Events planned for 2012

Unless otherwise stated, normal admission charges apply, and members are admitted free.

Free bus rides at each listed event (apart from the Films Evening).

Do please note that free bus rides are always subject to availability and to weather conditions.

Sunday 11 March It is 25 years since the inauguration of the Oxford Tube express service from Oxford to London. To commemorate the event, a history has been written by Malcolm Crowe, and today sees the launch of his book at the Museum. He will be present to sign copies, and the publishers, Bus & Coach Preservation, will have a stall. One or more of the past and present Oxford Tube coaches will be on site to give rides, and there will also be rides on buses from the Museum’s collection. Bus rides will leave from the Museum on the hour from 1100 to 1500, following one of three different routes.

Sunday 18 March Mothers’ Day. Free admission for any mother accompanied by a paying child (of any age!).

Saturday 24 March Members’ visit to the museum of the Birmingham and Midlands Motor Omnibus Trust at Wythall, departing from the Museum at 1000. Members will have received details in Bus Lane.

Sunday 1 April Our regular free bus rides start today – and this year, they are more frequent than ever before. On the first and third Sunday of each month from now until October, a bus from the collection will leave the Museum at midday and 3 o’clock for a free ride. Come along and sample (or remember!) what bus travel was like 50 years ago.

Sunday 8 April Easter chick hunt. Come and find the chicks hidden around the Museum; a chocolate egg is the prize for every child with a completed score sheet. Members pay half price for admission to this event.

Sunday 15 April Free bus rides today; see 1 April for details.

Sunday 6 May Free bus rides today; see 1 April for details.

Saturday 12 May Model and collectors’ exhibition, presented by the Museum and the Witney Model and Collectors’ Club. A two day event.

Sunday 13 May The model and collectors’ exhibition continues.

Sunday 27 May Teddy bear day. Free admission for any child bringing his or her teddy bear.

Sunday 3 June Free bus rides today; see 1 April for details.

Sunday 17 June Fathers’ Day. Free admission for every father accompanied by a paying child – young or old.

Sunday 1 July Free bus rides today; see 1 April for details.

Sunday 15 July Free bus rides today; see 1 April for details.

Sunday 5 August Free bus rides today; see 1 April for details.

Sunday 19 August Free bus rides today; see 1 April for details.

Sunday 2 September Free bus rides today; see 1 April for details.

Saturday 8 September Once again the Museum’s buses will be out on the streets of Oxford as part of the Oxford Open Doors contribution to the Heritage Open Days programme. Take a free bus ride through the City, stopping near some of the participating attractions. For a timetable of services to be operated, visit this website nearer the time.

Sunday 16 September Free bus rides today; see 1 April for details.

Sunday 7 October Free bus rides today; see 1 April for details. This will be the last of the regular rides this year, but come along to the rally in a fortnight for free rides all day long, on a variety of buses.

Sunday 21 October Bus and classic vehicle rally. The annual gathering of buses and other classic vehicles. Those wishing to bring a vehicle are invited to download an entry form by clicking here. Sales stalls will be located at the Museum; an application form can be downloaded here. Visitors should please note that there will be NO PARKING at the Museum other than for disabled badge holders; all other visitors must park at the rally site at the northern end of Kidlington Airport. Access is from the A4095, a very short distance from the Bladon roundabout, heading in the direction of Bicester. The nearest postcode is OX20 1QF. A frequent free vintage bus service will operate to take visitors from the rally ground to the Museum; the journey time is less than 10 minutes. The timetable will be posted here nearer the time.

This is the major event in the Museum’s calendar, giving visitors the opportunity of unlimited journeys throughout the day on vintage buses. Sales stalls are located at the Museum, which is open as usual.

Tuesday 30 October Films evening. Another evening of vintage transport and travel films presented by Alan Willmott, formerly of British Transport Films. These films date from the ‘40s to the ‘70s, and although they are all taken from a transport angle, you certainly don’t need to be an enthusiast to enjoy these superb period snapshots of social history. Visit this page nearer the time to view the programme. Tickets will be available from the Museum shop; phone 01993 883617 during opening hours, and 01296 337622 at other times for details. (Please note that this is the only public event in this calendar when there will be no free bus ride.)

Saturday 1 December Members’ Annual General Meeting. The formal business commences at mid-day, followed by a finger buffet, and then a presentation by one of our members. Full details will be in the final 2012 issue of Bus Lane.

Saturday 15 December Santa returns. His visits to the Museum are so popular that one of last year’s visitors wrote a letter to the Oxford Mail, asking that he should be thanked for such a warm welcome! Once again he and his elves will be in the grotto on board his special bus, to greet children, who for £3.00 in addition to the usual admission charge can visit him and receive a super Christmas present. (Children who are members pay £3.00, but no admission charge.)

Sunday 16 December Another Santa day; see Saturday 15 December for details.

Tuesday 1 January 2013 After being stuck indoors watching television for so long, or trailing round the shops, here is somewhere different to finish off the long Christmas break. The Museum will be open today, with free bus rides at midday and 3 o’clock.

Further information about these events may be posted nearer the time. Any variation to the above particulars will be advertised on this web page.  So do visit this website regularly!