NEW TRUSTFOR LEICESTER
The Leicester Transport Study Group was formed in 1997 and the Leicester Corporation Bus Preservation Group was formed in 2002. During the ensuing years both Groups have achieved many of the objectives they had in mind when they were set up, with the Study Group receiving acknowledgement for the serious study and publication of many facets of the rich transport history throughout Leicester and Leicestershire, while the Bus Preservation Group has managed to save a number of significant vehicles and also co-ordinate the various vehicle owners or groups who have relevant buses.
However, neither Group had been formally constituted, although there have been a number of General Meetings where the Groups’ Members have been able to express views on a wide range of issues. The constitutional issue was one item that each Group had intended to address in their respective General Meetings this year.
However, in recent months there have been further discussions between the senior personnel of both organisations about the future direction that could be taken. There was already a synergy between the two organisations and indeed a number of people are members of both. The initial thinking was of a closer working relationship with an umbrella organisation having the Study Group and the LCBPG as sub-sections. However, with volunteer time being so valuable the conclusion was reached that rather than having three sets of officers and the likelihood of three AGMs it would be more efficient to absorb the two organisations into a new properly constituted trust.
The Leicester Transport Study Group met on 19 May and agreed to this proposal, while the Leicester Corporation Bus Preservation Group had deliberated similarly on 12 May.
Accordingly, the Leicester Transport Study Group and the Leicester Corporation Bus Preservation Group will be absorbed into a new organisation called the Leicester Transport Heritage Trust. This will be registered as a limited company and will also be applying for charitable status in the very near future. The Directors of the new Trust will be Richard Worman (Chairman), Andrew Tucker (Secretary), Simon Gill (Treasurer), Mike Greenwood and Peter Newland. The Leicester Transport Study Group’s quarterly publication “Wheels” will be combined with The Leicester Corporation Bus Preservation Group’s newsletter “Corpo” to produce one newsletter to cover both interests.
It is hoped that support will be forthcoming for the Leicester Transport Heritage Trust. There are some exciting medium and long term plans which will fulfil many of the dreams that anyone interested in recording, preserving and promoting Leicester’s transport heritage will share.
Furthermore, it is intended that there will continue to be a close relationship between the new LTHT and BaMMOT, given that many of the founder members of the Leicester Transport Study Group are BaMMOT members in the East Midlands.
HALLAMSHIRE HERITAGE
The Sheffield Bus Museum at Tinsley is now closed and has been replaced by the new South Yorkshire Transport Museum at Aldwarke, between Rotherham and Swinton. The new premises opened for the first time on Easter Sunday.
Their Chairman is Mike Greenwood
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
