SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

A message on Flickr this morning that one of my contacts, David Bapty, has died.David was a very knowledgeable bus, tram and train fanatic especially on the subject of C H Roe’s buses, and had posted some absolutely cracking photos both of his own and from collections he had inherited .While I’m not much of a bus maniac, I always found his photos interesting more for what was in the background than the actual subject matter – sorry Dave – and as such, I’ve used some of his photos on SL and elsewhere.Were it not for David, and people like him, much of our bygone everyday streetscape would have been lost forever.His Roe bus photos can be seen here;http://tinyurl.com/pgjwkn9

Yes shame to hear that, he died about two weeks ago. He was only late 40's His brother Robert is one of my facebook friends.

Thanks for the great memories David.Might be wrong but here's a photograph of the Guinness clock that has not been on SL before. Sorry about the @ bit but you lads know what to do......http://www.flickr.com/photos/9832585@N0 ... 447420739/

That's a great photo brought up through that link Salt 'n Pepper. I hope you don't mind me adding this link that will take viewers directly to the photo without having to copy and paste:- http://tinyurl.com/n7eo6pdTalking of the Guinness Clock in the photo, I am not much of a drinker but a cool Guinness sounds just the thing in this hot weather (not being a drinker I hope mention of a cool Guinness is not considered sacrilegious!)

Cheers for that Leo.As a Guinness fan myself, cool is OK, or cool as they say these days. Cold on the other hand, as in 'Normal Guinness or cold Guinness, sir?' is not really my cup of tea. If you know what I mean.

Sad news indeed. Like Liits, I found David's photo collection a wonderful insight into an older Leeds.

I bought a book last year at the Heath Common, Wakefield do - called "The Red Buses" which featured mainly the West Riding central entrance AEC's which I believe were Roe bodies. They replaced the trams and ran into the West Riding bus station in Leeds. Unfortunately not one of these unique vehicles has been preserved.

majorhoundii wrote: I bought a book last year at the Heath Common, Wakefield do - called "The Red Buses" which featured mainly the West Riding central entrance AEC's which I believe were Roe bodies. They replaced the trams and ran into the West Riding bus station in Leeds. Unfortunately not one of these unique vehicles has been preserved. Unfortunate indeed majorhoundii, especially since one WAS preserved when withdrawn in the 1960s, and had more than one owner. Sadly though the enormuous costs of running such a vehicle privately and affordable accommodation, plus the acceleration in criminal vandalism, meant that the fine bus ended up at the scrapyard. There was much uninformed criticism of these and similar vehicles on the grounds of reduced seating capacity (50) caused by the dual staircases but this was a brilliant concept as loading speeds were very favourable - the two short gangways in each saloon, and the wide doorway, meant that entry and exit for all passengers was quicker than with the standard rear entrance type.

BLAKEY wrote: majorhoundii wrote: I bought a book last year at the Heath Common, Wakefield do - called "The Red Buses" which featured mainly the West Riding central entrance AEC's which I believe were Roe bodies. They replaced the trams and ran into the West Riding bus station in Leeds. Unfortunately not one of these unique vehicles has been preserved. Unfortunate indeed majorhoundii, especially since one WAS preserved when withdrawn in the 1960s, and had more than one owner. Sadly though the enormuous costs of running such a vehicle privately and affordable accommodation, plus the acceleration in criminal vandalism, meant that the fine bus ended up at the scrapyard. There was much uninformed criticism of these and similar vehicles on the grounds of reduced seating capacity (50) caused by the dual staircases but this was a brilliant concept as loading speeds were very favourable - the two short gangways in each saloon, and the wide doorway, meant that entry and exit for all passengers was quicker than with the standard rear entrance type. I can certain attest to their quickness of loading. In the past I was a fan of Wakefield Trinity, and towards the end of their home games at Belle Vue, the tops of these buses could be seen lining Doncaster Road outside the ground. They soon moved the crowd - and in those days Rugby League at Wakefield did attract big crowds - I was once at Belle Vue when there were 28k inside - if you don't believe me look at the crowds in the games scenes the next time "This Sporting Life" is shown on TV.