Despite an article in the Spalding Guardian (September 3) and an invitation to the people of Holbeach, not one person attended the Holbeach and District Community Vehicle Committee AGM in the town council office on September 9.
This lack of interest, despite the article explaining the difficulties the management committee has been experiencing, is extremely disappointing.
The Holbeach and District Bus has been a service provided by groups of volunteers over the past 30-plus years, which allows social groups, elderly, disabled, young or those living in remote villages, to access a self-drive 16-seat minibus with a tail-lift for people of limited mobility.
The chairman Martin Howard has been involved for the past 25 years, and in the vast majority of those, he has parked the minibus on his drive and kept it clean, with his wife Evelyn taking and recording bookings. They now want to enjoy their retirement.
The current secretary has been involved for the past eight years with a short break.
The current treasurer has been involved over the past seven years.
All believe that new blood is required, if the facility is to be kept for Holbeach and District.
We have contacted the Lincolnshire Community Volunteer Service (LCVS) to ask for help in finding volunteers to take over.
We also need a suitable local place where the bus can be kept when not in use, yet easily accessible to users, with a facility/person to hand over keys, recording sheets, and to collect the completed recording sheets and keys on the bus’s return.
The town council, district councillors, well-wishers (including a donation from Chosen) and sponsors have all contributed to the success of the bus over recent years.
The most important, was the grant provided by Lincolnshire County Council to help us replace the minibus three years ago.
There are healthy balances in the accounts, good regular bookings and the minibus is in excellent condition. Do you want to throw all of that away?
So with heavy hearts we have to say that if no one can be found to take over between now and the end of the current financial year (March 31), the Holbeach and District Community Vehicle Committee (Charity No 1069951) will have to be closed, and the assets transferred to a similar organisation with similar aims to ours.
If you are interested, please contact the LCVS on 01775 718008, or email [email protected], or in writing to Lincolnshire CVS, SHDC Offices, Priory Road, Spalding, PE11 2XE.
Thank you
Chris Brandon-King
Hon Treasurer
The Holbeach & District Community Vehicle Committee
