Ambassador Travel

Easter Saturday 6 April 1985 (approx. 0950) – An unusual working I thought when I saw Ambassador Travel LT889 (EAH 889Y) in ‘Norfolk Flyer’ livery working a duplicate to Norwich on the 0845 Cambridge to Lowestoft service 747. The service was jointly operated by National Express, Percivals of Oxford and Premier Travel Services – the service vehicle for the 0845 trip was normally covered by Percivals and Premier alternating each day. The service coach today was Premier 275 (RVE 297S), a Plaxton Supreme bodied AEC Reliance new in July 1978, the tail end of which is just on the edge of the photograph. Ambassador LT889 It is one of the eight Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Leyland Tigers new to the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company in February 1983 that wore the ‘Norfolk Flyer’ livery to operate services between Norfolk and London. They passed to Ambassador Travel when ECOC was split up in September 1984. The location was the Earlsfield roundabout at Eriswell near RAF Lakenheath. The coaches are heading into Lord’s Walk which, until the road was closed off as heightened military security measures took hold, linked the Earlsfield Roundabout with the A1065

Sunday 20 January 1985 (1520) – On a rather murky mid-winter afternoon Ambassador Travel 887 (EAH 887Y) is seen passing the Dog and Partridge Inn on the old A11 at Barton Mills when working the 1420 Norwich to London National Express service 099. It is one of the eight Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Leyland Tigers new to the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company in February 1983 that wore the ‘Norfolk Flyer’ livery to operate services between Norfolk and London. They passed to Ambassador Travel when ECOC was split up in September 1984. Whilst the Dog and Partridge closed many years ago although the building remains as a private residence, the Bull Inn whose roof is visible in the background between the Dog and Partridge and the coach, still trades.

Saturday 6 April 1985 (1355) (Easter weekend) – Drummer Street bus station, Cambridge. Left to right: National Travel South West (Black and White?) 257 (DAD 257T), a Plaxton Supreme bodied Leyland Leopard new in March 1979, working the 1400 service 747 to Gloucester Midland Red 5 (BVP 787V), a Plaxton Supreme bodied Leyland Leopard new in July 1980, on standby for a later service 905 to Birmingham Premier Travel 297 (FAV 564Y), a Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Leyland Tiger new in 1983, loading for Rochdale on the 1400 joint Premier/Yelloway service 879 Ambassador Travel LL795 (OEX 795W), a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard new to Eastern Counties in November 1980, working the 1400 service 792 to Peterborough which originated at Felixstowe at 1140.

Monday 10 June 1985 – The Cambus Garage in Hills Road, Cambridge. Visible through the doorway are Cambus 713 (TEX 405R) (an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol VR that had been new to Eastern Counties Omnibus Company as VR195 in May 1977) and Ambassador Travel 814 (EBM 442T) (a Plaxton Supreme bodied Leyland Leopard new in March 1979 to Frames Tours of London). Another Plaxton Supreme coach is parked by the wall.

Easter Saturday 6 April 1985 (1325) – A busy time at Drummer Street bus station in Cambridge. On the right is Abingdon Coaches KUW 520P, a Plaxton Supreme bodied AEC Reliance new to National Travel (South East) in April 1976. Abingdon Coaches was a subsidiary of Percivals of Oxford and Percivals was a joint operator on the Bristol-Oxford-Cambridge-East Anglia service 747 worked with Premier Travel Services and National Express. From time to time coaches from the Abingdon Coaches subsidiary would appear on the service. It was working the 0920 Oxford-Great Yarmouth service which was running a little late. It should have departed at 1245. Centre is Ambassador Travel LT899 (A899 KAH), a Plaxton Parmount 3200 bodied Leyland Tiger new in November 1983, bound for London on service 098. On the left is Yardley’s of Birmingham UTN 953Y, a Plaxton Parmount 3500 bodied Leyland Tiger which had been new to Moor-Dale of Newcastle in April 1983. Yardley’s regularly hired to National Express and later became a contractor on various services so possibly it was on a Birmingham service duplicate.

Monday 22 April 1985 – For a short time the RAF Mildenhall to London National Express 097 service travelled out of Mildenhall via Freckenham village on its way to Newmarket and then London (Victoria). Ambassador Travel LL754 (MCL 936P) is seen here on the road between Freckenham and Chippenham working the 0730 service from RAF Mildenhall. It is an Alexander T type bodied Leyland Leopard new to Eastern Counties Omnibus Company in May 1976.

Sunday 6 January 1985 – Ambassador Travel LL754 (MCL 936P) is seen here on the A11 near Bell Lane, Barton Mills when working a relief to the National Express Norwich to London service 099. It was an Alexander T type bodied Leyland Leopard new to Eastern Counties Omnibus Company in May 1976.

Sunday 28 April 1985 – Ambassador Travel LL754 (MCL 936P), an Alexander T type bodied Leyland Leopard new to Eastern Counties in May 1976. Transferred to Ambassador when ECOC was split up in September 1984. It was seen in Mildenhall when operating the 1745 Cambridge to Thetford section of the 1240 National Express Gloucester to Thetford service 747. (I don’t think it had worked west of Cambridge). Memory escapes me what the shop on the extreme left was but the other businesses in the photograph include a ladies clothing shop (Gaywear) which removed its name when the word ‘gay’ entered everyday vocabulary meaning something quite different from when the business started. The Gandhi Indian Restaurant and the butcher’s shop still remain in 2021. The other shops occupied here by the ‘Discount Bargain Centre’; the electrical components/video/film shop; Dales Greengrocers; and the Chess Gallery changed their occupants and roles.

Saturday 13 April 1985 - Ambassador Travel LL757 (SPW 103R), a Duple Dominant bodied Leyland Leopard that had been new to Eastern Counties in May 1977, seen setting down near the Dog and Partridge Inn on the old A11 at Barton Mills when working the 1500 Cambridge to Brandon service 747. The pub subsequently closed but the building remains as a private residence named Trego House. The area this side of the wall bordered by the wooden posts supporting the chain link fence was the car park of the Bull Inn where the houses on Chestnut Close were later built.

Saturday 13 April 1985 - Ambassador Travel LL757 (SPW 103R), a Duple Dominant bodied Leyland Leopard that had been new to Eastern Counties in May 1977, seen near the Bull Inn on the old A11 at Barton Mills when working the 1500 Cambridge to Brandon service 747. After the dual carriageway was constructed this section of road remained in place to serve the village. The path on the left just about visible in 2020 ran alongside the Bull Inn car park where the houses on Chestnut Close were later built. The trees on the verge have matured over the passing years.

Wednesday 10 April 1985 - Ambassador Travel LL757 (SPW 103R), a Duple Dominant bodied Leyland Leopard that had been new to Eastern Counties in May 1977, seen at King Street, Mildenhall working the 0730 National Express service 097 from RAF Mildenhall which is normally the London service although the destination shows Cambridge. Standing behind is Beeston’s Coaches of Hadleigh WED 987S marked as a relief to London.

Saturday 26 January 1985 – High Street, Mildenhall: Ambassador Travel LL796 (OEX 796W) was arriving in town on the 1100 National Express service 097 from London (Victoria). It was a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard new to Eastern Counties in December 1980. Coming up behind is Eastern Counties VR269 (RAH 269W) working the 1300 Bury St. Edmunds to Beck Row service 974. It was an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol VR new in March 1981. The shop on the right was Hagger’s Bakery and the black and white building on the left was the ‘original’ TSB (Trustee Savings Bank) that was later merged into Lloyds TSB and then 'demerged' to live again.

Saturday 13 April 1985 - Ambassador Travel LL796 (OEX 796W), a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard that had been new to Eastern Counties in December 1980, seen passing the Dog and Partridge Inn on the old A11 at Barton Mills when working the 1245 Cambridge to Thetford service 747. The pub subsequently closed but the building remains as a private residence named Trego House. The area on the right bordered by the wall and wooden posts supporting the chain link fence was the car park of the Bull Inn where the houses on Chestnut Close were later built.

Saturday 26 January 1985 (approx. 1520) – Ambassador Travel LL796 (OEX 796W), a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard that had been new to Eastern Counties in December 1980. It was seen at RAF Mildenhall between trips on National Express service 097 having worked the 1100 service from London (Victoria) and prior to the return to Victoria on the 1530 service. The coach stop which was opposite Mickey’s Tea Bar ceased to be accessible when the days of heightened security took hold. There were once four London service departures from here every day which were popular with U.S. Air Force personnel and their families. Gradually the passenger numbers fell away completely and the Air Base ceased to be served.

Saturday 20 April 1985 – For a short time the RAF Mildenhall to London National Express 097 service travelled out of Mildenhall via Freckenham village on its way to Newmarket and then London (Victoria). Ambassador Travel LL796 (OEX 796W) is seen here on the road between Freckenham and Chippenham working the 1530 service from RAF Mildenhall. It is a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard new to Eastern Counties Omnibus Company in December 1980. (My original negative came back from processing with the water mark on it).

Saturday 9 February 1985 - Ambassador Travel LL800 (OEX 800W) seen at Drummer Street bus station in Cambridge arriving from Brandon on the 1205 service 747. It is a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard that was new to Eastern Counties Omnibus Company in December 1980 which for quite a while was allocated to Newmarket garage.

Saturday 9 February 1985 – Two Ambassador Travel coaches seen at Drummer Street bus station in Cambridge. Both had been new to Eastern Counties. Left is LL800 (OEX 800W), a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard new in December 1980, had arrived from Brandon on the 1205 service 747. For quite a while was allocated to Newmarket garage. Right is LL757 (SPW 103R), a Duple Dominant bodied Leyland Leopard new in May 1977, which is displaying London and service number 098.

Sunday 21 April 1985 – For a short time the RAF Mildenhall to London National Express 097 service travelled out of Mildenhall via Freckenham village on its way to Newmarket and then London (Victoria). Ambassador Travel LL800 (OEX 800W) is seen here on the road between Freckenham and Chippenham working the 1530 service from RAF Mildenhall. It is a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard new to Eastern Counties Omnibus Company in December 1980.