smallest of their three public events held each year, its origins being the last opportunity for enthusiasts to see the vehicles housed at Cobham before they were stored away for the winter months.


In the Paddock was a selection from LBM’s own fleet, spanning most of the 50 years, including prototypes of the Routemaster, RF type coach and RT2775, one of three RT-family buses that travelled across America promoting Great Britain as a tourist destination. This bus was recently also part of a display at Buckingham Palace celebrating the 90th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, something highlighted by Chris Heaps, Chairman of LBPT, in his words of welcome to all assembled in the Paddock. Following the brief ceremony, Samantha Adams led the crowd in singing ‘Happy Birthday’ from the Napier Room balcony before beginning the first of two sets featuring some very well known classic songs.


Over 40 visiting vehicles were on display across the Museum site. A marvellous collection of double-decker buses and coaches, painted in a wide variety of liveries, were parked in front of the Race Bays and on the upper Finishing Straight, some privately owned and others from bus companies, the latter used on excursions and the 462 circular route to Weybridge.


The traders’ market place was in the main housed within Cobham Hall, selling all manner of bus memorabilia – DVDs, books, models and ticket machines. Now, I can understand items such as badges or postcards being an attraction, but someone was seen walking home with a genuine bus stop sign! There was a record number of traders’ stalls and 39 went home pleased with the day, with even LBM’s own shop turning a very satisfactory profit.


The route taken by the ever-popular horse buses had to be changed because of the construction works but this proved not to be a hindrance, indeed quite the opposite as these buses carried more passengers than ever before and were a major contribution to what was a very family-friendly day. We are indebted to Drewitts Carriages and its staff for operating the service in such a professional manner.


There was more emphasis for families this year. The four ‘Punch and Judy’ shows on the mezza- nine floor of Cobham Hall had good-sized audiences of children and adults alike and the roaming stilt walker, ‘Professor Crump’, had everyone in awe of his gymnastic skills, groaning


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at some of his jokes and marvelling at his balloon- modelling. He’ll be returning to another LBM event very soon.


St John Ambulance covered the first-aid needs using their ambulance coach as a base near the Paddock and such was the interest expressed by visitors in the vehicle that it unintentionally became part of our Paddock display, with its staff very keen to show off the coach’s facilities. LBPT is always keen to promote local charities and was very happy that St John Ambulance benefited financially from the visitors to their ambulance but they were not alone. Richard House Children’s Hospice supports families in London whose children and young adults are at risk of death from a life-limiting health condition and one of the traders in Cobham Hall organised a raffle to raise money for this charity.


Meanwhile, in the Race Bays, the Royal Air


Forces Association was raising money to help continue the work of ensuring that the sacrifice by some RAF personnel does not result in suffering, poverty or loneliness.


In front of the Paddock we were very pleased to display the London Transport Museum’s 1914 L&NWR Leyland ‘Torpedo’ charabanc which although arriving on a low-loader had plenty of power to complete two demonstration runs. The LTM is raising money to complete the purchase of this vehicle, which was joined later by another charabanc, making a very desirable photograph for enthusiasts.


‘Professor Crump’ (Ian Jackson).


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