Did I Really Want One of Those? East of the M60’s 2013 Advent Calendar

The presents of Christmas’ past , ‘yours at the Special TV Offer Price of just £29.99…’

From the 01 December 2013 right up to Christmas Eve, East of the M60’s second Advent Calendar (because 2012 was an Advent Quiz) will take a different dimension. This time, it will celebrate/ridicule the type of stuff we requested for Christmas. Most of these items may have appeared in catalogues, or on television adverts featuring the immortal words ‘Not Available In Any Shops’.

EX30 and Beyond: Greater Manchester and the Leyland National

How Leyland’s revolutionary single decker began 42 years of National service within Greater Manchester

EX30, seen on the turning circle outside the Greater Manchester Museum of Transport.

For your maximum enjoyment, this article is best read in conjunction with the Not So Perfect Ten article on Experimental SELNEC and GMT Buses Since 1969. Thank you.

For many people, 1971 meant Decimalisation, hot pants and T-Rex. In the bus world, the orange and white of SELNEC made its presence known throughout today’s TfGM boundaries; in our living rooms, 10 million homes tuned in to the antics of Stan Butler and company in London Weekend Television’s On The Buses. Instead of the fictitious Luxton, Lillyhall was the UK bus industry’s centre of gravity. A legacy that would outlive LWT’s series by several years. Not only on our streets, but also on our railways.

Double Delight for Stagecoach Manchester at 18th UK Bus Awards

Greater Manchester operator wins Best UK Operator and Best City Operator awards

Up to now, 2013 has been a memorable year for Stagecoach Manchester. Their recent acquisition of Bluebird Bus and Coach is illustrated by the treatment of this Optare Solo in their standard livery. This is seen at Ashton-under-Lyne bus station about to begin a journey on the 317 to Stockport. Quite a difference from its previous stamping ground in North Manchester.

The eighteenth UK Bus Awards was a memorable one for Stagecoach Manchester, who walked away with two awards at London’s prestigious Hilton Hotel [Park Lane] today. GMS Buses’ forerunners have already been commended and have won smaller awards in previous events. This time, they have picked up the highest honour in UK bus operation.

Down Our Streets #2: Along Self Aggrandisement Avenue

Two streets named after building systems

Every town centre has a number of streets named after local councillors, MPs and landmarks. Some housing estates have streets named after picturesque locations or battles (for instance, Tintern or Gallipoli).

Forty Not Out! Stagecoach Manchester Employees Recognised For Long Service

Greater Manchester bus employees honoured in annual awards dinner

The 39 Stagecoach Manchester employees recognised for long service in the bus industry. Photograph © 2013 Tangerine PR Ltd.

Thirty-nine members of staff have been recognised at Stagecoach Manchester’s annual Long Service Awards, where they celebrated more than 1,200 years collective service. They were honoured at the Lowry Hotel, Salford and congratulated by former GMPTE chief Roger Jones with a gift of their own choice.

In Pictures Special: Hello to Rochdale Interchange

East of the M60 visits Rochdale’s new bus station

This Sunday saw a new chapter in Rochdale’s transport history with the opening of Rochdale Interchange’s bus station. It improves on its predecessor with twelve stands under one roof, and an entrance with waiting area – ideal for Town Taxi’s cabs and the forthcoming Metrolink line to Rochdale railway station.

Reality Estates That The Heroes Got: 3. Ashfield Valley, Rochdale

The foolish man built his house upon the marsh…

One of the twenty-six blocks which made up the Ashfield Valley estate. Photograph: © 1983 Banksider.

If you visited Rochdale in the mid to late 1970s and had an interest in modernist and brutalist architecture, you were in for a treat. As well as its soon to be demolished bus station, you could place its brown clad shopping centre. You knew you entered the Lancashire town after seeing the Seven Sisters tower blocks in Spotland.

Experimental SELNEC and GMT Buses Since 1969: The Not So Perfect Ten

Non-standard vehicle types of the SELNEC and Greater Manchester Transport eras

When SELNEC came to being on the 01 November 1969, it inherited a mix of different vehicles from its precursors. Its biggest constituent brought us the Mancunian style Leyland Atlanteans and Daimler Fleetlines, whereas its smallest one would order the last front engine double decker bus.

Ringway Brewery Cleared For Westminster

Reddish brewery’s bitter set for House of Commons bar

Another one of our local breweries is set to grace the Commons’ bar. This week, it will be the turn of Reddish’s Ringway Brewery.

Could It Be G4Mess? Illicit Dog Fouling Soon To Be Privatised

Tameside MBC set to outsource dog fouling fines collection

From next year, one borough east of the M60 motorway is set to dish its dirt to a private contractor. Literally.