SponsorTrolley (Updated on 14 December 2011)

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 sponsortrolley@britishtrolley.org.uk , 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 can sponsor a vehicle for one month per year for a donation of £60, normally paid in instalments of £5 per month by standing orders, though annual donations by cheque are also welcome. Some sponsors manage to cover extra months by donating £10, £15 or £20 per month and so on. 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.

• 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. Thanks to the generosity of Sponsortrolley members, including Beryl Dare who donated several months before she became ill, all the rent is covered on this vehicle. When Beryl’s advance donation runs out we will no doubt be asking for new sponsors!

• 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 two £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. 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. South Shields 204 has now been beautifully restored to operating condition. The rent for this vehicle is almost covered by the generosity of Sponsortrolley members, with one gap to fill, and thus 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 further work carried out in the not too distant future. This vehicle's rent is currently covered by sponsorship, with some surplus funds for restoration. 

• Cardiff 203 was fully restored and relaunched into service at Sandtoft over the 2010 Spring Bank Holiday. Thanks to Sponsortrolley members its rental costs are covered at present.

• Manchester 1344 returned to BTS ownership in 2010 and has since been completely restored. It was recommissioned at Sandtoft over the Spring Bank Holiday 2011 as part of the BTS’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Sponsors are urgently needed for this vehicle, as six months remain unsponsored and thus the rental costs constitute a considerable drain on the society’s resources.

• Walsall 872 – Has been internally restored by three BTS members whilst residing at the Aston Manor Transport Museum. It was returned to Sandtoft in May 2011 to take part in the BTS’s 50th anniversary celebrations although only as a static exhibit . It is due to be taken to Swindon in late December 2011 where the internal seating will be re-upholstered and it will be externally repainted. It is hoped to return this fine vehicle back to passenger service at Sandtoft later in 2012. One £60 gap still to be filled.

• Mexborough & Swinton 34 - Three £60 gaps to be filled

• Walsall 342 – Four £60 gaps to be filled

• Huddersfield 631 - Currently all rent costs are sponsored but funds need to be raised to permit repainting of this reliable trolleybus in due course, so additional sponsorship would be welcome.

• Reading 47 (motorbus) - Three £60 gaps to be filled

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

With a number of our trolleybuses having been fully restored in recent 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 sponsortrolley@britishtrolley.org.uk , or post this downloadable form.

Click here to get a copy of Adobe PDF Reader if you do not already have a copy.