Poole will play host to a major celebration of one of the region’s leading bus operators this summer.
Forty vintage vehicles, a host of stalls, memorabilia stands, refreshments and entertainment will take over Poole Quay on Sunday 10 July for Hants & Dorset’s 100th birthday party.
Now known as morebus, the firm is laying on the special family event in support of Dorset children’s hospice charity Julia’s House. The event is expected to attract a lot of local interest both from local enthusiasts and families alike.
Managing Director Andrew Wickham said:
“We are thrilled to be celebrating our centenary alongside all those who have worked with us and travelled on our buses over the years,” he said.
“This promises to be a fantastic celebration of Hants & Dorset’s incredible history in this town. People will even be able to take to the roads in a variety of magnificent vintage buses – with routes operating around Poole and the surrounding areas, including Sandbanks and Bournemouth Pier. I’m very much looking forward to welcoming guests to our party.”
Hants & Dorset Motor Services Limited is the forerunner of what is now largely the morebus network. The operator was officially founded on 17 March 1916, when Bournemouth & District Motor Services was registered as a private company.
Bus services operated by the company increased after the end of the First World War and, in July 1920, the firm’s title was changed to the more geographically-accurate Hants & Dorset Motor Services with the name later evolving into Wilts & Dorset Buses.
Now the company is known as morebus and – along with sister operator Bluestar – it continues to provide high quality bus services across the region.
The centenary event takes place between 10am and 4pm on Sunday 10 July at Poole Quay.
For more information about morebus, visit morebus.co.uk
Picture: A Bristol FS6G double decker bus which was new to Hants & Dorset Bus Company in February 1961. This bus will be appearing at the Centenary day on Poole Quay. Picture used with kind permission of Brian Jackson