Bristol Single Decker

 I grew up on Devon Road in the Whitehall district of east Bristol.  Our home was one of a terrace of five, right next to the bridge over the former LMS/Midland Region line from Birmingham to Bristol.

Devon Road was on a 'bus route which made me think that it was  important.   It was the number 83 bus.

The 83 had more of a peregrination than a route.  It began on Carey's Lane  (now gone) near Old Market.

The journey went through Old Market, St. Phillips, Lawrence Hill, Redfield. Whitehall, Greenbank/Lower Easton, and Eastville.

It took the whole length of Muller Rd from Fishponds Rd. to Gloucester Rd. passing Purdown and entering into Horfield. 

From Gloucester Rd there was a quick run through to Kellaway Ave (Horfield Common), through a bit of Redland, and then to Durham Down and Clifton Down.

At one time it was made a circular route with journeys going from Clifton Down back to Old Market; with buses traveling clockwise and anti-clockwise.

Whatever!   the 83 was my 'bus.

Here's my best memory.  Taking the 83 with Mum from Devon Rd to Carey's Lane, in about 1950.

The single decker 'bus had wooden slatted seats.  I asked Mum why. She said that it was a "utility" bus.  My guess is that there were not enough raw materials in the post WWII period to make the normal seats.

From Carey's Lane Mum took me through Elbroad St to bombed out Castle St; but that's another story.

The 'bus in the photo' is not in Bristol service, but it is of that post war era.