Representing the new order at Provincial on 26 May 1972, Bristol RE/ECW 10 (ECG110K) passes along Nobes Avenue in Bridgemary.

Another Provincial Bristol RE, 12 (ECG112K), speeds past the depot entrance at Hoeford on the trunk Fareham-Gosport route on 26 May 1972.

Carrying a style of bodywork more often associated with the MW type, Provincial coach-seated Bristol LS/ECW 32 (URB558) stands at Hoeford depot on 26 May 1972. This vehicle was new to Midland General.

Another Provincial Bristol LS acquired from Midland General, 34 (XNU421), with more usual bodywork for this type, is seen parked at Hoeford depot on 26 May 1972.

Another of Provincial's varied collection of second hand single deckers, Bristol SU 36 (318EDV), stands in a pool of light in Hoeford depot on 26 May 1972. This one was new to Southern National.

For new purchases Provincial turned to the relatively uncommon Seddon Pennine IV in the late 1960s. One of the 1967 batch with similarly unusual Strachans bodywork, 45 (MHO194F), is seen in Brewers Lane, Bridgemary on 26 May 1972.

In 1969 Provincial also took Seddon Pennine IVs with bodywork by Pennine Coachcraft (a Seddon-owned company). One of these, 51 (RAA19G) arrives at Gosport Ferry on 26 May 1972.

Provincial Bedford SB 56 (AAW326B) parked at Hoeford depot on 26 May 1972.

A general view of the depot yard at Hoeford on 26 May 1972, with Bedford SB 56 on the right and Guy Arab 77 (883HHO) in the background.

Provincial 60 (972CWL), one of the seven AEC Regent Vs acquired from City of Oxford in 1970, cuts the corner as it swings into Brewers Lane from Nobes Avenue in Bridgemary on 26 May 1972. Like all but one of the seven, 60 had Park Royal bodywork.

Provincial 60 (972CWL) awaits departure from Gosport Ferry for Bridgemary on 26 May 1972.

One of the Guy/Deutz rebuilds for which Provincial was famous, 62 (HAA771E), is about to turn into Nobes Avenue from Gregson Avenue on the approach to the Bridgemary terminus on 26 May 1972. The boy on the rear platform is brandishing a fishing rod.

Provincial Guy/Deutz 62 (HAA771E) stands at Bridgemary terminus on a very windy 26 May 1972.

Provincial Guy/Deutz 62 (HAA771E) in Brewers Lane on 26 May 1972.

Another view of Provincial Guy/Deutz 62 (HAA771E), this time at Gosport Ferry on 26 May 1972. In the background can be seen the beginnings of the present bus station, under construction.

Provincial Guy/Deutz 62 (HAA771E) at Gosport Ferry on 26 May 1972.

Provincial Guy/Deutz 62 (HAA771E) at Gosport Ferry on 26 May 1972.

The sole Weymann-bodied AEC Regent V among the seven acquired from City of Oxford by Provincial in 1970, 67 (970CWL), stands at Gosport Ferry on 26 May 1972.

Provincial AEC Regent V 67 (970CWL) arrives at Gosport Ferry on 26 May 1972.

Another of Provincial's ex-Oxford AEC Regent Vs, 68 (976CWL), arrives at Gosport Ferry on 26 May 1972.

Provincial Guy Arab IV 70 (SCG622) parked at Hoeford depot on 26 May 1972. Like many vehicles in the fleet, this had Reading bodywork.

Inside Hoeford depot, Provincial Guy Arab IV 71 (SCG623) stands next to Seddon Pennine IV 39 (MHO190F) on 26 May 1972.

Provincial Guy/Deutz 77 (883HHO) parked at Hoeford depot on 26 May 1972. Alongside it are sister vehicle 78 (884HHO) and Bristol LS 35 (XNU422), new to Midland General.

The highest-numbered of the ex-Oxford AEC Regent Vs, 80 (978CWL) lays over at Bridgemary terminus on 26 May 1972.

Another view of Provincial 80 (978CWL) as it turns from Nobes Avenue into Brewers Lane on 26 May 1972.

Provincial trainer T1 (HWO344), a Duple-bodied Guy Arab acquired from Red & White in 1967 is seen in Brewers Lane, Bridgemary on 26 May 1972.

Hants & Dorset 1117 (4679EL), a Bristol FS/ECW of 1961, loads outside the Castle Tavern in Mumby Road at Gosport Ferry on 26 May 1972.

Hants & Dorset Bristol FS 1141 (4688RU), KSW 1394 (LRU60) and LD 1416 (RLJ502) in Fareham depot on 26 May 1972. The H&D depot was at the back of the old bus station.

The old Fareham bus station fronted onto West Street just west of Portland Street and was used by Hants & Dorset and Southdown but not Provincial. Stands were located around the perimeter of a central parking area. Bristol FLF/ECW 1265 (LEL652F) lays over on 26 May 1972.

Sister vehicle 1268 (LEL655F) emerges from the parking area to take up service on 26 May 1972.

Hants & Dorset highbridge Bristol KSW/ECW 1384 (KRU987) in Fareham depot on 26 May 1972.

Another highbridge Bristol KSW/ECW, 1395 (LRU61), parked in Fareham depot on 26 May 1972.

Loading on the west side of the old Fareham bus station on 26 May 1972 is Hants & Dorset Bristol LD/ECW 1432 (SRU981). The bus is standing more or less where the northern end of the new bus station is today.

Back at Gosport Ferry, Hants & Dorset 1433 (SRU982) loads for Southampton on 26 May 1972.

Hants & Dorset Bristol LH/ECW 1523 (REL744H) lays over between journeys in Mumby Road, Gosport on 26 May 1972.

Hants & Dorset Bristol RE/ECW 1625 (RLJ344H) prepares to board at Gosport Ferry on 26 May 1972. The Castle tavern survives, though Brickwoods Ales are long gone, the company having been already sold to Whitbread at the time of the picture (as evinced by many of the adverts carried by Provincial buses).

Hants & Dorset Bristol LS 1789 (SRU979) parked at Fareham bus station on 26 May 1972.

The old Fareham bus station could be a difficult location for photography, with many stands facing north and a narrow, confined entrance from Hartlands Road at the south end. Hants & Dorset Bristol MW/ECW arrives on 26 May 1972. The bus parking area of the new bus station now stands on this spot.

Hants & Dorset Bristol MW/ECW 1859 (HLJ915D) at Mumby Road, Gosport Ferry on 26 May 1972.

Showing the elegant wrap-round lines of its Northern Counties bodywork (which unfortunately did not extend to the lower deck front) and the unusual hopper ventilator in the front dome, Southdown 'Queen Mary' Leyland PD3 pauses at Fareham bus station on service 45 from Warsash to Southsea on 26 May 1972.

An earlier Southdown 'Queen Mary' Leyland PD3/Northern Counties, 927 (6927CD), lays over at Fareham bus station on route 45A on 26 May 1972.