HOLMSEY: The outlook’s grim
IW Observer.co.ukI hate to be gloomy but, if you hadn’t already noticed, our economy is in serious trouble. Like all nations,…
Read MoreA LOOK BACK IN TIME: County petty sessions
The Isle of Wight Observer of March, 13th 1869 tells tales of stolen swedes and news that Yarmouth Castle (used…
Read MoreCabinet Connection – Phil Jordan Cabinet Member for Highways PFI, Transport and Infrastructure
I think I should say straight away that, contrary to reports in some local media that the IW Council has…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: John Peck, Sandown Sprint track builder
With excitement building, as the first Isle of Wight Sprint moves towards reality after years of setbacks, I am looking…
Read MoreHOLMSEY: If they can do it…
Years ago, I supplied funeral vehicles to TV production companies; it was interesting and paid well. One day, I took…
Read MoreHOLMSEY: A manufactured bruhaha
On the very day our Westminster politicians were being unusually statesmanlike, here, the council’s budget meeting descended into farce. Up…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Sally, Lady Grylls, Dementia care campaigner
Nine years ago, whilst in rehabilitation in a care home in Ryde, following an operation for a broken leg and…
Read MoreA LOOK BACK IN TIME: Two sorry tales
This week we have two sorry tales from the Isle of Wight Observer of 4th March, 1854. The French word…
Read MoreA LOOK BACK IN TIME: On dit that
The Isle of Wight Observer of 28th February 1920 included a column headed ‘ON DIT THAT’. On dit is a…
Read MoreCabinet Connection – Lora Peacey-Wilcox, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council
As I said in my leader’s address at the full council meeting on Wednesday, I always seek to remind people…
Read MoreHOLMSEY: Alternatives to road police!
We’ve all been driving around the Island for years knowing that, unless we did something really stupid, it’s highly unlikely…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Nigel Hartley – CEO of Mountbatten Hospice
Prior to the pandemic, we knew the numbers of people who needed Mountbatten’s care was growing. We now know the…
Read MoreHOLMSEY: Confessions of a master criminal
Despite my criminal past, three times in my life I have assisted police officers when the person they were arresting…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Terry Weaver, Funeral director since the late 40s
I remember when funerals on the Island were nearly all burials. Before May 1961, cremations had to be held in…
Read MoreGREEN FINGERS: Spring is just around the corner
Many of you will have already seen the first signs of spring while out and about. On the ground, snowdrops…
Read MoreCabinet Connection – Chris Jarman
The shorter days of winter provided ample opportunity to focus on the complexities and conflicting demands of setting a legal…
Read More