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One of the delights of Red Rover's rural network was the redoubtable Mrs Kirby. She lived in a cottage near Ashendon on the Wednesdays and Saturdays only route 3 Market Day service from Brill to Aylesbury. She would board the bus both days on its outward journey to Brill, then travel back past her front door all the way to Aylesbury and repeat the journey in reverse on the afternoon return trip. She was well known to all the passengers and drivers and at the centre of local gossip on the bus as she greeted most of the regulars. Drivers would always help her off the bus with her shopping, usually carrying it and hooking the bag on her front door. There was a change in the route at one point to save an afternon bus. Springhill Prison visiting days were also Wednesdays and Saturdays and whilst visitors travelled out on the 1230h Bicester service a bus was sent out in service at 1530h to bring visitors back. The solution was to divert the Brill bus back to Aylesbury via the prison, meaning Mrs Kirby could no longer travel all the way to Brill and back to Ashendon in the afternoon, however she was put in charge of route learning! Sadly she was admitted to Stoke Mandeville Hospital and passed away, but several drivers went to visit her there during her illness.
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National 153 on LINKLINE 9 to the Hospital is seen on the expanding Haydon Hill estate
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Ex Portsmouth 114 (KCR114P) has temporary route information in the windscreen at the launch of Tring Town Service 27. |
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Another view of 154 headed to Aylesbury Bus Station.
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Route 28 was another enterprising service this time to Haddenham's Sunday Market from Aylesbury and operated in conjunction with the Market promoter. The promoter also organised Wendover Market and that too was served by special Red Rover Market Day services. National 154 is seen at the Haddenham Market.
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