Big Blue Bus

Image: © Neil Owen Taken: 9 Feb 2015

This is Lottie, the familiar playbus that tours around the local community to offer safe play sessions to the children. Today Lottie is in Timsbury's Conygre Hall park. The first bus was started by enthusiastic volunteers in 1985; a bequest by Dorothy Melhuish set up a fund to buy an old double decker in Bath. 'Bertha' began as a mobile clinic, but with further input by other organisations she also offered a coffee bar, advice and exhibition space. In 1991, the organisation separated and achieved charitable status. 'Bertha' became too frail and was replaced by 'Doris' in 1994 and sought funding from many different sources, including some television appearances. The group running the bus also changed again in 1999, renaming itself as the Community Bus and reflected the increased range it covered. However, it became clear that more needed doing and hence a third bus was purchased in 2003; funded partly from the National Lottery, she is named 'Lottie'. The group reorganised once more in order to put itself in line for more help from the various financial possibilities. The original setup also went, dissolving the old unincorporated charity and transferring all assets and activities to a new Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The Big Blue Bus is a double decker, fully converted as a mobile community centre, kitted out with a kitchen, toilet, 240V electricity, lighting, heating, carpeted seating area, sensory toys, library and messy play area. It primarily allows children of school age to play in a safe environment; it also allows parents a chance to brush up on vital skills too.

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