News & Events Email News-sheet July/August 2022
Unfortunately the News & Events news-sheet that is emailed to members mid month will not be published this month. The editor and publisher, Paul Dicken, became very ill in week commencing 17 July and was taken to hospital where he still resides. We wish Paul a speedy recovery. He intends to resume the news-sheet publication as soon as possible once recovered.
Watch out for our new webesite coming in late August!
Paul Dicken, our Publicity Officer has been working with Peter Short and Ashley Bruce, our website wizzards, to brings us a new, modern look, easier to navigate website. Much work has been ongoing for a few months on this and it is hoped it can be launched on or around 20 August 2022, subject to everything running smoothly and any bugs removed. Watch this space for the definite launch date
Development Plan For Sandtoft
The Joint Working Group established by the Society's Committee and the Museum's Board of Directors have now signed off a strategic plan that meets the specific needs of the Society and the Museum and will eventually result in a much improved visitor experience. This will include a spacious Exhibition Hall where visitors will be able to view selected trolleybuses and an exhibition telling the story of the trolleybus in the UK. A planning application is being prepared and work which does not require planning permission will commence soon.
Reading 113 Restored: The Society's most recently completed restoration
The Society's "flagship" trolleybus, the 1938 AEC 661T/Park Royal which was the first trolleybus to be privately preserved in the UK, returned to the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft on Friday 24 May 2019 after receiving a full repaint and now looks magnificent. Following research by Dave Hall, the Society's Archivist and Librarian, the adverts have been signwritten to an give authentic appearance. The work was largely funded by a legacy from Colin Enticknap, who was a Society member for around 50 years. We were delighted that Colin's niece, Valerie Hayllor, accepted an invitation to perform the launch ceremony.
What We are Doing in 2022
60th Anniversary Commemoration of London's Trolleybuses
The Society is organising the London event at the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft that is being held over the August Bank Holiday weekend (27 to 29 August).
London Transport 1812 Our London Q1 trolleybus was built in 1948, operated in Spain from 1961 until 1974, and was brought back to the UK by the BTS in 1977 for restoration to London condition and operation at the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft. It was on loan to the London Bus Museum from 2015 until October 2020 and the Society has been raising funds for a substantial mechanical overhaul, in particular to rectify steering and suspension problems that have been experienced.
On 24 February 2022 No. 1812 was moved to the workshops where the overhaul is being undertaken and is progressing well. It is an exciting prospect that 1812 will return to service at Sandtoft in time for the 60th anniversary of the closure of the London trolleybus system in 2022, once again providing “Queen of the Road” riding quality.
We are seeking your help! You can donate online using the link below to pay using PayPal or your credit or debit card. For details of how to pay by cheque please see the Latest News page.
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Bournemouth 301 The Society's Bournemouth MF2B, which was the last new trolleybus to enter service in the UK, received a full repaint and some work on its electrics while at Keighley Bus Museum. It has now left Keighley and is having its window rubbers replaced and an internal refurbishment before returning to the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft.
A London Trolleybus Reborn. The latest Trolleybooks title relates the full story of the Society's London Q1 trolleybus, 1812, from construction in 1948 and service in London, sale for further service in Santander - Astillero, then return to the UK by the British Trolleybus Society and restored for service at the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft. The vehicle's life story is set in the context of the history of public transport operation in south-west London, the history of trolleybus operation in Spain, and 1812's place as one of the few surviving London trolleybuses.
All profits are being devoted to the fund 1812's mechanical overhaul. AVAILABLE TO ORDER HERE