Imberbus will return to Salisbury Plain for 2021 on Saturday 21 August thanks to the many operators and suppliers that work together to stage the event. It will again raise money for charity.
Imberbus was first conceived in 2009. That year, it used four former London Transport AEC Routemasters to run between Warminster and the uninhabited village of Imber, which is accessible to the public on a limited number of occasions annually. By 2019, Imberbus had expanded to utilise 28 vehicles, raising almost £25,000 for charities.
In 2021, buses will depart every 15 minutes from Warminster railway station to Imber and other parts of Salisbury Plain that are rarely seen by the public. The first will leave at 0945hrs. St Giles’ Church in Imber will be open for viewing and refreshments, which will also be served in the village halls of Chitterne and Tilshead. Cream teas will be available in the Old School House next to Market Lavington Church.
Charities supported by Imberbus are the Friends of St Giles’ Church and the Royal British Legion, plus in 2019, Macmillan Cancer Support.
Providing vehicles for Imberbus in 2021 will be:
Abellio London
Arriva London
Ensignbus
First Bus
Go Ahead London
Go North East
Go South Coast
London Truck and Bus
Metroline
RATP Dev London
Stagecoach London
Stagecoach South West.
Half a dozen independent operators will also be involved, adds Dawsongroup Bus and Coach Managing Director Paul Sainthouse. Mr Sainthouse, who is involved with organising Imberbus, will enter his two privately-owned Routemasters to the 2021 event. Besides heritage former London buses, Imberbus now also utilises examples of the Wrightbus New Routemaster, providing access for less mobile passengers.
Adds Mr Sainthouse: “All businesses involved supply vehicles, crews, diesel and staff accommodation free of charge for a day where the public can visit the lost village of Imber on Salisbury Plain via a scheduled bus service that uses modern and vintage London buses. All fares go to charity and everyone involved gives their time freely.”
More information at the organiser’s website.
