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Thursday 9th September 2021 The Valley, Warwickshire WR11 4DS

Join us for a day in the picturesque Cotswolds with 2 beautifully restored 1953 Royal Blue coaches

A day out in the Cotswolds with two immaculately-restored Royal Blue coaches dating from the 1950s-60s along in a number of attractive, photogenic locations in picturesque Worcestershire and Gloucestershire

£60.00

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Only 13 tickets left

About this event

Let us transport you back in time for a full day's photography using two fantastic Royal Blue coaches in their classic deep blue and white livery along with appropriately-dressed passengers set against the backdrop of some stunning Cotswolds scenery.

Our two vehicles for the day are Bristol-built coaches. Our lead vehicle will be MW6G 56 GUO (2267) which entered service with the Royal Blue division of the Western National Omnibus Company Limited in 1961, while our second slightly older vehicle, OTT 43 (2200), is a L6GE which entered service in 1953 and worked with the Royal Blue company until May 1969. After passing through a number of subsequent commercial owners, OTT 43 is now privately preserved. We have used 2200 a few years ago (as pictured) but, when the chance to pair both ECW-bodied vehicles in matching livery presented itself, we found it an opportunity impossible to resist.

Royal Blue was a well-known operator across the South and West of England for many decades, being formed in 1880 with the name surviving until 1986. Horse-drawn transport was the order of the day when the company was first formed in Bournemouth, purchasing its first charabanc in 1913. As a result of the railway strike of 1919 the company instigated a road coach service from Bournemouth to London which proved so popular that by 1926 Royal Blue had over seventy coaches on the road. In 1934, the business was sold to Tilling (Western National and Southern National). After a period of enforced inactivity during the Second World War, Royal Blue became government owned as part of the British Transport Commission. The business peaked in the mid-1960s. Royal Blue itself became part of the National Express group and the name was formerly dropped in 1986.

Expected meeting and finishing point is The Valley, Evesham Country Park, WR11 4TP. Free parking is available and there is a small but interesting shopping complex for wives and partners who are accompanying you but who are not keen on the bus trip and would like to spend some money! Please arrive from 09.15 for an 09.45 start. There is a bus connection from Evesham to the country park for those using public transport (please ask for details).

This is an excellent opportunity to photograph two fantastic vehicles, immaculately restored and maintained. We will do our very best to add some other period vehicles plus vintage passengers (in this case, one should point out that vintage is referring to their costume rather than their age!). Our overriding aim is to have both a relaxed and enjoyable day with plenty of good photo opportunities thrown in for good measure.

We look forward to seeing a number of you in September 2021 for another chance to turn back the photographic transport clock to the early 1960s.

Currently all of our events will run in line with our Covid-19 policy that follows government guidelines. You can find our Covid-19 policy information page here.

Event requirements

Equipment

  • Spare batteries
  • Camera
  • Lenses

Other things you should bring

  • Packed lunch
  • Snacks

Knowledge

  • All levels welcome

Fitness

  • Low

Event location

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