Saturday 12th April - Albert Dock, Liverpool - 2236
With 115 off the road after the accident in Telford in October, we thought that we could celebrate the first rally of the season by taking 2236, because this was the deckers first rally for 2 years. We travelled via the Mersey Tunnel, and arrived at Albert Dock Car park just before 12noon. On arrival, Magical Mystery Tour's Bedford VAL, OOR 320G was just leaving for a tour. In the Docks, there were the museums to have a look around, and even a trip across the Mersey. We left Liverpool around 5pm.

Sunday 4th May - Llandudno Transport Festival - - 2236
Cancelling this rally last year was distressing, and K Ellis could not stand the moaning no longer, so he fuelled up 2236 (because 724 had failed its MOT for the 3rd Time), and travelled to Wales. We arrived at Llandudno at 12noon, and parked 2236 into the coach park. Parked outside the coach park was Selnec Preservation Society's, Bristol VR 408. This was also seen at the rally site around 4:15 that afternoon. At Llandudno, many people travelled to the rally, then on the free bus into the town, travelled up the Great Orme, or like one member, buy some new shoes. The rally site was great, well watching all of the vehicles trying to escape from the mud. The day went well and because we never took 2236 to the rally site, we left without getting stuck in the mud (We didn't want another Trans-Lancs 2001!).

Sunday 11th May - Sandwell Rally, Sandwell Valley Park, West Bromwich - 2236
With 115 and 724 STILL off the road, 2236 took the spotlight again. This year, all of the buses were facing towards the sun, so this was a great rally for the photographers. There was an outcome of 20+ Bus and coaches, including Barton VAL, 996 RVO. At Sandwell, Trustees of WWY 115G had a meeting about the future of 115. The weather was fine besides a couple of showers during the day. Being on the end by the fair, it was noisy, but the driest place when there was an shower. We left the park at 5pm.

Sunday 18th May - Potteries Bus Rally, Wedgewood centre, Stoke- 115
For the first time after its accident in October, 115 was repaired for the Potteries rally. New additions to 115 were 2 windscreens, new piece of Fibre Glass that was damaged, and the boot, fully painted with its original Selby Phone numbers.
Well back to the rally, we arrived just before 10am, and it rained, and rained, till 11am, then after we got our sale stand out, it rained, and rained and rained. There were 2 Bedford VALS, 115 and 996 RVO, 2 Daimler Fleetline Single Deckers, the ex-Centro exhibition vehicle, and many ex-Potterie's vehicles. There was also an Garden exhibition close to the site, and free buses out of the rally site. We left the site at 5pm.

Friday-Sunday 6-8th June - Southsea Spectacualar / Castle Coaches Weekend- 670
You may think that you had not heard about the Castle Coaches Weekend, but during 7th June, 670 went to its old depot and on all of its old routes around Waterlooville, Southampton. Over the weekend, Philip Lamb from Bus and Coach Preservations made an article about the vehicle, and also over the weekend, M Redgate (owner of 670) met loads of people that remember driving 670 over the years. On the Sunday, 670 attended the Southsea Spectacular event at Southsea Common. Being the only VAL and in Castle Coaches livery, there was a lot of photos of the vehicle. We also had a shock to not see the King Alfred VAL, CCG 704C, as this is a close-to-home rally to them, but they did send WCG 104 (Leyland Tiger Cub) and Stagecoach's painted King Alfred Livery, PSU 787 attended. There was also a large no of Bristol VR's, like the Alder Valley open-top LFS 296F, and a number of Leyland Nationals and London RT. There was also the two Valley Ramblers of Southsea, RSJ 422 (Bedford SB) and JAB 867 (Bedford OB). With the weather holding out fine, just windy, the day was a great success.

Sunday 22nd June - Wriggly Worm Day (WPMTE), Chasewater Railway - 115, 690, 204
Well what a great event. It was that good that I even made a special report. Wriggly Worm Day.
The weather was superb for photographs. Loads of West Midlands vehicles attended including BOM 7V - Metrobus with Rolls Royce engine, NOC 600N - in Trainer Bus livery and currently being restored, XDH 516G - Walsall Corporation from Wythall, CVP 207 - Daimler COG 5 also from Wythall. There was also many non-WMPTE vehicles attended like our 115, HAD 915D, X401 CSG - First Manchester 10017, and SB 8155 - an Guy Wolf.

Sunday 13th July - Cambrian Transport Rally, Welshpool - 115
Being the only Bedford Vehicle, Preserved coach and 1/3 bus/coach vehicles at the rally, 115 looked proud as the coach stood in the sun and took part in 2 shuttles from the rally site to Welshpool Town Centre. There was a large number of other kind of vehicles though, and there was something for everyone. Other buses that attended included BOK 28V - Travel West Midlands Metrobus Open Topper (Fleet 2028), and V962 DFH - Stagecoach Cheltenham Fleet 33962. 2028 was used for shuttles during the day, with a little help from 115 that took 2 shuttles to the town.

Sunday 13th July - Telford Steam Railway - 2236
Members, K Ellis and S Culverhouse also enjoyed the peace and quiet at Horsehay, Telford while doing shuttle between an Garden Show at the Moat House Hotel, Telford to the Steam Railway. Later the bus met 115 at Telford Town Centre to drop TBG members that attended Welshpool back home.

Sunday 27th July - Sandtoft Gathering, Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum - 115
An really good outcome attended Sandtoft this year. Vehicles that attended included Walsall TWM Jubilee Bus, Y719 TOH, SELNEC Preservation Societies, AJA 408L (Bristol VR - That looked very nice next to 115), YNU 315G, Bristol Double Decker in Midland General Livery, and WLT 765, Routemaster in London Transport Livery. The weather was great, and so was the beer, (thats what I was told anyway!). We left at 5:15pm after an enjoyable day.

Sunday 17th August - Betws-y-Coed and Llangollen - 724
What a great day!! Great weather! Great Railway at Betws-y-Coed and Llangollen! Smashing Mirror on A5! Yes, when travelling to Betws-y-Coed we came to a sharp corner which caused a trailor of a passing truck to smash 724's Offside mirror. This was repaired at Betws-y-coed thanks to Betws-y-Coed Railway Museum. Other wise the day was superb.

Sunday 24th August - Bedford Gathering 2003, Cambridge - 115
Was a great event in 2002, and repeated again in 2003. Only disappointment was the lack of Bedford VALS. HLG 812K (which won best PSV??) was replaced by another Bedford Vehicle. TUT 888H and XUR 290H were unable to attend because of brake problems. VALs that did attend include 115, OOU 856G & TFV 475J (both VAL 70 with Duple Viceroy 37 body), UFX 360L (Dews smart VAL 70 with Plaxton Panorama Elite 2 body), and GUP 743C (VAL 14 which has been restored from its original Carr's livery to Kenzie's). Not only these vehicles attended, there was also a large number of Bedford OBs, VAMs, VASs, etc. All money raised at this event supported McMillan Cancer Relief charity.

Sunday 7th September - Trans-Lancs Vintage Vehicle Rally, Heaton Pk, Manchester - 115 & 2236
This year, we supported this event with 2 vehicles. 2236 attended the road run from Museum of Transport in Boyle street to Heaton Park. 115 went straight to Heaton Park, where the coach was in the front row of vehicles. 115 was not the only VAL to attend, SCK 56K (ex-DOE 111K) attended in Magical Mystery tours livery. 2236 on the other hand was the only Mancunian at the event. 1001 was seen at Boyle Street, and also 2236 was the only vehicle in GMT Orange/Brown/White livery.

Sunday 28th September - EFE Showbus, Duxford - 115
My first time visiting Duxford, and i thought that it was brilliant. There was buses, planes, Military vehicles and "Rain". What else could you ask for? 115 was parked near to OOU 856G. Many of the buildings were full of planes and other military vehicles, as well as people trying to stay out of the rain.

Sunday 5th October - Wirral Tram and Bus Show, Birkenhead - 115
Well, last year we was parked where no-one could see our superb 115, and this year it changed as we was parked in front of the main doors where the Sale Stands were being held. There was loads of vehicles there including the Liverpool Duck, RSY 883, many Leyland Nationals including newly restored ex-Ribble, DVB 831W. There were also trams in service as well as a free bus service around Birkenhead. This rally would be even better if it lost just one thing, the Rain!!

Sunday 12th October - Midland Red Day, Wythall - 115
Even though last year 115 lost a front and rear windscreen attempting to get to this rally in rather rough weather, this year we got there fine. Well till we arrived on BaMMOT site to be faced with a Bulge on the Nearside 2nd Axle wheel. Being by the entrance this brought loads of entertainment as people gathered around to watch our finest change the wheel. At the rally there was many Midland Red vehicles (of course) and many other West Midland operator vehicles. Examples include HHA 126L - Leyland National in Midland Red Livery, KHA 301 & KHA 311 were at the event, ROC 300R - WMPTE Foden RC which still in its original WM livery is currently owned by BaMMOT. Weather was great, and the bus services were also great.

Saturday 25th October - Blackpool Illuminations - 724
724 attended it annual trip to the seaside resort to see the Pretty Lights along the Sea Front. There is always something to do at Blackpool, like Arcades, Fun Fair, Clubs, etc. But many of the members ignored these and travelled around on Trams and looking at shops along Sea Front and in the Back Streets. Myself and K Woodhouse went to Fleetwood with Treasurer (YES TREASURER!) R Woodhouse, who was enjoying a weekend away from wife who was on holiday in Hungary. After spending loads of money at Fleetwood and trying to not get blown off, we went back to Blackpool where we enjoyed nice Fish and Chips and continuing spending money at Blackpool. Around 7pm lights were switched on down Blackpool Front, and at 9pm (our departure time) fireworks were 'let off' from the tower. This was a great day for all that attended. Even Mrs Ellis could not find any complaints.

Sunday 14th December - SANTA'S SPECIAL - Welshpool and Llanfair Railway, Wales. - 2236
Last trip of the season, and what an enjoyable ending it was. Arriving at Welshpool for 12pm, we had 1hr break before leaving for Llanfair railway station for 2pm. Then we travelled on train along the track. While travelling on Train, we were met by Santa, a Snowman, A teddy and some alien from Dr Who. These were real good fun. Then arriving back at Llanfair railway for 'Punch and Pie', we left Llanfair at 4pm. This to me was the best 'Santa's Special' i've ever visited. Maybe we can go again in the near future!?!