VECTIS VIEW: Sophie Nixon – BA (Hons)
Isle of Wight ObserverAs a former student of Sandown Bay Academy (many readers will know it as the Fairway), and then the Island…
Read MoreSTAR LETTER: Article needed more information
Dear Editor, As a (current) neutral – requiring further information as to the practicalities of the enterprise, as well as…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 6 October 1855
The Isle of Wight Observer published on October 6th, 1855 tells the chilling tale of the death of a mother…
Read MoreSTAR LETTER: Labour won’t deliver change
Dear Editor, The highly authoritarian Chinese state is becoming increasingly challenged by China’s younger generation, who can’t openly protest for…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 30 September 1854
In a long letter to the Isle of Wight Observer, published on 30th September 1854, engineer Mr Morey takes a…
Read MoreWIGHT IN WESTMINSTER: Joe Robertson MP – Conservative MP for IW East
Last week I voted to try and stop the government ending the winter fuel payment for 10 million pensioners, including…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 20 September 1856
The Isle of Wight Observer published on 20th September, 1856 tells the tale of a group of resourceful young Islanders…
Read MoreGREEN FINGERS: Goodbye Summer – Hello Autumn!
Well, the summer has slipped away and it’s hardly been a memorable one. With only a few particularly warm days,…
Read MoreSTAR LETTER: Eye-watering costs of supporting Ukraine
Dear Editor, What started as a dispute between two closely related neighbouring countries has escalated into a very dangerous situation.…
Read MoreHOLMSEY: ‘Suits you, Sir!’
I bought my first suit from a Freemans’ catalogue. It cost just 50 pence a week for 26 weeks. The…
Read MoreHOLMSEY: Acceptance can be tough!
Do people often interrupt you mid-flow and say, “You’ve already told me that”? People often interrupt me mid-flow and say,…
Read MoreSTAR LETTER: The sums don’t add up…
Dear Editor, I am confused. We are one of the wealthiest countries in the world – right? So, why are…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 15 September 1888
There was a threat of a kick up the backside made after a “leading inhabitant” of the Island read the…
Read MoreNEWS FROM COUNTY HALL: Jonathan Bacon – cabinet member for children’s services and education
I am writing this prior to Thursday night, when I hope The cabinet will vote to proceed with a consultation…
Read MoreSTAR LETTER: Enjoy it while you can
Dear Editor, Stephen Hopkins (Island Soapbox, August 30) made me think about my late dad, and his opinion on our…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Dr Nick England – Former head of Ryde School, chair of governors at the IW College, a school inspector and A-level examiner
When I became a headteacher, I was invited by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) to become an inspector. This required…
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