A Queen's Award-winning community bus service in the Cotswolds has been given a major boost.
The Villager service was established in 1982 to tackle the lack of access to shops and medical facilities for those living in more remote communities and without their own means of transport.
An entirely volunteer-run bus service, it now operates across 54 villages in the Cotswolds and serves around 450 passengers every week.
The regular, timetabled bus routes fill in the gaps that commercial operators do not cover, using smaller 16-seater buses to reach some of the less accessible villages.
READ MORE: Here's why Michael Caine's Oxfordshire mansion has £1m price drop
In 2004, it received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service for "providing extensive, reliable and economical transport for villages in the north Cotswolds".
Now, Savills Cotswolds has announced its sponsorship of The Villager community bus service for 2026.
The sponsorship, which will see the brand promoted on two of its fleet of buses, plays a key role in supporting the continuation of the service across the north Cotswolds during 2026, bosses say.
David Henderson, head of Savills Residential Sales office in Stow-on-the-Wold, said: "It is a privilege to support The Villager, which provides such a vital service within our community, and we are really proud to play a part in helping local people stay connected."
The service is looking for new volunteer bus drivers, and those who enjoy driving, helping people and are under 70, can visit https://www.villagerbus.co.uk/.
READ MORE: World-famous pub sells for $140m after interest from Rick Stein
Chairman Keith Gowing added: "I am delighted that Savills has chosen to support The Villager.
"We started 44 years ago as a direct result of a government report on the causes of depopulation in rural areas, an issue which is still just as relevant today.
"We have grown from one to six minibuses, and our service is hugely valued by the residents of some of our region’s most remote villages.
"As a charity and entirely volunteer-run community service, we are hugely grateful for the support from Savills, which will directly support our day-to-day running costs."
The Villager operates across the north Cotswolds, serving the outlying villages around Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Norton, Moreton-in-Marsh, Burford and Witney.
Share