A POPULAR pub landlord from the Isle of Wight has died at the age of 63.

Edgar Neighorn was at the helm of the Blacksmith's Arms in Calbourne Road for more than eight years.

Mr Neighorn's career in the hospitality industry began in 1986, when he and wife, Donna, took the reins at the Artillery Arms in London in 1986. They went on to run Moby Dick in Surrey Quays and The Mint near Tower Bridge, before relocating to the Island in 1994, taking over the Blacksmith's Arms, and remaining there until 2002.

IW Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) chairman, John Nicholson said: “A genial Bavarian running a country pub on the Isle of Wight would be unusual enough, but Edgar brought a unique touch to the beer and food scene, winning the coveted IW CAMRA Pub Of The Year award on multiple occasions, and once scooping the CAMRA Wessex Pub of the Year — no Isle of Wight pub has achieved such status before or since.

“Edgar broke the mould when he decided, against advice from the trade, to shun all regular high-profile brands and only stock quality German beers, real ales and Schnapps, managing to pack the place every night.

"Everyone has a funny story to tell about Edgar and his humorous German antics. Born to be a publican, he touched the lives of many Islanders who remember him fondly."

Separating from Donna soon after leaving the Island, Mr Neighorn met new partner, Marianne, during his time running the Ivy Leaf Club in Maidenhead, where he remained from 2010 until his final days.

He was diagnosed with skin cancer in the autumn of 2018, and died on December 19 last year.

Marianne, helped by his children, nursed him through his final months.

Mr Neighorn leaves behind three children in their twenties; Sigourney, Enya and Jared.

A celebration of his life saw several people from the Island attend, and there are plans to scatter Mr Neighorn's ashes in Hoff, Bavaria, later this year.

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