It’s “good-bye” Holly, but “hello” Hetty

Our new minibus arrived on Wednesday afternoon, 19th August, 2026. Members of the Hopper Team were at the Highfield Oval to greet the new vehicle which had been named “Hetty” by local schoolchildren only a couple of hours earlier at the annual Hopper drivers’ tea party for passengers - see below for that. At the same time it was a little sad as we had to say “good-bye” to Holly Hopper minibus who has served the town well over the past 7 years. Holly had travelled 61,000 miles - mostly in Harpenden itself and I could work out the number of passengers she’s carried over that time - but I’m not going to. Suffice it to say - it’s been a lot. Holly was driven away to pastures new - to begin a new life (somewhere else).

Hetty Hopper is still in her "birthday suit” and will be given Hopper “clothes” on 9th September when she will return covered in green and with frogs attached. She won’t be travelling on the Hopper route until afterwards.

Here are a few photos, though, during the handover process.