Hants & Dorset Lodekka joins the FoKAB fleet
In a new development for FoKAB, whose charitable aims relate not just to the famous independent King Alfred Motor Services, but to all operators in and around Winchester, the Friends have accepted the donation of a 1964 Bristol Lodekka FS6G, registered BEL 677B. It was formerly Hants and Dorset Motor Services number 1504 (latterly 1157) and was based at Poole and Lymington in its service days.
FoKAB Chairman James Freeman welcomed the donation of the bus, saying: “this is an important piece of local transport history. Hants and Dorset were of course a major player in transport services in Winchester and Hampshire in general, so it fits well within our collection”. We are happy to be taking on a bus which has no direct association with King Alfred, because in fact our purpose is to cover all local bus operators in and around Winchester, including of course Hants & Dorset, whose big fleet is very under-represented in bus preservation.”
No 1504 had a distinguished career following sale by Hants and Dorset in 1981. It was converted into a “Book Bus” to promote literacy, particularly to children. In its new guise, the bus toured the UK painted in bright colours, and reached as far as Scotland.
The bus was retired in the early 2000s following the end of the project. Its long-term owner was Anne Sarrag, who had run the bus, obtained sponsorship and made partnerships to enable the bus to carry out its role. She was keen that the bus continues to give public benefit, so kindly donated the Lodekka to FoKAB. Said James Freeman: “We are very grateful to Anne Sarrag for making this special bus available to us”.
1504 has been stored in Kent for many years, and recovery back to Hampshire was undertaken by Chepstow Classic Buses to whom FoKAB is very grateful. Thankfully, when the bus was converted to its new role, very few structural alterations were made, so it appears a very realistic renovation project. A number of parts needed have already been obtained, but FoKAB would always welcome any assistance to get the Lodekka back to roadworthy condition again.
FoKAB members already own other former Hants and Dorset vehicles, including 1960 FS6G 5977 EL and FLF6G LLJ 443F, as well as much more recent LH6L AFB 592V. Continuing the Hants & Dorset theme in FoKAB, the main collection contains the venerable Leyland PLSC3 Lion RU 8678, which was new to H & D in 1929, while King Alfred AEC Renown 596 LCG dating from 1964, is currently presented in Hants & Dorset NBC poppy red livery which it carried as fleet number 2212 in the 1970s.
