VECTIS VIEW: Bob Simpson Managing Director of Goddard’s Brewery
Isle of Wight ObserverI moved to the Island in the 1980s. Beer and brewing seem to have always been a part of my…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 1st December, 1855
A story published in the Isle of Wight Observer on 1st December, 1855 describes the ‘extraordinary feat’ of a disabled…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Jonathan Peel – A life in the entertainment industry
I began song-writing in 1964, writing for Billy Fury, Cupid’s Inspiration, The Herd, Don Partridge and the New Seekers, and…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Dr Nicholas England
I have never regretted moving to the Island 26 years ago, during which time, I have been involved with two…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 26th November 1921
The Isle of Wight Observer published on 26th November 1921 gives a lengthy account of a lecture about Ireland, at…
Read MoreCABINET CONNECTION: Jonathan Bacon – Cabinet member for children’s services & education
At the full IW Council meeting this week, in my new role as cabinet member responsible for children’s services and…
Read MoreHOLMSEY: What do you think is boring?
My sock drawer contains only long or short black ones; my wardrobe is just as boring. It contains six pairs…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Mark Birch – Coxswain of Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboats
This has been a very proud week for the crew of Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat, as we’ve received the…
Read MoreGREEN FINGERS: What a wet and dreary last few weeks we’ve had!
I usually start off my article with a comment about the weather and, this month, there is no exception. After…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 20th November 1852
The Isle of Wight Observer, published on 20th November 1852, carried a notice that an Act of Parliament was intended…
Read MoreHOLMSEY: Oh – the humiliation!
I had to go for ‘tests’ last week, including urine and blood samples. There are no free on-street parking spaces…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 9th November 1912
The Isle of Wight Observer published on 9th November, 1912 tells a wife’s tale of what appears to be a…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Mark Watkins – Director of Isle of Wight Samaritans
I’m director of Isle of Wight Samaritans, the Island’s branch of the national suicide prevention charity. The role of Director…
Read MoreCABINET CONNECTION: Cllr Karen Lucioni – Cabinet member for regulatory services, community protection and ICT
With the recent flooding and Black Friday and Christmas coming up, this month I want to talk about the work…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Father Luke of Quarr Abbey
“All this beauty is of God” is the motto of the Isle of Wight. The Island has many beautiful places,…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 9th November 1919
In the Isle of Wight Observer published on 9th November 1919, there is a lengthy report about the visit of…
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