2022 saw the fiftieth and final running of Showbus held at Hertfordshire Showground. The first running of what has become the Countries premier event for buses and coaches was held at Brunel University in 1973 and since then has been held at a number of locations including Thorpe Park, Woburn Abbey, Duxford, Donington Park and finally Hertfordshire Showground.  

Themes for the fiftieth event were Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and fiftieth anniversary of the Leyland National bus. Buses and coaches from all around the Country of all ages gathered for the event making an impressive display.  

As well as the vehicles on display there was also a large trade area where anything related to the bus and coach industry could be bought including models, books, films, uniform, parts and bus stops. 

At the end of the event a number of awards were presented;

Premier Operator Award – Sharpes of Nottingham

Shillibeer Award – Go Ahead Northern 1985 ECW Olympian

Doyen Singledeck – Whittle’s 1957 Burlingham Seagull Leyland Tiger Cub

Doyen Doubledeck – Delaine East Lancs Volvo Olympian

Best Modern Bus – Dews MCV Volvo 

Best Modern Coach – Blakes Coaches Irizar i6S

Best Pre 1950 – No contender

Best 1951-1959 – London Transport RLH69 

Best 1960-1969 – Dukeries Plaxton-Bedford VAL14

Best 1970-1979 – Eastern National ECW-Bristol RELL6G 

Best 1980-1989 – Johnsons Plaxton-Volvo B58

Best 1990-1999 – Arriva London Alexander DLA1-DAF

Best 2000-2009 – Orbit Coaches Van Hool Altano 

Best 2010-2019 – Stagecoach Oxfordshire Alexander Enviro 400MMC-Dennis 

Event Galleries 

One – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.798579585603336&type=3

Two – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.798591992268762&type=3

Gary Malkin