GVVT welcomes the oldest surviving Glasgow Corporation bus to Bridgeton Bus Garage
GVVT welcomed Sir Brian Souter to Bridgeton Bus Garage today (Wednesday 6th March). Sir Brian has loaned the Trust a bus from his collection. It is no ordinary bus. It is a 1928 Glasgow Corporation Transport Leyland Titan TD1, the oldest surviving Glasgow Corporation bus. The bus will take centre stage as the Trust celebrates 100 years of Glasgow Corporation motorbuses during this year. This will involve a special event in the city. More news on this to be released soon.
Sir Brian personally drove the Titan to Bridgeton from its storage location. He was pleased to report that the bus had performed very well on its 50 mile trip. While at Bridgeton, Sir Brian caught up with progress on the installation of the bus simulator which he has provided the Trust which will be in operation in the near future.
Find out what dates you view 111 on our Guided Tours and Open Days on our events page.
Sir Brian is seen here handing the bus into the care of Steven Booth, GVVT Chairman.
More members, more visitors, more passengers than ever and a mighty supply of bacon rolls and burgers which if strung together would stretch from Bridgeton Bus Garage to George Square and back.
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust celebrated 2023, its 21st year, with a staggering set of superlatives:
Membership is the largest it has ever been, up a remarkable 26 per cent on 2022 from 654 to 824 – 170 new sign-ups;
Attendance at events and tours soared to 9627 from 7243, a 33 per cent rise – Bridgeton’s biggest;
The number of passenger journeys on free services leapt 42 per cent from 13,906 to 19,765, the highest total yet;
And our freshly refitted Clippies Cafe sold out all stock at every major event, thanks to the sterling efforts of the catering team.
Records tumbled at the year’s main events. Open Weekend drew a highest ever 3436 visitors over its two days with more than 40 guest vehicles attending from across the UK while 1721 people plus countless free-entry under-fives poured through the doors to be greeted by Darth Vader and the troops of the Western Desert Recce Group to our biggest yet Family and Community Day.
Meanwhile, increasing demand for public guided tours of the garage saw a record-breaking 25 take place over the year.
GVVT services operating out of Riverside for West End Festival carried 2491 passengers while Glasgow Life selected GVVT to stage a display at Kelvingrove Gallery and Museum between June and December which was seen by countless thousands of visitors.
All of that required an army of blue-vested guides, guards and helpers, and 1426 volunteer hours were given at 10 principal garage events.
GVVT chairman Steven Booth said: “I can’t thank everyone enough for all the help and support provided, whether member, visitor, friend or supporter. Each individual makes a unique contribution to our success.
“What a tremendous year 2023 turned out to be. Family and Community Day and Open Weekend had record attendances. We broke new ground with our residency at Kelvingrove which opened the door to new audiences, membership is at a record level, and all the time the process continues of restoring the vehicles of our past.”
Those vehicles are at the core of GVVT activity, with two new arrivals in particular reflecting the span of eras represented. New in 2013 but with a massive million-plus miles on the clock, Sir Brian Souter’s 52-foot VanHool Astromega sleeper coach is the youngest, and longest, in the shed. Meanwhile, 78 years the Astromega’s senior, the quaint and quirky 1935 Albion mobile shop is our third oldest resident.
After countless hours of skilled and painstaking work, several buses returned to the road, including unique Glasgow Corporation open-topper FYS 8, Western Scottish National SHH 389X, A1 Ailsa PSJ 825R and Tayside Ailsa WTS 276T.
With the restoration of Leyland Atlantean XUS 575S complete, the owners have launched into 2024 with their next project, the rebuild of MCW Metrorider E186 BNS, and after years sidelined, huge progress has been made on West Coast Motors Bedford Plaxton VSB 164M.
The team at Back on the Road, our social inclusion programme, made strides with ex-Glasgow National GGE 173T, and hope to unveil the Dart children’s driving experience at April’s Open Sunday.
The quality of Bridgeton-based buses, lorries and fire appliances make them welcome visitors throughout the UK, and in 2023 they were enjoyed at events from Kirkby Stephen to Biggar and from Whitehaven to Dundee.
A burgeoning Outreach and Community Development programme continued to boost public awareness of our work with more visits than ever to schools and care homes, and a growing number of guided group tours of the garage.
In August, GVVT made the news when Elena Whitham MSP, Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy, made a dual-purpose visit to Bridgeton to see Back on the Road and discuss the release of annual national drug death statistics. The Trust also featured in several interviews and features in print, on air and online which boosted our public profile.
As we enter 2024, a high-tech bus simulator is being installed close to our newly opened Wee Happy Shop, a new building manager is in place and a museums consultant is at the forefront of work to develop the archive.
Steven Booth added: “The year promises more exciting opportunities for the Trust. We will celebrate an important milestone in terms of buses, 100 years since the introduction of motor buses by Glasgow Corporation Transport.
“We have new activities for kids in the pipeline and we will be working on feasibility studies for the future of Bridgeton Bus Garage in collaboration with Clyde Gateway as we continue to explore our aim of providing a museum alongside our operational garage.
“We never take the great support we receive for granted, but I hope we can count on it again for what is shaping up to be a busy year ahead.”
At 21, GVVT has the key to an exciting future. See you on the journey.
If you’d like to be part of our success story you can become a GVVT member and assist at our events, more details on our membership page.
Twenty-one years ago today, December 9, 2002, five men gathered in an office in Glasgow’s Bath Street to sign a deed. The rest is history, and GVVT.
Paul Adams, Martin Denman, Ian Short, Ian Walker and the late Iain MacGregor knew they would lose their homes if the vision crashed, but they forged on bravely, giving life to what is now one of the finest centres of vehicle preservation in the UK. We are forever in their debt.
We were delighted to participate in the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust’s annual Doors Open Day event. We had 128 visitors, most of whom who had never visited Bridgeton Bus Garage before. As usual with this event, it was fully booked soon after the bookings opened.
As part of the event we had a visit from Aoife’s Sensory Bus, which was a big success and will hopefully return for a future visit.
Our Chairman, Steven Booth was interviewed on air for the Hospital Broadcasting Service, who had roving reporters providing information on buildings that were talking part in the event for those who were listening in hospitals across Glasgow and the West.
If you want to visit Bridgeton for yourself, we have Guided Tours this coming weekend and our Annual Open Weekend is on 14 & 15 October.
Team High-Vis…from left, Sam McCormick, Archie Houliston, Back on the Road’s Vince Ho, Ian Short, George Wylie
Archie Houliston never drove a bus or lorry for wages, it was strictly for fun.
And as he turns 76 and is no longer insured to operate council or Trust-owned vehicles, he vows the enjoyment doesn’t stop here. He and his Scania fire appliance will still be regular attenders of events throughout Scotland, writes Ed Bonner.
Friends and fellow-GVVT members joined Archie for his final Corpy drive from Bridgeton to the council fuel pumps at Polmadie – a task he has carried out so many times, he’s lost count.
Final fill-up…Archie fuels D217, the Daimler, for the last time at Polmadie
A former supervising engineer with BT and Vodafone, Archie joined GVVT in 2009. He said: “I didn’t drive for a living. I paid for PCV and HGV courses simply out of interest.
“Driving these old vehicles is a privilege. Each is different and has its own character. L163, the Wee L, is the best to handle while D217, the Daimler, looks good but is a heavy beast.
Double act…teamwork does the job as Archie and George Wylie top up the the Daimler
“I enjoyed the Outreach work, driving to schools and care homes, and the annual taxi run for children to Troon was always a good experience.
“Above all, the greatest reward I have from being in and about the garage is the many friends I have made. I look forward to meeting more.”
Make it a triple…Archie, George Wylie and Ian Short take time out in the shed
We welcomed Elena Whitham, MSP, Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy in the Scottish Government to Bridgeton Bus Garage on 22nd August to show her the work being done by GVVT’s ‘Back on the Road’ programme which helps those in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.
The Minister’s visit coincided with the release of the latest statistics on Scottish drug addiction deaths. This meant that a large press pack witnessed the Minister’s tour and they then used the garage as a backdrop for interviews. Some 15 different media outlets were represented ranging from BBC, ITV, STV, Channel 5, Sky News plus radio stations and newspapers.
The visit was highly important for ‘Back on the Road’ as recognition of the tremendous work they do which often passes below the radar for many GVVT members. The Trust has also benefitted from the coverage with the garage and our buses being shown nationally. The visit has also enhanced our reputation with CORRA (Back on the Road’s principal funder, who’s Chief Executive also visited the garage) and the Scottish Government.
If you would like to find out more about the Back on the Road programme or help with its activities in some way then we’d like to hear from you. Please get in touch with our Project Coordinator, Vince Ho, at vince.ho@gvvt.org to find out more.
In the meantime, please click this link which will take you to a short film made by the Scottish Government to mark the visit.
The people came out in force to see the Force and made Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust’s Family & Community Day the biggest and best yet. Thanks to our visitors, exhibitors and volunteers, the magnificent Michael Brawley Big Band, and a special salute to Darth Vader and his Star Wars Scottish Garrison for cutting the ribbon and kicking off the fun.
Lord Vader cuts the ribbon with a thrust of his lightsaberFamily Day goes with a swing thanks to the Michael Brawley Big BandThe short and the tall as Darth Vader greets a special young fan at Family DayThe men of the charity fund-raising Western Desert Recce GroupJive talkin’ as Ray and Nicky Doull step it out to the sound of the bandGVVT hits the right notes for Michael Brawley Big Band vocalist Sonja SmithTop Family Day supporter Major Gary Wallace and WDRG’s wartime Ford jeep, Bouncing BettyA fun day among the buses for actor Gary Hollywood, Dino of Mrs Brown’s Boys
Do you live in the East End of Glasgow? We have a new free connecting bus service to our Family & Community Fun Day on 30th July. Leave your car at home and just put your hand out at any bus stop en-route for a free ride to Bridgeton Bus Garage!
Buses will follow this route from Bridgeton Bus Garage: Broad St, Brook St, Crownpoint Rd, Fielden St, Gallowgate, left Westmuir St, Shettleston Rd, Glasgow Rd, Main St, Edinburgh Rd, Easterhouse Rd, Westerhouse Rd, Wellhouse Rd, Edinburgh Rd, Swinton Rd, Buchanan St, Main St, Glasgow Rd, Shettleston Rd, Westmuir St, Gallowgate, Fielden St, Crownpoint Rd, David St, Broad St for Bridgeton Bus Garage. There is no charge for this service.
The Force is sure to be with you at a top event that’s out of this world.
Darth Vader will open Family and Community Day at Bridgeton Bus Garage on Sunday, July 30, writes Ed Bonner.
Supported by troopers from Star Wars Imperial Scottish Garrison, the Dark Lord will cut the ribbon with his lightsaber before the Michael Brawley Big Band raise the roof with the first of two swinging sets, featuring singer Sonja Smith.
Hosted by Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust, other attractions include 130 classic buses, lorries and fire appliances, military and emergency services displays, Unwanted Scooter Club, veteran cycles, Paint-a-Bus, Clippies Café, face painting and model buses.
Free vintage bus services will run from the garage to the city centre and Kelvingrove Museum, where the Trust has an exhibition.
GVVT trustee Ed Bonner said: “Family Day is an opportunity to see our vehicles and restoration work, and have fun.
“It had a record attendance of 1500 last year, and with Star Wars headlining and the band playing two extended one-hour sets, we hope to welcome even more visitors this time.”
Family Day: 11am-4.30pm. Admission: £5 adults, £3 concessions, £12 families. Pre-book online at the GVVT website or pay at the door (cards accepted). Enter by Broad Street.
You’re never too young to enjoy Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust and Amelia Harwood is proof.
The 14-month-old with a smile as large as a double-decker has taken her first bus ride…on a vehicle 61 years her senior, writes Ed Bonner.
Little Amelia rode the Big L, 1961 Leyland Titan L446, at the recent Shawlands Pop-Up, which featured six vehicles from Bridgeton Bus Garage on display and operating free services.
With uncle and GVVT member Jonathan Harwood at the wheel of the Corpy, it was a family day out for Amelia.
And she’s welcome to have another on July 30 when GVVT hosts Family & Community Day with Star Wars characters, the Michael Brawley Big Band, military and emergency services displays, scooters, paint-a-bus, free bus rides and a host of other attractions. Doors open 11am-4.30pm. More details and to book in advance online at gvvt.org/open-sundays
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