A new title for a new venture? Country Bus Rallies used to have a programme of Route Recreations that ran in co-ordination with the Sunday rallies for the public. They were usually on the day before, and were restricted to members of the club who would help out with the costs of the journeying.

Well, Covid-19 has put paid to the prospect of large scale bus rallies for the immediate future. No-one sane would spend a whole day packed into buses with about fifty other elderly (mainly) blokes (mainly). Also the gang that ran Country Bus Rallies is getting older too. Bus maintenance continues, but the effort of organising large rallies, with permissions from County or Town Councils, various Police Forces, bus companies, publicity, refreshments and merchandising was getting more arduous. Time for a rest.

But the hankering to join with a handful of friends to enjoy some of the old buses remains. So it is proposed that a club be formed to share days out with some of London Transport's Country Area buses, recreating some of the lesser known routes. Not many people in a bus for the forseeable future, but perhaps several buses. Country Bus Rallies did some of these in the early days, such as the gathering at Limpsfield Chart back in March 2000.

What to call it? "Rural Routes Revisited" is a bit of a mouthful. "Green Rovers" brings back memories. We shall see.

Ian's Bus Stop will provide details of these events. This will include a rolling programme for 2021 and booking details with update information on a regular basis.

The primary vehicle types to be used will include; RM/RT/RF/RW/GS.

Any personal data such as contact details will be kept in confidence and only for the use of related event information and communications.

Ian Smith will not be an organiser, nor hold data on participants, but will try to keep folk informed and report on those events that he can join (Travel from Teeside, and other commitments make this sometimes uncertain!) Colin Rivers will co-ordinate and issue the invitations. He can be contacted at colin.rivers@btinternet.com. Please let him know if you would be interested in joining the club.

Ian ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW:

STOP PRESS: 15th October. The new London Area COVID Tier2 restrictions mean that this event will have to be postponed to a more auspicious time. In the interim stay well, stay safe, keep cheerful and build some model buses ! (Ian).

Hello fellow Green Rover members. After the recent announcement by our esteemed government we plan to go ahead with before we park up for the winter, a private members day out on Saturday 31st October using the group's green RTs on route 403 from the 1950s and 1960s. The provisional routings will be between Wallingham Green – Chelsham – Tatsfield (short working) – Westerham (Short working) - Dunton Green garage site -Sevenoaks (main base) and Tonbridge. Pick up and set down will be at Westerham, Sevenoaks rail station and bus Station. You will need to specify which when booking.

Actual timings and routings should you wish to join us will be confirmed in the next two weeks. The trips will last approximately three and half hours in total with a one hour lunch break.

As this is the first trip for the new group and in very strange circumstances we will have to observe some restrictions, which align with the use of buses and transport in general. Club members will be expected to maintain social distancing rules (2 meters), which will mean staying in the seat allocated to you by the conductor . Six persons per bus in total. This mail is a formal invite..... all you have to do is register your interest by return. Allocation will be will be on a first come first served basis.

Face masks will need to be worn on the buses even though some of you may not be used to wearing them for this length of time. Gloves are another essential item, as you cannot avoid grabbing metal work on moving buses. Another requirement will confirmation of your identity, a contact address and phone number. This is in line with the requirements of Track and Trace should any of you develop symptoms of the virus after the event.

With this in mind we will be restricting the numbers so that we can determine future events logistics and learn how to stay safe without imposing too many rules. We want to get it right, see what works best for any future days so hopefully you will be able to go along with the spirit of the occasion. There are still restrictions against non-family groups meeting in pubs and cafes.

The organisers are discussing the finer points like how to alight and board the buses for the lunch-stop etc. The arrangements are still very fluid so if there are any changes to our plans I will get back to you as soon as I can.

It would be advisable for you to bring food and drink with you. As for Personal Needs Breaks, some public toilets are not open, nor are many in cafes and shops available. We will try our best to fill in some detail before the day as to where the open ones are located.

On this occasion we will not issue an official club programme but a number of you have requested that this should be available for future events. I hope you can join us

Kind regards and stays safe

Colin.