Island Update: January 2026

Your community news, achievements and feel-good stories. Please do continue to send them in to editorial@iwbeacon.com 

Responsible Angler Award 

A 13-year-old student from The Bay School has made history by becoming the first female recipient of the Wightlink Award for Most Responsible Angler. Sadie Barker was chosen from 35 young anglers who took part in this year’s Vectis Boating and Fishing Club’s Junior Fishing Frenzy on Ryde Pier. 

The award, introduced by Wightlink, celebrates not the most skilled angler, but the one who shows the greatest environmental awareness. 

Colin Webb from Vectis Boating and Fishing Club said Sadie stood out for the care she showed to each fish, “She took her time unhooking fish and was always super careful from the moment of catching them to releasing them. She really embraced the nature of the event – to have fun, learn and respect nature.” 

Across four weeks in the summer, 35 juniors took part, with most landing fish. 

1st place overall: Teyha Lawson – 1,747 points 

2nd: Annabelle Way – 894 points 

3rd: Four-year-old Piper Owen – 778 points 

Heaviest fish: Toby Pitman, with a 300g bass 

‘Firecracker’ Yvonne turns 104 

Ventnor resident Yvonne Baxendale turned 104 on Sunday 9th November 2025, celebrating with an old-fashioned singalong, a dance, and a glass of sherry. 

Staff at Byrnhill Grove pulled out all the stops, hosting a party fit for a queen complete with live music, a cake and plenty of dancing to Yvonne’s favourite songs, ‘My Old Man Said Follow the Van’ and ‘Knees Up Mother Brown’. 

Tucking into her favourite Jelly Babies and a celebratory sherry, Yvonnne joked, “I don’t feel 104. Are you going to give me 104 bumps?” She added, “I’ve had an incredibly fortunate life, despite hard times.” 

Yvonne’s was also gifted a limousine ride to Freshwater and back, courtesy of local company Henry Ingram & Sons. 

Yvonne was born in London and grew up in foster care, before being taken in by two loving parents who adopted her when she was 11. She left school at 14 and got a job in the canteen of a company who made medical uniforms. She later went on to work in a call centre. 

Yvonne met her husband Ray during a dance. The pair went on to have a son, Phillip, but he sadly passed away as a young child. 

After many a holiday on the Island, Ray accepted a job in Cowes, working for the Plessey Radar, where Yvonne also got a job in the office. The pair moved over and lived in their bungalow in Wroxall for many years before Ray passed away. Yvonne remained there until she moved to Byrnhill Grove around eight years ago. 

Islanders Invited to Help Shape Future of Local Food Growing 

Island residents are being encouraged to have their say on the future of community food growing – through a new survey. 

The Community Growing Survey – a joint project between the Isleof Wight Food Partnership, Isle of Wight Council and the IW Biosphere Steering Committee – aims to map existing growing spaces, understand future needs, and connect people interested in working together on new or existing projects.

Anyone can take part, whether they’re involved in a community garden, run an allotment, represent a parish council or business, or simply have a passion for growing food. 

The team also wants to hear from people who aren’t currently involved but would like to be – particularly those who have land available. The survey is open until 5 January 2026. 

Once it closes, a meeting will be held to share the results and plan the next steps for the year ahead. 

Katy Hurd, Environment and Biosphere Community Coordinator at the Isle of Wight Council, said, “We look forward to building a stronger, more resilient local food system together, based on the findings ofthis survey.”

Take the survey: www.iow.gov.uk/council-and- councillors/consultations-and-engagement/ local-regional-and-national-surveys/ 

Folk Tours Raise £1,500 for Age UK Isle of Wight 

Born from the pandemic, project Operation Geranium is still looking to tackle isolation and loneliness. They support Age UK Isle of Wight to continue offering services to vulnerable community members. 

Recently, with the efforts of volunteers, Newport’s Apollo Theatre Players hosted an evening of Folk Acoustic Sessions in support of Age UK Isle of Wight. In April last year they welcomed Pete Townshend (of The Who) with the album he commissioned and produced, ‘Fire & Dust: A Woodie Guthrie Story’ – a journey into the heart and soul of one of America’s finest folk musicians who influenced the likes of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Ralf McTell. 

In November last year they welcomed award-winning songwriter, lyricist, and actress Charlie Dore with ‘Songs For The Curious’, her latest mix of music that refuses to fit categorisation. She was on tour with the celebrated multi- instrumentalist Julian Littman. 

Snap Fitness Wins Award 

Snap Fitness Isle of Wight has been crowned Customer Service Award winners at the National Fitness Awards for the second year running.The awards, now in their 15th year, celebrate excellence across the fitness industry. 

Winners were chosen by a panel of experts including fitness entrepreneur Katie Bulmer- Cooke and fitness specialist Dean Hodgkin. 

Club manager Victoria Coles said, “We’re incredibly proud to bring the trophy home again. It’s amazing to be recognised nationally for all the hard work we put into running the gym and supporting our community. We welcome everyone, from beginners to seasoned pros, and strive to help everyone achieve their goals.” 

The Isle of Wight gym features two floors of top equipment, more than 25 weekly group classes, a members-only app with workouts, a Theragun recovery station, private showers, GHD vanity areas, and three hours of free parking. 

A Night of Sixties Magic at Dimbola 

It was a night of pure nostalgia at Dimbola recently, as the ‘Jimi and Friends’ gig transported the crowd straight back to the flower-power era. 

Many arrived dressed in true sixties and seventies style, matching the retro spirit of Big Red & The Cava Boys, who headlined the event. But it was the music that stole the show. Shaun ‘Big Red’ Barker (drums) led The Cava Boys – featuring James Thorpe on lead guitar, Neil McCarthy on keyboards, David Fisher on percussion – through a powerhouse set of hits from the era. 

The night also featured a special appearance from Dick Taylor, widely regarded as the Island’s godfather of rock ’n’ roll. Taylor, whose work with The Pretty Things influenced artists from David Bowie to Pete Doherty, delivered trademark guitar solos throughout. Guest vocals from Angelina Grimshaw and Jo Larcombe added even more depth to the line-up. 

The second set paid tribute to the legendary 1969 and 1970 Isle of Wight Festivals, beginning with three Jimi Hendrix numbers. When asked if he’d ever met Hendrix, Taylor casually replied, “I gave him a lift once,” prompting huge cheers. 

The event raised funds for a new dedicated room in Dimbola’s Isle of Wight Festival exhibition, celebrating Jimi Hendrix’s iconic performance at the 1970 ‘Last Great Event’ at Afton. The new space will overlook the Hendrix statue commissioned by John Giddings in 2006. 

Local Teen Lights Up Cowes for Charity 

Cowes resident, Thomas Young, aged 13, once again spread festive cheer with his spectacular Christmas light display on Highfield Road throughout December. Thomas chose to raise funds for the Vectis Corps of Drums Marching Band, a local group that plays an important role in community events. Thomas has been a member of the band for the past three years, alongside his brother Charlie. 

Thomas first started his dazzling display in 2020, when he was just eight years old, and it has grown bigger and brighter every year. His passion for creating a magical experience for visitors is matched by his commitment to supporting local causes. In the last two years, Thomas has raised over £450 for Isle of Wight charities and hopes to add to his fundraising total this year. 

Thomas said, “I love seeing people smile when they come to see the lights, and it’s great to be able to help local charities at the same time.”

To support the cause visit: www.highfieldroadchristmaslights.com