By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight Bus & Coach Museum, in Ryde, will open its doors on Sunday, September 21 for a heart-warming celebration of the Island’s bus industry, past and present.
From 12 noon to 4pm, former and current bus workers are invited to a special open day and reunion, bringing together generations of drivers, conductors, engineers, inspectors, and depot staff, who’ve kept the Island moving over the decades.
The event promises a nostalgic afternoon filled with stories, laughter, and the unmistakable scent of diesel!
Inside the museum, a rich display of photographs and artefacts will showcase the evolution of bus services across the Isle of Wight. Highlights include a special exhibition from the late Dave Evans’ collection, and never-before-seen images from Roland Richard, spanning the National Bus Company era through to more recent times. Guests will also enjoy local trips around Ryde aboard heritage vehicles, offering a chance to relive the golden age of Island transport.
Light refreshments will be served throughout the afternoon, and the atmosphere will be relaxed, friendly, and full of fond memories.
“This reunion is a way of recognising the huge contribution that Island bus workers have made over the years,” said Shirley Winn, speaking on behalf of the museum. “It’s also a chance to enjoy some classic vehicles in action and reconnect with old colleagues.”
The event is free to attend, and all those who have worked in the bus industry on the Isle of Wight – whether recently or decades ago – are warmly encouraged to go along.
Whether you spent your career behind the wheel, in the workshop, or dispatching from the depot, this is a chance to catch up with old friends or make new ones ‘on the buses’.