June, June, June

Our busy month of the year so far has been June with no less than 7 events taking place throughout the month. The first event of the month was on Sunday 1^st June, where we provided a free bus from Alton Train Station to Jane Austen’s House in Chawton with 64 - FTR 511. With 54 being in store in the Alton area after the event, 64 was brought back to Southampton as it was needed for events in and around the city.

(64 sits outside Jane Austen’s House in Chawton)

One such event it was needed for was the Commonwealth Games Baton Relay celebrations that took place in Guildhall Square, Southampton on Wednesday 4^th June. As 64 is still owned by Southampton City Council along with 71 – LOW 21 and looked after by us on behalf of them, they occasionally need the use of it and on this occasion it was used as a viewing platform for VIP's at the celebrations. Part of BBC South Today was filmed live from the top deck of the bus!

(64 at Guildhall Square, Southampton)

On Sunday 8^th June, the Copythorne Steam & Vintage Rally took place; an annual event we go to every year with buses. 64 – FTR 511 was used to do tours of the New Forest. Whilst 1 – JOW 499E and 432 - NLP 389V were both used on the Park & Ride service to and from the event. During the day around 1,000 people were carried on the Park & Ride service and tours of the New Forest. 432 hasn’t been out much of late due to a number of problems but these are slowly being fixed but she is still fit for use.

(64, 432 & 1 at Copythorne Steam & Vintage Rally)

With such nice weather in June, on Thursday 12^th we met up with the local Fire Engine Preservation Group, where we had an outing starting from Eastleigh and then making our way throughout Southampton and then The Forest Inn, Ashurst. 133 - TTR 167H was used for the trip. A nice evening was had by all.

(133 - TTR 167H at the Forest Inn, Ashurst)

 

2014 is the 50^th years of Southampton becoming a City and on Sunday 22^nd June a party was organised at Bedford Place in the City Centre. The event was organised by the Bedford Place Traders and the event was themed as a Vintage Family Festival. 64 was on display at the event and a good day was had by all.

 

(64 - FTR 511 in Bedford Place)

 

On Saturday 28^th June, 133 - TTR 167 made a visit to Wordsworth School, who were having a summer fete and invited us to bring a bus along to the event. The day after on Sunday 29^th June, 289 - E289 HRV was out and about this time; making the trip to Ringwood where the Wessex Transport Society were having a bus rally in the town.

(133 - TTR 167H along side the Mayor's car at Wordsworht School)

 

(289 - E289 HRV at the Ringwood Bus Rally)

 



 So the busy month of June is over and now the slightly less busy month of July starts. We will be at Hedge End (Saturday 5^th July) & Totton (Saturday 12^th July) carnivals. The buses will also be at two bus rallies. Fort Nelson on Portsdown Hill, which is being organised by our friends at the CPPTD - The City of Portsmouth Preserved Transport Depot on Sunday 13^th July. Then on Sunday 20^th July the buses will be off to one of the biggest bus rallies in the south of England, The Alton Bus Rally, which takes place in Anstey Park in town.