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April 2022 Trolleybus + Bus Fare
Huddersfield 619 became a member of the BTS fleet on 1 April, when its owners donated the vehicle and money to fund its rent for about five years. Philip Jenkinson, who sadly passed away recently, wanted to make sure that 619’s future was secure while he was still able and first sounded out the Committee informally. The other owners were his brother, Keith, Bruce Lake and Steve Harrison.
The Society had not intended to acquire more vehicles and Committee members, as charity trustees, had to consider the offer very carefully. A formal agreement was brokered by David Beach, our SponsorTrolley Co-ordinator.
If the BTS was ever unable to maintain the rent payments the principle of last one in, first one out would see 619 first offered to any of the surviving current owners free of charge, then to another recognised body, and fai l ing that disposal wi thin Char i t y Commission rules.
The Committee is satisfied that this will protect 619’s interests for the next few years and that it has not exposed the charity to financial risk. We thank the owners for entrusting us with their vehicle and for the financial donations they have made to support it.
A London Trolleybus event will take place over the August Bank Holiday where we hope to relaunch London 1812 back into service following its major mechanical overhaul. It will run alongside 1348 and also we hope to have some contemporary London buses running alonside them. An event not to be missed!
The BTS AGM will again be held at the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft on Saturday 15 October 2022. Details of events planned for that day to follow.
The internal restoration being carried out by Keith Baynton is making good progress. A lot more work than was oiginally intended is being carried out in order that it looks in pristine condition both internally and externally. It is hoped 301 will return to Sandtoft later this year/early next year.
1812 was transported to Dorking on 24 February 2022 for a mechanical overhaul before returning to The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft later in 2022. It is estimated that this work will cost around £20,000 and so the Society has launched an appeal to fund this work.
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.
Make a donation to support the 1812 appeal
Use this link, which allows you to specify the amount you wish to donate using PayPal or a credit or debit card. You may also set up a regular payment.
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=E7RCH69YE3X76
By Post Please send cheques made payable to British Trolleybus Society to the BTS Treasurer, Roy Fawcett, 57 Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley, Reading RG6 7JN. Please also include a note to say that your donation is for the 1812 fund.
Donations can be Gift-Aided if you are a UK taxpayer, and this adds 25% to your donation at no extra cost to you. If you have not already registered for Gift Aid you may either do this by sending an automated declaration via the BTS website Members’ Area or download a form, which is accessible from the BTS Membership/Gift Aid page.
All donations of whatever size will be gratefully received. Each donation will take us a step nearer to having the work completed.
Between 2011 and 2013 Dave Hall serialised the history of the BTS in the days when we were known as the Reading Transport Society. It also traced the history of the trolleybus preservation movement generally up to the time when museums at Carlton Colville and Sandtoft became a reality. If you would like to read the history again or are new to the BTS and would like the chance to read it then click here
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