Penniedarling

 When we were living in England for a couple of years back in 1977-78 England had just joined Europe in what was called The Common Market (I think)  Apparently London had to change their Bus Stop Signs because the French couldn't understand???   Well thats what was in the Press anyway... There was this chap who I think was a Teacher... who went around stealing these signs that were going to be destroyed, he got caught and all the signs he had at his home came up for sale at the bus depot in Reigate, we were about to head home on the 'Oriana' so easy for taking lots of stuff on board with us, we'd bought some Welsh furniture and kids stuff so David went off to buy some of these old signs, there was no competition so he bought lots and lots and for about 2 Pounds each he thinks.  We bought home 8 cubic metres of stuff that cost us absolutely nothing because we were on the 'Oriana' at the same time with three kids as well. 

Some of these signs are up on our walls, some have gone to our kids but one hell of a lot of these signs have sat in the garage for many many years... until recently David decided to clean some up and sell!   What a great decision, they are selling for great prices... we will be keeping some though especially the ones in our family room.

Labels: Bus Stop Signs

Three very old London Bus Stop.
 

Labels: 3/2022PAD, Bus Stop Signs

 

Labels: 4/21PAD, Bus Stop Signs

A memory from 1978 came to mind yesterday after some online messaging with Sheila. Late in '78 David and I were getting ready to sail back home to Australia when David saw an article in the Surrey Advertiser about a man who was appearing in court because he had been caught up a ladder unbolting a Bus Stop sign, it was then found that his garage was full of these signs. This man who was reputedly a teacher, was just trying to do his bit to save local heritage as it was the EU who had decreed that Bus Stop signs in the UK had to conform to their standard designs, (Central London was allowed to keep their signs). David went off to London Country Buses in Reigate and bought about 50 of these old signs paying, he thinks about 10 pounds each. We shipped them and some wonderful furniture we'd bought over the two years we'd been living in Guildford plus a few new things as well which made 4 cubic metres in the hold of the 'Oriana' the ship we, along with our three children sailed home on. We still have many of these old signs and here's some photos of our favourites on the walls of our family room, all our four children also have the odd sign in their homes as well. Love these memories.

Labels: Bus Stop Signs