Community Bus voluntary driver Frank Cogzell, 70,  a driver with the the Kinver Community Bus (a voluntary organisation), retired on Friday, October 5 after driving for many years on most Fridays throughout the year.

Frank handed over the keys to new recruit Jim Monk, who has been going out most Fridays with Frank, and Clive Price, who also drives on Friday to learn the ropes.

Kinver Community Bus started life in 1986 as an idea of a group of people headed by Sam Harris, who formed the committee, and in 1988, after much fundraising, it purchased its first bus.

In April 2013 the bus will have been providing a passenger (bus stop) service for 25 years. The bus travels to Stourton, Prestwood, Whittington and around the village of Kinver itself and out to Enville.

Drivers go out regardless of the weather to pick up passengers.

The service, although voluntary, operates 52 weeks a year, three mornings each week and is registered with the Department of Transport and County Transport Services. Anyone can catch the bus regardless of age and drivers are happy to help with shopping bags, trolleys and prams and pushchairs.

The current bus - the third in the life of the group - was delivered on November 1 2002 after being built to the directors' specification. It has a tail-lift for wheelchairspassengers and an electric side step.

Organisations and groups in the Parish of Kinver can also hire the bus to get out and about providing their organisation has a constitution and bank account in the group's name. Drivers at all times must be over 25 and under 70 to comply with the Community Bus Insurance requirements. All drivers have to have a clean licence which is required before any hiring can take place.

The group recently had a £1,500 grant from the Ken Wrigley Memorial Charity and £1,500 from the Anthony & Gwendoline Wyle Memorial Charity to support the service.

Margaret Rogers, who has been with the group since its inception, said passengers will be sorry to see Frank retire as he and the other drivers Ashley, Dave, Clive and John are a great help to the passengers, as a trip out shopping or to the doctors is sometimes the only contact for people in the rural community.

Margaret, who is secretary, treasurer and bus operator, is one of a committee of eight people. The chairman is Ian Lowe.

Based on information supplied by Margaret Rogers.