We can start with Percy Jessop's pub, the Kingsdown Arms at Frinsted and the base for his bus services.
The pub was repaired after the 1931 fire ...
... which probably explains why the two leftmost windows are to a different design.
But, as can be seen from a different angle ...
... the pub is no more, replaced by "highly desirable" flats with the addition of a new porch. The small white van is parked where Percy's OB sat, waiting for its next turn of duty.
With the help of the Maidstone Museum, author Clive includes a fascinating shot of a horse-drawn vehicle outside "The Cock Inn" at Detling.
The "Bus" is going to Maidstone. In 2020 a bus still goes to Maidstone ...
... the Detling Shopper which runs five days a week.
Also available are peak hour Monday to Friday journeys on Arriva's "big bus" 334.
It might even be a double decker!
... which has had many a rebuild over the years.
Bus services were a popular business diversification for pub landlords throughout the UK and author Chesseman introduces us to the Sun Inn at Bredgar.
The Sun still shines at Bredgar ...
The slope of the roof and the two windows under the eaves give the clues, but other buildings have joined the demolition skip of history.
Uncle Clive's book continues after the demise of Jessops in 1973 by explaing that Maidstone and District extended its services to cover both Frinsted and nearby Wormshill.
The 43 (later 343) is pictured opposite the Frinsted pub with semi-detached houses behind.
They, and the trees, are still there even if the pub has ceased to serve beers, wines and spirits to thirsty Frinstedians.
The 343 was replaced by a Postbus and Royal Mail issued a postcard with the most recent DAF wheelchair accessible vehicle in Percy Jessop's bus parking spot!
A 92 (later 347) is at the terminus (a reverse turn) at nearby Wormshill.
The Junction still beckons, but for ever bus-less ...
... with modern signs replacing the old finger post.
The farm gate hasn't changed, but badly needs a lick of paint! A few yards in front of M & D 82 is (more correctly was) Wormshill Post Office.
Google Streetview suggests that the fine clapper-board building suffered some neglect after closure of the Post Office ...
... but, just alongside is the essential telephone box ...
... probably closed or about to be closed. Opposite the ex-PO is a superb historic posting box.
But fbb's quick dash round a small chunk of the Garden of England does show that, armed with the Cheeseman book, a good map, stout walking boots or a bike, there is till plenty of evidence of past omnibological delights to be found.
If our readers are confused by the above post, the answer is simple. BUY THE BOOK!
In a repeat of yesterday's exhortation, a reminder that sellers are already eager to take your money on-line and a company that specialises in the Omnibus Society publications can be found (here).
Martijn Gilbert, STILL Excited
You have to wonder whether there is just too much excitement in management circles at GoAhead North East.
Mask-erade Mayhem
IF this twitterer is right, and IF the statistics are right ...
However, there is a missing 29% unaccounted for.
The key phrase derives from the full sentence, "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."; it was popularized in the United States by Mark Twain and others, who mistakenly attributed it to the British prime minister Benjamin Disraeli.
Next Weekend Variety blog : Saturday 22nd August
If FBB is (virtually) exploring this part of Kent he might like to check out the Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway (www.bwlr.co.uk). Although I hope the size of this "trainset" doesn't make FBB too envious when he compares it to his own Peterville Quarry Railway!! ;)
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