Belle Coaches (Shreeve)

At a guess, I would say the photograph was taken circa 1990 - Belle Coaches (B R Shreeve and Sons Limited) of Lowestoft D992 DPE seen during a refreshment break at the Dog and Partridge Inn, Barton Mills. It was a Plaxton Paramount 3500 bodied DAF SB2300 that was new to Farnham Coaches in January 1987 registered 538 FCG from new. Farnham Coaches retained that cherished registration when they sold the vehicle which was acquired by Shreeve in October 1988. The site behind the adjacent wall was once Sandford’s Garden Centre and whilst the business closed many years ago the site is recognisable today as is the former pub, now a residence.

At a guess, I would say the photograph was taken circa 1990 - Belle Coaches (B R Shreeve and Sons Limited) of Lowestoft D992 DPE seen during a refreshment break at the Dog and Partridge Inn, Barton Mills. It was a Plaxton Paramount 3500 bodied DAF SB2300 that was new to Farnham Coaches in January 1987 registered 538 FCG from new. Farnham Coaches retained that cherished registration when they sold the vehicle which was acquired by Shreeve in October 1988. The site behind the adjacent wall was once Sandford’s Garden Centre and whilst the business closed many years ago the site is recognisable today as is the former pub, now a residence.

Monday 17 July 1995 – Belle Coaches (B R Shreeve and Sons Limited) of Lowestoft NJI 9245, a Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Bedford YNT new in March 1985 registered B44 LUT, seen at Thorpeness on the Suffolk coast. Note the ‘house’ above the coach known as the ‘house in the clouds’. Originally built in 1923 as a water tower to serve the village, the tank at the top of the structure was disguised to match local architecture. Living accommodation existed in the supporting structure and when the tank ceased to be used for its original purpose that was converted as further living space. The property is now available as a holiday let. www.houseintheclouds.co.uk

Monday 17 July 1995 - Hedingham Omnibuses L192 (A709 KRT) seen at Thorpeness. It is a Van Hool Acron T815 integral that was new to Crusader Holidays in A104 TVW. It came to Hedingham with the acquisition of Norfolk’s of Nayland in 1991 and when with Norfolk’s carried registration 90 NOR. On the left is Belle Coaches (B R Shreeve and Sons Limited) of Lowestoft NJI 9245, a Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Bedford YNT new in March 1985 registered B44 LUT.

Wednesday 16 February 1994 – In past years on the market days in Bury St. Edmunds (Wednesdays and Saturdays) there were numerous independent coach operators that provided services to the town from the villages over a wide area. Most services arrived by mid-morning returning home in the early to mid-afternoon. In between many of the vehicles could be seen parked up at Ram Meadow coach park. As well as the service vehicles there were also other visiting coaches to be seen. Vehicles in this photograph are, from left to right: On the extreme left is Burton Coaches of Haverhill D282 XCX, a Plaxton Paramount bodied DAF SB2300 new in April 1987 to Brown of East Grinstead. Belle Coaches (Shreeve) of Lowestoft D22 XPF, a LAG Panoramic new to Sussex Leamland (Travel) Limited in October 1986. West Row Coach Services (Taylor-Balls) JGV 335V, a Plaxton Supreme bodied Bedford YMT new to Morley’s Grey Coaches in December 1979, which had operated their service from Lakenheath and Mildenhall. Coach Services of Thetford OHO 238T, a Plaxton Supreme bodied Ford R1114 new to Marchwood Motorways in January 1979. It would have operated any of a number of regular market day services. Thompson Coach Hire (M A & D J Rogers) of Framlingham VYU 565, a Jonckheere bodied Volvo B10M new to NAT Coaches of Leeds in February 1980 registered VBD 360W. Hedingham and District Omnibuses L200 (J295 TWK), a Leyland Lynx new in February 1992 as a demonstrator. I believe it had worked a service from Clare. Hedingham and District Omnibuses L196 (H48 NDU), a Leyland Lynx new in July 1990 as a demonstrator. It had worked service X16 from Chappel. On the extreme right is Rules Coaches of Boxford FBJ 713T, a Plaxton Supreme IV bodied AEC Reliance 6U3ZR new to the company in July 1979. Rule’s operated a service from Boxford. There were seventeen PSVs parked here at the time. There was also another row of vehicles parked facing the row seen in this photograph, the roof tops of two Eastern Counties double deckers can just be seen above the Burton Coaches vehicle.

Wednesday 16 February 1994 – In past years on the market days in Bury St. Edmunds (Wednesdays and Saturdays) there were numerous independent coach operators that provided services to the town from the villages over a wide area. Most services arrived by mid-morning returning home in the early to mid-afternoon. In between many of the vehicles could be seen parked up at Ram Meadow coach park. As well as the service vehicles there were also other visiting coaches to be seen. Vehicles in this photograph are, from left to right: Simonds of Botesdale 460 UEV, a Plaxton Supreme bodied Bedford YNT new to Kinch of Mountsorrel in September 1981 registered TRY 6X. It would have operated any of a number of Simond’s regular services. The Eastern Counties Omnibus Company Bury St. Edmunds garage was close by in Cotton Lane and Ram Meadow was regularly used for additional parking. Two Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol VRs are VR147 (GNG 713N) and VR281 (VAH 281X) new in January 1975 and October 1981 respectively. Coach Services of Thetford NLH 288, a Plaxton Supreme bodied Ford R1114 that had been new to Excelsior, Bournemouth in April 1980 registered HFX 419V. It would have operated any of a number of regular market day services. Hedingham and District Omnibuses L88 (REV 188R), a Duple Dominant bus style bodied Bedford YRQ new to the company in November 1977. I believe it had worked a service from Clare. Richard W Chenery of Dickleburgh D411 OSJ, a Mercedes-Benz O 303 coach which had been new to Hirst Coaches of Holmfirth in June 1987 registered D351 CBC. It had also carried the registration GIL 1682 along the way. Windmill Coaches (P A Poulsom) of Colchester G421 WFP, a Bova Futura FHD12-290 new in April 1990. Belle Coaches (Shreeve) of Lowestoft NJI 9245, a Plaxton Paramount bodied YMT that had been new to Shreeve’s related company Classic Coaches (Lowestoft) Limited in March 1985 registered B44 LUT. There were seventeen PSVs parked here at the time. There was also another row of vehicles parked on the left facing those in this photograph, two of these may just be seen on the extreme left. They are Rules Coaches of Boxford FBJ 713T (a Plaxton Supreme IV bodied AEC Reliance 6U3ZR new to the company in July 1979. Rule’s operated a service from Boxford) and Coach Services of Thetford E383 EUT (a Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Bedford Venturer YNV new to Wainfleet Coaches of Nuneaton in October 1987. It would have operated any of a number of regular market day services).

Saturday .. May 1992 – Coaches at Santon Downham having brought groups participating in the Thetford Chase Walk. The Semmence coach (H Semmence and Company Limited of Wymondham) is TKV 18W, a Plaxton Supreme bodied Bedford YNT that had been new to Harry Shaw of Bedworth in May 1981. Beyond that is a Belle Coaches (Shreeve) of Lowestoft Plaxton Supreme.

Saturday 11 August 2018 (0954) – Belle Coaches (Shreeve) of Lowestoft LD10 HOL, a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo new in May 2010, seen heading westbound on the A11 near Kennett, Suffolk.

Friday 11 January 2019 (1118) – Belle Coaches (Shreeve) of Lowestoft LIL 9713 standing in Castle Meadow below Norwich Castle. It is a Setra S315GT-HD that had been new to Redwing (Pullmanor) in March 2000 registered W215 UGX. Displaying a board in the windscreen ‘558 Norwich’ implies it had arrived on the ‘Norwich Shopper’ service 558 from Hopton.

Saturday 23 November 2019 – The annual Bury St. Edmunds Christmas Fayre draws large numbers of visitors brought by many coaches. The coaches set down in Honey Hill alongside St. Mary’s Church (the church of St. Mary with St. Peter), the Parish Church of Bury St. Edmunds. Heading the line up is Belle Coaches of Lowestoft LD10 HOL, a Mercedes-Benz Tourismo new in May 2010. The church, which has one of the longest aisles in England. was built during the 14th and 15th centuries and is the final resting place of Mary Tudor.

Friday 2 December 2022 (1011) – Belle Coaches (Shreeve) of Lowestoft NJI 9242 seen in Red Lion Street, Norwich. It is a Setra S315GT-HD that was new to City Circle in May 2005 registered BX05 UVO.

Friday 2 December 2022 (1011) – Belle Coaches (Shreeve) of Lowestoft NJI 9242 seen in Red Lion Street, Norwich. It is a Setra S315GT-HD that was new to City Circle in May 2005 registered BX05 UVO. On each side of the street are First Eastern Counties Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B9TLs which carry branding for the Blue Line services from the city centre to the University of East Anglia (service 25), the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital (service 26) or Bowthorpe (service 26A). Left: 36167 (BD11 CFM) and right 36168 (BD11 CFN) both new in June 2011.

Wednesday 1 August 2012 (1522) - Belle Coaches (Shreeve) of Lowestoft BX05 UVO seen at Bury St Edmunds (King Edward School parking area). It is a Setra S315GT-HD that had been new City Circle of South Kensington, London (fleet number 30) in May 2005.

Wednesday 1 June 2022 – Suffolk Show, Trinity Park, Ipswich. Four coaches in the coach park at the show which I could only photograph through the fence from the inside looking out! Normally my through the fence photography is from the outside looking in. The operators were Lodge’s Coaches, High Easter (Mercedes-Benz Tourismo); Dan’s Coach Travel, Stowmarket (Bova Futura YJ04 GYP); Kings Coaches, Stanway, Colchester (Mercedes-Benz Tourismo KC22 ABC) and Belle Coaches, Lowestoft (Mercedes-Benz Tourismo).

Sunday 25 November 2018 (1044) – Belle Coaches of Lowestoft SIL 9044 seen in Raingate Street, Bury St. Edmunds having brought visitors to the annual Bury St. Edmunds Christmas Fayre. It is a Van Hool Alizee bodied Volvo B10M that I believe was new to Kerry Tours of Killarney, Ireland registered 99-KY-2976.

Friday 10 October 2014 (1040) - Belle Coaches (B.R Shreeve and Sons Limited) of Lowestoft BE11 EEE seen at Bury St Edmunds during a break when working a 'Matlock Illuminations' tour. A Scania product, Scania K360EB4 chassis with Lahden OmniExpress bodywork built by Scania's Finnish affiliate.Livery is for tour company Just Go! Holidays.

Friday 10 October 2014 (1041) - Belle Coaches (B.R Shreeve and Sons Limited) of Lowestoft BE11 EEE seen at Bury St Edmunds during a break when working a 'Matlock Illuminations' tour. A Scania product, Scania K360EB4 chassis with Lahden OmniExpress bodywork built by Scania's Finnish affiliate. Livery is for tour company Just Go! Holidays.

Wednesday 24 June 2015 (0730) – Belle Coaches of Lowestoft BE11 EEE seen parked at the rear of one of the Llandudno seafront hotels.