North Somerset Coaches was started in May 1969 by Graham Clements. In 2010, some 41 years later the company is run by David Fricker and to celebrate the 41st Anniversary David organised a running day based near the company's present depot in Nailsea, Somerset, featuring a number of preserved former Bristol Omnibus vehicles. Nine vehicles were allocated to run on the day, Saturday 8th May 2010. These included two Bristol L type buses, LHT 911 and LHY 976 and one L type coach, NAE 3. Newer single deckers included two Bristol MWs, one a service bus, 924 AHY the other a coach, BHU 92C, and two Bristol REs, DAE 511K and YHY 592J in a red livery and still running in the North Somerset Coaches heritage fleet. Bristol KSW, OHY 938 and Bristol Lodekka LD, 969 EHW represented the double deckers. Three services were operated, all circular routes covering such destinations as Failand, Wraxall, Backwell and Clevedon. A Mystery Tour was also operated by NAE 3.

Our programme starts on the previous day with preparations taking place at the depot as well as a ride on NAE 3 as we bring it from its home near Bristol to the Nailsea depot yard. Reliving the days of coach travel in the early 1950s. There is plenty of action on the big day! Turning the centre of Nailsea into a 'Tilling Heaven' with all of the vehicles being featured. We take a ride on LHY 976 with LHT 911 following to Clevedon, so you get the best of both worlds. As a post script we finish off with a short film of YHY 592J on its first run with NSC in April 2010 running on the final day of the 660 service from Portishead to Congresbury. We pick up the bus in Clevedon and make a return journey there, reliving the days when the Bristol REs of Bristol Omnibus were a regular sight along these roads of Somerset.

Produced by - Independent Transport Videos
Running time - 74 Minutes
DVD only