West Wight Alpacas to close tourist farm after 15 years amid visitor decline
Mal ButlerMuch-loved tourist attraction, West Wight Alpacas, is to close at the end of the season after 15 years. The farm,…
Read MoreHarbour Farm demolition plan revives bitter Bembridge row
Isle of Wight ObserverBy Sandy Clarke A planning application, submitted by the Environment Agency (EA), has reignited a long running and deeply emotional…
Read MoreIsle of Wight to stay independent as government confirms unitary future
The Isle of Wight will remain a single, standalone unitary authority, following the government’s long‑awaited decision on the future shape…
Read MoreCouncil admits shortfall as Island social housing delivery lags behind demand
The Isle of Wight Council has responded to last week’s IW Observer report, highlighting that only 41 new social housing…
Read MoreSouthern XC Series round one sees strong rides from Cook, Manser-Grundy and Shuttleworth
Ewan Cook and youth riders, Finley Manser-Grundy and Sonny Shuttleworth, were in action at Matterley Basin, Winchester, on Sunday in…
Read MoreJack Up The ’60s tickets to win as The Zoots head to Shanklin Theatre
Get ready to twist and shout, as The Zoots bring their sensational sixties show to the Isle of Wight for…
Read MoreShanklin Beavers mark 40 years with bulb planting at war memorial
First Shanklin’s Beaver group, part of the Scout movement, joined Isle of Wight Royal British Legion president, Ian Ward, to…
Read MoreIsle of Wight Sun Safe Schools campaign launched in memory of Zoe Panayi
A new campaign aiming to make every primary school on the Isle of Wight Sun Safe accredited has been launched…
Read MoreTotland church launches £10,000 appeal to save historic Edwardian lychgate
by Roz Whistance An appeal to help fund the restoration of an important piece of Edwardian architecture has been launched…
Read MoreNewport Minster parish chest restored as revitalising project nears completion
One of the final jobs completed as part of the ‘Revitalising the Minster’ project, at Newport Minster, was the repair…
Read MoreFreshwater skatepark art auction launched
A fundraising art auction has been launched to support plans for a new skatepark and pump track in Freshwater. Freshwater…
Read MoreRegency ball draws dancers to Sandown’s Trouville Hotel
The Trouville Hotel, in Sandown, was transformed into a scene of Regency elegance last weekend as dancers, enthusiasts, and costumed…
Read MoreShanklin hotel expansion plans include extra floors, lift and wellness space
A major expansion is being proposed for the Harrow Lodge Hotel in Shanklin, with plans submitted for a two‑storey vertical…
Read MoreGreat British Bake Off Musical comes to Shanklin Theatre this April
Get ready for a deliciously entertaining night at the theatre as The Island Savoyards present The Great British Bake Off…
Read MoreIsle of Wight built just 41 social rent homes in ten years despite rising demand
The Isle of Wight Council has delivered only 41 units of new social housing over the past decade, despite growing…
Read MoreIsle of Wight SEND surge sees EHCP numbers rise despite falling birth rate
Tilly WalderOn the Island, where the number of children overall is falling, the number needing specialist educational support is rising sharply.…
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