Leamington man looks back on the day he took an unexpected journey to Market Harborough on a Midland Red bus

A Leamington man has shared his memories of an unexpected journey he took from the town to Market Harborough on a Midland Red bus when he was a schoolboy in the late 1940s.
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Patrick Kingston, now of Bishops Tachbrook, wrote to The Courier after reading our article covering former conductor and driver Ashley Wakelin's book about his time working for Midland Red.

It made Patrick, who has had a lifelong interest in buses, remember a specfic journey he took when he was around 11 years old.

He said: "Before the buses moved to the station on Avenue Road I would often get pleasure from watching the comings and goings of so many buses and passengers at the stops in High Street.

Patrick Kingston took this photo at the old Crown Hotel stop in High Street, Leamington in 1959) and had it printed as part of a postcard by Warwick Print and Copy. The bus is a type S13 (fleet number 3877).Patrick Kingston took this photo at the old Crown Hotel stop in High Street, Leamington in 1959) and had it printed as part of a postcard by Warwick Print and Copy. The bus is a type S13 (fleet number 3877).
Patrick Kingston took this photo at the old Crown Hotel stop in High Street, Leamington in 1959) and had it printed as part of a postcard by Warwick Print and Copy. The bus is a type S13 (fleet number 3877).

"It seemed like they were always off to exciting destinations.

"I would also sometimes talk to friendly crews and inspectors.

"One bank holiday a kindly conductress named Rose, who was known to my parents, asked if I would like to ride on the 517 bus to Coventry - an offer I willingly accepted.

"As she was in charge of the bus I was assured all was in order.

Patrick Kingston had these pictures of timetables and tickets for Midland Red buses put together and printed on a postcard by Warwick Print and Copy.Patrick Kingston had these pictures of timetables and tickets for Midland Red buses put together and printed on a postcard by Warwick Print and Copy.
Patrick Kingston had these pictures of timetables and tickets for Midland Red buses put together and printed on a postcard by Warwick Print and Copy.

"But, at Coventry, a relief trip was needed to Market Harborough - what an extra treat.

"Returning home later than I should have mentioned to Rose, I was spared a telling off."

As an adult,in 1959, I took a photo at the old Crown Hotel stop in High Street (see attached) which I thought might interest readers.

The bus is a type S13 fleet number 3877.