LOST INDEPENDENTS

Today it's time to hark back to the glory of the independent operators of the past, so many have disappeared over the last 30 years i can remember a time when the Old Cattle Market on Tuesday market day was awash with many varied companies now lost in time. First picture from 1973 illustrates Grey Green Leyland Leopard/Plaxton PGW 659L in Great Yarmouth, started originally by George Ewer in 1885 the company got taken over in 1980 by the Cowie Group in what is now Arriva, the depot in Ipswich remains today as a Car washing facility. Theobald Coaches started from the ashes of Corona Coaches of Acton and survived to the early 1990's when it was taken over by Beestons, services were centred around Long Melford, seen at the depot in the early 1970's is an ex Halifax AEC Regent V/MCW LJX 16 while alongside is ACF 558L an Bedford YRQ/Willowbrook.