A Trip To The Holiday Island
It was in 1958 that a 13 year old fbb first had a holiday on the Isle of Wight. Later the fbb family moved there and ultimately retired from there to Seaton in 2013. Most years since they have continued to visit.
Postcards of the Island's "Wonders" were common, usually with six groan-worthy claims! Some cards inflated to seven and the above was typical of eight!
But fbb's biggest excitement was to see open top buses for the first time. Sadly, he was not allowed off-site to try them out until he became one of the leadership team.
Southern Vectis made much of route 42 from Yarmouth to Alum Bay ..
For far more sea views, the best ride was from Sandown Zoo on route 47 ...
.... through Sandown and Shanklin ...
... then over the hill to Ventnor.
The ride concluded at the Botanic Gardens.
It is many a long year since the 47 (or renumbered clones) ran, although a modified 42 still does the Alum Bay run.
Ventnor was always fbb's favourite Island town. Its narrow streets tumbled down steep hills to pier and esplanade. Sadly, due to inherent geological instability, many Ventnor properties really did tumble down those hills!
And they still do!
But it was an on-line article about one building in the town centre that has remained stable.
The article refers to the possible demolition of Ventnor bus station!
This is Ventnor bus station ...
... or it was!
Buses pulled in off the eastern end of Albert Street ...
... and performed a tricky reverse to extricate themselves from the head-in stands.
The bus station is no more.
Here is Open Street Map.
The demolition possibility concerns Ventnor Coach Station opposite the western end of Albert Street.
The premises were the depot for Nash's coaches ...
... with the older picture below showing the edifice with the blue bay windows from the more recent picture.
Southern Vectis absorbed the Nash business and rebuilt the property to provide a Ventnor garage, an enquiry office (remember them?) and a departure point for tours and long distance coach services.
It has been disused and closed up for years.
It would appear that the property's new owners have successfully applied for Planning Permission to board up the frontage. ..
... while decisions on future plans are made.
So another on-line news "maybe" is on offer here.
There is now only one part of Southern Vectis historic infrastructure that is recognisably much the same. The depot ...
... and palatial offices at Nelson Road, Newport are still in use.
Just!
A Trip To The Theatre
Readers may remember the mindless vandalism of a model railway exhibition on the eve of its opening.
Trade stands ...
... and precious layouts ...
... were cruelly destroyed.
This was seven years ago.
Currently a play is being presented telling the whole story.
The show is at Nottingham Playhouse until 25th July.
Might be worth a trip?
Antipodean Anschluss?
Perhaps not the most appropriate alliteration in view of History?
But here is a new bus recently ordered by Diamond.
It presages the news that an Australian bus builder is invading the UK.
Here are some of its products which you may see at a bus stop near you very soon (?).
fbb does not think that Andy has ordered any. His successor might!
The single deck is the basis for the Diamond order.
fbb doesn't think Diamond will be having the huge luggage cage and the offside (?) door.
Puzzle Picture
Name the operator.
It was one of four, so for a bonus, name the other three!
Next Variety blog : Monday 13th July
That's Todmorden JOC. [Joint Omnibus Committee].
ReplyDeleteIn which case it was one of four Yorkshire companies in which the railways had a share - the others being Halifax, Huddersfield & Sheffield.
Have you been re-reading Geoff Kerr's book?
The Diamond Bus *does* have the huge luggage rack, as it is one of 3 used on duties at Heathrow Airport. They have 28 seats rather than the normal 41. The open door is the emergency exit, in the usual place on low floor single decks.
ReplyDelete