IN PICTURES: Friends of King Alfred Buses marks 40th anniversary

This month marks 40 years since James Freeman called the public meeting at which the Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB) was formed.

James, who had already saved two former King Alfred Motor Services buses, helped form the organisation which aims to preserve as many former King Alfred buses as possible and promote interest in what, prior to its acquisition by Hants & Dorset in 1973, had been Winchester’s local bus company. Its success since then has been phenomenal with no less than 16 vehicles preserved in the two-tone green and cream colours adopted by R Chisnell & Sons and nearly all were to be seen in operation during the running day held on Easter Monday.

It was sadly only nearly all because one of the organisation’s best known buses, a 1950 Leyland Olympic HR40 MCW, was virtually destroyed by fire in December 2023. Though it initially looked impossible to achieve, the process of resurrecting the badly damaged bus has already started thanks to the support of many benefactors and the drive of James Freeman. A total of around £500,000 will have been spent by the time she is back on the road, which FoKAB is hoping will be in around three years time. There is still a long way to go to reach that figure but an excellent start has been made. You can make a donation at kingalfredbuses.org.uk

Rather better FoKAB vehicle news is that it now has another bus to add to its roster in the form of a highbridge all-Leyland PD2/1. It dates from 1950 or thereabouts, three different buses having contributed various parts in order to make the reconstruction possible. Though not actually a former King Alfred bus, it is similar to examples they operated ensuring that while the bus may not be completely authentic, the experience of riding on it is.

The FoKAB fleet spans the 41-year period from 1929 to 1970, the oldest being a Short-bodied Leyland Lion PLSC3 and the newest a pair of Plaxton Derwent-bodied Leyland Panther PSU1A/1Rs, and having travelled on both on the day I can tell you that the Panthers were a lot swifter on Winchester’s hills than the Lion. The resident fleet is always joined on running days by buses and coaches of varying ages, both local and from further afield, most of which are preserved but including some still actively employed. Together they provide a free service all day on an array of former King Alfred routes, most of which depart under the watchful eye of King Alfred’s statue on Winchester’s Broadway. Ensuring that all ran smoothly and to time was James Freeman adorned in a two-tone high vis jacket, an altogether necessary nod to modernity.

I had been hoping for a ride on the former Theobald’s Bedford OB Duple that has been owned by John Woodhams for many years and latterly run by Mervyn’s Coaches, but this had been sold to a Maltese purchaser and shipped there shortly before the event. In its place, Mervyn’s provided an arguably even more impressive machine that they have been steadily restoring for the past 15 years, for its public debut. This was a fine 1937 AEC Regal with 1949 coachwork by Harrington, apparently incorporating aluminium sections originally intended for aircraft construction, which may have influenced the rather straight waist rail. Fitted with a diesel unit in place of the original petrol engine, it was smoothly driven by Josh Annetts of Mervyn’s, which these days has a far more modern fleet than was once the case. It delighted passengers who caught one of the five departures of service OC to Micheldever/East Stratton, a route that seemed to pass more thatched dwellings than tiled ones. Conductor for the day was Peter Roberts who shared stories of his experiences with Mervyns and Excelsior. On the journey I made, time was found to call in at Mervyn’s depot where other members of the, now 15-strong, fleet could be seen, including one of three Scanias owned, returning from cruise ship duties.

Although no charge is made for anyone to travel on the buses, FoKAB does take the opportunity to generate funds for its activities through the sale of an excellent programme, designed by Best Impressions and packed with pictures and information that helps you get the most out of the day. Apart from the opportunity to see and ride on such a variety of vehicles, the event also provided the chance to catch up with current and former operators, many of them fulfilling driving and conducting roles for the day. The wheels are also oiled by support from local operators Stagecoach and Bluestar. The next FoKAB running days will be on 14 September 2025, 1 January 2026 and 4 May 2026.

• Click the images above the headline to see the full gallery from the event