Red Eagle 50111 (WX08 LNP) and Arriva 3914 (BV58 MLK) in Berkhamsted - 13 Apr 2024 (P1170790)

Saturday 13 April 2024 (1342) – High Street, Berkhamsted.

The lady with the orange shopping bag was making sure the driver of Red Eagle Buses 50111 (WX08 LNP) saw her as he passed by Arriva The Shires 3914 (BV58 MLK) which was already at the bus stop.

Red Eagle 50111 is an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200 bodied Dart new to First Somerset and Avon (44904) in May 2008, which was working the 1255 Chesham-Berkhamsted Circular-Chesham service 354.

Arriva The Shires 3914 (BV58 MLK), a Mercedes-Benz Citaro O 530 new in September 2008, seen in High Street, Berkhamsted when working the 1230 service X5 from Aylesbury to Hemel Hempstead. (In a list dated November 2023 this bus was allocated to Aylesbury garage).

The ancient market town of Berkhamsted stands close to the Chiltern Hills. The long straight High Street is on an alignment dating from pre-Roman times. William the Conqueror was crowned King of England at Berkhamsted following which a fort and then castle were established. The now ruined castle was a favoured residence of royalty but after its abandonment in 1485 the town fell into decline. In more modern times there was expansion following the construction of the Grand Union Canal and the coming of the main line railway both of which still link London with the Midlands.