Vintage bus gets on board for parade
40 FLOATS AND BIG WHEEL TO FEATURE IN CARNIVAL
A DOUBLE-decker bus which was a favourite with Grimsby and Cleethorpes passengers will be among the stars of Cleethorpes Carnival parade.
Built in 1976 and owned by Grimsby-Cleethorpes Transport (GCT) for almost 30 years, the open-top bus will return home to take part in the Armed Forces Carnival Parade on Friday, June 24.
Although delivered new to GCT in December 1976, it wasn’t until January 1977 when the bus, given fleet number 113 and registered MBE 613R, that it entered service.
Bus 113 operated all the main bus routes in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham – including the 9X to Waltham, 3F to the Nunsthorpe, 45 to Immingham Docks and 4 to Laceby Acres – until the sale of GCT to Stagecoach in 1993.
The bus had its roof removed and converted into open-top formation for the summer season of 1994 and would operate route 17 to the Fitties Chalet Park and burgeoning Thorpe Park via Pleasure Island theme park for the following 12 years. Although withdrawn and transferred away from Grimsby in 2005, the bus remained owned by Stagecoach and acted as a publicity vehicle based at its Chesterfield depot.
In August 2017, the bus was purchased from Stagecoach for private preservation, and since then has been restored to wear the orange and white livery that GCT introduced in 1987.
GCT 113, along with some other locally preserved buses, will take part in the Armed Forces Day Carnival Parade, between Grant Street Car Park and the Boating Lake in Cleethorpes. There are around 40 floats taking part in the parade which is due to leave Grant Street car park, towards Alexandra Road at 6pm.
Businesses and local groups have been given the chance to showcase their services and staff by taking part in the parade. Some will gather from noon to prepare their floats in the Grant Street car park ready for the first Carnival parade in more than five years. Already preparing for the display are, Phillips66, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, marching bands and local dance and drama groups.
The parade will then make its way
from Grant Street to Alexandra Road, where it will pass a panel of judges at The Knoll deciding on the best floats.
In true carnival tradition, Millie Alice Sayers, seven, will be Princess for a day and ride on a BMW convertible. The carnival will also include a carousel and The Big Wheel will offer the best views of the resort when it is built next to Cleethorpes Leisure Centre.
The Carnival Parade will end at The Boating Lake and herald the
start of live entertainment on a large stage. There will be another parade of military assets on Saturday before two days of air displays, including The Red Arrows and RAF Typhoons and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The Armed Forces weekend is a salute to our Armed Forces.
On the weekend there will be a zip wire for fun rides, games and Zorb Balls on the beach. Royal Marines will display a bungee run too. There will be a large firework display on Saturday evening in Cleethorpes.
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