(19 Jan 2014, 8:51 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Just add to this idea rather than have Monthly Trips, why have 4 Major Trips Per Year and then if there is further interest, then schedule a few minor Day Trips in Between. As there are Various elements that you have to take into account also for example.

Cost - Can everyone Afford to do these trips on a Monthly Basis - (I know I can't)

Work - People who are in paid Employment - Will they be able to get the time off work to go on a Day Trip.

Trips - Would have been in Reason and Doable in a Day

Here little Model I have came up with, Trips would occur Every 3 Months, for example

February - Day Trip to Carlisle
May - Day Trip to Berwick and the Scottish Borders
August - Day Trip to Edinburgh and Dunfermline (SVBM)
November - Day Trip to Preston (Tour of John Fishwick and Sons Depot) if Possible

Then for Minor Trips in Between we could go to:

Lothian Open Doors Event
Weardale Open Day
Bus and Coach Show (Birmingham NEC Arena)
Showbus (Duxford near Cambridge in September)
Exeter Bus & Coach Station 50th Anniversary Rally (July)

There is just a few examples, and obviously in the North East we have Seaburn/Durham and MetroCentre Bus Rallies where we can meet up also, So I would SAY there is quite a bit scope for Day Trips which could be done.

Regarding the cost - we haven't got any prices yet! Depending on where we were going, it could be anything as cheap as £5 up to something as expensive as £20. I'll watch my e-mails like a hawk for the next few days and see what the quotes are like. If it's something out of this world, it's obvious we won't be able to do it.

Regarding work - that's why I chose a weekend date. If we're going to follow rallies around the UK, they could be on either a Saturday or Sunday. Means more people should be able to attend.

Regarding the time-span - I think most things can be done within a day really. If we were using Newcastle as a 'central hub', I imagine most would be able to get there by, let's say, 9am. I was looking at Brighton, but you're looking at that being at least five and a half hours so would be incredibly hard to achieve in a day.


I think some of your major trips (such as Carlisle) are further afield than some of your minor ones!
For the record, I think you need to be in employment in the industry to attend Bus & Coach Show.