A transport initiative in the Cotswolds that earned the Queen’s Award has secured significant backing.
The Villager began operations in 1982 specifically to address transportation gaps for residents in isolated areas who needed to reach retail and healthcare services.
Operated entirely by volunteers, the service now covers 54 villages and transports approximately 450 passengers weekly.
Scheduled routes operating on a timetable plug gaps left by commercial providers, employing compact 16-seat vehicles to access harder-to-reach communities.
In 2004, it earned the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of providing extensive, reliable and economical transport for villages in the north Cotswolds.
Savills Cotscwolds has now committed to sponsoring The Villager throughout 2026.
The arrangement involves featuring the Savills brand on two buses in the fleet and is considered essential for maintaining operations across the northern Cotswolds throughout 2026, according to those in charge.
David Henderson, who leads the Savills Residential Sales office in Stow-on-the-Wold, said it was a privilege to support The Villager, which provides such a vital service within the community, and they were really proud to play a part in helping local people stay connected.
The organisation is actively recruiting new volunteer drivers. Those who enjoy driving and helping people, and are under 70, can visit the website.
Chairman Keith Gowing said he was delighted that Savills had chosen to support The Villager.
The service began 44 years ago as a direct result of a government report on the causes of depopulation in rural areas, an issue that remained just as relevant today.
It had grown from one to six minibuses, and the service was hugely valued by residents of some of the region’s most remote villages.
As a charity and entirely volunteer-run community service, they were hugely grateful for the support from Savills, which would directly support day-to-day running costs.
The Villager operates across the north Cotswolds, serving outlying villages around Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Norton, Moreton-in-Marsh, Burford and Witney.