Castle Point Transport Museum Open Day
We were approached at the Orsett Show, with view to us assisting at the Castle Point Transport Museum Open Day, held on Canvey Island. Even though we told the organisers that there was a unit on Canvey Island, they still wanted us to do it for them. So the request was taken on.
There was the offer of a coach laid on for transporting us between Stanford and Canvey, the offer was taken up. The vintage bus turned up and the term “old banger” confusing the age of a vehicle with it's performance was heard for the first time of many that day. The adults mused that the older vehicles were probably better maintained and runners than their modern equivalents and wondered if today's buses would be running in 40, 50 years or more.
We split into 2 groups with one at the museum and one at the car park and vehicle display area on the “seafront”. Canvey Island “seafront” in October is as inviting as it sounds, especially with a wind whipping up the Thames. Good for the wind-surfers but not quite so much fun for those of us stood around in it all day. At least the buses on show offered some protection. The seafront group's task was parking the vintage / historical vehicles as well as the cars turning up, with the customers. It became an interesting scenario between 1030 and 1115, with a number of buses and cars turning up simultaneously. The old adage of waiting ages for a bus then getting 5 turn up at once rang true. It was noted that the display vehicle drivers were a lot more compliant with instructions with respect to where to go than some of the general public.
The museum ran buses between the car park and museum. This is where group two came into play, they had to direct disabled drivers for parking and stamp people’s hands leaving the museum. Although this was quieter in the morning the afternoon was somewhat busier. The reverse of seafront group. The museum building housed a classic car show, static displays and transport memorabilia stalls.
All in all a good day, despite the wind. The squadron was thanked for its endeavours and the invite to assist next year was made, which will be taken up. There was also a £50 donation to squadron funds.