General Chat

Haven’t we already discussed the services the social bus was possibly providing?

And again a sensible sort of question has been turned into Rollo the Wrong Show!

Back to the subject.

Has anyone thought of putting a short questionnaire in the parish magazine, asking what people want?
This could be a general 'wish list' as well.

There you are,then, Sharron, the names fine, you obviously don't have a properly qualified driver, you're not keeping the bus in the right place, Hampshire and Sussex social transport has atropied - whatever that means - and RTR knows, because he lives, where?
However, it doesn't matter where he lives, he apparently knows all about volunteer services in *checks* Hampshire and Sussex, which is a bit random -- no mention of Dorset, though.
He's also stated that the DVLA now doesn't charge to renew licenses - though according to him, it did, earlier in the day.

So, there you go - sorted!!!!

Surely you're sooo grateful for that totally off- topic mansplain.
You'll be ready if the subject ever comes up!

*watches the tumbleweed...........................................

We have the mini-bus, Maggie, but it needs some repair..

The mini-bus service, not the same one all the time, has continued for fifty odd years. The details of who can and can't drive it are puely academic in the context of this thread.

What I was trying to find out was not how much Rollo could find out about driving licences but what impression was being conveyed by naming the service,'The Good Companions Transport Club'.

Carry on Rollo. At least you are not beating the missus while you are googling!

I said it was free RTR - YOU were going on about the cost of something or other, and 'faff' of an eye test!!
Sheesh.

Not sure how a link to the DVLA helps - no-one from genes is likely to volunteer to drive in Sharron's village :-D
But well done for finding it.

Sharron, it may be possible to buy a cheap, but roadworthy minibus from one of the many Youth Clubs that have closed, due to cuts in Council funding from the Government.

There are also firms/businesses/individuals who donate money to 'worthy' causes/charties - it cuts their tax bill!

No, sorry, I was 'fighting' with George (cat) who was in front of the screen, and on my mouse hand (yes, he's a contortionist)

"People aged over 70 still need to review their licence every three years, and your GP may still need to assess your fitness to drive if you have certain medical conditions as detailed below."

From Age UK.

You also can't drive a bus, coach or lorry if you have high blood pressure - at any age!

Maggie did I misread your post? There is currnetly no requirement for drivers of 70 to have a medical every three year. Only a renewal of license when you are expected to reveal any new problems with health etc.

Nothing to do with no-one wanting to ride in it, then?

Drivers over 70 need to have a medical every 3 years, whatever they're driving, renewal is also free,
What MAY cost, is if you are unsure of your ability to drive, and go to an assessmet centre.
An eye test (also free) is a faff? Crikey!
Much better then, to avoid faff, avoid specs, and drive around half blind - much more 'manly'!

Is that so?

Well I never.

If only we had known.

And?

The current bus, which is not the original, is in need of expensive repair or replacement and is not getting enough use, especially during the last year, to have elicited enough money in donations to cover the expense.

Notices have gone out in both parish magazines for volunteer drivers with little response.

Never one to join the hand wringing and commiserating, I thought I might have a better look at the problem and I am now trying to convince those whose responsibility it is (glad that that is not me!) that nobody knows what the bloody club is!

Sharron sounds like a good piece of PR is what is needed. I think you are the ideal person to undertake the task. :-) :-)

Seriously though. Maybe an article in the Parish Mag asking for new drivers and explaining that it is for everyone, young and old.

Perhaps they should, maybe at a local fete, see if people would want it again, or something similar, and, if so, start fundraising for a new bus!

Edit - and maybe give it a new name! :-D :-D

You always get one don't you?

I am telling you it doesn't get used!

That’s a very old minibus - I,m surprised it is still roadworthy. ;-)

Long ago, in the sixties, the Good Companions club was started in the village when there were a lot of people who had grown up and old together in the village. It flourished for may years but is coming to its natural conclusion with four members left who are in their eighties and nineties. Nobody has joined for a very long time.

At about the same time as the Good Companions was founded, the village raised money to buy a community mini-bus which was registered as a charity and was constituted primarily for the transport of the "aged and handicapped" of the village.It is, however , available for the use of anybody as long as they are on the insurance.

It is constituted as the 'Good Companions Transport Club' which makes people think of it as the old peoples mini-bus. As a charity it is not possible too charge a fare so donations are asked of passengers and it is driven by volunteers but people do not seem keen to drive it or use it even if it does run two shopping trips a week.

I think the nae does not convey its true identity so newcomers who don't know what the facility is and assume it is not relevant to them.

I bet it will be a disappointment after all the suggestions :-D