Beacon Magazine

National Trust places around the Isle of Wight are inviting families to dive into a range of new experiences that will help reconnect them with life’s simple, sensory pleasures.

Summer is the time to relax and enjoy our outside space. Whether you have a large terrace overlooking formal gardens and a luscious lawn or a small balcony for a tete a tete, we can all make the most of the great outdoors — whatever the weather!

While warmer weather is wonderful, it can pose a number of challenges in terms of maintaining healthy and radiant skin. To help combat this, we take a look at the best ways to protect and care for your skin this summer.

Eighty intrepid fundraisers are taking the plunge for Wessex Cancer Trust - in celebration of the charity’s 40th birthday.

An event celebrating the Isle of Wight and its keyworkers will be held at Smallbrook Stadium in August, by the organisers of Orchestral Ibiza.

Colourful tributes in memory of people’s loved ones will be on display at Mountbatten this summer, as part of a new remembrance event.

Ryde Pier's herb garden has been brought back to life thanks to volunteers from Aspire Ryde.

A new walk, celebrating the life and work of Charles Dickens has been created in Bonchurch and Ventnor.

In the summer of 1887, Queen Victoria watched on as the first Isle of Wight carnival took to the streets of Ryde in aid of her Golden Jubilee.

Dame Judi Dench is helping bring the history of the Mary Rose to life at a new exhibition at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard recreating the final moments of Henry VIII’s flagship.

Top entertainment and big stars return to the Isle of Wight this summer at Robin Hill’s new event, The Woodland Sessions.

The founder of the world-renowned Minghella ice-cream, Edward Minghella, celebrated his 100th birthday on June 21st.

Carnivals may not be taking to the streets as normal this year, but many Island schools will be putting on their own carnival events during National Children’s Carnival Week.

Nine gardens will be opening in St Helens on Sunday, one for the first time, allowing hundreds of visitors the chance to peek behind walls and hedges to discover the hidden treasures beyond.

One of the oldest buildings in Ryde High Street is celebrating its 175th anniversary.

The Wildheart Trust is launching an exciting art competition, the winners of which will see their creations sold in the Animal Sanctuary’s shop. 

Dating back to 1550, The Castle Inn is the oldest public house in Newport.

The Tapnell Trail runs through the middle of Tapnell Farm, on the outskirts of Yarmouth. It’s an incredibly scenic circular walk, which can be completed in sections, or in full at 6.5 miles.

Promoting the Island as a destination to film makers and supplying everything the production team need, Isle of Wight Film Fixers have a catalogue of properties, services and vehicles to hire.

A freelance writer and journalist with Cerebral Palsy is bringing his podcast to the stage.

This simple and quick dessert by Adele Trathan can be made two ways; on the stove, or over a hot barbecue if dining al fresco. Keep it in mind for a swift and spectacular sweet treat requiring minimum time investment.

Elevate the humble wrap into a taste-bud sensation experience. Adele Trathan offers this very grown-up version of a fish wrap which will impress any lunchtime guests.

Christmas may seem a long way off, but it’s not too late to grow crops that will be staples for the festive season, says Hannah Stephenson.

Adele Trathan’s fish finger wraps are an easy, weekend or summer holiday lunch for kids to make, using a few staple ingredients from the fridge and freezer, wrapped up for a nutritionally balanced and deliciously simple meal

'Parfait' means 'perfect' in French and this recipe by Adele Trathan is quick and easy, as well as eye-catching and delicious.

Fresh salmon is available all-year round, it’s quick, easy and makes the perfect light, stress free mid-week meal. Accompany Adele Trathan’s recipe with asparagus and hollandaise sauce for a delicious lunch with friends

The perfect partners; offering a combination of texture and taste, an ideal companion to salmon or steak. Adele Trathan’s hollandaise sauce is easy to make because it uses oil, which means it can be reheated without spoiling, or served at room temperature.

Costa Coffee, is introducing a selection of delicious sweet and savoury items to its existing menu. Available to purchase from Costa Coffee stores nationwide from Thursday 6th May, these new additions are the perfect choice for any picnic in the park.

Got into baking sourdough bread during lockdown? Mix it up with this tasty pretzel recipe, from former Great British Bake Off finalist James Morton. Deliciously salty and perfectly chewy, these sourdough pretzels are sure to please.

A dreamy pudding for a little bank holiday weekend indulgence.

This mouth-watering barbecue recipe is perfect for spring in the garden!

This sweet Easter Bread is a traditional recipe baked in Italy and Greece, which tastes similar to brioche.

Arguably one of the best things about the Easter season is enjoying warm hot cross buns, slathered in butter. So we've brought you a tasty recipe for cranberry and orange flavoured buns to bake at home. After all, we've all become pretty good at baking from scratch over the past year!

There’s nothing like a tasty breakfast to start your day off well — and this French toast with fresh berries is easier to throw together than you might think.

Author of the new Plant Based Cookbook, Brad Roe, shares his delicious recipe for Pine Nut Cornbread with Sweet Potato Puree, Sundried Tomato Cream and Crispy Pak Choi.

Schools are now open, so we've brought you one of our favourite lunchbox recipes, enjoyed by kids and grown ups — simple Lunchbox Lasagnes!

When it's cold and wet outside, we love to brighten a day stuck indoors with a few home comforts. How about these home-made Pork and Cranberry Sausage Rolls, served fresh from the oven.

Traditional pancakes with lemon and sugar are always a winner, but what about something a little different this year? We love thick, fluffy pancakes with fried banana and bacon, drizzled in maple syrup. Sounds so wrong, but we think it's so right!

February 12th marks the beginning of the Chinese year of the Ox! Why not celebrate with your family at home, by making and baking your own Fortune Cookies. After all, we could all do with a little luck in 2021!

It's Friday — and while the pubs and restaurants might be shut, we won't be deterred from making the best of it. How about sticking some music on and becoming a mixologist for the evening. We recommend this recipe for Toasted S'mores Martini.

Back in 1981 when Bergerac first came to BBC TV, it was no surprise when John Nettles received sack loads of fan mail. I, like millions of other men, rather fell for the more rubenesque charms of the Bureau receptionist Charlotte, played by the gorgeous Annette Badland.

There are days in your life that you will never forget. One of mine was September 26th, 2006, when I met up again with Jane McDonald. Her welcoming hug and comforting words were just what I needed

Fifty one years after I first saw Bill Wyman appearing at a Rolling Stones concert at Ryde Pavilion, I finally managed to meet him.

Back in 2001 I took an exciting 21 hour day trip to Weatherfield. I was expecting to undertake a couple of interviews with two of Coronation Street’s lesser known characters. Thankfully, it didn’t go to plan. Once the two interviews were completed and the press office girls had left, I was told to sit tight for a few minutes and see who might come in. Over the next hour, six of the most famous faces in Britain came in and were all eager to chat.

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.

Back in 1988, John Hannam interviewed Barbara Windsor – and this was long before Albert Square.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

Famous radio DJ Annie Nightingale has helped numerous popstars enhance their careers by playing their music.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Christmas may seem a long way off, but it’s not too late to grow crops that will be staples for the festive season, says Hannah Stephenson.

Dinosaurs ate them, and the Victorians obsessed about them; ferns are astonishing survivors from the prehistoric world and still have the power to enchant us, writes Flo Whitaker.

Property, equity and retirement can be a complex topic, so we asked Peter d’Aguilar to shed a little light on some of the options currently available

In the UK right now the average house price is estimated at just over £245,000 (as of February 2021). But that figure obviously varies from region to region. So if you're a first-time buyer or looking to move to pastures new, which areas should you be looking at to get the best value for your money?

Nothing says ‘summer’ more than home-picked fruit. Raspberries are easy to grow — and now’s the perfect time to plant them, writes Flo Whitaker.

It’s all go on the veg patch this month. Sow hardy winter greens and plant garlic for a tasty crop later in the year.

There’s a lot more to holly than spiky green leaves and a few red berries. Peter Erridge explains all things historical and prickly.

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.

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.

In today’s climate, home offices have never been more desirable. We've got this advice for designing your own stylish workspace

Versatile and long-lived, no plants give better fiery autumnal colours than acers.

It’s all go on the veg patch this month. Sow hardy winter greens and plant onions for a tasty crop next year.

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,

Coming in every shade from darkest inky purple to purest white, no summer garden is complete without the extraordinary blooms of Agapanthus.

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

Add plenty of extra space to your home, with the addition of a light-filled garden room, conservatory or orangerie.

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.

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.

Gardening to help sustain our garden birds isn’t just a philanthropic gesture. It’s immensely beneficial to the health and biodiversity of your garden - and also to the wider environment, writes Flo Whitaker

To celebrate its 10th birthday, nationwide campaign, Hedgehog Street, is asking members of the public to do 10 things to help hedgehogs throughout 2021. The campaign launched by wildlife charities People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) aims to encourage people to make their gardens more hedgehog friendly, in order to help stop the ongoing decline of Britain’s favourite mammal.

The UK’s biggest citizen science project has been recording the winners and losers in the garden bird world for over four decades with the help of half a million people, and now the RSPB is counting on Island residents to join in too.

A new review outlining the impact of road mortality on native European hedgehogs has been published in the online scientific journal Animals.

​​​​​​​Wightlink’s oyster nurseries are already proving a haven for rare marine wildlife.

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.

A flock of wheeling long-tailed tits capture this author's imagination as she takes a stroll in the countryside

Sparrowhawks are now fairly common throughout the country and more of us can enjoy the breathtaking sight of these spectacular, small birds of prey.

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’.

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.

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

The Island’s community retro festival is all set to bring live music back on 6th-8th August.

Dash and Splash along the length of Sandown Bay on August 14th, while raising funds for Ryde charity, Aspire.

Line Of Duty’s Martin Compston is to star in new ITV thriller Our House.

A good read for every occasion.

Based on the incredible true story of Dream Alliance, starring Toni Collette and Damian Lewis.

It will star Paddy Considine and Matt Smith.

Fancy a movie night? How about one of these popular new releases, available to watch via most streaming services.

The Warrior Trail is a stunning walk bursting with history, forest strolls and sea views. Its name comes from famous war horse, Warrior, who fought in World War One alongside General Jack Seely – and incredibly, its path forms the shape of a horse head.

Love exploring new places and really missing that sense of adventure in your life while we're in lockdown? We've found 15 fascinating places that you can explore from the comfort of your own home instead.

Heart-warming comedy, Made in Italy, is set in glorious Tuscany. Bohemian London artist Robert (Liam Neeson) who returns to Italy with his estranged son Jack (Michael Richardson) to make a quick sale of the house they inherited from his late wife. Neither expects to find the once beautiful villa in such a state of disrepair...

Think you know the Isle of Wight like the back of your hand? We're going to put you to the test by giving you ten Isle of Wight road names to unscramble.

It is well known that the Island has a history of great music and bands, whether it is Dancer, The Waltons or Reminder — and of course there’s Level 42 and Thin Lizzy’s Snowy White.

Always feeling like they have to say no to their kids and co-workers, Allison and Carlos decide to give their three kids a Yes Day — where for 24 hours the kids make the rules.

Feel like you need a new series to get you through the next few weeks in lockdown? Here's the lowdown on six of the most talked about shows on Netflix this week.

A beautiful story about a feisty 86-year-old, desperate to embark on one final great adventure.

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.

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.

Want to keep the kids entertained during lockdown? Hanna Prince offers some suggestions with these family-friendly indoor activities.

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.

Find out the answers to last month's Spot the Difference competition — and check whether you're one of our lucky winners!

We've got just 50 half price family day passes to this exciting Island music and gaming festival, taking place between 20 and 22 August at the County Showground in Newport! Tickets available from 9am on Monday 26 July...

Now the school holidays are upon us, don't forget about our series of competitions with Wightlink - you could win a £100 gift voucher to head across the Solent!

Test your knowledge on some of the most recognisable buildings in Europe, and learn a thing or two along the way...

After you loved our dog hamper competition so much, we thought it was only fair to offer up the same chance to our feline-loving members!

If you’re well travelled, you might recognise quite a lot of the world’s flags, but some are still quite tricky...