David Slater (Spoddendale)'s photos with the keyword: Willowbrook

Saturday 11 February 1995 – The laying of a new water pipeline right through the centre of Mildenhall created quite a few hold ups for a while. During the work traffic movement was controlled by temporary traffic lights. This was the scene in the High Street by Manor Court shops with New Street to the right. Eastern Counties Omnibus Company LL793 (OEX 793W) passes through the works whilst working the 1242 Newmarket to Thetford service 200. It was a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard that was new to ECOC as a National Express liveried coach in October 1980. In the ECOC split of 1984 it moved to Ambassador Travel (Anglia) Limited and then, when it became too old for National Express work, it returned to ECOC and continued its days on bus service work.

Saturday 11 February 1995 – The laying of a new water pipeline right through the centre of Mildenhall created quite a few hold ups for a while. During the work traffic movement was controlled by temporary traffic lights. This was the scene in the High Street near the Methodist Chapel and the Manor Court shops. Eastern Counties Omnibus Company LL793 (OEX 793W) passes through the works whilst working the 1242 Newmarket to Thetford service 200. It was a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard that was new to ECOC as a National Express liveried coach in October 1980. In the ECOC split of 1984 it moved to Ambassador Travel (Anglia) Limited and then, when it became too old for National Express work, it returned to ECOC and continued its days on bus service work.

December 1982 – Peeping out from the Fordham Road garage in Newmarket is Eastern Counties Omnibus Company LL800 (OEX 800W), a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard new in December 1980. It was allocated to Newmarket for a few years and regularly operated on the National Travel/National Express service 097 from RAF Mildenhall/Mildenhall town to London. The garage was located on the site now occupied by the Waitrose store.

Saturday 4 September 1999 – JMT (1987) Limited (trading as Jersey bus) 14 (J 33617) seen at the Weighbridge bus station in St. Helier. This was one of the oldest JMT buses I saw during this quick visit. It is a Willowbrook bodied Ford R1014 new in July 1975.

Saturday 4 September 1999 – JMT (1987) Limited (trading as Jersey bus) 14 (J 33617) seen at the Weighbridge bus station in St. Helier. This was one of the oldest JMT buses I saw during this quick visit. It is a Willowbrook bodied Ford R1014 new in July 1975.

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.

Sunday 28 April 1985 – This was the first day of the Summer 1985 National Express schedules and we see Ambassador Travel LL813 (JCL 813V) heading away from Fiveways roundabout at Barton Mills when working the 0800 Thetford to Gloucester National Express service 747. It was a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard that had been new to Eastern Counties in November 1979.

Sunday 28 April 1985 (1513) – Work had already started to upgrade the A11 to dual carriageway between Fiveways, Barton Mills and Red Lodge and I took the opportunity to climb a huge pile of earth positioned by the construction company to get this unique photograph. It shows two Ambassador Travel coaches heading westbound past the Bull Inn at Barton Mills. The roadway where the coaches are is still there although it takes a 90 degree turn towards the pub alongside the second coach. The alignment of the dual carriageway was to the right of the camera. Now to the coaches! Leading is LT893 (A101 HNC) working the 1330 Great Yarmouth-Norwich-London National Express ‘Rapide’ service 599, a new service launched this day. ‘Rapide’ services offered featured toilet and refreshment facilities the latter served by a steward/stewardess. Ambassador Travel received four Plaxton Paramount 3200 bodied Leyland Tigers from other National Bus Company affiliates to work on this improved service. Following is LL800 (OEX 800W), a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard new to Eastern Counties Omnibus Company in December 1980, that was operating the 1455 service from RAF Mildenhall to London.

Wednesday 8 September 1993 - Eastern Counties Omnibus Company LL808 (JCL 808V) was Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4R that was new as a National Express liveried coach in November 1979. In the split of ECOC LL808 passed to Ambassador Travel for continued use on National Express services between Norfolk and London. However, it later returned to ECOC and was fitted with bus seating (except for the five seats on the back row). It was loading at King Street, Mildenhall bound for Bury St Edmunds on the 1322 service 155.

Saturday 2 April 1994 (1846) (Easter weekend) - Eastern Counties Omnibus Company LW792 (OEX 792W) was a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4R that was new as a National Express liveried coach in November 1979 (with fleet number LL792). In the split of ECOC LL792 passed to Ambassador Travel for continued use on National Express services between Norfolk and London. However, it later returned to ECOC for use on bus service work. It was seen turning from Mill Street into High Street in Mildenhall when working the 1820 Newmarket to Thetford service 200.

Saturday 2 April 1994 (1846) (Easter weekend) - Eastern Counties Omnibus Company LW792 (OEX 792W) was a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4R that was new as a National Express liveried coach in November 1979 (with fleet number LL792). In the split of ECOC LL792 passed to Ambassador Travel for continued use on National Express services between Norfolk and London. However, it later returned to ECOC for use on bus service work. It was seen by St. Mary’s Church in High Street, Mildenhall when working the 1820 Newmarket to Thetford service 200. The red fibreglass timetable case hangs forlorn on the bus stop pole although it was now devoid of a bus stop sign following a bout of vandalism. There is a blue plate attached to the upright part of the pole which advises people that express services now picked-up in King Street. Eastbound express services previously picked-up near this point and westbound services somewhere on the opposite side of the street all before the time I moved into the area in April 1979.

Thursday 10 August 1995 (0945) – The laying of a pipeline along King Street in Mildenhall resulted in general upheaval with the buses unable to access the lay-by. As a result they were picking-up wherever they could – there was no formal alternative bus stop. Eastern Counties Omnibus Company LW793 (OEX 793W) was loading outside Snushall’s Fish and Chip shop working service 200 to Newmarket. The lay-by is occupied by one of the contractor’s trucks. There were once two trees between the lay-by and the roadway although now only one. The one sited beyond that which remains apparently suffered a disease and was removed at some point.

Wednesday 8 September 1993 - Eastern Counties Omnibus Company LL808 (JCL 808V) was a Willowbrook bodied Leyland Leopard PSU3E/4R that was new as a National Express liveried coach in November 1979. In the split of ECOC LL808 passed to Ambassador Travel for continued use on National Express services between Norfolk and London. However, it later returned to ECOC and was fitted with bus seating (except for the five seats on the back row?). It was loading at King Street, Mildenhall bound for Bury St Edmunds on service 155.

Wednesday 1 July 2015 (1547) – SRB 424 was new to Blue Bus (Tailby and George) of Willington in April 1953. It is a Willowbrook bodied Daimler CD650 and is an exhibit at the Coventry Transport Museum. Coventry was the home of Daimler in the UK.

Wednesday 1 July 2015 (1547) – JNB 416 is a Willowbrook (?) bodied Maudslay Marathon which was built in 1948 and first operated by Hubert Hackett of Manchester. It is an exhibit at the Coventry Transport Museum. Coventry was the home of the Maudsley company which started in business in 1902 building bicycles and cars in Coventry.

Wednesday 1 July 2015 (1547) – Radiator badage carried by JNB 416, a Maudsley Marathon coach displayed at the Coventry Transport Museum. Coventry was the home of the Maudslay company which started in business in 1902 building bicycles and cars in Coventry. The coach was built in 1948 and first operated by Hubert Hackett of Manchester.

Wednesday 1 July 2015 (1604) – A display of Coventry City Transport artefacts on display at the Coventry Transport Museum. The display stands in front of JNB 416, a Willowbrook (?) bodied Maudslay Marathon built in 1948.