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SponsorTrolley

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SPONSORTROLLEY - Can You Help?

Sponsortrolley is a scheme whereby members who wish to see the BTS trolleybuses restored and operating at Sandtoft (or elsewhere), and who can afford to contribute more than just their membership subscriptions, donate a regular sum of money every month towards their favourite vehicle or vehicles. This is run by David Beach at , who would be happy to hear from you if you would like to sponsor any of the vehicles. You can download a Sponsortrolley Form here. At this time, you will still need to print this, fill it in and then post it to David at the address shown on the form.

What does the BTS gain from this? Membership fees have to be set at a level that can be afforded by the average supporter, including students, unemployed, those with young and growing families, and those retired on minimum pensions. The income from membership fees barely cover the magazine and some of the vehicle storage rent and little is left over for restoration or even routine maintenance costs. However, with the support of sponsors, funds can be raised for the restoration of the non-runners, and the repainting and general upkeep of the existing runners.

What do the sponsors themselves get? There is the pleasure of seeing their name on the list of vehicle supporters (except for those that wish to remain anonymous!) and the knowledge that they are helping to secure the future of an historic vehicle which they are particularly interested in for one reason or another.

Members sponsor a vehicle for one month per year and some sponsors manage to find enough to cover several months or an entire year for one vehicle at this rate. Many members are current taxpayers and have Gift-Aided their donations, which increases their value by about a quarter at no cost to themselves and is hugely worthwhile.

When the scheme started, this was enough to cover storage costs and leave something to spare for restoration. The sponsorship was set at a reasonable £30 per year to cover one month's rent. However, storage of a vehicle at Sandtoft now costs £55 per month, so it has been decided to amend the SponsorTrolley rates. These will now be £60 per year to cover one month (ie. £5 per month from the sponsor), £120 for two months etc. The fleet has had much money spent on it in recent years - please see the details below:

 

Reading 113  was fully restored and returned to service at a cost of £30,000, through the generosity of several members, including 113's sponsors. However, despite the generosity of Sponsortrolley members, not all the rent is covered on this vehicle. There are four £60 gaps that still need sponsoring just to pay the rent for the year.

Glasgow TB78  was next in line after 113 and required both bodywork and mechanical attention. Following completion of the work TB78 was repainted and returned to service during the Spring Bank Holiday 2001. Again, despite the generosity of Sponsortrolley members, not all the rent is covered on this vehicle. There are four £60 gaps that still need sponsoring just to pay the rent for the year.

Bournemouth 99   required a replacement traction motor which was eventually purchased. Following attention to the bodywork she re-entered service at Sandtoft in 2003. There are two £60 gaps that still need sponsoring just to pay the rent for the year. 2007 saw her withdrawal again for further work on the bodywork and brakes, but hopefully this won't take too long.

London 1812  required much restoration work to be carried out, including conversion back from right-hand running, and this was eventually started in 1999. This major project was finally completed in 2001, in time for her re-launch into service at the Spring Bank Holiday of that year. Two years ago it was discovered that the differential had too much slack in it, leading to excessive wear, so her operating days were scaled down and she was ultimately taken out of service.

New differentials were produced by David Brown's and 1812 returned to the operational fleet at the Sandtoft ‘Gathering’ at the end of July 2006. The rent for this vehicle is covered by the generosity of Sponsortrolley members although there are no extra funds going in towards maintenance.

South Shields 204  was next in line for the ‘treatment’. Having been kept in outside storage during its early years in preservation the bodywork deteriorated badly. Since arrival at Sandtoft in 1969, 204 languished at the back of the depot awaiting its turn which finally arrived in 2003. The rent for this vehicle is almost covered by the generosity of Sponsortrolley members (one gap to fill) although there are no extra funds going in for maintenance.

Aachen 22 has had further work done, after effort went in to its electrics to get it running in 2005. The door mechanisms have also had attention. However, the body, being in steel, is in a poor state of repair and requires quite a bit of work, so although it is operational, it is not fit for public service. It is hoped it will see some out-of-hours action in 2008. This vehicle's rent is covered by sponsorship, but there is no surplus for restoration - support is invited to further that aim.

Cardiff 203  is the next vehicle to be fully restored, in memory of Mike Dare and Geoff Griffiths. A separate appeal has been made for funds towards the restoration. Click here for details. There are currently four £60 gaps that still need sponsoring just to pay the rent for the year.

If you require further details on any of our trolleys, please consult our Fleet Pages.

The Sponsortrolley situation with regards to the other BTS vehicles is as follows:

Walsall 872 – Five £60 gaps still to be filled.

Mexborough & Swinton 34 - Four £60 gaps still to be filled.

Walsall 342 – Four £60 gaps still to be filled.

Huddersfield 631 – One £60 gap still to be filled.

Reading 47 (motorbus) – Four £60 gaps still to be filled.

With five comparative wrecks substantially rebuilt in the last seven years it is obvious that progress can be made, but it does depend on the support of Sponsortrolley members to a large extent. If you feel that you could assist us with sponsorship of any of the above vehicles, particularly those that are less well sponsored, or you require further details, please email David Beach at , or post this downloadable form.