STANBRIDGE -  THE OAKFIELD DAYS

Some later pictures from Stanbridge in the early 1990s - the Oakfield days

In 1989 the Stanbridge business was acquired by Oakfield Travel of Blandford, run by Terry Greenslade and Joe Smith.   Operations went on in much the same way as the two businesses had much in common with their daily mix of work, including private hire, bus services and school contracts.  Thanks to Trevor Kenward, who worked there at the time, we have pictures of some of the vehicles that were in the fleet, together with some comments on their idiosyncracies!  Trevor came late to coach driving and remembers many amusing stories from his days at the wheel, as well as being taught to drive by my long time mentor and friend Maurice Norman, sadly no longer with us.

		NTY226M - Trevor's coach.  An AEC Reliance  57-seater with Duple body, used on a wide range of touring and contract work.
		RGS92R, a 1977 57-seater Leyland PSU5A with Plaxton body, new to Ebdon of Sidcup, shown on loan from Oakfield to Stanbridge for school work.
		701GOO, an AEC with Van Hool body.  To keep it charging one had to carry a hammer and hit the battery isolator switch periodically.
		GDY550N worked at Stanbridge for several years in Oakfield livery, mainly on local bus services and school work.  It was not fitted with a power door so a length of string and a stick came in handy!
		AEC Reliance, 1972, Plaxton 50-seater body, new to World Wide of  Lanark, Scotland.

Bedford YLQ TSC916R, the first coach Trevor drove at Stanbridge, on the Wednesday service to Ringwood.  A 45-seater  with Plaxton body, new to Mitchell of Broxburn in  1975.  The ends knocked wicked but it was OK until another leaden footed driver used it and blew the bottom end out!
OLE583E was a 1967 AEC Reliance with 53-seater Plaxton body.  It came to Stanbridge in 1984 and was Maurice Norman's coach for some years.  (He later drove GCK251N).  There was no power steering so Trevor found it a bit of a pig to drive in tight spots, but it was a reliable starter in bad weather.  Later was badly damaged at the front after a collision.
WRJ221S, a Ford R1114 with Plaxton 53 seater body, new to Shearings of Altrincham in 1978.
SWY336L, a Bedford YRT service bus with 53 seat Willowbrook body, new to Wigmore of Dinnington in 1972.  It was underpowered with the body too much for the engine.
VUV246, a 49 seater Leyland Plaxton semi-auto, which was new to Flights of Birmingham. This was the last coach Trevor had at Stanbridge and it was a peach to drive.