Visit of the Mayor of Winchester & the City of Winchester Trust to
Central Works
16^th August 2007
Added 22/08/07

The Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Chris Pines, and the City of Winchester Trust members visited the Friends of King Alfred Buses Headquarters to see what the effects of the Silverhill Development will be on our charity and the restoration projects. 

They were able to see the progress of the restoration of the Olympic and the other work progressing on our buses in Central Works.  Their visit finished with a ride on AEC Renown 596.

Members waiting for our guests

Our  guests enjoying refreshments

______________________________________
ooo

Members’ day out to the Avon Valley Railway & Vintage Bus Rally, Bristol
12^th August 2007
Added 22/08/07

The rally took place at the Brislington Park and Ride, Bristol ideally situated between Bristol Vintage Bus Group works at Flower Hill and the Avon Valley Railway at Bitton who  jointly organised the event.

From here the Bristol Vintage Bus Group organised a free service between the main site and their works at Flowers Hill using their own vehicles, a half hour shuttles service for Bitton station on the Avon Valley Railway and a service to Bristol City Centre.

We travelled in our Bedford VAL ably driven by 'new' driver Dave Smith and Ray Evans.  At Bristol we met by the Torquay group who had two good loads on 704 for the mystery tour of the surrounding area. 

26 members enjoyed a superb day out, many visiting the Avon Valley Railway and some even enjoying a river cruise while there!

Line up of preserved Bristol vehicles at Flower Hill

GHT 127, a 1941 Bristol K5G

MRL 765, a 1950 Austin K8VC with Tiverton C12F body,
new to Hawkey's Coaches, Wadebdridge

______________________________________
ooo

Leyland Titan 494
passes MoT
Tuesday, 17^th July
Added 22/08/07

494, our Leyland Titan PD2/24.passed its MoT today with no advisories.  August is a month of rest from MoTs but the next vehicle to test is our MIU in September.

______________________________________
ooo

Members' Evening Out
Monday, 16^th July
Added 22/08/07

It was all aboard PD2 494 for an evening's drive to Stockbridge. The route out was by the direct via Sandy Down.  After a stop in Stockbridge  for refreshments we returned via Horsebridge and King's Somborne.  We were joined by members of the Tram & Light Railway Society (Solent) Group.

______________________________________
ooo

Alton Bus Rally
& Running Day
Sunday, 15^th July
Added 22/08/07

This year FoKAB sent Leyland Panther 419, a bus we think has not appeared at a Alton Rally.

Besides running a feeder to Alton, it operated three services - one each to Lasham pond, Alton Sports Centre and Alresford station via the Meon valley.

Upper right: Panther 419 at Lasham Lower right: waiting time at Alton Sports Centre while on a town service.
Courtesy and © Stuart Neale

______________________________________
oooooo

Members' Meeting
Saturday, 14^th July
Added 22/08/07

The July members’ meeting was a little different.  PD2 494 conveyed members to the Broadway for a walking tour of Bridge Street and Chesil Street to find the locations that form the history of R Chisnell & Sons.  These included the sites of the bus and coach garages, the first SPO and first home of Mr Robert in Winchester (he was born in 1870 in Hawkley).

We finished passing the Great Western Hotel – much to the disappointment of some members.  There was then a bus ride on route 6 to Morn Hill, the site of the World War 1 army camps, and Avington Cross Roads.

Top: Site of Hillside Garage, Station Approach.
Middle: Frontage of Hillside Garage on Chesil Street now Avalon House.
Bottom: The Coach Garage further along Chesil Street.
Courtesy & © Keith Morton

  ______________________________________
ooo

Festival of Transport
Sunday, 8^th July
Added 22/08/07

The Wessex Transport Society's Festival of Transport was earlier this year.  FoKAB took along to Avon Heath, near Ringwood, our 'Summer' vehicle, Atlantean 590.

590 operated three trips to Wimborne, the majority of the route following the old Hants & Dorset service 22.  She carried two good loads in the morning but the intending passengers were spoilt for choice of buses at the time of the third trip.

The weather behaved itself for most of the day but 590 got a little wet going home.

590 Wimborne Square

Two VRs and Atlantean at Avon Heath

______________________________________
ooo

Plaxton Centenary
22^nd April
Added 18/0/08/07

Pictures here

______________________________________
ooo