POPULAR coach trips run by Westbury’s Imperial Charity will restart in August.
Bob Summerfield, who manages the charity which operates two shops in the high street and in Warminster Road, says he is delighted that when restrictions are lifted on July 19th, Real Coaches have confirmed the trips can restart.
Bob told White Horse News, “We’ve agreed that our first trip will be on 18th August to Weymouth and we will get our usual three coaches and are hopeful there will be a significant number of people to fill them.
“We used to have two 53 seaters and a 35 – 39 seater so it was 140 odd people we used to take out every month, which was good as it was about 50/50 from Westbury and Warminster.”
Bob said once tickets are available they can be picked up from either shop or the Warminster hub.
“In the past we’ve got in to work at 8.30am to open at 9am and there’s a queue down the road for the tickets. We ask for a donation of £10 a ticket and people with learning difficulties and their carers go free.
“It does help financially – it generates that interest again. There was concern at one time that we wouldn’t be able to afford to do it, but things have picked up a bit since then.
“I‘m delighted, I really am – this is what it’s all about. Hopefully we can get up and running properly again.
“We have another two trips planned for September / October and for the October one I will try to think of something interesting that can be done indoors. Hopefully it will all kick off and everybody will be happy. “
The charity is also restarting its entertainment around care homes etc, including singers and dancers who have all said they are ready to perform again.
Because everything stopped during the lockdowns Imperial has been unable to do its community charity work but has made donations to local schools and organisations such as Westbury Shed.
