Heritage buses are just the ticket for web gallery

Green and white single-decker bus in a picturesque village
The heritage buses, including this Bristol MW5G, run open day trips to places like Ashby St Ledgers near Daventry [Martin Heath/BBC]

A town's heritage buses have been selected to appear in a national online gallery to celebrate 30 years of Heritage Open Days.

The vehicles, which belong to a preservation group in Northampton, have been offering hop-on, hop-off trips during open days in the town since 1994.

The public will be able to vote for their favourite entries from the 30 that have made it into the gallery.

Graham Croucher, from Northampton Heritage Transport, said: "Being included in the online gallery is a great recognition, a great accolade."

Graham Croucher with short white beard wearing a light green top in front of a brick wall
Graham Croucher said he had been interested in buses since he was a child [Ollie Conopo/BBC]

He said he had been passionate about buses since he was a boy.

"They cost a lot of money, a lot of time and a lot of patience - you're all in with these vehicles," he said.

Mr Croucher said the group relied on donations to carry out events, including the Heritage Open Days.

"We go out to schools, community events and it all costs money - we don't necessarily get any money for that," he said.

"People have come to love the vehicles as much as the buildings that are open during the course of Heritage Open Days."

Green single-decker bus leading a line of buses
The collection includes a 1974 United Counties Bedford YRT [Northampton Heritage Transport]
Two red double decker buses with prominent front grilles parked outside Northampton Guildhall
Two Daimler buses are also part of the collection, from 1968 on the left and 1947 on the right [Northampton Heritage Transport]
Red double decker bus with "Harris Furniture" advert
Graham Croucher's favourite bus is a 1946 Crossley [Northampton Heritage Transport]

Follow Northamptonshire news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830

More on this story

Related internet links