When Stroud's buses were green (and even red)
8th Stroud Bus Running Day
Running Day Report Page 3
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More images and commentary from the June 2008 Stroud Vintage Running Day
 Organisers the Stroud RE Group will be gratified to see so many full buses on service, like former Bristol Omnibus Bath depot's Bristol LH 415. When at Stroud from 1975 to the early 1980s, in truth, apart from at school times, it was rare to see loadings on LHs in double figures. Though it is impossible to judge the number visiting on the day, the RE Group was left with just three souvenir brochures  The dressed grey oolitic stone of the Cotswolds in Minchinhampton and the threatening lead-grey sky provide an interesting backdrop to ex-Midland Red Leyland National TOF 702S. The bus displays the marketing name 'Tellus' adopted by Midland Red after its round of Viable Network Projects introduced the Market Analysis concept throughout NBC. The difference with Bristol Omnibus was that no local identities were used - the 'Stroud Valleys' brand came later  Here we have a rather delightful line up of veterans in the shape of ex-Bristol Omnibus Bristol MW/ECW and Bristol K/ECW; ex-WNOC Bristol KSW/ECW; former Red & White Guy Arab/Duple; and ex-Brighton & Hove Bristol FLF/ECW. Variety was especially good at this year's event but in keeping with its ethos, most were Bristols with ECW bodywork, as would have been garaged at Stroud  That said, not everything was a Bristol thoroughbred. This unusual Foden/Plaxton Venturer, making its first appearance at a Stroud Running Day, was one of a handful of non-Bristol chassis types represented, though this particular bus has a strong Stroud connection as it is owned by a Cainscross enthusiast  Ebley Coaches brought along its last surviving Leyland Olympian which, when compared to the half-sister vehicles present from Cotswold Green, was looking just a little in need of attention. The scaffolding at Stroud College makes an unusual backdrop  The Bristol RE dual purpose was always a popular vehicle at Stroud. Here again we have Stroud's very own 2073, and with its freshly outshopped Tilling green and cream paintwork plus period-stye interior, without doubt the best single deck of the day (though there was stiff competition). It's next to the earlier coach shell bodywork as carried by a 'Bristol Greyhound' vehicle, another style familiar to Stroud in the 1970s and indeed from the late 1960s. This bodywork is among the best ever manufactured in the UK by any bodybuilder and although it's actually ex-Crosville, it looks remarkable in Bristol Greyhound livery |
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