WIGHT IN WESTMINSTER: Joe Robertson MP – Conservative MP for IW East
Isle of Wight ObserverLearning to read is critical for giving children the best start in life, and I was delighted to welcome the…
Read MoreMICKEY’S MUSINGS: Death, grief and why can’t we be more private?
“Die, my dear? “Why that’s the last thing I’ll do! I intend to live forever, or die trying.” I smile…
Read MoreGREEN FINGERS: Looking back at the year
Seasons’ Greetings to you all. We are now into the season of winter, when gardens would, in the past, have…
Read MoreSTAR LETTER: Good tidings from a grateful reader
Dear Editor, As Christmas approaches, I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for the IW Observer and…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Fr Steven Restori – Island Parish Priest
The angel of the Lord told the shepherds: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for…
Read MoreNEWS FROM COUNTY HALL: Cllr Andrew Garratt – Deputy Leader of the IW Council
In his column two weeks ago, council leader Phil Jordan put forward a gloomy view of the committee system that…
Read MoreMICKEY’S MUSINGS: The nation’s farmers fight back
My late father had a line he adapted from Groucho Marx: “I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn’t…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 16 December 1854
We thought this report of some innovative ideas for dealing with sewage would amuse our readers. It appeared 171 years…
Read MoreHOLMSEY: Oscars and Grammys – we can do it!
In 1996, Anthony Minghella lifted his Oscar. I told my kids, “If a boy from Ryde can do that, you…
Read MoreIW OBSERVATIONS: What will it take to ‘regain trust’?
Njord Partners has finalised its acquisition of Red Funnel. Jakob Kjellberg, for the new owners, has promised to “work hard…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Ginnie Orrey – Publicity manager for the Apollo Theatre Players
The King’s Award for Voluntary Services, or KAVS, is an award equivalent to the MBE for individuals. It is given…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 7 December 1889
This entry from the Isle of Wight Observer published on December 7th, 1889 tell how readers of “The Standard” –…
Read MoreHOLMSEY: Covid wasn’t the first scare story
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and according to the costly Covid inquiry, 23,000 lives were lost because Boris failed to…
Read MoreSTAR LETTER: Drivers duped – again!
Dear Editor, Remember the diesel con? Back in the early 2000s, the government urged us all to buy diesel cars,…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 28 November 1863
This curious tale appeared in the Isle of Wight Observer of 28th November 1863. In those days carriers and their…
Read MoreNEWS FROM COUNTY HALL: Cllr Phil Jordan – Leader of the Isle of Wight Council
The move last May from a cabinet system to a committee system on the Isle of Wight Council was made…
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