Bournemouth buses in Stoke ... last time around.
As mentioned way back when, Stonier's of Goldenhill fell foul of 'The Ministry Man' and subsequently the Traffic Commissioners on several occasions from about 1979. The first instance happened largely through a difference of opinion between the then Traffic Manager and a new Inspector who became somewhat vindictive giving rise to an escalation of retribution.
I'd started there as a wet behind the ears trainee Traffic Manager on twenty five quid a week the previous year and was soon in at the deep end.
Naturally as the number of buses receiving PSV 71's (old time PG9 prohibitions) increased, running the operation became more difficult and required imaginative solutions. First port of call for borrowing buses was parent company Berresfords, but after exhausting that supply line the net was cast further afield. One of my first 'fire fighting' jobs was to come up with some ideas as to where we might obtain potential hire vehicles ... making use of enthusiastie type knowledge!
Three ex Ribble Marshall bodied Leyland Leopards came from Camm's of Nottingham (but only two at any one time), Two NCME bodied Leyland Panthers from Fylde Borough, two Marshall bodied Tiger Cubs from Lancashire United and Three Leyland Atlanteans from Bournemouth Transport. The last mentioned comprised Weymann (Alexander look-alike) AEL 172/3 & 8B. So good were these three for their age that they were later purchased, 172 seen here leaving Goldenhill garage, entering the Stonier fleet, the other two gained Berresfords colours.
Bournemouth buses in Stoke ... last time around.
As mentioned way back when, Stonier's of Goldenhill fell foul of 'The Ministry Man' and subsequently the Traffic Commissioners on several occasions from about 1979. The first instance happened largely through a difference of opinion between the then Traffic Manager and a new Inspector who became somewhat vindictive giving rise to an escalation of retribution.
I'd started there as a wet behind the ears trainee Traffic Manager on twenty five quid a week the previous year and was soon in at the deep end.
Naturally as the number of buses receiving PSV 71's (old time PG9 prohibitions) increased, running the operation became more difficult and required imaginative solutions. First port of call for borrowing buses was parent company Berresfords, but after exhausting that supply line the net was cast further afield. One of my first 'fire fighting' jobs was to come up with some ideas as to where we might obtain potential hire vehicles ... making use of enthusiastie type knowledge!
Three ex Ribble Marshall bodied Leyland Leopards came from Camm's of Nottingham (but only two at any one time), Two NCME bodied Leyland Panthers from Fylde Borough, two Marshall bodied Tiger Cubs from Lancashire United and Three Leyland Atlanteans from Bournemouth Transport. The last mentioned comprised Weymann (Alexander look-alike) AEL 172/3 & 8B. So good were these three for their age that they were later purchased, 172 seen here leaving Goldenhill garage, entering the Stonier fleet, the other two gained Berresfords colours.