On 7 June, 120 of our members and friends bundled aboard a 1960s Daimler bus for a landmark 60th anniversary event.
The heritage bus tour was narrated by our polymath trustee and volunteer, Cliff Stead, who told our passengers all about the past and future of the areas we passed by on the bus, over the loud purr of the Daimler engine. Some of our guests remembered riding on these buses as children. They recalled always sitting downstairs, to avoid the thick smog of cigarette smoke on the upper deck!
With the driver ringing the bell, we set off from the Leeds Civic Trust office, up Swinegate, along Great Wilson Street before reaching the Headrow. Immediately gawps from the public were visible, many pedestrians stopped to take photographs of the bus and wave to us. We heard about the future of The Core shopping centre, and the fate of Queen Victoria statue, that once stood in front of Leeds Town Hall, before joining Kirkstall Road. On the Kirkstall corridor, towering residential blocks are being built by Clarion Housing, who are building 1400 riverside dwellings.
Onwards to Kirkstall Abbey, where we had a good stretch of the legs in the remarkably well preserved ruins of this 800 year old Cistercian monestary. The first group of the day braved treacherous rain to hear Cliff’s stories of this site, whereas the second group were buying ice lollies to cope with the heat!
Ding ding and off we went, heading for Middleton Railway, back along the Kirkstall corridor, and back down the Headrow. Bus drivers gathered outside their office on the Headrow were most amused by the sight of this striking old bus.
We ventured through Hunslet and saw many buildings featured in our photography exhibition, ‘Making Things Happen: Leeds Development Corporation 1988-1995’, such as the iconic Braime Pressings.
Inside the bus were several signs that were on display at the time the bus was decommissioned. By stunning coincidence, one sign mentioned Leeds Civic Trust! We were the publishers and vendors of ‘A Guide to Walks on Footpaths in Leeds’. 60 years on, we still offer a wide range of guided walks around the city, looking at Leeds’ past and future developments.
On arriving at Middleton Railway, we were greeted by the ever charismatic Richard, who welcomed us inside and gave us a brief but animated talk about Middleton Railway’s fascinating history. Be sure to check our their Heritage Open Days events!
Guests chowed down on a 1960s packed lunch, including ham and cheese sandwiches, Granny Smith apples, Wagon Wheels, salt and shake crisps and a choice of dandelion and burdock or cloudy lemonade served in a brown paper bag.
We are pleased to say that the bus tour was such a success, we are now looking at routes for a second tour in 2026.
