David Gambles writes: (26 October 2010):
The reason I have borrowed Snaith's 1931 Leyland Lion (see pictures on this website
HERE)
is that it is being displayed in Newcastle city
centre in connection with the Grainger Market celebrating 175 years in business.
Classic buses and coaches are being parked outside the market to advertise the events taking place inside and some stall holders are
entering into the spirit of the celebrations by wearing old style costumes.
The Leyland Lion proved very popular with passers by and at 14.45 I took a full load of people on a short tour around the city centre.
This vehicle will be on show every day this week including Saturday when it will be joined by Bristol K GHN 189 owned by the Aycliffe &
Distict Bus Preservation Society and maybe another surprise visitor!
Yesterday (Monday) we displayed Bedford SBG JHL 701 and Leyland PS1 KTJ 502.
Note the aforementioned 79 year old petrol engined Leyland Lion was re-bodied in 1947 so has a relatively new body which is "only" 63
years old! It's interesting to drive and amongst the unusual things about it is that the accelerator pedal is in the centre and the brake pedal
is on the right. The handbrake is pushed "on" and has a spring release, these things being common in the early 1930's.
Neville Whitmore writes: (1 November 2010)
The pre war Leyland Lion DV 7890 which David Gambles has posted pictures on of its jaunt out in Newcastle has local connections with
Chesterfield. It was at one time owned by Pete Holmes of Morton, trading as Morton Coach Hire, but I do not believe that it was ever on
the road with him (unless you know different!). It was for several years parked at a garage in Morton. The body has been described as by
Burlingham and it certainly shows some Burlingham characteristics but some doubt has been cast on this, does anyone have any further
information? It is certainly built to a rather low height and was certainly a "one off".
David Gambles writes: (2 November 2010):
I returned the 1931 Leyland Lion to Snaith's Coaches at Otterburn today having used it last week in the centre of Newcastle (slides 1 to 7 below).
As previously mentioned, other vehicles joined in the display during the week and on Saturday the ex United Bristol K from the Aycliffe &
District Bus Preservation Society was joined by the ex West Yorkshire Bristol MW owned by NEBPT. On Friday Chris Lediard displayed his ex Premier
Coaches 1948 Leyland PS1 ENT 778. Free rides were given around a short circuit of the city centre and on each occasion the vehicles were
full to capacity.
The market is a listed building and has largely survived modernisation so that when comparing old photos the building has hardly changed
over its 175 years. Marks & Spencer have retained a presence in the building with their "Penny Bazar" stall which sells seconds and
end of line goods - none of them for a penny though!
See slides 8 to 21 below
David Gambles