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March 2025 Review

This Review is hoped to be in the post on Thursday 20th March and so should be with members shortly afterwards.

This month’s full edition has two very interesting articles by Tony Moyes on the special services operated by Crosville “over one hundred miles from the company’s headquarters at Chester” and secondly he has written about the connection between George Crosland Taylor and Anglesey. There is also an article on the various covers used on Crosville United over the years and there is an update on the content of the Crosville.org website relating to timetables together with some information on three surviving former Crosville vehicles no longer used as PSVs

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Diary of Tours and Events  (2025 unless otherwise stated)

Items in red are for Club Members and invited guests only

Items with blue have details yet to be determined

Further details of tours will be given as plans develop

Tour bookings can be made to tourbookings and remember to quote your membership number when booking plus number of places required, a phone number, your requested pickup point and your email address. Bookings can also be made by text message, details in the current 'Review'.

Our standard pick-ups are Victoria Road, rear of former Crosville Chester depot at 0845 and Chester Railway Station at 0900. Remember also that Hi Viz jackets are required on all occasions when depot visits are included.

Previous News

February 2025 Review

This Review is hoped to be in the post on Wednesday 18th February and so should be with members shortly afterwards.

This month’s 40 page edition has an assortment of ad hoc articles in addition to the usual news round-up from the area. These include some interesting research on Crosville’s railway involvement at Caersws, plus an additional item on the Heart of Wales line which passed near to former Crosville territory deep in that part of the principality. We also have an article on a very unusual Express service which appeared in Crosville timetables for just one summer season in 1968, plus an extra item on the associated interchange at The Astral café, Caerwent. The “Quiz Question” last month regarding DLG 944, drew three very welcome responses.

January 2025 Review

The first Review of 2025 is hoped to be in the post on Thursday 23rd January so should be with members shortly afterwards.

This month’s 40 page edition has a very personal account of one member’s encounters with his good friend the late Noel Reed. The article is a very moving tribute to a long standing member of the Club and someone who was a great friend to many members. Also this month is Part 2 of Day at Knighton in which the author reveals the identity of the other vehicle seen on the visit. Another short article followed receipt of a newspaper clip and the inquiring mind of the author led to the discovery of some interesting information about a probable forerunner to Crosville in the Dyffryn area north of Barmouth!   There is an article on the very recent Chester and Wrexham Heritage Bus Running Day which took place on 1 January.  This report has the bonus of a number of photographs of the day.    Lastly there are a number of old Crosville photographs where members are asked to assist in identifying the locations. 

Informal gathering at noon in the Johnny Pye pub in Heswall 

For those attending this event Geoff Smith has kindly sent a list of Heswall departures for those wishing to photograph them during the day

Stand Route Dest.                   Time      Op.

A   73 Poulton Lancelyn          xx06    A2B

A 175 Banks Rd local               xx18    A2B

A 174 Lower Heswall local     xx23   A2B

B   22 Chester                            xx25   Happy Als.

C   22 West Kirby                        xx32  Happy Als.

C  175 Irby via Pensby                xx36   A2B

C   181 Arrowe Park                      xx41   A2B

D   471 Liverpool               xx15,35,55  Stagecoachc 

D   472 Liverpool                xx09,29,49  Arrriva

Omnibus Society Meeting 11 January 2025

Our own Don McKeown is the guest speaker at the next meeting of the Omnibus Society North Western and Yorkshire meeting - in Skipton at 1300 on Saturday 11 January 2025. His topic is "North Wales before Deregulation" and he intends to cover Crosville, the local independents and small municipals in his presentation.

All CEC members would be very welcome as guests, although I would ask that anyone should let them know a couple of days in advance if they intend coming along so that they have an idea of attendance.   Please contact Geoff Cook -  Tel : 07875 662124  e-mail : cookgd54@gmail.com

December 2024 Review

The December Review will soon be going to the printers and it is expected to be in the post by the weekend of 21st December.  Depending on the Christmas post it should be with members just before or possibly just after Christmas.

In addition to the usual presentation of recent news, regular features and photographs there is an article on a visit to see a Preserved North Western Loline in mid Wales.  The remainder of the reports presented to the AGM together with the minutes of the meeting are included.  There is also an appropriate and well written Obituary to our former Distribution Officer Steve Meredith.  Lastly there is the opportunity to volunteer to assist with identifying locations of some classic photographs.

November 2024 Review

Unfortunately there has been a delay in printing this month's Review and it will not be dispatched until late next week (about 28th) and should be with members by week beginning 2nd December.  

November 2024 Review

The November edition should be with members week beginning 25th November

In this Review is the last in the series of looking at Stagecoach Merseyside and the final depot to be featured is Chester.  There is a report of the September North Wales Tour and there is an interesting article of what the number ‘72’ meant to one of our members in his career and as an enthusiast. As usual there is plenty of recent news and regular features. Again this month most of the Crosville photographs appearing came from the camera of the late Stephen Meredith. There is a further update of the currently known Crosville preserved and surviving vehicles and as previously further information is requested.

Crosville Images for Sale

Members are advised that the first batch of Roy Marshall's Crosville images are now on the Transport Library and available for purchase at the address below. The Club has been involved in identifying locations for many of these on behalf of The Bus Archive.

https://www.thetransportlibrary.co.uk/-/galleries/bus-images/the-omnibus-society/major-companies/crosville/page/4

Timetables

Further scanned timetables have been added to the Crosville.org site timetables section.   

 <<LINK TO TIMETABLE SECTION>>

1966-09 Area 1 Chester, Mold and Crewe

1966-09 Area 4 Rhyl and Llandudno

1966-09 Area 5 Anglesey, North Cambria and South Cambria 

1967-01 Area 2 Merseyside

1967-03 Area 3 Wrexham

There is also a new section Crosville Wales Timetables  <<LINK>>.

Here can be found over 32 Crosville Wales Timetable Booklets

These are in addition to those added a few months ago :-

1959 Summer Express Services

1960-07 Area 5 Anglesey, North Cambria and South Cambria 

1961-01 Area 3 Wrexham

1961-07 Area 2 Merseyside

1961-07 Area 4 Rhyl and Llandudno

1963-01 Area 1 Chester, Mold and Crewe

1976-06 Eastern

1976-08 Western 

Funeral arrangements for Roy Carmichael

In the last Review the announcement was made of the death of our former long-standing member Roy Carmichael who died on 7th September in Skegness.  His funeral arrangements have only recently been announced.  He will be interred in his home city of Liverpool at Allerton cemetery on Wednesday 30 October. The funeral directors will meet at 1030 outside the cemetery’s disused chapel on the main drive from Woolton Road (a relatively short distance from Liverpool South Parkway.  There will be no service of either a religious or secular nature, which is understood to be Roy’s wishes. It is suggested that anyone attending may wish to afterwards partake of their preferred beverage in a nearby hostelry near South Parkway Station.  Details have been kindly supplied by David Godsmark whose mobile number can be obtained from the Webmaster using the e-mail shown on page 36 of the Review or by using the <<contact facility of this website>>.

Funeral of Stephen Meredith

The Funeral of Stephen Meredith will be held at the Pentrebychan Crematorium, Wrexham at 12pm on Thursday 10th October.  

This will be followed by a wake to be held at Maesgwyn Hall, Mold Road, Wrexham - very appropriately the site of the former Crosville depot.

Stephen Meredith

It is with great sadness and deep regret to announce that Steve passed away earlier this morning (Thursday 26th September).  

He has been suffering recently from a stomach illness and had been back in hospital since the weekend.  

Details of arrangements will be given when they are available and a full obituary will appear in due course.

Steve has been the Distribution Officer for the Club for a number of years and was a good friend to many of us.  He will be greatly missed.

October 2024 Review

The October edition should be with members during the beginning of the week commencing 20th October.

The articles this month include the next chapter in our detailed look at the routes and vehicles of the larger operators.  This month it is the Rock Ferry depot of Stagecoach Merseyside, Cheshire and South Lancs. There is an interesting article on the early memories of Crosville by one of our members.  In addition to recent news and the regular features there are a number of Crosville photographs taken by the late Stephen Meredith and a double dose of centre page recent photos. There is also an update of the currently known Crosville preserved and surviving vehicles for which again further information is requested..

September 2024 Review

This edition has been dispatched to members on Wednesday September 12th and should be with members by the end of the week.

It has plenty of recent news, regular features and photographs.   The articles this month include the next chapter in our detailed look at the routes and vehicles of the larger operators.  This month it is the Gillmos depot of Stagecoach Merseyside, Cheshire and South Lancs. There is an account of a week’s travel by one of our members made using a Crosville Explorer ticket back in August 1971 with some photographs of some of the buses used.  Lastly there is a list of the currently known Crosville preserved and surviving vehicles for which further information is sought.

August 2024 Review

This edition should be dispatched to members on Saturday 17 August and be received in the early part of the following week.

In addition to the usual news, regular features and photographs our articles this month include the next chapter in our detailed look at the routes and vehicles of the larger operators we cover. Having dealt with Lloyds, D&G Bus and Arriva, it is now the turn of Stagecoach Merseyside, Cheshire and South Lancs. This will be covered in four parts, depot by depot. We start this month with Preston depot. 

We also have the Report of our June Tour to South Cambria. This is accompanied by a few photos from the day.

July 2024 Review

This edition should be dispatched to members during the latter part of the week ending 27th July 

In addition to the usual news, regular features and many photographs our article this month is "The Model Bus Federation’s Use of Crosville Vehicles on Tour"

Membership Fees

We are approaching the part of the year when subscriptions are due for renewal. At its recent meeting, the Committee decided to maintain subscription rates at the same level of £27 per annum. Our treasurer would prefer members to pay by bank transfer (BACS) whenever possible and details of how to do so are included on the Renewal Form within the Review. If you are unable to pay by that means, please post your payment to the address provided. We look forward to your early renewal and continued membership. 

Duncan Roberts

The Club has learned that Duncan Roberts has recently suffered a stroke and is currently recovering at the  rehabilitation centre at Norfolk Park, Sheffield.  Our Chairman, John Young has visited him and reports that verbal communication with him was difficult. The long term prognosis is not known.  It is also known that he previously did spend some time at a Care Home in Sheffield although he did return to live at home prior to his stroke. 

Webmaster - involved in Coach Crash

During a recent holiday to South Africa I and my wife was unfortunately involved in a coach crash. Whilst a couple of the passengers received serious injuries most of us escaped with relatively minor injuries.  Further details can be obtained in my Blog at <<LINK>>

June 2024 Review

This edition will be dispatched to members on or before the Saturday 15th June

In addition to the usual news, regular features and many photographs our articles this month comprise a Report of the April Routes Tour using DKB 476.  We also conclude our schedules of the routes and vehicles operated by the Arriva group of companies in their North West region with that for Arriva Cymru/Arriva Buses Wales. 

Bill Barlow's wife - Marion

Bill Barlow has posted on Facebook that sadly his wife Marion passed away on Sunday 12th in the Arrowe Park Hospital. She was admitted last Tuesday and unfortunately she has not enjoyed good health for a little while. Our thoughts are with Bill at this difficult time for him.

May 2024 Review

This edition will be dispatched to members on or before the Friday 17th May

There are two ad-hoc articles this month. First, one of our long-standing members and very regular Tour participant, shares some of his memories to record the tours he has taken part in. Secondly, Alan Wheeler has been busy trawling through Crosville United and has put together some reports and occasions when Crosville appeared on television together with some other recollections.

There are,of course, the usual news reports, features and many interesting photographs.

April 2024 Review

This edition is being delivered a little earlier this month.

The Deputy Editor offers an apology that unfortunately whilst the Review number indicated is correct at a number of places the wrong month of March is stated.  

 As well as the usual news reports and features there is the next part of our series examining the main operator’s fleets and services. This time we the Inner Merseyside operations and vehicles of Arriva Merseyside are covered.

Also there is the second (and final) instalment of Bill Barlow’s 1977 Timetable Project and Bill asks members whether they can determine the reasoning behind the order in which he has compiled the itinerary. 

March 2024 Review

This edition is due to be delivered to members around Easter..  As well as the usual news Reports and features, this month is the next instalment of the Services and Fleets of the Arriva North West and Wales Group of companies with a detailed look at the “Outer Merseyside” operations. Tony Moyes describes the withdrawal of the final bus operations after very many years from a village not too many miles from his front door. Also, this month, one of our prolific photographers, whose work is regularly featured, has expanded his contribution to the Review by putting pen to paper who describes his day out on Saturday 17 February on the T22 Traws Cymru service. 

February 2024  Review

This edition is due to be delivered to members during the week begining February 26th.  It will contain Colin Swinson’s second look back at the Reviews of twenty-five years ago as well as Dave French’s extracts from Geoff Crawford’s diaries from February 1954 and 1957. 

A short account of the event on 22 January where a number of members met, as arranged, at the Johnny Pye Public House in Heswall to mark the centenary of the purchase of the Pye business on the Wirral by Crosville in 1914.

By way of a complete change to the usual fact-based subject matter of our articles, this month will have the first of a two-part fantasy from the mind of Bill Barlow who takes us on a series of imaginary journeys. Bill explains all in his introduction!

And finally, our collaboration with the Bus Archive calls for some help from the membership at large in identifying locations for a number of Crosville photographs which have been donated from the late Roy Marshall Collection to the Bus Archive. There is therefore a request for assistance.

January 2024 Review

Despite significant problems with finding a suitable new printer the Review should be delivered to members by the end of the month.  This edition will include a further review of the routes and fleet of the major operators we cover and this month it will feature Arriva North West.  This month also sees the start of a new column featuring the diaries of the late Geoff Crawford. This begins with an introduction by the custodian of Geoff’s diaries – Dave French. An extract from 1954 and 1957 for each month will now appear throughout 2024. A report on the The Chester & Wrexham Charity Heritage Bus Running Day 1 January 2024 is included together with some appropraite photographs.  The theme of this month's photographs is Heswall to celebrate the 100 years since Crosville purchased the business of Johnny Pye.

The Club has a new Chairman

At the AGM on 4th November John Young was appointed Chairman of the Club. John has been a member of the Club for some 45 years.  He has previously served as Editor with the Club and is a regular valuable contributor to the News Sub Editors and a generous provider of photographs for use in the Review. He currently holds a senior position within the bus industry

Tributes were paid to the outgoing Chairman Peter McGivney and he was thanked for his seventeen years service as Chairman.