At a glance: Catherine, Princess of Wales, joined West Sussex Minibus volunteers in Pulborough on September 30, 2026, as the community transport charity marked 50 years of service. She accompanied passengers, including 94-year-old Stella Drewett, to a weekly lunch club, highlighting journeys that help residents remain independent and connected.
For passengers waiting for a lift in Pulborough on Wednesday, the familiar community minibus came with an unexpected fellow traveller. The Princess of Wales joined volunteers as they collected local residents and headed to their weekly lunch gathering at Pulborough Village Hall.
One of the passengers was Stella Drewett, 94. Catherine met her at home and walked beside her as she made her way with a mobility aid to the vehicle. A trip to the shops or lunch can also be a chance to see friends and keep a weekly routine.
Fifty years on the road in West Sussex
West Sussex Minibus says its story began in 1976 with a journey from Pulborough to local shops in a borrowed vehicle. Today it operates 11 minibuses through eight village hubs, serving rural communities where getting around without a car can be difficult.
The charity offers door-to-door shopping trips and social outings, including coffee and lunch gatherings. Its passenger information says scheduled journeys bring people home after each outing and escorts can support passengers during travel. Its aim is to help people remain active, independent and socially connected.
A lunch club and the company along the way
After the morning pickups, Catherine spent time with residents at the village hall’s weekly lunch club. The encounter highlighted volunteers who make these gatherings possible, from driving and escorting passengers to coordinating the service.
Watch the official Prince and Princess of Wales Reel from the visit. For more about Catherine and her family, explore her royal profile and the interactive British Royal Family Tree. Read our report on Catherine’s visit to a recovery garden in Southend.
Sources
- West Sussex Minibus, the charity’s history, mission and services.
- The Prince and Princess of Wales, official Instagram Reel, September 30, 2026.
- People, reporting on the visit and Stella Drewett.
