Isle of Wight News

Red Funnel customers have been hit by news of further cancellations to sailings today (Friday).

Isle of Wight libraries will be firing up children’s imaginations with Marvellous Makers — this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.

Pupils at St Helens Primary School are to benefit from improvements to their specially-created library bus - thanks to a financial boost from Southern Vectis.

An Isle of Wight resident finally got to live out one of his dreams - at the age of 92.

Vecta House Care Home in Newport hosted its annual Car Show for the third year running after popular demand from the home's residents.

Industrial painters operating in ‘the most environmentally testing conditions’ have been recognised with an award.

Red Funnel and its Charity of the Year, the Isle of Wight Foodbank, have announced a can drive challenge to collect 1,000 cans of food by the end of Cowes Week, on August 2.

Ryde Town Council announced the official opening of its beach accessibility facilities yesterday (Wednesday).

Hundreds of redundant Isle of Wight Council laptops will be given a new life building digital literacy in some of the world's poorest communities.

Garmin has been named as the Official Weather Sponsor for Cowes Week.

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway has announced the appointment of Marc Morgan-Huws as its Chief Executive.

Isle of Wight East MP, Joe Robertson, has spoken in the House of Commons chamber for the first time.

Dedicated staff at 1Leisure Medina have been honoured for their heroic actions in saving the life of a swimmer who suffered a cardiac arrest.

The Isle of Wight Community Rail Partnership has been successful for another substantial grant of £20,000 to support its ‘Food on The Move’ initiative.

Island Roads will undertake a major project to replace the entire deck of Yarmouth Bridge in the Autumn.

Students at Cowes Enterprise have been awarded a £2,000 cheque for their ideas to improve wellbeing, co-ordinated by the ‘Wellbeing mentors’ as part of the #BeeWell project.

Visitors to Sandown last Friday (July 19) may have spotted a World War II Spitfire making an unplanned stop at the town's airport.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is proud to announce the launch of its new Business Pledge, developed in collaboration with the charity’s key partner businesses.

A jet skier who forced an Isle of Wight ferry to take evasive action after steering across its path has become the first to be cautioned by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) under a new water safety law. 

The Children’s Ward at St Mary’s Hospital has been brought to life with new, vibrant artwork, thanks to a local children’s charity.

The latest addition to the list of authors heading to this year’s Isle of Wight Literary Festival has been announced.

Police are continuing to investigate a report of an assault, which happened in Church Road, Binstead around 12.20pm on Sunday (21 July).

National charity, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, is appealing for local volunteers who can spare a little time to help on its stall at the Isle of Wight Garlic Festival on 17 and 18 August.

A new online portal aims to provide teachers and support staff with a wide range of resources and e-training opportunities to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Wight Knuckle Brewery has announced the opening of its new brewery in Brading, now offering exclusive brewery tours every weekend throughout the summer.

A man from Sandown who was arrested following an attempted break-in in Ryde on Friday night has now been released.

The IW Marlins Masters Swim Club hosted its 70th Pier2Pier Sea Swim Challenge from Sandown Pier to the site of the old Shanklin Pier on Saturday (July 20).

The Isle of Wight will play host to a pioneering 6-month drone trial from August that will explore the future of logistics across the Solent.

An Island band who made their Isle of Wight Festival Main Stage debut in 2023 have released their 'heaviest ever' single today (Friday).

In a record-breaking year Shanklin Football Club and Voluntary Youth & Community Centre is raising its prestigious Green Flag Award.

Isle of Wight Radio is among a slew of global businesses affected by a global IT outage this morning (Friday).

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust has called for 'ambition and clarity' from the Government after welcoming the commitments to nature outlined in the King’s Speech 2024.

A fire aboard a 35 foot motor cruiser with a man and a woman aboard led to a cross Solent dash by Cowes RNLI lifeboat today (Thursday).

Membership numbers across the Isle of Wight Council's leisure centres have bounced back to exceed pre-Covid levels.

One of Isle of Wight Radio's original DJs has passed away following a brave battle with cancer.

A new youth hub in Newport, delivered through a partnership between the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Isle of Wight Council, aims to provide a physical ‘one-stop-shop’ for 18–24-year-olds who are on out of work benefits, with employment skills support.

Work to make safe Gills Cliff Road in Ventnor is progressing well with the section set to be re-opened to traffic on 9 August.

Age UK Isle of Wight is calling on the community for support following the closure of its Digital Friendly Island service due to the end of fixed-term funding.

Five young dancers from the Isle of Wight have brought home gold, silver and bronze medals – after they joined Team England in a prestigious global dance competition in The Netherlands.

Can you help police to reunite this motorcycle with its rightful owner?

The RSPCA has warned that animal cruelty is on the rise - with the charity receiving 108 cruelty reports so far this year on the Isle of Wight alone, with its busiest period yet to come.

A new service, EnergyWise, has launched on the Isle of Wight, offering local homeowners bespoke advice tailored to their needs, helping them make their homes warmer and cheaper to run.

The head of an Isle of Wight based charity which helps find Britons missing abroad, has called out 'Vile Trolls' over their reaction towards the ongoing Jay Slater case.

This years' Royal Isle of Wight County Show awards saw multiple accolades for Calbourne Classics, during its 35th year of serving the local community.

Staffing issues have resulted in Wightlink running a revise Fishbourne to Portsmouth ferry service tomorrow (Wednesday).

The Floating Bridge remains out of action this afternoon (Tuesday) due to a delay in new parts arriving on the Island.

A man from Newport has been arrested on suspicion of blackmail.

As we head into the summer season, the Isle of Wight Council is asking Islanders to correctly dispose of their garden waste.

Range Rover has been announced as the Official Vehicle Partner of Cowes Week for 2024.

Following the earlier suspension, Red Funnel's vehicle ferry service has resumed its normal timetable this afternoon (Monday), from Southampton at 1300 and East Cowes at 1430.

Lucy Claridge ruined a t-shirt creating her clay model – but she felt it was worth it.

Police are investigating after a RIB was stolen from Seaview.

Red Funnel vehicle ferry services will remain suspended for much of today according to an update issued by the company this afternoon (Monday).

A popular Halloween event has been cancelled for 2024.

Carpetright takes step towards collapse with 1,850 UK jobs at risk, including those of Island based workers in Newport.

The Isle of Wight Mardi Gras 2024, themed 'The Story of Carnival' and orchestrated by New Carnival, delighted spectators and participants last Saturday (July 6).

Crews from across the Isle of Wight were alerted to a fire on Desmond Price Close in Lake shortly before 7pm last night.

The red carpet was rolled out at a glittering ceremony for a group of slimming superstars from the Island, who were nominated for 2 Oscar style awards for helping hundreds of people in the area to lose weight every week.

In a blow to Islanders looking for the best energy deal, Ryde's Pure Green Energy Ltd ceased trading as of 5pm yesterday (Thursday) following 16 years of serving the local community.

A new study has revealed the Isle of Wight is the sixth oldest area of the UK, with 3.79% of the population aged over 85 – 64% more than the UK average across local authorities

A motorcyclist has been taken taken to hospital following a crash on Military Road this afternoon (Thursday).

West Wight Sports and Community Centre in Freshwater spread the word to more than a thousand Island children this summer, in support of an annual campaign which aims to save lives.

Two people have suffered injuries today (Thursday) following a car crash in Lake.

A school in Newport is sporting a fresh new look following a £100,000 revamp.

It was a case of so near yet so far for a River Medina-based day boat when it suffered engine trouble in the Solent near the entrance of Cowes Harbour, resulting in it having to be rescued by Cowes RNLI lifeboat.

Hovertravel has teamed up with a popular Ryde fish and chip shop to net its customers a deal.

The huge challenge facing Isle of Wight schools amid falling birth rates and the steep decline in pupil numbers is laid bare in the Island's first mainstream school place planning strategy, published today (Wednesday) by the Isle of Wight Council.

A dinosaur bone found on the Isle of Wight has been revealed to be the most complete dinosaur discovered in this country in the last 100 years following extensive analysis.

Residents are being invited to help shape the future of their community by taking part in an important public consultation on the Island's planning blueprint.

A  teacher involved in a horrendous crash on Isle of Wight while riding on the back of her partner’s motorbike in 2018 that shattered her ankle was later awarded a six-figure settlement but said she still suffers pain and cannot wear high heels.

A motorbike rider suffered injuries this morning (Wednesday) following a crash in Ryde.

Talented student teams from Cowes Enterprise College have competed in the British Final of the H2GP Hydrogen-Powered RC Car Endurance Race.

Islanders are being invited to take up a role as a Public Governor with the local NHS Foundation Trust.

Several Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary officers have been recognised for their incredible work in saving lives.

The rider of a bike has suffered serious injuries following a crash in Chessell this afternoon (Monday).

Children and young people on the Isle of Wight should have a "world-class" education which gives them the best opportunity to succeed.

Councils from across the South East have come together to create the country’s largest local authority fostering partnership, in a bid to increase the number of foster carers across the region.

An Islander has been selected for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris this summer.

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, has revealed that over 25 projects are to benefit from her £500K cash injection designed to further tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Police are appealing for witnesses to a public order incident in Ryde, in which it was also reported that a woman exposed herself.

A 38 foot French yacht that was caught on a chain of the East/West Cowes floating bridge this (Sunday) morning led to Cowes RNLI carrying out an unusual rescue operation.

Island dancers Anya Murphy and Kenzie Madden have returned from the Dance World Cup with silver medals after impressing judges with their routine at the international competition in Prague.

A crash in Cowes led to an emergency service call-out this morning.

The newly elected East and West MPs for the Island have spoken to Isle of Wight Radio's Topping in the Morning today (Friday).

Participants of the Isle of Wight birth cohort research study are being asked to come forward for their 34 year follow up.

Work to reduce flooding and improve the ride quality on a popular section of the Newport to Sandown cycle track at Blackwater has been completed.

A total of 12 candidates are set to contest the General Election across the Isle of Wight's two new Parliamentary Constituencies today (Thursday).

A new range of e-scooters and e-bikes have arrived on the Isle of Wight this week.

One of the most successful sports stars that the Isle of Wight has ever produced is celebrating two decades of her partnership with Wightlink - and she is showing no signs of slowing down.

The Isle of Wight was named Best UK Destination of the Year for the second year running at an awards ceremony at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London. last Thursday (27 June).

A total of 300 pupils, from primary schools across the Island, took part in the fourth annual PEACH Games last Friday (28 June).

Those voting in tomorrow’s General Election are reminded to bring their photo-ID with them – it has to be an original document, and not a copy.

Red Funnel has announced a new partnership with leading maritime technology company, Artemis Technologies (ATL).

She’s been described as a ‘national treasure’ and across radio, TV and in print, Clare Balding is certainly a household name.

There are always loads of fun events going on around the Isle of Wight, but this we think is a definitely a first…. bears on bikes!

Further to extensive repairs and renovation, including commissioning a new purpose built pump, reinstatement of a broken pipe, and other essential engineering works, Lake Parish Council have re-opened the Public Toilets at Lake Slipway.

Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council has updated the status regarding ongoing issues affecting access in and out of Ventnor.

Islanders are being asked to help locate a missing man with links to the area.

Wightlink sponsored the Royal Navy Parachute Display Team which landed on Ryde sands at the end of Armed Forces Day celebrations yesterday (Sunday).

Isle of Wight resident, and lifetime composer of educational music, Pam Wedgwood, has been awarded the Art of Piano Education Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 presented at a prestigious ceremony at The Royal Albert Hall last week.

After the success of The Great Sandown Hat Revival in 2023, Sandown Carnival is offering everyone the chance to be part of a hat making extravaganza for the town’s Regatta this summer.

A total of 100 patients and families have accessed follow-up care in the first 12 months of operation for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance's new Aftercare team. 

It's Sunday, and that means one last chance to party at this year's Isle of Wight Festival.

Pet Shop Boys and Suede headlined Saturday night at The Isle of Wight Festival 2024, with other notable performances from the likes of S Club and The Pill also taking centre stage.

It's Festival Saturday and that means plenty of fancy dress and another iconic music line-up to enjoy!

Legendary electronic band The Prodigy closed the Main Stage last night (Friday) with an electrifying set, which saw them play iconic tunes such as Breathe, Out Of Space and Firestarter.

Police were called just after 6.20pm to a report of a serious assault in Shanklin last night.

Police are now releasing the name of a woman who died following a fatal collision in Brading.

Day one of this year's Isle of Wight Festival proved a massive success, with a host of colourful images on show to

Police were called to the Isle of Wight Festival following a death at the campsite yesterday morning (Thursday).

A free one hour parking scheme is being introduced in Ventnor while works at The Graben are carried out.

A man is in custody this morning following a late night crash in Ryde last night (Thursday).

Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day returns next weekend, with visitors being encouraged to walk or use public transport to get to the hugely popular event.

Photo ID will be required to be able to vote in person at a General Election for the first time on Thursday July 4 and Islanders are being reminded that if they do not have a valid document such as a passport or driving license, they have only a few days to apply for a free photo ID.

The latest scam warnings have been issued for the Isle of Wight.

The Isle of Wight Festival is getting underway today (Thursday), with a stacked line-up in place for the four-day event.

It was ‘from a training exercise to the real thing’ for the crew of Cowes RNLI lifeboat last night (Wednesday), when during a training exercise they received a call from the coastguards.

Work to repair Southern Water's infrastructure at Newport Road, Ventnor, is set to begin next week.

A new ferry service is heading to the Isle of Wight next month.

The ongoing battle against the invasive Himalayan balsam plant has been reinforced by Island Roads.

Cash Access UK, the organisation set up to protect nationwide access to cash, has implemented a new, multi-bank deposit machine to provide cash and deposit services in Shanklin inside the Co-op Food on Landguard Road.

The Isle of Wight Literary Festival has been presented with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).

Residents of Ventnor are facing more travel upheaval this month following the announcement of another road closure.

Children and young people can once again look forward to a range of free healthy activities throughout the summer holidays.

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust’s Ambulance Care Dog team have been shortlisted for a prestigious HSJ Patient Safety Award in the staff wellbeing category.

Ryde Town Council has today (Monday) announced the opening of new public toilets located at the town's Interchange.

An investigation has been launched following the death of a woman in her 80s in Ryde.

In a proud moment for the Island Spirits Distillery, makers of Isle of Wight Gin and Rocken End Rum, three of its spirits have clinched prestigious awards at this year's International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC).

The decision for Cowes RNLI station to be ever ready during the Round the Island race proved its worth over the weekend.

The Cowes Floating Bridge has been pulled from service once again – around 24 hours after having returned from its latest setback.

Ryde Interchange is blooming following the work of a green-fingered local company.

Islanders are being urged to do their bit amid ‘new’ challenges for animals.

The schedule for this year's Isle of Wight Festival has been announced this afternoon (Thursday).

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

Travel plans during the Isle of Wight Festival weekend next week have been revealed.

A new environmental initiative has arrived in Bembridge courtesy of Surfers Against Sewage.

Police are urging people to keep to public footpaths when visiting nature reserves and areas with nesting birds, and to familiarise themselves with the law following an incident at Brading Marsh RSPB Reserve.

A quintet of fire services were called to Sandown last night (Wednesday) following another blaze at a derelict hotel in the town.

Top literary names from television, politics, history and the world of food and drink are among headline authors who will be appearing at this year’s Isle of Wight Literary Festival.

A compilation album featuring songs by artists from the Isle of Wight and Southampton is set to be released to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

New AI technology has been installed on the Isle of Wight for the first time this month as part of Southern Water's efforts to reduce storm overflows.

Well-known Isle of Wight solicitor and sportsman Ian Michael Charles Heal has died aged 50, following a battle with bowel cancer.

Police were called to Ryde this morning (Tuesday) after being alerted to the discovery of the body of a man.

Police were forced to discharge a taser this morning (Tuesday) after a man became violent with them following reports of an assault in Newport.

A memorial cairn has been dedicated at Northwood Cemetery.

Freshwater thrill seekers are celebrating after the town received planning long-anticipated planning permission for its skatepark.

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has opened a public consultation to develop her next Police and Crime Plan.

The Cowes Floating Bridge is expected to remain out of service until the end of this week.

A trio of new artworks created by pop artist Morgan Howell FRSA to mark three legendary Isle Of Wight Festival performances are to be unveiled at this year’s event.

For half a century the historic offices of Lord-Lieutenant and High Sheriff have served the Island.

Earlier this year the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary announced its intention to rescue two European Brown Bears, Benji and Balu, from a life of misery in Azerbaijan.

A total of 12 candidates are set to contest the General Election across the Isle of Wight's two new Parliamentary Constituencies on Thursday 4 July.

On Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June the Island’s ‘Shed Fest’ will take place at Sandown Airport.

Officers are appealing for information following a fatal collision in Brading.

Firefighters from Ryde and Sandown were alerted to a beach hut blaze on Forelands Field Road in Bembridge shortly before midnight.

Islanders are being asked to complete a survey to help shape the future of local policing.

Two Victorian Island forts up for auction.

Dr Patrick Glen from Leeds University will be visiting "Experience 25", the Isle of Wight Festival exhibition, to gather people's stories from the 1968 to 1970 Festivals.

Bell-ringers across the Island 'Rang out for Peace' this week, with events culminating last night (Thursday) when ringers respected the national commemoration at 6.30pm.

Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day later this month will include a special commemoration to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Today (Thursday) communities across the UK and around the world are coming together to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has paid tribute to D-Day veterans on the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, which took place on June 6, 1944.

A waste company was left with an unexpected clean-up mission in Shanklin yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon after one of its lorry's caught fire.

A celebration of running on the Isle of Wight will take place on Sunday (June 9) as the 2024 IW Festival of Running take place at West Wight Sports and Community Centre.

Age UK Isle of Wight is celebrating Volunteers Week by shining a spotlight on its award-winning Good Neighbour Scheme.

A man who assaulted shop staff during a robbery in Newport has been jailed.

Isle of Wight Council libraries and the Record Office now have a subscription to The British Newspaper Archive, providing FREE access to millions of digitised newspaper pages dating from the 1700s.

Hovertravel is launching a limited time offer for Island residents on its extra late night returns on 11, 12, 13 and 20 July.

Work is to begin shortly to rebuild and resurface a section of the Newport to Sandown cycle track which has become prone to flooding over the past few years.

A yacht that had a rope around its propeller was towed to safety by Cowes RNLI lifeboat last night (Sunday).

The Green Party candidate for Isle of Wight East, Vix Lowthion, formally launched her campaign at the weekend with a gathering of supporters and speech at Western Gardens in Ryde.

A highly anticipated new yoga studio will open its doors in Niton this evening (Monday).

New Carnival are bringing a huge ‘Green Man’ puppet to the streets of Ryde this summer.

Eighteen months after violent storms caused a 35-metre section of Ventnor's Eastern Esplanade to collapse into the sea, people are now enjoying their first strolls along the newly reopened promenade.

Current and past employees of the Isle of Wight Council and affiliated Island bodies received positive news following the advice that the latest estimated value of the Isle of Wight Pension Fund has risen to more than £750,000,000.

Island Roads is thanking local residents as an intensive programme of highway improvement work during May nears completion.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has called for bold and committed action for nature’s recovery as General Election campaigning gets under way.

A team of volunteers has delved into the past of Appley Tower as part of the project to restore the much-loved landmark to its former glory.

Voluntary and community organisations providing education and learning opportunities for adults on the Island are invited to bid for grant funding of a share of £25,000.

Islanders are being reminded of rubbish and recycling collection information for the Spring bank holiday.

Councillor Karl Love says he is "delighted and humbled" to be elected the Isle of Wight Council's new chairman.

Emergency services has shared an update after a vehicle crashed into a telephone pole in Newport earlier yesterday (Wednesday).

The charity Crimestoppers is calling for volunteers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, to help it tackle crime, to make the areas safer places to live, work or visit.

The Police Chief for Hampshre and the Isle of Wight has released a statement following leaked internal documents which suggested officers 'make fewer arrests' in order to save space in prisons.

The Royal Navy Parachute Display Team will be back by popular demand at this year's Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day.

More than 99% of Islanders brought a valid ID to a polling station when they went to vote in the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police & Crime Commissioner election on May 2.

Ahead of the warmer summer months, volunteers at Cowes RNLI teamed up with maritime charity UKSA to learn from their water sports expertise.

Hovertravel is offering half priced fares as part of a D-Day initiative.

A popular seawall footpath between Totland Bay and Colwell has partially reopened.

SOUTH Western Railway has announced a new timetable for the Island Line beginning on Sunday (June 2). 

Carisbrooke College and Medina College's joint team, Wild Wax Melts, has won the Best Company award in the Young Enterprise Company of the Year Grand Final for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Dozens of pharmacies across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will be open and here to help you during the late May bank holiday weekend (Saturday 25 – Monday 27 May 2024).

Transport for the South East (TfSE), the Sub-national Transport Body for the south east of England, is reminding people that time is running out to take part in their ‘Your Voices’ survey about the future transport needs of the Isle of Wight.

Island based and home grown talent Morgan Williams has joined the Wightlink Warriors for the 2024 season.

An exercise for Cowes RNLI lifeboat turned into something more serious yesterday (Saturday) when it was called upon to go to the aid of a powerboat taking on water off The Needles.

A much-loved sentimental print has been stolen from an undisclosed country house on the Isle of Wight - with the owners asking for help locating it.

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, is calling on communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to come together and stand up against knife crime.

The smart glazed exterior of the new café unit at Ryde Interchange has been unveiled for the first time.

It’s not just the air space that will be busy at this year's Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day — Eastern Gardens will have its fair share of static attractions too.

Councillor Claire Critchison presented local charity SWAY with a cheque for more than £1,800 during one of her final engagements as chairman of the Isle of Wight Council.