Glasgow’s last remaining Corporation Bus garage is tuning up for a big band celebration as it aims to raise funds to help secure its future.

At its family open day on August 4th, Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust will open up the doors of the Bridgeton Bus Garage to the sounds of the award-winning Michael Brawley Big Band echoing among its beautifully restored buses and vintage cars.

Having rented the garage since 2002 as a registered charity, the Trust’s members have a fundraising target of £100,000 to secure the purchase of depot building.

On display will be 130 classic buses, trucks and fire engines — along with free vintage bus rides to and from George Square.

Graeme McQuaker, of the Trust’s organising team, says: “Our third annual family day will be the biggest yet.

“We’re thrilled to have the Michael Brawley Big Band play within the garage. What a sound it will be.

“We offer a unique experience and as the Trust prepares to take outright ownership of the building, we want the community to discover more about our work and have fun while doing so.”

Since March this year, the Trust has been working hard to raise the six-figure sum via leaflet appeals, an online fundraising page and bucket donations across the city.

Valued by the city as an institution reflecting a big part of Glasgow’s social and transport history, the garage is home to some of the best examples single and double decker buses dating back to the 1930s.

Sharing more on the Trust’s commitment to purchasing the garage building, Ed Bonner of the family day organising team says: “This garage is the last of its kind as a former corporation building built in 1965.

“There’s nothing like it left. The best way to secure its future is to buy the building as the Trust has the garage on a lease contract which expires this year... we don’t want to be a sitting duck for developers.”

Ed adds: “It’s fair to say the building is second to none because we’ve got all the repair facilities and the pits. The building lends itself to everything we do, plus the architecture is pure 1960s.”

With the buses’ history spanning the past eight decades, Ed says: “When you come to the garage you’re potentially going to see the bus you went to school on. People identify with that history of the buses.”

Alongside the vintage single and double decker vehicles, American cars and model bus exhibits will be on display during the family day.

Youngsters will be entertained with Lego and Wee Bus treasure hunts and free bicycle checks and bike building will be available from the in-house Common Wheel’s Dr Bike Station.

Michael Brawley Big Bad trumpet player Gary Mitchell visited the garage recently to check out the building’s acoustics.

Gary says: “It’s a great place, and I would encourage folk to come along and see for themselves.

“We’ll be playing solely to raise money for this really worthy cause and are really looking forward to entertaining the crowds. The big band sound will be fantastic within the garage setting.”

The family open day starts on Sunday August 4th from 11am-4pm at the Bridgeton Bus Garage on Broad Street, just off London Road. Entry is £5 for adults, £3 concessions and £12 for families, with all the funds going directly towards the Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust appeal to purchase the garage.