2012 – Issue 2 of 4
BUSES AT LLANDOW; Llandow is a small village some 4 miles from Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan. From 1940 to 1957 Llandow was the site of a large RAF aerodrome and maintenance unit (38MU). In the early 1960’s the B4270 road from Cowbridge to Llantwit Major was rerouted bisecting the airfield site. Several areas of the old airfield were developed into industrial sites and eventually attracted certain independent bus operators. As a youngster growing up in the north-east, David Michael Gee dreamed of owning a bus. After some years in Coventry and further years in the R.A.F in Lincolnshire and south Wales, his opportunity came in 1988. The demise of the Inter Valley Link bus service in the Vale prompted Dave Gee to compete with National Welsh in the Llantwit Major area with a new low cost bus operation. With his backers, Alan Gold and Martin Been, he set up Golden Coaches Ltd. in November 1988. A yard was rented at 34 Sutton Spring Road, Llandow Trading Estate and a service between Llantwit Major and St. Athan commenced on 22 nd May 1989. At first enquiries were dealt by Marlene Gee from their home at Cwmaman. There were less than ideal conditions at Golden Coaches yard in Nov.1993 (V.C.) From 22 nd September 1989 ‘Golden’ operated to Barry and then on to Cardiff by 9 th December. Their original vehicle allocation was for 4 buses. Some of the early buses were grey and dark red. Further expansion took place on 23 rd April 1990 when an hourly 145 service from L/Major to Cardiff via Rhoose and Barry, later to become half hourly. National Welsh retaliated by running a 350 service 5 minutes in front of Golden Coaches. 4
In 1991 a further site at Llandow was rented at Unit 12 Llandow Industrial Estate. In September 1991 the struggling National Welsh withdrew most B9 evening and Sunday services. The County Council considered these services sociably desirable and Golden Coaches were successful in tendering which coincided with the granting of two extra operating discs. Although losing heavily, National Welsh were still fielding their 350 ‘Battlebus’ on Saturdays, though Golden were on the ball by using crew buses at busy times and having a ‘dup’ at Llantwit terminus taking fares and transferring passengers on to the service bus when it arrived. Following the failure of National Welsh, ‘Golden’ won certain X2 & V3 services supported by the local authority, as well as services to Bridgend via Southerndown. They held on to the support of Vale bus users, increased maybe by the psychological ploy of using some former National drivers and buses in their original livery. Most of these vehicles were later painted dark red with yellow waistband and wheels. Former N/Welsh Sherpa E117 RAX at Cowbridge Town Hall in March 1993. (V.C.) In February 1993, a new company, Glamorgan Bus Ltd., was registered by the directors of Golden Coaches to facilitate possible expansion in the Barry area, but it was to remain a dormant company until more recent years. In September 1993 vehicle allocation was increased to 13 buses, but using elderly buses on a tight timetable was courting trouble. Soon there were maintenance problems. In September 1994 negotiations were completed to use a larger yard at 25 Tumulus Way, Llandow Trading Estate. This replaced the two former premises. 5
- Page 1 and 2: £2.50 00 NEWSLETTER 37 - APRIL 201
- Page 3: CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE; From this edi
- Page 7 and 8: An agreement was reached on 28 th S
- Page 9 and 10: This ex. Warrington E/Lancs Atlante
- Page 11 and 12: was made and by the summer of 2011
- Page 13 and 14: MYSTERY COACH: (anon) The first non
- Page 15 and 16: THE SWANSEA MUSEUM AEC RUNNING DAY
- Page 17 and 18: 1982 NDW 407X Volvo Ailsa B55 / N/C
- Page 19 and 20: (WWOC) By early 1957 the bus was ta
- Page 21 and 22: DEREK’S LOG; Pontypridd No.8, UTG
- Page 23 and 24: holes rusted in it, but as we have
- Page 25 and 26: About the CTPG The CTPG lease the f
- Page 27 and 28: Golden Coaches Bristol LH, LFJ 849W
BUSES AT LLANDOW;<br />
Llandow is a small village some 4 miles from Cowbridge in the Vale <strong>of</strong> Glamorgan. From<br />
1940 to 1957 Llandow was the site <strong>of</strong> a large RAF aerodrome and maintenance unit<br />
(38MU). In the early 1960’s the B4270 road from Cowbridge to Llantwit Major was rerouted<br />
bisecting the airfield site. Several areas <strong>of</strong> the old airfield were developed into<br />
industrial sites and eventually attracted certain independent bus operators.<br />
As a youngster growing up in the north-east, David Michael Gee dreamed <strong>of</strong> owning a<br />
bus. After some years in Coventry and further years in the R.A.F in Lincolnshire and<br />
south Wales, his opportunity came in 1988. The demise <strong>of</strong> the Inter Valley Link bus<br />
service in the Vale prompted Dave Gee to compete with National Welsh in the Llantwit<br />
Major area with a new low cost bus operation. With his backers, Alan Gold and Martin<br />
Been, he set up Golden Coaches Ltd. in November 1988. A yard was rented at 34<br />
Sutton Spring Road, Llandow Trading Estate and a service between Llantwit Major and<br />
St. Athan commenced on 22 nd May 1989. At first enquiries were dealt by Marlene Gee<br />
from their home at Cwmaman.<br />
There were less than ideal conditions at Golden Coaches yard in Nov.1993 (V.C.)<br />
From 22 nd September 1989 ‘Golden’ operated to Barry and then on to Cardiff by 9 th<br />
December. Their original vehicle allocation was for 4 buses. Some <strong>of</strong> the early buses<br />
were grey and dark red.<br />
Further expansion took place on 23 rd April 1990 when an hourly 145 service from<br />
L/Major to Cardiff via Rhoose and Barry, later to become half hourly. National Welsh<br />
retaliated by running a 350 service 5 minutes in front <strong>of</strong> Golden Coaches.<br />
4
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