2020 Book News Welcome to our 2020 Book News. It’s hard to believe another year has gone by already and what a challenging year it’s been on many fronts. We finally got the Hallmark book launched at Showbus. The Red & White volume is now out on final proof and we hope to have copies available in time for Santa to drop under your tree this Christmas. Sorry this has taken so long but there have been many hurdles to overcome and it’s been a much bigger project than we had anticipated. Several other long term projects that have been stuck behind Red & White are now close to release and you’ll see details of these on the next couple of pages. Whilst mentioning bigger projects and hurdles to overcome, thank you to everyone who has supported my latest charity fund raiser in aid of the Christie Hospital. The Walk for Life challenge saw me trekking across Greater Manchester to 11 cricket grounds, covering over 160 miles in all weathers, and has so far raised almost £6,000 for the Christie. You can read more about this by clicking on the Christie logo on the website or visiting my Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-senior-sue-at-60 Please note our new FREEPOST address is shown below, it’s just: FREEPOST MDS BOOK SALES You don’t need to add anything else, there’s no need for a street name or post code. In fact, if you do add something, it will delay the letter or could even mean we don’t get it. The old address will no longer be valid from January 2020 and items may be returned to you by the Post Office or delivered to us with a surcharge to pay! Of course if you’re happy to put a stamp on and write to us at Pikes Lane that’s fine too! You are always welcome to call and see us at Pikes Lane. We’re open Monday to Friday and there’s a map and opening times on page 63. Please check before calling if you’re after a specfic item to ensure it’s on the shelf that day. The FREEPOST address is obviously only valid in the UK so overseas customers please use the normal Pikes Lane address as shown on page 65. Have you signed up for our email newsletter yet? We often have small quantities of clearance, secondhand or otherwise reduced titles on offer and our weekly email newsletter is the best way to keep up to date with these offers – as well as getting the latest updates on all titles. Visit our website mdsbooks.co.uk to sign up. Please note as usual we will be closed for holidays over the Christmas break and the last dates for posting prior to Christmas are shown on page 65. Thanks for your continued support and as ever Good Reading and please let us know if there’s anything you like or that we could do better. Mark Senior MDS Book Sales Rallies we are attending 2019/2020 Christmas Transport Market (Museum of Transport Manchester)- 7th & 8th December 2019 Spring Transport Festival (Museum of Transport Manchester)- 28th & 29th March 2020 London Bus Museum Spring Gathering- 5th April 2020 Lincoln Vintage Vehicle Society Open Day- Easter Sunday 12th April 20120 North East Bus Show (Gateshead)- 3rd May 2020 Peak Park Preserved Bus Gathering (Rowsley)- 14th June 2020 Merseyside Transport Trust Open Day (Burscough)- 12th July 2020 Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft’s Summer Gathering- 26th July 2020 52nd Trans Pennine Run (Harrogate)- 2nd August 2020 Buses Festival (Gaydon)- 23rd August 2020 Showbus 2020 (Hertfordshire Showground)- 27th September 2020 Wirral Tram & Bus Show 2019 (Birkenhead)- 4th October 2020 Lincolnshire Vintage Vehicle Society Running Day- 1st November 2020 Christmas Transport Market (Museum of Transport Manchester)- 5th & 6th December 2020 Cover image: BND 870C, A Leyland Panther Cub with Park Royal body seen operating Manchester’s City Circle service in 1966. (STA) Venture publications 3 FORTHCOMING TITLES SUPER PRESTIGE 40 WEST WALES INDEPENDENTS part 2 This is the second book covering independent bus operators in West Wales and follows on from the previous volume featuring Cardigan and Newport. In this book, the author, Les Dickinson will attempt to describe the introduction and development of the passenger transport providers of the northern foothills of the Preseli hills. He will focus on two areas, Crymych and Maenclochog exploring in detail the independent operators which worked throughout these villages. In the chapters on Crymych the author details the histories of three larger independents and one smaller entity. The three larger are: David John Jones, Edwards Brothers and Midway Motors (formerly Rees & Phillips). The smaller, and short-lived operator featured is Frenni Coaches (Beardwell & Collins). The pages describing the bus scene in Maenclochog cover three early pioneers in the region: Arthur Williams of Maenclochog, Ivor Williams of Trelech and Morgan Brothers of Llanfyrnach and their companies’ progression. Softback. VP487 EXPECTED FEB 2020 C£20 RED & WHITE ServICES LTD This book tells the first part of the history of this fascinating family-owned company. The book covers Red & White from its creation right up to its sale to the British Transport Commission (BTC) in 1950. This publication is profusely illustrated with hundreds of pictures of vehicles, tickets and timetables etc. A4 hardback. VP480 CHRISTMAS 2019 £50 THE TWILIGHT YEARS OF MANCHESTER CorporatION TRANSPORT DepartmeNT Martin Ford joined Manchester Corporation Transport Department in August 1964 as a junior clerk in the Claims Department, rising up through the ranks as Manchester Corporation Transport passed to SELNEC Passenger Transport Executive in November 1969, and remaining in that same department when SELNEC transferred to Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive in 1974 and then to GM Buses Limited to become Litigation Manager by the time in new moved to a similar role at MANWEB in 1990, then going on to form his own accident investigation company dealing with bus accidents on behalf of various clients, but principally for the in-house insurers of Stagecoach. This fascinating insight into Manchester Corporation Transport Department during its final years reveals some of the interesting inner most workings before they are forever lost in the passing years of change. Illustrated throughout with memories of Martin’s time in Manchester and showing a number of behind the scenes incidents. VP489 EXPECTED FEB 2020 £20.00 221 DEEPDALE ROAD PrestoN - HIstory OF A BUS GARAGE Regular Venture author Mike Rhodes explores the history of this famous address and this book is the result of a more than 50 years fascination with the depot and its operations. Originally a horse tram operation, Preston commenced electric tram services from the newly built Deepdale premises in the early 1900s, and the depot housed all the facilities the tramway needed including the power station, along with the workshops and car sheds. Later converted to motor bus operation, the garage remains in use today and is the hub of the city’s Rotala operation. VP490 EXPECTED FEB 2020 £22.50 4 Venture publications ObservatION COACHES & HALF-DECKERS In this book, Neville Mercer tells the story of observation coaches from their origins in North America to the ones which were found on the British roads in the middle years of the 20th century. The few companies which were involved in their manufacture are described in detail, as well as the firms who produced the most familiar examples which served the London stations and airports. This 190 page volume is illustrated with around 300 pictures, including some very rare vehicles. VP486 £20 IN stoCK NOW HALLMARK COACHES Back in 1968 Eric Atkinson teamed up with local businessman John Barnett to start a chauffeur-car company for transporting airline crews. Atkinson wanted his young son, Mark, to be referenced in the company name and as they were aiming for a quality service “Hallmark” became the obvious identity for the new operation. It was eventually to become one of the most highly regarded brands in luxury coach travel. This book tells the fascinating story of this coach company. A4 softback, illustrated in both colour and black & white. VP484 £20 IN stoCK NOW BULLOCKS COACHES Bullocks Coaches of Cheadle in Cheshire has been one of the North West’s premier operators for over 90 years. Ralph senior started his business in the early 20s when a chance sighting of undelivered milk churns, due to a rail strike, caught his imagination and so began the Bullock enterprise. Early buses followed quickly for local workmen’s commutes as well as day-trips at weekends. Carl Jarman, who has lived in Cheadle all his life, who joined the firm as an apprentice engineer straight out of school helped bring the business to life, as only a local could. Bullocks Coaches is still owned entirely by the Bullock family and their red, maroon and white livery can be seen throughout the UK and even into Europe. Together with two friends, Carl Jarman takes the reader through the history of this unique company from its creation right up to the present day. A4 softback, 80 pages. VP407 £20 IN stoCK NOW Venture publications 5 A LIFETIME ON THE BUSES Covering almost half a century, this is the story of one man’s, slightly unusual, career in the transport industry. From working in the home counties with the largest bus operator in the country, to employment with one of the legendary family Independent operators in Yorkshire, the narrative traces the contrast between large and small in the bus industry, at the same time following in parallel the development of two major enthusiasts’ organisations over the last 40 years, namely the Doncaster Omnibus & Light Rail Society and the British Trolleybus Society.