Walworth Bus Depot Open Day

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by Bryony Harrison (subscribe)

Freelance writer and poet from London; if you would like to read my poetry, please check out my book, 'Poems on the Page', available from goo.gl/Ta4oAX.

Event: 19/07/2014

Could You be a Bus Driver?

year of the bus, walworth bus garage open day, abellio

Image from www.abellio.co.uk

Join the Abellio London bus operators at their Walworth Bus Depot on the 19th July, when they are holding an open day to celebrate the Year of the Bus.

From 1891 - 1950 the site was used for holding electric trams, and called Camberwell Tram Depot, but this was changed to avoid confusion with Camberwell Garage. The bus depot was named Walworth, after its Southwark district, and comes from the Old English 'Wealworth', which means 'Welsh farm'.

While you are unlikely to pet any sheep at the depot, you will have the chance to get up and close with some vintage horse power in the form of London Transport Museum's newly restored B-type bus, and other various old style models. In addition, visitors will be able to take a free trip to Dulwich or Elephant & Castle on a vintage bus.

Jump up and down on a bouncy bus, take a ride through the bus wash, learn about transport safety, and go on a behind-the-scenes tour, where you will find out about the engineering, operations, and history of the depot, such as major repairs after bomb damage from World War Two. The current depot re-opened in 2004 after being fully refurbished with the latest environmental technology including solar panels on the roof.

In a mobile exhibition, find out the story of London buses, and what their future holds, or perhaps yours. Abellio currently have job vacancies available. If you are interested in a career as a bus driver, then you can find out more by talking to staff on the recruitment bus.

Buses are not the only focus of the day; Southwark Model Railway Club are going to display their model railways. There will be plenty of stalls with celebratory merchandise, with all the proceeds going to charity.