VECTIS VIEW: Andre Usborne – Island Olympian
Isle of Wight ObserverAs the start of 25th Winter Olympics approaches in Italy, I reflect on my own Olympic participation in the 1980s.…
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 MoreVECTIS VIEW: Susie Sheldon – His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight
At this time of year, it is always good to look back at what is good, as well as looking…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Fr Steven Restori – Island Parish Priest
The angel of the Lord told the shepherds: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Ginnie Orrey – Publicity manager for the Apollo Theatre Players
The King’s Award for Voluntary Services, or KAVS, is an award equivalent to the MBE for individuals. It is given…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Emma Bowden – For remembrance week
In the summer of 2025 I was so lucky with my family to visit Japan, 80 years after the Atomic…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Faye Heal, widow of Ian
One Wight Health has been running its ‘Your Loo Could Save You’ bowel cancer awareness campaign over the summer. Faye…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Mark Langford – Mark’s story marks World Mental Health Day
My name is Mark. I have been in recovery since 2013. Before I began my recovery journey, I was in…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Barry Jackman – Alzheimer Café volunteer
It’s now September 2025, and I still wear the orange shirt – I still volunteer at three Alzheimer Cafés across…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Vix Lowthian – local teacher and Green Party spokeswoman for lifelong learning
The leaves are falling; it’s back to school – and fittingly the supermarket aisles are now stacked with Haribo (for…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Steampunk organisers – Donna Jones & Billy Asbo the dog
Well I never — never thought that the 5-day coach holiday from Sheffield in 2012 would result in me moving…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Susie Sheldon – HM Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight
A couple of months ago we celebrated the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. In 1945 this was a day of…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Stephen Crockett – Wight Community Energy
It’s 25 years since the first mass production car with an electric motor rolled off forecourts – the Toyota Prius.…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Ian Dore – Organiser of IW Armed Forces Day
sle of Wight Armed Forces Day aims high, to deliver excellence. It’s what the armed forces community deserves and is…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: John Hobart – supporter of King Charles III Coastal Path
The latest proposal, to direct the King Charles III Coastal Path via public highways in East Cowes, is not acceptable,…
Read MoreVECTIS VIEW: Ian Ward – President of the IW Branch of the Royal British Legion
As President of the Isle of Wight Royal British Legion, I continue to value the respect given, across the generations,…
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