Last month the Solent Shuttle wished a fond farewell to one of its most favourite and regular passengers, Helen Jones as she retired from her work with Gosport Borough Council’s Environmental Health Department.
Helen has used the Solent Shuttle and its predecessors for some eleven years – until her final commute on the “X27” on Friday 11 January. It is reckoned that she has travelled over one hundred and two thousand miles on the service and has paid fares totalling over £10,000!
Helen was given a send-off by her travelling friends on the 0615 bus to Portsmouth, and later in the day, a presentation was made by her Senior manager, Mr Dave Jago and Gosport Council colleagues, when she was surprised as two extra people turned up – Mr Keith Marks, who regularly uses the Shuttle, and our own Ian Henden, who has driven on the X27 since it was reborn as the Solent Shuttle.
Helen’s retirement cake on collection from Kree-ate-a-Cake, Fareham
Our own Shuttle passengers and regular drivers - Martin Field, Brian Bishop and Ian Henden - had, between them, organised a cake in the shape and colours of the double decker bus used for the Shuttle, and Helen was presented with this at her leaving ceremony in Gosport Town Hall. She had already received a pair of complimentary Explorer tickets from Solent Blue Line earlier in the day.
Helen is going to spend her retirement sorting out a rather overgrown garden, and also supporting a charity in Devon which looks after neglected donkeys, making them fit for disadvantaged children to visit and ride, and so she has adopted a donkey, called Little Vijay.
Helen’s retirement cake prior to demolition!
Helen gets to grips with her Shuttle cake!
When asked what she would miss most, Helen replied “The little excursions along the top of Portsdown Hill, or through Wickham, whenever the motorway was blocked!”
We all wish Helen a long and happy retirement!