Monday, March 15, 2021

FOLLOWING THE CROUCH

We've left Battlesbridge behind and are approaching Wickford, where we find this Bristol FLF of S&M Coaches (Castlepoint Bus Co.) on the outskirts.


About a mile from the town centre is Bruce Grove, where Nelson's Independent Bus Service has its depot.


At Wickford station, a former Northampton Bristol VR/Alexander is on a rail replacement service. (Photo by Richard Huggins)


Wickford station in GER times. The two bay platforms are for Southminster branch services.


Circa 1971, a DMU forms the Southminster train.


The Southminster branch is now electrified and operated by Greater Anglia.


Wickford station was, until recently, controlled by this ex GER signal box.


Leaving the railway behind, we head into town, to the market.



There's a dearth of decent pubs in Wickford, though the Railway Club serves a really good pint and I'm told there's a Wetherspoons now. So we'll head to Bllericay, which has plenty of hostelries. The station here is, again, on the Southend Victoria line, served, until recently, by class 321 units.



And so, into the High Street, with a couple of vintage photos.



Modern buses serve Billericay, run by First and NIBS.



Our first beer stop is the Billericay Brewing Company, which combnes a brewery with a shop and micropub.


Next, the Blue Boar, a standard Wetherspoons.


Following that, three good ones, the Coach & Horses, the Crown and the Railway.





Our final pub is the Chequers.

Looks comfortable, "CHEERS!".






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