Chairman: A Reflection of 2025
Dear Members, Supporters, and Friends,
As we approach the festive season, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been nothing short of a remarkable year for the Aycliffe and District Bus Preservation Society. 2025 has been a year of energy, transformation, and pride; a year that has truly shaped the future of our society and our newly reborn Aycliffe Bus Museum.
From the arrival of the magnificent Black Prince, to the major reshuffle and revitalisation of our museum collection, every change has brought a new spark of life to our organisation. The museum has evolved into something we can all be deeply proud of, a destination that showcases our heritage, our vehicles, and above all, our passion.
This year, we didn’t just preserve history, we made history.
We hosted our incredible 45th Birthday Bash, a celebration that captured the very spirit of what Aycliffe and District Bus Preservation Society stands for: community, dedication, and enthusiasm. We celebrated hard, we laughed together, and we proved once again that the preservation movement is alive and thriving right here in County Durham.
The spotlight has truly shone on us. We’ve been featured in Bus and Coach Weekly, appeared on ITV X Drama TV, and our name has been spoken about across the UK. People are noticing what we’re doing, and rightly so. Our buses, our museum, and our society are turning heads and inspiring others in the preservation world.
And beyond the museum walls, we’ve hit the road in style, from Whitehaven to Kirkby Stephen, and all the way up to Glasgow (not once, but twice). Each event has shown just how far we’ve come, and how much potential we have yet to unlock.
As we look ahead, 2026 promises to be even more exciting. The journey we’ve begun is only just gathering momentum. There’s so much more we can achieve: more shows, more vehicles, more visitors, and more stories to tell. We must continue to think big, to lead the way, and to make Aycliffe Bus Museum not just the best in the North, but one of the finest preservation societies in all of England.
To our volunteers, members, and supporters, thank you. You are the beating heart of this society. Your time, energy, and belief are what make everything possible. Together, we are building something extraordinary.
As Christmas approaches, I wish you all peace, happiness, and time well spent with loved ones. Let’s raise a glass to the year that’s been, and to the thrilling road that lies ahead.
Aycliffe Bus Museum has been born. The journey has begun. And trust me, we are only just starting.
With warmest wishes,
Alex Willis
Chairman, Aycliffe and District Bus Preservation Society