The inaugural SLCP Vintage Transport Rally was held on Yatton Station Car Park recently.  

The rally, which took 11 months to organise due to obtaining permission from Network Rail, GWR and Apcoa to use their car park, featured vintage buses and coaches from bygone days including several from former local bus company Claverham Coaches (Pearce & Co). 

There were also a variety of vintage to classic cars ranging from a 1931 Riley 2 seater to a 2004 BMW Z4 Alpina, with many models of MGs, Triumphs, Jaguars, Daimlers, Caterham 7s and Fords also on display. 

Throughout the day people were treated to free rides on the buses throughout the day on routes similar to those covered in the past around places such as Yatton: Kingston Seymour, Clevedon, Portishead and Claverham.

Also included were mystery tours and a former Badgerline Minibus to Sandford Station, where passengers had time to visit the Heritage Museum before returning to Yatton.

Around £1,400 has been raised for the Strawberry Line Cafe and Cycle Project at Yatton Station serving the Community and providing job opportunities for adults with learning difficulties. 

"Warwick (Hulme) and I - co-organisers - were tremendously pleased with the response to our Inaugural Rally,” said David Pinnock.

“It was great to see everyone of the 23 bus trips, which all left on time, full to bursting with folk of all ages!

“The revised figure of nearly £1,400 raised exceeded or hopes, we thank again all our sponsors, advertisers, exhibitors - in particular the bus drivers and crews - helpers, especially Lucy (Colman) current cafe stalwart from cafe opening one of the original students and Lewis (Fewings) former cafe and cycle hire student. 

“But above all the 1000s of general public who made the day such a great success.“

Souvenir programmes featuring articles on Claverham Coaches, Vista Coaches, Bus route 660 and other Yatton services are still available to purchase and support the cause, please email dave pinnock@tinyworld.co.uk to get hold of one.