LATEST NEWS
Updated : 29th November 2020
Coronavirus/Covid-19
All passenger services are suspended. We are reviewing on a regular basis and are making every effort to get back on the road once is it safe to do so.
New Local Coordinators!
We have 2 volunteers to welcome in role as local coordinators.
For Wisborough Green, Dave Wallace has agreed to take over from Pat Farmer, who has done many years of sterling service for us.
Similarly, in Petworth, we welcome Caroline Stoneman. David Cresswell is standing down, again after many years years of service.
Thanks to all!
Stories and Pictures Wanted…
We’re working to improve our website.
We’d love to include content which reflects the range and diversity of where we go and who we serve.
We’re sure there may be stories and photos of memorable trips, recent and not so recent, out there. If you can help, contact us via the number or link at the bottom of this page.
Similarly, please let us know any comments or suggestions for the website.
For Coordinators : Membership Review
Our Local Coordinators have been asked to work with our membership secretary to review and update divisional membership details, which we do periodically. The target date for this is in January and February of 2021. Please shout if you need help with this!
Database moves to The Cloud!
We’re pleased to announce that the booking application (as used by Storrington division) and cross division membership database have been moved to a cloud service. Users will be provided with revised connection details in due course.
The move gives use better security and reliability. Many thanks to John Draper and Bob Francis for working so hard to make this happen.
HELP!
CHARITY COSTS & FUNDING
Whilst our services are suspended or reduced, we continue to have to maintain our fleet.
We are continuing with our replacement programme for older vehicles. We have reduced overheads, but our income has been cut dramatically, both in terms of direct fares, affiliate use charges and subscriptions, but also in reduction in grants and donations as everyone feels the pinch.
Without additional income, we’ll see a gradual depletion of our reserves, potentially impacting our ability to provide some services in medium to longer term.
At this stage we’re appealing for all our supporters to click here to visit our donations page, where we hope you’ll be able to consider simple actions such as ‘give as you live’ to help us.
In parallel the team will be looking at funding options as we go into 2021. Let us know any ideas!
2021 Individual Subscriptions
Our services in 2020 were severely reduced, and are uncertain for 2021 (albeit with some reasons to be optimistic). We had expected to gradually increase of individual subscriptions to £10 for 2021, before covid and it’s knock on impacts were felt.
When the trustees met on 23rd November 2020 they agreed that:
• We would allow anyone who had paid a 2020 individual subscription, to have this extended at no cost to cover 2021.
• For those who have not paid a 2020 individual subscription, we would hold the charge for 2021 at £8.
Clearly the income for the charity has been reduced hugely and will continue to be impacted, but our fixed costs remain, and therefore we are operating at a deficit. We therefore would like divisions to remind passengers during the membership renewal process that we are more than happy to accept donations, and every little helps!
Diary Dates
Monday 25th January 09:30 : Virtual Management Board Meeting
Monday 25th January 10:30 : Virtual Trustee Meeting