King Alfred Buses to return to Winchester for special day event

Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB) will be providing its popular Original King Alfred Buses Running Day in and around the city on May 1.

For the first time, FoKAB’s newly-acquired 1929 Leyland Lion bus will head the line-up of a dozen King Alfred buses representing the local bus company which closed 50 years ago on April 28, 1973. They will all be giving rides over the old King Alfred routes, in company with more than 20 heritage buses and coaches originating from other local operators.

Leyland Panther UOU 417H arrives back at King Alfred’s Hillside garage after the last journey on April 28, 1973 (Image: James Freeman)READ MORE: Government investment will see 28 electric buses rolled out across Hampshire

Free bus services will operate from Winchester Broadway and the St Catherine’s park & ride car park between 9am and 4.30pm covering many of the traditional routes as well as those of neighbouring historic companies such as Aldershot and District and Hants and Dorset.

There will also be a range of sales stands with a wide selection of transport books and models, open between 10am and 4pm, whilst at St Catherine’s there will be a static display of historic vehicles with a frequent free shuttle bus service to and from central Winchester.

Ahead of the main running day, there will be a special evening event on Friday, April 28 to commemorate 50 years since the closure of King Alfred Motor Services.

Free bus services will operate to the timetable that ran on that evening in 1973, with the first at 8.45pm from the Broadway and ending with a Service 13 from the Broadway to Weeke Estate at 10.35pm. On its return at 11pm, there will be a ‘last day farewell’ on the Broadway replicating what happened in 1973 with Richard Chisnell, one of the owning family of the former King Alfred Motor Services, making a short commemorative speech.

Conductress Mary Gardiner issues the final ticket in 1973 which is held above by Richard Chisnell (Image: E.A. Sollars)SEE ALSO: Lloyds Pharmacy in Badger Farm Sainsbury's to close next week

Afterwards, a final ticket will be issued by Mary Curry, one of the conductresses back in 1973. These journeys will be open to the public.

Founder and chairman of Friends of King Alfred Buses, James Freeman, said: “Every year we are so excited to be able to provide the opportunity for our many friends and supporters to relive days of King Alfred buses and coaches. Come with us to experience what it was like to ride on them all those years ago.

“This year has a special extra bonus because we celebrate fifty years since the company closed down. Our evening’s activities on Friday, April 28 will be unique, commemorating the end of a company which had been Winchester’s major provider of bus and coach services for over 50 years. Everyone will be welcome to come and ride on the buses which will be almost identical to those in use that evening 50 years ago.”