Events: Kemble 2007

This was the third annual get-together for Bedford buses and coaches.

The first rally was held at Winchcombe Railway Station, Gloucestershire in 2004 with 12 Bedford's in attendance.

The second rally was held at Woburn Abbey in 2006 and due to bad weather four Bedford's made it on the day.

The latest rally, on 5th August 2007, was held at Kemble Airfield, as part of the Gloucestershire Steam and Vintage Extravaganza and was organised by Tim Wootton and some trusty friends.

And it was here that the record of recent times for the number of Bedford OB coaches lined up together was broken.

Coaches and buses travelled from far and wide and the previous record of 12 was successfully broken.

A total of 16 made it to the event and that was a great turn-out when you consider there are only approximately 70 left on the road throughout the world. On the first two days of the event - Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th August, 11 coaches turned out. But the record was broken on the Sunday amidst glorious Cotswold sunshine - and a weekend of sunshine must have been a record in itself in 2007!

There were two very special Bedford's together in the line-up for the first time - the only two known remaining Plaxton bodied Bedford's, one owned by Ken Edwards of Llanon, Dyfed, Mid Wales and the other owned by Ray Lockett, Henfield, West Sussex. As you will see from the picture, these rare sights were viewed by many spectators and enthusiasts.

Many people were keen to share their happy experiences of travelling around the countryside on our buses and coaches and how much fun they had in past years. The comments us bus owners hear so regularly are:

"When I was a boy we went to..."
"I remember when we used to go to school on one of these buses.."
"I always used to try and get the front seat!"
"I always used to have a kiss and cuddle on the back seat."
"My dad used to drive one of these."

And many mentioned the days they went on holiday or to the seaside and what fun it was!

So the challenge is out there for even more Bedford bus and coach owners to join us next year and help to smash this year's record - and a big thank you to all those who participated this year.

Some pictures of the 2007 event

Please click on the pictures to scroll through the gallery manually, or click on the play button at the top left of the pictures to scroll through automatically.

The following were in attendence at the event:


AJT 176 Bedford WTB	ATS 689 Bedford OB Duple	EAJ 679 Bedford OB	ETL 221 Bedford OB	FFX 458 Bedford MLC


GWV 101 Bedford OB	JAB 867 OB Duple Vista	KEL 94 Bedford OB	KNN 314 Bedford OB	KPW 986 OB Duple Vista


LDF 833 Bedford OB Duple	LDV 483 Bedford OB	LTA 750 Bedford OB	LTA 752 Bedford OB	LTA 904 Bedford OB


MFM 39 Bedford OB	MYB 33 Bedford OB Duple