Organisation and Activities

We have an unusual structure! (But it all works rather well.) The Society's own activities are supplemented by those of affiliated branches and groups across the country. Branches, each of which organises meetings and visits and publishes a regular news bulletin, cover the following areas:

Scotland
Northern (North East England)
North Western and Yorkshire
Midland
South Wales and West
Eastern & Southern
London Historical Research Group
Provincial Historical Research Group

(As you may have gathered, branch boundaries generally align to Traffic Areas, although this is no longer true in all cases as we don't change boundaries whenever VOSA does.) Where a link is indicated, the Branch concerned has provided a page about its activities.

In addition, Osmart is an affiliated body to the Society, and provides a service which buys items of bus literature and complete collections at prices equal to, if not better than, those of commercial dealers. Initially, any items that are not represented in the Society library are diverted there. The remainder are listed in catalogues which are issued at approximately bi-monthly intervals.

Other, more localised Groups cover the following areas:

The Herts and Beds Group
The Essex and South Suffolk Group

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and we have to point out that the Cambridge Omnibus Society is not and never has been part of the OS. Nor are similarly named organisations elsewhere.

Branch Activities

• Meetings
   
  Meetings are held in venues all over the country. Speakers are widely drawn to cover current bus and coach industry developments; historical aspects; prospects for the future; and generally to provide the opportunity for those with knowledge and experience to share their thoughts with others of like mind.
   
• Visits
   
  Visits are made to operators, depots, control rooms and factories throughout the country. Some outside events take the form of a study tour on one theme, such as recent route developments in an area. Pre-booking is always required to take part in visits.
   
• Omnibus Magazine
   
  Each Branch contributes news of route developments from its area, plus notices of its events.
   
• Branch Bulletins
   
  Branches publish their own bulletins covering developments in their area. Members receive the bulletin of the branch to which they elect to be attached and can also subscribe to any combination of bulletins for other areas.
   
• Rules of Conduct for Members
   
  The attention of all Members is drawn to the Rules of Conduct which must be followed by Members and Guests at all meetings and events organised by the Society and its Branches.