A free event that looks set to bring back many memories of how buses used to be in Leicester takes place in the city this weekend.
Organised by the Leicester Transport Heritage Trust, ‘A Celebration of 100 Years of Municipal Motor Omnibuses in Leicester’ will showcase more than 10 preserved former Leicester City Transport buses in the grounds of De Montfort Hall and Victoria Park.
The event takes place from 10am to 5pm this Saturday, 27 July.
Throughout the day, some of the heritage buses will also operate a frequent free shuttle along London Road to the former Stoneygate Tram Depot. Visitors will be able to step inside the historic 1904 building to find out more about the history of public transport in the city.
The event will culminate with a procession of the heritage buses leaving De Montfort Hall at 4pm and travelling to Stoneygate Tram Depot and back.
Commenting on the event, Leicester Transport Heritage Trust chairman, Richard Worman, said: “In 1924, City of Leicester Tramways Department took delivery of its very first motor bus. Today, 100 years later, almost to the day, we are delighted to recognise this important milestone in the development of public transport in the city.
“The Trust is extremely grateful to officials of Leicester City Council’s Festival & Events Department and the team at De Montfort Hall for their help in staging this event across the two adjoining sites. We are also grateful to the many private vehicle owners who have agreed to bring along their lovingly preserved buses.
“With the involvement of the Trust’s volunteers, the event on 27 July looks set to offer a memorable day for the people of Leicester and anyone who has travelled on Leicester City Transport buses over the years.”
Leicester Transport Heritage Trust is a charity that aims to research, preserve and archive the history of transport across Leicester. Thanks to donations from the people of Leicester, and further afield, the Trust has a growing collection of local historic vehicles and a valuable archive of transport-related material documenting the evolution of Leicester’s unique transport story.
A specially produced commemorative brochure has been produced as part of the celebration and will be available price £5.
Stoneygate Tram Depot will also be open on 11 August as part of the Oadby Motorfest event, and on 15 September as part of Heritage Open Days. It is located on London Road at the city boundary, a few yards south of the junction with Shanklin Drive.
For more information about the event and the Trust, go to www.ltht.org.uk
