HOLMSEY: Another week, another omnishambles!
Isle of Wight ObserverIt’s no secret: everyone running a business is spooked. In 2020, hiring 21-year-old cost employers £17,035. Today, that same person…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Andre Usborne – Island Olympian
As the start of 25th Winter Olympics approaches in Italy, I reflect on my own Olympic participation in the 1980s.…
Read MoreWIGHT IN WESTMINSTER: Richard Quigley MP — Labour MP for IW West
With everything going on in the world – nationally and internationally – it’s easy to miss good news locally. But…
Read MoreIW OBSERVATIONS: When absence isn’t apathy
Tilly WalderThe Isle of Wight’s low school attendance figures and below-average exam results are sometimes spoken about in the same breath,…
Read MoreSTAR LETTER: Is traffic planning up to scratch?
Dear Editor, There seems to be a complete lack of joined up thinking with the road closure regime operated by…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 8 February 1902
This reader’s letter published in the Isle of Wight Observer on 8th February, 1902 tackled the tricky problem of how…
Read MoreIW OBSERVATIONS: Isle of Wight thrown into global politics
Islanders could be forgiven for feeling somewhat startled this week, when the Isle of Wight was dragged into a discussion…
Read MoreSTAR LETTER: Loyal staff left in the dark
Dear Editor, Godshill Primary School was running at a loss, so they sold the pre-school part of the school to…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Cilla Morris – 100 years old
I was born 100 years ago in East Cowes, the year of the 1926 General Strike. I went to Osborne…
Read MoreHOLMSEY: Trump, Starmer, and the art of getting it wrong!
The Orange One loves winding up Europeans – and the Canadian PM, obviously. His threats against Canada and Greenland are…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 2 February 1901
The Isle of Wight Observer published on 2nd February 1901 reported on why magistrates were late arriving in court and…
Read MoreHOLMSEY: Prostate and planning updates
“I’m pleased to tell you, it’s not cancer.” The consultant sounded chirpy, almost as if he’d cured me. Breaking bad…
Read MoreGREEN FINGERS: Spring is on the way!
We are well into the new year now, so it won’t be too long until spring is here. However, it…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 19 January 1901
We enjoyed this reader’s letter sent to the Isle of Wight Observer published on January 19th, 1901. The writer, who…
Read MoreHOLMSEY: Whatever happened to the Saturday job?
I don’t remember anyone complaining that President Obama invaded Pakistan to grab Osama Bin Laden. Once captured, Bin Laden was…
Read MoreSTAR LETTER: A heartfelt thanks to the NHS
Dear Editor, On Saturday, January 3 my darling wife Gina passed away in the Wellow Unit at St. Mary’s after…
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