SAMUEL LEDGARD BUS STAFF MEMORIES

gbdlufc · Post by **gbdlufc** » Wed 19 Nov, 2008 12:39 am

Blakey, just spoke to our kid and he seems to think it was the 15 and 16 routes which were apparantly Seacroft to Bramley??He also did a route down Kirkstall Rd where he would regularly de-tour to Burley Rd to collect his dad up, my grandad and drop him at Woodheads opposite YTV lol.He was there from the early to mid 60's to mid to late 70's where again, apparantly he learnt to drive on the buses before he even had a car licence.He also did the school specials to St John Bosco on Tongue Lane where he would collect me and our kid outside the Gaiety and drop us at St Augustines on Harehills Road before picking up the kids at Harehills corner for is onward journey I guess.I do remeber he worked with and was freindly with a man called Lawrie Madden who I think lived on Boggart Hill, its all a bit hazy now but im sure he will enlighten me on Saturday.I believe there was a conductor who lived on Gaythorne Terrace who he new also???Look at that Blakey and Gaiety mentioned in the same thread and it as nothing to do with Stepen Lewis pulling the first pint in there!

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Wed 19 Nov, 2008 9:34 am

gbdlufc wrote: Blakey, just spoke to our kid and he seems to think it was the 15 and 16 routes which were apparantly Seacroft to Bramley??He also did a route down Kirkstall Rd where he would regularly de-tour to Burley Rd to collect his dad up, my grandad and drop him at Woodheads opposite YTV lol.He was there from the early to mid 60's to mid to late 70's where again, apparantly he learnt to drive on the buses before he even had a car licence.He also did the school specials to St John Bosco on Tongue Lane where he would collect me and our kid outside the Gaiety and drop us at St Augustines on Harehills Road before picking up the kids at Harehills corner for is onward journey I guess.I do remeber he worked with and was freindly with a man called Lawrie Madden who I think lived on Boggart Hill, its all a bit hazy now but im sure he will enlighten me on Saturday.I believe there was a conductor who lived on Gaythorne Terrace who he new also???Look at that Blakey and Gaiety mentioned in the same thread and it as nothing to do with Stepen Lewis pulling the first pint in there! Beginning to take shape I think - if the conductor lived in Gathorne Terrace (Harehlls) and your Dad had a friend living in Boggart Hill (Seacroft) then the depot was almost certainly Seacroft. The 15/16 routes to Bramley (and 11 to Swinnow) were worked jointly by Seacroft and Bramley Depots, and "the route down Kirkstall Road" that you mention would be the 24/5/6/7 from Horsforth to Swarcliffe, worked entirely by Seacroft Depot. Sherlock Holmes eat your heart out !! LOL LOL

Si · Post by Si » Wed 19 Nov, 2008 10:16 am

Blakey, is Don's book generally available in all good book shops, as they say, and if not, how do I get a copy? What's it cost?Cheers,Si.

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Wed 19 Nov, 2008 10:30 am

Si wrote: Blakey, is Don's book generally available in all good book shops, as they say, and if not, how do I get a copy? What's it cost?Cheers,Si. On the surface seems rather dear at £30 but, to those interested in the area and the Company, beautifully printed and bound and worth every penny. Mounseys in Otley have it (he has sold a lot), or if you prefer a leisurely preview or to borrow it ask them to get it at the library for you, if its not in already - Leeds and Bradford libraries took some when published.Must dash just now, as I am taking the legendary conductress Peggy (aged 88 and still fondly remembered in Otley - ask anyone) to Hawes and Ribblehead for a nice lunch. Peggy ruled the Horsforth - Yeadon - Otley services with a rod of very humorous iron. There'll be some ribald stories and laughs today for sure. LOL LOL

Si · Post by Si » Wed 19 Nov, 2008 11:02 am

Thanks, Blakey. I'll write to Father Christmas and see what happens!Have a great day in the Dales! Not going up Park Rash, are you? That's a nice route - down Coverdale and turn left at West Witton, and up Wensleydale to Hawes.

Uno Hoo · Post by **Uno Hoo** » Wed 19 Nov, 2008 2:18 pm

I endorse everything Blakey has said about "Beer & Blue Buses" by Don Bate. Worth every penny, but I have to confess to a bit of bias, having been one of the pre-publication sponsors. It's a book to buy and cherish, and dip into. Borrowing one from the library wouldn't allow you to do justice to it, or maybe that should be wouldn't allow it to do justice to you.If any problems re. supply of a copy, google "samuel ledgard society" and send an e-m. I think it's likely there's a few copies available somewhere.

Si · Post by Si » Wed 19 Nov, 2008 2:40 pm

Thanks, Uno. I'm sure I'll find a copy in my stocking, Christmas Day!

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Wed 19 Nov, 2008 7:29 pm

Si wrote: Thanks, Blakey. I'll write to Father Christmas and see what happens!Have a great day in the Dales! Not going up Park Rash, are you? That's a nice route - down Coverdale and turn left at West Witton, and up Wensleydale to Hawes. Had a lovely day thanks - Peggy on top form, especially after a lovely lunch in Station pub Ribblehead and, in her case, a couple of pints of Theakstons best - I have to be content with Kaliber for driving - doesn't bother me though I'm glad to say. We came back your way, but outwards via Skipton, Settle and Horton in Ribblesdale.No shortage of copies of "Beer and Blue Buses" if you decide - enjoy if you do.

Uno Hoo · Post by **Uno Hoo** » Thu 20 Nov, 2008 12:44 am

Trojan wrote: Alan Bennett writes about travelling to Wharfedale with his brother and parents on the day WWII started, on Ledgard's bus. I think it's in "Telling the tale" not sure.I remember when at Tech in Pudsey that Ledgards buses used to travel up Richardshaw Lane,(could have been Lowtown) but I don't think they terminated at the same stops that the Yorkshire Woollen and Farsley Omnbuses did. Blakey's right in saying that Ledgard had no services using Richardshaw Lane, but Trojan very likely would see the Ledgard buses on the Calverley-Troydale/Acres Hall services turning from Cemetery Road into Lidgett Hill, and vice-versa. Considering that Lidgett Hill is the continuation of Richardshaw Lane, it's easy to see where Trojan's connection may have come from.And speaking of the late Reg Varney, the Ledgard services to Calverley had an important fare stage at Cemetery Gates. I know, because my dear late mother would give me only 5d for bus fares each day, this being 2 1/2d each way to/from Cemetery Gates, while it was 3d each way from end of Cemetery Rd, which was nearest school, and the only stop on the homeward journey from which there was a cat in hell's chance of catching the 4.00 pm departure.

Si · Post by Si » Thu 20 Nov, 2008 8:37 am

BLAKEY wrote: Si wrote: Thanks, Blakey. I'll write to Father Christmas and see what happens!Have a great day in the Dales! Not going up Park Rash, are you? That's a nice route - down Coverdale and turn left at West Witton, and up Wensleydale to Hawes. Had a lovely day thanks - Peggy on top form, especially after a lovely lunch in Station pub Ribblehead and, in her case, a couple of pints of Theakstons best - I have to be content with Kaliber for driving - doesn't bother me though I'm glad to say. We came back your way, but outwards via Skipton, Settle and Horton in Ribblesdale.No shortage of copies of "Beer and Blue Buses" if you decide - enjoy if you do. Glad you had a good day. I hope the day was clear - the view from the top of Park Rash looking down Wharfedale is breath-taking.