Worcestershire

Selected highlights from last Saturday when Worcestershire provided the stage for a reunion outing that saw Messrs D9, UK Buses, SBI and yours truly joining forces once more...

- Early morning driving duty on the 256 -

Saturday 24th February 2018 and it's an early-ish start for D9 and myself aboard the 7:42 256 to Stourbridge. Along with the usual driving demonstration, we punctuate the journey with musical moments by singing along to Joe Brown's 'Jellied Eels' and then listening to Les Ross on WCR FM. At Stourbridge we meet up with Woody and Roger, the old WARP crew thus all back together again for a collective ride on the Kidderminster-bound 25 via Broadwaters.

- George Hotel, Bewdley -

Kidderminster offers the prospect of a few bus photos focusing mainly on the Diamond fleet, although Central Buses are in attendance on the 125 route during their final day of operation (Rotala have bought them out, expanding their empire yet further following the recent acquisition of Hansons). The 2 is responsible for taking us to Bewdley - allowing glimpses of Habberley and Wribbenhall - before we celebrate our reunion over a pint in the George Hotel Wetherspoons.

- The Wheatsheaf, Stourport-on-Severn -

Our next bus is something of a novelty when we realise that one of Worcestershire County Council's Woosh minibuses will be our steed - perhaps Roger called the Ring and Ride out on account of his injured hand? Our £7.50 County Connecta ticket is still applicable though so we don't need to invoke D9's bald spot as proof of having an elderly passenger. Extracting ourselves on Stourport High Street, we call into the Wheatsheaf for a dose of basic Banks's hospitality - cheers!

- 'Spotted' at the Diamond Depot -

After the Wheatsheaf, a late-running 3 arrives to transport us back towards Kidderminster so we can squeeze in a quick look at Diamond's depot; some Wessex-liveried Geminis from Bristol and Bath can be seen out on the yard attracting interest from a certain bald spot. There is Wessex branding afoot on our 303 connection to Worcester too, the bus being rather sickly in wheezing its way through Hartlebury and Ombersley dodging residential parking in the process.

- First Worcester Garage -

Lunch in Worcester comes care of the Postal Order Wetherspoons on Foregate Street where Brewster's Hop A Doodle Doo ale goes well with a gherkin-fuelled ultimate burger. Dessert becomes our second bus depot of the day when we stroll round to Lowesmoor for First's Worcester garage, a remnant of the former Midland Red days. We glimpse the engineering bays and some parked-up school buses before availing ourselves of the Johnsons Excelbus number 350 to Redditch. A scenic jaunt ensues, calling at villages including Upton Snodsbury, Flyford Flavell and Inkberrrow.

- Hub Happenings in Redditch -

Alighting at Redditch, Mr D9 is instantly excited when the Kingfisher shopping centre displays some Hub branding. Over the road from the bus station, the Golden Cross pub gets a WARP revisit as I thankfully avoid falling over on the doorstep this time - just as well being that You've Been Framed is showing once we get inside! Our tour of Worcestershire towns calls finally at Bromsgrove following a trundle on the 42 (complete with a first peek at the new Bromsgrove railway station); the Queens Head is on hand for our closing pint after which the 318 has the honour of returning us to Stourbridge by way of Catshill, Belbroughton and Hagley. All in all, a rather special reunion trip!