2010 – Issue 3 of 4

that the journey had to end. Once again, it had been great fun – and the
rest of the passengers seemed to have enjoyed the experience just as
much as I had. Thanks again to Cumbria Classic Coaches and their staff it
had been an excellent and highly recommended day out.
(All photographs by Berwyn Prys Jones)
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JUNE EVENING RUN;
On 16 th June the 1964 Guy Arab open topper was fired up by Ian Barlow
for our evening run. On a very warm evening we made for Llandaff and
the BBC Studios. Our group of about 20 were treated to a tour of the
BBC complex, our guides showing us the various television studios, some
of which were surprisingly small. Certain members of the group took the
opportunity to sit in the newsreader’s chair and on the famous red sofa
used for interviews. Outside the building we were shown the façade of
shop fronts used in the Welsh language soap ‘Pobol Y Cwm’.
The operations suites held a confusing array of monitors and buttons that
eventually bring the TV programmes to our screens. The two hour tour
prompted one to think beyond the flat screen that we look at every day.
Your editor is now convinced that there are no longer lots of little
people inside his TV set !
Many thanks to our guides, the organisers Mike and our own BBC man,
Paul Burgess. The warm evening continued with a final run through
Whitchurch where our bus was the subject of many an odd glance from
those enjoying a drink after the World cup match.
JULY EVENING RUN;
On 21 st July the rain soon eased to bring a pleasant evening. For our July
trip we used PAX 466F, the immaculate former Bedwas & Machen
Leyland PD3/4 which is on long term loan from Julian Peddle. This
historically important bus was the last lowbridge built in the U.K. and the
last exposed radiator Leyland to be supplied to a Welsh operator.
The object of the evening was to visit the garage at Bedwas which is soon
to be demolished. Attempts were made to position the bus to recreate
two photographs taken 36 years ago shortly before the small Bedwas
UDC fleet was swallowed up by Rhymney Valley District Council.
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