BOLSOVER BY BUS
I am not a frequent reader of books, but in the case of BOLSOVER BY BUS I just could not put it down! Let’s be clear: if you are
hoping for pages of bus numbers with dates of entering service etc. then you will be disappointed. I am very pleased to report there are
no such lists in BOLSOVER BY BUS. If, on the other hand, you have a general interest in the history of the area bounded by Chesterfield,
Sheffield, Worksop and Mansfield, then you will find this book an absorbing and easy read.
From the title there is obviously much about buses, though not restricted to the town of Bolsover. The book contains fascinating
histories of what became Chesterfield Corporation Transport and Underwoods / East Midland Motor Services right up to the present day
when Stagecoach is the name. Also included is the rise and fall of Bolsover based Castle Coaches (did you know amongst the Bedford SBs
they ran a rear engine Foden?), as well as several other operators whose names are no more. TM Travel runs Bolsover town services (and
serves the town on other routes) so gets a chapter to itself including a brief history. There is also a page on Cosy Coaches who
thankfully still run their Bedford OBs though no longer on the Heritage Tour through Bolsover.
There are all sorts of facts and anecdotes which kept my interest.
Bolsover used to be served by two railways. For a very short time, East Midland Motor Services was wholly owned by the railways (LNER & LMS)
which resulted in Bolsover Castle station being closed in 1930 in order to take away competition from the Bolsover to Sheffield bus service.
Hills on the Bolsover to Chesterfield route proved a challenge to the drivers of buses in the 1920’s. It was normal to keep the wheel against
the stone kerb while descending Hady Hill into Chesterfield to prevent the buses running away. Once a drive shaft broke whilst going down the
hill, resulting in the bus speeding out of control. Fortunately the driver kept his cool and managed to bring the bus to a halt. The passengers
were so grateful that a few days later they presented gifts, including a silver cigarette case, to the driver. Over 40 years later an
AEC Reliance on a private hire caught fire on Bolsover Hill. Fortunately, members of the band on their way to a concert jumped out safely but
their musical instruments were lost to the flames.
At the Clowne depot, William Underwood refused to reinstate drivers who had taken part in the General Strike in 1926. The result was a
firm called Unity started up services in competition with Underwood’s. Unity was subsequently taken over by Sheffield Corporation (to get back
at Underwood’s whom they hated!). It all got very complicated, during which time Underwood’s became East Midland Motor Services who won a legal
battle resulting in Sheffield Corporation's association with buses to Bolsover being terminated.
I was amused to discover that the daily coach to Clacton was diverted to make a timetabled stop in Bolsover. How many people from that town,
even in those days before the family car, would wish to travel to Clacton? Other interesting sections include mention of the many colliery and
works services that were once an important part of the schedules of so many operators.
And so I could go on . . . but I do not wish to spoil your enjoyment of the book. There are a considerable number of photographs including
many in colour. Whilst not outstanding from the point of view of the skill of the photographers, they are extremely interesting, some going
back to the First World War.
I think what makes the text particularly fascinating is that Paul Smith
concentrates on the personalities behind the vehicles, creating nostalgic scenes
of everyday life over the past century. I noted one error (surely South Notts
was taken over by Nottingham City Transport, not by the Wellglade Group?) and
a friend more fastidious than me over dates and numbers speaks of others, but that
just keeps us on our toes! This is an excellent book for all, not just bus
enthusiasts. Read and enjoy and wallow in the Good Old Days!
Oliver Foreman
BOLSOVER BY BUS – Paul Smith.
Penn Lane Publications (ISBN 978-0-9541666-1-8)
78 pages - colour & black & white. 11” x 8” landscape. Vellum weave card covers. Priced £16
Publication 1st. May 2010
Limited edition of 500 copies only. (Signed and validated by the author)
Available direct from Penn Lane Publications (post free)
58 Dugard House, Dugard Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0UL
The book will only be available via the internet and one exclusive retail outlet - Goddard & White Newsagents of Town End, Bolsover.
www.pennlanepublications.co.uk