DAME ELLEN'S RECORD SMASHED
21 January 2008 -
Dame Ellen MacArthur's solo sailing record has been smashed, by the man whose record she broke!
Frenchman Francis Joyon has travelled around the world 14 days faster than our Cowes based heroine
Read more about - DAME ELLEN'S RECORD SMASHED
ALL CHANGE FOR COWES POWERBOAT COMPETITION
15 January 2008 -
The annual powerboat British Grand Prix will not make a return to Cowes, in 2008, for the first time in Four years. The event’s organisers say a revised schedule means the P1 fleet will be abroad. However, up to 80 boats are expected to battle it out in the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race, which returns to the Island’s waters in August. The “CTC” first ran in 1961 and will take place over the Bank Holiday weekend of 22-24 August. It is organised in association with the British Powerboat Racing Club (BPRC), will start and finish in Cowes and will take the fastest boast around just 4 hours.
Read more about - ALL CHANGE FOR COWES POWERBOAT COMPETITION
NEW EDUCATION CONSULTATION LAUNCHED
14 January 2008 -
The IW Council is starting its next round of consultation on the future of Island education. Three schemes are to be considered, but the authority says it has already been decided that all primary schools will need to have a minimum of one class size per year group. That means some of the Island's rural primary schools are under threat. Ten public information meetings will be held across the Island, ahead of a final decision in March.
Read more about - NEW EDUCATION CONSULTATION LAUNCHED
ISLAND CELEBRATIONS, AS DEMON BARBER IS GOLDEN BOY
14 January 2008 -
Island actress Laura Michelle Kelly is celebrating, this morning, after her big-screen debut movie "Sweeney Todd: The Barber of Fleet Street" netted two Golden Globes. It was named Best Musical or Comedy, while Laura's on-screen husband Johnny Depp (in the title role) took Best Actor. The West End star plays Lucy Barker, in the film. There was no glitzy awards ceremony, though, because of the continuing writers' strike. Instead, winners were announced and clips of the film and TV nominees were shown in a hour long show.
Read more about - ISLAND CELEBRATIONS, AS DEMON BARBER IS GOLDEN BOY
SCHOOL BELL RINGING THE CHANGES IN WHIPPINGHAM
11 January 2008 -
A school bell will ring out across the Isle of Wight for the first time in decades, today. It hangs above Whippingham Primary (a school funded by Queen Victoria and close to her Osborne House home). It will sound at 2pm, accompanied by a marching band, thanks to the fundraising efforts of parents and teachers.
Read more about - SCHOOL BELL RINGING THE CHANGES IN WHIPPINGHAM
LAURA'S LONDON PREMIERE
11 January 2008 -
Isle of Wight actress Laura Michelle Kelly's been treading the red carpet in Leicester Square. The star of West End musicals including Mary Poppins has swapped the stage for the big screen. Last night, she joined A-listers Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter for the London premiere of their new film. Sweeney Todd:The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has already been nominated for four Golden Globes.
Read more about - LAURA'S LONDON PREMIERE
RED FUNNEL'S WORLDWIDE HOLIDAYS CLOSES ITS DOORS
10 January 2008 -
Red Funnel's travel agency in Cowes has closed its doors, just 6 months after its first booking. The cross Solent operator branched out into worldwide travel in June 2007, but says sales were "disappointing" and there was no sign of early improvement. It says staff will be redeployed where possible and that it has contacted all those who had booked holidays through the Fountain Yard shop. They will go ahead as planned.
Read more about - RED FUNNEL'S WORLDWIDE HOLIDAYS CLOSES ITS DOORS
LEAGUE TABLES OF MIXED RESULTS
10 January 2008 -
The Island's independent schools fared best at GCSE level - with Ryde School and Shanklin's Priory School achieving the top two places. Carisbrooke High was the best-scoring local authority-run school - with 45% OF its GCSE pupils achieving at least five A star to C grades. But it scored worst in levels of truancy. Sandown High was bottom of the league table for GCSE performance - with 42% per cent of its pupils gaining five top results. But it was one of the best performers at A level. Ryde High and Medina High both scored well on levels of truancy and Newport's Medina High School ranked 4th for its performance at both A Level and GCSE. Overall, the Island's still lagging behind the National Average for GCSE results. The number of students gaining at least five A star to C grades has finally cleared 50%, but nationally 62% achieve the grades.
Read more about - LEAGUE TABLES OF MIXED RESULTS
ISLAND POST OFFICES "WILL CLOSE"
09 January 2008 -
The Island’s MP has condemned as a “sham” consultation over the future of 10 Island post offices. It comes after an announcement from the Post Office that the branches will close. Andrew Turner and the Rural Community Council and the Chamber of Commerce had put together a detailed response to the consultation, but Mr Turner claims he had not even received a response before Wednesday’s announcement.
Read more about - ISLAND POST OFFICES "WILL CLOSE"
DEVELOPER NAMED FOR PAN HOUSING SCHEME
09 January 2008 -
One of the largest ever development schemes for the Isle of Wight is a step closer. The Isle of Wight Council has agreed to sell land at Pan, in Newport, to developer Miller Homes. The local authority and its partner Spectrum Housing Group picked the firm from a shortlist of four. The 23 hectare site will be used for housing, 240 of which will be “affordable”, through a shared ownership scheme. Continued public consultation is promised, as is a low carbon footprint. The Isle of Wight Council says it will contribute to the concept of the Isle of Wight becoming a green "beacon".
Read more about - DEVELOPER NAMED FOR PAN HOUSING SCHEME
LIGHT BULB CLAIMS "OVER THE TOP" SAYS TRUST
09 January 2008 -
An Island environmental organisation is dismissing claims that energy saving light bulbs are dangerous, because they contain mercury, as “alarmist”. The Footprint Trust is backing the comments of a toxicologist from Nottingham, who says the Environment Agency’s calls for a review of the bulbs are “over the top”. The Agency has called for more information to be made available and wants health warnings printed on packaging and information on how to clear up smashed bulbs in the home. But the Footprint Trust is echoing advice that smashing a single bulb would pose a very limited risk.
Read more about - LIGHT BULB CLAIMS "OVER THE TOP" SAYS TRUST
WORK UNDER YARMOUTH PIER UNDERWAY
03 January 2008 -
The days of Yarmouth Pier's gribble worms are numbered. The wooden structure has closed for refurbishment work, after two decades of being eaten by the marine creatures. There will be no access for marine craft and pedestrians, until the work is completed. People licensed to fish on the pier are being offered an extension to their licenses. The work is expected to cost around £450,000 and the pier is expected to re-open in April.
Read more about - WORK UNDER YARMOUTH PIER UNDERWAY
POSSIBLE WINTRY "FLURRIES" FOR ISLAND, BUT NO DRIFTS!
02 January 2008 -
There is a warning of possible snow for the Isle of Wight, on Thursday. Forecasters say flurries are possible, but settled snow is unlikely on the Island. Still, we're being warned to take care on the roads and to wrap up warmly.
Read more about - POSSIBLE WINTRY "FLURRIES" FOR ISLAND, BUT NO DRIFTS!
ISLAND SHOPWORKER WARNING
02 January 2008 -
There is a warning to shopworkers on the Isle of Wight. A man with a £50 note's tried to get more change than he's due, in six shops so far. It is thought he's been trying to confuse staff. He has been reported in Newport, Ryde, Cowes and Shanklin.
Read more about - ISLAND SHOPWORKER WARNING
MORE RESTRICTIONS ON HOSPITAL VISITORS
02 January 2008 -
There are new restrictions on visitors to St Mary's Hospital in Newport. It is because of new cases of a gastro-enteritis infection, which the hospital says have come in from outside. From 3 January, visiting will only be allowed between 2:30 and 4pm and between 6:30 and 8pm. Only immediate family may visit, when it is absolutely necessary. Packages can be taken in sealed packages to reception.
Read more about - MORE RESTRICTIONS ON HOSPITAL VISITORS