Every year the Omnibus Society holds its most prestigious event, the summer Presidential Weekend, located in the area of the current President, who this year is Peter Bell, Chairman and Managing Director of Preston Bus.
The event is residential and therefore allows a good social mix. It gives a great opportunity for newer members, and for longer-standing members - whether frequent or infrequent attendees - to enjoy the events and to see much of what the Omnibus Society is about:
The Society's 2002 President, Peter Bell, Chairman and Managing Director of Preston Bus, is hosting his Presidential Weekend in the Preston area. The North Western and Yorkshire Branch of the Society is organising the weekend in conjunction with Preston Bus, and has planned an event that will give members an opportunity to learn something of one of the UK's only surviving employee-owned operator of bus services, visit other bus operations in the area, and see something of Preston and the surrounding area.
The Weekend is based at the Jarvis Leyland Hotel, in Leyland, just south of Preston.
Friday 6 September
Members are responsible for making their own way to the Hotel, by 117 bus from Preston Bus Station at 16.30 (Fishwick) or 18.30 (Redline), and if there is sufficient demand, Preston Bus will operate an extra bus at 17.30. There will be a chance to learn something of the history of bus services and bus companies in the area, through slide presentations in the evening.
Saturday 7 September
Tour of municipal operations in northern Lancashire will depart from the hotel at 09.00. A lunch stop will be made in Accrington, for participants to find their own lunch. After the completion of the Tour, the party will return to the hotel by 18.00. In the evening the society's Annual Dinner is to be held at the Jarvis Leyland Hotel at 19.30 for 20.00.
Sunday 8 September
A tour of the Fylde area departing from the hotel at 09.00, with a buffet lunch included, travelling back via Railway stations in Blackpool and Preston to the hotel, arriving at 18.45, or an optional evening (beginning at 20.00) open-top tour of the Blackpool Illuminations arriving back at the hotel by 22.00. A meeting of the Provincial Historical Research Group (PHRG) will be held in the hotel at 20.00, and members are welcome to attend.
Monday 9 September
A tour departing at 09.00 will cover the area to the south of Preston, with time for lunch in Bolton Town Centre. Members could leave the Weekend at Warrington or Wigan to continue their journeys home, or can return to the Hotel. The coach should be at Warrington at 15.45hrs and Wigan at 17.00hrs. They will return to the hotel in Leyland at 17.45hrs.
General Information
There is an 09.40 bus to Preston on Tuesday morning.
Members of the Society will find their application forms for the Presidential Weekend in the centre of OM 444, just issued. Any non-member who would like to attend should join the Society using the application forms provided, after which the Booking Form will be sent to them.
The completed booking form must be sent with full remittance to Paul Wilkinson, 10 Bradley Close, Altrincham WA15 6SH. The latest date for receipt of form and full payment is 12 July 2002. Cheques to be made payable to 'Omnibus Society (NW&Y Branch)'. Please enclose a self-addressed envelope for acknowledgement.
Contact by E-mail can be made to osnwyorks@ntlworld.com