09 Interesting Photographs
These 7 slides are an unusual presentation. In either October or November of 1975 BBC South Today did a feature on the recently delivered new quiet type of double decker bus to the Southampton area. The vehicles in question being the Series 3 Bristol VR Pre-Production models with Leyland 510 engines for Hants & Dorset. The feature included presenter Bruce Parker taking the wheel of 3320 KPR 36P (delivered as JPR 239N) for a trip on the A33 dual carriageway between Southampton and Winchester. Phil Davies took these shots by positioning his Canon EXEE SLR camera with a slow shutter speed in front of his black and white television set – no VHS, Betamax, DVD or Hard Drive Recorders in those days! Phil has kindly donated the slides to the group for which we thank him. (Please click on an image to enlarge). Photograph Copyright: H&DW&D Phil Davies
During a holiday on Antigua in November 2007 this Bristol LH was seen on a piece of ground next to a relatively busy crossroads outside of St John’s. The vehicle is former Hants & Dorset 3537 ORU 537M. The driver and the other passengers on our mini bus were slightly taken aback when the request came to make a brief photography stop. Peter Cook adds that it was his good lady who made the request! (Please click on an image to enlarge).
Photograph Copyright: H&DW&D Peter Cook
3537 was new in May 1974 and initially allocated to Bournemouth moving to Swanage by the end of that year. Given its cutaway front it mainly operated on the service using the Sandbanks – Shell Bay ferry. It was withdrawn from service in January 1982 and was later sold to the dealer Ensignbus of Purfleet, Essex.
Ensignbus exported 3537 to Antigua in May 1985. Its 2007 appearance suggests that it 
has not seen use for some time and is doubtful to see use again – not being aware of any preservatonists on the Island then its future is 
probably not too hopeful.