Bus named after island’s windsurfing legend

Hayling Island resident and engineer Peter Chilvers is credited with coming up with the sport in 1958.

Now Stagecoach has put his name on a single-decker bus for the 30/31 route linking Havant and Hayling Island.

Stagecoach’s marketing officer Steve Thorpe said: ‘Visitors to the event were invited to suggest a name that was synonymous with the island.

‘We wanted to give our new vehicles a local identity that both we and the local residents who catch our buses can be proud of.’

Gil Carter, a retired engineer, won the competition and chose Mr Chilvers’ name to be put on the bus.

Three other buses were named The Coppist, after the Second World War heroes from the island, The Hayling Billy, after the steam train and The Olive Leaf – the first lifeboat for the island.

Gil said: ‘The enthusiasm for the water prompted me to seek a name connecting watersports and Hayling Island, and the name Peter Chilvers offered a unique link that will remind residents and visitors of the importance of Hayling in the birth of windsurfing which has become an Olympic sport.

‘I hope that Peter, who founded a windsurfing school for underprivileged children in the London Docks, will like the tribute.’

The bus is one of five new vehicles put into service at a cost of around £500,000.