Trip to Hanley / Newcastle 12-04-2024

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
63146	Fenton, Victoria Place	Hanley BS	6A	First Potteries
63366	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	11	First Potteries
63360	Newcastle BS	Fenton, Smithpool Road	11	First Potteries
67179	Fenton, Travers Court	Newcastle BS	11	First Potteries
35936	Newcastle BS	Newcastle, opp Cherry Tree	25	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going out on the bus. He was also going to see Grandma and returning to Blurton later on. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We saw Shelton Care Group HF73 YPW outside. We went downstairs and we set off onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We waited for a bus towards Hanley. We continued along Christchurch Street. We onto City Road. At the top we crossed over Victoria Road to wait for the bus at the bus stop. A few minutes later the bus turned up and it was dud First Potteries 63146 on a #6A to Hanley. We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down Victoria Road and we crossed over the A52 at Joiners Square. We ran up Lichfield Street past the site of the new housing development. We turned left onto the ring road and we turned right onto Bethesda Street and right onto John Street and into the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we went to the toilet. Afterwards we went to the chip shop. We set off out of the bus station onto Lichfield Street. We crossed over the ring road and we went to the chip shop. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we crosse over the ring road and over Lichfield Street. We returned to the bus station and we waited for a bus towards Newcastle. A short time later we saw a bus come on stand. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 63366 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 63366 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle. we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto the ring road and left onto Lichfield Street and we turned right onto Birch Terrace. We followed the road around onto Charles Street and we turned right onto Old Hall Street. We crossed over the ring road onto Bucknall New Road. We ran down the hill through Limekiln lights and we turned right onto Dividy Road. We turned left onto Beverley Drive and right onto Dawlish Drive. We ran through the estate and back onto the A5272. We ran up to Adderley Green and we passed the bus garage. At the back we saw First South Yorkshire 36277 as well as another Bee Network single decker. At the roundabout we turned right onto Anchor Road. system onto Commerce Street and right onto The Strand. After a brief stop we ran down the Strand and under the railway line onto King Street. We continued down through Fenton and forwards onto City Road and we went past KFC. We ran down the hill over the old railway line to Leek and onto the A52. We ran under the railway line and over the A500 and straight into Stoke town centre along Church Street. After a brief stop in Stoke we continued along church Street and forwards onto Hartshill Road. We ran up the hill and into Hartshill. We ran forwards onto George Street and we ran down the hill into Newcastle. We turned left at the roundabout onto Barracks Road and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. As we got off the bus we saw Leon's 244 in the bus station. Once off the bus we set off up Castle Walk and we went to The Coffee House. We turned left onto Ironmarket and we turned left onto Astley Walk and we stopped for a ice cream van. Matthew had a vanilla ice cream. We set off along Astley Walk and we turned left onto Hassell Street back to the bus station. We ewaited for a bus back to Fenton. As sbort time later a bus came on stand. We saw it was First Potteries 63360 on a #11 to Hanley.

First Potteries 63360 in Newcastle bus station

We got on bus and we booked to Fenton before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto Barracks Road and we ran up to the Jubilee roundabout. We ran onto the A53 and around the one-way system onto the A52. We ran up George Street into Hartshill and we saw Travel Express GN14 DVX on the shuttle bus to the hospital. We ran down the hill into Stoke town centre. After a brief stop we continued along Church Street out of Stoke and over the A500. We ran under the railway line and we continued onto City Road. At the top of the hill we got up and got off the bus. We crossed over city Road and we got in the car and we drove onto City Road and we ran forwards onto Manor Street. At the end we turned left onto Victoria Road and we headed down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed over the roundabout and we ran forwards onto Lichfield Street. We joined the anti-clockwise ring road and we ran around to Town Road. We headed towards Birches Head and we joined the Northbound A5272. We ran through Sneyd Green and up to Smallthorne roundabout. We continued onto High Lane and we ran to the end. We turned right onto the A527 and down the hill to Fegg Hayes. We turned right onto Chell Heath Road and we turned left onto Cumberbatch Avenue. We turned right into Hambro Place and we visited the playground. There is a new construction taking place. Later on we returned to Fenton. We got in the car and we set off along Hambro Place, We turned left onto Cumberbatch Avenue and we turned left onto Chell Heath Road. We ran through Chell Heath past Matthew's old School which is now sheltered housing. We continued through Bradeley and at the end of the road we turned left onto Ford Green Road. We ran to the bottom of the hill and ran up through Smallthorne to the roundabouts. We turned left onto the A5272 and we headed through Sneyd Green and to the edge of Hanley. We ran clockwise around the ring road and we turned left onto Lichfield Street. We ran down the hill to Joiners Square and we went across the roundabout onto Victoria Road. We ran up the hill into Fenton and we turned right onto Manor Street. We turned right onto City Road and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room and chilled out on his computer. Matthew had a new panda bear. Just after 15:00 I arrived with mum and we came to pick Matthew up. Matthew came downstairs and we said goodbye to mum who went of to Grandma's and me and Matthew went to the bus stop. Wwe cut through onto City Road and we walked down to the bus stop. We waited for a bus to Newcastle. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67179 on a #11 to Newcastle.

First Potteries 67179 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before sitting down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off down City Road and we ran down the hill over the old railway line to Leek and onto the A52. We ran under the railway line and over the A500 and straight into Stoke town centre along Church Street. After a brief stop in Stoke we continued along church Street and forwards onto Hartshill Road. We ran up the hill and into Hartshill. Near to the roundabout we saw St Thomas More Catholic Academy HW20 HXR. We ran forwards onto George Street and we ran down the hill into Newcastle. We turned left at the roundabout onto Barracks Road and we turned right into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Another bus came on stand and it was First Potteries 35936 on a #25 to Hanley.

First Potteries 35936 in Newcastle bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to the hospital before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off out of the bus station onto Barracks Road. We ran Southwards onto the A34 and we got up and got off the bus by the Cherry Tree. We got off the bus and Matthew took a picture of First Potteries 35936 as it continued towards Hanley.

First Potteries 35936 in Newcastle

Once off the bus we headed along the A34 and we went up the hill towards Grandma's. At Grandma's Matthew had toast and a can of Irn Bru and used her computer. When it was time to go we went to the pub and we headed down Victoria Street. We turned left onto the A34. We continued southwards into Trent Vale. We continued through Trent Vale and we stopped at the pub. We walked into the pub and we sat down at our one our normal tables. Matthew had a brunch with oatcakes followed by toffee sponge pudding with ice cream. Highlights of the bus sightings included First Potteries 67174 on a #101 to Stafford and white minibus BD69 ESU. Once we had finished eating we set off We carried on along the A34 through Hanford and into Trentham and we turned left onto the A5035. We crossed over the railway line and into Blurton. We got back around 19:00. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we sorted a few things out. Matthew also had a can of Cherry Coke and a couple of slices of brioche bread. We wrote the Blog and sent a couple of e-mails. We chilled out on the sofa until bedtime around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Burnley / Keighley 01-02-2020

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
244	Burnley BS	Keighley BS	M4	Transdev Burnley
2716	Keighley BS	Shipley, Market Square	60	Transdev Keighley
2803	Shipley, Market Square	Saltaire, Dallam Ave	679	Arriva Yorkshire
1811	Saltaire Roundabout (stop 2)	Keighley BS	662	Transdev Keighley
1847	Keighley BS	Oakworth, Dockroyd Ln	K7	Transdev Keighley

Today Matthew decided to re-visit Burnley. He had chosen to go to Burnley earlier in the week and we did a little bit of research into Tickets and what buses we might catch. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. After getting ready around 11:30 we set off through Blurton along Beaconsfield Drive and we stopped to pick up a friend. We continued along Beaconsfield Drive and we turned left onto Church Road and left onto Blurton Road. We ran up to Heron Cross and we joined the Westbound A50. We ran up to Sideway and we turned left onto the Southbound A500. As we travelled down the A500 we saw an unidentified Stanley Coaches coach. We got on the M6 at junction 15 and we headed Northwards. Seen on the M6 were white minibus YS18 EBA, Manchester (?) FC HK56 UZO, Paul's of Stoke Y16 POS, East Yorkshire 4(#540), Shearings 237 and sliver minibus SF03 OTZ. We came off the M6 at junction 21A and we travelled Eastwards along the M62. Seen on the M62 were Travelmaster, an unidentified Ted ? Coaches coach, an unidentified Ellison's coach, Park's of Hamilton (NX) BV67 JYW(#540) & Selwyn' s(NX) BM68 AHO(#060). We ran forwards onto the clockwise M60 and we came off at junction 18 onto the Northbound M66. As we travelled North we saw Transdev Burnley 2753 on a an X43 to Manchester and white minibus CX55 ASU. We ran forwards onto the A56 and we joined the Eastbound M65. We came off the M65 at the next junction, but there was a road closure at Rose Grove. The diversion took us through Lanes's End and back onto the Northbound A56! We re-joined the M65 and this time we came off at junction 10. We joined Accrington Road and we turned left onto Cog Lane. We turned left onto Rossendale Road and we veered left on to Moseley Road. We ran down Rose Hill and we turned right onto the A682. We crossed over the roundabout and we ran into the town centre. We turned right onto Finsley gate and left onto Parker Lane. We turned right by the police station and we entered the car park. Once we had parked up we walked over to the bus station to use the toilet. After using the facilities we walked onto Croft Street. on the way to the cafe we saw Transdev Burnley 1043 on a #1 to the Stoops Estate.

Transdev Burnley 1043 in Burnley

We carried onto the the cafe and we sat down. Matthew had a sausage sandwich washed down with a can of Coke. Once we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked around the bus station to take a few pictures. We saw Pilkington Bus YJ06 YSO parked up in one of the layover bays.

Pilkington Bus YJ06 YSO in Burnley bus station

As we were walking around the bus station we saw the rear display on Transdev Burnley 244 that stated the M4 to Keighley was leaving in 3 minutes time! Matthew had expressed an interest in catching the bus to Keighley so we quickly walked around the side and into the bus station. Matthew took a picture of Transdev Burnley 244 before we went to get on it.

Transdev Burnley 244 in Burnley bus station

We got on the bus and we brought a Lancashire 1 Duo ticket at £8 before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station onto Croft Street and we turned right onto Yorkshire Street. We turned left at the roundabout onto the A682 and we headed Northwards out of town. We continued up the main road to Nelson and we turned right into the interchange. After a brief stop we re-joined the A682 and we ran Northwards before turning right onto the A56. We continued into Colne and we stopped on the main street to pick up passengers. We ran along Keighley Road and at the roundabout we turned right onto the A6068. We ran through Laneshaw Bridge and we continued over the border into Yorkshire. We ran through Cowling and Lanes End and into Cross Hills. We ran forwards onto the B6265 and we passed Transdev Keighley 1077 on a #62 to Leeds airport. We turned left into Airedale General Hospital and we did a circuit of the grounds. We re-joined the Eastbound B6265 and we ran through Steeton and Utley. The road turned Southwards and we joined the A629. In the town centre we turned left into Cavendish Street and right into Lawkholme Crescent and into the bus station. We got up and we waited for the bus to empty out before Matthew took a picture inside Transdev Burnley 244.

Inside Transdev Burnley 244

We got off the bus and Matthew went to the toilet. Afterwards we had a look around and took a few bus pictures. We saw Transdev Keighley 2716 on a #60 to Leeds.

Transdev Keighley 2716 in Keighley bus station

We decided to do this bus so we waited in the queue. When the bus had been readied for service we got on the bus and we booked WY bus only day tickets at £6.70 each before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off out of the bus station and we turned right onto Cavendish Street. We turned left onto the A6035 and we ran past Keighley railway station. We turned right onto Dalton Lane and we continued out of town past distant gas holder before we turned left onto Wenning Street. At the roundabout we turned right onto the A65o and we ran fast for a few miles before turning left onto the B6265. We ran up the hill and at the top we turned right onto the B6265 past the Bradford & Bingley site that I used to pick up boxes from. We ran through Crossflatts and we continued through down the road into the centre of Bingley. Matthew wanted to travel further on. As we came our of the other side of Bingley we saw First West Yorkshire 32460 on a #622 to Bingley. We turned left onto Leonard Street and we turned right to re-join the A650. We had another fast run along the duel carriageway and we followed the A650 to the left at the next roundabout. We ran into Saltaire and we veered left onto Kirkgate and we ran into the centre of Shipley. We turned right into Market Square and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Transdev Keighley 2716 before it continued towards Leeds.

Transdev Keighley 2716 in Shipley

Also in the square was First West Yorkshire 32537 on a #626 to Bradford.

First West Yorkshire 32537 in Shipley

We crossed over the square and we visited Greggs. We picture up a couple of cans of Coke and we headed back to the bus stops. As we headed back we saw Arriva Yorkshire 2803 on a #679 to Hirst Wood.

Arriva Yorkshire 2803 in Shipley

We got on the bus and we flashed the WY Metro bus only day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the square and we turned left onto Kirkgate. We turned right onto Wycliffe Road. We turned right onto Wycliffe Gardens and we turned left onto Saltaire Road. We turned right onto Baker Street and left onto Caroline Street. We ran forwards onto Dallam Avenue and we got up and got of the bus next to Hirst Lane. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Yorkshire 2803 as it continued into the Hirst Wood estate.

Arriva Yorkshire 2803 in Saltaire

Once of the bus we we headed up to the main road on foot to catch a bus towards Keighley. We set off up Hirst Lane and we turned right onto Carlton Road. We crossed over the A650 and we stood at the bus stop outside the Shell garage. Matthew ate a Freddo caramel whilst we waited for the next bus to arrive. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was Transdev Keighley 1811 on a #662 to Keighley.

Transdev Keighley 1811 in Saltaire

We got on the bus and we flashed the WY Metro bus only day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We called mum to let us know we would need picking up from Oakworth. We set off along the A650 and at the roundabout we turned left onto the B6265. We ran along the old road into Bingley and we continued into Crossflatts. We crossed over the A650 and we continued Northwards up the B6265. We ran through Sandbeds and Riddlesden and we crossed over the A650 and we ran into Keighley down the A6035. We crossed over the railway line and we turned right into Cavendish Street, We turned left into Lawkholme Crescent and into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew was trying to steer us to catch something else. We saw Transdev Keighley 1847 on a K7 to Oakworth.

Transdev Keighley 1847 in Keighley bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the WY Metro bus only day tickets to the driver for the final time today before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off onto Cavendish Street. We turned left onto the Southbound A629 and we ran forwards onto the B6143. We continued South Westwards through Damems and towards Oakworth. Matthew took a picture inside Transdev Keighley 1847.

Inside Transdev Keighley 1847

We continued into the centre of Oakworth and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked around the corner to the Co-operative store and we bought a couple of chocolate bars. We wen out and we waited for mum to come and pick us up. We hung around in the village for about 20 minutes and we saw Transdev Keighley 1844 on a K7 to Oakworth.

Transdev Keighley 1844 in Oakworth

A short time later we saw Transdev Keighley 158 on a K10 to Oakworth. After a while mum appeared and we got in the car. We turned around, as we needed diesel we headed back onto the B6143 and into Keighley. We turned right onto Bridge Street and left onto Marley Street. We turned left onto Sun Street and we stopped at Morrison petrol station. After filling up we went to the supermarket to use the toilets as it had been a while since our last visit and we had a 2 hour journey back home. After using the toilet we set off out of Morrisons and we went North up the A6035. We turned right onto the A650 and we ran fast through the Airedale valley. We continued along the A650 through Saltaire and Shipley. We turned left onto Birklands Road and left onto Manor Lane. We turned right onto Sunny Bank and at the bottom of the road we ran forwards onto the A6037. We ran to the East of Bradford and we saw 69478 on a #686 to Brighouse. We joined the Southbound A650 and we turned right onto Prospect Street. We ran to the end and we turned left onto the A641. We veered left onto the A6177 and we joined the Southbound M606. We joined the Southbound M62 and we crossed over the Pennines. To the North of Manchester we ran forwards onto the anti-clockwise M60. We ran forwards onto the M62 and we saw Platinum Travel YS17 CKA. We ran to junction 10 and we joined the Southbound M6. As we travelled Southwards we passed Dartline Y20 DLC. We came off the A500 ans we ran Southwards through Talke. We continued through Longport and Etruria and through Stoke. We came off the A500 at Sideway and we went Eastwards along the A50. We came off the A50 at Longton and we headed to Z Carz to see what was parked up this evening. The spare ground was bus free and we turned left onto Willow Row. In the compound we saw Z Carz Fiat minibus WV56 VRR.

Z Carz WV56 VRR in Longton

Also seen was Z Carz minibus SJ61 OPK

Z Carz SJ61 OPK in Longton

We turned around and got back onto the A50 and we went Westwards to Heron Cross. We turned left onto Blurton Road and we ran through Blurton. We ran forwards onto Church Street and we turned right into Beaconsfield Drive. We got home around 20:15. For a late tea we had sausages, mash and carrots followed by jam filled shortbread biscuits. We spent time doing the e-mails and doing the Blog. We chilled out on the computer and watching telly until 01:00... Mark

Trip to the POPS bus rally 22-05-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
53209	Blurton, adj Ladybank Grove	Stoke, railway station	23	First Potteries
506	Stoke, railway station	Britannia Stadium	Special	Midland Red (Preserved)
244	Britannia Stadium	Trentham Gardens, coach drop off point	Special	Coventry Transport (Preserved)
3253	Trentham Gardens, coach drop off point	Britannia Stadium	Special	GM Buses(Preserved)
N555 KLB	Britannia Stadium	Trentham Gardens, coach drop off point	Special	South Staffs
N555 KLB	Trentham Gardens, coach drop off point	Britannia Stadium	Special	South Staffs
757	Britannia Stadium	Rough Close, Common Lane	Special	PMT (Preserved)
757	Rough Close, Common Lane	Britannia Stadium	Special	PMT (Preserved)
DX53 LFB	Britannia Stadium	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Special	JST
DX53 LFB	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Britannia Stadium	Special	JST
128	Britannia Stadium	Wedgwood	Special	PMT (Preserved)
128	Wedgwood	Britannia Stadium	Special	PMT (Preserved)

Today was the Potteries Omnibus Preservation Society bus rally. A quick check of the weather was for mainly dry weather with a shower around 14:00. Matthew got up around 09:30 and had a giant Crumpet and blackcurrant juice for breakfast. A quick check of the #23 timetable revealed that the bu bus left Blurton at 10:38, arriving at the railway station at 10:56. We got ready and we set off to the bus stop at the bottom of Beaconsfield Drive in order to catch the 10:38 #23 departure towards Hanley. We planned to go to Stoke station to pick up one of the free bus service to the bus rally, which was being held at the Britannia Stadium for the third and final time... If it is held on the same site, it will be known as the BET365 Stadium from the beginning of the next football season. The buses were booked to leave the railway station at 20 and 50 minutes past the hour, so we would probably have to wait for nearly 30 minutes. A little after 10:38 the bus came around the corner out of Finstock Avenue, and it was dud First Potteries 53209.

First Potteries 53209 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Stoke railway station before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Beaconsfield Drive and we st the end we turned left onto Church Road. We ran to Critchlow's Corner and we veered left onto Blurton Road running through Blurton. We crossed the A50 and at Heron Cross lights we went forwards onto Heron Street. We followed the road around onto Station Bridge Road. We turned left at Christchurch Street and we ran to the end, turning left onto City Road. At the bottom of City Road we saw preserved PMT 604 turn in front of us, working the 10:20 departure from the railway station. We went under the railway line onto the A52 and we crossed the A500 and we ran into Stoke town centre. After a brief stop in Church Street we went around the one way system. We turned right onto Liverpool Road and right again onto Elenora Street. At the end we rounded the corner onto Copeland Street and we turned left onto Glebe Street and under the railway line. We turned left onto Station Road and we got up to get off the bus. As we approached the stop we saw uncle Dave waiting for us on the opposite side of the Road. Once we got off the bus Matthew got another picture of First Potteries 53209 before it carried on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 53209 by Stoke railway station

Across the road was First Potteries 53058 on the #23A to Newstead.

First Potteries 53058 by Stoke railway station

We crossed the road and Matthew sat on the steps whilst we waited for the next bus back to the Britannia Stadium. There was plenty of activity whilst we waited... We saw First Potteries 65727/66302 on #25's, Intercity YK07 NYX and First Potteries 53209 also returned on a #21A to Trentham Gardens. Around 11:20 we saw a Leyland National turned the corner out of Cauldon Road. As it got closer we saw that it was Midland Red 506.

Midland Red 506 by Stoke railway station

The bus loaded up and we set off along Station Road and forwards onto the A52. We went to City Road and we turned right under the railway line and up to the A500. We turned left and joined the Southbound A500 which we did to Sideway. At Sideway we turned left onto the A50 and we ran up the hill before crossing over the A50 and running into the Britannia Stadium. As we came onto the site we noticed that this year there were around 20 buses park along the Western edge of the car park outside the West Stand, as well as the usual area behind the Boothen End of the ground. The bus pulled up around the back of the Boothen, and as they did last year the bus unloaded near to the Sir Stanley Matthews memorial statues. We let the bus empty out and Matthew took a picture inside Midland Red 506.

Inside Midland Red 506

Once we got off the bus Matthew took another picture of Midland Red 506 as it ran off to take it's position in the bus rally.

Midland Red 506 at the Britannia Stadium

We decided to start taking pictures immediately, and opposite to where we got off was one of the two new Dart arrivals from Routemaster Buses after D&G Bus took over a few of their bus routes in Crewe recently. today we saw the other Dart, D&G Bus 163.

D&G 163 at the Britannia Stadium

There were a few short, full size buses parked together in a cluster... There was a Commer bus, which looked like an ice cream van with seats in it and there was this London Transport Guy built bus with an ECW body in green GS 26.

London Transport GS 26 at the Britannia Stadium

Stanton's of Stoke had a few buses on display as usual, with two minibuses, a coach and the open topped bus. on of the minibuses was SO57 OKE which carried a special black livery to commemorate Keith's fathers bus company.

Stanton's of Stoke SO57 OKE at the Britannia Stadium

First also had a few buses on display, with the now standard First Midlands Livery on display carried by First Potteries Scania Omnicity 65037.

First Potteries 65037 at the Britannia Stadium

At the North West corner of the site next to the commercial vehicles was JST school bus DX53 LFB.

JST DX53 LFB at the Britannia Stadium

We spotted a bus that I thought I'd never see on the road again! First Potteries 53155 which caught fire a couple of years ago and seemingly disappeared had now been rebuilt and looked like it was ready to hit the road again, also carrying the new standard First Midlands livery.

First Potteries 53155 at the Britannia Stadium

Another bus in the First Midlands standard livery was new arrival First Worcester Streetdeck 35159.

First Worcester 35159 at the Britannia Stadium

We headed off to the West car park and we walked Southwards down the row of buses. Copeland's Tours had 3 coaches on display... Copeland's Tours Bova bodied coach MIB 614, Plaxton bodied DAF coach MIB 986 and one of their newest arrival Plaxton Bodied Volvo MIB 278.

Copeland's Tours MIB 278 at the Britannia Stadium

Further down the row we saw this rather nicely restored Crosville Leyland Olympian EOG 207

Crosville Cymru EOG207 at the Britannia Stadium

At the very end of the row we saw this rather nice Mercedes minibus... Uni Sprint G572 PRM.

Uni Sprint G572 PRM at the Britannia Stadium

We walked back up to the control bus, which this year was preserved PMT 466. We brought a programme (£3) and we also brought the North Staffordshire Independents & First Midlands fleet books with a combined price of (£7), We also went to MDS Book and brought the 2016 First fleet book at £18.75. Underneath the West stand were a number of stalls, including Dave Spencer's PMP Videos store. Matthew selected 7 titles at a total of £84. Once we had done our shop we went to the bus stop to see what buses we could have a ride on. As we got to the stop we noticed a half cab single decker about to depart. It was required Coventry Transport 244.

Coventry Transport 244 at the Britannia Stadium

We decided to do this bus and we asked the controller where it was going to... After finding out it was going to Trentham Gardens we got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. The bus was full and we had to sit separately. Th e bus set off onto Stanley Matthews Way and we went South. The driver called out to see if anyone want the Hem Heath pub... The buses to Trentham were stopping on Stanley Matthews Way! We could have walked to there and caught a bus to the rally! We turned right onto the A5035 and we crossed over the railway line into Trentham. At the end of the A5035 we carried on straight into Trentham Gardens, and at the first roundabout we turned left and we slowly made our way to the end of the car park before turning around and coming back to the coach drop off point. When the bus stop it looked like most people were straying put, so we couldn't get a picture inside this bus. As we traveled down we saw that the following bus was required GM Buses 3253 so we decided to get off and waited for that. Once off the bus we took another picture of Coventry Transport 244.

Coventry Transport 244 at the Trentham Gardens

The bus we had just done had taken adage to get into the gardens due to a running event. It seemed that Coventry Transport 244 was taking even longer to get out as it was stuck in queue trying to get out of the car park. Whilst we waited for the following bus photographed Inter Choice YR16 BLV which was at the coach stop too. Matthew visited the toilet and we walked up to the top end to look at London Mini Coaches WF63 LVH. We walk back to where we got off the previous bus and we spotted the double decker we wanted approaching. We waited for a short while thinking it would get to us eventually, and we noticed it had cut through the car park and we at the bus stop 200 yards up the road. We ran up towards it thinking that we might end up missing it. We just managed to take a quick picture before we got on board preserved GM Buses 3253 which was in a heritage Wigan livery.

GM Buses 3253 at the Trentham Gardens

We went upstairs and sat down and almost immediately we set off out of the garden, as we left the gardens we passed Southern National 2700 which wasn't in the programme. Half cab Coventry transport 244 which we had into Trentham Gardens was still queuing in the car park trying to get out. We crossed the A34 and we ran up the A5035. In Trentham we passed Select Bus Services double decker J722 GAP. We turned left into Stanley Matthews Way and we headed back to the Britannia Stadium. When we got back to the rear of the Boothen End, we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside GM Buses 3253.

Inside GM Buses 3253

Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of GM Buses 3253 before it returned to its pitch in the car park.

GM Buses 3253 at the Britannia Stadium

We decided to try and cover the rest of the area behind the Boothen End taking pictures. We saw First PMT 30031 resting between duties.

First PMT 30031 at the Britannia Stadium

At the top end we saw DW Coaches Leyland Tiger TCZ 6124.

DW Coaches TCZ 6124 at the Britannia Stadium

We started working our way down the next row... We saw Stagecoach Hull 718.

Stagecoach Hull 718 at the Britannia Stadium

One of the newer vehicles at the rally was Midland Classic Optare Versa 5.

Midland Classic 5 at the Britannia Stadium

Stanway's had their rather nice looking Northern Counties bodied Dart MIG 9497.

Stanways MIG 9497 at the Britannia Stadium

As we were taking pictures we saw South Staffs N555 KLB moving through the site towards the bus stop. We decided to walk down and see where it was going to. Matthew took a picture of South Staffs N555 KLB and we walked over to the control to ask where the coach was going.

South Staffs N555 KLB at the Britannia Stadium

It was bound for Trentham Gardens, so we decided to get on it and go for a ride. It was almost empty, so Matthew took a picture inside South Staffs N555 KLB before we sat down.

Inside South Staffs N555 KLB

For some reason it didn't seem to be a very popular choice at the rally and it ran almost empty. The strange thing was it was probably one of the best rides of the day when it cam down to comfort... It was really smooth comfortable ride and it was air conditioned... It was worlds apart from the journey we had on Coventry Transport 244 which was hot and had very little ventilation. We ran down Stanley Matthews Way and we turned left onto the A5035. We crossed the roundabout on the A34 and we entered the gardens. This time the traffic had subsided and we had no trouble going around the car park. We had checked to see what was on the following journey, ad it was booked to be dud Preserved Northern GSO 90V. So we decided to get of the coach just to get a picture...

South Staffs N555 KLB at the Trentham Gardens

We got back onto South Staffs N555 KLB and we set off out of the gardens across the A34 onto the A5035. we turned left onto Stanley Matthews Way and we ran back down to the Britannia Stadium. We worked out that we had around an hour before the next bus that we wanted to do JST school bus DX53 LFB. We spotted that PMT double decker 757 was about to work so we took a picture and we walked over to it to see where it was going to.

PMT 757 at the Britannia Stadium

We checked with the control, and he told us that it was about to work a Meir circular service. We go on the bus and we went upstairs, sitting down towards the back on some of the proper grey zig-zag moquette seats! The bus set off out of Britannia Stadium and we joined the Eastbound A50 and we ran fast up to Meir where we came off the A50 and turned right onto the A520. We ran up the hill to Rough Close and we turned right onto Common Lane. Just after turning onto Common Lane we pulled up in a small lay-by to the left of the road. We got out and we took another picture of PMT 757.

PMT 757 in Rough Close

We climbed back aboard the bus and we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off down Common Lane and we turned right onto Lightwood Road. As we ran down towards Longton we were afforded great views of the city to the North. When we got to Florence we turned left onto Belgrave Road and we ran down to the A5035 were we turned left to head towards Blurton. We crossed under the old colliery railway line and by now it had started to hail. At Stanley Matthews Way we turned right and we ran down the last mile or so to the Britannia Stadium. Mum called to say she brought Matthew some food, so we arrange to go to the toilet before heading back to the car. The bus pulled up by the Stanley Matthews monument and we got up to get off the bus. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside PMT 757.

Inside PMT 757

Once we got off the bus we headed to the West stand and Matthew used the toilet. After Matthew had used the facilities we walked over to the car and mum was waiting for us with a breakfast box for Matthew. Matthew tucked in and and we finished with a few minutes to spare. We set off towards the bus stop and as we got close to the bus we were going for JST school bus DX53 LFB it started to pull off. We ran towards the bus and I put my hand out to try and stop it. Luckily for us it did stop for us. We climbed on the bus and it set off along the car park outside the west Stand. We joined the Westbound A50 which we did up to Sideway and then we went North up the A500 up to Stoke. We came off the A500 and we turned right onto the A52 going under the railway line. We followed the road around to the left and then we went straight onto Station Road. After a brief stop outside the railway station we went forwards to Stoke Road where we turned right. We climbed the hill through Shelton to Snow Hill and we joined Etruria Vale Road. We stopped briefly outside the Industrial Museum and we carried on towards Hanley. We turned right onto Clough Street past the old bus garage and we turned right onto the ring Road and then left onto Bethesda Street. It was raining so we decided not to get off to take a photograph here! After a brief stop we carried on down to Broad Street. We joined the ring road and we ran around to Lichfield Street where we turned right. We ran down the hill to Joiners Square and we went across the roundabout onto Victoria Road. At the top we turned right onto the A50 link road and then we joined the Westbound A50 which we did up to the Britannia Stadium. When we got back to the stadium we ran past the West Stand, and when we got to the Stanley Matthew monument the bus emptied out and Matthew got a picture inside JST school bus DX53 LFB.

Inside JST DX53 LFB

Once we got off the bus Matthew took a picture of JST DX53 LFB.

JST DX53 LFB at the Britannia Stadium

We now had just over 5 minutes to wait fr the next bus that we planned to do PMT Marshall bodied Leyland Leopard 128. We decided to have a quick walk around where we had'nt been before and take a few more bus pictures. We then saw WM Travel Leyland National 1037.

WM Travel 1037 at the Britannia Stadium

Also by the Boothen end was Routemaster Buses Volvo H116 SAO.

Routemaster Buses H116 SAO at the Britannia Stadium

That was a bus we had been on before last June, on The Cheshire Champion bus tour. We saw that the Marshall bodied PMT single decker was on the move, so we walk down to bus stop to get a picture of PMT 128 before we got on it.

PMT 128 at the Britannia Stadium

We got on the bus and we sat down somewhere in the middle... Another familiar face was seen on the bus Johnny Lovatt, A guy that I have know since the 1980's and often to be found anywhere there is a transport related event locally. The bus set off past the West Stand and onto Stanley Matthews Way. At the end we turned left onto the A5035 and we passed nearby to the house. We turned right onto Barlaston Road. We turned right onto Blurton Road and after a short dash through the open countryside we turned right again onto Wedgwood Drive. The driver of the bus wasn't local, and Mr Lovatt told him to take the next right, which was where the entrance to the POPS rally used to be. Unfortunately this road is now a housing estate! We ran to the end and we slowly turned around before heading back onto Wedgwood Drive. We traveled further down the road, and this time we were on the right road to the visitor centre. We had a brief stop, so we got off the bus to get another picture of PMT 128.

PMT 128 in Wedgwood

We got back on the bus and the bus turned around in the coach parking area before we returned to Wedgwood Drive. We ran to the end and we turned left onto Blurton Road. At the end of Blurton Road we turned left onto Barlaston Road and we ran past Newstead to the A5035. We turned left onto the A5035 and we ran through Blurton to Stanley Matthews Way. We ran back to the stadium and we went around the West stand to the Stanley Matthew monument where the bus unloaded. We waited for the bus to empty and Matthew took a picture inside PMT 128.

Inside PMT 128

Once off the bus we decided to take a few last picture before returning to the car. On the way back we saw Southern National 2700.

Southern National 2700 at the Britannia Stadium

We got back to the car and we set off onto the Eastbound A50. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross and we dropped into Fenton to drop uncle Dave off at home. After we left uncle Dave we ran back to Heron Cross and we ran back through Blurton along Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive getting home around 17:00. We spent the evening watch Matthew's new bus DVD's, captioning photographs and writing the Blog. For tea we had battered fish fingers and home made chips followed by a Angel Layer. Matthew had a bath and we finished writing Saturdays Blog before we went to bed around 00:00... Mark