The annual Sheppey Pirates Festival has been scuppered.

The much-loved event was set to return to Sheppey Rugby Club on the first weekend of August. But organisers have pulled the plug.

The shock news was announced by lead pirate Adrian Collins, alias Captain Cutlass.

He insisted: “This is not the end of the Sheppey Pirates but we want to take stock of what we do and do things differently.

“When we started with the World Walking The Plank Championships we wanted to make memories for youngsters. Sheppey had lost its Donkey Derby and the Zulus and there was a dearth of events.

“Now there is plenty of choice, which is a good thing. We want to support those events with more gusto instead of running our own.”

Sheppey Pirates hope to be out in force at the Queenborough Independence Day celebrations on Saturday, June 15, the Sheerness Masons’ Sheppey Spectacular on Saturday, July 13, Leysdown carnival on Saturday, August 3 and the Military Odyssey living history event at Detling over the August bank holiday.

Cpt Cutlass stressed: “This is not the end but a new chapter. We have recruited many younger, enthusiastic pirates recently.

“The decision to cancel this year’s festival was an accumulation of personal and logistical issues. Organising events like this needs a lot of commitment and time.”

It has not all been plain sailing for the pirates.

The plank-walking championships at Queenborough became a victim of their own success.

National and international media newspaper, radio and TV coverage came with increased red-tape and higher insurance premiums.

The buccaneers then switched to Barton’s Point Coastal Park, Sheerness, for a series of successful pirate landings and giant water fights.

But a last-minute change-of-heart by boathouse franchisee Mandy Shade saw the event switch to the rugby club on the Lower Road at Minster.

Over the years the pirates have collected thousands of pounds for the RNLI.

The Summer Spectacular at the Sheppey Sports Ground, Halfway, will include jousting, an air show, parachute display and a quad bike stunts. Gates open 11am. Entry £2.50 (U-12s free).

For more details email sheppeysummerspectacular@gmail.com

Potted history of the pirates

Computer expert Adrian Collins was picked to “play” Captain Cutlass after a public search for a sea captain to become the “face” of the Island’s first World Walking The Plank championships.

The selection procedure was rigorous, including candidates’ ability to shout blood-curdling threats, wear a beard, and ‘parley’ in piratese.

Provisional brigands had to prove they could use and understand terms such as Avast Ye Swabs, Shiver Me Timbers, Splice The Mainbrace, Raise the Jolly Roger, Blistering Barnacles, Fix Me Some Grog, Yo-ho-ho and Ahoy Me Hearties.

They had to demonstrate swashbuckling skills and ability to lead motley crews into battle, organise raiding parties and force unwilling prisoners to walk the plank with a selection of weapons including cutlass, blunderbuss, cat o’ nine tails and Captain Blood’s Duster (otherwise known as Mrs Blood’s washing-up cloth).

The first battle was held off Neptune Jetty, Sheerness, on Sunday, August 17, 1997, and won by mum-of-two Joanne Kavanagh from Minster.

The Sheppey Pirates were formed a year later when the championships moved to Queenborough and introduced the Sheppey Pirate Passport and recorded their own CD called the Jolly Roger Jog.

Champion “plankers” have included Peter Marchington, Heini ‘Mad Dane’ Nielsen, Lord Swale (Alan Phillips), Mad Mike Young, Long John Lenton and Andy Hay.

For more ideas on days out and things to do, head to our What’s On section.

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