Bus at Bardsea near Ulverston circa 1930s

I have always believed this charming photograph, found in an old biscuit tin of family photographs kept by my late Grandma, was taken by my Grandad. The scene is at Bardsea on the northern coast of Morecambe Bay, historically located in the county of Lancashire but within Cumbria since the boundary changes of 1974. The back of the photograph has ‘Shore Road, Bardsea’ written on it although the correct definition should be ‘Coast Road, Bardsea’. The location is recognisable today as being outside ‘The Olde Mill’ a short distance south of Bardsea village.

I can’t identify the bus in the photograph but it is similar to a 1925 Leyland S6 bus pictured in a book I have on Ribble Motor Services. Ribble inherited a small number of S6 models from businesses it acquired in the late 1920s/early 1930s and in 1930 it acquired the Furness Omnibus Company that operated in this area. The Furness fleet didn’t feature any S6 models but it is possible the examples that came into Ribble ownership may be been transferred to this part of their newly expanded empire. Whether it is on a service or excursion is also unknown.