Fun Day to Mark 50th Anniversary of Reading Trolleybus Closure

EVENTS to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the trolleybus system in Reading are being held this week.

Reading said goodbye to trolleybuses on 3rd November 1968 and the town will be hosting a Jolly Trolley Fun Day between 10am – 3.30pm this Saturday (3rd November) to mark the occasion. A show telling a visual story of the town’s trolleybuses and the Reading streets they served is being held on Friday (2nd November). Visitors will be able to climb aboard Reading’s last trolleybus in Town Hall Square during the Jolly Trolley Fun Day on Saturday. Members of the British Trolleybus Society will be on hand to talk about the history of the town’s trolleybus system alongside a host of family activities. Children will be entertained by balloon crafts, face painting, a stilt-walker and a jolly conductor and a heritage Reading Corporation motorbus will give free rides around the town. Buses will leave from Town Hall Square on the hour from 10am to 2pm. Reading Museum will be staging an ‘On the Trolleybuses’ exhibition of trolleybus artefacts, including models, uniforms, ticket machines, timetables and photos. A complimentary booklet gives a brief history of Reading’s trolleybuses, how they work and the reasons why the system was closed. On Friday 2nd November the British Trolleybus Society will be presenting a free cinè/digital photo show in the Victoria Room in the old Town Hall. The first half will cover the history of the Reading trolleybus system and the second half will be a tour of the town through digital photos showing the vehicles and locations, revealing how much the town has changed over the years. Doors open at 7pm, the show commences at 7.30pm and free tickets must be booked in advance at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/remembering-readings-trolleybuses-tickets-48047993843.

Cllr Sarah Hacker, Lead Councillor for Culture, Heritage and Recreation, said:

“I am sure there are many people with very fond memories of trolleybuses operating in Reading. “These events will give some people a chance to take a nostalgic trip back and for families to have a great day and find out about an important part of Reading’s public transport heritage.” Trolleybuses started operating in Reading in July 1936 and served the town for 32 years. Three trolleybuses made their last ceremonial run from Mill Lane to Tilehurst and back on the afternoon of Sunday 3rd November 1968. Reading Museum and the British Trolleybus Association have arranged activities to mark the 50th anniversary of this event with the support of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Media Contact for the British Trolleybus Society: Dave Hall on 07468 517612 or email at: wiltshireman@aol.com.