Holsworthy on Market Day

Holsworthy is the first town in north Devon from Bude. It is a traditional market town, with a quiet square, library, wonderful church, two former railway viaducts and a scattering of rural bus services. On Wednesdays, however, services increase meeting the needs of the traditional market.

The standard services to Holsworthy form part of Stagecoach Devon's X9 and Western Greyhound's 599 between Bude and Exeter. Stagecoach Devon use a variety of Scania N230UD double deckers on the route, while Western Greyhound tend to use their youngest Solos since the fire. Usually Stagecoach use former Oxford 15431/2/3, but on Wednesday 31st one of their youngest Scanias sneaked onto the route, in the form of 15864 (WA62ANU), escaping off the Honiton and Seaton routes they were purchased for. 

In addition to the X9/599, Stagecoach Devon also operate about 5 daily departures on route 85, connecting Holsworthy to Bideford and Barnstaple. This route is operated by a Dart that usually starts and finishes the day at Bude outstation, as the first 85 is extended from Bude to Holsworthy, and the last arrival continues onto terminate in Bude. Finally, one service of Stagecoach's route 71 to Great Torrington is extended to/from Holsworthy early in the morning and late at night.

On Wednesdays, there are many more buses though. First into the library/church car park were two Mercedes-Benz Varios of Carmel Coaches - VX04KTT near and YK53BKF far. The 638 is a Wednesday only service from Halwill Junction, taking an hour and ten minutes to meander between the tiny villages and hamlets. The 639 is another market day service, this time from Hatherleigh. This bus takes 50minutes journey time, and on every second Tuesday, is extended from/to Northlew. Who thought rural services were on their way out?!

Next to arrive was Western Greyhound's Wednesday's only variation of route 530. The 530 is the most idyllic rural bus route, navigating tiny villages from Bude to Kilkhampton and Morwenstow to the east. However, on Wednesdays, it travels fast from Kilkhampton to Holsworthy, and then again fast into Bude. On Wednesday 31st July, appropriately registed Vario 560 (WK02BUS)  pauses outside of the library, as it allows the regular weekly passengers to alight.

Next to arrive was Turners of Chumleigh's Enviro200 KX60DVP, looking a little large and out of place to be used on a market days only route. This bus was operating the 641 to/from Great Torrington.

Finally, the smallest bus to join the market day fleet was Group Travel's BV57VGU on a 208. According to Bus Lists on the Web, this is a Mercedes-Benz O530. The 208 comes to Holsworthy from Warbstow Cross, taking 55 minutes end to end. 

Although rural routes have suffered heavily in recent years with subsidy cuts, the Wednesday market routes of Holsworthy continue to survive. The five special routes or variations of routes provide a vital service to the residents of these local villages and hamlets, who I'm sure are not provided with a regular bus service. The variety is good for the enthusiast too, giving them a chance to grab a few shots that are out of the ordinary. All buses arrive between about 1020 and 1105 (the X9 from Exeter) - you'll have to come earlier or later if you want a picture of Stagecoach's 85 though (next one arrives at 1158). Thanks for viewing.