Next in line it was Bob Rowe, a founder member and Custodian Trustee, to talk about the early days of the existence of the Reading Transport Sociey..He recalled going to the first meeting in Highmoor Road on 28 April 1961 and that committee meetings in the early days were often held at his parents’ home in Jubilee Road. He recalled some of the early RTS tours of trolleybus systems and, in particular, one in London two days before the system closed in May 1962, where the tour lasted much longer than they expected which resulted in a late night return to Reading. He also recalled a tour of Maidstone in May 1964. Whilst travelling to Maidstone on ex Reading 47, it developed a puncture in a rear wheel. The group made their way to Maidstone by train whilst 47 was repaired.
Even more bizarre was that whilst on the tour (using Maidstone 52) a stop was made for members to get off and buy an ice cream from a nearby cycle vendor. He was astonished to sell all his ice creams so quickly!!!!