Isle of Wight News

The Wildheart Animal Sanctuary has reached its fundraising target of £150,000 to build a brand-new habitat for Benji and Balu, two European Brown Bears in need of rescue from Azerbaijan.

Islanders are being invited to a spectacular and sparkling night which will help raise funds for Mountbatten Isle of Wight.

The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service (IWAS) will be teaching hundreds of children lifesaving skills at various fire stations across the island on World Restart a Heart Day (RSHD) this Wednesday (16 October).

Staff at Freshwater’s Avenue Road dental practice have been overwhelmed by calls with many being left “in tears”, a dentistry campaigner has said.

Work to sink the third and final borehole at Ventnor's Leeson Road has begun.

A recommendation for an “opened up” Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) scheme has been approved by the Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet.

A record number of participants dazzled The Royal Isle of Wight County Show Ground on Saturday 5 October at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Dash in the Dark.

An Isle of Wight man has rebuked a Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council motion for a £600 chain of office bill as “quite offensive” amid a cost-of-living crisis.

An Isle of Wight councillor has slammed the fact that only 7.3 per cent of housing created across the Island last year could be classed as affordable.

School planning proposals which could lead to the closure of six Isle of Wight primary schools will come under the spotlight at County Hall next week.

Work to improve two busy sections of road in Cowes and Ryde will begin later this month.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has taken action to protect people living at Blackwater Mill Residential Home in the Isle of Wight, following an inspection in March and April.

An Isle of Wight councillor has said he would “love” council tax support to be “more generous” ahead of a cabinet discussion on the issue this evening.

The Isle of Wight Council is on track to submit the Island Planning Strategy (IPS) to government at the end of the month.

There will be changes to Wightlink’s sailings to Portsmouth Gunwharf on Sunday 20 October 2024 because of road closures in the city centre during the annual Great South Run.

A National Trust project to significantly improve the visitor facilities at the much-loved Compton Bay has now reached completion.

The owners of a Sandown eyesore must pay thousands of pounds in fines and costs after failing to undertake repairs to the property.

A “wonderful” Newport youth hub project designed to reduce anti-social behaviour was given a vote of confidence by a community council yesterday (Tuesday).

Isle of Wight Radio's Paul Topping will be in the eye of the storm - or hurricane - tonight, as his dream vacation to Florida turns into a nightmare.

A new provider will be taking on the existing NHS dental services in Freshwater following the planned October 31 closure of MyDentist.

Volunteers from Gosport National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) have been finding out about Wightlink’s maritime operations this month.

A chicken shop could open in Newport’s historic town centre, despite community and environmental health objections from the community council.

The owner of a now defunct Isle of Wight chippy has applied to turn the building into a house.

Concerns about the Isle of Wight’s dentistry services still stand out in feedback on the Island’s health and social care services, a report has shown.

Isle of Wight Council has launched a new parking consultation over a proposal that some of the ‘limited waiting’ bays in Union Street in Newport are changed to ‘Pay & Display’ bays.

South Western Railway (SWR) services resume this morning (Monday 7 October) following a month-long closure of the Island Line while engineers completed a comprehensive programme of critical maintenance.

Red Funnel has announced the opening of its annual Charity of the Year nominations for 2025.

East Cowes residents have been invited to help shape the town’s finances, including community project funding and a possible precept increase.

Cowes RNLI lifeboat responded to a pre-dawn emergency this morning (Monday) when it joined in an urgent search for someone reported to have disappeared off Southampton’s Itchen Bridge.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was located with serious injuries on Fishbourne Lane, Ryde, on 28 September.

The Isle of Wight Council has released a statement regarding a Pilot Whale discovered on West Wight beach at the weekend.

The Isle of Wight’s Cabinet will this week consider its Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme amid “very significant” financial challenges.

Grassroots campaigners on the Isle of Wight, at the centre of the campaign against ExxonMobil’s pipeline, have reacted to the firm’s “unbelievable” decision to drop its plans.

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has welcomed yesterday's (Friday) announcement of the cancellation of the Solent CO2 Pipeline Project.

The Limes residential care home in Bembridge has been awarded a national Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Award in recognition of the excellent end of life care they provide.

The Isle of Wight Council's Adult Community Learning team has announced the launch of its autumn programme, offering a diverse range of workshops and courses.

Several traffic restrictions affecting East Cowes, Ryde and Carisbrooke will go ahead after the Isle of Wight Council gave plans the green light.

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight police officer has been charged with misconduct in a public office.

The Isle of Wight Council is warning Islanders not to respond to texts about nonspecific parking fines.

Islander, dyslexia assessor and social media star, Jo Rees is the brains behind the exciting new event taking place later this year.

Parents of pupils from Ryde's Oakfield Primary have been campaigning this morning (Thursday) against the closure of the school

Two specialist search dogs are joining the team at WightSAR (Isle of Wight Search and Rescue), giving the volunteers extra support to find missing people.

A wide range of events for children and adults will be taking place across all Isle of Wight Council-run libraries in celebration of Green Libraries Week (7-13 October).

Two family villas overlooking the Solent could be built on an Isle of Wight seafront.

A section on the main Cowes to Newport Road at Northwood is to be resurfaced by Island Roads shortly.

The Isle of Wight Council has ordered the owners of a prominent Island landmark to make 'urgent' repairs within four weeks.

The Isle of Wight Council is warning that children and young people on the Island are putting their lives at risk by entering derelict buildings .

Space above a former town centre Carphone Warehouse store on the Isle of Wight could be converted into flats.

Work to drill three boreholes at Leeson Road in Ventnor is progressing very well according to the Isle of Wight Council.

A bid to turn a former Isle of Wight church into a Lounges café bar, similar to Newport’s Correo Lounge, has encountered stiff resistance from residents.

A 15-year-old boy from Ryde was arrested in Sandown late yesterday afternoon (Monday).

The sudden death of a woman in her 30s saw emergency services called to Lake yesterday (Monday), although initial thoughts that .

Work is being carried out to secure a derelict seafront hotel which has been blighted by repeated trespassing and vandalism.

A Cowes couple have appealed an Isle of Wight Council decision to refuse planning permission for an “intrusive” extension application.

A consultation on major plans for a Solent CO2 pipeline, which could affect the Isle of Wight, ends today (Monday).

Plans to renew dog controls across the Island go out to consultation today (Monday).

Newport's Fever & Boutique nightclub is to host a farewell party this weekend before closing its doors for good.

Last night (Sunday) saw a fire at the Lynnbottom Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) in two of the large open skips for electronics and furniture.

A Royal Air Force veteran from the Isle of Wight has joined the Help for Heroes wheelchair basketball team after impressing coaches at an exhibition match designed to showcase the sport.

 Police are appealing for information after an incident where an Audi was driven aggressively on Gills Cliff Road.

The team behind the Isle of Wight Council’s contentious school plans headed to a Ryde school yesterday for a consultation event discussing its possible closure.

Isle of Wight councillors at the forefront of the campaign to stop ExxonMobil’s pipeline have welcomed an Island MP’s lobbying of government on the matter.

An Isle of Wight Council officer removed a controversial Newport housing plan from a planning committee agenda due to advertised information “concerns”.

ExxonMobil has released a statement after an Isle of Wight MP wrote to the government to raise concerns about the company's Solent CO2 pipeline.

The Friends of St Mary’s generously funded £875 for a television equipped with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa to help patients to understand and educate themselves on good foot health and other healthy lifestyle choices.

A disused Cowes church could be turned into a Lounges café bar akin to Newport’s Correo Lounge.

The Isle of Wight’s education cabinet member has warned of the risks of “false information” as a council consultation on school proposals and possible closures gets underway.

Official reports examining the severe flooding that affected Newport, East Cowes and Ryde last autumn are now available to read online.

Healthwatch Isle of Wight has warned that temporary pharmacy closures are adding to the deepening crisis in the sector.

Police are looking to reunite a number of suspected stolen items with their owners following an incident which saw a series of burglaries take place in Ryde last year.

Day Disco enthusiasts will raise funds for the island’s hospice next month (October) as organisers decide to donate 100 per cent of ticket profits to charity. 

Parents gathered at Cowes Primary School on Monday for a tense question and answer session with Isle of Wight Council officers about the potential closure of the school.

The Lord Louis Library in Newport is scheduled to undergo essential maintenance from Monday 14 October and is expected to be fully completed by the end of December 2024.

Work to improve sections of a busy Shanklin thoroughfare is being planned by Island Roads for later this month.

An Isle of Wight MP has written to the government to raise concerns about ExxonMobil’s Solent CO2 pipeline.

What do you think of the service provided by Island Roads?

A town council has written to the Isle of Wight Council, raising a “failure” of “proper process” and “due diligence” regarding a drone trial.

More than 580 people descended on the Lord Louis Library in Newport last week to find out more about career opportunities within the Island's care and health sector.

Southern Water is looking for community groups and businesses who can help slow the flow of rainwater from roofs or driveways – and stop it overloading sewers.

The Isle of Wight Council will take action on the Island’s “grossly inadequate” NHS dental care provision.

The Isle of Wight Council has received a revised planning application for four houses on the outskirts of Newport.

A 35 year-old man has been charged with drugs supply offences following a warrant in Rookley.

An Ofsted inspector has said “more work is necessary” for an Isle of Wight school to receive a “good” rating.

Police area appealing for witnesses to an incident in which a car almost collided with a pedestrian in Newport.

An exciting array of artists are the first to be announced for the 2025 Isle of Wight Festival today (Monday).

It’s not just the authors at this year’s Isle of Wight Literary Festival who will be household names.

A 59-year-old Ryde carer has said he is in “financial ruin” as a result of a nearly four month wait for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Essential tree safety works are due to start at Los Altos Park in Sandown next week.

Newport War Memorial in St Thomas’s Square has been given a new lease of life thanks to the Victoria Cross Trust.

Wessex Cancer Support is inviting Islanders to get the festive season started at Newport Minster on Saturday 30 November with its Music at the Minster: Festive Favourites concert.

The chairman of the Isle of Wight Council is calling on Islanders to support a major Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance appeal which will help save lives.

The Island's first school dedicated to children and young people with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs has opened in East Cowes.

Work to demolish the former Newport FC clubhouse at St George’s Way will begin on Monday.

Opposition to six potential primary school closures has been stepped up across the Isle of Wight.

A married couple will be visiting the Isle of Wight as part of a fundraising challenge to stop at all 238 Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) sites in the UK and Ireland over the course of a month.

The Diocese of Portsmouth has given its response to Isle of Wight Council proposals to close three C of E schools.

For years, the culvert on Cemetery Road in Binstead has been the centre of attention when it comes to flooding in the area.

The Isle of Wight community is being asked to support Island health services as the number of patients needing urgent and emergency care has reached peak levels.

Planet Aware, in partnership with Ryde Town Council (RTC) has unveiled a trial initiative aimed at tackling cigarette butt litter along the coast.

Red Funnel has worked hand-in-hand with one of its long-term freight customers, Acclaim Logistics, to collect hundreds of tin cans as part of a food donation drive for its Charity of The Year partner, the Isle of Wight Foodbank.

The Island's young heroes have been crowned at Isle of Wight Radio's Child of Wight Awards 2024.

A number of parking restrictions are now in operation to assist traffic flow along the diversion route in place for the temporary closure of Leeson Road.

Cowes RNLI station is looking for new volunteers to join its thriving community of people helping to save lives in the Solent.

Experience 25, the exhibition celebrating the history of the iconic Isle of Wight Festival, opens at London’s O2 Arena on September 19.

This month's Emerging Artist is a brilliant bassist-cum-singer/songwriter who's performed on several continents, and is set to blaze her own trail.

Following feedback from stakeholders and visitors to Cowes, Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC) is pleased to announce plans for a new marina for East Cowes.

Pan Together — a small local charity which exists to support and provide a community hub for the residents of East Newport — is appealing for help aiding those in need as the cooler months draw closer.

Islander Annie Caddick is celebrating after securing a silver medal at this summer's Paralympics.

Cowes Enterprise College, part of Ormiston Academies Trust, has debuted its first musical production with Matilda Jr. the Musical.

Emergency services were called to Shorwell in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) following the discovery of a body.

There’s just four weeks to go before the Autumn Isle of Wight Walking Festival, celebrating 25 years in 2024.

Officers investigating a recent series of arsons at the Ocean Hotel in Sandown have arrested a third man as part of their enquiries.

A section of Newport’s busy South Street is to be upgraded by Island Roads later this month.

MAJOR engineering works will take place on the Island Line and Ryde Pier starting from tomorrow.

The Isle of Wight Council is offering residents the chance to borrow a blood pressure monitor from one of six local libraries across the Island, FREE of charge.

Ryde Town Council has been awarded funding by the South Western Railway Customer and Communities Investment Fund (CCIF) and SNG to deliver a series of community cookery sessions.

Major plans to transform Island education to ensure a brighter future for all children and young people have today (Wednesday) been laid out by the Isle of Wight Council.

A top Hampshire health boss has said more complex dentistry cases have led to delays reviewing Island patients who suffer from long-standing dental needs.

Trading Standards has issued a selection of scams warnings for the Isle of Wight today (Wednesday).

In an update to a story we published last week, a project to create a garden for young people led by the IW NHS Youth Forum has been officially opened. 

Officers investigating a recent series of arsons at the Ocean Hotel in Sandown have made another arrest.

The government has confirmed it will not reverse its decision to scrap winter fuel payments, a move that will affect around 10 million UK pensioners who do not receive pension credit.

A new museum devoted to the musical history of the Isle of Wight has opened in Newport.

A road on a popular through-route in Ryde is set to be improved this month (September) and motorists are being advised of diversions that will be in place.

Islanders are being invited to get involved in this year’s Great British Beach Clean and help protect the coastline.

Isle of Wight Police would like to hear from anyone affected by vehicle damage in Beatrice Avenue, East Cowes on 24 August.

Twenty-seven swimmers took part in Wessex Cancer Support’s Swim for Hope recently, braving the 1.3mile crossing from Hurst Castle to Colwell Bay to raise £26,438 to support local people affected by cancer.

A majority of recent feedback for the Isle of Wight’s health and social care services is negative, according to an Island watchdog.

Exxonmobil's Solent CO2 Pipeline cannot be installed without “potentially devastating impacts” on the Isle of Wight National Landscape, a conservation body has warned.

Ryde Beach Lifeguards (RBLG) - which operates the Beach Lifeguard services in both Ryde and Sandown - welcomed their Rookie Lifeguards back this summer, with 80 children taking part in the program. 

The early hours of Saturday (August 31) saw a break-in at Ryde's Waterside pool which is expected to cost the charity thousands of pounds in damages.

Island-based People Media UK have another short film to be broadcast on the BBC One Show tonight (Friday) exploring the site of the 1970 Isle of Wight Pop Festival at Afton Down.

Anti-social behaviour at a popular Isle of Wight park has led to intervention from a local councillor and police.

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has been awarded a coveted Gold Award by the Ministry of Defence as part of their Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

EXXONMOBIL has been hosting a series of public consultation events across the Isle of Wight as part of its plans for a Solent CO2 Pipeline.

A yellow weather has been issued for the Isle of Wight this weekend.

Do you want to make a real difference to people's lives, including your own?

A partnership on the Isle of Wight between local voluntary sector organisations has been shortlisted for a ‘Place-based Partnership & Integrated Care Award’ by the prestigious national Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards.

Can you help to find a missing man from Ryde?

Cruelty to dogs increased on the Isle of Wight in 2023, shocking figures from the RSPCA shows.

Freshwater’s Memorial Hall was packed out on Tuesday evening for an impassioned discussion on a proposed mixed use development.

Last month's Summer Funday at Arreton Barns raised a staggering £1,250 for Island-based charity, The Wight Brainy Bunch.

Newport's Forest Road remains closed this morning (Thursday) due to a Mains fault.

The Isle of Wight Council would like to congratulate students across the Island as they celebrate their achievements on GCSE results day today.

Isle of Wight farmer, Brian Moralee of APS Produce, recently starred in M&S’ latest Farm to Foodhall campaign alongside Tom Kerridge.

Anneka Wilson Fitness (AWF) has chosen the Isle of Wight Youth Trust as this year's nominated charity, with a stamina sapping fundraising challenge held on their behalf.

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, has officially opened a fourth Integrated Offender Management (IOM) House for former inmates to rehabilitate and support their journey towards crime-free lives.

The Learning Disabilities and Autism Keyworker Programme Team at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight has been shortlisted in the Health Service Journal (HSJ) awards for their work with children and young people who are at risk of hospital admission.

A sewer has burst on New Barn Road in East Cowes.

REVISED plans for a 12 house development on Newport’s Landscape Lane have been met with renewed backlash.

Age UK Isle of Wight has announced the addition of five new Trustees to their board, marking the charity’s most successful recruitment campaign to date.

Music fans who headed to Sunset Sessions at Blackgang Chine on Saturday (August 17) got more than they bargained for when headline act Nathan Dawe took to the stage.

Tickets are now on sale for this year's Isle of Wight Literary Festival.

Crimestoppers has launched a new campaign designed to help people reduce the risk of their home being burgled.

Police were called to Ryde last night (Sunday) following reports of a man carrying an offensive weapon and wearing a balaclava.

Yesterday (Sunday August 18) saw Isle of Wight lifeguards called out to an unusual task in Shanklin.

Dozens of pharmacies across the Isle of Wight will be open during the August bank holiday weekend (Saturday 24 – Monday 26 August).

A 26-foot yacht with one man aboard that had fouled its propeller and gone aground on the shore between Thorness and Newtown Creek late last (Sunday) night led to Cowes RNLI lifeboat launching to provide assistance.

An eighteen year old male has been arrested in connection with the recent fires at the Ocean Hotel in Sandown.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious collision near Calbourne.

Keert, the Isle of Wight’s only ultra low emissions delivery service, is delighted to announce the accelerated expansion of its sustainable delivery network into Freshwater.

The Isle of Wight College is hosting the "Get Inspired, Get Started" event on Wednesday August 28, from 10am to 4pm.

Scaffolding has come down today (Friday) to reveal the finished Columbine Building mural in East Cowes.

Two teenagers suffered injuries after being assaulted in Cowes last night (Thursday).

Two people have been seriously injured following a road traffic collision in Calbourne this morning (Friday).

Freshwater residents have expressed alarm over a proposed mixed use development including 69 housing units.

Alverstone residents have denounced plans for yellow lines and parking restrictions through the picturesque village.

A man has been arrested after threatening another man with a knife in Freshwater Bay

Ryde School students excelled in their 2024 A Level and IB exams, with 63% achieving A*-B grades and average IB results surpassing last year's scores.

The vast majority (70%) of A level students at Christ the King College achieved A*-C grades again this year, maintaining the College’s consistently high standards.

Students and staff at Cowes Enterprise College on the Isle of Wight are celebrating after collecting their post-16 results, which have enabled many students to secure places at some of the country’s top universities. 

The Island VI Form is celebrating after students received excellent A level results today (Thursday).

Sixth formers from Ryde Academy are today celebrating some fantastic results at the end of year 13.

The Isle of Wight Council is extending its congratulations to students across the Island who have worked hard to achieve their A-level, technical, vocational, and apprenticeship qualifications this year.

The Isle of Wight’s Olympic star Nick Percy is back home after an amazing fortnight in Paris.

The Bembridge RNLI Lifeboat Station’s “Open Day” promises to be a fascinating and entertaining day out for all the family on Saturday 24 August.

Have you ever thought about joining a reading group or book club?

Police were called to Freshwater yesterday (Monday) after receiving reports of a child being bitten by a dog.

Old Charlton House care home in Cowes, has celebrated one of its residents reaching the grand age of 100!

Yesterday (Monday), six members of the Ryde and Sandown Beach Lifeguards embarked on their annual cross Solent swim from Gosport to Ryde. 

Six Island divers have successfully achieved BSAC certification during the past few weeks.

A road in Newport is closed this afternoon (Monday) following a crash.

It’s been a favourite for generations, and now an iconic Isle of Wight landmark could soon be joining the ranks of Blackpool Tower and Saltburn Cliff Tramway if successful in a national vote.

Road closures were put in place and a forensic team from the mainland called following a crash on the outskirts of Ryde during the early hours of this morning (Monday).

A man in his 60s was pronounced dead after being pulled from the sea in Freshwater yesterday (Sunday).

A man was cleared of criminal activity following reports he had approached two girls in East Cowes at the weekend.

Conservative Party leadership candidate Tom Tugendhat MP met party members on the Isle of Wight as part of his tour of local associations across the UK last week.

Police are appealing for witnesses to an exposure incident which occurred in Shanklin.

A 34-foot yacht that went hard aground in the mud of Beaulieu River led to the launching of Cowes RNLI lifeboat on Friday afternoon (August 10)

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has landed in Sandown today (Friday) with a woman flown to Southampton after suffering serious injuries.

Police are continuing to investigate after firefighters were sent to Sandown's Ocean Hotel for the SECOND time this week.

Police are appealing for information after a man approached a child in a park in Pan, Newport.

A man has been jailed after stealing hundreds of pounds worth of items from various stores in Newport.

Isle of Wight NHS Trust, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, Veterans Outreach Support and Isle of Wight Council are coming together to host the first ever Joining Forces Event in support of the island’s armed forces community.

The completion of improvement works at Ryde interchange has been hailed by the council's leader as "a landmark" day in the town's history.

A motorcyclist was airlifted to hospital yesterday (Wednesday) following a crash in Brighstone.

Gills Cliff Road in Ventnor is set to re-open on Friday (Aug 9) following the completion of a major safety scheme.

"Violent disorder will not be tolerated" and "actions have consequences".

The kind-hearted Isle of Wight has been named one of the most caring places in the UK, according to the country’s leading charitable giving initiative, the Movement for Good Awards.

The Isle of Wight Council and Southern Water have agreed a new partnership to transform roads across the Island in an effort to cut storm overflows and flood risks.