POPULAR annual event the Isle of Wight Classic Buses, Beer and Walks Weekend has been cancelled.

The event, which ran from 2014 until 2019, will not return in future, according to event co-ordinators Ben Bartram and Tim Marshall.

The event, a collaboration between the IW Bus Museum and IW CAMRA, had grown from an initial attendance of 3,000 visitors and 40 buses to 20,000 visitors and 105 buses by 2019.

It was estimated to contribute up to £500,000 each year to the Island economy.

Visitors travelled from all over the UK, as well as international visitors which included a vintage bus driven across from Belgium.

The Covid-19 pandemic prevented the 2020 and 2021 events from taking place, but equally gave the organisers an opportunity to reflect on the stress and strains of previous events.

Tim Marshall, of IW CAMRA, said: “The decision to “call time” on the event was not an easy one to make.

"The event was organised by a small group of volunteers with specialist backgrounds who gave their time at no cost.

"However, with planning taking nine months to complete, this would be unsustainable in the long term.

"Also, the loss of some key members from the organising team, including the sad passing of IW Bus Museum chairman Bill Ackroyd during 2021, had been contributing factors, alongside many restrictions that would be necessary to implement, even in a post-Covid world”.

Ben Bartram from the IW Bus Museum added: “Although the event will no longer be held in the same way, true enthusiasts of beer and classic buses are promised to still be well catered for.

"The IW Bus Museum will hold major weekend events on May 14 and 15 May and October 8 and 9, when we hope to attract a reasonable number of visiting classic buses, operating services in the Ryde area and beyond.

"It is hoped visitors and locals alike would make a weekend of it and visit the IW Bus Museum, ride on the classic buses in service, whilst also visiting local pubs and venues.”

Tim Marshall said IW CAMRA are hoping to collaborate with the IW Bus Museum in the future on some small pop-up events.

A joint campaign with Southern Vectis is also likely.

On behalf of their respective organisations, the event co-ordinators would like to thank all the landlords, advertisers and the dozens of volunteers, but especially all the vehicle owners who brought their buses from all over the UK to take part.