Beacon Magazine

We find out more about the Isle of Wight Public Green Spaces project, supported by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and The Southern Co-op.

Now's the perfect time to wrap yourself up on the sofa, forget about the darker nights and get stuck into these feel-good classics...

We look at the coming season’s makeup trends to enhance your features.

Brown’s Golf Course was created in 1931 by Alexander Kennedy and his wife Violet Kennedy, the owners of a chain of successful south London sausage and pie shops.

Hanna Prince shares the challenges — and the unexpected rewards — of home parenting during lockdown.

‘Wight Spirit’ marks the 50th anniversary of the 1970 IW Festival with new sculptures, a feature length-documentary and never-seen-before photographs.

A new book based on the diaries of a police officer who served in the earliest days of policing is being published by award-winning police volunteer, John Greenfield.

We note some of the great items to buy locally, at a time when independent businesses need our custom more than ever before.

Zesty orange, sherbet lemon and exotic saffron: we go through the essential colours of the season.

When the lockdown was announced earlier this year, Solicitors all across the country were hard at work, writing Wills for people who, fearing the worst, wanted to make sure their affairs were in order should they fall ill.

First opening its doors in 1936, The Commodore in Star Street, Ryde has had a fascinating past.

With years of festival experience behind him, building bars at festivals across the world, landlord Jay Chapman decided that to survive post-coronavirus, he needed to come up with something completely new, using the space that they did have. And so, the Olde Village Inn Backyard Fest was born.

Some advice for those who may be facing work struggles during these uncertain times

As the global Covid-19 pandemic means many Brits may be hesitant to travel abroad, ‘staycations’ are set to become even more popular.

Direct cremation is an affordable alternative to a traditional funeral. The cremation takes place without any service at the crematorium, and without mourners or a minister present.

A striking new mural named ‘Less Flapping, More Flying’ has been painted at The Sundial Cafe, in memory of Norman Abram, who died in 2017.

Beacon Magazine caught up with iconic illustrator, Nick Sharratt, who is best known for his work with Jacqueline Wilson and Julia Donaldson, among many others.

The Isle of Wight has one of the oldest carnival traditions in the UK. Ryde Carnival began in 1888, and chances are you’ve seen or taken part in at least one of the many colourful and uplifting parades that bring our streets to life every year.

Elizabeth Missing Sewell was born on Newport High Street on the 19th February 1815. ‘Missing’, a rather odd choice in middle name, is said to have been her godmother’s surname.

Filmmaker Bill Bristow has teamed up with a wealth of local talent to produce a documentary about the incredible history of the Isle of Wight.

Here's a dessert recipe to enjoy; sticky, scrumptious and ever so slightly healthy... perfect for a sunny Autumn day.

As the autumn season approaches, enjoy this hearty choice for a family meal.

As autumn draws closer, you might find yourself snuggled up at home with a film more often. And no good movie night can ever be complete without a big bowl of popcorn to tuck in to. Try this mouth-watering recipe for Bacon and Pecan Popcorn, for something a little different.

Nothing beats enjoying home-baked croissants, fresh from the oven! And now you can enjoy a plentiful supply from home, with these kitchen cupboard staples.

With summer in full swing, why not enjoy a family paella in the sun?

With summer in full swing, Gillian Reay-Young shares this recipe for Gin and Tonic Sorbet to enjoy in the sun.

Now the kids are off on the school summer holidays, you might be looking for things to do to keep them entertained. This easy and delicious recipe for Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies is the perfect activity for all ages — and will fill their tummies all afternoon!

Have you ever tried asparagus just after it’s picked? Or milkshake made with milk that's fresh from the cow? No? Then it's time to give it a try!

With lockdown affecting many family holidays this summer, you can still bring a taste of the Mediterranean sun to the Island. Gillian Reay-Young recommends having a go at this Spanish classic.

With lockdown affecting many family holidays this summer, you can still bring a taste of the Mediterranean sun to the Island. Gillian Reay-Young recommends having a go at this Spanish classic.

This is an amazingly easy cheesecake recipe that does not require patience and lots of spare time. This is quick, simple and fresh and, best of all, irresistibly scrumptious!

Warm up this winter with a steaming bowl of this hearty homemade soup.

Some like it hot, so sizzle your ribs and chicken with these BBQ sauces. I hope you find these recipes melt-in-your-mouth incredible!

This cake is moist and zingy with an added kick, thanks to the classic flavours of a G&T. It makes the perfect birthday cake for the gin and tonic lover in your life.

These pretty cupcakes have a delicate lemon flavoured sponge with strawberry buttercream icing. They’re ideal for the kids to enjoy at home while the lockdown continues!

If, like us, you’re trying to use up as many leftovers as possible, you’ll love this recipe for Bubble and Squeak, using leftover veg from your Sunday roast. Serve it with eggs and bacon for breakfast the following morning, or freeze for use at a later date.

Treat the man of the house to a hearty Father’s Day beef pie, made with his favourite stout or red wine. We recommend Guinness for a full-bodied flavour

If you’re finding it hard to get hold of your usual loaf, you’ll be pleased to try out this month’s home baking recipe.

Got some apples? Feeling creative? Impress your nearest and dearest while expressing your artistic side, writes Jo Grey.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

​​​​​​​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.

We give our top tips on the colours to wear for the season ahead.

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.

Mountbatten has asked Islanders to get behind their annual ‘Go Yellow’ fundraiser on 2nd October by planning an event or activity which is themed around yellow.

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

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...

This is a painfully honest account of an anorexic, who suffered from depression, OCD, bulimia and anxiety.

Healthy, radiant and glowing skin is our number one beauty goal this summer. Thankfully the cosmetics market has us covered.

With the possibility of jetting off for a summer holiday looking uncertain for many people at the moment, we've picked our selection of films that should give you the feel-good holiday vibe at home

This year’s Osborne Run is the latest Mountbatten event to be hit by the Coronavirus pandemic, but the hospice has organised a new cycling challenge this summer.

A heartwarming story of missed opportunities, love lessons and second chances.

Physical wellbeing not only boosts our bodies, but our minds, moods and sleep as well.

Although this book is ostensibly light reading about three women in their thirties, it’s really about the power of social media and the devastating effect one brief clip on YouTube can have on someone’s life.

With Father's Day fast approaching (Sunday June 21st), why not put your creative hats on and make a home-made card for the father figure in your life. This easy to follow guide can be adapted to use colours and patterns of your choice.

With the latest updates requesting all customers wear face coverings when entering shops and using transport services, we’ve decided to teach you how to make your own at home.

Brave theatregoers, with a love of ghost stories, should head over to Kings Theatre this week, while London’s West End production of The Woman in Black is in town.

Keeping the kids entertained is challenging at the best of times, let alone when we’re unable to leave home. Here’s the first of our kids activities – let’s make our own bird feeders!