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 later in 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 January update: So far the Covid-19 virus rages on, with the so-called "English variant" (because we identified it first!) much more virulent than the first. So stay well, stay safe, don't go out unnecessarily. So there will not be any Green Rover days for a while, although Colin assures me that much planning is taking place behind the scenes.

He is putting together some pages about progress on the various buses, to show that some progress is being made in that direction. I shall put these up as additional pages for your delectation and delight!

Happy New Year: stay safe, stay well!

Progress on GS55