M Redgate's Duple Viceroy-bodied VAL, BHO 670J, spent its early life in the south of England.

Having contacted a number of its early operators, Castle Coches of Horndean who owned 670 from new were the most enthusiastic, saying they would like to see BHO back around its old haunts for a day. P Lamb of 'Bus and Coach Preservation' magazine also suggested that an article on the restoration of 670 would benefit from some photographs taken in the area. The annual rally at Southsea is fairly local to Horndean, so M Redgate decided to organize a weekend tour, heading south on Firday 6th June 03, visiting Castle Coaches on Saturday, attending the rally on the Sunday before heading home on the Sunday evening. Despite being advertised to members, in the event only M Redgate abd K Ellis went on the coach, sharing driving both ways. S Watts made a trek from Plymouth for the weekend and P Elliot and D Howdle journied to the rally by car on the Sunday.

670 left its home near Stoke at about 09:30, running down the M6 to Hilton Park Services where K Ellis was waiting for it. A steady run down to Chievely Services near Newbury for a 'lunch stop'. We appeared to hit 'rush hour' in portsmouth but arrived safely on the sea front at Southsea around 16:00. We booked into the Gainsborough House B&B before taking 670 to a secure lorry park near Havant for the night. Outside the lorry park is a stabling point of a local coach operator which has recently acquired the premises of Castle Coaches at Horndean, whose depot we were due to visit on the Saturday afternoon. One of the drivers asked what 670 was doing - having explained the significance, we wereoffered a free lift back to Southsea!

Saturday morning involved collecting 670 and bringing it back to Southsea for the tour which was due to start at 13:00. The day started damp but warm. We walked to Portsmouth Harbour railway station before deciding it would be cheaper by bus (!), boarding a X700 which was heading for Brighton (it's a long way to Brighton!). By about 11:30, 670 was back at Southsea, where M Redgate gave the coach a quick clean in the coach park. By about 13:30, a number of photographers/enthusiasts assembled and in what appeared to be increasingly good weather, we ventured to Horndean Depot. A number of 'poses' of 670, plenty of photographs being taken, we shortly continued to Horndean Brewery, this time accompanied by one of the owners of Castle Coaches.# and his family. The brewery is apparently the only 'landmark' in Horndean. After more photos, we went into the countryside (much to the surprise of some car drivers) towards Rowlands Castle. This little village is the reason Castle Coaches adopted the name. The railway bridge in Rowlands Castle was chosen as another 'landmark', the photographers alighting before getting snaps of 670 passing under the bridge. We proceeded back to Horndean and Southsea in brilliant sunshine.

670 was parked in the Southsea Coach Park overnight, virtually opposite the Sunday rally site. So when Sunday morning arrived, it only had to travel 250 yards! At the rally former drivers and passengers made themselves known, including a man who went to school on 670. It was a very warm day, but the wind became increasingly fresh during the day, until by mid-afternoon it was almost a gale. The sales stands were being buffeted about but all the visitors enjoyed the day. 670 was the only Viceroy and the only VAL in attendance (it was hoped we might see the Firends of King Alfred's VAL). We departed about 16:30, stopping for fuel in Eastleigh, then some tea at Chievely. The run from there to Hilton Park was made non-stop in 2 hours and 28 minutes (thats good for a VAL!).
After a successful weekend, 670 was parked up back 'home' on Sunday evening.

Mr Lamb's photos and article appeared in the August 2003 issue of 'Bus and Coach Preservation'.

If you have any comment to add, e-mail M Redgate at telfordbusgroup@yahoo.co.uk