Community Transport Sussex pays tribute to Dame Vera Lynn with naming of local community transport Bluebird minibus.

Date: Tuesday 20 June 2023

Time: 11am

Location: Ditchling Village Barn & Green, Lodge Hill Lane Ditchling BN6 8SP

In attendance: Dame Vera’s daughter Virginia Lewis-Jones will say a few words before she cuts the launch ribbons around the minibus. Matt Roberts, CEO of CT Sussex will welcome guests and thank them for attending. In memory of Dame Vera Lynne’s staunch support of the Royal British Legion, committee members will also be present at the ceremony. 

Dame Vera Lynn’s local connections and legacy are set to be remembered in the form of the naming of a local community Bluebird minibus, serving the local community she felt so passionately about.

The minibus is owned by CT Sussex will proudly carry Dame Vera’s name on the screen to commemorate the anniversary of Dame Vera’s passing.

Matt Roberts CEO of CT Sussex said “We were honoured to have had Dame Vera as our Patron during her lifetime and were incredibly grateful for all her support. Naming one of our local Mid Sussex Bluebird buses after this national treasure is a gesture of thanks from CT Sussex. I know that the local communities we serve will be delighted to see such a wonderful tribute to such an important figure in our history both locally and nationally.”

Virginia Ginny Lewis-Jones, Dame Vera’s daughter said; “One of my mother’s greatest achievements was her ability to lift people’s spirits, and naming the minibus after my mother sets out to do just that. This will ensure that people within the community who struggle to do all the things they want due to lack of transport, are provided with the means to overcome that. She was an ardent support of CTS Sussex and will have been very appreciative of this kind gesture.” 

Mr Bill Burry, Managing Director Centurion EPG, will be in attendance as they are proudly sponsoring the bus. Mr Burry said,‘ We cannot think of a more fitting tribute and perfect partnership between CT Sussex and Centurion EPG for now and the future’.

Community Transport Sussex provides transport services and support to the residents & community groups of Mid Sussex, Horsham, Crawley, Adur & Worthing, Chichester and across West Sussex. Those services are aimed at all those people who because of; disability, age, mobility problems, financial disadvantage, rural or other isolation factor, find it difficult to access public transport www.ctsussex.org.uk

See Link to Community Transport Sussex website.