What’s in a name? - TrustNews Jun 16
Phil Yates concludes the story behind a famous local bus company.
How did the buses and coaches come to be named King Alfred? An employee of the company, Harry Tremlett, was struck by an image of King Alfred’s statue embossed on the van-doors of Aylward & Sons, wine and spirit merchants in Jewry Street. He took his idea to the Guv’nor who, after receiving assurance by Aylwards that they had not registered the design as a trade-mark, promptly did so. He then employed a professional sign-writer to paint a version of the statue in gold-leaf amongst other colours to be used with the words KING ALFRED on the sides and rear of all the company's vehicles.
On New Year’s Day 1983 the first ‘running day’ took place with just one vintage Tiger Cub King Alfred bus (the other being a Renault 1935 Paris bus). Held each New Years Day till 2014, the tradition of the Running Day soon became a great success, not only with King Alfred buses and coaches on display, but also with transport vehicles from other parts of the country. It now takes place every year on May Bank Holiday Sunday.
In 1984, the researches of James Freeman, Robert Jowett and Richard Murphy, all bus enthusiasts, resulted in the publication of their comprehensive book entitled King Alfred Motor Services — the story of a Winchester Family business. The following year saw the launch of the Friends of King Alfred Buses, with the aim of ‘preserving the memory of King Alfred Motor Services 1920 to 1973’. Robert Chisnell (son of Bob) and Richard Chisnell (son of Fred) were elected Joint Honorary Presidents with James Freeman as Chairman.
I have fond memories, as a boy and later in adult life, travelling on the family-run buses to various parts of Winchester and getting to know the drivers and conductors, some of whom were faithful employees for many years. My thanks are due to Richard Chisnell, Rod Youngman and to references in the book for help with this article.
One of King Alfred Buses first Leyland Charabancs from the RAF believed to be driven by AV Holland
Phil's walk, based on the above, and the GWR, takes place on Thursday 23rd June, Referendum day, at 6 pm. For full details see Summer Walks.
Correction: ln the March TrustNews Phil mistakenly implied that VE Day was in June 1945 when it was of course on 8th May 1945. He would like to apologize for this error.