ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Trust would like to acknowledge the generous donation by Miss A Edwards, who lives in Wythall, of books and other bus memorabilia that belonged to her cousin, Mr Malcolm Partridge, who worked for Laurel Mini Coaches in Surrey until his death in March. This donation is gratefully received and, as is usual in these cases, items not required for the Museum archive, will be offered for sale in the shop to boost Museum funds.
Meanwhile, the Trust has recently been given two Leyland O600 engines by National Grid in a deal arranged by Jeremy Price. Whilst not actually bus engines, the two engines have enough in common with those fitted to buses to be worth acquiring. All the Trust had to do was collect them which was done by Kevin Hill and Jeremy Price on 19 April. Getting them on the flatbed truck was not a problem with the lifting gear available at the collection site, but getting them off taxed the ingenuity of Pete Murphy and Kevin Hill the next day. Now safely off the vehicle they will be stored in our new Blueline spares building.
The engines are painted bright red, having been a part of a fire deluge system at National Grid's New Cross site, and are believed to have only run 20 hours in their entire life. They had become surplus to requirements as the site is being upgraded with more up-to-date equipment.
The Trust is very grateful to National Grid for making these available to us and to Jeremy Price and his colleagues for brokering the deal and providing assistance with the transportation.
Phil Ireland
OUR TRIBUTE TO BRAVE MEN
It occurred to Malcolm Keeley during the 2004 events marking the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings that we are almost out of time in paying a tribute in some small way to these genuine heroes. Their courage and, for some, ultimate sacrifice paved the way for a peaceful and prosperous world that has allowed things like transport museums to flourish.
Malcolm, with the help of Bill Hyatt, contacted local Normandy Veterans to see if they would like a day out on some nostalgic transportation. The upshot is that an unknown number of veterans and their wives will be off to the memorials at Alrewas, followed by a meal, on Friday 20 May. We do not yet know how many buses will be required but anyone wanting to help is asked to contact Malcolm or another member of the Management Team.
Malcolm Keeley
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
