 At one of the meetings of his local history group, the Normandy Historians, our secretary, with assistance from the ADBIG editor and chairman, together with David Taylor displaying his fathers' uniform whilst the latter was a driver at Elstead Out Station, delivered a synopsis of the main bus service passing through the village.
For most years the number 20 (Aldershot - Ash Station - Wyke - Normandy - Rydes Hill - Guildford) served the village largely sited upon the main A323 road. Speaking to a non-omnibological audience the various vehicle shots shown were exhibited largely in a routeing ordered sequence. Sounds easy? Not necessarily so, especially as so much alteration over the years had been made in both the main towns, namely Aldershot and Guildford. Some pertinent points in the history of the '20' were recalled- the number not exhibited upon the buses until late 1920.Important dates in the 20's history were Important dates in the 20’s history were incorporated, where appropriate:- Wednesday 6th March 1940 - introduction of double decker operation between Farnborough, Town Hall, Aldershot and Ash Street Kings Head (service 20C). Monday 5th November 1945 - Increased service to every 15 minutes (from every 30 minutes) between Fairlands Estate and Guildford Park Street. Monday 1st August 1949 - At last- introduction of double deckers to the service. These were 51 seat Dennis Lance K3 vehicles, a welcome relief in capacity above the hitherto 32 seat Dennis Lancet J3’s. Thursday, 11th May 1950 - Opening of Farnham Road Bus Station in Guildford, taking buses from the congestion caused for so many years in Park Street/Technical Institute. Monday 30th May 1960 - This was the day when at last a quarter hour service existed right through between Aldershot and Guildford. Some timings commenced at Farnborough as service 20C.
For many years, especially during the war years, capacity was at a premium and it was necessary to provide excessive duplication, dependent upon vehicles and staff being available. The advent of larger capacity vehicles in 1949, and in 1958 with the introduction of 68 seater Dennis Lolines eased the situation, but even so, it was still not possible to banish all the ‘dups’. When the story had ultimately reached the two bus stations in Guildford, namely Farnham Road and Onslow Street it was time for the ‘audience’ to partake of their refreshments. The final picture exhibited was the 20 on its’ stand in the Onslow Street station, with a vista of the former Friary Brewery in the background. Ironically, it was of Loline 357 (SOU 465) currently owned by the secretary!
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