By Isle of Wight Observer
“Community” is so important.
Over the past few years, I think that I have learned what “community” looks like. It’s not just one thing, it’s many things. For me, it means celebration, support, co-operation, heritage, and inclusivity.
It is these combined values that led me to get involved with the running of Isle of Wight Day in 2016.
Robin Courage, then High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight, had the vision that, at a set time each year (the third Saturday in September), Island residents would celebrate what makes living here so special and the community that makes Island life happen.
For those who may not know the history, Isle of Wight Day launched in 2016 and the bunting arrived.
The first event took place with a parade of community organisations in Newport. The following years the event moved to Ryde and then Cowes, with fantastic street parades. We then thought more about “community” and what could Isle of Wight Day achieve. Community means that everyone has a chance to know their past and heritage. It’s part of our culture. But heritage can also be expensive and a barrier to some in our community.
We teamed up with English Heritage with an idea to set Isle of Wight Day in an iconic location that would rotate across the Island. A well-known tourist attraction that connected with our Island heritage. English Heritage backed the idea and selected Carisbrooke Castle as the location to offer an entry fee of just £1 for Islanders on Isle of Wight Day. We built an event around this fantastic attraction, featuring character actors and community groups helping with craft and family fun activities. Heritage and fun became accessible on Isle of Wight Day. Over 4,000 people agreed with this vision, and Carisbrooke Castle was packed.
The pandemic arrived the following year, so the event was cancelled and restarted in 2021. We were invited to use Carisbrooke Castle again and this time we added a deeper “community” feel. We teamed up with Community Action to help thank all those volunteers that helped us through the pandemic and invited them into our celebrations. This also gave them the opportunity to connect with people who would benefit from their services or may be interested in giving their time as volunteers.
Truly community in action.
With the late Queen’s sad passing in September last year, we cancelled our event, and so this year we were able to team up with Brading Roman Villa, inviting Islanders to ‘Be a Roman For a Day’.
Thousands attended the event last Saturday.
With the Island community at its core, Isle of Wight Day has evolved into a shared celebration, of our Island heritage and the community and volunteers that are at the heart of its support. We have developed the purpose of the event to help and inform residents about available resources and give those organisations an opportunity to reach more people in the local community.
I am always interested in new ways to grow Isle of Wight Day, making even more of an impact across our Island community. Please contact me at becky@isleofwightday.org if you have thoughts to share.
My plan would be to develop Isle of Wight Day with more community events across the Island on the special celebratory day. Visit our website to learn more about us: isleofwightday.org.