After its use by the Ministry of Defence, Avon Heath Country Park was created into a conservation area for the public and opened in the late 1980's. It has 580 acres containing Dorset Heath, Scots Pine, Birch and open grassland. In 2001 The Wessex Transport Society had found itself looking for a location to hold a bus event having been unsuccessful at a school near Wimborne with no facilities. We found Avon Heath very convenient because it had a large hard-standing grass field formerly used by MOD tanks, also a reasonably priced transport-style cafe and toilet facilties. In fact the field area was large enough not just for buses but for Mike Caldicott's vision to accommodate other types of transport vehicles. The lorry park could also substitute for an arrival and departure area for free bus services.
The free bus services operated were based on the former routes of Hants & Dorset Motor Services:
13A to Christchurch Road Station (Holmsley Tea Rooms), via Burley and Durmast Cross.
27 to Hurn Airport via Ferndown. This very popular route served the Bournemouth Aviation Museum where our visitors could gain entry with discount from our programme.
38 to Salisbury via Fordingbridge. Bill Santer used to do the the morning trip with a commentry. One year this route was extended to Stongehenge.
238 to Christchurch via the scenic Avon Valley.
97 to Fordingbridge, and Cranborne. This had a rail station theme covering disused station sites of Daggons Road and Verwood. Norman Aish with green Bedford MLC would normally operate; one afternoon a tea-stop was made at Alderholt Mill.
101 was used for a shuttle service to Ringwood car parks and Town Centre. The town was normally very quiet on Sundays except for one year when the Ringwood Festival coincided with our event.
102 went to Ringwood but operated via Moors Valley Country Park for the narrow-gauge steam railway.
124 was only suitable for small PSV's along the narrow roads and entrance to the romantic setting of the Avon Causeway Inn, formerly Hurn Station. The line and station closed in 1935, and has been thought to be included in "The 39 Steps" film.
130 to Brockenhurst Station via Wilverly Plain. This would connect with the Lymington Heritage Line and slam-door stock.
"Seaside Mystery Tour" - this afternoon trip varied in its route each year. The double-deck Bristol VR always carried a full load passengers listening to a good, interesting and enjoyable commentry from our Bill.
In 2008 the Wessex committee decided a change of location was needed to keep-up members and visitors interest and looked at various sites including a return to Baiter Park at Poole (where it was first held) and also at Kings Park in Bournemouth. We have found that Swanage presently have the perfect facilities for all our requirements and as long as Swanage Town Council are happy to accommodate us we will continue with the event.
PAUL DONALD
DECEMBER 2009
FOOTNOTE: With regards to our loss of car & commercial static display at Avon Heath, Durlston Country Park (near to our site at Swanage) have a small but useful area of land for a possible display. Any static display here would require one or two volunteers to organise parking and co-operate with health & safety rules. Buses from Swanage to Durlston must be able to climb the steep hill and there would ideally be a 30-minute headway so suitable vehicles and willing drivers would be needed.
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