There's a brand new 'Carrie' in the village! After ten years of loyal service to hundreds of clients, the original Carrie (a VW Caddy) has now been replaced by a new and specially adapted Ford Torneo Connect.
Volunteers and supporters met on Saturday 15th March 2025 to celebrate the arrival of the new 'Carrie', including retired GP, Dr Hugh Sradling, who was a prime mover in establishing the first community vehicle and who had travelled down from his new home in Cheshire to be part of the launch event.
The same volunteer team remains in place to deliver the community vehicle facility and the same personal door-to-door service will continue, perhaps with a little more style and somewhat fewer rattles!
Peter Quilleash noted: "we are really grateful to everyone who supports the HCV, as the purchase of this new Carrie should allow this valuable community service to continue for the next decade."
The service was the founded in 2015. At the launch event for the new vehicle Dr Stradling said: "When the Haddenham Community Vehicle was first established, we were hopeful that it would help members of the local community deal with the challenges of social isolation associated with mobility issues. I am delighted to see that those aspirations have been very successfully met. To have now raised the funds necessary to purchase a new vehicle to serve the community for the next 10 years, truly shows the esteem in which the community vehicle is held within Haddenham and beyond. Well done to everyone. I am truly proud to be your Honorary President."
Peter Woodrow, a client, who is now the proud owner of the original Carrie added: "my wife being trained as a Carrie family driver has dramatically improved our ability to leave the house and has transformed our social life."
The committee is grateful for the generous funding received from The National Lottery Community Fund, Kop Hill Climb and Haddenham Beer Festivals Trust.
The door-to-door service for those with mobility issues is bookable in advance by calling the driver coordinator on 07483 806171 or emailing haddenhamcv@gmail.com. The service is free to residents in our area but, as a charity, donations are always much appreciated. New volunteer drivers are always welcome.
Service details:
Carrie serves residents of Haddenham, Dinton, Chearsley, Ford, Cuddington, Upton, Stone, Longwick and Bishopstone.
The statistics:
The original Carrie covered over 43,000 miles and currently serves 62 clients, There have been 3,600 estimated single journeys with 29 volunteer drivers.
The committe:
The community vehicle service is currently overseen by Colin Brackley, Jo Carmody, Neil Dury, Jacky Keates, Ian Mackey, Peter Quilleash, Sara Rydings and Sarah Warren
Special thanks to:
Our clients, for their voluntary donations
All our drivers
Colin Brackley for scheduled inspection and maintenance
Ivor Miles Ltd for vehicle support
We are also endebted to Carol Mason for kindly capturing photos of our new Carrie launch event. More photos can be viewed in the Galleries section of this website.
The Haddenham Community Vehicle is a registered charity, No.1166286
A video showing the original Carrie and how the service works can be viewed on Youtube
