We had a great time at Detling on Saturday 6th April - even if the weather didn't play ball. It was a fairly nice morning when we left HQ but as we got closer to the Kent County Showground it got darker and darker and finally a light drizzle set in soaking everyone and everything quickly.
We'd decided to take Paul's bus - MLK550L - and she was given a National Bus Company makeover to represent the hundreds of DMS type Fleetlines that passed into the NBC in the early 1980's. A double arrow logo was stuck on her nose whilst the fleet number 5033 adorned her front dome in a Maidstone & District style. Originally she was going to be numbered 5350 but a short of 5s put pay to this scheme! (they were wheeliebin numbers.)
This - as always - was our first show of the season and was as always a great day out.
​A full report will follow shortly.

We are pleased to announce that Jake, one of the founding members of Southern Counties, has recently been voted in as Chairman of Friends of the East Kent (FotEK). This is a very exciting time as Southern Counties is the largest tennant of FotEK at the 

We've not had a massively busy month if I'm honest. Paul has managed to get the autolube system working on MLK550L which should make maintaining her a bit easier. Her ride quality has improved dramatically since all the springs have been oiled and greased up. MLK550L will be at the South East Bus Festival this April.
Jake has been busy painting Mercedes N301XRP and is also hoping to have her ready this spring -although she won't be going to Detling.

This years run will take place on Sunday 14th July 2019.

On 7th October a very reluctant PKE807M made her way along private roads to her new temporary undercover storage. She's taken the place of siter PKE809M whilst some work is done on her -namely the hydraulic throttle, fuel lines and a mechanical service. It's hoped that she'll then also be on the road for some point in 2019. 

On 1st and 2nd September our buses were kept busy with the Walmer Green Bus Rally and the New Romney Bus Rally. 
On Saturday 1st MLK550L, PKE809M and MFN41R were at the Walmer Rally which is organised by Friends of the East Kent. This was also PKE809M's first trip out since 2011 and was a good 'shakedown' run to find any problems.
She should have been to the New Romney Bus Rally on Sunday 2nd but a problem with air getting into the hydraulic throttle meant that MFN41R was sent along instead - just to be on the safe side!
MLK550L also experienced a hiccup with her fuel system which we think could be down to pattern part filters. 
On both days the weather behaved itself and the crowds were out to admire the vehicles.

Following a few issues with tyres, DMS550's owner Paul has replaced all six on the bus -certainly not cheap. This means she'll be back on the road later this month and will hopefully be attending the East Kent Bus Rally on Walmer Green on Saturday 1st September along with MFN41R and PKE809M. 
MFN41R attended Biddenden Tractor Fest on 17th, 18th and 19th August. This was another long run out for her and she performed really well.