Annual Hopper Passengers’ tea party (19th August)

Once again, the Hopper drivers have organised our annual tea party for passengers. It took place on Wednesday 19th August in the garden of St Nicholas Church Hall. Several Hopper drivers arrived early in the morning to set up two gazebos to provide shade and then to set out all the chairs. Then two Hopper minibuses arrived with many regular passengers to enjoy a social chat with tea/coffee and home made cake (produced by some of our drivers, but also from some of the passengers too). It was lovely to see everyone relaxing and talking to each other. Luckily the weather was a little cooler than of late, thus making it very pleasant sitting in the gentle sunshine. Andy Buchanan, Chair of Harpenden Connect (the charity that operates the Harpenden Hopper service), spoke to everyone. He gave a brief update on passenger numbers and also gave news about the imminent arrival of our new minibus (the very same day - but later on). Andy thanked our loyal passengers and of course our volunteer drivers, without whom there would be no community transport service. Then Andy handed over to Kirsti Wenn, Town Mayor for Harpenden. Kirsti’s job was to announce the results of the new minibus naming competition that the town council has been running with local primary schools. Kirsti held up several laminated sheets showing drawings of the new Hopper bus and the shortlisted names. Several children who had participated in the schools competition were there, with their parents, to hear first hand if their name had won. The name that had been submitted the most was “Hetty” and therefore “Hetty” was duly chosen as the name for the new bus.

It was a great tea party and all our lovely passengers had a great morning. Then sadly it was time to go - and lots of passengers got back onto Holly and Harold Hopper to go back home - with Holly on her last outing as a Hopper minibus.

We now have to look forward to next year’s event.

Take a look at the photo gallery below with a selection of pictures from the morning.