Excitement is mounting in the heritage bus and coach world around Hampshire and the south of England, as the date for the Original King Alfred Running Day draws closer.
On Monday, May 6 The Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB) will be operating 14 vehicles from its collection, the largest number in its almost 40-year history.
Alongside these Winchester-based buses and coaches, FoKAB will be welcoming some 28 visiting vehicles so that altogether more than 40 historic vehicles will be offering free rides in and around the city on the first Bank Holiday in May.
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Buses ranging from 95 years old to the most modern one, built as recently as 2002, will be in operation, all free of charge.
Activity centres on Winchester Broadway in the shadow of the statue of Alfred the Great, whose likeness is carried on the side panels of the King Alfred buses.
In addition, there will be more vintage buses on display at St Catherine’s Park & Ride site, from which a frequent shuttle service will operate to and from Winchester Broadway.
Thousands of people are expected in the city to take advantage of the unique opportunities of the day to take a trip, or several for free down memory lane.
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As usual, a comprehensive top-quality souvenir programme and timetable will shortly be available, priced at £15 in advance or on the day. Sales of these programmes provide funding to support the day’s activities and the wider work of the Friends of King Alfred Buses registered charity.
Alongside the usual range of destinations in and around Winchester, the popular circular service to the historic Twyford Waterworks features again this year, running every half-hour. This coincides with an open day at the Waterworks where the organisers are offering each holder of a King Alfred programme one free admission.
FoKAB’s founder and chairman James Freeman said: “We are looking forward to welcoming people, not just from Winchester and Hampshire, but from all over the country to this special event which has been happening in one form or another every year since 1983."
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