Thousands return to historic King Alfred running day

The Original King Alfred Running Day, organised by the Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB), took place on May 4, the May Day bank holiday.

Offering free rides from around 9am until 5pm, the event welcomed 16 vehicles from the original King Alfred fleet and 24 other vintage buses from around the UK.

FoKAB was founded in 1985 and now has 200 members. It holds three events a year, with its May running day being the biggest and most well-attended.

The event hosted buses dating back to 1929, as well as some new and restored ones from as recently as 2002. Routes around the city were running for visitors, as well as longer journeys to Stockbridge, Sutton Scotney, Alresford, Colden Common and Otterbourne.

James Freeman, Chair of Friends of King Alfred Buses, said: "Not only does this event commemorate the King Alfred Motor Services, but it also gives people the opportunity to share old buses.

"It's the joy of being involved and sharing them with everyone. At the end of the day, there will have been about 12,000 people who have had rides. Where else could you do that?

"The value of it is also that it brings people to the city and drives activity, so it's important for everyone in Winchester."

Chair of FoKAB, James Freeman. (Image: Eve Thompson)

Mayor and mayoress of Winchester, Cllr Sudhakar and Vivian Achwal, also took a bus tour of the city with their grandson Theo.

Roland Graves, member of FoKAB since 1986, said: "Today reminds people of what travel was like in the 50s, 60s and 70s and gives people a chance to ride on traditional buses. Very few people remember a conductor, so it's nice to create a bit of nostalgia.

"All of the money goes towards restoration and keeping the King Alfred fleet on the roads of Winchester. It's great to see this event bringing so many people together, as well as buses from all over the UK.

"The sense of camaraderie and knowing that you are keeping pieces of local history is very nostalgic."

Ian Flintoff, of Aylesbury, said: "I come every year. My love of buses started at an early age; my parents didn't have a car, so we went everywhere on buses. It's important to bring these vehicles into the light of day, and it's much better to be able to ride them than to see them in museums."

Ian Flintoff from Aylesbury, in front of a Leyland Lion. (Image: Eve Thompson)

FoKAB is a registered charity dedicated to preserving King Alfred buses and coaches and the memory of King Alfred Motor Services, which provided Winchester’s local bus services between 1922 and 1973.

Further details can be found at kingalfredbuses.org.uk