The Friends of King Alfred Buses offered free vintage rides in Winchester, celebrating local history despite challenging weather conditions.
Winchester: The Friends of King Alfred Buses, a local charity, brought some nostalgia to the streets with their vintage bus rides. These lovingly restored buses are part of the King Alfred Collection, and they really took folks back in time.
On January 1, while Stagecoach services took a break for the New Year, the city was alive with the sounds of buses from the 1950s and 60s. It was a great way to celebrate the holiday!
King Alfred Motor Services was a unique family-run business that provided local bus services from just after World War I until 1973. It all started when the City Council asked Robert Chisnell to set up a bus service for a new estate.
From there, they expanded their routes all over the city, connecting neighborhoods like Stanmore and Harestock. On New Year’s Day, FoKAB brought back many of those routes, offering free rides along the main roads.
They had hourly services on popular routes and even ventured out to nearby villages. Plus, there was a free service to Fareham, linking up with another network of free rides. It was all laid out in a colorful program available for just £6.
James Freeman, the chairman of FoKAB, shared that despite the gloomy weather, many people came out to enjoy the day. He noted that the atmosphere was fantastic, with buses splashing through the streets.
Even though some folks stayed cozy at home, the turnout was good, and the program sales were brisk. Freeman thanked all the volunteers who made the event happen and the cheerful passengers who filled the buses.
Looking ahead, Freeman mentioned that they moved their main event to the first Bank Holiday in May for better weather. So, mark your calendars for May 5 for the next King Alfred Running Day!
