By Vivian Longland, TISBUS trustee 2001-2010
First Tisbus 1
TISBUS was launched in 2000 when the late Lord Clanwilliam discovered there was government funding for such a service in rural areas. There were many eligibility criteria, one of which was wheelchair and disabled access, another that it had to be a door-to-door service – no regular timetable or picking up at bus stops. He, together with Dunkin Symes, the late Jeremy Hooper and the late Dr Brian Dalton did much research and having agreed there was a need, particularly as Tisbury was designated a socially deprived area, they formed a charity with a board of trustees. Together with Anthony Lovell-Wood as treasurer, Vivian Longland as secretary and Morley Green as the first transport manager, TISBUS was born. Prince Charles ‘blessed’ the bus at a ceremony in Chilmark, showing great interest in the wheelchair lift and how the charity had been formed.
Over the years several second-hand buses were added to the fleet and then came the time when a NEW bus could be considered. Many applications for funds had been submitted, and then the phone rang. It was the Gannett Foundation who was offering us double the amount for which we had applied. From then, a brand new bus was in sight. Following this purchase a rolling programme of replacement buses has been in place.
TISBUS with HRH
Over the years the board members in charge of various sections have come and gone – all of them doing sterling work and often far beyond their remit. In particular Peter Thompson, Eddie Neighbours and the late Gerry Quirke as transport managers gave a great part of their week to TISBUS to keep the buses on the road. The Co-ordinators all had a special something and Karen Marshall, Cathy Titcombe, Beth Dunlop and Errolyn Neighbours more than fulfilled their brief. The members enjoyed chatting to them and often unloaded their worries into caring ears. The chairman changed over the years and for a time we struggled on without one, taking it in turns to be in charge.
TISBUS with HRH and Dunkin Symes
Drivers have always been at the heart of TISBUS and there have been many over the years, but never quite enough. Some have driven on a very occasional basis, others many hours a week. Most have been volunteers, a few on a paid basis – they would never have made their fortune – but we were grateful for their time. They came from all walks of life from a retired GP to an air traffic controller right through to a jumbo-jet pilot and all other careers in between.
Raising funds has always been a big issue and many hours were spent completing grant applications. We were amazed at the diverse enterprises that supported us. After several years of ‘nagging’ Salisbury District Council the secretary received permission to allow members to use their bus passes on approved trips. In order to raise funds, days out were organised, transport offered to schools and groups, and vehicle hire for private functions promoted.
There have been many sleepless nights over the years, many, many hours of volunteer time given, and most beyond the call of duty but TISBUS has now proved after 20 years that it is a worthwhile project and one which the current members and board of trustees should be proud of. The residents of Tisbury should be grateful to the late Lord Clanwilliam for his vision all those years ago.
Apologies are given for the omission of many who helped TISBUS along the way, but you are too numerous to name. That does not mean your work was not appreciated.
Take a leisurely TISBUS trip down memory lane, an early days video by Dean Alleyne