For Heritage Open Days, the vintage fleet of King Alfred buses and coaches will be on show this coming - Sunday, September 15 in the Grand Display of the Collection owned by the Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB).
The historic fleet will be parked side by side at St Catherine’s Park & Ride site, from 9am until 10.30am, for all to see.
“Everyone is invited to come along and marvel at these beauties, said FoKAB’s chairman, James Freeman.
“We have a wonderful spread of vehicles, with the oldest dating from 1929 and the most recent just 53 years old!”
Special guest vehicles will be providing a free shuttle service to and from the Broadway and St Catherine’s from 8.45am throughout the day, so it’s easy to get there.
After 10.30am the collection goes into action, providing a range of special free services over many of the country services once provided by R Chisnell & Sons Ltd, which was the principal bus company in Winchester between the First World War and 1973.
From 11am there will be regular departures from the Broadway to Twyford & Colden Common, Morestead and Owslebury, Morn Hill, Micheldever & East Stratton, Stoke Charity, Wonston and Sutton Scotney, Sparsholt, Crawley, King’s Somborne, Houghton, Stockbridge and Broughton.
Special for this event is the number of journeys extending west beyond Crawley, with six trips to Stockbridge and two that extend to Broughton – most of these buses connect with each other en route.
Full details of the times are in the souvenir brochure, available from FoKAB’s stall by the Guildhall and at St Catherine’s during the Grand Display, priced at just £6. Buying a brochure on the day is the main way that visitors can help to support FoKAB’s activities.
Free Open Top Rides to Hyde900’s Events
On both Saturday and Sunday this weekend FoKAB’s popular open-top double-decker will be plying back and forth between the Broadway and Hyde Street, stopping near King Alfred’s Place.
This provides an easy and exhilarating connection from the city centre to Hyde900’s events and activities based around St Bartholomew’s Church, off Hyde Street.
Take a ride and see what Hyde900 has laid on – displays, activities for children, guided walks, historical and archaeological talks, mediaeval tile making and of course tea and cakes!
On Saturday, September 14 the bus will leave the Broadway every half hour from 9.30am until 4.30pm, returning from Hyde Street at 9.40am and every half hour until 4.40pm.
On Sunday, September 15 departures start a bit later, at 11.30am from the Broadway and 11.40am back from Hyde Street and run to 1630, alongside all the other King Alfred buses.
Free Rides on Prewar Vintage Buses
Where else can you take a free ride on a bus that’s more than 90 years old?
The FoKAB event on Sunday offers you two veterans to choose from.
The larger one is a 1929 Leyland Lion PLSC3, with 33 seats, beautifully restored to the condition it would have been in when delivered new.
It makes an impressive noise as it trundles through the streets, providing a never-to-be-forgotten experience for riders!
Alongside the Lion is its smaller cousin, two years younger. This is a Dennis 30 cwt 18-seater that would have been used on the quieter country runs before the War. It’s a spritely performer and the sound of its claxon delights onlookers as it passes by...
These two beauties will be running 15 minute trips round the city centre every twenty minutes from 11am until 3.40pm, starting outside the Guildhall.
You Can Join FoKAB!
Membership numbers at FoKAB are on the rise as people seek to support the group’s efforts to secure the long-term future of its unique collection of Winchester buses from the King Alfred fleet.
Members can enjoy supporting the cause by sitting in an armchair at home or they can get fully stuck into restoring and maintaining the collection as well as providing FoKAB’s famous Running Days. There are also outings and regular meetings both in person and on Zoom.
Membership is just £30 per year. Go to kingalfredbuses.org.uk for more details of how to join.
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