Sunday 3 May saw our third annual running day start off under a cloud with a variable weather forecast. Volunteers went to Barry in the pouring rain. However, many enthusiasts arrived early along with the stall holders. The rain stopped and at 10:30 sharp Caerphilly UDC 32 Leyland Titan took the first trip around Barry. At 11:00 Islwyn 37 Leyland Leopard left for Penarth and 15 minutes later, a surprise for many as Grey Cars TCR960 AEC Reliance from Devon took a full coach load to Atlantic Depot for a chance to see our collection not normally accessible to the public. Here special rules applied as no under 18s could go, nor would visitors be allowed to walk outside the building.
At 11:30 National Welsh HR8215 Leyland Olympian took a trip around Barry, then Neath & Cardiff PTX830F AEC Reliance took a queue for Rhoose. The sun properly came out, and if by magic families with young children could be seen just in time for the 12:30 departure by open top City of Cardiff 434 Guy Arab. This and other departures were full including Caerphilly UDC 36 Leyland Titan to Penarth and Western Welsh 1370 Leyland Tiger Cub to Rhoose.
A whisper went around mid-afternoon that our latest arrival Stagecoach 792 Volvo B10M would make its first trip in its new heritage status and it departed at 13:30 for a trip around Barry pleasing many of its passengers!
The sun was kind to our visitors but by the time of our last departure at 16:30 by the National Welsh Leyland Olympian the clouds were back. The Saturday before being very wet and the early morning rain probably contributed to our visitor numbers just a touch down on last year. Our stall and the canteen did well and all our volunteers had another successful day. What was interesting was having visitors from Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Kent coming to Barry!
