Simonds of Botesdale

Monday 18 July 1994 – Simonds of Botesdale Left is RBJ 46R, a Plaxton Derwent bodied Bedford YMT, new in November 1976. Fitted with 3+2 seating layout resulting in a seating capacity of 66. Right is XVA 545T, a Plaxton Supreme IV bodied Ford R1114, new in March 1979 to Saffords Coaches of Little Gransden. They were parked at the garage in Botesdale.

Wednesday 6 April 1994 – An evening shot at the garage of Simonds of Botesdale. Left to right: RGV 700W, a Plaxton Supreme bodied YMT that had been new to Morley’s Grey Coaches of West Row in March 1981. RBJ 46R, a Plaxton (Derwent?) bodied YMT new in November 1976. CPV 2T, a Plaxton Supreme bodied Ford R1114 new to Bickers of Coddenham in September 1978.

Tuesday 15 August 1995 – A quick fire shot with a disposable camera on the evening of the 50th Anniversary of VJ day. Simonds of Botesdale RLJ 93X, a Plaxton Supreme bodied Bedford YNT new to Todd of Thruxton in August 1981, was travelling through the square in Eye, Suffolk. The Town Hall forms the backcloth.

Wednesday 16 February 1994 – Simonds of Botesdale 460 UEV seen parked at Ram Meadow, Bury St. Edmunds between local service trips. Wednesday is market day in Bury St. Edmunds. A Plaxton Supreme bodied Bedford YNT that was new in September 1981 to Kinch of Mountsorrel, Leicestershire registered TRY 6X.

Wednesday 21 February 1990 - Simonds of Botesdale WDX 663X seen on Angel Hill, Bury St. Edmunds. New in March 1982 it had a Ford R1114 chassis with a Plaxton Supreme VI body, the style of which featured shallower side windows. Angel Hill was used by the various independent bus and coach companies before the opening of the bus station in St. Andrew’s Street. A coach operated by Partridge’s of Hadleigh is in the background working one of their market day services.

Saturday 8 July 1989 - Simonds of Botesdale 538 ELX seen on Angel Hill, Bury St. Edmunds loading on their 1625 service to Diss. It was a Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Bedford YNV Venturer new in August 1985. It was unusual in that it was fitted with bus seating and also had sliding ventilation windows. It was registered 538 ELX from new. Angel Hill was used by the various independent bus and coach companies before the opening of the bus station in St. Andrew’s Street. A Chambers double decker and a Theobalds coach are in the background working their respective services.

Saturday 8 July 1989 - Simonds of Botesdale 538 ELX seen on Angel Hill, Bury St. Edmunds loading on their 1625 service to Diss. It was a Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Bedford YNV Venturer new in August 1985. It was unusual in that it was fitted with bus seating and also had sliding ventilation windows. It was registered 538 ELX from new. Angel Hill was used by the various independent bus and coach companies before the opening of the bus station in St. Andrew’s Street.

Wednesday 6 April 1994 – An evening shot at the garage of Simonds of Botesdale. 8333 UR, a Plaxton Paramount II 3200 bodied Bedford YNT new in June 1985 to Cleverly of Cwmbran, South Wales registered B631 DDW. TCF 496, a Plaxton Supreme bodied Bedford YNT new in August 1982 to Bell’s Coaches of Winterslow, Wiltshire registered YRU 296Y.

Wednesday 6 April 1994 – An evening shot at the garage of Simonds of Botesdale. Left to right: 8333 UR, a Plaxton Paramount II 3200 bodied Bedford YNT new in June 1985 to Capital (Cleverly) of Cwmbran, South Wales registered B631 DDW. TCF 496, a Plaxton Supreme bodied Bedford YNT new in August 1982 to Bell’s Coaches of Winterslow, Wiltshire registered YRU 296Y. 538 ELX, a Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Bedford YNV Venturer new to Simonds in August 1985 registered 538 ELX from new. 460 UEV, a Plaxton Supreme bodied Bedford YNT new in September 1981 to Kinch of Mountsorrel, Leicestershire registered TRY 6X.

Monday 15 May 1995 – An evening shot at the garage of Simonds of Botesdale. Left to right: YVF 158, a Plaxton Paramount bodied Bedford YNT new in October 1987 to Glennie of New Mill registered A807 ASE. 538 ELX, a Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Bedford YNV Venturer new to Simonds in August 1985 registered 538 ELX from new. 9983 PW, a Van Hool Alizee bodied Volvo B10m that had been new to Excelsior of Bournemouth in April 1988 registered E306 OPR. Reregistered by Excelsior to XEL 941 then E407 SEL. XCG 264V, a Plaxton Supreme bodied Ford R1014 that had been new to Summerfield Coaches of Southampton in November 1979.

Sunday 24 April 1994 - An evening shot at the garage of Simonds of Botesdale. 460 UEV, a Plaxton Supreme bodied Bedford YNT new in September 1981 to Kinch of Mountsorrel, Leicestershire registered TRY 6X. 4512 UR or 8333 UR, a Plaxton Paramount II 3200 bodied Bedford YNT new in June 1985 to Capital (Cleverly) of Cwmbran, South Wales. (4512 UR was new registered B630 DDW and 8333 UR was new registered B631 DDW). 7236 PW, a Plaxton Paramount 3500 II bodied Volvo B10M-61 new in September 1985 to Worthing Coaches registered C196 WJT. 538 ELX, a Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Bedford YNV Venturer new to Simonds in August 1985 registered 538 ELX from new. SIJ 82, a Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Volvo B10M-61 new in April 1987 to Excelsior of Bournemouth registered D252 HFX.

Saturday 17 June 1995 – Simonds of Botesdale 7236 PW seen at King Street, Mildenhall working a Grand UK tour feeder service – actually collecting my Mother-in-Law and Father-in-Law who were bound for a break in Hastings. A Plaxton Paramount 3500 bodied Volvo B10M that had been new to Worthing Coaches in September 1985 registered C196 WJT.

Saturday in July 1993 – Simonds of Botesdale had only recently acquired this Plaxton Paramount 3500 III bodied Volvo B10M from NPT Coaches (National Plant?) which still retained the cherished registration number A1 NPT. It was later re-registered KIA 891. It was new to Park’s of Hamilton in March 1988 registered E582 UHS. Simonds later sold the coach to Taylor’s of Meppershall (re-registered 328 HBM) who in turn sold it to Richard Taylor Travel of St. Ippolyts near Hitchin. Seen turning from St. Andrew’s Street to the High Street in Mildenhall having just set down homeward bound tour passengers.

Saturday 8 May 1999 – Simonds of Botesdale vehicles parked at the Botesdale garage. Left: TVG 397, a Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Bedford YNT that had been new to Davies Brothers of Pencader (135) in March 1983 registered OBX 454Y. Right: 9383 MX, a Van Hool Alizée bodied Volvo B10M-61 that had been new to Kenzie’s Coaches of Shepreth in May 1990 registered G41 SAV.

Sunday 21 June 1998 (0825) – Simonds of Botesdale 9983 PW seen travelling westbound on the A11 near Red Lodge. A Van Hool Alizée bodied Volvo B10M that had been new to Excelsior of Bournemouth in April 1988 registered E306 OPR. Reregistered by Excelsior to XEL 941 then E407 SEL.

Saturday 5 August 1995 – Simonds of Botesdale LIB 226 seen at King Street, Mildenhall working a Grand UK tour feeder service. It is a Van Hool Alizée bodied Volvo B10M that had been new to Nationwide, Lanark in August 1988 registered F711 SFS. After sale by Simonds this coach passed to Mulleys Motorways in 1997 having been re-registered as F310 EVG.

Thursday 23 December 2010 (1043) – Simonds of Botesdale/Diss 224 ENG, an Alexander Dash bodied Volvo B6, parked at Bury St Edmunds bus station. New in June 1994 (as L91 UNG) to Ambassador Travel of Great Yarmouth. It later operated with Mulleys Motorways of Ixworth before passing to Simonds.

Friday 10 February 2012 (1212) - Simonds of Botesdale and Diss 224 ENG, an Alexander Dash bodied Volvo B6, new to Ambassador Travel (number 504) as L71 UNG in June 1994. It had been operated by Mulleys Motorways prior to Simonds. Photos of the bus when first operating with Ambassador Travel: www.ipernity.com/doc/davidslater-spoddendale/49895852 www.ipernity.com/doc/davidslater-spoddendale/49895850 After Ambassador disposed of the vehicle it passed to Mulleys Motorways, Ixworth: www.ipernity.com/doc/davidslater-spoddendale/40613820