The Fernhurst Society
Tales from the Archives - 57
An omnibus service? It'll never catch on
In April 1913 there was talk of a line of motor omnibuses to run between Haslemere and Midhurst via Fernhurst and Henley. The fares would be cheap and the service would run to and fro several times daily, stopping at certain fixed points to pick up passengers. Cole's are rather in fear that this may injure their trap hire business. Mr Charles Willcock, who relates this story, does not think that it will make any material difference, as, most of the people who patronise Cole's will not care for mixed company, nor wish to be confined to 'bus' times.
Some of the aged or poorer people in Fernhurst and Henley may take penny, fourpenny or sixpenny rides, who would otherwise walk. My prediction to Mrs Cole is that the project might go on through the summer but as soon as winter commences it will come to an end.
My prediction proved true. The 'buses' ran for six months and then the company went bankrupt and I fear that many people in the locality who purchased shares were the poorer for the venture.
Footnote: Aldershot & District Motor Traction Company, formed in 1912, soon extended its services to cover many local towns and villages.
If you would like to know more about this story, or research other local topics, the Archive is open on Tuesdays, 2.30-5pm in the Village Hall. Other times by arrangement.
Christine Maynard
Fernhurst ArchiveOne of a series of short articles bringing you some of the incidents from our rich village history. Collated by Christine Maynard, based on documents preserved at the Fernhurst Archives, these originally were published in the monthly Fernhurst News.
The Fernhurst Archives
Fernhurst History
