Derbyshire regiments recently returned from active service in Afghanistan paraded through Chesterfield town centre during the early afternoon, which produced a little bit of 'unintended consequences' in respect of our local public transport. As the time of the parade approached at 2.30pm, the pavements of Rose Hill from the Town Hall and through Knifesmithgate were swelled with flag-waving well-wishers and proud relatives. But until the actual parade commenced buses on the routes that served these roads were allowed to continue in service and only suspended or diverted for a short while. However, it did provide the sight of them passing along the respective streets amid the crowds and the waiting service personnel. Also, the Town Hall steps saw the Mayor and many other civic dignitaries in attendance and along with the various flags of the British Legion and other institutions again provided a backdrop for the passing buses. Anyone on the buses unaware of the proceedings must surely have wondered what was occurring. Upon their return from the march through the town centre, Rose Hill in front of the Town Hall was closed to through traffic for a while and presented a most unusual sight not seen for some while, with buses operated under Police instruction to travel the 'wrong' way up Rose Hill East between Rose Hill and Saltergate. Also present were several coaches that had transported the troops and the military band.

Images below include two of the Procters coaches (a Scania Irizar and an unidentified one, the bodywork possibly of Plaxton origin), along with a selection of local Stagecoach buses that passed through, including one travelling the 'wrong' way along Rose Hill East.

Daniel Sellers replies (20 March 2010): Tony Wilson's photo of the unidentified Plaxton coach is a tri-axle Volvo B12T / Plaxton Excalibur.

Duncan Bingham replies (20 March 2010): The tri axle Plaxton is actually TSU 646, not what the caption says (sorry - corrected). It is a Volvo B12 new in 2002 and originally registered NL52 WUO with Redby's in the North East.

Stagecoach 47320 at Rose Hill

Stagecoach 34050 at Rose Hill East

Stagecoach 35023 at Rose Hill

Stagecoach 33837 at Rose Hill East

Procter's SN08 CNF at Rose Hill West

Procter's TSU 646 at Rose Hill West

(C) Tony Wilson. All photographs the property of Tony Wilson. Not to be copied without permission.