Saturday 10th December
As 2016 draws to a close it’s been another busy year for us here at the Southampton & District Transport Heritage Trust. There have been many events we’ve been to and lots of people carried on our buses. We thank everybody for their support.
We would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas & New Year and look forward to seeing you all in 2017 at various events.
Monday 28th November
222 - GTR 484 has return to Hampshire for the first time since 2013. It has spent the last 3 years at South East Coach Works in Kent undergoing a full restoration. 222 will be returning to the streets of Southampton in the near future.
Sunday 27th November saw 133 - TTR 167H, 289 - E289 HRV & 367 - BTR 367B on display at Bursledon Brickworks for the Edwardian Workers' Christmas event.
Monday 17th October
289 - E289 HRV made the trip across the Solent on Friday 14th October for the Beer & Buses Weekend organised by The Isle of Wight Bus Museum.
On Saturday 15th October, 289 was used in service to Cowes and Shanklin. 367 - BTR 367B joined 289 on the island on Sunday 16th October.
Tuesday 4th October
On Saturday 1st October, Music in The City took place in Southampton. 1 - JOW 499E, 133 - TTR 167H, 289 - E289 HRV, 335 - 335 AOW & 367 - BTR 367B were all used in service and we were joined for the events by Hants & Dorset 1577 - LLJ 443F.
Also over the weekend of Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd October the annual Fareham & District Model Railway Group exhibition 'Railex 2016' took place.
Our friends at the City Of Portsmouth Preserved Transport Depot (CPPTD) provided the transport on the Saturday with 4 - LRV 996 & 236 - BBK 236B. On Sunday, we used 289 - E289 HRV for the service from the event at Fareham Leisure Centre to Fareham Railway Station.
Thursday 22nd September
Music in The City is taking place in Southampton on Saturday 1st October. We will be providing FREE heritage shuttle buses for the event, where you can hop on and hop off at any stop along the route. Buses will be running frequently from 1pm till 6pm Guildhall Square and this year there are three routes:
•Route A - every 30 minutes: Guildhall Sq - Marlands - City Centre (Castle Way for Notes Café) - Holyrood Church (Lancaster Vault) - South Western House (Grand Café) - SS Shieldhall (Dock Gate 4) - Platform Tavern - Dancing Man (Dancing Man & Westgate Hall) - Tudor House (Castle Vault, King John’s Palace & Undercroft) - City Centre (Castle Way for Notes Café) - Marlands - Guildhall Sq
•Route B - every 30 minutes: Guildhall Sq - Marlands - City Centre (Castle Way for Notes Café) - St. Michael’s Church (rear) - French St (Weigh House & Dancing Man) - Platform Tavern - SS Shieldhall (Dock Gate 4) - Platform Tavern - Telephone House (Mettricks) - Holyrood (Lancaster Vault) - City Centre (Castle Way for Notes Café) - Marlands - Guildhall Sq
•Route C - every 30 minutes: Guildhall Sq - Station Quarter - Guildhall Sq
The last bus leaves SS Shieldhall at 7pm.
The Fareham & District Model Railway Group exhibition 'Railex 2016' is taking place on Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd October at Fareham Leisure Centre. On Saturday 3rd our friends at the City Of Portsmouth Preserved Transport Depot will be providing the bus, then on the Sunday we will providing the bus with one of the buses from our fleet.
The free shuttle bus runs from Fareham Leisure Centre to Fareham Railway Station. The bus will run frequently during the event.
Monday 12th September
We took part in the Southampton Heritage Open Days on Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th September. 1 - JOW 499E, 64 - FTR 511 & 367 - BTR 367 took part in the events in Southampton.
A number of heritage venues were open over the weekend including; Tudor House & Gardens, Southampton Old Bowling Green, Southampton Old Cemetery, Bitterne Local History Centre, SS - Shieldhall and The Southampton Tram Group & Dunkirk Little Ships workshop. The weekend was very successful, and a good weekend was had by all. We hope to take part in this event again next year.
Friday 28th August
We will be taking part in Southampton Heritage Open Days over the weekend of Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th September. The event will be based around the Bugle Street area in the City Centre, with buses linking to other heritage locations around the City.
A number of heritage attractions will be open and there are plenty of things to do including:
On Saturday 10th;
• Heritage Fayre at the Catholic Church, Bugle Street
- Free walking tours of the local area
• A FREE heritage bus service will run as part of the event:
- Route A: Heritage Fayre (Bugle Street), Old Bowling Green, SS Shieldhall & Southampton Tram Group & Dunkirk Little Ships workshop (Dock Gate 4)
- Route B: Heritage Fayre (Bugle Street), Old Bowling Green, Bitterne Local History Centre & SS Shieldhall
- Route C: Heritage Fayre (Bugle Street), Old Bowling Green, City Centre (Castle Way), SeaCity Museum and the Southampton Old Cemetery.
• Visit the World's Oldest Bowling Green
(Heritage Day - Bowling from the 13th Century)
• The Bitterne Local History Centre will be open
• Have a look around SS - Shieldhall. It will be open 10:00 till 15:00
• The Southampton Tram Group & Dunkirk Little Ships workshop will also be open
(Which is located near to SS Shieldhall in Dock Gate 4)
• Free Guided Tours of the Southampton Old Cemetery start at: 11:30 & 13:30
(Located adjoining the Southampton Common)
• Free Guided Tours of Southampton Common (SCAPPS) at 12:30 & 14:30
• St Michael's Church Fete
**Visitors must not enter or exit the Docks, except by way of the free bus service**
On Saturday 11th;
• Free entry to Tudor House & Gardens
(Sunday 11th September ONLY)
• A guided tour by bus will operate from Tudor House at: 10:30, 12:00, 2:00 & 3:30
(FREE tickets are required as space is limited to 40 people per tour. Tickets can be obtained from the reception desk at Tudor House.)
• A FREE heritage bus service will run as part of the event from Tudor House to SS Shieldhall & Southampton Tram Group & Dunkirk Little Ships workshop (Dock Gate 4) via Old Bowling Green.
• Have a look around SS - Shieldhall will be open 10:00 till 15:00
• The Southampton Tram Group & Dunkirk Little Ships workshop will be open
(located near to SS Shieldhall in Dock Gate 4)
• Visit the World's Oldest Bowling Green
- Free walking tours of the local Bugle Street area
**Visitors must not enter or exit the Docks, except by way of the free bus service**
Wednesday 17th August
On Sunday 14th August, 133 - TTR 167H provided a free heritage link from the SeaCity Museum to support the Heritage Day which took at Solent Sky Museum.
64 - FTR 511 was at the Southampton FC Disabled Supporters Association open day at St Mary's Stadium on Tuesday 16th August.
Monday 8th August
The Provincial Society Bus Rally at Stokes Bay, Gosport took place on Sunday 7th August. 133 - TTR 167H, 274 - KOW 274Y & 289 - E389 HRV attended the event.
Tuesday 26th July
Celebrating Queen's Park took place on Saturday 23rd July in Southampton City Centre. The event was to celebrate the recent improvements in and around the park, 133 - TTR 167H was at the event and provided free short tours of the Eastern Docks.
Also over the weekend of Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th July, 64 - FTR 511 was on display at the Netley Marsh Steam & Craft Show.
Monday 18th July
On Sunday 17th July, one of the the biggest bus rallies to take place in the south of England, the Alton Bus Rally the event took place at Anstey Park, Alton. Many ex Southampton buses made the trip up to Alton for the event.
This Saturday (23rd) we will be at the celebrations of Queen's Park, Southampton. The event is to celebrate the reopening of the park and also the Vokes Memorial Gardens after many years of work. The buses will be action providing FREE small tours into the Eastern Docks every 30 minutes from 1pm till 5pm.
Friday 8th July
Two major announcements from us here at S&DTHT!
We are pleased to announce that we have become a part of The Working Omnibus Museum Project Ltd (WOMP) a Charity and Company limited by guarantee. This is a major milestone in our 15 year history and it will enable us to apply for grants and enhance our status.
Another announcement is that after looking after 64 - FTR 511 & 71 - LOW 217 on behalf of Southampton City Council for many years, a formal agreement has been signed, this will safeguard both buses for further generations. David Hutchings, Chairman of S&DTHT (Who is pictured with Lisa Shepherd, Arts and Heritage Manager for Southampton City Council) said this agreement puts in place a frame work for the maintenance and management of these vehicles for the public benefit.
Sunday 26th June
We were at the Minstead Model Railway Show on Saturday 25th June with 1 - JOW 499E and the first outing for our sales stand which raised £100.
Tuesday 14th June
On Sunday 12th June we were at two events, 64 - FTR 511 & 71 - LOW 217 were at the Copythorne Steam & Vintage Rally where they provided trips. 274 - KOW 274Y & 289 - E289 HRV were at the Southsea Spectacular taking place on Southsea Common.
We will be at the Minstead Model Railway Show on Saturday 25th June, organized by AAR Models with 1 - JOW 499E and our first outing for our sales stand.
Monday 6th June
The Copythorne Steam & Vintage Rally takes place on Sunday 12th June at the Scout Headquarters and Field in Copythorne. 64 - FTR 511 & 71 - LOW will both be in attendance at the event providing trips.
Also taking place on Sunday 12th June is the Southsea Spectacular taking place on Southsea Common.
**Vehicles used are subject to change at short notice.**
Wednesday 1st June
On Monday 30th May, 1 - JOW 499E, 289 - E289 HRV & 367 - BTR 367B all made the trip up to Fort Nelson on Portsdown Hill where the City of Portsmouth Preserved Transport Depot held a running day.
1 & 367 were in service to Fareham Railway Station. The event saw 289 return to the road after major rebuilding work on the chassis above the rear wheels after severe rot was found.
Monday 16th May
The 170th anniversary of the Southampton Old Cemetery (adjacent to Southampton Common), took place on Saturday 7th May. 64 - FTR 511 was on display at the event.
Our monthly meeting took place on Monday 9th May, our members were treated by a trip out on 64 - FTR 511 & 71 - LOW 217.
1 - JOW 499E, 64 - FTR 511 & 71 - LOW 217 attended the Bill Targett Steam Memorial Steam Rally held near Eastleigh, over the weekend of Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th May.
In other news, 71 - LOW 217, 133 - TTR 167H and 367 - BTR 367B have all passed their M.O.T.
Thursday 5th May
Since it returned to the road late last month, after major floor repairs it has been a busy few weeks for 64 - FTR 511. Here is a summary of where the bus has been;
On Wednesday 27th April, 64 was at the Royal Winchester Golf Club for the golf day; an event to celebrate the golf day which took place in 1976 a few days before the FA Cup final.
Friday 29th April was a very busy day. An early start for the bus as BBC Radio Solent Breakfast Show was hosted live from the bus. Then it was off to Berrywood School for their annual Car Fest before being on display at St Mary's Stadium for the Gala Dinner.
On the 40th anniversary of Southampton Football Club winning the FA Cup on Sunday 1st May, 64 re-enacted the famous open top bus tour of the City. The route was much smaller than the original tour of the City in 1976. The tour started at Guildhall Square and ended at the now home of Southampton FC - St Mary's Stadium.
Later on Sunday evening, 64 was on display outside the Mayflower Theatre, where the team and others involved in the famous victory back in 1976 were talking about the win.
In Southampton City Centre on Wednesday evenings is the 'Bring it to the Bargate' car meet. 64 - FTR 511 & 71 - LOW 217 were on display at the event on Wednesday 4th May and gave the people of Southampton the opportunity to see the buses.
We (S&DTHT) and the owners of 64 - FTR 511; Southampton City Council would like to thank everyone involved in the restoration that has taken place over the last few months.
Tuesday 26th April
The Southampton Old Bowling Green held an open day on Saturday 23rd April, 1 - JOW 499E provided a free heritage link to support the event.
We are pleased to announce that 64 - FTR 511 has passed its M.O.T at IM Services in Romsey on Monday 25th April. 64 has been off the road since late 2014, when a fault was found on the upper deck floor. With a little help from friends over the last few months the floor has been repaired.
We would like to thank everyone who has help with repairing the floor on the bus. 64 is now already to take part in the anniversary events of Southampton FC winning the FA Cup in 1976 this coming weekend.
Tuesday 5th April
222 - GTR 484 was on display at the South East Bus Festival on Saturday 2nd April, which took place at the Kent County Showground. 222 has been in Kent undergoing restoration at South East Coachworks in Faversham, there is still some work to do on 222 and it's hoped that it will return to the streets of Southampton later this year.
Wednesday 18th March
Both 1 - JOW 499E & 133 - TTR 167H were in attendance at the Rear Engined Bus Running Day in Winchester on Sunday 13th March, the event was organized by Hampshire Buses Preservation.
Monday 7th March
1 - JOW 499E & 71 - LOW 217 were both in action at the 150th anniversary of the Southampton & Netley Railway which took place on Saturday 5th March. We provided a free vintage link between Netley Railway Station and Royal Victoria County Park.
On Sunday 6th March, 1 - JOW 499E was back out again, this time it was at the Vintage Transport Group, Spring Indoor Transport Fair, which was held at the Cosham Community Centre. No. 1 was used in service at the event.
Tuesday 1st March
On Saturday 27th February, 71 - LOW 217 was on display at the Solent Model Railway Show. This year the show had moved and was held at the Oasis Academy in Lord's Hill, Southampton.
The 150th anniversary of the Southampton & Netley Railway is taking place on Saturday 5th March. We will be providing a free heritage bus link between Netley Railway station and Royal Victoria County Park. There will be plenty to see and do, plus the Royal Victoria Railway will be open.
As an added feature, the same day a Spitfire is due to fly down the Solent from Southampton to Portsmouth and back to mark its 80th birthday, so come down to Netley and view the Spitfire from the Royal Victoria Country Park and enjoy a step back in time at the station.
On Sunday 6th March (Mothering Sunday), we are off to the Spring Indoor Transport Fair at the Cosham Community Centre, which is being organized by our friends at the Vintage Transport Group.
Monday 22nd February
On Sunday 21st February, we celebrated our 15th anniversary. The Trust was started back in 2001 and 2016 marks our 15th year. To celebrate our anniversary we recreated former Southampton City Transport route 5 from Wimpson Lane, Millbrook to Woolston (Floating Bridge).
The buses that took part in the day were; 1 - JOW 499E, 71 - LOW 217, 133 - TTR 167H, 274 - KOW 274Y & 402 - KOW 410F and we were joined for the day by RM2037 - ALM 37B (404 in it's Southampton CityBus days).
After the route recreation our members and friends enjoyed a light buffet at the Southampton Old Bowling Green, afterwards we visited the Southampton Tram Workshop to see progress to the Trams. One of our oldest members, Gordon was on hand to cut the cake.
