VINTAGE buses will again be running on the streets of Winchester.

This time they will be part of the Heritage Open Days on Saturday September 14.

The Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB) says a theme for this year will be FoKAB’s collection of three Bedford coaches, each of which is a rare and historic vehicle and of which all three have not been seen together since 1967.

They will be on display at the Cattle Market car park in Worthy Lane between Noon and 3pm and then run some free trips until 5pm. This day is expected to be the first public outing of Bedford CA minicoach BHO 543C, operated by King Alfred in 1967 and at last fully restored after over 30 years of dereliction.

Very few minicoaches with this type of Martin Walter bodywork now survive and BHO 543C was the only one to operate in Winchester with King Alfred Motor Services.

Many will remember the firm of Martin Walter for their ‘Dormobile’ motor caravan conversions, a vehicle type they pioneered in Britain and which in the 1960s and 1970s was so well known that eventually the company was renamed ‘Dormobile’.

Also planned to be in action are open top 1967 Leyland Atlantean HOR 590E and 1931 Dennis OU 9286 providing a free vintage bus service between the Broadway and the Cattle Market between Noon and 5pm.

Additionally, FoKAB is working with the organisers of The Worthys Festival (a village open day) for which 1959 Leyland Tiger Cub WCG 104 will be providing a free bus service through the day – a vehicle which celebrates its 60th anniversary next month.

A full timetable will be available. Copies may be obtained in advance by post from:

David Morgan, 34 High Street, Nutfield, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 4HQ. Price: £2 (Cheques payable to ‘Friends of King Alfred Buses’)