I am currently writing a history of “Independent Bus Operators in Derbyshire” and one of the firms I will be covering is Bull of Tideswell. I was wondering if any of your readers might be able to help me as information is rather thin on the ground.
The book is restricted to those companies which operated local bus services, so my main focus would be on the firm’s history between 1945 and 1964. So far I have been unable to find a single photograph of a vehicle owned by Bull’s during this period, so if any of your readers have photographs these would be particularly welcome.
I believe that George Bull (who according to various records was born in 1926) bought the business from a Mr J Buckley in 1945 – this seems rather early in his life to be going into business, so if anyone can provide some background information it would be very useful.
There also seems to be some doubt about the date when Bull’s “station bus” to Millers Dale ceased to operate. I know that the station closed to passenger traffic in 1964, but one correspondent has suggested that Bull’s service ceased sometime before then. Does anybody have a long memory?
Lastly, I would welcome contact with any surviving members of George and Mavis Bull’s family as they could certainly help to fill in some of the gaps in my research.
Anybody who provides assistance will receive a free copy of the book when it is published by Venture Publications of Glossop later this year – the 160 pages will contain details of 20 well-remembered operators including the original Hulley of Baslow and Silver Service, along with nearly 200 photographs (35 in colour) and retail at £18.99.
I enjoyed looking at your blog – after my native Lancashire the county of Derbyshire is easily my favourite area of Britain. I spent many weekends roaming around the Peak in my more energetic youth, and travelling on the local buses to get there is probably what led me to my present interest in lesser-known rural bus operators.
Thank you for your time, and I hope that you can suggest some sources of information.
Neville Mercer