Operators from different counties will be able to compete for Best Local Operator at this year’s Showbus event, which takes place for the first time at Long Marston Airfield near Stratford-upon-Avon on September 22.
Eligibility is restricted to Warwickshire and its neighbouring counties of Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire. The West Midlands Metropolitan area is included and, says the organisers, hopefully without controversy, also Rutland.
Showbus has been held at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford for many years and a past winner of the Best Local Operator title has been Cozy Travel from Hertfordshire, using the local publicity to good effect. Operators wishing to compete for the award can enter online via the event website, www. showbus.com or by post.
This year’s Showbus will have a very different flavour to previous events, say the organisers. Considerable interest has been shown from enthusiasts and operators in the Midlands and the surrounding area, joining many Duxford regulars.
Celebrating the 90th anniversary of the BMMO (Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company) SOS, two of these buses will pose together, each forming part of their respective museum’s displays. The Aston Manor Road Transport Museum has a Trent SOS while The Transport Museum at Wythall has a Midland Red vehicle. The Oxford Bus Museum will also be showing vehicles.
The organisers would like to know about any excursions to Showbus or to Stratford for the day so that they can publicise it on their website and help the many enthusiasts wanting to attend to get there by bus or coach.
A free shuttle will operate half hourly to and from the site to Stratford and Johnsons Quality Coach & Bus Travel of Henleyin- Arden will operate a courtesy shuttle connecting with key trains at Honeybourne railway station.
For further information contact Dr Martin Isles on [email protected]
