Greene King KNK 373H at Mildenhall - July 1987

July 1987 – KNK 373H, a Plaxton Embassy bodied Bedford J2, in a non-PSV role operated by Greene King Breweries of Bury St Edmunds. It was new to Charles Rickards of Brentford, Middlesex in 1970 and appears to still carry that company’s livery. With just 15 seats this Plaxton model found use with sports teams (Scarborough Football Club, home of Plaxtons, used one); staff transport (National Blood Transfusion Service etc); and in the commercial world for small private hires and tour feeder work (as would be the case with Charles Rickards). The goods derived chassis had axles/wheels that were set much narrower than the width of the coach bodywork. It was seen here in what was the town car park in Mildenhall at the time, very close to Mildenhall Social Club, so may have brought a bowls or darts team for the evening. The car park closed in 2005 and became the site of the bus station. The playground in the background remains today and can still be identified as bordering the bus station layover bays. I believe this coach survives, a photograph of it taken in September 2012 appears on the SCT61 website.