Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB) exhibited 14 of its own vintage collection and was supported by the appearance of 35 visiting heritage buses on its Original King Alfred Running Day on May Day bank holiday (Monday 5 May).
Transport enthusiasts and the wider public boarded the buses and enjoyed free rides in the regular celebration of the city’s historic operator King Alfred Motor Services.
FoKAB’s Leyland Titan PD2 HOR 811, a replica of one used by King Alfred in the 1950s, was inaugurated into public service by Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Russell Gordon-Smith, accompanied by Richard Chisnell, the grandson of the founder, Robert Chisnell.
They were among a full load of passengers as it travelled to Colden Common and back over King Alfred’s route 1 via Hockley and Twyford.
Six open-toppers, including a 1936 Leyland TD4 from Eastbourne and the King Alfred Atlantean, were among the buses on display.
“Every year, we are proud to bring much trade to Winchester as people flock to the city, spending money in the shops and restaurants across the town,” says James Freeman, FoKAB Chair, of the Original Running Day event. “We have been running similar events in each of the 40 years of our existence.”
To mark the charity’s Ruby Anniversary, a special display of its collection will take place on Saturday 31 May at the cattle market beside Andover Road, Winchester.
King Alfred Motor Services provided Winchester’s local bus services between 1922 and 1973 before it was taken over by Hants & Dorset.
