Trip to Hanley / Stafford 19-09-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
63099	Bentilee, adj The Hillberry	Hanley BS	26	First Potteries
32630	Hanley BS	Stafford Town Centre, Chell Road (Stand B1)	10	First Potteries
60072	Stafford Town Centre, Chell Road (Stand B1)	Hanley BS	10	First Potteries
65564	Hanley BS	Bentilee, adj Twigg Street	2	First Potteries

Today Matthew was nearing the end of an 8 night stay in respite. We had arranged for his day service to take him our for the morning. Matthew got up around 08:30 and had toast for breakfast. The folks from his day service came to pick him up and they walked down the road to the stop outside the Hillberry where all three Bentilee bus services stop at. The first bus to turn up was a #26. As it got closer we saw that it was required First Potteries 63099.

First Potteries 63099 in Bentilee

we got on the bus and brought a First Potteries network day ticket at £5.50. We sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off along the A5272 towards Bucknall. At Bucknall we joined the A52 and we crossed Leek Road and up limekiln Bank. On the edge of Hanley we joined the clockwise ring road and went around to Lichfield Street and we stopped at the stop outside the bus station. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Potteries 63099.

Inside First Potteries 63099

Once off the bus we walked up Stafford Street to go to the bank. On the way we saw First Potteries 41512 on a Hanley bound #8A service.

First Potteries 41512 in Hanley

Further up the road we saw First Potteries 65706 on a #3 to Keele.

First Potteries 65706 in Hanley

Just before the toilets we saw Scraggs Blue Buses 36 on a #5 to Abbey Hulton.

Scraggs Blue Buses 36 in Hanley

We walked up to Tontine Square and used the cash machine and then we headed back down Stafford Street. When we got the bus station the bus to Stafford was in the bus station. It was required First Potteries 32630.

First Potteries 32630 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the network day ticket to the driver before going upstairs. As the top deck was empty Matthew got a picture inside First Potteries 32630.

Inside First Potteries 32630

The bus set off out of the bus station and down towards Shelton. We joined Shelton New Road and headed up towards Newcastle. We went over the crossroads and at the roundabout we went straight across onto George Street. We headed down the hill and onto Barracks Road before entering Newcastle bus station. After a short wait at the bus station we carried on Southwards down the A34 past the hospital and through Trent Vale. We crossed under the A500 into Hanford and we continued South into Trentham and past Trentham Gardens. We carried on through the roadworks and through Tittensor before carrying on towards Stone. We left the A34 at Newcastle Road and ran into Stone town centre. After a quick stop at Granville square we went around the town on the one way system before crossing the A34 and into Walton. We went through the industrial estate before re-joining the A34 for the run down to Stafford. We went into town along Stone Road and Foregate Street before turning right into Chell Road where we got up and got off the bus. We walked through the car park and visited the toilets near to Broad Street. We walked through the Guildhall Shopping Centre and onto Market Square. We turned left onto Gaolgate Street and we walked up to the Butlers Bell pub were we had dinner. For dinner Matthew had burger and chips washed down with a glass of Coke. For afters Matthew had warm chocolate fudge cake with custard. After he had finished eating Matthew went to the toilet before they set off back to the bus stop to catch the bus. We walked up to the roundabout before turning left onto Chell Road. There were a few minutes before the bus back to Hanley was due, so we took a few bus pictures whilst we waited. we saw required Arriva Midlands 2375 on a #828 to Brereton.

Arriva Midlands 2375 in Stafford

This was followed by dud Arriva Midlands 2367 on a #1 to Baswich.

Arriva Midlands 2367 in Stafford

Matthew travelled on this bus from Oswestry to Whittingham on the #70 with mum and uncle Dave back in September 2009! We then saw dud Arriva Midlands 2292.

Arriva Midlands 2292 in Stafford

We had this bus from Cannock to Hednesford back in April 2014. We then saw required Arriva Midlands 2294 on a #11A Stafford town circular.

Arriva Midlands 2294 in Stafford

Shortly behind the Dart was required Arriva Midlands 4203 on a #75 to Cannock.

Arriva Midlands 4203 in Stafford

Eventually the bus back to Hanley made an appearance. It was unusually an older Scania, the very dud former Newcastle based First Potteries Scania 60072.

First Potteries 60072 in Stafford

We had this bus on quite a few occasion on the #22 service! We got on the bus and we flashed the network day ticket to the driver before sitting down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off around town via the railway station and the bus station on Gaol Square. The bus set off Northwards up the A34 right the way up to the Roundabout South of Stone where we turned to go through the industrial estate at Walton. We turned right onto the B5026 and we crossed the A34 and onto the A520. We followed the bus around the one way system and we stopped at the main Northbound bus stop on Crown Street. The bus continued North up Newcastle Road and we re-joined the A34 by the Filleybrook BP service station. The bus went North up the A34 past Tittensor and Trentham. After travlling through hanford we crossed under the A500 into Trent vale and then past the hospital into Newcastle. After a brief stop in Newcastle bus station we joined Barracks Road and headed out of town along the one way system and George Street. We left Newcastle and joined Shelton New Road for the run into Hanley. We went passed on of the day centre's matthew attends and we went up Snow Hill into Hanley. The final run into Hanley was Broad Street, Marsh Street, Pall Mall and Bagnall Street before entering the bus station. Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet. In the bus station we saw First Potteries 65027 on the #18 to Leek. We went outside to the Bentilee stops and we saw dud First Potteries 65026 on the #26 to Meir.

First Potteries 65026 in Hanley

They turned down doing this bus as First Potteries Scania 65564 was on the #2 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 65564 in Hanley

We got on the bus and they flashed the network day tickets to the driver for the final time today before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Bethesda Street before we joined the anti-clockwise ring road. We went down Limekiln Bank and across Leek Road onto the A52. In Bucknall we turned right onto the A5272 and we ran up to Bentilee. The bus turned left onto Twigg Street and we got up and got off the bus. We walked back to the respite centre and Matthew said goodbye to the staff from the day centre. Matthew chilled out in his room until teatime when Matthew had sausages and chips followed by cake and custard. In the evening Matthew watched telly with the other service users and used his computer. He had a bath and then settle down to bed around 23:00... Mark

Trip to Oswestry 01-10-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2369	Oswestry BS	College Road, Oswestry	70	Arriva Midlands
2370	College Road, Oswestry	Oswestry BS	70	Arriva Midlands
510	Oswestry BS	Llynclys	71	Tanat Valley
510	Llynclys	Oswestry BS	71	Tanat Valley

Today we decided to re-visit Oswestry. Since our last visit there has been a major timetable change in he area with the #445 and D71 being re-designated #71 & #72. Planning consisted of download the new timetable as well as the #449 for good measure just in case we got a chance to do this service. We set off after 12:00 and we had the head north up the A500 to Longport to get LPG. Afterwards we went straight down the A500 to the A519. Then it was the A5182 A53, A51, A525, A495. we arrived in Oswestry just after 14:00. First thing first we decided to get something to eat! Last time we came mum saw a cafe that was just about to close for the day called Jeanies. This time we decided to give this place a go rather than spending a lot of money in a pub on the way. matthew had a breakfast bap and a portion chips, mum had a sausage egg and mushroom bap and uncle Dave and I had the turkey bap as it was a red hot day. Along with 3 cans this came to around £11.50. This was much cheaper than a pub and just as enjoyable. Whilst we were eating we saw Tanat Valley 251 departing on the 14:22 towards Llynclys. The next departure along this route would be 15:17 so we had some time to kill. With the #70 service to Shrewsbury being every 30 minutes, we decided to do this service on a short out and back in order to fill time before 15:17. The 14:42 Shrewsbury appeared and it was required 2369. We got on this bus and booked to College Road. On the way we passed the Arriva bus garage. We saw a double decker and also preserved dart L116 YVK. we alighted on College Road and Matthew got a picture of our transport.


Arriva Midland 2369 in College Road, Oswestry (Matt)

We crossed the road and we nloy had around 5 minutes to wait for the return service. It was dud (for Matthew) 2370.


Arriva Midland 2370 in College Road, Oswestry (Matt)

I required this bus as Matthew had previously been on this one with his mum. We returned back passed the garage and Matthew got a shot of the parked up double decker. By the time we got into town, the bus had emptied out.We had the bus to ourselves as we entered the bus station again in Oswestery. Matthew got his customary empty bus shot here.


Inside 2370 (Matt)

When we got off there were busy scenes at the bus station. As well as 2370, Tanat Valley 259 which I think was doing #449's had come into the station on lay over. Also, Arriva Midlands 2348 was in a on a #2A Wrexham service.


Tanat Valley 259 and Arriva Midlands 2348 in Oswestry bus station (Matt)

On the other side of the bus station. Tanat Valley 510 was waiting time to work the 15:17 #71 service.


Tanat Valley 510 in Oswestry bus station (Matt)

After a very short while, 510 moved onto stand to work the #71. We booked to Llynclys and we went upstairs. Matthew then got a shot of the inside of the bus.


Inside 510 (Matt)

We eventually left the bus station, picking passenger along the way as we left town. We appsed another Tanat bus with #79 on the front at the edge of town. A few minutes later we were in Llynclys and we alighted from the bus. Matthew had time to take a picture before it departed.


510 at the White lion, Llynclys (Matt)

We had a bit of time to kill before the return journey so we decided to walk down to Llynclys station to have a look at the preserved railway. We heard a horn in the distance but we couldn't see anything working. We had a quick look around and Matthew had a Bakewell tart and I had a cCornetto from buffet car 1850. We then walked back to the road and waited for the bus. The bus turned up and it was 510 again.


510 returns (Matt)

When we looked at the timetable, I was hoping 251 would run light from Welshpool to pick up this service, But if I had studied it hard it can be seen that the 14:22 runs to Welshpool and lays over except on a shoolday. Otherwise it returns from Welshpool at 15:41. Also the 15:17 departure from Oswestry stops at Four Cross 9 minutes before the return bus departs! anyway we laerned something about the afternoon bus turns in the area. when we arrived back Matthew photographed the downstairs.


Downstairs in 510 (Matt)

When we got back we decided to call it a day. Matthew had time to get a couple more picture on the way back to the car including Tanat Valley 217 in the bus station


Tanat Valley 217 in Oswestry bus station (Matt)

On the way back we made a slight accidental diversion into Whitchurch. We saw Dennis Dart SN05 HDC on the #205 Chemistry circular, a service that we caught back in 2009. We got back home around 17:50... Mark

Trip to Oswestry 20-08-2011

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
R794 WOY	Blurton	Oswestry	Charter	Lightning Travel
510	Oswestry BS	Llynclys	445	Tanat Valley
509	Llynclys	Oswestry BS	445	Tanat Valley
2737	Oswestry BS	Chirk	2A	Arriva Midlands
2740	Chirk	Oswestry BS	2	Arriva Midlands
R794 WOY	Oswestry	Blurton	Charter	Lightning Travel

Today we decided not to follow he crowds to Chester for the official farewell of 30069/30077 as we have already been on these and there was also a busy race meeting in town to contend with. So we gave Matthew a few choices of places he could go today and he chose Oswestry. Reseach consisted of printing an Arriva Oswestry route map out, and also the Tanat Valley timetables for D71 445 and 449. We set off on R794 WOY at around 12:00 picking some sausage rolls up from Hanford Wrights Pies on the way. The route was via the A53, A51 and then A525 and A495. In Ellesmere we passed a Challinor coach and also Tanat Valley 258 on the #449 service. We stopped for dinner on the way this time in a pub called 'Ye olde boote' in Whittington. We had baguettes and chips which from £5 to £6 depending on the filling. we all ate for just over £22 pound. The food was nice and plentiful, but it wasn't the type of food we would normally order when out with Matthew and we had to change things around to find a meal he would eat. After the meal we continues on to Oswestry and we parked up around 14:30. We saw Tanat Valley 214 depart on the d71 service, and we also saw Arriva Midlands 2295 on a #402 town circular service.


2295 on a #402 Oswestry town circular (Matt)

Remembering how thing work I realised that we only had a few minutes before the #445 service was due to depart. We saw the required double decker 510 about to go onto stand so we raced up to the stop. I don't think Matthew was quite on plan, but he eventually got on the bus and we sat upstairs. Last time we did this service it was a lynx! Matthew got a picture of the inside the top deck of the bus as we rode out to Llynclys


Inside Tanat Valley 510, top deck (Matt)

Last time we had done this and the D71 buses, both left Oswestry packed. Today the #445 was lightly loaded with a double decker.


Tanat Valley 510 in Llynclys (Matt)

We alighted outside the white Lyon and then crossed the road. It took a couple of minutes to get across because of traffic. as we had made good time we had around 5 minutes to wait for the return to Oswestry. It was a great surprise to see another double decker, 509 on the inbound service.


Tanat Valley 509 on a Oswestry bound #445 service (Matt)

The return was also lightly loaded but this comes as no surprise on a service which is basically a shoppers bus heading towards the shops in the late afternoon. before we got off matthew of course photographed the inside of this bus too...


Inside 509 (Matt)

When we got back after such a fast-paced move I hoped to have a few minutes to re-group and work out what we were going to catch. Matthew spotted 258 now parked up between duties.


Tanat Valley 258 between duties (Matt)

Matthew made a quick decision that he wanted to do the bus that was in the bus station. It was Arriva Midlands 2737 which was on a #2A to Wrexham. I decided that with an approx 30 minute frequency on the 2/2A to Wrexham, we could do this to Chirk and could get back easily. I think Matthew want to go to Wrexham in the future, but today that wasn't going to be able to do that. we got on the bus and it was quite well filled by the time it left town. and when we got off the bus was still quite full.


Arriva Midlands 2737 in Chirk (Matt)

In Chirk we the Spar shop. Matthew helped me take some money out of the cash machine and the we got lottery tickets and he chose some Coke from the shop fridge. we crossed the road and then had an approx 10 minute wait for a return bus, this time a #2. The bus appeared and it was 2740.


Arriva Midlands 2740 on a Oswestry bound #2 service (Matt)

We did this bus back into time and like the other inbound service it was nearly empty. The return service was via Gobowen and a hospital. I did briefly consider getting off at Gobowen for a #53 bus. At Oswestry, Matthew photographed the empty inside of the bus.


Inside 2740 (Matt)

We then got off and he got another picture of the outside for good measure...


2740 in Oswestry bus station (Matt)

Matthew wanted to go to Morrison's to do some shopping with mum and he brought a sizable amount of pop! We walked back via the bus station and we saw Shrewsbury's 2347 on a service 576.


2347 on a service #576 to Shrewsbury (Matt)

We then returned to the car to eat sausages rolls before driving back around 16:30. as we got in the car a #576 appeared so we could have gotten off at Gobowen and we wouldn't have had to wait too long. The return journey on R794 WOY was quite uneventful, and we got back home around 17:50...Mark

Trip to Oswestry 05-09-2009

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
214	Oswestry BS	Morda	D71	Tanat Valley
266	Morda	Llynclys	445	Tanat Valley
268	Llynclys	Oswestry BS	445	Tanat Valley
2367	Oswestry BS	Whittington LC	70	Arriva Midlands

Today we decided to have a Tanat Bash. We had out first Tanat Valley bus in Shrewsbury a few weeks before. Planning consist of printing out a few timetables for the area. we set off and went via the A53, Blackbrook, the A51, A525 Whitchurch and then via Ellesmere. We parked up near the museum and we walked around looking for somewhere to eat. We ended up eating in somewhere called The Plaice in Salop Road, but I can't remember what we ate or how much it cost. As we came out matthew got a picture of a #70 service, being worked by 2367. this was just after 13:00


2367 on an inward bound #70 service in Oswestry (Matt)

we then went back to the bus station and Matthew took picture in and around whilst we waited for the D71 service which we planned to catch. In the bus station Matthew photographed this dart out of the same batch as the buses as the one he photographed earlier.


2378 in Oswestry bus station on a #2 service (Matt)

he also got a picture of 214 which we assumed would be the bus that was going to work the D71


Tanat Valley 214 awaits time before working the D71 service (Matt)

Tanat Valley 266, a Leyland Lynx also came in. we worked out from the timetabels that we could do 214 part way and then do 266 forward to Llynclys. We would then have around 3 minutes for the bus back. It was a bit of a risk but we decided to take it! We boarded 214 and it was virtually empty as left the bus station. We went to the next stop and the bus filled up! When we got to a suitable point (it a was cross roads in a dip in the road) we bailed off and waited for the following bus. The wait seemed like a long time but eventually 266 appeared


Tanat Valley 266 on a #445 service (Matt)

We did the bus to The White lion in llynclys and we wasted no time in crossing the road to wait for the return. the pavement has a scree surface and distinctly remember matthew slipping as he tried to stop having run across the road. Within seconds the return bus turned up and it was Lynx 2 268. When we arrived back Matthew got a picture of the inside of this bus.


Inside 268 (Matt)

When we arrived back we decided to call it a day. we met up with mum and worked out one last bus he could have done. he chose to do the #70 service and we worked out where we could do the bus to. Judging by the photograph and the photograph early, and taking into account the round trip time, we are 99% certain that this bus was Arriva Midlands 2367.


Arriva Midlands Route 70 branded bus almost certainly 2367 (Matt)

Matthew mum and uncle Dave did the bus whilst I drove the support vehicle. We arranged to meet and i thing there was a misunderstanding. I seem to remember wait outside a chip shop near Ellesmere and then having to drive back to Whittington level crossing to pick them up. The bus had spent a few minute in the depot as can be seen below.


Buses in Oswestry bus depot (Matt)

I then picked them up and we drove home. I seem to remember missing a turning and driving back via Nantwich and passing the bus station. Not a bad day and buses that most would kill for to ride on again...Mark