Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert attended the 40th AGM of the West Sussex Community Minibus Association in Fittleworth Village Hall on Friday (17 July).

Mr Herbert is Vice President of the minibus charity which covers 45 villages in West Sussex.

The AGM was opened by the Association's Chairman, Alistair Sheppard, and attended by its President, Sir Brian Barttelot, committee members and many of the Association’s volunteers.

The Community Minibus Association for West Sussex has grown considerably in the forty years in which it has been running. Founded by Geoffrey Howard-Roberts [MT to double check] with a single minibus in 1975, the Association now operates a fleet of 13 vehicles across 7 divisions.

The transport services provided by the Association help many residents living in the rural parts of West Sussex where public transport is not easily accessible. The minibus teams organise social days out and shopping trips, and are also available for hire to community groups.

The Community Minibus Association is operated on an entirely voluntary basis, from those who run and administrate the charity to those who drive the vehicles and escort the passengers.

Mr Herbert was delighted to be re-elected as Vice President for a further year, and thanked all of the volunteers for their ongoing support for the charity. He applauded their commitment and hard work in providing what is an essential service to so many people.

Sir Brian Barttelot, who was also re-elected as President, praised the charity for running so smoothly, and thanked the Chairman for helping them to bring the Association up to date.

Nick Herbert said: “I am delighted to continue as Vice President for this excellent organisation. It is such an important charity in my constituency, helping so many people.

“I look forward to supporting the Association’s 40th anniversary celebrations at the end of the year, and hope that new volunteers will continue to come forward and join this invaluable team of people.”

ENDS

Notes

1. Photograph attached – left to right – Guy Roper, Rodger Hunt, Joe Ashton (back), Alistair Sheppard, Alex Dolby (back), Sir Brian Barttelot, Nick Herbert MP.

2. For more information about the Community Minibus Association (West Sussex) see www.westsussexminibus.org.uk.

MP attends minibus charity's 40th AGM