Little Blue Bus

Len (the owner, my neighbour,) said: "That'll cost you 10 shillings." (old Uk coinage - worth about 10p!) So I quipped (like you do): "Worth every cent." We both thought that was amusing.

"For 75 years Leather’s Coaches were a well known firm, covering an area that reached Gillingham, Salisbury and Bath. Basil Leather bought his first Model T Ford in 1923 at a total cost of £286.19s.1d £286.95). It was a dual-purpose vehicle with a removable body, so that as well as carrying passengers it could also carry coal from Radstock. The company gradually expanded, taking on school runs as well as regular trips to Frome, Warminster, Salisbury and Bath. On Saturday evening you could travel to Warminster to the pictures. In more recent years, there were summer day trips to the coast. The community had a deep affection and a feeling of loyalty for ‘their’ service, and were sad when Len and Sylvia Cooper retired in 1998." - Wiltshire Council History

"In 1962, Basil [Leather] sold the business to one of his drivers - Don Newbury - who continued to build up the company, latterly in partnership with his daughter Sylvia and her husband Len Cooper, to whom the business finally passed in 1989. However, in 1997, Len and Sylvia decided to retire and so on Saturday 10th January 1998, Leathers operated their bus services to Frome and Warminster for the last time." - A tribute to Leathers Coaches of Maiden Bradley

It's a famous little bus,

even a model of it for collectors

The old company clock

click to enlarge this and the following pics (by jp)

"After scouring the country basil leather eventually found a suitable vehicle at Airlington Coach Sales, Vauxhall Bridge Road, London in 1948. it was an Austin 27-seat coach (jfc12), new in 1939, which had done a high mileage and soon needed a reconditioned engine, gearbox and rear axle." - 100 Years Of Travel From Maiden Bradley By Roger Grimley

Now and then. Don Newbury in colour-coordinated bus driver's attire.

A tribute to Leathers Coaches of Maiden Bradley

"In 1923, Basil Leather of Maiden Bradley purchased a Model T Ford which he used to provide bus services from his village to Frome and Warminster. The business soon grew and soon "Leathers Coaches" became a familiar sight around south west Wiltshire with bus services operating from Maiden Bradley and Horningsham to Frome, Warminster, Salisbury, Mere and Gillingham."