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 Longton / Hanley 09-10-2021

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
67157	Fenton, adj Travers Court	Hanley BS	23	First Potteries
63098	Hanley BS	Fenton, Victoria Place	6A	First Potteries

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going out on the bus and going out foe tea. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast for breakfast. before Matthew went to the Longton he watched buses out of the window. whilst waiting for the time to go to the day centre, we saw Temple Street Church RX18 GZW.

Temple Street Church RX18 GZW in Fenton

Matthew chilled out in his room before going out. We saw First Potteries 67157 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67157 in Fenton

Later on we went to Longton by car. We went downstairs and got into the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street. We turned right onto Station Bridge Road and we followed the road around onto Heron Street. We went over the traffic lights onto Blurton Road and at the roundabout we joined the Eastbound A50. We came off the A50 at Longton and we ran along the high level road to the other end of town. We turned sharp left onto The Strand. We turned off the Strand and we parked up. Once we went to the cafe on the corner. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards. Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Coke. We Walked up to The Strand and we got in the car and we set off onto The Strand and we went under the railway line onto King Street. We ran through We ran through Foley into Fenton and forwards onto City Road past the new petrol station. We turned right into Victoria Road. We continued down the hill 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. We ran around to Etruria Road and we turned left and headed under the A53 and we headed up to Etruria. We headed towards Basford and over the A500 where we saw Unicorn Travel R1 UTW. We turned right onto the B5369 and we went into Wolstanton. We stopped at the green space on the corner of A527. we stopped at the playground . Matthew walked to the toilet highlights of the bus sightings included First Potteries 69160 on a #98 to Ball Green. Once we had finished eating we continued around the lake and back to the car. Once we had finished we got back into the car and we set off onto the B5369. We ran through to the A53 and we turtned right. We turned left onto Victoria Street and we ran into Hartshill. We joined Hartshill Road and we ran down the hill into Stoke town centre. We went around the one-way system onto Elenora Street and we followed it around onto Copeland Street. We got onto to Glebe street towards the railway station and we turned right onto Lytton Street and we ran to the end before turning left onto City Road. We ran under the railway line and up the hill into Fenton. We turned right onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and Matthew went to his room to chill out. We went downstairs and we set off onto City Road. We walked down to the bus stop outside the flats. on the way we saw Afford rent-a-car DL21 NMZ parked up in there depot.

Afford rent-a-car DL21 NMZ in Fenton

A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 67157 on a #23 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67157 in Fenton

We got on the bus and we booked to Hanley 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. We went past the railway station we turned right onto College Road. 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. We turned right onto John Street. We entered the bus station and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus we set off up Lichfield Street. We turned right onto Birch Terrace and we visited Iceland. When we had finished shopping we walked onto Old Hall Street past the site of the old bus station which has now been almost completely demolished. We turned the corner onto Parliament Row and we stopped at McDonalds and Matthew had chicken nuggets and fries and a cup of Coke. We walked back along parliament Row and we stopped at Poundland. We continued along Parliament Row and we stopped Boots and afterwards we went into Tontine Street onto Lichfield Street and back to the bus station. We waited for the next bus back to Fenton. A short time later we saw First Potteries 63098 on a #6A to Blythe Bridge.

First Potteries 63098 in Hanley bus station

We got on the bus and we booked to Fenton before sitting down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the bus station onto John Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto the ring road and we turned right onto Lichfield Street and we ran down the hill to Joiners Square. We crossed the roundabout onto Victoria Road and we saw preservation was former PMT SSS825. We ran up the hill into Fenton. At the top of the hill we got up and got off the bus. One off the bus we set off on foot onto City Road and we turned left onto Christchurch Street. We turned right onto Temple Street and we returned to the residential unit. Matthew went upstiars to his room to chill out. Matthew watched some 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 / First Adderley Green open day 18-09-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
757	Gladstone pottery Museum	Adderley Green, adj First bus depot	Special	First PMT (Preserved)
757	Adderley Green, adj First bus depot	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	First PMT (Preserved)
419	Gladstone pottery Museum	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Special	Trent (Preserved)
GSO 90V	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	Bluebird (Preserved)
SN1128	Gladstone pottery Museum	Foxfield Railway	Special	PMT (Preserved)
SN1128	Foxfield Railway	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	PMT (Preserved)

Today was the annual Potteries Connection bus rally held on the site of Gladstone Pottery museum. This year First were also holding a garage open day at Adderley Green. Matthew got up and had a giant Crumpet and orange juice for breakfast. Matthew had to wait patiently for me to return from work before we went out today. I got back around 11:15, and atound 10 minutes later we got in the car and we drove to Finstock Avenue so I could get some money. We continued through Blurton onto Beaconsfield Drive and then left onto Church Road. We continued down onto Blurton Road and in Heron Cross we joined the Eastbound A50. We came off the A50 at Longton and we drove onto Baths Road past the bus station which was completely empty! We turned right onto Market Street and followed the one way system around onto Commerce Street. We parked on the car park on commerce Street opposite to the old bus station that at one time has housed both PMT and D&G buses. Form the car park we walked around the corner onto the rally site. As we entered the site we saw required Merseybus 0238 coming in off a service. The first bus we saw was an ex Travel West Midlands Volvo 1415.

Travel West Midlands 1415 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

When we got there we decided to have a look around at what unusual buses were around today. The control bus was PMT 466, which wasn't out on any service.

PMT 466 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

One we had seen before was former Stagecoach Manchester / GM Buses double decker 2032, which also wasn't running today.

GM Buses 2032 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

One that was was running was former PMT / First PMT Leyland Olympian 30031.

First PMT 30031 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

There didn't seem quite as many buses has there had been in previous years, and most of the one's that were there we had already been on! One we have been on several times, but not in preservation was former PMT & Copeland's Tours Dart 917 which had now been returned to PMT colours.

PMT 917 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Another bus that we had been on quite a few time over the last few years was former PMT / Crosville Leyland Olympian which had been returned to NBC Green for a few years now...

Crosville DOG 104 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We located the control bus and we brought the programme for £3. The first thing that we wanted to do was to visit Adderley Green garage as First were having an open day there to coincide with the bus rally. The next departure was going to be at 12:05 and was booked to be Tim Deakin's well turned out Leyland Olympian 757 in silver, complete with branding for the #320 from Hanley to Crewe. The buses pulled onto the stop and Matthew got a picture of the fne bus before we jumped on it.

PMT 757 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We got on the bus and we went upstairs and sat down. he bus set off out of the site and onto the one way system down The Strand and right onto Market Street. We turned left onto Anchor Road and we climbed the hill to the top and we ran down towards the roundabout about the gasworks. All the full length single decker buses had been removed from the depot and parked in a yard owned by the territorial army so there was enough room at the back of the depot for the driver experience course at the back of the depot. We turned left at the roundabout onto the A5272 and we stopped at the bus stop outside the depo. We walked in through the gate and we turned left in foront of the main garage. Ghis is where the modern classics were being displayed. The nearest bus was recently repainted First Potteries 32634 which been dooe in NBC red and cream colours.

First Potteries 32634 at First Adderley Green open day

First had also brought in other buses from around the Midlands. First Leicester 66965 was there in a heritage Leicester tram livery, and First Worcester 32404 in Midland Red colours was also there. Another new re-paint was First Potteries 37146 in silver, just like the bus we had travelled down on.

First Potteries 37146 at First Adderley Green open day

Also at the garage was the 'Borismaster' that we saw in Shelton the other day. It was Arriva London LT840.

Arriva London LT840 at First Adderley Green open day

We walked arund the side of the garage where we saw all the Darts and Solo's that weren't in service today parked up for the day. On example in the row was First Potteries 41499.

First Potteries 41499 at First Adderley Green open day

At the bottom end of the depot was First Potteries double decker 32627. We also saw required First Potteries 67642 giving rides through the bus wash. The bottom end of the depot had been coned off and they were giving driver experience courses for £20. We went back to the front of the depot and Matthew used the toilet. Around the opposite side of the depot we saw an unidentified First Potteries double deck in all over primer grey. They were also showing the work of the upholstery department. At the bottom of the depot was Chase playbus K890 CSF.

Chase playbus K890 CSF at First Adderley Green open day

We then went inside the shed and we saw buses in various staes of repair. Some had panerls removed and most of the buses had been lifted to give acces to the underside. After we had finished going around the depot we had an ice cream from the van by the playbus and we walked back up to the main road. We then saw a few hundred motorbike go past towards Weston Coyney on some kind of charity bike run. We finished of our ice creams and waited for the motorbikes to pass and then we walkd back to the bus stop. After around a 5 minute wait the next bus to turn up was PMT 757 again! We got on the bus and after if had filled up we set off towards Bentilee. At the first roundabout we did a u-turn and we headed back to Adderley Green where we turned right onto Anchor Road. At the bottom of Anchor Road we joined the one way system onto Market Street and right onto Commerce Street. We turned left and we ran up to the Gladstone Pottery Museum Car park where the bus terminuted and unloaded. Before we got off Matthew took a picture inside PMT 757.

Inside PMT 757

When we got off the bus we had had a quik walk around whilst we waited for mum to appear with some food. Back into it's parking space was Merseybus Alexander bodied double decker 0238.

Merseybus 0238 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We also saw PMT Bristol VR double decker 604.

PMT 604 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Mum arrived with the food and we sat down on the bench whilst Matthew tucked into his breakfast box. Whilst we ate we checked the programme to see what new buses we could pick up today. There were only 2 buses on the programme that we hadn't been on before left to work this afternoon. One was a Hlton Transport Leyland National that we hadn't actually seen yet, and the other was Bournemouth 103 we we had seen quite a few time but never actually done. Everything else had already worked or was not working a service today. Having not seen the Hlton Transport bus I went to one of the marshalls to see where it was... It hadn't shown up due to it being under repair back in the workshop. The bus booked to work it's was booked to be Merseybus 0238! We waited until nearly time and the bus didn't look like it was going to move. There must have been a change of plan as it had been replace with required Trent Leyland National 419.

Trent 419 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

After getting a quick picture we got on the bus and we sat towards towards the middle of the bus. It was very warm and quite uncomfortable! With big windows the bus was like a greenhouse on this warm sunny day. The bus set off out of the site and we went around the one way system onto King Street. We ran down the hill and forwards onto City Road and we joined the A52 towards the railway station. After a brief stop we turned right onto College Road and we ran past the university. We turned left onto Avenue Road and at the end we went right onto Stoke Road. At snow hill we joined Etruria Vale Road and we ran down the hill, stopping briefly outside the Etruria Industrial Museum. We carried on u the hill and we turned right onto Clough Street past the site of the old Hanley bus garage. We turned right onto the ring road and we ran around to Bethesda Street. The bus stopped outside the museum and we got off to get a picture of Trent 419.

Trent 419 outside Hanley museum

The plan was to get back onto the bus, but Matthew had other ideas... We had a look at the programme and there was another service due in less than 10 minutes. we saw First Potteries 66845 which was on a #3 service.

First Potteries 66845 outside Hanley museum

We decided to go onto the musues so matthew could use the toilet. Whilst we were the the following bus pulled up. It was dud Bluebird GSO 90V. We came out of the museum and we got oa picture of it before we jumped on.

Bluebird GSO 90V outside Hanley museum

We sat down towards the middle of the bus which was considerably cooler than the previous vehicle. Where we sat there was a wasp which Matthew tried to swat. The wasp took revenge and stung him twice. We set off out of Bethesda Street and we turned left into Broad Street. We crossed over the ring road and we ran down the hill and we turned left onto College Road. We stopped outside the railway station and then we went forwards onto the A52. At the end we turned left onto City Road and we ran up the hill. We went forwards onto King Street and we ran into Longton, We joned the one way system onto Market Street and we turned right into Commerce Street before we ran up to the pottery museum. We let the bus empty before Matthew got a picture inside Bluebird GSO 90V.

Inside Bluebird GSO 90V

When we got off we had a few minutes before Bournemouth 103 was due to work up to the Foxfield Railway. We had a quick walk around and Matthew brough some bus photo's from a stall. When we got to the bus stop we saw dud PMT 128, which for some reason had replace Bournemouth 103 on the Foxfield railway service.

PMT 128 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the fornt of the bus. The bus set off onto Commerce Street and we joined the Eastbound A50. We ran fast through the tunnel and under Meir. When we passed the Copeland's Tours depot we could see their two orange coaches MIB 116 & MIB 118 in their usual parking spots. We came of the A50 at Catchem's corner and we ran up towards Blythe Bridge. We got stopped at the level Crossing as we waited for a class 158 unit go past towards Stoke. Once the train had passed we continued over the crossing and turned left and we climbed up the hill approximatley 1/2 mile to the entrance of the railway. We turned into the railway and and the bus turned around and parked up before we got off. matthew took another picture of PMT Marshall bodied single decker 128.

PMT 128 at Foxfield Railway

We had around 10 minutes to look around before the return journey. We took a few pictures of the steam engines and the diesels, and we went in the tea rooms and brought a couple of cans of pop. When it was time to go we got back onto PMT 128. We set off out of the railway and we turned left onto Blythe Brdige Road. At the bttom of the hill we were stopped again at the level crossing, this time waiting for a Derby bound class 153. Once the brrier had left we continued onto A521 and we ran West to the A50. We joined the dual carriageway and we ran fast under Meir tunnel and up to Longton. We cam off the A50 and we went u Chadwick Street back into the pottery museum. We waited for the bus to empty and Matthew got a picture inside PMT 128.

Inside PMT 128

By the time we go back there were no more return journey back to the site, sowe took a few last pictures and we walked back to the car. We went around the one way system and down the Strand and we turned left into Baths Road. We joined the Westbound A50 and we came off at Heron Cross. We dropped down into Fenton and dropped off uncle Dave before returning back up to Heron Cross. We ran along Blurton Road through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. e turned roght into Beaconsfield Drive and we got home around 16:45. We looked at our pictures and did some writtig of the Blog from the day before. For tea we had fish and chips. Later on Matthew had a bath and we comtinued writing. Matthew then chilled out on his computer and we went to bed around 00:00... Mark

Trip to the 'Potteries Connection' running day 28-09-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
53828	Blurton, adj Ladybank Grove	Fenton (Stoke-on-Trent), adj Clifton Street	23	First potteries
65040	Fenton (Stoke-on-Trent), adj Victoria Place	Longton (Stoke-on-Trent), opp St James' Church	6B	First Potteries
30033	Gladstone pottery Museum	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Special	First PMT (Preserved)
GSO 90V	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	Bluebird (Preserved)
ORS 60R	Gladstone pottery Museum	Foxfield Railway	Special	Berresfords (Preserved)
ORS 60R	Foxfield Railway	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	Berresfords (Preserved)
170	Gladstone pottery Museum	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Special	Bournemouth (Preserved)
170	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	Bournemouth (Preserved)
H860 GRE	Gladstone pottery Museum	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Special	Stoniers (Preserved)
H860 GRE	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	Stoniers (Preserved)
DOG104	Gladstone pottery Museum	Trentham Gardens	Special	Crosville (Preserved)
DOG104	Trentham Gardens	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	Crosville (Preserved)

Today was Matthew second biggest day of his bus related social calender...the Potteries Connection running day. After a good night sleep I woke Matthew up just before 10:00 and he came down and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Mum had gone out for the morning, so once Matthew was up I phoned uncle Dave to arrange a time and a place to meet to travel up to the main site of the rally, which is of course at the Gladstone Pottery Museum in Longton. There is now no longer a direct bus from Blurton to Longton on a Sunday. So we had to travel down to Fenton, to catch either a #1 or a #6 service. Before we could catch that though, we had to get to Fenton. We set off on foot just before 10:30 with the aim of intercepting the 10:32 #23 service from Newstead to Hanley. We walked all the way to the Ladybank Grove stop, and when we got there there was a young man with a Rottweiler at the stop who kept barking at matthew every time he made a noise. The bus came around the corner and it was required First Potteries 53828.

First Potteries 53828 in Blurton

We got on the bus and booked to Christchurch Street in Fenton. Matthew was very well behaved and didn't attempt to honk the horn on this Optare Solo... We sat down a few seats in front of the Rottweiler and th bus set off through Blurton Farm estate and onto Blurton Road. We passed Lightning T2 DLT near to the Lighning house, and we crossed the A50 and went into Fenton along Heron Street. At Christchurch Road we turned left and when we got near to Albert Square, we got up and got off the bus. Matthew got another picture of First Potteries 53828 as it carried on towards Stoke.

First Potteries 53828 in Fenton

We walked towards the square where we met up with uncle Dave. It seemed very busy in this part of Fenton with people in the square. We walked up towards City Road and as we did we saw preserved PMT Leyland National 279 going towards Longton. We also saw my old car! We carried onto Victoria Square and we waited at the stop. going the other way towards Hanley we saw dud First Potteries Scanias 65040 and 60175. We seemed to wait for quite a while, longer than the 20 minute frequency timetable suggested we should have waited. It was quite warm for September, and I ended up taking my jacket and jumper off. Eventually First Potteries 65040 turned up.

First Potteries 65040 in Fenton

We got on the bus and booked to Uttoxeter Road and the driver saw the First bus rucksack and asked if we were going to the bus rally. We first had 65040 back in from Hanford to Stafford back in February 2012. Matthew decided he wanted sit on the two seats behind the driver, and uncle Dave sat further back down the bus. Th bus carried on up City Road, which became King Street as we went closer towards Longton. We went under the railway line and the bus went into Longton Interchange. We saw First Potteries 60057 and 60175 which had caught us up. A minute or so later we carried on out of the interchange and onto Market Street. On Uttoxeter Road quarter a mile or so up the road after the the one way system finished we got off the bus outside St James Church. Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 65040 as it carried on towards Blythe Bridge.

First Potteries 65040 in Longton

We crossed over Uttoxeter road and walked down towards the Gladstone Pottery Museum. The is a short cut into the car park off the road, and when we climbed the steps we saw the first bus on the site, dud Midland Fox GJW 43N.

Midland Fox GJW 43N in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We walked through the site, and most of the buses that were not running in the rally were parked on the left hand side of the site as viewed from Chadwick Street. Amongst these buses and coaches was DW Coaches BIG 2094 which was on JB Tours charter from Doncaster to the event.

DW Coaches BIG 2094 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Another bus not running in the rally was Crosville 783 EFW.

Crosville 783 EFW in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Closest to Chadwick Street was Posh Limo Iveco minibus P20 SSH.

Posh Limos P20 SSH in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We purchased a rally programme at £3 and continued looking around the site. Most of the running entrants to the rally were parked towards the right hand side of the site in two rows. In the back row was dud First PMT 866.

First PMT 866 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Also in the back row was dud Midland Red 1918.

Midland Red 1918 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We had been there long, when we saw T Deakins fine Leyland Olympian First PMT 30033 (G757 XRE).

First PMT 30033 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

It was on a service on a service to Hanley and Stoke station, so we decided to do this bus. We got on the free service and went upstairs. The bus set off out of the site and across the A50. We went past Z Carz and joined the A50. And this fine example of an Olypian, which showed off it speed on the dual carriageway. We came of the main A50 and onto the A50 link Road before heading down Victoria Road. We crossed the roundabout at Joiners Square and went up Lichfield Street to the ring road around Hanley We turned Left onto the ring road and then right onto Bethesda Street. The bus stopped outside the Museum. There was another bus outside the museum, so we got to take a picture. It was required Bluebird GSO 90V.

Bluebird GSO 90V outside Hanley museum

Originally we had planned to go back on the Olympian, but we couldn't resist getting at least one new preserved bus in for the day. We got on this great example of a Leyland Leopard / Alexander 'Y' type single decker, and we sat down towards the rear of the bus. The bus had duplicated the previous run 20 minutes earlier, but for some reason was still outside the museum. The bus set off onto Broad Street and across the ring road onto Snow Hill. At the top of college Road the bus turned into left and we went down College Road to the railway station. After a brief pause here, the bus went towards City road along the A52. We turned left at City Road, and went directly to Longton up King Street. The bus went around the one way system, coming back into the site via Normacott Road and Chadwick Street. The bus pulled onto the car park and we waited for the bus to unload before Matthew took a picture inside Bluebird GSO 90V.

Inside Bluebird GSO 90V

We got off the bus and we had around 5 minutes for the next bus that we wanted to catch, Berresfords liveried Leyland Leopard ORS 60R was on the next service to the Foxfield Railway. Whilst we were there we had time to take a few nore pictures. Stantons of stoke open top double decker JTF 218F was just leaving on a service to Trentham Gardens.

Stantons of Stoke JTF 218F in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Also leaving the site was PMT Leyalnd Atlantean 766.

PMT 766 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

A few minutes later we saw the driver jump into ORS 60R and drove the bus up to the bus stop.We let the bus load up before getting a quick picture and then jumping on it.

'Berresfords' ORS 60R at the Gladstone Pottery Museum

WE sat down near to the back of the bus and the bus set off onto Uttoxteter Road and towards Normacott. We joined the Eastbound A50 and we went through Meir tunnel, the Leopard engine resonating all around as we traveled through it. We came off the A50 at Catchems Corner and we joined the road to Blythe Bridge. After we had crossed the level crossing we turned left and climb up the hill to the Foxfield Railway. The coach turned around and parked up to wait a few minutes before returning. We got off and we took pictures of Berresfords ORS 60R.

'Berresfords' ORS 60R at Foxfield Railway

Besides the railway engines, there was a minibus doing a shuttle service to the colliery site. You had to pay for railway tickets to do the bus though. It was being worked by required Masons B13 PSV.

Masons B13 PSV at Foxfield Railway

We got back on Berresfords ORS 60R and we sat down at the back for the return journey. he bus set off down the hil and we turned right at the bottom of the lane and across the level crossing. We joined the Westbound A50 and we went through the tunnel again, coming off the A50 at Normacott. We went along Uttoxeter Road and we took the tight left turn into Chadwick Street passing required Bournemouth 103 coming the other way. We got off the bus and we waited a few minutes for mum at the edge of the site. She was running a little late so we walked down the A5035 to Go Eat and we met up with mum there. Whilst there matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke, and he had a millionaires shortbread, which went into the trip bag for later. Mum took us back up to Gladstone and we said goodbye again as she left us there for the afternoon. We were just in time to do Bournemouth 170, which was about to work the 14:20 to Hanley.

Bournemouth 170 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We decided to do this bus as a filler move whilst we waited to get Stoniers liveried 860 which was working the 15:00 to Hanley. We got on Bournemouth 170 and we went upstairs. This was a bus we first had at this event last year. This bus set off out of the Gladstone site and onto the A50. The bus took the same route as 30033 had done earlier. A50, A50 Link Road, Victoria Road, Lichfeld Street, Hanley ring road and onto Bethesda Street. When the bus got to the museum we got off and took another picture of Bournemouth 170.

Bournemouth 170 outside Hanley museum

When the bus was due to return, it took similar route to the railway station along Broad Street, Snow Hill and College Road. When it left the railway station it went along the A52 before we turned onto the A50 link Road and into Longton along the A50 and along Normacott Road and Chadwick Street. We left the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside Bournemouth 170.

Inside Bournemouth 170

We had around 5 minutes to kill before 860 was due depart. Matthew decided to visit the Busflix gazebo and checck out the DVD's. We picked the local DVD and whilst he was considering buying another one, we saw 860 move onto the stop. We quickly paid £10 for the DVD and went out to catch required H860 GRE.

Stonier H860 GRE in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

This is a bus that had been in preservation for a few years but we keep missing it. That was until now... We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back of the bus. This Leyland Lynx is a modern classic, with original grey & maroon zig-zag moquette as was the standard with all new buses in the late 80's and early 90's. The bus went upto Hanley along the same route as the other 3 trip had made. When we got to Hanley we jumped off to get another picture.

Stonier H860 GRE outside Hanley museum

Matthew decided he wanted to go toilet. We went into the museum and Matthew used the facilities whilst I brought us a couple of lollies. One of the guys working at the museum asked if we were going on the bus as they were holding it up until we were ready. we rushed Matthew out of the toilet and we jogged over to the waiting bus, sitting down towards the back. The bus left the Bethesda Road and we went down to the railway station via College Road. We departed the railway station and we went back to the site via the A52 City Road, King Street, Market Street and Uttoxeter Road before coming back into Chadwick Street from the opposite end. When we got back We let the bus empty out so Matthew could take a picture inside this single decker with a classic PMT interior.

Inside Stonier H860 GRE

We got off the bus and Matthew spotted that there had been a new North Staffs fleet list book produced by POPS, so we walked over to their trade stand a brought a copy at £4. We then sat by the bus stop to wait for the 15:45 which was booked to be 30033. It appeared 30033 had suffered a minor failure at some point, so was able to do the service as booked. A replacement was found in the form of Former PMT 30039, which now carries its original Crosville livery and fleet number DOG104.

Crosville DOG 104 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus and he said yes, so we got on board and went upstairs. As the top deck was empty behind the stairs, Matthew took a picture inside DOG104 before sat down.

Inside Crosville DOG 104

The bus set off out of the site and onto the A5035 we went through Blurton and into Trentham before crossing the A34 and entering Trentham Gardens. We turned left inside the site passing Frankie & Benny and then we went around the car parks and we stopped outside the Trentham retail village.We got off and took a quick picture.

Crosville DOG 104 at Trentham Gardens

We got back on and at 16:00 at it's booked departure time we set off back to the Gladstone Pottery Museum. We crossed the A34 and onto the A5035. There was a small queue at the temporary lights for the roadworks, and once we passed through them we went through Blurton and Dresden an into Longton. When we got back to the site mum was waiting in thr car park opposite. We had one quick look around and we saw Bassetts Coaches SUX 476X parked in a favourable position for a photograph.

Bassetts Coaches SUX 476X in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We visited the Mersey Transport Trust Stall in front of MTL 1070 and Matthew studied the bus driver ties that were for sale and brought a single photograph for 30p. We walked across to the car and jumped in. Mum drove us down the Strand and passed the bus station which was empty, so we continued down to King Street and to the A50 link Road. We went through Heron Cross and we dropped uncle Dave of at home before returning home via Heron Cross, getting back around 17:00. For tea Matthew had fish fingers and fries and the millionaire shortbread we brought earlier at Go Eat. Matthew then chilled out on his computer and watched his bus DVD before going to bed around 23:30...Mark