Coach Services of Thetford

Saturday 8 May 1993 (approx. 0935) – Coach Services Limited of Thetford later became more prominent with their services into Mildenhall from Brandon and Thetford but at the time of this photograph their visits were less frequent. Plaxton Supreme bodied Bedford YMT EGV 190T, new to Baker, Hopton in March 1979, was seen at King Street, Mildenhall when working the Saturdays only service 298 from Bury St Edmunds to Kings Lynn. The two young men on the right were pupils at the Shi Tennoji Japanese Buddhist boarding school which occupied Herringswell Manor until it closed in 2001.

Saturday 21 May 1994- Coach Services Limited of Thetford FUJ 904V parked at Ram Meadow, Bury St. Edmunds between trips on regular services. It is a Duple Dominant II bodied Bedford YMT that had been new to Whittle’s Coaches of Highley, Shropshire March 1980 although it had been acquired from Colin Petch of Hopton.

Saturday 17 April 1993 - Coach Services Limited of Thetford MMJ 538V seen at King Street, Mildenhall when operating the afternoon return trip of Suffolk County Council supported service 298 from King’s Lynn to Bury St. Edmunds. The Saturday service comprised a departure from Bury St. Edmunds at 0915 and Mildenhall at 0935 then continuing via various villages to reach King’s Lynn at 1100. The return departed King’s Lynn at 1430 arriving in Mildenhall around 1600 and Bury St. Edmunds around 1620. A Duple Dominant bodied Bedford YMT that was new to Housden of Loughborough which I believe was a business owned by Tricentrol.

Saturday 8 May 1993 (approx. 1600) – The King Street lay-by in Mildenhall could barely occupy two full sized vehicles and when two vehicles were in the lay-by others had to load on the road alongside. In this view is Neal’s Travel H475 KSG, a Carlyle bodied Iveco (Ford) Transit, employed on the town service in Mildenhall and out to the adjacent villages. Behind it is Premier Travel Services 371 (G371 REG), a Plaxton Expressliner bodied Volvo B10M, working the 1445 Norwich to Oxford National Express service 747. Loading on the road is Coach Services Limited of Thetford EGV 190T which had just arrived from Kings Lynn on service 298. In the background, just left of the tree, Ron's mobile fish and chip van can be seen parked. For many years he served the outlying villages around Mildenhall, certain days to certain villages almost to a regular timetable just like the buses. He would travel a route and stay a while at regular places (like the Barton Mills Village Hall car park Thursday teatime). At smaller places people would be waiting by the roadside at a certain time (like at Lackford). I read somewhere that he called it a day around March 2013.

Saturday 11 December 1993 - Coach Services Limited of Thetford WDN 295V parked on Chiswick Avenue, Mildenhall Industrial Estate. It is a Plaxton Supreme IV bodied Ford R1114 that had been new to Walker of Tadcaster in September 1979. (The scroll beneath the front windscreen read ‘Windsor Castle’).

Saturday 11 December 1993 - Coach Services Limited of Thetford WDN 295V parked on Chiswick Avenue, Mildenhall Industrial Estate alongside the Schering-Plough warehouse. It is a Plaxton Supreme IV bodied Ford R1114 that had been new to Walker of Tadcaster in September 1979. (The scroll beneath the front windscreen read ‘Windsor Castle’).

Mid-June 1995 - Coach Services Limited of Thetford had recently acquired EPC 906V, a Plaxton Supreme bodied DAF MB200 which was new in September 1979 to Saltmarsh & Jeffries of Hatfield. It had however been acquired from Bluebird Coaches of Weymouth. Seen parked on Chiswick Avenue, Mildenhall Industrial Estate alongside the Schering-Plough warehouse.

Mid-June 1995 - Coach Services Limited of Thetford had recently acquired EPC 906V, a Plaxton Supreme bodied DAF MB200 which was new in September 1979 to Saltmarsh & Jeffries of Hatfield. It had however been acquired from Bluebird Coaches of Weymouth. Seen parked on Chiswick Avenue, Mildenhall Industrial Estate alongside the Schering-Plough warehouse.

September 1995 - Coach Services Limited of Thetford KWB 695W parked on Chiswick Avenue, Mildenhall Industrial Estate alongside the Schering-Plough warehouse. It is a Duple Dominant bus bodied Bedford YMT that had been new to Wigmore’s of Dinnington, South Yorkshire in December 1980.

September 1995 - Coach Services Limited of Thetford KWB 695W parked on Chiswick Avenue, Mildenhall Industrial Estate. It is a Duple Dominant bus bodied Bedford YMT that had been new to Wigmore’s of Dinnington, South Yorkshire in December 1980.

September 1995 - Coach Services Limited of Thetford KWB 695W parked on Chiswick Avenue, Mildenhall Industrial Estate alongside the Schering-Plough warehouse. It is a Duple Dominant bus bodied Bedford YMT that had been new to Wigmore’s of Dinnington, South Yorkshire in December 1980.

Saturday 3 April 1993 - Coach Services Limited of Thetford XNA 337X parked at Ram Meadow, Bury St. Edmunds between trips on regular services. It is a Plaxton Supreme VI bodied Ford R1114 which was new in April 1982 to Mayers of Manchester.

Thursday 23 September 1993 (0747) – Coach Services Limited of Thetford B345 RVF was a Duple Laser bodied Bedford YNT that joined the fleet when the business of Petch & Son (L F & P E Baker) of Hopton was acquired in 1991. It was new in October 1984 and was seen in Mildenhall High Street when working an American school contract. In the background is Eastern Counties Omnibus Company LL793 (OEX 793W), a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard new in October 1980, which was working the 0729 service 200 from Newmarket to Thetford.

Nov/Dec 1998 – Coach Services Limited of Thetford E709 ENE, a Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Leyland Tiger new to Smiths-Shearings in December 1988, seen at Ram Meadow, Bury St. Edmunds.

Bank Holiday Monday 29 May 2000 - Coach Services Limited of Thetford F551 TMH seen at King Street, Mildenhall when working a staff contract to Center Parcs at Elveden. It is a Van Hool Alizée bodied Volvo B10M-60 that had been new to Travellers of Hounslow in March 1989.

Bank Holiday Monday 29 May 2000 - Coach Services Limited of Thetford F551 TMH seen at King Street, Mildenhall when working a staff contract to Center Parcs at Elveden. It is a Van Hool Alizée bodied Volvo B10M-60 that had been new to Travellers of Hounslow in March 1989.

Saturday 16 April 1994 (1220) - Coach Services Limited of Thetford H283 TAH seen at Leo’s Supermarket in Brandon’ It is a Peugeot Talbot tri-axle mini-bus that was new to the company in March 1991 and was operating the Brandon town services, three services employing the one vehicle. A few months later, around September 1994, the vehicle and contract for the services passed to Neal’s Travel. This is a link to a photograph of the vehicle taken at the same location: www.ipernity.com/doc/davidslater-spoddendale/50591406

Saturday 16 April 1994 (1220) - Coach Services Limited of Thetford H283 TAH seen at Leo’s Supermarket in Brandon’ It is a Peugeot Talbot tri-axle mini-bus that was new to the company in March 1991 and was operating the Brandon town services, three services employing the one vehicle. A few months later, around September 1994, the vehicle and contract for the services passed to Neal’s Travel. This is a link to a photograph of the vehicle taken at the same location: www.ipernity.com/doc/davidslater-spoddendale/50591406