Beacon Magazine
Features
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New Date For Walk The Wight 2021
A new date for Walk the Wight 2021 has been announced.
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Netflix and Thrill: Six Shows to Binge at Home This Week
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.
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Former England Footballer - Who Lives On The Isle Of Wight - Releases Autobiography
Ex-England international footballer Steve Hunt, who has been living on the Isle of Wight for the past 20 years, has written an intriguing book about his amazing career in the game.
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Successful IW Story Festival reaches world-wide audience – and it’s not too late to join in the fun!
The IW Story Festival, which took place over half term, attracted many hundreds of children and families from all parts of the UK and, indeed, the world – with participants coming from places as diverse as the Netherlands, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA.
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Staying Active in Your Home
As Lockdown across England puts an even greater emphasis on the health and wellbeing of older people in isolation, the Goldies Charity is increasing its weekly online content to include gentle chair-exercise at home.
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History: The Isle of Wight and the Birth of Radio
In November 1897 a twenty-three year old Italian took up rooms at the Royal Needles Hotel overlooking Alum Bay. It was just out of season and Guglielmo Marconi's proposal to experiment from the hotel over the winter was welcomed by the hotel's proprietors. For the next two and a half years the world's first permanent wireless radio station would be operated from the hotel.
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Wightlink’s old rope brings joy to animals on the Isle of Wight
Around a half a kilometre of rope is now providing creature comforts for two Isle of Wight wildlife projects thanks to Wightlink.
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‘Threatened Plant of the Year 2021’ competition launched
Plant Heritage calls for garden enthusiasts across the UK to enter competition which celebrates rare and unusual plants.
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15 Fascinating Places You Can Explore Virtually
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.
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Surviving Winter Campaign helps people keep warm across the Isle of Wight
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) launched the Surviving Winter 2020-2021 campaign to help tackle fuel poverty for older and vulnerable people struggling to keep warm at winter time.
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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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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
Food and Drink
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RECIPE: Pork and Cranberry Sausage Rolls
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.
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American Pancakes with Bacon, Syrup and Fried Banana
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!
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Bake Your Own Fortune Cookies to Celebrate the Chinese New Year
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!
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RECIPE: Lemon Fairy Cakes
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!
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Recipe for Toasted S'mores Martini
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.
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Haggis, Neeps and Tatty Cakes with Crispy Kale and Poached Duck Egg
What better way to celebrate Burns Night on Monday 25th January than serving this tasty twist on the traditional Scottish supper.
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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!
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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What the Average UK House Price Could Get You on the Island (and Beyond)
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?
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Now's the Perfect Time to Plant Raspberries
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.
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Plant Your Own Windowsill Garlic
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.
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Hanging Out With Holly
There’s a lot more to holly than spiky green leaves and a few red berries. Peter Erridge explains all things historical and prickly.
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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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The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2021
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.
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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'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.
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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’.
At Your Leisure
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Book Review: Away with the Penguins by Hazel Prior
A beautiful story about a feisty 86-year-old, desperate to embark on one final great adventure.
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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...
Hidden Island
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Quiz: How Well Do You Know The Island?
Test your expertise on the Island with this fun quiz! How much of an expert are you?
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FREE EVENT: Understanding And Enjoying Wine
We're teaming up with the Bluebell Vineyard to talk about all things wine, including pairing cheese with the grape...
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Make The Most Of Your Gardening Year With Our E-magazine
With Spring on the horizon, we've compiled our favourite articles from our gardening expert to bring you a year-round calendar of gardening advice and features, with each piece covering a month of the year...
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Win A Luxury Wine And Cheese Tour For Two
Would you love to treat your partner, a friend or family member to a beautiful vineyard tour? Tell us why they deserve a treat and you could win this luxurious prize!
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FOUR-WEEK FREE COURSE: Makeup, Nails and Beauty
Master the basics of skincare and makeup with this free course!