Mildred has ventured to Pressignac in France for Scout summer camp in 2009 and thoroughly enjoyed herself in the Gaelic sun. Here she is pictured trying to hide down a leafy lany in the Hamlet of Grand Chalaise where Craig and Mary McColville kindly host our Scouts on their farm. The Scouts can be seen ditch cleaning and hedge brushing. Close by to the Hamlet is a lake with a white sand beach where MILDRED took the Scouts for picnic, swimming and indulged in a minor repair one occasion. When refitting the oil feed to the turbocharger, a jubilee clip had been put back at an angle that fouled the throttle linkage. Once discovered and rectified, MILDRED returned to her former regulated power potential.

Bedford FT series UK Vehicles Built / delivered from 1984 to 1985
Chassis No.	Type	Registration	Body No.	Seating	New	Owner
FT700323	YNV	D864AHG	Wt G14	C51F	5/1987	A&S McLaughlin,Penwortham

D864 AHG is the only YNV Bedford chassis with a Wright Contour body ever made. The chassis was manufactured in 1985 and the body fitted in 1987. The Bedford YNV chassis was the best and last coach chassis built by Bedford and the only one to carry a name; “Venturer”. It had air suspension and it was powered by the last and best large Bedford engine, the “Blue” 500 cu” (8.2 litre) turbo charged 206 hp. Only 254 YNV were manufactured and possibly less than that number finally put into service. The Wright Contour body was recognised as an industry leader at that time and the Wright Bus company is still in existence as a flourishing bus and coach manufacturer, still based in Ireland.

The BEDFORD “Y” SERIES HISTORY

Announced in September 1970, the Bedford YRQ was a 10-metre (33 ft) coach chassis intended to replace the Bedford VAM. The engine was mounted centrally under the floor.

In 1972 an 11-metre (36 ft) version, the YRT, entered production as a replacement for the twin-steer Bedford VAL.[1]

New more powerful engines were introduced in 1975 with the YLQ (10m) and YMT (11m).

The 1980 YNT was a development of the YMT with a turbocharged engine,[2] while the YLQ became the YMQ and then the YMP.

The 12-metre YNV Venturer with air suspension was the final development of the Y series, announced in 1984.

Bus and truck production by Bedford ceased in 1986.

OUR GROUP COACH HISTORY

We originally owned a Bedford YRT coach named “Penelope Pitstop” that was donated to our Scout Group.

Penelope was replaced by a short lived Leyland short bus named “Cubette”, purchased for £50.00 and scrapped for the same amount.

We then had a Bedford YMT coach named “George” donated and a new engine (£900.00) paid for by a local company. Parents and leaders of the Group swapped engines in a mammoth endeavour over a single weekend. George passed his MOT that Monday.

“Mildred” was found on the internet and was purchased for the Group by Mrs. Jean Llewellyn as a gift.

1^st BLACKWATER VALLEY OWNERSHIP

2009 in France

2008                            SEAT BELTS

Two point lap belts were fitted throughout Mildred as soon as we bought her in 2008.

TURBO CHARGER OVERHAULED

The engine turbo charger was removed and overhauled.

INJECTORS SERVICED

The six Injectors were removed from the engine and sent for inspection and service.

CYLINDER HEAD SKIMMED

The cylinder head from the engine was removed and sent to engineering works in Fleet for a surface skim.

WHEEL CHAIR LIFT REMOVED.

The wheel chair lift fitted at the back of Mildred was removed by two Scouts whilst on summer camp in Devon. That reduced weight in the back and freed up locker space for camp equipment.

NEW CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER

The master cylinder and hydraulic pipework to the clutch were replaced with new.

MAY 2017                   REPLACEMENT TYRES

All seven tyres (includes spare) were replaced by professional fitters locally.

MARCH 2017             NEW LIGHTS

Front headlights and top marker lights were replaced with new units.

MAY 2017                   STEP TREADS IMPROVED

Anti-slip strips and checker plate treads were introduced to the entry stairs.

MAY 2017                   NEW FAN BELTS

New belts were fitted to the alternator drive (x1) and the fan drive (x2).

JUNE 2017                 NEW O/S F SUSPENSION TOP PLATE

Whilst replacing a balance valve on the front air suspension the top plate to the front offside airbag was found to be in bad condition. New top plates and fittings were purchased for all six suspension units on Mildred and the front O/S plate replaced immediately.

JUNE 2017                 NEW FRONT WINDSCREEN

Wright Bus, manufacturers of Mildred’s coach body, was wonderfully helpful in finding a replacement front windscreen off the shelf. Installation was carried out by professional fitters organised by our insurers.

JANUARY 2018         REAR SUSPENSION UNITS REPLACED

All four rear air suspension unites were removed and all top plates, fittings and airbags were replaced with new. Two of the four bottom pistons were rebuilt.

In 2019, we re-built the boot and repaired both bumpers:

2020 NEW SHOCK ABSORBERS FITTED FRONT AND BACK

2021 FEBRUARY REFURBISHED TURBO CHARGER FITTED

2021 MARCH NEW BACK NUMBER PLATE LIGHTS FITTED

2021 MARCH NEW NEAR SIDE TRACK ROD END FITTED

In 2024, we sold Mildred to old friends who have given our Scout Group free camping on their farm in Devon for years. They always asked us to let them know if we ever considered getting rid of her. Unfortunately, after 18 years of ownership, we have been forced to sell because we currently cannot afford to operate and maintain her. But she has gone to a good home!