Beacon Magazine

Ryde Town Council and Network Ryde have installed a ‘Borrow Box’, filled with toys on Ryde beach.

If you head to the Royal Victoria Arcade on Union Street this summer, you’ll discover a quaint little museum which pays homage to Donald McGill — the king of the saucy seaside postcard.

An historic Spitfire PR.IV aircraft that was shot down during WWII is set to return to flight — thanks to support from GKN Aerospace.

As one community business prepares to close its doors, another has revealed an exciting blueprint to takeover the site.

Half of Isle of Wight homebuyers would withdraw from a property purchase if the broadband speed was too slow, according to a recent survey from Barratt Homes.

It's carnival season on the Isle of Wight — and tonight (Wednesday) sees the turn of Shanklin.

A new website launched by Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council (NCCC) will illustrate what it was like to live in Newport in times gone by.

A new Maize Maze and Sunflower Meadow attraction has opened at Tapnell Farm today (Monday).

As Cowes Week gets underway, here's a taster of what to expect over the coming week.

An Isle of Wight couple who live in a Newport residential home have celebrated 70 years of marriage.

The Isle of Wight has welcomed its first drone flight delivering prescription medicines.

UKSA has welcomed HRH The Princess Royal to officially open its new Sea Change 136-bed accommodation centre.

Cowes Week organisers have announced there will be no fireworks or Red Arrows at this year's event.

"Things are better, but a lot more still needs to be done" to take potentially malignant moles seriously, according to an Isle of Wight mother, who lost her daughter to skin cancer in 2020.

The Isle of Wight's Rhythmtree Festival is back at a new location from today (Friday).

Ryde Town Council and Ryde Library have announced a brand new collaboration to bring free reading to Ryde beaches.

The Isle of Wight's famous Billingham Manor is up for sale for £3.95 million.

Isle of Wight Truck driver, Jacob Benger-Pereira is planning to row from New York to the UK – retracing an iconic 3,200 mile ocean crossing from 1896 – in aid of two young people's mental health charities.

With the UK's music festival season rapidly hurtling towards us, there are now more choices than ever for the weekend reveller.

The owners of a holiday cottage in Bonchurch believe they’ve uncovered the inspiration behind the infamous Charles Dickens character, Miss Havisham.

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

This tasty recipe for Seared Tuna on a bed of spicy red onions, with a chilli ponzu sauce and fried garlic is the perfect dish for a summer dinner party or a romantic evening in.

Make the most of summers berries with this delectable recipe by Adele Trathan, perfect with a dollop of fresh cream or ice cream!

These are not just muffins they are extra-special muffins by Adele Trathan. A creamy custard filling and topped with fresh apple slices and cinnamon sugar they are delightfully indulgent

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

Put a little zing in your hot cross buns with Adele Trathan’s twist on an age-old recipe

This warming and tasty recipe by Adele Trathan, puts all the ingredients into one pan, making it simple and easy for all the family to enjoy

A slice of this Blueberry and Lime Loaf with a cup of tea is the dream.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

What better way to celebrate Burns Night on Monday 25th January than serving this tasty twist on the traditional Scottish supper.

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.

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.

If you think you suffer from the heat as far as summer goes, think how that sun-baked fares without even so much as a dash of sun lotion.

If you’re looking for easygoing, heat-tolerant plants with a long-flowering season, (and who isn’t?) you can do no better than salvias, writes Flo Whitaker

Towards the end of August, on the lawns of the Isle of Wight an inconspicuous species of wild orchid, the last British orchid of the season, appears for just a few weeks, heralding the end of the summer.

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.

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.

This month we're enjoying the Niton to Newchurch section of The River Yar walk, courtesy of Island Rivers.

Here are the solutions to the Puzzle Page problems in the March edition of the magazine – how well did you do?

Join The Wight Strollers as they journey to London Town with Dick Whittington and his cat, in a fun-packed tale full of laughter, live music, and panto magic!

A night of live music at Shanklin Theatre tonight (Sunday) will pay homage to legendary Isle of Wight journalist and broadcaster, John Hannam.

Here are the solutions to the Puzzle Page problems in the February edition of the magazine – how well did you do?

The singer makes her film debut in the upcoming Christmas movie Boxing Day, which was written and directed by her co-star Aml Ameen.

Speedway is back at Smallbrook Stadium in Ryde.

A good read for every occasion.

Here are the solutions to the Puzzle Page problems in the September edition of the magazine – how well did you do?

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.

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.

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

We're offering one lucky Hidden member the chance to win a pair of tickets to this exciting event in September, plus an overnight stay in London!

We've got a family pass for four to give away to this exciting bank holiday event on the railway!

Nigel and Denise James visit the Le Majestic Hotel in the South of France...

With the summer in full swing, it's a great time to explore the stunning coastline the UK has to offer! Think you can guess all of these shady spots - some are harder than you think...

Been to or planning to head to a festival this summer? Get yourself in the mood with some of these famous throwbacks!