byWarren Whitmore - Community and Sports Reporter
7th April 2024
inIsle of Wight Heritage, Latest News
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YJC
4 months ago
Thank you.
Very, very interesting and nice to read local history.
12
Willy Nilly
4 months ago
Thank you for such pleasant reading and informative without being dull
7
Wotawally
4 months ago
“Why are such air connections lacking today?”
The sort of aircraft suitable would probably be unable to fly in strong winds, or fog. Finding somewhere to land on the North Island which has good transport connections is difficult: Southampton(Eastleigh) would incur high landing fees etc, which would not help with the economics of running the service.
Did Southern Vectis ever operate a service to Fishbourne? That is what is needed now to pick up all the foot passengers let down by the FastCats not operating due to all sorts of reasons.
1
Kevin Pidwell
4 months ago
Reply to Wotawally
The Vectis never did run a bus to Fishbourne as it was only intended to be for motorised vehicles and foot passengers only as an option. The old Pier Head vessels ran in atrocious conditions, so back then the ‘footies’ had no need to divert, unlike the smart-craft of today that are unsuitable for heavy pitching. However, one day last year, I caught the 00:50 from Portsmouth and was told there was a bus for Ryde that left Fishbourne at 01:40, but Vectis timetable, so if the boat was late hard luck. I rushed up the gangway and only just caught it. Oddly enough, I later found out that was the only Fishbourne bus of the week. I was extremely lucky or I’d have been stranded with luggage then have to haul it up to the main road and wait 4 hours.
Kevin Pidwell
4 months ago
Reply to Wotawally
The Vectis never did run a bus to Fishbourne as it was only intended to be for motorised vehicles and foot passengers only as an option. The old Pier Head vessels ran in atrocious conditions, so back then the ‘footies’ had no need to divert, unlike the smart-craft of today that are unsuitable for heavy pitching. However, one day last year, I caught the 00:50 from Portsmouth and was told there was a bus for Ryde that left Fishbourne at 01:40, but Vectis timetable, so if the boat was late hard luck. I rushed up the gangway and only just caught it. Oddly enough, I later found out that was the only Fishbourne bus of the week. I was extremely lucky or I’d have been stranded with luggage then have to haul it up to the main road and wait 4 hours.
Golly!
4 months ago
Very interesting these articles! Keep em coming
1
Nigel
4 months ago
Great story.
Nowdays the majority of buses are driven by females.
How times have changed.
Shirley Winn
4 months ago
This is brilliant news thank you. Would you be prepared to signpost your readers to IOW Bus and Coach Museum in Park Road Ryde. Free to enter, open for visitors on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays.Wholly run by volunteers. Come and see the vehicles that served the Island through the ages including our preservation of a 100 year old Daimler. 2 running weekends in May and October. We rely solely on donations and membership. Any help to get more visitors would be appreciated thank you for reading this
10
Kevin Pidwell
4 months ago
Reply to Shirley Winn
I second all of this. I spent my early youth at this depot. My father often took me to his place of work. In the late 60’s he refused to take on the new one man operated buses and be in charge with fare taking, so the Nelson Road managers moved him full time to Park Road depot, where he rostered the many coach drivers work for the day. To him it was a job; to me it was a world of adventure. Down in the pits with engineers, sometimes refuelling a bus, starting an engine and all the things Health & Safety would frown upon today, but very thrilling for small boy. Sad when it all closed down, but now very impressed when I have visited the museum in recent years. A nice bunch of enthusiastic, knowledgeable people and is well worth a visit.
Pops
4 months ago
Some fantastic photos there and interesting read.
Such a shame all the old style signs have been replaced with the rubbish one now.
Same with the old style street lighting