WINCHESTER residents can be forgiven for thinking they travelled back in time last weekend.

Friends of Kings Alfred Buses (FoKAB) marked the 40th anniversary of the company’s last journey by recreating it on Saturday night with the same conductor.

David Shawyer, who started as a conductor with King Alfred in 1956, relived memories of the 1973 journey by conducting the 10.35pm to the Weeke estate.

Mr Shawyer, 81, of Middle Brook Street, said: “This brings back a million and one memories. I remember the last journey was absolutely packed.

“I used to know most of the passengers and they would always come up to me to say hello.

“I always remember going into the Crown & Anchor pub before the Weeke estate route to gather up the local boys. I’d walk in and shout ‘Come on, we’re waiting’.”

It was one of several journeys around the city between 6pm and 9pm as the vehicles retraced their original routes.

Earlier in the day all 14 surviving King Alfred buses were on display in the Cattle Market car park, the first time they had all gone on show at the same time.

FoKAB chairman James Freeman said: “We recently purchased the 1935 King Alfred Albion Victor after running an appeal which raised more than £20,000. It completes our collection after decades of trying to bring them together.

“I started in 1983 with the old Sparsholt No.7 which I bought in South Wales for £600. Since then we have found them in Georgia and Florida in the USA.

“It’s just extraordinary to see the whole fleet lined up together for the first time. We’ve worked on them one by one and some have taken 20 years to restore.”

Fellow FoKAB member David Hurley sold ‘Victor 2’ to the society and said it was the best place for it.

Mr Hurley, 70, said: “I’ve had this coach since I was 20 and I was concerned it should be looked after for years to come.

“I would not put it on the open market and at the end of the day I’m a temporary custodian looking to pass it on so it can be preserved for the future.”

Mr Freeman confirmed FoKAB would continue to operate bus running days every New Year’s Day, and that the society’s new ambition was to find a permanent home for the fleet to preserve their future.