Trip to Potteries Apedale Running day 29-08-2021

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
65034	Apedale Light Railway	Hanley BS	Special	First Potteries
67155	Hanley BS	Newcastle BS	4A	First Potteries
65029	Newcastle BS	Apedale Light Railway	Special	First Potteries

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 to pick Matthew up. We also arranged to meet uncle Dave outside the residential unit. I arrived at the residential unit about 10:00 and we went downstairs and met up with uncle Dave. We set of onto Temple Street and we turned left onto Smithpool Road and we to pick uncle Dave up. We ran up Smithpool Road and we turned left onto City Road and we headed down the road into Stoke. We ran under the railway line and we crossed the A500. We ran forwards onto Church Street and we ran around Stoke town centre on the one-way system. We turned left onto Lonsdale Street and we turned right onto Flemming Road. We turned right onto Campbell Place and we ran forwards onto Church Street. We ran forwards onto Hartshill Road and we went up the hill through Hartshill. We ran forwards onto George Street and we turned left onto Barracks Road. We turned right onto the Northbound A34 to Chesterton. We turned left onto Wolstanton 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. 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 Crosville ERL267 arriving on site.

Crosville ERL267 in Apedale Light Railway

Also in the bus station was First Potteries 65029 on the shuttle bus to Hanley.

First Potteries 65029 in Apedale Light Railway

We decided to go around and take picture of as many of the buses as we can before we did anything else. We set off up the row and we saw Robinson's Holidays 206.

Robinson's Holidays 206 in Apedale Light Railway

As we carried on in a clockwise circle of the site we saw Western Welsh ABO 145B parked up. 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 Roadside Safety FN06 CDE parked up.

Roadside Safety FN06 CDE in Apedale Light Railway

One that was was running was former Arriva London now Space Buzz WSU 812. As we waited we saw dud GM Buses 3253 returning after working a service.

GM Buses 3253 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 MerseyBus 261 arrive on site. Matthew went to the toilet. Matthew had 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 Hanley. 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. At the roundabout we turned right onto barracks Road and we entered Newcastle bus station. After a brief stop we set off onto Barracks Road. We crossed the Jubilee Roundabout and onto the A53 and around the one-way system onto the A52. We ran up George Street into Hartshill and we ran down the hill into Stoke town centre and onto Church Street. We followed the A52 under the railway line and towards the railway station and we turned left onto Station Road. Just after the 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 before we turned right onto John Street and into the bus station where we got up and got off the bus. Matthew went to the toilet First Potteries 63099 was on a #3 to Crewe. Once we got off the bus we went inside the bus station we saw Whippet FX19 on a #023 to Shudehill.

Whippet FX19 in Hanley bus station

We continued down John Street. We turned right onto 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 crossed over the ring road to meet mum at the Venus Fish Bar. For dinner Matthew had sausage chips and gravy washed down with a can of Coke. whilst we ate we saw JMS Topgear Travel JM54 BUS. After eating dinner we set off back towards the bus station. We waited for a bus back to Newcastle. A short time later we saw. The bus appeared and it was First Potteries 67155 on a #4A to Kidsgrove. We got on the bus and we booked to Newcastle before we sat down. We set off out of the bus station onto john Street and right onto Bethesda Street. We turned left onto Broad Street and then we joined the clockwise ring road. At the end we turned left onto Etruria Road before going under the A53 onto Festival Way. We ran past Waterworld and we turned left onto Forge Lane past a new minibus building by the Brindley Farm pub. We looped under the A53 and we joined the Westbound A53. We crossed over the A500 at Etruria and and we ran up the hill into Basford. We ran down hill to the edge of Newcastle and we got onto the one way system. At the jubilee roundabout we turned left onto Barracks Road before turning right into the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and we set of up Castle Walk. we turned left onto Ironmarket. Castle Walk and we stopped at the toilet. After using the toilet we went to the bus station and we waited for a bus towards Fenton. A short time later we saw First Potteries 63116 on a #72 to Westbury Park.

First Potteries 63116 in Newcastle bus station

A short time later we saw it was former South Yorkshire bus, First Potteries 63034 on a #25 to Hanley. A short time later our bus appeared. As it got closer we saw it was First Potteries 65029 on the shuttle bus to Apedale. We got on the bus and we set down near to the back of the bus. We set off onto the bus station onto 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. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of First Potteries 65029 before returning back to Hanley on a #18.

First Potteries 65029 in Apedale Light Railway

we walked down to the bottom of the site and we asked the which were the next few buses out, most of the buses we saw London Transport RM467. and we stopped at an ice cream van and Matthew had an ice cream. After we had finished eating the ice cream. One of the first buses we spotted Hulleys of Baslow 7.

Hulleys of Baslow 7 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 onto City Road and we went under the railway line. We ran up the hill into Fenton and we turned right onto Smithpool Road. We turned left into Temple Street and back to the residential unit. We went upstairs and we room. Matthew also drank a can of Irn Bru. 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 POPS rally 24-06-2018

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
JTF 218F	Bet 365 Stadium	Stone, Crown Street	Special	Stanton's of Stoke
JTF 218F	Stone, Crown Street	Bet 365 Stadium	Special	Stanton's of Stoke
2599	Bet 365 Stadium	Trentham Gardens	Special	Ulsterbus
2599	Trentham Gardens	Bet 365 Stadium	Special	Ulsterbus
14	Bet 365 Stadium	Trentham, A34 adjacent Gardens	Special	Stevesons
DVG 266	Trentham, A34 adjacent Gardens	Bet 365 Stadium	Special	Crosville
312	Bet 365 Stadium	Stone, Crown Street	Special	Green Bus
312	Stone, Crown Street	Bet 365 Stadium	Special	Green Bus

Today was the highlight of Matthew's social calender, the main POPS rally at the BET 365 stadium. There was no research to be done as we did not know what buses would be in attendance or the timetable being used until we arrived on site. The weather was forcast for fine sunny weather all day. Matthew got up 08:00 and was bouning around with excitment. Uncle Dave who stopped over ready for today's trip made him soem toast and gave him some orange juice for breakfast. Matthew had to wait until gone 10:30 before I returned home from work. We made some sandwiches and packed a bag and we jumped into the car. It was only a 2 mile trip or so to the BET365 stadium. We set off onto the A5035 and we turned right onto Stanley Matthews Way. At the other end we turned left at the roundabout by the stadium and we parked up as direct by the stewads in front of the West Stand. 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 Invincible coach NTU 191L arriving on site.

Invincible NTU 191L in BET365 Stadium

At the corner of the site were a group of stalls. Supporting one of the stalls was WM BUses Leyland Lynx 1266

WM Travel 1266 in BET365 Stadium

We decided to go around and take picture of as many of the buses as we can before we did anything else. We set off up the row and we saw Blackpool Transport Leylane Atlantean 353.

Blackpool Transport 353 in BET365 Stadium

Further up the row was ex PMT Leyland Olympian 757 which has be re-painted back into the colour it was delivered in back in the late 1980's.

PMT 757 in BET365 Stadium

Towards the top end of the row we saw Bassetts Leyland coach JRE 354V.

Bassetts JRE 354V in BET365 Stadium

Towards the top end of the row was ex National Express West Midlands Plaxton President 4112, now 312 in the Green Bus fleet.

Green Bus 312 in BET365 Stadium

We said hell to the ice cream man who is our own ice cream man, and we went to the top end of the site where there more coaches and buses parked up. We saw Stanton's of Stoke new coach 222 GGX in this row.

Stanton's of Stoke 222 GGX in BET365 Stadium

whilst we were up there we saw Stanton's of Stoke JTF 218F going out on a short run.

Stanton's of Stoke JTF 218F in BET365 Stadium

We walked down the back end of the site and down the row of buses and coaches. We saw dud GM Buses Leyland coach 81 there.

GM Buses 81 in BET365 Stadium

Also in the row was First Potteries newest vehicle 67159.

First Potteries 67159 in BET365 Stadium

Towards the bottom of the site were the Copeland's Tours coaches. One of the 4 Bovas on show was Copeland's Tours coach MIB 746.

Copeland's Tours MIB 746 in BET365 Stadium

At the very bottom of the site was Orion Travel tri-axle coach OR10 NTX.

Orion Travel OR10 NTX in BET365 Stadium

We found the control bus and we brought a program for the event at £3. We walked up towards the middle of the site and we saw Midland General Bristol 148.

Midland General 148 in BET365 Stadium

Further up the site was required Crosville DVG 266 which had just arrived back on site.

Crosville DVG 266 in BET365 Stadium

We walked up the side of the Botthen end where there were more stalls and we went inside so Matthew could use the toilet. He also went to see Dave Spencer on the PMP Video stall and he brought a DVD. We went outside and we sat down for a short while whilst we worked out what buses we could do. there din't seem to be much out that we hadn't already had Crosville DVG 266 was due to work at some point as was Blackppol Transport 225 and the Orion Travel coach. Everything else was the same as usually work at most of the local rallies. We saw Green Bus 312 about to depart on a Trentham Gardens service so we walked down towards it and it pulled off as we got there. The next one off was the 12:30 was booked to be Prentice of Haddington MFS 444P. It was a bus I could remember seeing today and I guess it was one that didn't make it today, as the bus was replaced by Stanton's of Stoke open-topped double decker JTF 218F. We decided to do this bus as we hdn't been on it for a while. We got on the bus and we went upstiars. One of Matthew's old bus escorts was on board but he didn't seem to keen to chat! We set off onto Stanley Matthews way and we ran to the Southern end. We turned right onto the A5035 and we ran into Trentham and the roundabout on the A34. We turned left onto the A34 and we had a spirited run past the Monkey Forest and through Tittensor. We continued down to Darlaston and we ran past Stone through the Fillybrooks before turning left onto Stafford Street and then left onto Crown Street where we stopped. We got off and we took a picture of Stanton's of Stoke JTF 218F.

Stanton's of Stoke JTF 218F in Stone

We decided to go back North on Stanton's of Stoke JTF 218F. When we got back on people on the top deck had spaced out so we had to go downstairs. The bus set off Back North up Newcastle Road and onto the A34. As we passed the Monkey Forest roundabout we saw Stanton's of Stoke double decker WSV 530 which had worked a duplicate Trentham service. We carried on North up to Trentham before taking the A5035 back to Stanley Matthew Way. As we ran down Stanley Matthews Way we passed required Blackpool Transport 225 on the 13:15 to Trentham Gardens. We turned left at the roundabout and then into the Stadium. Once we got back we walked back to the car and grabbed the supplies for the packed lunch. We ate cocktail sausage and we made up manwiches with baps and slices of chicken. We also went into the Boothen end and we got a couple of bottles of Tango Orange between us. Once we had finished eating we looked for something to catch back. We spotted Ulsterbus 2599 which was about to work a duplicate service to Trentham Gardens, so we decided to do that.

Ulsterbus 2599 in BET365 Stadium

We got on the bus and we sat down near to the front on the right hand side. The bus set off out of the stadium and onto the Southbound Stanley Matthews Way. We joined the A5035 and we headed into Trentham. We carried on to the end of the road where we crossed over the A34 and went into the main entrance of the gardens. We turned left past Frankie and Benny's and we circled around the car park to the coach drop off point. We got off the bus to take another picture of Ulsterbus 2599.

Ulsterbus 2599 at Trentham Gardens

We got on the bus and at the roundabout we turned right onto the A34. We ran down to the Monkey Forest roundabout and we did a U-turn. We ran back up North and as there was nobody waiting at the lay-by at the top end we carried on to the roundabout. We turned right at the roundabout and the bus headed back onto the A5035. We turned left onto Stanley Matthews and we ran back to the stadium. As we apporached the roundabout we passed Orion Travel OR10 NTX going the other way. As we had missed the 14:30 to Stone we went into the Boothen end and used the toilet again. We went outside to see what was on the 14:45 to Trentham. It was booked to be Crosville DVG 155, but Stevenson 14 turned up to work the service.

Stevensons 14 in BET365 Stadium

We decided to do this bus anyway, so we got on and we sat down near the front on the right hand side. The bus set off out of the stadium and onto the Southbound Stanley Matthews Way. We joined the A5035 and we headed into Trentham. We carried on to the end of the road where we turned left onto the A34. We ran down to the Monkry Forest roundabout where we did a u-turn and headed back up the A34. Towards the top end of the stretch at the back of the Premier Inn, we pulled over into the layby, passing required Crosville DVG 266 going the other way. We got off the coach and we took another picture of Stevensons 14.

Stevensons 14 in Trentham

It occur to us that if the other bus stopped, we could transfer over on to it. We waited at the back end of the coach waiting for the double decker to come into sight. The bus appeared from around the corner and we stuck a hand out to flag it down. To our relief the bus did dtop and Matthew got a picture of Crosville DVG 266 as it pulled up.

Crosville DVG 266 in Trentham

We got on the bus and we went upstairs and sat down. The bus set off onto the Northbound A34 and we turned right onto the A5035. We ran over the railway line into Blurton and we turned left into Stanley Matthews Way. We ran down to the stadium and we let the bus empty before Matthew took a picture inside Crosville DVG 266.

Inside Crosville DVG 266

The bus had got back quite early so we had time to go to the toilet and Matthew also brough a few pictures from one of the stalls. We were expecting a run on ex PMT Olympian, but the driver was nowhere to be seen. Ulsterbus 2599 went down to the stop first which was a little disappointing, but behind that was required Green Bus 312, which we decided to do.

Green Bus 312 in BET365 Stadium

We got on the bus and the top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Green Bus 312.

Inside Green Bus 312

We set off onto Stanley Matthews way and we ran to the Southern end. We turned right onto the A5035 and we ran into Trentham and the roundabout on the A34. We turned left onto the A34 and as we ran Southwards we overtook Ulsterbus 2599 which was chugging away considerable slower than we were. We went past the Monkey Forest and through Tittensor. We continued down to Darlaston and we ran past Stone through the Fillybrooks before turning left onto Stafford Street. As we past West Bridge Park fitness centre wher they are building a new leisure centre. We continued along Stafford Road and we turned left onto Crown Street. We got off the bus and Matthew went to the toilet even though he had only just been. Behind us was First Potteries 67154 on a #101 to Hanley.

First Potteries 67154 in Stone

Eventually, Ulsterbus 2599 arrived at the stop and passengers transferred between the 2 buses. We decided to have another run on Green Bus 312 so we got back on and went upstairs again. The bus set off Back North up Newcastle Road and onto the A34. we continued past the Monkey Forest and up the A34. We carried on North up to Trentham before taking the A5035 back to Stanley Matthew Way. As we ran down Stanley Matthews Way and then into the Stadium. Once we got off the bus we had a quick walk around and took a few more picture before we went home. One of the bus had driven down to pick uo the support stall and nit's contents. Matthew took another picture of GM Buses 2032.

GM Buses 2032 in BET365 Stadium

We set off back towards the car and we took took a few pictures of the bus arrvng and leaving the site. We saw PMT Bristol VRT 604 which was on the 16:30 to Hanley.

PMT 604 in BET365 Stadium

Also seen was the award winning Robin Hood coach RIB 8289 that won the Michael Burns Memorial Trophy.

Robin Hood RIB 8289 in BET365 Stadium

We retruned to the car and we set off up to Stanley Matthews Way and over the A50. We ran up to Heron Cross and we turned left onto Blurton Road. We dropped uncle Dave off and Matthew went in to add a few dates to his calender. We said goodbye to uncle Dave and we ran back up to Heron Cross. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We saw Lightning Travel MX54 VVF at the lightning house and we continued into Blurton. We veered right onto Church Road and we turned right onto Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Finstock Avenue and we saw Z Carz PE10 MJK parked up in it's usual spot. We got home around 17:00. Matthew watched his new DVD and we uploaded the new pictures online. We continued to write Blog enterries for earlier in the week. For a late tea we had a fishfinger sandwich washed down with a small bottle of Coke. Later on Matthew had a bath and we continued to write Blog enteries. When mum got back we went to bed around 01:00... 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