Trip to Potteries Apedale Running day 21-05-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
103	Apedale Light Railway	Hanley BS	Special	Bournemouth
103	Newcastle BS	Apedale Light Railway	Special	Bournemouth
207	Apedale Light Railway	Hanley BS	Special	PMT
207	Newcastle BS	Apedale Light Railway	Special	PMT
622	Apedale Light Railway	Hanley BS	Special	PMT
622	Newcastle BS	Apedale Light Railway	Special	PMT
801	Apedale Light Railway	Hanley BS	Special	First PMT
801	Newcastle BS	Apedale Light Railway	Special	First PMT
825	Apedale Light Railway	Hanley BS	Special	First PMT
825	Newcastle BS	Apedale Light Railway	Special	First PMT

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going out the the POPS rally, which this years was being held at the Apedale Heritage Centre. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst waiting to go to the day service we saw silver minibus EF17 KWM parked up outside. We went downstairs and got in the car we set off onto Temple Street. In the distance we saw City Centre Central FE14 PBF. We carried on along Temple Street and we turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto City Road. We ran down the hiull into Stoke and we went under the railway line. We crossed over the the A500 and we joined the Northbound carriageway. At the next junction we came off onto Shelton New Road. We ran through the cross road up to Hartshill and at the roundabout we ran into Newcastle down George Street and we saw First Potteries 67175 on a #11 to Hanley. A at the roundabout we ran forwards onto Ryecroft. At the roundabout we turned right onto the Northbound A34. We ran Northwards past the bus garage and we ran through Milehouse. We ran Northwards to the McDonald roundabout and we turned left onto Wolstanton Road. we went straight across onto Loomer Road and we ran down to Apedale Country park. We parked up near to the visitors centre and as it was uncle Dave's first visit we took him down to the Apedale Valley Light Railway. We set off up the car park and onto the service road in from of the staium and headed towards the Boothen end behind which all the buses were parked up. As we got to the corner we saw First PMT 801.

First PMT 801 in Apedale Light Railway

We walked past the railway station and down the hill onto the large green area where all the buses were parked. One of the first buses we spotted PMT 207.

PMT 207 in Apedale Light Railway

Also seen was First PMT 825.

First PMT 825 in Apedale Light Railway

Further down the row we saw Midland Red 3301.

Midland Red 3301 in Apedale Light Railway

Mum appeared and we went into the heritage centre. Matthew went to the toilet. When we had finished we went outside to get another bus. We spotted Bournemouth 103 on a service to Newcastle.

Bournemouth 103 in Apedale Light Railway

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. We set off along Loomer Road and at the roundabout we turned right onto London Road. We ran to the end and we turned right onto the Southbound A34. We ran Southwards for around a mile and a 1/2 past the bus garage, and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We turned left onto Barracks Road. We turned right into the bus station and we stopped on Stubbs Street to pick up passengers and we saw First Potteries 63110 on a #11 to Hanley. Once everyone was on board we set off down Stubbs Street and we re-joined Barracks Road. We turned left onto Ryecroft and right onto the A34. We continued North through Cross Heath and we turned left onto london Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto Loomer Road and we ran into the site and unloaded in front of the heritage centre where we got up and got off the bus. When we had finished we went outside to get another bus. We spotted PMT 207.

PMT 207 in Apedale Light Railway

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. We set off along Loomer Road and at the roundabout we at the roundabout we went forwards onto Wolstanton Road. We crossed over the the Southbound A34. We ran Southwards for around a mile and a 1/2 past the bus garage, and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We turned left onto Barracks Road. We turned right into the bus station and we stopped on Stubbs Street to pick up passengers and for another photo stop. Once everyone was on board we set off down Stubbs Street and we re-joined Barracks Road. We turned left onto Ryecroft and right onto the A34. We continued North through Cross Heath and we turned left onto london Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto Loomer Road and we ran into the site and unloaded in front of the heritage centre where we got up and got off the bus. When we had finished we went outside to get another bus. We spotted PMT 622. We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. We set off along Loomer Road and at the roundabout we at the roundabout we went forwards onto Wolstanton Road. We crossed over the the Southbound A34. We ran Southwards for around a mile and a 1/2 past the bus garage, and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We turned left onto Barracks Road. We turned right into the bus station and we stopped on Stubbs Street to pick up passengers and for another photo stop. Once everyone was on board we set off down Stubbs Street and we re-joined Barracks Road. We turned left onto Ryecroft and right onto the Milehouse. We ran Northwards to the McDonald roundabout and we turned left onto Wolstanton Road. we went straight across onto Loomer Road and we ran into the site and unloaded in front of the heritage centre where we got up and got off the bus. When we had finished we went outside to get another bus. We spotted First PMT 801.

First PMT 801 in Apedale Light Railway

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. We set off along Loomer Road and at the roundabout we at the roundabout we went forwards onto Wolstanton Road. We crossed over the the Southbound A34. We ran Southwards for around a mile and a 1/2 past the bus garage, and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We turned left onto Barracks Road. We turned right into the bus station and we stopped on Stubbs Street to pick up passengers and for another photo stop. Once everyone was on board we set off down Stubbs Street and we re-joined Barracks Road. We turned left onto Ryecroft and right onto the Milehouse. We ran Northwards to the McDonald roundabout and we turned left onto Wolstanton Road. we went straight across onto Loomer Road and we ran into the site and unloaded in front of the heritage centre where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First PMT 801.

First PMT 801 in Apedale Light Railway

Also seen was GM Buses 2236.

GM Buses 2236 in Apedale Light Railway

Whilst we waited we saw First PMT 825.

First PMT 825 in Apedale Light Railway

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. We set off along Loomer Road and at the roundabout we turned right onto London Road. We ran to the end and we turned right onto the Southbound A34. We ran Southwards for around a mile and a 1/2 past the bus garage, and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We turned left onto Barracks Road. We turned right into the bus station and we stopped on Stubbs Street to pick up passengers and for another photo stop. Once everyone was on board we set off down Stubbs Street and we re-joined Barracks Road. We turned left onto Ryecroft and right onto the A34. We continued North through Cross Heath and we turned left onto london Road. At the roundabout we turned left onto Loomer Road and we ran into the site and unloaded in front of the heritage centre where we got up and got off the bus. we walked down to the bottom of the site and we got in the car and we set off out of the Apedale Country Park onto Loomer Road and at the roundabout we at the roundabout we went forwards onto Wolstanton Road. We crossed over the the Southbound A34. We ran Southwards for around a mile and a 1/2 past the bus garage, and we turned left onto Ryecroft. Ryecroft and we ran forwards onto the one-way system. We continued onto the A53. We ran into Basford and over the Soutbound A500 and we ran through Shelton and Stoke. We came off the A50 heading Eastwards. We came off the A50 at Heron Cross and we turned left onto Blurton Road. We went through the traffic lights onto Heron Steeet. We carried on forwards onto Station Bridge Road and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto City Road and Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs and chilled out in his room for a short while. For tea Matthew had a chicken and potatoes. Matthew went back to the room and went on his computer. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Stoke / Bournemouth 18-09-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
113	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Stoke, adj stop Q	1	D&G
159	Stoke, stop N	Stoke, Railway Station	9	D&G
67152	Stoke, Railway Station	Fenton, opp Albert Square	23	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going on the bus later on. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the day centre he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw First Potteries 67639 on a #11 to Newcastle. We went downstairs and we set off onto City Road and we saw Afford rent-a-car YN19 DNB outside there yard.

Afford rent-a-car YN19 DNB in Fenton

We carried on down the road and we waited for a bus towards Stoke. Whilst we waited we saw ABC Supreme EN14 CHF. A few minutes later the bus appeared and it was D&G Bus 113 on a #1 to Park Site.

D&G 113 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Stoke 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 where we got up and got off the bus. Opposite we saw First Potteries 32650 on a #25 to Hanley.

First Potteries 32650 in Stoke

We walked around the corner onto South Wolfe Street and we saw grey minibus PO60 JZE.

PO60 JZE in Stoke

We walked back onto Church Street and we waited for a bus towards the railway station. A few minutes later we saw D&G Bus 159 on a #9 to Biddulph. We got on the bus and booked to the railway station before sitting down. The bus set off out of Stoke town centre and across the A500. We crossed under the railway line before turning left onto the A52. we turned left onto Station Road. We got off the bus and went into the railway station. Once in the railway ststaion we caught a train to Bournemouth. We ran Southwards through Stafford and Wolverhampton into Birmningham. We continued Southwards through Reading and through Basingstoke to Bournemouth. We got off the train and we Set off Northwards along Noldenhurst Road we saw Yello Buses 114. We turned around and we went Southwards in to the town centre we stopped at Bournemouth Square and we went to a cafe for dinner. Matthew had a sausage sandwich washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finsied we walked back up Holdenhurst Road to the railway station. We caught a train back North to Stoke-on-Trent. We traveled via Basingstoke and Reading and up through the Midlands. into Birmingham. We continued through Wolverhampton and Stafford and back to Stoke-on-Trent. Once at the railway station we went outside to catch a bus back to Fenton. A few minutes later we saw it was First Potteries 67152 on a #23 to Newstead. We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off along Station Road and we turned right onto Glebe Street and under the railway line an we ran around the one-way system in Stoke and stopped by Stoke Minster. We turned left onto Church Street and we crossed the A500 and we ran under the railway line. After climbing up the hill into Fenton we turned right into Christchurch Street where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we walked along Christchurch Street and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room and use his computer and watched buses out of the window we saw Cabability WA62 FFU parked up nearby. Afterwards Matthew went for a walk to Aldi to get some shopping. We went downstairs and we set off onto City Road and we crossed over and onto Manor Street. We saw former BKS double decker coach C363 SVV. Further along Manor Street we saw grey minibus J88 SRS. At the end of Manor Street we turned left onto Victoria Road and and we stopped at Aldi to pickup Matthew's weekly shop. Once Matthew had finished shopping we returned to the residential unit in Autocabs taxi. We set off up Victoria Road and we turned onto Manor Street. We turned right onto City Road and left onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and we returned to the residential unit. Matthew went upstairs to his room to chill out and watch buses out of the window. When it was time to go to uncle Dave's we went downstairs and we set off onto and at the end we turned left onto Smithpool Road we saw Lucky Seven SA08 WCK. We went across the spare ground onto Willowdale Avenue and onto Whieldon Road and into uncle Dave's. Matthew had some cheesecake and a can of Fanta orange. For tea Matthew had chicken potatoes and carrots. Later on he had another slice of cheesecake and a few digestive biscuits and custard creams. Uncle Dave now has a biscuit tin. Matthew chilled out in uncle Dave's house using his computer and watching television. Uncle Dave also did his DJ set. A couple of hours later staff came to escort Matthew back home. We set off onto Whieldon Road and we turned onto Willowdale Avenue. We crossed the spare ground and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned right onto Temple Street past the new building under construction, which is now getting near to completion. We continued back to the residential unit. Matthew went back to the room and went on his computer. Later on Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to Potteries Apedale Running day 19-05-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
165	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Stoke, railway station	23	D&G Bus
207	Stoke, railway station	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Special	PMT
207	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Apedale Light Railway	Special	PMT
55	Apedale Light Railway	Newcastle, Merrial Street	Special	Bournemouth
55	Newcastle, Merrial Street	Apedale Light Railway	Special	Bournemouth
NTU 125	Apedale Light Railway	Newcastle, Merrial Street	Special	Hollinshead
NTU 125	Newcastle, Merrial Street	Apedale Light Railway	Special	Hollinshead
L453	Apedale Light Railway	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Special	PMT
L453	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Apedale Light Railway	Special	PMT

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. He was also going out the the POPS rally, which this years was being held at the Apedale Heritage Centre. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Whilst waiting to go to the day service we saw silver minibus EF17 KWM parked up outside. I arrived about 09:20 and we got ready to go out. The plan was to catch a bus to the Stoke railway station and to get the feeder bus service from the railway station to Apedale. We went downstairs and we set off onto City Road and down to the stop outside the flats. We waited for a bus to Hanley. The bus turned the corner and we saw it was D&G Bus 165 on a #23 to Hanley.

D&G 165 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Stoke railway station before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down City Road and we joined the A52 to go under the railway line and over the A500. We continued onto Church Street. and into the centre of Stoke. After a brief stop we continued around the one-way system onto Elenora Steet and right onto Copeland street. We turned left onto Glebe Street and we went under the railway line before turning left onto Station Road. Near to the railway station we got up and got off the bus. Uncle Dave walked down from Fenton to meet us and we waited for the feeder bus. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 65705 on a #25 to Keele.

First Potteries 65705 by Stoke railway station

10:00 came and went and the bus didn't show up. There were other people waiting for the bus on the other side of the road so we crossed over and we waited on the steps next to the bus stop. Whilst we waited we saw Matadars coach M77 TDR appear outside the railway station on rail replacement work.

Matadars M77 TDR by Stoke railway station

Some body spotted the bus coming along Station Road so we crossed over the road to the other side. As it got closer we saw it was dud PMT Bristol 207 on a service to Hanley.

PMT 207 by Stoke railway station

We got on the bus, and we found out that the first bus hadn't run, and this would be the next bus to Apedale. We decided to do it up to Hanley and back to Apedale. We sat down near to the back and the bus set off along Station Road. We turned right onto College Road and part way up the hill we saw Premier Travel DL11 GXP in a side street. After running the hill through Shelton we continued onto Cleveland Road and forwards onto Regent Road. We turned left onto Lower Bethesda Street and we crossed over the ring road onto Bethesda Street. The bus stopped outside the museum and we asked the driver if we had time to get out and take a picture. He said we had so we got off the bus and we crossed over the road and took another picture of PMT 207.

PMT 207 in Hanley

We got back on the bus and a few minutes later the bus set off along Bethesda Street. We turned left onto Broad Street and we crossed over the ring road. we ran for around 1/2 mile and we turned left into college Road. We ran down the hill through Shelton and at the end of the road we turned left onto Station Road. We had a brief stop outside the railway station and then we continued on our way. We ran to the end of Station Road and we ran forwards onto the A52. We turned right onto City Road and we ran under the railway line. We crossed over the A500 entering Stoke town centre. We continued along Church Street onto Hartshill Road and into the centre of Hartshill. We continued down to the edge of Newcastle. We continued down to the jubilee roundabout and we turned right into Ryecroft. We turned right onto the Northbound A34 and we passed Sainsbury's. At Newcastle bus garage there were on 3 vehicles. We saw First Potteries 63100. We carried on Northwards up the A34 to Chesterton. We turned left onto London Road and at the next roundabout we turned left onto Loomer Road. We ran to the end of Loomer Road and into Apedale Country park. Once off the bus Matthew went the heritage centre and went to the toilet. We decided to have a walk around the site whilst we waited for mum to make an appearance. We walked past the railway station and down the hill onto the large green area where all the buses were parked. One of the first buses we spotted was recent arrival in the area First Potteries 47519 which had been borrowed from Newcastle garage.

First Potteries 47519 in Apedale Light Railway

There were around 30 vehicles or so on display. Further down the row we saw Warrington 92 parked up.

Warrington 92 in Apedale Light Railway

Also seen was Fowler's Leyland coach G601 XMD which did a run to Keele.

Fowlers G601 XMD in Apedale Light Railway

Stanton's always bring vehicle to the local rallies and this year was no exception. We saw Stanton's of Stoke Solo 4051 VT which is used for local stage work.

Stanton's of Stoke 4051 VT in Apedale Light Railway

After we had done a lap of the site we went to the top end to wait for mum to arrive. Whilst we waited we saw PMT 604 which had just returned on site having done a run to Keele.

PMT 604 in Apedale Light Railway

Also seen was PMT 755 which had just returned from a run to Newcastle.

PMT 755 in Apedale Light Railway

Mum appeared and we went into the heritage centre. Matthew went to the toilet and after we got a table in the cafe. Matthew had his usual breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. He also helped me and his mum eat breakfast. When we had finished we went outside to get another bus. We spotted Bournemouth 55 on a service to Newcastle.

Bournemouth 55 in Apedale Light Railway

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. We set off along Loomer Road and at the roundabout we turned right onto London Road. We ran to the end and we turned right onto the Southbound A34. We ran Southwards for around a mile and a 1/2 past the bus garage, and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We ran to the Jubilee roundabout and we did a u-turn back onto Ryecroft before veering left onto Merrial Street. The bus stopped and the driver asked anyone if they want to get out and take a picture. We decided to get out and we got another picture of Bournemouth 55.

Bournemouth 55 in Newcastle

We got back onto the bus and we set off along Merrial Street. We turned right onto High Street and we continued forwards onto Liverpool Road. We turned left onto Ryecroft and at the roundabout we turned right onto the Northbound A34. We ran Northwards for around a mile and a 1/2 and we veered left onto London Road. We turned left onto Loomer Road and we ran into the site and unloaded in front of the heritage centre. Once of the bus we walked down to the bottom of the site and we asked the which were the next few buses out, most of the buses were buses we have been on many times, but we found out the Hollinshead NTU 125 was about to the Next Newcastle service. We sat on some seats overlooking the site so that we could see when the bus was about to move and we had a drink of Fanta. We spotted the bus moving so we got up to walk towards the bus stop. Matthew took a picture of Hollinshead NTU 125 as it passed us as we walked to the bus stop.

Hollinshead NTU 125 in Apedale Light Railway

By the time that we got to the stop the bus was already starting to load. We managed to get on the bus but we all had to seat separately. We set off along Loomer Road and at the roundabout we turned right onto London Road. We ran to the end and we turned right onto the Southbound A34. We ran Southwards for around a mile and a 1/2 past the bus garage, and we turned left onto Ryecroft. We ran to the Jubilee roundabout and we did a u-turn back onto Ryecroft before veering left onto Merrial Street. The bus stopped and the driver asked anyone if they want to get out and take a picture. Nobody did ass the bus was so full no one wanted to risk not getting a seat again! we set off along Merrial Street. We turned ran forwards onto Church Street and at the roundabout we turned right onto the Northbound A34. We ran Northwards for around a mile and a 1/2 and we veered left onto London Road. We turned left onto Loomer Road and we ran into the site and unloaded in front of the heritage centre. before we got off Matthew took a picture inside Hollinshead NTU 125.

Inside Hollinshead NTU 125

Once off the bus we met up with our friends Debbie and Dom. Matthew decided he wanted to go to the toilet. After Matthew had been to the facilities we walked down to the bottom end of the site. We found out the PMT 453 was going to be doing a run up to Hanley. We decided that we were going to do once last out and back run on this bus. The bus pulled up at the bus stop a few minutes after it was due to depart and Matthew took a picture of this bus.

PMT L453 in Apedale Light Railway

The bus set off along Loomer Road and at the end of the road we crossed the roundabout onto Wolstanton Road. We crossed over the A34 and we ran forwards onto the B5369. We ran through Dimsdale and we crossed over the A527. We continued to Basford and we turned left onto the A53. We crossed over the A500 and we ran up towards Festival Park. We turned right at the roundabout onto Etruria Road and at the right Road we turned right. We crossed over Broad Street and we turned left into Bethesda Street. We stopped outside the museum and when we got off to take a picture, when we got back on were weren't able to sit together again! A few minutes later we set off along Bethesda Street. We turned left onto Broad Street and we crossed over the ring road. we ran for around 1/2 mile and we turned left into college Road. We ran down the hill through Shelton and at the end of the road we turned left onto Station Road. We had a brief stop outside the railway station and then we continued on our way. We ran to the end of Station Road and we ran forwards onto the A52. We turned right onto City Road and we ran under the railway line. We crossed over the A500 entering Stoke town centre. We continued along Church Street onto Hartshill Road. The bus really struggled to get up the hill and we ran up the hill at walking pace and into the centre of Hartshill. We continued down to the edge of Newcastle. We continued down to the jubilee roundabout and we turned right into Ryecroft. We turned right onto the Northbound A34 to Chesterton. We turned left onto Brymbo Road following PMT 466. The driver of the lead bus decided that this wasn't the way to go and we did a u-turned and we ran back to the A34. We travelled Northwards for another junction and we turned left onto London Road and at the next roundabout we turned left onto Loomer Road. We ran to the end of Loomer Road and into Apedale Country park. Once off the bus Matthew visited the toilet and we went to the cafe and Matthew brought a twister. Once we had brought the lolly we spotted a minibus on the road and he went to investigate. We had a look at the PSV disc and we found out it was Craig Ian Ashley J11 BOT.

Craig Ian Ashley J11 BOT in Apedale Light Railway

We returned to the car and we met up with mum and uncle Dave. We got in the car and we set off out of the Apedale Country Park onto Loomer Road and we diverted into Turner Crescent past the depot and we saw E-zec patient transport minibuses. We continued along Loomer Road and we turned sharp right onto London Road. We turned right onto Holditch Road and left onto Bymbo Road. We continuned along the A34 through Cross Heath and into Newcastle. As we passed the depot which was empty. We turned left onto Ryecroft and at the roundabout we turned right onto Barracks Road. We continued onto the Southbound A34 and we turned left onto The Avenue. Travelling up towards Hartshill. At the end we turned right onto Hartshill Road. We ran down to Stoke and onto the one way system. We turned right onto Elenora Street and we followed the road around onto Copeland Street. We ran forwards onto Glebe Street and we followed the one way system onto Church Street. We crossed over the A500. We dropped down into Fenton and we dropped off uncle Dave. Once we had dropped him off we returned up to Smithpool Road and right onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs with Matthew and we spent a few minutes with him before we said goodbye. we saw white minibus DN68 YVP parked across the road. Matthew drank a bottle of Irn Bru. For tea Matthew had pasta and tuna followed by a Bakewell tart. Later on Matthew chilled out in his room. He watched television and used his computer. Matthew had a bath and then had toast for supper. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.

Trip to the 'Potteries Connection' running day 27-09-2015

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
53208	Blurton, adj Ladybank Grove	Stoke railway station	23	First Potteries
55	Stoke railway station	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	Bournemouth (Preserved)
472	Gladstone pottery Museum	Stone, Crown Street	Special	Huddersfield (Preserved)
472	Stone, Crown Street	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	Huddersfield (Preserved)
DOG104	Gladstone pottery Museum	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Special	Crosville (Preserved)
RM467	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	London Transport(Preserved)
60100	Gladstone pottery Museum	Foxfield Railway	Special	First Potteries(Preserved)
GSO 90V	Foxfield Railway	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	Bluebird (Preserved)
JTF 218F	Gladstone pottery Museum	Trentham Gardens	Special	Stanton's of Stoke(Preserved)
JTF 218F	Trentham Gardens	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	Stanton's of Stoke(Preserved)

Today was the Potteries Connection bus rally. We had seen on the Potteries Omnibus Preservation Society's web page that they were running shuttles from Stoke railway station at 10:00, 10:25 and every 30 minutes for most of the day. We worked out that if we did the 09:38 from Blurton we could get to Stoke railway station with 4 minutes to spare... Matthew got up around 09:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Just before 09:30 we set off on foot to the stop all the way over on Beaconsfield Drive. there were people at the stop so we knew that we hadn't missed the bus. We saw the bus going towards Newstead and it was First Potteries 53208. A few minutes later the bus returned from Newstead and it was as expected First Potteries 53208.

First Potteries 53208 in Blurton

We got on the bus and we booked to Stoke railway station before sitting down in the middle of the bus. The bus set off up Beaconsfield Drive and through the Blurton Farm estate until the end. We turned left on to Church Street and down under the railway bridge before turning left onto Blurton Road. We carried on through the rest of Blurton and over into Heron Cross before going over the A50. We went straight across the traffic lights into Heron Street before following the road to the left onto Station Bridge Road. We turned left at Christchurch Street and left again at the end onto City Road. At the bottom of the hill we went forwards onto the A52 and under the railway line. We crossed over the A500 and we went straight into Stoke town centre on Church Street. After stopping in the town we followed the one way system around and we crossed over the A500 and back under the railway before turning left onto Station Road. We got up and the bus pulled over... At the same time we saw Bournemouth 55 pull up on the opposite side of the road. We spotted uncle Dave who we had arranged to meet at the railway station as we got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 53208 as it carried on towards Hanley.

First Potteries 53208 by Stoke railway station

The shuttle bus to the rally was due to depart any minute, so Matthew took a picture of Bournemouth 55 before we crossed over the road.

Bournemouth 55 by Stoke railway station

We got on the bus which was nearly empty and within a minute or so we were on our way. We went to the end of Station Road and forwards onto the A52. At the end we turned left onto City Road and we headed up through Fenton. We carried on forwards to King Street and we entered Longton under the railway bridge. Forwards onto the on way system we carried on straight onto Uttoxeter Road before turning right onto Chadwick Street. We turned left into the car park of the Gladstone Pottery Museum were the rally was being held. After going past the static buses on our left we stopped to let the passengers off. We let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Bournemouth 55.

Inside Bournemouth 55

Once off the bus we had a walk around. Departing on the 10:15 to Foxfield railway was Strathtay Coaches CRS 66T.

Strathtay Coaches CRS 66T in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Arriving on site we saw Middleton's Plaxton bodied coach KPC 204P.

Middleton's KPC 204P in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Also present at the rally was Tim Deakin's excellent Leyland Olympian 757 painted in silver black and red as it would have been when it entered service back in 1989.

PMT 757 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We found the control bus and we purchased the rally programme at £3. We then walked to the west side of the site to take a few pictures. Only restored in 2013, we also saw Mr Fee's AEC Reliance SL805.

PMT SL805 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

At the Northern end of the site was Devon General 23.

Devon General 23 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We headed towards the eastern side of the site taking picture of the buses parked up. In the back row was POPS owned Mercedes minibus carring the Minilink livery MMM120.

PMT MMM120 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Another bus recently preserved was First Potteries 30031.

First PMT 30031 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Next to this was another bus that we saw Northern Scottish 16.

Northern Scottish 16 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Back on the West side of the site we saw Midland Red Leyland Leopard 227.

Midland Red 227 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Another bus preserved this year was former First Potteries / Copeland's Tours J917 SEH still carrying the Copeland's Tours colours but with original First Potteries registration plate.

J917 SEH in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We also saw Posh Limos very nice example of a Mercedes minibus PO55 SSH.

Posh Limos PO55 SSH in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We went around the stalls and Matthew purchased a bus DVD made locally earlier this week! We also brought an old North Staffs fleet list from 1999 which cost us 50p. We sat down for a while and we tried to work out the beat way we could travel on a few new buses. We had just missed out on Alder Valley Leyland National 127 which had worked the 10:10 to Newcastle and wasn't going to work again until 12:10. The only bus we could do that we hadn't been on before was Huddersfield 472, or at least that what I thought as I quickly tried to work out what buses we needed and when they were going to work. A late arrival on site was Bassetts Coaches SUX 476X.

Bassetts SUX 476X in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

PMT Bristol VR 604 just arrived back from a round trip to Hanley and was about to work again on the 11:00 trip to Hanley.

PMT 604 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Alder Valley Leyland National 127 arrived back on site after it's a trip to Stoke and then parked up for a while before it's next turn.

Alder Valley 127 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Another late arrival on site was Stanways former Brighton & Hove Optare N408 MPN now carrying the Stanways livery.

Stanways N408 MPN in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We walked up to the top end of the site and we got a picture of the bus we hoped to travel down to Stone on when it worked the 1120 service, Huddersfield 472.

Huddersfield 472 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We sat down and Matthew had a Curly Wurly and a can of Limeade whilst we waited for the bus departure time. On the 11;20 to the Foxfield Railway was Bluebird Alexander 'Y' type GSO 90V.

Bluebird GSO 90V in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We saw the driver of Huddersfield 472 climb into the cab and the bus was started up. The service to Stone was being duplicated with London Transport Routemaster RM467 being the other bus. The Routemaster pulled up behind the Bluebird bus and Huddersfield 472 pulled up to the stop behind the Routemaster. We got on the bus and we went straight upstairs. Due to the fact the most of the other Stone passenger were on board the Routemaster, The top deck of Huddersfield 472 was empty! Matthew took a picture inside of Huddersfield 472 and we sat at the front of the bus.

Inside Huddersfield 472

A handful of passengers came aboard the bus and the bus set off a few minutes late due to buses arriving on site and being last in the queue to leave. We set off onto Chadwick Street and onto Normacot Road following London Transport RM467. We crossed the A50 and joined the A5035. We ran along through Dresden and into Blurton travelling nearby to our house. We crossed the railway and we went into Trentham. At the A34 we went South and down through Tittensor and the the West of Stone through the roadworks. At the bottom end of town we turned left onto the A520 and we went onto the one way system and onto Crown Street. The buses pulled up at the bus stop and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew went to the toilet, missing First Potteries 32635 go by, which was on the #10 to Hanley. We had time to take a couple of pictures and they decided to go back on Huddersfield 472 as we had been on the Routemaster a few time before. We got on board and went upstairs sitting down in the middle of the bus. This time they were a few more people on the bus, some having transferred onto this off the Routemaster. At 11:55 the bus set off around the one way system and onto the Northbound A520. We headed up this winding dark road surrounded by trees and we burst out into open countryside for the run up to Rough Close. At Rough Close we took the A5005 through Lightwood and into Longton. We crossed the A50 and onto Normacot Road before turning left onto Chadwick Street. We entered the rally site and pulled up to the top of the car park and the bus emptied out. We had arrange to meet mum at 12:20 when the bus was due back but we had arrived a few minutes early. We sat by the entrance for a few minutes and we waited for mum to appear. We decided to walk onto Normacot Road to wait for her, and whilst we were there we saw a few buses come and go. We saw Midlands Red 1902 on the 12:20 to Stone.

Midland Red 1902 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Also making an appearance on a duplicate service was Stantons of Stoke East Lancs bodied open-topped double decker JTF 218F.

Stantons of Stoke JTF 218F in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We called mum and she had been delayed, so we arranged to meet her at the cafe. We set pff on foot over the A50 and onto the A5035. As we walked down past Lomgton Club, mum picked us up and gave us a lift about 200 yds down to the cafe Go Eat. Matthew had a breakfast which he washed down with a can of Coke. After we had finished eating Matthew visited the toilet. On the way out Matthew spotted the Manchester Tarts and we had some for later... Mum gave us a lift back to the museum so we could carry on bus bashing for the rest of the afternoon. There was a required bus due to depart at 13:40 on a service to Etruria via Hanley Museum. Matthew was getting bored and he wanted to catch a bus, so we abandoned the plan to get Alder Valley 127. Former Crosville / PMT bus DOG104 currently on it's original Crosville livery was on the 13:30 to Hanley. Matthew took a picture of this bus and we decided to catch it.

Crosville DOG 104 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We went upstairs and we sat down in the middle of the top deck. The bus set off out of the site and over the A50 onto the Westbound relief road. We joined the A50 and we ran down to Sideway before going North up the A500. I looked at the programme and I worked out that Alder Valley 127 would only be 5 minutes behind us at the Museum so we could get off this Olympian and we could get a new bus in for the day. We came off the A500 at the A52 and followed the road under the railway line and up to the railway station. We made a unofficial stop at the station as this service was only booked to stop on the return journey at least one family took advantage of this and boarded the bus here. We went up College Road and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We crossed over the ring road and the bus pulled up outside the museum. We got up and got off the bus and we got another better picture of Crosville DOG 104 before it carried on Back towards the Gladstone Pottery Museum via Stoke railway station.

Crosville DOG 104 outside Hanley museum

We sat on the benches outside Hanley Museum. 13:55 came and went but the Leyland National did not appear. Whilst we waited we saw First Potteries 41501 on a #7A to Biddulph.

First Potteries 41501 outside Hanley museum

We realised that the bus was probably not going to show up and we would be on the next Hanley, which was booked to be London Transport RM467. The time up to 14:20 passed quickly, and it wasn't long before we saw a Routemaster approaching. As expected it was London Transport RM467.

London Transport RM467 outside Hanley museum

We got on the bus and we went upstairs, sitting down near to the back of the bus. The bus set off onto Broad Street and we crossed over the ring road onto Snow Hill. We headed down the hill into Station Road for the scheduled pick up. We carried on forward onto the A52 and we turned right and went under the railway line and joined the A500. We headed South to Sideway and then we took the A50 up to Longton. We did the A50 relief road past the town and we entered the rally site via Normacot Road and Chadwick Street. We worked out that there was a plus 10 onto the 14:50 to Foxfield which was book to be Dennis Lance 60100. This just give us time to visit the Merseyside stall and purchase a few photographs. Stanton's of Stoke JTF 218F was occupying the the stand as it waited to work the 14:50 to Trentham. We decided to be cheeky and go up to the bus before it pulled up on stand, but not before we got a picture of First PMT 60100.

First PMT 60100 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

As we got on the bus first it was almost empty, allowing Matthew to get a picture inside First PMT 60100.

Inside First PMT 60100

We had to wait for the Stanton's of Stoke bus to leave, as well as Bassetts SUX 476X which was duplicating the Trentham service. Our service was being duplicated by Berresfords ORS 60R. We set off out of the site following Berresfords ORS 60R, and onto the Eastbound A50. We went through Meir tunnel and up to Meir Heath past the Copeland's garage, where orange coaches MIB 116 & MIB 118 were clearly visible. We joined A521 and we crossed the railway, before turning left onto Caverswall Road. As we passed Caverswall Old Road we saw Glovers minicoach AIG 7450 emerging from this side road. It was returning from a trip up to the colliery which was organised in conjunction with the Autumn gala going on at the railway. We got stuck in a minor traffic jam as we had to pass a steam traction engine that was towing two trailers. Eventually we got into the foxfield railway yard and we parked up. The colliery shuttle service worked by Glovers AIG 7450 parked along side us.

Glovers AIG 7450 at Foxfield Railway

For most of the day, the buses had a layover at Foxfield, allowing you to transfer onto the previous bus or just spend some time at the railway. We were transferring on to the previous service which had been worked by Bluebird GSO 90V. We had a quick walk around Foxfield where we were able to take a few pictures of buses, steam traction engines, steam trains as well as a beach buggy. We then jumped on Bluebird GSO 90V just before departure time. The bus set off down Caverswall Road and we stopped at the bottom to wait for a train at the level crossing. The Crewe bound service was being worked by East Midland Trains 158799. Once the train had passed we got on the A521 and we headed to Meir Heath. We joined the Westbound A50 and we headed through the Meir tunnel and Normacot and into Longton. We crossed over the A50 and we entered the site via Normacot Road and Chadwick Street. Once in the site we waited for the coach seated bus to empty out before Matthew got a picture inside Bluebird GSO 90V.

Inside Bluebird GSO 90V

Earlier in the day we had asked Keith Stanton what his bus was working and he informed us it was going out on both the 14:50 & the 15:50 to Trentham Gardens and back. We had decided we would finish the day off on this bus, so we had around a 15 minute wait. Walking around the site Matthew wanted to go inside this Winebago so he could use their toilet. As a precaution we decided to go and use the toilet in the Pottery Museum just in case he really needed it and he wasn't just wanted to explore. We walked around on Uttoxeter road and we entered the museum through the gift shop. We saw Keith who told us the toilet were upstairs. We climbed what is quite possibly the most creaky staircase that still stands and Matthew used the facilities. When we got back downstairs Matthew also went in the disabled toilet. Knowing Matthew he probably already knew where it was but just didn't say anything! We purchased a couple of cans of pop and we walked back round to the rally site. Around 15:50 we saw Keith jump in the cab of the Leyland open-topped PD2A and it moved up to the bus stop.

Stantons of Stoke JTF 218F in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We got on the bus and we went upstairs. The top deck was only about 1/3 full on this run, unlike most of the earlier runs when the bus had been full. The bus set of over the A50 and onto the A5035. It was a straight run to Trentham Gardens... Through Dresden and Blurton and over the railway into Trentham. At the A34 we went straight across and into the gardens and we stopped outside the shopping village and we got off to take another picture of Stantons of Stoke JTF 218F.

Stantons of Stoke JTF 218F at Trentham Gardens

We got back on the bus and we went upstairs. The bus set off back over the A34 and onto the A5035. We went back over the railway line into Blurton and forwards into Dresden. We crossed the A50 and we entered the rally site via Normacot Road and Chadwick Street. When we got off the bus we went to to the corner of the site to wait for mum to arrive. Buses were now departing thick and fast, such as Berresford Leyland Leopard ORS 60R.

'Berresfords' ORS 60R at the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Mum appeared and we jumped into the car. We dropped uncle Dave off in Fenton and then we headed home via Heron Cross and Blurton Road, getting back just before 17:00. For tea Matthew had chicken and fries followed by a Manchester Tart we had from Go Eat. Later in the evening Matthew had a bath and then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 23:30... Mark