TWOPENNY SINGLE TO STARBECK

Early Public Transport in the Harrogate area

by Trevor M Leach

Just over a century ago, public transport in the Harrogate area was confined to a few irregular horse-drawn services within the Borough. Over a period of only 30 years, these were replaced by a comprehensive network of regular services, run by the latest petrol-engined omnibuses, serving not just the town of Harrogate but also reaching nearby towns. 

The story of how this came about is one of triumph over adversity by local entrepreneurs and has never before been fully told. This book is therefore a valuable addition to the documented history of Harrogate. It is based on many years of research using Council minutes, local newspapers, library records, personal reminiscences and, most of all, the original ledgers and Minute Books of the Companies concerned. Starting with a summary of early stage coaches and local horse bus operations, it goes on to cover in detail the period from the end of the Nineteenth Century through to the formation of the West Yorkshire Road Car Company at the end of 1927. Within its pages, the personalities of those far-off days come to life again to give a human interest that is so often lacking in books of this nature. It is a tale of both financial stringency and steady expansion, leavened with the occasional pathos, humour and summary dismissal, and describes in detail how the various Companies operated at first separately but gradually amalgamated to become a single major transport undertaking.

Within the 204 good quality A4 pages are a fine selection of 120 photographs which cover both the detail of the vehicles and the townscape of the time. These are complemented by contemporary advertisements whilst in addition to the detailed text, a comprehensive set of appendices provide all the facts and figures and help to make it appeal equally to the local historian and the transport enthusiast.

NOW AVAILABLE AT A SPECIAL PRICE OF JUST £2.50 plus £4.50 POSTAGE AND PACKING - A HUGE REDUCTION ON THE PUBLISHED PRICE OF £14.99 - IT REPRESENTS EVEN BETTER VALUE. 

IN ADDITION WE CURRENTLY HAVE A VERY SMALL STOCK (AS IN SINGLE COPIES!) OF THE FOLLOWING LONG OUT OF STOCK PUBLICATIONS, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS:-

a) WEST YORKSHIRE INFORMATION SERVICE "THE HISTORY OF KEIGHLEY-WEST YORKSHIRE SERVICES LTD" (1932-1974)

b) PSV CIRCLE FLEET HISTORY PB14 "WEST YORKSHIRE ROAD CAR COMPANY PART 1 (1906 TO 1934)

c) PSV CIRCLE FLEET HISTORY PB12 "WEST YORKSHIRE ROAD CAR COMPANY PART 2 (1935 TO 1975)

All are £2.50 plus £2.50 postage and packing.

All these publications are obtainable, at the prices shown, from the West Yorkshire Information Service, 8 High Cote, W.Riddlesden, KEIGHLEY, BD20 5DQ.