BACKGROUND HISTORY

Alexander Roberts and his sons Theophilus (Theo) and Herbert Richard started their passenger carrying business when in 1930 they converted one of their coal haulage lorries to convey passengers. After the second world war a number of buses were purchased mainly Bedfords. By this time the business was being run by the two sons. Their main work involved carrying workers to the various collieries in the area. In addition to the workers and schools services the business developed a number of excursion ventures. These were undertaken in their own name and also in conjunction with a holiday company Sunniways from Liverpool. Shortly after Herbert's death in the early 60's Theo expanded the tour side of the business and purchased from Bryn Melyn Motor Services in Llangollen their coaching business and fleet. This is when the business name was changed to the Vale of Llangollen Travel. Theo was later joined in the firm by four of his children who later took over the business when Theo retired. The coaching side of the business expanded with many of the vehicles working for a number of holiday companies including Cosmos and Globus.

In December 1980 the business and fleet of D.C. Jones of Ruabon was purchased. Following de-regulation in 1985 the firm began operating a service route from Wrexham to Cefn Mawr.

The business was formed into the company Vale of Llangollen Travel Limited in 1995. The business later secured an operating base on the outskirts of Chester in Waverton and a number of school contracts were obtained. A distinguishing aspect of the business was that it acquired a number of personal registrations of VT and VLT and these were recycled on a number of vehicles which makes tracing old vehicles a challenge.

The company and most of the fleet were purchased by GHA in April 2008. The depot in Cefn Mawr was not sold but the operating base in Waverton did transfer,

For a while the business operated within the GHA Group as a separate entity but in April 2015 a full merger within the company began.

With thanks to Malcolm Strong for supplying this photograph from the early 1950s  which shows vehicles - Dennis Lancet  III / Yeates GCA15  Bedford OWLD / Mulliner  BUJ759, Bedford OB / Duple Vista DNT 27 (last two Bedfords not identified) with drivers (Left to Right): Stan Davies, Eric Strong*,  ? Eddie Davies,   Joe Cranshaw and  Sammy Davies.  

HISTORIC FLEET LIST

The table below gives a list of all recorded vehicles known to have been with this operator.  I am indebted to David Donati for his dedicated work in compiling this data and enabling me to present it.

In the right hand column - where available - there is a link to a photograph of the vehicle.  The photo will open in a new window.  Links in CAPITAL LETTERS suggest the vehicle is seen when with the operator.

Chassis and body numbers are to be found on the right hand side of the table below. You may need to scroll to see them.

© Ron Hughes and David Donati - any reproduction should give credit to the originator and may require permission.