Provincial Society Shop

This A5 format booklet with 40 pages of text and black and white photographs is the result of years of research by the author who is a member of the Provincial Society. For the enthusiast who wants to know the detail about each vehicle, this is ideal. The fleet number, registration number, chassis no, bodywork, seating and dates of arrival and disposal are some of the regular features for every bus and coach during the period covered. In addition, Stewart has included special reference to any special feature or alteration to the vehicle. His studies are based on company and tax records. The book is set out in chronological order for ease of research. Published in 2004. 'Reprinted Dec. 2011

10 copies NOW IN STOCK

 £5 + p&p      Exclusive to the Provincial Society

Buses cannot smile!      (Provincial Paper No 6)

Fred York's photographic biography

Another in the Provincial Papers series, this A5 book tells the story of Fred York’s photographic biography from his early days in Birmingham to the operations of Gosport & Fareham Omnibus Company. Fred is a well known member of the society. What may not be so well known is his wide ranging hobby of photographing buses in Singapore, Malta and UK over several decades. Bearing in mind the demand for Fred’s atmospheric photographs, a careful selection has been incorporated to show his own biography from trams in the Midlands to the unique Deutz double deckers in Gosport and Fareham.

PROVINCIAL’S RELLS     (Provincial Paper No. 7)

by Terry Lawson

Continuing in the series of Provincial Papers, this A5 book concentrates on the Bristol RELLs used by Provincial. There is a mixture of 36 black & white and colour photographs illustrating the story behind the vehicle type, familiar around the streets of Gosport and Fareham in the 1970s and 1980s. Within the book, which is the author’s personal account of the RELLs, is a comprehensive history of the seventeen which were part of the Provincial fleet.

Strangers in town    ( Provincial Paper No. 8 )

By Fred York 

Another in the Provincial Papers series by Fred York, this A5 book illustrates the days of south coast express coaches using the A27 through Fareham between 1957 and 1984. There are 34 pages with 57 large black and white photographs taken by the author. 

£6. 50  +  p & p      Exclusive to the Provincial Society

People’s Provincial Fleet History     (Provincial Publication No 1)

This well researched and illustrated Provincial Publication will be the next A4 book to be released in this series. It covers all the details of each bus which appeared in the People’s Provincial fleet from the beginnings to the end of operations. Carefully researched by a team of society members – Roy Jetten, Stephen Didymus and Mal Saltmarsh – this will be a comprehensive record of all that is known today. Excellent photographs illustrate each vehicle type and each bus has a complete record from its acquisition to its withdrawal from the fleet plus subsequent ownership where known. It has taken many years to compile and the authors would like to publish it as part of the Provincial range. There are over one hundred pages of interesting facts which have been double checked by Robert Smith who keeps prolific records of all local bus operators.

£15.00 + p&p       Exclusive to the Provincial Society

£10.00 + £1.24(p&p)       Exclusive to the Provincial Society

Bus Rapid Transit     (Provincial Publication No 3)

Bus Rapid Transit by Fred York tells the story of the transport links on the Gosport & Fareham peninsula since 1841. It is an A4 format with a mixture of 52 black & white and colour pictures and illustrations in 60 pages revealing the background to the BRT from the first concept of using the former railway line for a tram to the eventual arrival of BRT in April 2012. In addition, there are background details of the trams in their heyday and the railway line when in operation. For enthusiasts and residents alike, this well-researched book by a local authoritative transport historian will provide fascinating reading into the changing needs of the peninsula over the past two centuries.

£10 + P&P   Available from this online shop or  First Travel Shops in Fareham & Gosport from 22 April

Society members receive four Provincial Press magazines each year – published in March, June, September and December. Surplus magazines are available to non-members at a special rate.

Each magazine is glossy with a mixture of black and white and colour photographs and interesting articles covering all periods from the early tram days to the current news. Click here for example pages.

A5 format, 23 pages with a single photograph on the cover. Inside each cover, there is an index of articles featured in the magazine as well as the names of the committee and trustees of the charity. Published quarterly since July 2003.

At present, the following back copies are available:

£2. 50 + p&p      Exclusive to the Provincial Society

A faithfully reproduced G&FOC timetable from 1934. A sixteen page fold-up leaflet with details of fares, routes and times plus interesting adverts. On sale from 6 March onwards for price of £2.00 + normal letter rate 1st class postage.

Available for members only

Provincial cards (pack of 6)

Binders for 12 copies of 'Provincial Press' or any other A5 Provincial booklet.

£6.50 each plus p&p

Limited copies of the 2010 and 2011 rally programme

£2.50 each including p&p

Good quality second-hand softback copy of Patrick Miller's: 'The Gosport & Fareham story' available for £10 post free.

ONE COPY ONLY    SOLD

£10.00 including p&p