Kemble 2008

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The 4th annual get-together for Bedford buses and coaches was held on Sunday, 3rd August 2008 at the Kemble Rally nr Cirencester, where we broke all records with 20 Bedfords all in one place at one time - and what a showstopper it was! There were 18 Bedford OBs, 1 WTB and 1 MLC

The event was part of the three day Gloucestershire Steam and Vintage Extravaganza held over the weekend of 2nd – 4th August with Sunday 3rd August being the main event day for the Bedford buses and coaches.

The weather was unusually kind to us with the rain holding off until the end of the day.

Coaches started to arrive from the Wednesday of the previous week but as Sunday dawned a steady trickle of vehicles started to appear. Tim Wootton and his team of helpers manoeuvered the vehicles into an organised line-up in order to create a vintage spectacle for enthusiasts, photographers and nostalgic visitors alike.

At 11am there was an official photo shoot and at 12 noon the vehicles made their way into the arena to the delight of all the spectators and by this time there were 20 Bedfords in the fantastic line-up.

The following were in attendence at the event:


AJT 176 Bedford WTB	EAJ 679 Bedford OB	ETL 221 Bedford OB	FFX 458 Bedford MLC	GWV 101 Bedford OB


HOT 339 Bedford OB Duple	JAB 867 OB Duple Vista	KEL 94 Bedford OB	KEL 679 Bedford OB	KGN 433 Bedford OB


KPW 986 OB Duple Vista	LDF 833 Bedford OB Duple	LDV 483 Bedford OB	LKH 429 Bedford OB	LTA 750 Bedford OB


LTA 752 Bedford OB	LTA 904 Bedford OB	LYC 731 Bedford OB Duple	MHU 193 Mulliner	MSJ 606 Bedford OB

To find out more about each of the buses, click on the thumbnail to visit the profile page for more details and additional pictures.

This year's winners, as judged by all the Bedford owners, were:

		1st Prize KPW 986 - 1950 OB Owned by Mark Withers (Somerset) Supplied new to Eagles Coaches of Norfolk. This bus was operated by them until 1978 before being laid up for ten years then sold for restoration. It was put back on the road in 2004 and purchased by Lewis Coaches in 2005

		The Eddie Trigg shield being presented by last year's winner, Ernest Keeling

		2nd Prize ETL 221 - 1950 Plaxton Owned by Ken Edwards (Mid Wales) This is a Plaxton Body Coach and believed to be one of only two left in existence. It was purchased in 1987 in a scrap condition by Ken Edwrds and travelled all the way from North Wales to be at the show

		3rd Prize KGN 433 - 1949 OB Owned by Billy Brayford & Judith Poole (Blackpool) One of only 25 to be owned by the Metropolitan Police at New Scotland Yard and now the only one remaining in preservation. It was used as a prisoner and police transport bus until the 1960s.

		Last Prize JWU 307 A non-starter but at least the owner, Martin Hawkins turned up with the number plate (Bedfordshire)

As the organiser, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Bedford bus and coach owners who made this memorable occasion possible! It was great to spend time together, in the sunshine, at Kemble. I look forward to seeing you all again next year....as we attempt to beat this year's record!