HOLMSEY: Sinking under bad news
Isle of Wight ObserverThe unfolding horror in the Middle East meant the final Prime Minister’s Questions before recess was unusually congenial. Sir Keir…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: October 29th 1853
The Isle of Wight Observer published on October 29th, 1853 describes a fire in Ryde and is less than complimentary…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Jeremy Dale – Managing Director at SeaSafe Systems Ltd
It was around this time last year that my company, SeaSafe, achieved the Silver Award under the Armed Forces Employer…
Read MoreQUIGGERS: The Tory-made crisis in our schools
I’m standing in this week because following Labour’s huge, majority-overturning wins in Tamworth and Mid Beds, DH is busy writing…
Read MoreGREENFINGERS: The weather is playing up – again!
I think it’s fair to say that no two years are the same, and that is certainly true where Mother…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Phil Jordan – Leader of the Isle of Wight Council
This is my first Vectis View since becoming IW Council leader on September 20. Those I work closely with and…
Read MoreHOLMSEY: What hope is there for peace?
They don’t make it easy, but a few weeks ago, I made my first-ever complaint to the BBC. I’d been…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: October 19th 1918
The Isle of Wight Observer of October 19th, 1918, had a spoof column from the illiterate but opinionated ‘office boy’…
Read MoreHOLMSEY: The trials of finding a good builder
Undoubtedly choosing the right partner is the greatest challenge most of us face. That done, finding a job we enjoy…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: October 14th 1899
The Isle of Wight Observer published on October 14th, 1899, gave a round-up of some stories from the national publications.…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Jon Carter – Managing director of Education Destination
In the UK school trips have been an invaluable educational tool for years, providing a unique way to enrich students’…
Read MoreHOLMSEY: The end of the line?
They cremated Maggie at Mortlake, West London, in 2013. Had they buried her, I’m sure she’d be spinning in her…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Geoff Banks – Grandson of a brave soldier
My grandfather, ‘Jim’ Banks, was one of 1,114,805 British military personnel lost in WW1. Worldwide losses were around nine million.…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: October 8th 1910
The Isle of Wight Observer published on October 8th, 1910, contains this appeal for old clothes or money from local…
Read MoreLOOK BACK IN TIME: 27th September 1862
The Isle of Wight Observer published on 27th September 1862 contained this dramatic and rather sad tale of how a…
Read MoreHOLMSEY: Was I in County Hall or Broadmoor?
I must apologise for last week. I’m sorry, I won’t bore you about my holidays again. On my return, I…
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