Guernsey to Goodwood and back again

The bus, which was built in 1950, was sent from Guernsey to the site of the Goodwood Revival motor racing festival in 1995, where over the years it has been used as an office among other things.

But now, it is set to take pride of place at the Peninsula Hotel, where it could be turned into a dining spot.

The man responsible for bringing the bus ‘home’ – Little Big Hotel Group chairman Ian Walker – said that, as a frequent attendee of the Goodwood Revival for the last 10 years, he had noticed the bus sitting seemingly dormant each time he went.

But in addition to that, he had noticed an old route sign on the bus which read ‘Town via Airport, Forest Road, Grange,’ and subsequently realised that it once must have been a Guernsey bus.

‘Last year when I went to Goodwood the bus had a “for sale” sign on it, so I bought it,’ he said.

‘I couldn’t really say no, especially with its history.’

The bus was driven through town yesterday morning to the Peninsula Hotel, and Mr Walker said that it had, unsurprisingly, garnered a lot of attention.

‘People were queuing to have a look inside and take pictures.

‘I should have started charging them all 50p each.

‘It still starts and drives beautifully.’

In terms of his plans for the bus, Mr Walker said that he had initially thought about turning it into a place where people could dine during the summer months, while he is also considering lending it to local charities.

‘It’s quite a touristy thing but it’s also part of Guernsey’s heritage, and I think people will get a lot out of it,’ he said.