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In 1967 H Orme White retired, and the new Managing Director was H H G Woolford, his background was in Provincial's motor trade subsidiaries. This change at the top brought about a change of policy as far as new vehicles were concerned. The last completely new buses bought by Provincial had been the two Guy Arab IV's (70-71 SCG 622-623) bought in 1958, there were of course many re-builds during these 10 years and also second hand acquisitions. I personally used to cast an envious eye towards other local companies such as Southdown and Hants and Dorset who were constantly getting new vehicles and wondering if Provincial were ever going to buy anything new again. The salvation came in the unusual form of a large number of Seddon Pennine IV single deckers.

The first batch of nine arrived in 1968 and were bodied by Strachans, a local firm recently based at Hamble. I suppose they could be considered somewhat lightweight, but were B44D plus room for 15 extra standing. This was the beginning of the end for the existing single deck AEC Regal's. I personally thought these buses were very attractive, particularly in the initial livery which was applied. I was so impressed with these that I had to have a ride on one, so in 1968 I caught one on route 6 from Gosport Ferry just for the experience.

The second batch of six I was not so impressed with. They were bodied by Pennine Coachcraft a subsidiary of Seddon, and arrived in 1969. I thought the bodies on these were particularly ugly compared to the Strachans, a matter of personal taste I suppose.

In the early 1970s both batches were repainted in the later version of Provincial livery (with the non-scroll fleetname) and also into NBC green later on. My later experiences of the Seddons were not so complementary, this was probably due to becoming used to the delights of Bristol RE's and Leyland Nationals. In their twilight years (1975-77) they were occasionally used on the number 1 and 2 routes instead of the above vehicles, and I found them to be cramped, noisy and with the enormously long gear lever somewhat archaic compared with the RE's and Nationals.

They lasted 8 or 9 years on average, and some were re-numbered by the 1970 partial renumbering scheme.

No 46 of the first Strachans bodied batch from 1968 seen at Gosport Ferry

No 46 (MHO 195F) seen at the Ferry   Photo: by Charles Chidwick

No 44 in the later Provincial livery, before NBC leaf green became all pervasive. Note also that at this time adverts were being added to the sides of these buses.  Photo: D Fereday Glenn

No 25 one of the 1969 batch which had the Pennine Coachcraft bodies. It is seen here in its early days in its as delivered livery

The old and the new. Seddon 50 (MHO 197F), in Fareham West Street, in May 1969, pulls away from veteran Regal 4 rebuild 27 (CG 9612) which was withdrawn later that year.  Photo: Bob Gray collection

No 25 again this time in colour at Gosport ferry. Behind is one of the ex Midland General Bristol LS6G's either no 4 or 5. Photo supplied by Mark Gentry

No 39 in NBC livery , and with NBC advertising on the nearside.  Photo supplied by Stewart Brett

No 45 also in NBC livery . Photo supplied by Stewart Brett

Towards the end of their working lives, a couple of the Seddons were given dedicated duties as a free bus for ASDA, as depicted here by 47(MHO 196F). These were later replaced by ex Hants & Dorset Bristol LH6Ls.  Photo: Bob Gray

Strachans-bodied Seddon 39(MHO 190F), heading out of Fareham at the junction of High Street and West Street en route for Knowle in July 1974.  Photo: Fred York

One of the Pennine-bodied Seddons, 52 (RAA 20G), leaving Gosport Bus Station.   Photo: Stephen Didymus collection 

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