Beacon Magazine
Features
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'Mission For Miles' - Charity Walk For Hampshire And Isle Of Wight Air Ambulance
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance team needs Islanders' help to keep the life-saving service flying.
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Free E-Scooter Rides for NHS staff
British bike share provider Beryl and Connect2Work — the workplace element of IW Council’s sustainable transport programme, funded by DfT — have announced plans to make the shared e-scooter service free for all NHS staff during the current lockdown.
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Keep Fit with the Kids in Lockdown
It’s not easy to juggle fitness and home schooling during a lockdown – but according to Hanna Prince, by combining the two you can keep everyone happy.
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Rocking the Isle of Wight: The remarkable story of three twenty-somethings from Totland
New book, Rocking The Isle of Wight, by Alan and Tom Stroud focuses on the original Isle of Wight festivals that were put on by three Totland brothers, Ronnie, Ray and Bill Foulk.
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Simply Breathe
Can something as simple as breathing really improve our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing? Lisa de Silva discovers how conscious breathing is taking the world by storm
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Island Couple Seek Dracula’s Castle, Romania in Travel History Documentary
In this travel history documentary, husband and wife team Greg and Felicity, from the Isle of Wight, set off across Romania in search of ‘Dracula’s Castle’, and a deeper understanding of the history and legend surrounding Vlad Dracula III of Wallachia, better known as Vlad the Impaler!
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Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary: Little Donkey, Journey's End is Near
Despite a difficult year, the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary are ending on a high, after completing their first international rescue — ten donkeys from France.
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Walking the Island: From Tennyson Down to the Old Battery
A dog friendly, hilly walk with fantastic views along the way.
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Download our free printable Christmas Cooking Schedule
Make your Christmas Day a little easier by planning your cooking schedule ahead of time.
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Mountbatten staff raise over £1,500 in virtual festive challenge.
Despite the official annual Santa Dash being cancelled earlier this month, Mountbatten nurses, volunteers and their families walked, ran, or cycled a combined total of over 90km to raise funds for the Island's hospice.
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The Changing Face of Newport Quay
One place most of us are familiar with is Newport Quay. Perhaps we use the Quay Arts Centre or the Riverside Centre, meet at the Bargeman's or just saunter along the peaceful waterside.
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No One Should Have No One at Christmas
Before the outbreak of coronavirus, we were already facing a loneliness epidemic amongst older people. But as a result of the pandemic, this crisis has intensified.
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Community Wellbeing at Christmas
Enriching the quality of our daily lives, community wellbeing is all about building a vibrant and caring community in which we can all thrive and flourish writes Lisa de Silva
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Retirement Home Grotto Brings Families Together
St Vincent’s Retirement Home in Ryde has built a grotto for families to visit their loved ones over Christmas in a safe and secure way.
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200 years of Ryde Pier: Ludicrous Journeys, Itchycoo Park and Babycham
At low tide, the sea off the coast of Ryde is nearly half a mile away. Though its proximity to Portsmouth makes it the shortest Solent crossing — so in times gone by, the inconvenient half mile slog across the sands was seen as a price worth paying.
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Five Great Presents for Him this Christmas (and Five for Her)
Looking for something special for your other half this Christmas? Check out our picks for the festive season, as well as a few for yourself...
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Winter coats needed for Island’s homeless
A local funeral co-ordinator is hoping to rally the community spirit to help families in need of support this winter.
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Good Health: A Brief History Of Diabetes
With approximately 1 in 15 people in the UK living with diabetes, Adele Trathan looks at the history of this complicated condition
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The Cowes Floating Bridge: Since 1859
Cowes Floating Bridge has been a hot topic of late, so we've searched our archives to bring you this great history piece, by John Medland, which delves into the life and times of the Floating Bridge and its many predecessors.
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Winter Skincare for a Beautiful You
Winter can be hard on skin, with cold winds and the drying effects of central heating leading to a dull and dehydrated complexion. Yet maintaining a healthy glow is possible with a few small changes to your skincare regime, writes Lisa de Silva,
Food and Drink
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RECIPE: Chocolate Mug Cake
Fancy something sweet to eat now the Christmas supply is long gone? There’s no need to wait until your next essential shopping trip, you can make this quick and easy Chocolate Mug Cake with ingredients likely to be in your cupboard already.
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Grilled Chicken Buddha Bowl
One mouthwatering meal which is guaranteed to give you your five a day is a Buddha Bowl. You can make these with anything you like really — the more colourful the better! But here we're making a healthy and flavoursome grilled chicken and rice Buddha Bowl, packed with fruits and vegetables.
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RECIPES: Herbs for Health
Herbs are a great natural way to help beat stress, boost the immune system and get your skin glowing as local herbalist Sarah Hillyer explains.
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RECIPE: Chinese Steamed Buns or Bao Buns
Chinese Steamed Buns or Bao Buns take party food to a new level this New Year. And they’re surprisingly easy to make from scratch.
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Recipe: Leftover Christmas Pie
Don't throw out the leftovers from your Christmas dinner — use them to create this delicious pie.
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Christmas Gingerbread House
Create your own winter wonderland with this gingerbread house recipe. It makes plenty of dough for a medium sized house and lots of trees. You can keep the decorations elegant and simple or go rather over the top if you wish, like I did! Whatever you do, it’s lots of fun for the whole family to get involved with over Christmas.
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Make Your Own Mulled Wine
Nothing beats a warm mug of Mulled Wine on a cold winter’s day. And enjoying your own home-made batch is even better!
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Homemade Chocolate Truffles
Chocolate truffles make the perfect homemade gift to give at Christmas, or to enjoy yourself while snuggled up in front of a festive film.
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Cheese And Wine: A Perfect Match
This is the ideal time of year to really get stuck into the festive cheese boards, paired with just the right wine of course. Peter d’Aguilar gives us a quick lesson
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Gluten Free Carrot Cake
This gluten free carrot cake recipe by Jane Freeman uses honey in both the cake mix and cream cheese topping. Why not choose locally produced honey as it supports the local producers and reduces food miles
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Spiced Christmas Chutney
We've gotten pretty good at baking and making over the past year, so we're keeping the momentum going with another festive home recipe.
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A Recipe for a Traditional Christmas Cake
With much more time spent at home in the lead up to Christmas this year, why not revisit an old festive tradition — and bake a Christmas cake to share with the family on the big day. Nothing beats it!
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Bonfire Brookie
Regardless of whether bonfire night goes off with a bang as usual this year, you can still celebrate November 5th with some snap, crackle and pop — with this seasonal recipe from 15-year-old trainee pâtissier chef, Imogen Palmer.
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Recipe: Pumpkin Soup
What better to eat in October than pumpkin soup? Seasonal and delicious, this bright and cheerful vegetable is at its best from October to December. You can have this soup either as an everyday supper, or to jazz it up for Halloween, it’s fun to serve it out of a pumpkin!
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Recipe: Toffee Apples
No Halloween or Bonfire Night party would be complete without some traditional toffee apples. To create these classic sticky and sweet treats, just follow this simple recipe. If you happen to have ‘little helpers’, be careful of the hot sugar, and don’t forget to have a bowl of soapy water nearby!
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RECIPE: Spiced Pumpkin Loaf
Don't throw away the flesh from your pumpkin...use it to make something delicious instead. This recipe for Spiced Pumpkin Loaf is one of our absolute favourites, and is made year-in year-out by editor, Amy.
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Pumpkin Pie with Chocolate Pastry
Approximately 13 million pumpkins are used in the UK for Halloween. Unfortunately most of these are only used for carving and then the flesh is discarded. What a waste!
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Pizza Pinwheels
Serve up delicious Pizza Pinwheels at home this Firework Night, to remember remember the 5th of November in your own way. We may not be out at our favourite firework displays as usual, but we can certainly put on a spread to enjoy with the family, starting with these delicious bitesize treats. Makes 16 pinwheels Takes 25 mins to cook and prepare
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Recipe: French Style Beef Casserole
As the darker nights draw in, comfort food is the perfect solution. Here's our recipe for a mouth-watering French style casserole.
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Home-made Sloe Gin
October is the perfect month to start picking sloe berries and to get a delicious batch of Sloe Gin underway for Christmas.
John Hannam Meets
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A Day to Remember with Sheridan Smith
Saturday June 30th, 2012, was rather special in my 47 year career as a showbiz writer and broadcaster. I still call it my Sheridan Smith day.
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A Day to Remember with Barbara Windsor
Back in 1988, John Hannam interviewed Barbara Windsor – and this was long before Albert Square.
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John Hannam meets Shaun Williamson
When Shaun Williamson was filling shelves in a Maidstone supermarket his ambition was to be like Richard Burton. Eventually, via Pontins in Wootton, 1986, he became Barry Evans, who for eight years was one of EastEnders’ most popular characters.
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John Hannam meets Joe McFadden
Life has been wonderfully unpredictable for Scottish actor Joe McFadden. Before winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, he’d been a rock star in Sex, Chips & Rock ‘n’ Roll, cast as maverick cop, Joe Mason in Heartbeat and surgeon Raf di Lucca in Holby City.
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Gwen Taylor: An interview with Beacon's John Hannam
Gwen Taylor is one of those actors known for a wide variety of names — Amy Pearce from Duty Free, Barbara Liversidge in Barbara, Heartbeat’s Peggy Armstrong, Rita Simcock from A Bit Of A Do or even murderer, Anne Foster, from Coronation Street.
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David Calder tells John Hannam why he loves the Isle of Wight
Over the years, top actors like Celia Imrie, Benedict Cumberbatch, Penelope Keith and Geoffrey Hughes have all fallen in love with the Island. The latest to join them is David Calder, whose credits include The World Is Not Enough, The Hatton Garden Job and The Lady In The Van.
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Tessa Peake-Jones: An interview with John Hannam
During the final ten days before the lockdown, I’d been lucky enough to have pre-arranged five interviews. It was in Guildford on a very wet and miserable March day. Would she be like Raquel in Only Fools And Horses or Mrs Maguire in Grantchester?
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Celia Imrie: An Interview with John Hannam
John caught up with the star of stage and screen, who talks of recent film projects and fond memories of when the Island was her home.
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Fred Dinenage: An Interview with John Hannam
Famous radio DJ Annie Nightingale has helped numerous popstars enhance their careers by playing their music.
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Dame Judi Dench meets John Hannam
On July 7th, completely out of the blue, I received an unexpected email from a guy called Neil Chandler, the venue and artistic director of the Fairfield Halls in Croydon, which was re-opening following a £42 million redevelopment.
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Call the Midwife's Helen George meets John Hannam
Helen George has millions of fans as Trixie Franklin in hit television series, Call The Midwife. She's just been seen in the show's Christmas Special and is all set to appear later this year in the ninth series.
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Marti Pellow: An Interview with John Hannam
Back on Sunday, February 17th 1991, I had the thrill of having the Beverley Sisters live on IW Radio's John Hannam Meets. At the end of their slot, I asked them to choose a record by their favourite current singer. In total harmony, they all said Marti Pellow and predicted a long and successful career for him. At that time he was the lead singer of Wet Wet Wet. How right they were.
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Sir Ian McKellen: An Interview with John Hannam
There are some years you just never want to end. In my case, it was 2019. I became the grandfather of twin boys, was privileged to attend a Buckingham Palace Garden Party and had interviewed Dame Judi Dench live on stage, in the presence of the Lord Mayor of London. That honour led me directly to my last major interview of the year — Sir Ian McKellen.
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John 'Boycie' Challis chats to Beacon Magazine's John Hannam
On a cold January day I headed for Ludlow to meet up with Boycie, that notorious second-hand car dealer from Only Fools and Horses.
Home and Gardens
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Making Your Home Naturally Cosy
January doesn’t have to be gloomy after the Christmas decorations come down, it can be the ideal time to revamp the home as Adele Trathan explains.
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Watt The Heck: Light Up Your Festive Season
As the first frosts of winter bring a chill to the darkness, Robert Veitch takes a look at some ways to bring a little light into your life this season
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Beautiful Berried Treasure
A selection of berried shrubs will bring colour to your garden during the dreariest time of year, writes Flo Whitaker
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Spindles, Skewers and Toothpicks: The Euonymus genus
The euonymus genus contains over 150 varieties in the form of shrubs and trees, so there should be one type available to brighten every garden throughout the year.
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Wonderful Workspaces: Setting up a Home Office
In today’s climate, home offices have never been more desirable. We've got this advice for designing your own stylish workspace
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Blaze Away! A Look at Fiery Acers
Versatile and long-lived, no plants give better fiery autumnal colours than acers.
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GARDENING: Winter Greens
It’s all go on the veg patch this month. Sow hardy winter greens and plant onions for a tasty crop next year.
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Dressing Up: Create the perfect window display for your home
The right window dressing can transform the look and feel of a room without the need for a complete interior revamp. Take inspiration from the latest trends to redesign your window space,
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Queen of the Blues: Agapanthus in Late Summer
Coming in every shade from darkest inky purple to purest white, no summer garden is complete without the extraordinary blooms of Agapanthus.
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The Dirt on Hedges
Hedging is an important feature in many domestic and agricultural settings, designating boundary, providing habitat for wildlife and privacy for humans, and actually being a thing of beauty. Peter Erridge tells us more
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Bring the Outdoors In
Add plenty of extra space to your home, with the addition of a light-filled garden room, conservatory or orangerie.
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Caring for Houseplants
Were you gifted a houseplant at Christmas? Wondering what to do with it now? Hippeastrum (amaryllis) are extraordinary plants. Their huge bulbs can develop flowering spikes 60cms tall within six weeks. They are often sold as a kit, complete with flowerpot and compost.
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Your Guide to Maximising Your Sale
Steaming coffee and the aroma of freshly baked bread does not guarantee a sale, considering that the majority of buyers will view several properties, every little bit counts to help your's fall top of the shortlist.
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Seed sowing season begins
Garden centres are gearing up for the great seed-sowing season, but there are so many different types of seeds to choose from. What to buy? Flo Whitaker explains...
Animals
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2020 Was Record Year For Hedgehog Rescues On The Isle Of Wight
Despite the problems faced by many last year caused by the pandemic, it was a record year for hedgehog rescues on the Isle of Wight.
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Hunker Down And Hibernate This Autumn
Colder weather and longer nights make Adele Trathan long to cosy up at home and shut the world away. Some animals don’t have quite the same luxury and must hibernate during winter. Adele suggests some ways we can help these creatures survive, to emerge again in the spring
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Hedgehogs on roads: new review assesses problems and solutions
A new review outlining the impact of road mortality on native European hedgehogs has been published in the online scientific journal Animals.
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Critically endangered eel found in Wightlink’s Lymington oyster nursery
Wightlink’s oyster nurseries are already proving a haven for rare marine wildlife.
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Wildlife charity launches Living with Mammals survey this autumn
Wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is, for the first time, running its Living with Mammals survey during autumn, from Monday 31st August until Sunday 29th November.
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Natural Living: A Flock of Long-Tailed Tits
A flock of wheeling long-tailed tits capture this author's imagination as she takes a stroll in the countryside
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Natural Living: The Sparrowhawk on the Isle of Wight
Sparrowhawks are now fairly common throughout the country and more of us can enjoy the breathtaking sight of these spectacular, small birds of prey.
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It's a Dog's Life: Teddy in Lockdown
Teddy may be starting to look like a Wookiee on a bad hair day, but it hasn’t stopped him from staying positive during lockdown. His human interpreter writes his account of life at home and the reality of spending more time with ‘Them Indoors’.
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It's A Dog's Life: Teddy's Haircut
Things seem to be heading back to a sense of normal for ‘Them Indoors’, but there’s only one thing on Teddy’s mind: getting a decent haircut
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Natural Living: Hidden Lives of the County
What may seem to us to be natural waste, could be an invaluable asset for a whole range of garden species and benefit the natural environment.
At Your Leisure
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TV Drama You'll Want To Watch This Winter
There's plenty of TV drama to get stuck in to while we're indoors this winter. Here's our list of what's on and when.
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Book Review: You Should Have Known, By Jean Hanff Korelitz. Now re-made as HBO thriller, The Undoing
Over Christmas, due to the lack of a Sky subscription and the need to find out what was getting everyone so worked up in the office, I devoured the book behind HBO's latest television thriller, The Undoing.
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How to entertain the kids during lockdown
Want to keep the kids entertained during lockdown? Hanna Prince offers some suggestions with these family-friendly indoor activities.
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Island author continues string of success with latest book releases
You may remember Beacon Magazine running a feature on Island author, Crawford Ivin, at the launch of his debut novel The Story of Four Islands.
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Spot the Difference October: The Results
Find out the answers to last month's Spot the Difference competition — and check whether you're one of our lucky winners!
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Book review: Bits and Blogs by Poppy Fields
In need of a little light-hearted humour to pass the next few weeks? Then grab a copy of Bits and Blogs by Island author, Poppy Fields.
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10 Fun Christmas Films to Get You in the Festive Mood
Looking forward to December? Get the fire going, pour yourself a hot chocolate and curl up with these festive favourites...
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Cycling the Island
Earlier in the year, I switched over from a manual bike to an electric, not really knowing what to expect.
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10 Spooky Greats To Watch This Halloween
With current restrictions in place, it may be more difficult to get out trick and treating with the family this year. So make sure you get on the sofa with the blankets ready to hide behind, and check out these classic shows and films as the haunting hour approaches...
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What to Watch at the Cinema and at Home
You might be feeling disappointed at the recent temporary closure of Cineworld, but don't forget you can still head over to Ryde and support your local independent Commodore Cinema, or snuggle up at home for a family movie night.
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Falling for Autumnal Hues and Style
We give our top tips on the colours to wear for the season ahead.
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Spot the Difference September: The Results
Find out the answers to last month's Spot the Difference competition — and check whether you're one of our lucky winners!
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Winter Walks and Local Lunches on the Isle of Wight
We’re making the most of this beautiful Island by getting out into the great outdoors. And what better excuse could there be to gather up the family for a crisp winter walk, than having a finish point with a cosy fireplace, a list of real ales and roast dinners. And this Island has them in abundance.
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Book Review: Whatever It Takes, by Adele Parks
This one starts with a leaving party. Irritatingly perfect Eloise is leaving the bright lights of the London she loves to move to Dartmouth.
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Book Review: The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes
A tragic tale from 1916 war-torn France, combined with a modern day love story — The Girl You Left Behind is like no book I’ve ever read before.
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Cycling the Island
Safe to say it’s been a strange few months. Locked down, unable to see friends and only able to exercise for an hour a day on your own, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Interactive Puzzles
You can now enjoy a range of interactive puzzles online! Test your brain with fun equalisers, crosswords, crosscodes and sudoku regularly...
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Spot the Difference: The Results
Find out the answers to last month's Spot the Difference competition — and check whether you're one of our lucky winners!
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10 TV Dramas You Should Be Watching This Autumn
Whether they're acclaimed classics or brand new arriving this autumn, these are the shows you need to be viewing (and where you can find them) as the darker nights draw in...
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BOOK REVIEW: Misfit, by Charli Howard
This is a painfully honest account of an anorexic, who suffered from depression, OCD, bulimia and anxiety.
Hidden Island
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Enjoy Our 'New Year, New You' E-magazine
Sign-up to our new membership service, Hidden Island, and receive our exclusive e-magazine on health and wellbeing in 2021!
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FOUR-WEEK FREE COURSE: Cooking and Baking Essentials
Learn how to cook with confidence! This four-week free course will equip you with theoretical and practical skills to give you the edge you need in the culinary world!
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Win A New Ferguson 40" TV
Are you spending more time in front of your old TV during lockdown, realising you need something a bit more up to date?
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Ten Famous Figures Who've Lived On The Island
It's incredible how many celebrities prefer the beautiful tranquility of our stunning island to the bright lights of London. You might not know it, but here's ten famous figures right on our doorstep...
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FREE EVENT: Boost your Wellbeing in 2021
We're living in a time when our wellbeing is more important than before - but how can you help your own mind to feel more positive?