Isle of Wight Observer

18/06/2024

A quadruple amputee arrived in Yarmouth, on Monday, as part of an epic 350-mile row and 320-mile cycle ride charity fund-raiser.

A quadruple amputee arrived in Yarmouth, on Monday, as part of an epic 350-mile row and 320-mile cycle ride charity fund-raiser. Alex Lewis, 43, lost all four of his arms and legs, and also his lips,

17/06/2024

How can the connection problems of the Solent be solved? We asked the 12 candidates standing for Parliament on both sides of the Island to give us 100 words in answer to the following question:

What are your views on the cross- Solent ferry services and what you/your party would do to improve the services?

Living on an island one of the burning issues for many years has been access to and from the mainland. How can the connection problems of the Solent be solved? We asked the 12 candidates

17/06/2024

Valuable nuggets of business wisdom were shared with a packed audience at the Lakeside Hotel, in Wootton Bridge, on Tuesday evening when business advisor, Dale Howarth, held his biennial free event for local business leaders, this year called ‘Just One Thing’.

Valuable nuggets of business wisdom were shared with a packed audience at the Lakeside Hotel, in Wootton Bridge, on Tuesday evening when business advisor, Dale Howarth, held his biennial free event for local business leaders,

17/06/2024

Do you recognise this person? Police are looking to identify them as part of an investigation into a theft and fraud incident in Shanklin.

We have been investigating a theft and fraud incident which was reported to police in November 2023. It’s alleged that someone had been withdrawing cash from cash points in Shanklin using bank cards that did

17/06/2024

The winners of a road safety poster competition, launched by the Isle of Wight Council in partnership with Southern Vectis and the Isle of Wight Community Rail Partnership, have been announced.

The winners of a road safety poster competition, launched by the Isle of Wight Council in partnership with Southern Vectis and the Isle of Wight Community Rail Partnership, have been announced. The competition, open to all

17/06/2024

One of Newport’s most popular pubs, the Bargeman’s Rest, marked a significant milestone this week as staff and customers from through the years celebrated 25 years since it opened for business.

One of Newport’s most popular pubs, the Bargeman’s Rest, marked a significant milestone this week as staff and customers from through the years celebrated 25 years since it opened for business. The anniversary led to a

17/06/2024

It was a double celebration at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway last week, as they formally opened two new buildings to add to the heritage attraction’s facilities.

It was a double celebration at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway last week, as they formally opened two new buildings to add to the heritage attraction’s facilities. The much smaller of the two structures is

17/06/2024

HOLMSEY: The Tories are toast

Winston Churchill wanted to fight them on the beaches, Rishi Sunak decided to leave them to it. “At the going down of the sun, Rishi’s off to record for ITV1.”

Winston Churchill wanted to fight them on the beaches, Rishi Sunak decided to leave them to it. “At the going down of the sun, Rishi’s off to record for ITV1.” To be fair, Sunak’s not the

17/06/2024

LOOK BACK IN TIME: 9 June 1855

The editor of the Isle of Wight Observer published on the 9th June 1855 was not a happy chappy!

He complains about new plans the town council has put forward for Dover Street and also about a scheme for shops to stay open later.

The editor of the Isle of Wight Observer published on the 9th June 1855 was not a happy chappy! He complains about new plans the town council has put forward for Dover Street and also about

16/06/2024

The Royal Isle of Wight County Show is a much-loved event, which attracts residents and visitors alike. Taking place on Saturday and Sunday, July 13 and 14, this year’s show promises an array of attractions that celebrate the best of the Isle of Wight.

The Royal Isle of Wight County Show is a much-loved event, which attracts residents and visitors alike. Taking place on Saturday and Sunday, July 13 and 14, this year’s show promises an array of attractions

16/06/2024

It was well attended - but what went on behind the scenes at the West Wight hustings?

The venues were booked, tickets issued, and the sound engineer secured, much like assembling a boy band but with significantly less glamour. Darren Toogood, the editor of Island Echo, and I decided it was time

16/06/2024

STAR LETTER: Roads are safe to use

Dear Editor,

It seems that history is repeating itself. Years ago the council spent so much money on professional fees to survey and design a solution to the Undercliff Road subsidence that they then couldn’t afford to repair it.

Dear Editor, It seems that history is repeating itself. Years ago the council spent so much money on professional fees to survey and design a solution to the Undercliff Road subsidence that they then couldn’t afford

16/06/2024

Welcome to sunny June (we hope!) and more theatrical treats….

Welcome to sunny June (we hope!) and more theatrical treats…. First, on June 9, is Theatretrain’s ‘Musical Mayhem’ at East Cowes town hall, featuring Theatretrain’s youngest stars, aged 4 to 9 years old. Bursting with energy and

16/06/2024

Red sails in the sunset, yellow polka-dot bikinis, cockles and muscles, and amorous guys in Greek tavernas, created a heady mix for last Friday’s Figgy Gig season finale.

by Jean G-Owen Red sails in the sunset, yellow polka-dot bikinis, cockles and muscles, and amorous guys in Greek tavernas, created a heady mix for last Friday’s Figgy Gig season finale. Ukulele duo 2Gether in Harmony (Glynis

15/06/2024

Wednesday, June 12, was a busy day for the team at the IW Literary Festival, with their presentation of the King's Award for Volunteers, and the announcement of this year’s festival headliners.

Wednesday, June 12, was a busy day for the team at the IW Literary Festival, with their presentation of the King’s Award for Volunteers, and the announcement of this year’s festival headliners. Gracing the stage yet

15/06/2024

Local DJ legend, Dave Cannon, of Solent City Sound, has been invited to perform on the historic paddle steamer, Medway Queen, on June 22, to celebrate its 100 years.

Local DJ legend, Dave Cannon, of Solent City Sound, has been invited to perform on the historic paddle steamer, Medway Queen, on June 22, to celebrate its 100 years. Dave has been a DJ for 55

14/06/2024

This weekend (June 15 and 16) the Island’s ‘Shed Fest’ will take place at Sandown Airport. The weekend event, organised by the Island’s ‘Shed’ members, will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.

This weekend (June 15 and 16) the Island’s ‘Shed Fest’ will take place at Sandown Airport. The weekend event, organised by the Island’s ‘Shed’ members, will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and

14/06/2024

There’s a new event coming to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, in Havenstreet, over this weekend, and it’s bound to prove popular.

There’s a new event coming to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, in Havenstreet, over this weekend, and it’s bound to prove popular. Step back in time to the 1940s, and sample a range of craft

14/06/2024

Fancy a day little day tour or holiday? Check out some of these latest offerings from our friends over at Kardan Travel.

14/06/2024

It was a close call in the exit poll of first major IW hustings event of the campaign, jointly hosted by the IW Observer and Island Echo at a packed Newport Minster on Wednesday.

It was a close call in the exit poll of first major IW hustings event of the campaign, jointly hosted by the IW Observer and Island Echo at a packed Newport Minster on Wednesday. Around 300

14/06/2024

The Isle of Wight Observer issue 281 is out now.

This week find out about: Geoff Underwood's ear wiggler (p9), election candidates' promises on cross-Solent ferries (pages 5 & 6), Newport’s fantastic D-Day celebration (p11) and the row over it being ‘hi-jacked’ for political purposes (p6) and who’s headlining at the IW Literary Festival (p7). And, as always there's much, much more in the Island's favourite newspaper...

Click here to read it >
https://iwobserver.co.uk/i281
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14/06/2024

Large crowds gathered in Newport on Saturday to celebrate D-Day 80 with a day of free entertainment. The event was a huge success, and culminated with a parade from Drill Hall Road to Victoria Recreation Ground, organised by Simon Tutton of the Royal British Legion, and led by the Highland Pipes & Drums.

Large crowds gathered in Newport on Saturday to celebrate D-Day 80 with a day of free entertainment. The event was a huge success, and culminated with a parade from Drill Hall Road to Victoria Recreation

14/06/2024

Isle of Wight planning applications: 14th June 2024

See full planning notices and all documents by entering the reference number into the search bar on the planning portal. Comments on applications must be received within 21 days from the date above. The information can also

13/06/2024

The Plastic Free Communities network has been created to tackle plastic pollution at source – from beaches and green spaces right back to the brands and businesses that create it. They are uniting in the fight against avoidable plastic. Did you know 38 million drinks bottles are bought in the UK every day, 112,000 pieces of plastic leave UK supermarkets every minute and 12 millon items of plastic enter the ocean every year.

The Plastic Free Communities network has been created to tackle plastic pollution at source – from beaches and green spaces right back to the brands and businesses that create it. They are uniting in the

13/06/2024

Another unit visiting Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day later this month is 679 Squadron, 6 Army Air Corps.

Another unit visiting Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day later this month is 679 Squadron, 6 Army Air Corps. The team are bringing over their Gazelle helicopter which visitors will be able to sit in, handle

13/06/2024

UPDATED: Mr Seely has claimed in writing that the IW Observer’s original article is “untrue.” See how we are handling that at the bottom of this article...

Conservative candidate for West Wight, Bob Seely, is facing criticism for allegedly breaking election rules and using a D-Day event for political advantage. Following Rishi Sunak’s appeal for veterans to “find it in their hearts to

13/06/2024

🏏 Click the link below to read this week’s cricket report ⬇

Senior sides Ryde and Shanklin secured successes at home to mainland opposition, with bowlers Ben Gregory, Tom Durman, Nathan Moore and Matt Lambourne dominating opposition batters. Hampshire and Premier leagues Ryde won by 8 wickets at home

13/06/2024

The main route for festival traffic from the East Cowes Red Funnel terminal will be up York Avenue and along Whippingham Road, where it will turn right onto East Cowes Road and into the festival car park. At busy times, traffic may be directed into the car park by going up to the Racecourse roundabout and then back and turning left into East Cowes Road.

The main route for festival traffic from the East Cowes Red Funnel terminal will be up York Avenue and along Whippingham Road, where it will turn right onto East Cowes Road and into the festival

13/06/2024

Ryde Interchange is blooming!

The new raised beds and borders are donning their summer best with flowering plants and shrubs.

Ryde Interchange is blooming! The new raised beds and borders are donning their summer best with flowering plants and shrubs. Islandwide Grounds Maintenance worked hard to kick weeds to the curb before planting almost 800 cosmos bedding

13/06/2024

While the Isle of Wight Festival is taking place from Friday, June 21, to Sunday, June, 23, some council services are affected.

While the Isle of Wight Festival is taking place from Friday, June 21, to Sunday, June, 23, some council services are affected. Seaclose Office, Newport Seaclose Office, Newport will be closed from 12 midday on Thursday, June