New bus service to connect Worksop, Gainsborough and rural Bassetlaw

The Bassetlaw Belles buses will provide vital links from rural areas Bassetlaw’s two major towns, as well as Doncaster and Gainsborough.

The network is being provided by Stagecoach East Midlands under a partnership arrangement with Notts County Council which is providing financial support.

The Bassetlaw Belles – so-called because of the 50s-style characters emblazoned on each bus – will include local bus services 21, 22, 25, 27, 29, 42, 43, 95, 97, 98 and 99. The network includes a new Gainsborough to Doncaster service, running via Beckingham, Walkeringham, West Stockwith, Misterton and Gringley.

Each bus portrays a traditional occupation relevant to that area, from Ruby the Retford Belle, a market stall trader, and Betty the Bawtry Belle, an RAF belle, to miner Beatrice the Bircotes Belle, named after one of the last deep-mine pits in the UK, and Wendy the Walkeringham Belle, a train station master, named after the former station house.

An official ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place in Retford market place on 26th June attended by Michelle Hargreaves, managing director of Stagecoach East Midlands and Coun Yvonne Woodhead, vice-chairman of the County Council.

Taking centre stage at the launch will be two of the newly-branded buses and a 1950s dressed-up Ruby the Retford Belle. Visitors will be able to find out more about the new services and join in the fun with 50s music, games, competitions, music and puppet shows.