Trip to The Potteries Connection running day 08-09-2019

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
602	Gladstone Pottery Museum	Stone, Crown Street	Special	Midland Red
F97 PRE	Stone, Crown Street	Gladstone Pottery Museum	Special	Stevensons
202	Gladstone Pottery Museum	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Special	Midland Red
10	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Gladstone Pottery Museum	Special	Turners
766	Gladstone Pottery Museum	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Special	PMT
604	Hanley, Bethesda Street	Gladstone Pottery Museum	Special	PMT

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was going to his day service. Later on I coming coming to pick him up to take him out to The Potteries Connection bus rally at Gladstone Pottery Museum. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. I was at work until around 10:30, so as soon as I had finished work I set off from Endon to pick Matthew up. We also arranged to meet uncle Dave outside the residential unit. I arrived at the residential unit about 10:50 and we went downstairs and met up with uncle Dave. We set of onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto Baker Street and left onto Glebedale Road. We waited for the lights to change and we turned right onto City Road. We ran forwards onto King Street and we ran through Foley into Longton. We went under the railway line and forwards onto Market Street. We follows the one-way system onto Commerce Street and we entered the car park and parked up. After we had parked the car up we walked onto Millbank Street and left onto Normacot Road. We turned left onto Chadwick Street and we entered the site. Near to the entrance was First Potteries 67159.

First Potteries 67159 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We had a walk around the site to see what was on display this year. Near to the entrance we saw preserved Merseybus 6538.

Merseybus 6538 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We continued up the line taking pictures of buses. Also at the rally today was recent arrival from Worcester, First Potteries Enviro200 44514.

First Potteries 44514 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Another bus on site this years was Warrington Bristol single decker 71.

Warrington 71 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Up the top corner of the site was Stanways double decker P557 EFL.

Stanways P557 EFL in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We continued around the site and we saw required Midland Red Leyland National 602 which was about to work the next trip to Stone.

Midland Red 602 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We stood at the bus stop and we waited for the bus to be readied for service. Whilst we waited we saw Stanton's of Stoke double decker coach A12 EFA arrive on site.

Stanton's of Stoke A12 EFA in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the front of the bus. We set off onto Chadwick Street and onto Normacot Road 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 past the old Darlaston Inn. Planning permission to turn this into a petrol station and drive through restaurant have been refused. We continued down the A34 to the North end of Stone. We Veered left onto Newcastle Road and we ran into Stone town centre. After going around the one-way system and onto Stafford Road we turned right onto the one way system and onto Crown Street. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew wanted to go to the toilet, but as the bus had been duplicated by required Stevensons 97 we decided to get on that bus.

Stevensons F97 PRE in Stone

We got on the bus and we went upstairs and sat down. We set off up Crown Street and up around the one-way system onto Granville Square. We veered left 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. We turned left onto Chadwick Street and right onto the bus rally site. Once at the site we got up and waited to get off the bus. we saw Bassetts SUX 476X on a service to Hanley. Matthew let the top deck empty and got a picture inside Stevensons F97 PRE.

Inside Stevensons F97 PRE

Once off the bus we set off onto Chadwick Street and we walked around the corner to the Gladstone Pottery Museum. We went upstairs and Matthew used the toilet. When we had finished we came back out onto Chadwick street and we waited for mum to arrive and pick us up to take us for some dinner. We got in the car and we set off along Chadwick Street. We turned right onto Uttoxeter Street and we ran up to Normacot. We got onto the Eastbound A50 and we ran fast up to Meir Park. We turned right onto Lysander Road and we went to B&Q. For dinner Matthew had a burger and egg from the burger van outside B&Q. Once we had brought the burger we went back to the car to eat it. Matthew washed down his burger with a can of Coke. Once we had finished eating we drove next door to Tesco. Matthew went to the toilet and afterwards we brought some chocolate and a wriggly snack from Tesco and we returned to the car. We set off out of TEsco onto Lysander Road and we turned left onto the Westbound A50. We came off the A50 at Longton and after crossing over the A50 we turned right onto Normacot Road. We turned left onto Chadwick Street and we stopped outside the car park. We said goodbye to mum again and we headed off into the car park. The next buses we were doing would be Stagecoach Midland Red 202 which was about to work a service to Hanley.

Midland Red 202 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We got on the bus and we set down near to the back of the bus. We set off onto Chadwick Street and we turned right onto Normacot Road. We crossed the roundabout onto The Strand and we ran under the railway line onto King Street. We ran through Foley into Fenton and forwards onto City Road. 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. Instead of going to the bus stops outside the bus station, we turned left onto the ring road. We turned right onto Bethesda Street where we got up and got off the bus. We took a picture of Stagecoach midland Red 202 before it returned back to The Gladstone Pottery Museum.

Midland Red 202 outside Hanley museum

Matthew decided at this point he wanted to go to the toilet. We went into the museum and by the time he had finished the bus had gone. We were stuck in Hanley for an hour!. We had a quick look around the museum including looking at the Staffordshire hoard and the space exhibition in the basement. We came back upstairs and we brought a twister ice cream and we sat outside the museum whilst we ate these. When we had finished we decided to go and look at the Harry Shaw depot, around the corner from the police station. on the way we saw First Potteries 65040 on a #3 to Crewe.

First Potteries 65040 outside Hanley museum

We continued along Bethesda Street and we turned right onto Lanelagh Street and the bottom was the harry Shaw garage. We saw coches including BL64 MFK. When we had finished we walked back up Ranelagh Street and we turned left onto Bethesda Street. We sat out side John Street car park and we watched the buses coming in and out of Hanley bus station which included Edwards BV66 WPX on a #528 to Rochdale. about 5 minutes before the next bus was due towards the Gladstone Potteries Museum, we walked along Bethesda Street to the spot outside the museum. A few minutes later we saw Turners 10 on a service towards Gladstone Pottery Museum.

Turners 10 outside Hanley museum

We got on the bus and we sat down upstairs. 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 left onto City Road and we ran forwards onto King Street. We ran through Foley into Longton and we ran under the railway line onto Market Street. We followed the one-way system onto Commerce Street and at the roundabout we turned left onto Normacot Road. We turned left onto Chadwick Street and we returned to the museum car park. Once off the bus we had another walk around the site as the position of many of the buses had changed. As we passed Stanton's of Stoke coach A12 EFA we spotted Keith who asked if Matthew would like to go onto the coach and have a look around. We got on and Matthew took a picture inside the lower saloon.

Inside Stanton's of Stoke A12 EFA

We went upstairs and Matthew took another picture inside Stanton's of Stoke A12 EFA.

Inside Stanton's of Stoke A12 EFA

There was time for one more round trip to Hanley. The next departure was PMT 604 on a service to Hanley.

PMT 604 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We got on the bus and we went upstairs. The top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside PMT 604.

Inside PMT 604

We set off onto Chadwick Street and we turned right onto Normacot Road. We crossed the roundabout onto The Strand and we ran under the railway line onto King Street. We ran through Foley into Fenton and forwards onto City Road. 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. Instead of going to the bus stops outside the bus station, we turned left onto the ring road. We turned right onto Bethesda Street where we got up and got off the bus. Duplicating the service was PMT 766 which we decided to do back to the Gladstone Pottery Museum.

PMT 766 outside Hanley museum

We got on the bus and we went usptairs and sat down. 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 left onto City Road and we ran up the hill into Fenton. We ran forwards onto King Street and through Foley into Longton. We went under the railway line and forwards onto Market Street. We follows the one-way system onto Commerce Street and we turned left onto Normacot Road. We turned left onto Chadwick Street and we returned to the museum car park. Once off the bus we had another walk around the site. We saw Burton Corporation 103 parked up.

Burton Corporation 103 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Whilst we had been away some of the drivers had arranged the Leyland National in a line. We saw Merseytravel 1000.

Merseytravel 1000 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We headed along Chadwick Street and we turned right onto Millbank Street. We got back into the car and we drove onto Commerce Street. At the roundabout we went right onto The Strand and under the railway Bridge onto King Street. We passed through Foley into Fenton and we ran forwards onto City Road. We turned left onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street. When we got back to the residential unit and we went upstairs. We sorted out Matthew and we said goodbye.Matthew also had a bottle of Irn Bru. For tea Matthew had 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 The Potteries Connection bus rally 21-10-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
366	Gladstone pottery Museum	Trentham Gardens	Special	Coventry Transport
267	Trentham Gardens	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	Northampton Transport
227	Gladstone pottery Museum	Stone, Crown Street	Special	Midland Red
227	Stone, Crown Street	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	Midland Red
33	Gladstone pottery Museum	Stone, Crown Street	Special	Halton Transport
880	Stone, Crown Street	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	Southern Vectis
4817 F	Gladstone pottery Museum	Stone, Crown Street	Special	Island Princess
4817 F	Stone, Crown Street	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	Island Princess
F23 HGG	Gladstone pottery Museum	Stone, Crown Street	Special	South Staffs
F23 HGG	Stone, Crown Street	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	South Staffs

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was also going out to the Potteries Connection running day. As it was such an important event we decided to take him out for the day. Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. I called around 09:00 to make sure he was up and ready and I came to pick him up around 10:00. We went downstairs and we 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 ran forwards onto Heron Street. We went straight through the traffic lights onto Blurton Road. At the roundabout we turned left and joined the Eastbound A50. We came off the A50 at Longton and we went left onto Baths Road. We passed the bus station which was empty and we turned right onto Market Street. As Market Street is closed for roadworks we turned left onto the B5039 and right onto Sutherland Road. We turned right onto Landon Street. As we reached the top of Landon Street we saw Mansfield & District 148 go past on it's way to the bus rally. We turned right onto Uttoxeter Road and we veered left onto Commerce Street and we turned left into the car park. Once we had parked up the car we walked onto Millbank Street onto Normacott Road where we saw South Staffs F23 HGG & PMT Bristol VR 604.

PMT 604 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We turned left onto Chadwick Street and we entered the site of the bus rally which was in the car park of the Gladstone Pottery Museum. We started to walk around the site to take pictures of the buses. We saw preserved Robin Hood RIB 8289 arriving on the site.

Robin Hood RIB 8289 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We continued walking around the site in a clockwise direction. At the Southern end of the site we saw Southern Vectis Leyland National 880 parked up.

Southern Vectis 885 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We walked up to the South Eastern corner of the sight and we saw Mansfield based Midland General Bristol RE 148 again.

Midland General 148 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

In the corner nearest to the museum was Stanton's of Stoke Mercedes minicoach NXJ 321.

Stanton's of Stoke NXJ 321 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

As we carried on in a clockwise circle of the site we came across Northampton Transport half cab double decker 267 parked up next to the museum.

Northampton Transport 267 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

First Potteries also sent a vehicle to display at the rally. The vehicle they sent was First Potteries Enviro300 67642.

First Potteries 67642 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We went down to the bottom end of the site to find the rally control vehicle. As we went down to the bottom end of the site we saw former First PMT vehicle 30031 arrive on site.

First PMT 30031 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We found the control vehicle and due to a computer issue there were no programs for the rally today. They did print a small leaflet with the bus times and what was supposed to be working on them. We had a few minutes before the next required bus was leaving at 11:15, so we took a few more pictures. We saw former Copeland's Tours and PMT Dart 917.

PMT 917 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Around 11:15 as written on the sheet required half cab Coventry Transport 366 pulled up to the bus stop and started to load up for a run to Trentham Gardens. We got on the bus and we went upstairs and we sat down towards the back of the bus. A few minutes later we set off onto Chadwick Street and we ran down over the A50 onto the A5035. We ran through Dresden into Blurton and close to the house before crossing over the railway line into Trentham. We continued to the end of the A5035 and we crossed over the A34 into Trentham Gardens. At the first roundabout We turned left and we ran to the end past the car parks and around to the coach pick up point where we stopped. We got off the bus and we saw Bakers Dolphin BD08 GLD parked up at the side of the road on a mystery excursion.

Bakers Dolphin BD08 GLD at Trentham Gardens

We had a few minutes before the bus was due to return. Matthew decided that he wanted to visit the toilet. Whilst he was in the toilet PMT 30031 appeared and left on a duplicate service. Coventry Transport 366 also left a few minutes early. We decided to resort to plan B and have dinner at Trentham Gardens instead of the cafe in Fenton that I had originally planned to take Matthew. Then next bus was due off in 30 minutes. We set off into the retail village and we went to the Riverside restaurant. Matthew had a burger and fries washed down with a bottle of Coke. We finished eating and we got back to the bis stop just about at the time the bus was due. We asked someone who was waiting and they said they hadn't seen the bus so we waited for a short while and we saw the expected bus make an appearance. It ran around the car park and Matthew got a picture of required Northampton Transport 267 as it approached the bus stop.

Northampton Transport 267 at Trentham Gardens

We got on the bus and we went upstairs and sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off out of the gardens and across the A34 onto the A5035. We ran over the railway line into Blurton and we continued into Dresden and Longton. After crossing over the the A50 we ran around the roundabout onto Normacot Road. We turned left onto Chadwick Street and right into the car park. We got up and got off bus. Just as we got off the bus we saw the 12:30 to Stone loading up and it was required Midland Red 227.

Midland Red 227 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We decided to do this bus so we got on it and sat down near to the front. The bus was duplicated and the leading bus was Turner's 10 driven by Martyn Hearson. We set off onto Chadwick Street and onto Normacot Road 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. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew wanted to go to the toilet. The bus was a little late but as the driver of turners 10 had got off the bus to take a picture Matthew was able to go. when Matthew had finished in the toilet we saw Midland Red was still parked up so we decided to do that back to Longton.

Midland Red 227 in Stone

We got back onto the bus and we sat down in similar seats from where we got up from. We set off up Crown Street and up around the one-way system onto Granville Square. We veered left 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 past the site of the old Lightwood Tavern and into Longton. We crossed the A50 and onto Normacot Road. We turned left onto Chadwick Street and right into the site of the bus rally. When we got back we got up and got off the bus. We were just in time for required Halton Transport Leyland National II 33 which was about to work the #12:30 to Stone.

Halton Transport 33 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the front of the bus. We set off onto Chadwick Street and onto Normacot Road 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. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of before it returned to Longton.

Halton Transport 33 in Stone

A few minutes later the duplicate bus made an appearance. As expected it was required Southern Vectis Leyland National 880 on a service back to Longton.

Southern Vectis 880 in Stone

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the front of the bus. We set off up Crown Street and up around the one-way system onto Granville Square. We veered left 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. We turned left onto Chadwick Street and right onto the bus rally site. Once at the site we got up and got off the bus. There was a little time before the next required bus was due to depart. We had a quick walk around the site and we saw Bassetts Travel JRE 354V which had made an appearance since our last trip.

Bassetts JRE 354V in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

A few minutes later and one of the 2 expected buses on the 14:30 pulled onto the bus stop. It was required Island Princess 4817 F.

Island Princess 4817 F in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We got on the coach and we sat down towards the front of the coach. We set off onto Chadwick Street and onto Normacot Road 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. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Island Princess 4817 F before it returned to Longton.

Island Princess 4817 F in Stone

We got back onto the bus and we sat down in similar seats from where we got up from. We set off up Crown Street and up around the one-way system onto Granville Square. We veered left 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 and we turned left into Chadwick Street. We turned right into the rally site and before we got off the coach Matthew took a picture inside Island Princess 4817 F.

Inside Island Princess 4817 F

There was a little time before the last required coach was going to work so we had a quick walk around the rally site again. We saw late arrival Blackpool Transport 353 parked up by the museum.

Blackpool Transport 353 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

Around 15:30 one of the 2 buses booked to do the run to Stone appeared at the bus stop. It was required South Staffs coaches Volvo B10 F23 HGG in National Express livery.

South Staffs F23 HGG in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We got on the coach and we sat down towards the middle of the coach over the engine. We set off onto Chadwick Street and onto Normacot Road 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. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took a picture of South Staffs F23 HGG before it returned to Longton.

South Staffs F23 HGG in Stone

We got back onto the bus and we sat down in similar seats from where we got up from. We set off up Crown Street and up around the one-way system onto Granville Square. We veered left 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. We turned left onto Chadwick Street and right into the rally site. We got up and got off the bus. The site was almost empty now and we saw Turners 10 parked up along side the museum.

Turners 10 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We headed along Chadwick Street and we turned right onto Millbank Street. We got back into the car and we drove onto Commerce Street. At the roundabout we went right onto The Strand and under the railway Bridge onto King Street. We passed through Foley into Fenton and we ran forwards onto City Road. We turned left onto Smithpool Road and left onto Temple Street. When we got back to the residential unit Matthew took a picture of Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX.

Shelton Care Group DY08 FFX in Fenton

We went upstairs and we said goodbye to Matthew until tomorrow. Matthew chilled out in his room and used his computer. He also drank a can of Fanta orange. 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 the 'Potteries Connection' running day / First Adderley Green open day 24-09-2017

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
FD02 SFK	Gladstone pottery Museum	Adderley Green, adj First bus depot	Special	Andrews
67158	Adderley Green, adj First bus depot	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	First Potteries
GFN 273	Gladstone pottery Museum	Foxfield Railway	Special	East Kent
917	Foxfield Railway	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	PMT
2599	Gladstone pottery Museum	Trentham Gardens	Special	Ulsterbus
2599	Trentham Gardens	Gladstone pottery Museum	Special	Ulsterbus

Today Matthew was in the residential unit and he was also going out to the Potteries Connection running day. It was Holly's birthday too. I just discovered this post about the running day. I went to this event myself with a group of enthusiasts from the Bristol area but I opted to catch a bus to Hanley from outside the depot and then catch First Potteries Service 3 to Crewe (although I got off in Haslington and had a stop off there). Matthew got up around 08:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. Matthew chilled out in his room on his computer and waited for me to come and pick him u after work. I got to the residential unit just after 11:00 and we picked up some batteries and his bus pass and we went down to the car. Uncle Dave had time his run to meet us perfectly and just turned the corner as we got back to the car. We set off onto Temple Street and we turned right onto Christchurch Street. We turned left onto baker Street and left again onto Glebedale Road. At the end we turned right onto City Road and we ran through Fenton onto King Street. We ran under the railway bridge into Longton and forwards onto Market Street and onto the one-way system. We followed the road around onto Commerce Street and we parked up in the car park. We walked around the corner onto Millbank Street and we turned left onto Normacot Road. We turned left onto Chadwick Street and we saw the buses parked on the car park of the Gladstone Pottery Museum. As there were more buses than usual the were also buses & coaches parked up by the Plumb Centre. We walked onto the site and we found the program seller by PMT 466 and we brought a program at £3. There was no local fleet book for sale this time. We then walked around taking pictures. We saw required Robin Hood Duple Laser coach RIB 8289 at the event for the first time in recent history.

Robin Hood RIB 8289 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We also saw required West Midlands Travel Leyland Lynx 1266.

West Midlands Travel 1266 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We looked at the program to see what required buses we could catch next. We decided that as we wanted to go to Adderley Green the next required bus was due to be Andrews FD02 SFK in around 20 minutes. We continued looking around the site and then we stood next to the stop to wait for the bus. As we waited we saw dud PMT Dennis Dart 917 returning after working a service.

PMT 917 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We stood at the entrance and we took a few more pictures. We saw required Bassetts Leyland Leopard JRE 354V on a returning form a run to Hanley.

Bassetts JRE 354V in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

As we waited for the bus a closer look at the program revealed the bus was booked to do a service to Hanley at 12:20 and as well as a Adderley Green shuttle at 12:25! Luckily for us it worked the 12:25 to Adderley Green. We got on the bus and we sat down in the middle and the bus filled up quickly. We set off out of the car par and onto Chadwick Street and onto Normacot Road. We crossed over the roundabout onto The Strand and we ran down the one-way system onto to market Street. We turned left onto Anchor Road and we ran up the hill and and down the other side to Adderley Green. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A5272 and we stopped at the bus stop outside the bus garage. Matthew took a picture of Andrews FD02 SFK before it returned to Longton.

Andrews FD02 SFK at First Adderley Green open day

Once we let the bus go we walked into the depot and took lots of pictures. Just inside the yard we saw First Potteries 65005

First Potteries 65005 at First Adderley Green open day

At the depot were First Worcester Streetdeck 35158 as well as demonstrator bus SK17 HHC. We also saw First Potteries 53124 & 53207 in the corner of the depot seemingly withdrawn from service. The driver for £5 double deckers were First Potteries 32632 / 32649. First Potteries 67649 was giving rides through the bus wash. Inside the shed we saw First Potteries 67154 running through diagnostic with all the light flashing on and off. In the main shed 65036 / 66962 / 67641 were all being lifted. We walked around to the other side of the depot and we tried to buy one of the moquette cushions but they had all sold out! Matthew used the toilet and then we went to a food van and Matthew had a cheeseburger washed down with a bottle of Coke. After sitting down and eating the food we went back to the trim shop to try and get a cushion but they weren't able make any others up by then. We had a quick look around the depot and then we returned to the main road to wait for a bus back to the Gladstone Pottery Museum. A quick check of the program revealed that the next bus was going to be a First Potteries one. A few minutes later we saw a bus approaching and it was required First Potteries 67158.

First Potteries 67158 at First Adderley Green open day

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back of the bus. A quick look at the page revealed that this was Matthew last E200 MMC from this batch. We set off along the A5272 to the next roundabout and then we did a u-turn. We ran back past the depot and at the roundabout we turned right onto Anchor Road. We ran up the hill and down the road into Longton and we joined the one-way system. We ran onto market Street and we followed the road around onto Commerce Street. At the roundabout we turned left onto Normacot Road and left into Chadwick Street. We turned right into the car park and we ran up to near the top end where we got off the bus. We had already checked the next bus out of the site and it was required East Kent single decker GFN 273 on the 13:30 to Foxfield.

East Kent GFN 273 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back of the bus before the bus set off out off the site onto Chadwick Street. We got onto the roundabout and we headed onto the Eastbound A50. The bus was quite elderly and seem very slow to accelerate. We did manage to get onto the A50 without having to stop on the slip road and we slowly ran up the hill towards Meir. By the time we got to the tunnel we were close to doing the 40mph speed limit. We continued beyond the Copeland's Tours depot and we came off the A50 onto the A521. We ran to Blythe Bridge and we crossed over the railway line before turning left onto Caverswall Road. We ran up the hill for around 1/3 of a mile and we turned right into Foxfield Railway. Once we got off the bus we had a walk around. We took photographs of the the steam traction engines and steam rollers and then Matthew went to the toilet. We went onto the Platform and we saw Bellerophon and CEGB 15 shunting carriages around. Bellerophon took the empty North Staffs Railway carriage out of the platform and CEGB 15 shunted the mk1 carriages back into the platform. We then went into the tearoom and Matthew had a can of Coke as well as a slice of Victoria Sponge. We shared a bowl of chips between us. Once we had finished eating we rushed outside to see the next bus back to Gladstone. In the program it should have been required Warring Borough Transport 71, but this had been a no show due to last minute technical issues. The replacement bus was dud PMT Dennis Dart 917.

PMT 917 at Foxfield Railway

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. We set off out of the railway and right onto Caverswall Road. We ran down the hill to the A521 and we turned right, going over the Stoke to Derby railway line. We ran Westwards to the Meir Park and then we got onto the Westbound A50. We ran past the copeland's Tours depot at with 917 used to be based when it was with them, carrying the registration MIB 797 which Matthew had in February 2012. We continued through the tunnel and through Longton as far as Heron Cross. We did a u-turn at the roundabout and we went back Eastwards up the A50 and onto the high level road. We ran around the Trentham Road interchange roundabout and onto Normacot Road. We turned left onto Chadwick Street and right into the car park where we got up and got off the bus. The next few buses departing the site would be the last few services, apart from the ones running back towards Kidsgrove and Uttoxeter. The only required bus was Ulsterbus 2599 which was booked to do the 15:10 to Trentham Gardens. When PMT 917 pulled onto the stop to work a service to Trentham Gardens we thought we were going to get bowled out! We let the bus go and a few minutes later required Ulsterbus 2599 pulled on stand to work to Trentham Gardens.

Ulsterbus 2599 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We got on the bus and we sat down towards the back. A few minutes later we set off onto Chadwick Street and we ran down over the A50 onto the A5035. We ran through dresden into Blurton and close to the house before crossing over the railway line into Trentham. We continued to the end of the A5035 and we crossed over the A34 into Trentham Gardens. At the first roundabout We turned left and we ran to the end past the car parks and around to the coach pick up point where we stopped. We got off the bus and we saw Abacus coaches AM52 MXW. We then took another picture of Ulsterbus 2599.

Ulsterbus 2599 at Trentham Gardens

As we had a few minutes we walked up to the toilet and Matthew used the facilities. We then returned to Ulsterbus 2599 for the journey back to Longton. A few minutes later we set off out of the gardens and across the A34 onto the A5035. We ran over the railway line into Blurton and we continued into Dresden and Longton. After crossing over the the A50 we ran around the roundabout a full lap just for entertainment and then forwards onto Normacot Road. We turned left onto Chadwick Street and right into the car park. We got up and got off the bus and we had one last look around the site. We asked the controller what was working the Uttoxeter servie as if it had been a required bus we could have done it to Meir Broadway and back to Longton on the service bus. It was going to be PMT 604 which we have been on many time so we decided not to do it. Matthew took another picture of PMT 604 as it left the site for the day.

PMT 604 in the Gladstone Pottery Museum

We walked back to the car and we drove onto the one-way system and onto The Strand. We ran under the railway bridge onto King Street and we ran through Fenton. We went forwards onto City Road and we turned left onto Smithpool Road. We turned left onto Temple Street and back to the residential unit. Matthew went up to his room and we dropped off his batteries an bus pass before we said goodbye. For tea Matthew had Chicken and potatoes and gravy followed by a Bakwwell Tart. Matthew went back to his room ans started to do his Blog and put pictures on. Latr on he went to visit Holly. We set off onto Christchurch Street and we turned right onto Station Bridge Road. We continued onto Heron Street and through the traffic lights onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive and to the house. Matthew had cake and party food. when we we were finished Matthew returned to the residential unit. We set off through Blurton onto Beaconsfield Drive and left Church Road and then we went Forwards onto Blurton Road through Blurton and across the A50. We went through Heron Cross and onto Heron Street. Having crossed the railway line we Turned left onto Christchurch Street and back to the residential unit. He then chilled out in his room until bedtime around 23:00... Mark.