Trust. We've attended a lot of events and had a lot of people ride our buses. All that's left to do now is to wish everyone a very happy Christmas & New Year, and we look forward to what 2016 has in store for us.
Wednesday 21st October
On Saturday 17th October, 1 - JOW 499E made the trip across the Solent to The Isle of Wight Bus Museum Beer & Buses Weekend. No. 1 was used in service over the weekend between Newport and Ryde and also to Bembridge. 133 - TTR 167H travelled over to the Island to join No. 1 on Sunday 18th October.
The Original Indoor Transport Fair is taking place on Sunday 15th November at Cosham Community Centre, Wootton Street, Cosham, Portsmouth PO6 3AP. Open 10.00-15.30, admission £1.50. Stalls, free bus rides and light refreshments. Close to Cosham Railway Station and convenient for A3/M27.
Monday 5th October
Music in The City took place in Southampton on Saturday 3rd October. 1 - JOW 499E, 71 - LOW 217, 335 - 335 AOW were all used in service and we were joined for the events by Hants & Dorset 1577 - LLJ 443F. Whilst 133 - TTR 167H, 274 - KOW 274Y & 402 - KOW 410F were on static display in Guildhall Square.
The annual Fareham & District Model Railway Group exhibition 'Railex 2015' took place on Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th October. Our Friends at the City Of Portsmouth Preserved Transport Depot (CPPTD) provided the transport on the Saturday with their open topper 4 - LRV 996. On Sunday, we used 133 - TTR 167H for the service from the event at Fareham Leisure Centre to Fareham Railway Station.
Thursday 24th September
Music in The City is taking place in Southampton on Saturday 3rd October. We will be providing FREE heritage shuttle buses for the event, where you can hop on and hop off at any stop. Buses start at 1pm from Guildhall Square and this year there is two routes:
• Route A - every 30 minutes: Guildhall Square, Marlands, Holy Rood (for Lancaster Vault), South Western House (for Grand Cafe), SS Shieldhall (Dock Gate 4), Platform Tavern (opposite side), Wool House (Dancing Man), Tudor House (for King John's Palace & Undercroft), Marlands, Guildhall Square.
• Route B - every 30 minutes: Guildhall Square, Marlands, Weigh House & Wool House (Dancing Man) - French Street, Platform Tavern (same side), Mettricks, Holy Rood (for Lancaster Vault), Marlands, Guildhall Square.
The last bus leaves SS Shieldhall at 7pm.
On Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th October the annual Fareham & District Model Railway Group exhibition 'Railex 2015' will take place at Fareham Leisure Centre, Park Lane, Fareham PO16 7JU.
On Saturday 3rd our friends at the City Of Portsmouth Preserved Transport Depot (CPPTD) will be proving the bus and they will be using ex Portsmouth 236 - BBK 236B*, then on the Sunday we will be using 133 - TTR 167H*. The free shuttle bus runs from Fareham Leisure Centre to Fareham Railway Station. The bus will run every 30 minutes during the event.
*Buses planned to be used, may change at late notice.
Monday 14th September
On Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September, we took part in the Heritage Open Days, 1 - JOW 499E & 335 - 335 AOW took part in the events in Southampton. A number of heritage venues were open over the weekend including; Tudor House & Gardens, Southampton Old Bowling Green, Southampton Old Cemetery, SS - Shieldhall and The Southampton Tram Group & Dunkirk Little Ships workshop. A successful weekend was had by all, we hope to repeat this event in the future.
Wednesday 12th August
We will be taking part in Heritage Open Days over the weekend of Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September. A number of heritage attractions will be open and there is plenty of things to do including:
On Saturday 12th;
• A FREE heritage bus service will run as part of the event between Tudor House, Old Bowling Green, City Centre (Castle Way), SeaCity Museum and the Southampton Old Cemetery. Timetable below.
• A guided tour by bus will operate from Tudor House at: 10:30, 12:00, 2:00 & 3:30
(FREE tickets are needed as space is limited to 40 people per tour.
Tickets can be obtained from the reception desk at Tudor House.)
• Free entry to Tudor House & Gardens
(Saturday 13th September ONLY)
• Visit the World's Oldest Bowling Green
(Heritage Day - Bowling from the 13th Century)
• Free Guided Tours of the Southampton Old Cemetery start at: 11:30 & 13:30
(Located adjoining the Southampton Common)
On Sunday 13th;
• A FREE heritage bus service will run as part of the between SS Shieldhall (Dock Gate 4), Old Bowling Green & Tudor House. Timetable below.
• Have a look around SS - Shieldhall
(Open 10:00 till 15:00)
• The Southampton Tram Group & Dunkirk Little Ships workshop will be open
(Which is located near to SS Shieldhall in Dock Gate 4)
• Visit the World's Oldest Bowling Green
(Where a game will be taking place)
Tuesday 12th August
On Sunday 2nd August, we made the trip down to the Provincial Society rally at Stokes Bay, Gosport. 133 - TTR 167H & 289 - E289 HRV both attended the rally and 289 was used in service at the event.
Monday 20th July
The Alton Bus Rally took place on Sunday 19th July at Anstey Park, Alton. Several ex Southampton buses made the trip up to Alton for the event. 289 - E289 HRV was also used in service at the event.
Friday 26th June
Local artist, Natalie Murphy has drawn a beautiful drawing of 71 - LOW 217. Natalie was at the Southdown 100 event on Southsea Common to hand over the drawing to Trust chairman David Hutchings.
We will be providing a Free bus service on Sunday 5th July, from Alton Railway Station on the Mid-Hants Railway to Jane Austen’s House in Chawton. So why not take a trip on the Mid-Hants Railway and then join us on 71 - LOW 217 to Jane Austen’s House.
Our friends at the Medstead Depot Omnibus Group, now have their own Website. Do have a look at their website and find out about how the depot was started and their plans for the future plus events they run.
Tuesday 23rd June
The Copythorne Steam & Vintage Rally took place on Sunday 14th June, 1 – JOW 499E was used on the Free Vintage bus Park and Ride service to and from the event along with Western National 1224 - 274 KTA . The Southampton's Bedford Place Vintage Family Festival returned on Sunday 21st June in the City. 133 - TTR 167H was on display at the event.
Monday 8th June
On Sunday 7th June, there was a special one off event on Southsea Common to celebrate 100 years of Southdown Motor Services. A number of ex Southampton buses made the trip down to Southsea to celebrate the occasion. 1 - JOW 499E was used in service at the event.
The Copythorne Steam & Vintage Rally takes place on Sunday 14th June at the Scout Headquarters and Fields in Copythorne. Use the Free Vintage bus Park & Ride from Copythorne Parish Hall to and from the event, which is open from 11am till 5pm. There will also be a Free vintage bus tour of the New Forest.
Tuesday 19th May
Over the weekend of Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th May, we took 71 - LOW 217 & 289 - E289 HRV to The Bill Targett Memorial Steam Rally in Eastleigh.
Tuesday 5th May
Over the Bank Holiday weekend of Sunday 3rd & Monday 4th we attended two events. On Sunday 3rd May, 1 - JOW 499E attended Bursledon Brickworks transport event. On Monday 4th May, No 1 was out again and this time in Winchester for the Friends of King Alfred Buses 'Winchester Buses Running Days'. No. 1 was used in service to Twyford and Winchester Science Centre.
In other news, 289 - E289 HRV passed it's M.O.T on Monday 27th at I M Services in Romsey.
From time to time we receive donations. Below is a selection of the items which have been donated to us. If you have anything you think we would like, or you think will help preserve Southampton's heritage please do get in Contact with us.
Wednesday 25th February
The Annual Solent Model Railway Group and Eurotrack exhibition took place over the weekend of Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd February, we provided a free shuttle bus from Fleming Park, Eastleigh to Eastleigh Railway Station and Southampton Parkway Station (Airport). 1 – JOW 499E was used over the weekend.
Monday 2nd February
The Annual Solent Model Railway Group and Eurotrack exhibition is taking place on Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd February at Fleming Park, Eastleigh. We will be running a free shuttle bus from Fleming Park, Eastleigh to Eastleigh Railway Station and Southampton Parkway Station (Airport) every 30 minutes from 9:30am till 4:30pm.
One local event happing soon is:
Sunday 8th March, The Original Indoor Transport Fair. Community Centre, Wootton Street , Cosham, Portsmouth PO6 3AP. Open 10.00-16.00, admission £1.50. Stalls, free bus rides and light refreshments. Display by local area Model Bus Federation members. Close to Cosham Railway Station and convenient for A3/M27.
Friday 2nd January
On Thursday 1
st January (New Year's Day), we took a number of the fleet out for a members and friends trip out on the town. 1 - JOW 499E, 133 - TTR 167H, 271 - FTR 271X, 274 - KOW 274Y, 402 - KOW 410F & RM2037 - ALM 37B and a good time was had by all on the trip out.
