THE M & D AND EAST KENT BUS CLUB

Kent & Sussex Rambler 22nd May 1999

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Tour report by Roger Goodrun (first published in Club news sheet 564 July '99)

Photographs by Ken Lansdowne

The first tour of 1999 took place in ex-MTL Leyland Olympian A318 GLV. Our first visit was to Farleigh Coaches at Wouldham. A varied selection of vehicles was on site including many second-hand double deckers for schools contracts; in all a total of 30 vehicles, a good start to the day. From here it was a short drive through Aylesford village to Nu-Venture's yard, which also produced a wide range of vehicles. After photos and the usual group photo call by the tour leader it was on to New Enterprise at Tonbridge. This company uses two yards, both of which were viewed, including many vehicles cascaded from other Arriva companies.

We then moved on to Five Oak Green and the two yards of Wealden PSV. Until recently the company ran commercial services but has now returned to its core business of dealing. All of its commercial fleet was out of use on site comprising mostly elderly Leyland Leopard coaches with some newer Dennis Darts. On site also were Leyland Leopard B701 AKM and AEC JTM 109V, ex-Wealden vehicles of Baldock (Autocar), both very smart. 558 LKP was present but in a rather tatty condition in the rear of the yard; also in a a state of disrepair was former M&D 5741 (XPG 161T). Time was taken to explore the veritable treasure-house of old and interesting vehicles, some in very poor condition having been in the yard for many years. In fact an article itself could be written on these yards.

We continued on to Warren's and Ham's depots at Ticehurst and Flimwell. As the former was empty it gave more time at Ham's, where the fleet was being cleaned. As usual this fleet was resplendent in its silver livery. More coaches were in a lay-by over the road and in a transport depot opposite were a couple of minibuses of Roffey's and ex-London Country LNB36. A stop was made at Hawkhurst bus station, one of the more interesting country bus stations still in existence, where amongst the vehicles noted was AEC Regal recovery lorry YKT 959B (formerly DKT 20) dating back to 1937.

Our main stop of the day was at Eastbourne. The original Southdown buildings now look slightly jaded and in need of some repair. Pride of place was taken by Bristol VRT JWV 251W in open-top form as a tree-lopper. There was plenty of time to observe operations in the town by South Coast Buses and Eastbourne Buses.

The coastal road through Pevensey was taken to Hastings for a visit to the South Coast depot. Of interest here were Dennis Darts and ex-London Leyland Titans, together with a sad looking de-roofed Bristol VRT (7642), conversion of which had been cancelled. Our final visit was to Rowland & Goodwin (Rambler) where ex-Boro'line Maidstone Bedford C203 GKR and ex-London Country Leyland National UDY 512 were positioned for photos. At the rear of the shed was 1932 Bedford NG 2414, being restored, alongside new Mercedes-Benz T222 ADY, awaiting entry to service.

Thanks are due to our driver of the day, and the staff of the various depots we visited, and of course to David Cobb for organising the trip.

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