West Midland Transport Circle

The West Midlands Transport Circle - A Brief History

The West Midlands Transport Circle was founded in 1968 and incorporated the Wolverhampton Trolleybus Group. For several years previously there had been an acrimonious dispute between some of the Wolverhampton Bus enthusiasts over trolleybus preservation. With the problem hopefully behind us, it was suggested that a new society might help to heal the rift and bring everyone together on a friendly footing. In view of the dispute the founder members made a very firm decision that the WMTC would not be involved in preservation, and this ruling still applies today.

Our first Secretary was David Smith, who played a leading role in founding the Circle. The Chairman (until 1970) was the late Dr Roy Clark. Our first meeting was held at Compton Grange Adult Education Centre in Compton Road West in March 1968 and ever since then we have met regularly to enjoy talks, film shows, slide shows etc, on a variety of different transport subjects.

In theory the Circle covers all types of Transport, but in practice the majority of our meetings have inevitably focussed on buses and railways. However, we have also had excellent presentations on canals, cars, commercial vehicles, aircraft amd many other aspects of transport.

A remarkable range of speakers have willingly come along to talk to us, many of them giving their services free. Well-known personalities have included Patrick Whitehouse OBE, Alan Townsin and W A Camwell.

Several transport authors have also visited us including Michael Hale, Malcolm Keeley, John Seale, Ray Coxon and Graham Sidwell.

We have also enjoyed numerous outside visits, sometimes using hired buses of various types. Our very first trip was at Easter 1968 when we travelled to the Severn Valley Railway and the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway on board Wolverhampton 531, driven by the late Vic Dunton, who became a Circle member. Other visits in those early days included Crich Tramway Museum (1971, 1974), Wolverhampton Power Signalbox (1972) and Birmingham Railway Museum (1973). Sadly, some trips had to be cancelled owing to lack of support, so our excursions became less frequent.

However in November 1980 there were two in quick succession. We had a weekday visit to Metro-Cammell where we saw now long scrapped WMPTE Metrobuses being built. Then on a frosty Sunday we enjoyed a tour on the Green Bus Guy Arab IV. The mid-1980s saw two visits to Midland Red’s Carlyle Road Works, of which no trace remains today.

Since about 1994 the Circle has organised visits in most years. These have included Aston Manor Transport Museum, The Merry Hill Monorail, Park Lane Garage, Cannock bus garage, North Birmingham Busways, Chase Buses and several other venues. In every case we have received a friendly welcome.

For quite a few years, we were able to keep the membership subscription at 5s (25p). Meetings were held at Compton Grange for 23 years until a drastic increase in the room hire charge forced us to move. We found a new venue at Bradmore Community Centre.

The late Bernard Minton became Chairman in 1970, and held the post with distinction for over 30 years. His quiet but firm leadership was a tremendous asset to the Circle. He was also an excellent speaker and treated us to memorable talks on Post Office vehicles, registration numbers and other subjects.

Membership numbers have always flutuated, but nowdays tend to be around the 20 mark. Non-members frequently swell the numbers and on a few occasions we have had attendances around 40. Inevitably over the years several members have passed away and they are all sadly missed.

Robin Oliver May 2008.