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The latest issues of our Digest magazine and Newsletter have been distributed to our members. Digest 136 features a well-illustrated article about DG's Leyland Atlanteans when they were new; NL202 has the latest news on the Devon bus scene and information about upcoming events.

1961 'Sea Dog' convertible open-top Leyland Atlantean 928 GTA 'Sir Humphrey Gilbert' is seen at Kingswear in June 1977. The use of side route boards for the open-top services had been discontinued by this time. Picture credit: Paul Jenkins

The first public event we will be attending in 2025 is the Taunton Vintage Bus Day on Sunday 1st June. We're entering our 1957 AEC Reliance VDV 798 & our 1965 AEC Regent V CTT 513C. As a taster, here's 798 at the Tiverton running day last September. Picture credit: Paul Jenkins

1980 was the final year for Devon General's fleet of AEC Regent Vs, & the Leyland Titans it inherited from Exeter City Transport. One of each type is seen at Exeter coach station in February 1980 - AEC Regent V CTT 513C & Leyland Titan PD2A AFJ 91B. Picture credit: Paul Jenkins

'Sea Dog' Leyland Atlantean 929 GTA 'Sir Richard Grenville' is seen at Newton Road depot in Torquay in April 1981. Its destination blind has been lowered, signifying that it's been converted for one man operation. Picture credit: Paul Jenkins

Pictured at the Strand in Torquay is Weymann-bodied AEC Reliance VDV 793. This was the first of a batch of 14 such vehicles delivered in 1957 (SR793-806). 793 had a long career, being one of the last three of the batch withdrawn in 1972. Picture credit: DGS collection

Plaxton-bodied Bristol RELH6L PDV 412M was reallocated from Minehead to Torquay in May 1980 and took up Devon General fleetnames; it's seen here at Totnes in June 1982. In 1983 it received a 'local coach' livery of white with a poppy red waistband. Picture credit: Paul Jenkins

Two of the coaches transferred to Torquay for the 1980 summer season and given Devon General fleetnames are seen here at the rear of Newton Road depot in September. BDV 400L and BDV 403L are Plaxton-bodied Bristol RELH6Gs. Picture credit: Paul Jenkins

We were delighted to display 3 of our buses to the Merseyside Bus Club during their Devon tour. Our 1937/1953 AEC 'Light Six' Rebuild ETT 995 then conveyed the enthusiasts to South Molton, where they rejoined their coach, Grey Cars AEC Reliance 1 RDV. Picture credit: Paul Jenkins

Last of the 1952 batch, AEC Regent III NTT 679 carried Weymann's prototype 'Aurora' body. Withdrawn in 1965 & saved for preservation in 1967, it's seen here at Exeter's Paris Street coach station in June 1994. NTT 679 was exported to the USA in 2024. Picture credit: Paul Jenkins

1981 ECW-bodied Bristol VRT LFJ 866W carried this overall advertisement for Livery Dole Garage between 1982-84. It's seen in Exeter High Street in April 1982. After that contract expired it carried an advert for Exeter Airport between 1984-85. Picture credit: Paul Jenkins

We are entering two of our buses into the Taunton Vintage Bus Day this Sunday, 1/6/25. You will have a chance to travel on our 1965 AEC Regent V CTT 513C and our 1957 AEC Reliance VDV 798. We hope to see you there!

The first Leyland National to receive Devon General Ltd's new livery was VOD 606S. It's seen at Paris Street bus station in Exeter during the summer of 1986. On 19/8/86, DG became the first of NBC's bus-operating subsidiaries to be privatised. Picture credit: Paul Jenkins

We were delighted to enter 2 of our buses into the Taunton Vintage Bus Day on 1/6/25: 1957 AEC Reliance VDV 798 & 1965 AEC Regent V CTT 513C. Some 400 passenger journeys were made on our buses. Here's a view of CTT 513C at Bishops Lydeard Station. Picture credit: Paul Jenkins

An unusual view of Bristol VRT MOD 573P in Exeter High Street in 1982 during works to lay a new road surface. 573 carried this overall advert for Livery Dole Gararge 1979-1983. The front design was changed early in the contract following an accident. Picture credit: Paul Jenkins

Our 1957 AEC Reliance VDV 798 operated on several rural services at the Taunton Vintage Bus Day on Sunday 1st June 2025. It's seen here about to turn off the A38 towards Bradford-on-Tone whilst running on Service 277. Picture credit: Chris Drew

15/6/25 saw our Members' summer outing - 'A Day around Dartmoor'. 30 members, family & friends travelled on the Devon General Omnibus Trust's 1957 AEC Reliance VDV 798 on a DG route tour from Exeter, visiting Moretonhampstead, Chagford & Okehampton. Picture credit: Terry Bennett

Devon General's AEC Reliances were all withdrawn by the end of 1980. One of the last was TUO 79J, which had been reinstated in September after a period out of use. It's seen here at Belgrave Road depot in Exeter whilst being prepared for service. Picture credit: Paul Jenkins

This coming Saturday 5/7/25, our 1937/53 AEC 'Light Six' Rebuild ETT 995 will be at the Pannier Market in Tiverton, supporting the Food & Craft Market from 0900 - 1400. Our volunteers will be pleased to tell you about the history of this bus & DGOT's work. dgot.org.uk

One of the other AEC Reliances still in service when the Exeter and Mid Devon MAP area service reductions took effect on 30th November 1980 was Willowbrook-bodied LUO 45F. It's seen here at Tiverton Phoenix Lane that month, operating a town service. Picture credit: Paul Jenkins