Jessop, Frinsted LKN 550

[Derek Jones]

Another vehicle in my box of Sittingbourne area small operators' fleets, this was LKN 550, a Bedford OB with Mulliner bus bodywork (B28F when in service),  which had found its way to the Winkleigh museum in Devon by 1989, already 40 years old.  As you can see it was in a bit of a state by then, but a painted fleetname across the rear door (and the Wormshill three-figure phone number) was still legible.

It was new to Dineley of Margate in 1949, but found its way to Jessops of Frinsted just a year later, in the rural area south of Sittingbourne.
It appears to have seen only a couple of years actually in service even then, probably being used for spares for Jessop's other two OBs, HKN 750 and MKP 810, both of which were coaches.  However it seems to have survived out of use at Frinsted until at least 1970, then was later acquired for preservation (probably with the lowest mileage of any preserved PSV).

Percival W.J. Jessop was living in Frinsted by 1924, when he became landlord of the Kingsdown Arms in the village.  An express service (!) between Frinsted (Kingsdown Arms) and Sittingbourne (Crown Quay Lane) via Wormshill was in operation by 1932, on Fridays only, leaving Frinsted at 0930 (altered to 0940 in 1933) and returning at 1230, these timings then staying unchanged for many years.  In 1969 after Jessop's death the business passed to Mrs E. Jessop and thence directly to the Executors of P.W.J. Jessop, in which name they remained until cessation in 1973.  The service continued until  March 1973, and school contracts ceased at the end of the summer term in July 1973.

LKN 550 still existed a few years ago (last recorded with an owner in Gloucestershire), but it would certainly be good to see it fully restored if this were to happen.  Does anyone know if it still survives?

Derek J

[Robert Gibbs]

Fascinating stuff Derek, thanks for sharing

On 30 Oct 2012, at 22:39, Derek Jones wrote:

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