Isle of Wight Observer

10/10/2025

A storm is brewing over the future of Floating Bridge 6 – and it’s not just about engineering.

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A storm is brewing over the future of Floating Bridge 6 – and it’s not just about engineering. IW Cowes councillor, Lora Peacey-Wilcox, and East Cowes town councillor, Cameron Palin, have accused Isle of Wight Council

10/10/2025

Reform UK would win both the Isle of Wight’s parliamentary seats if an ‘election were held tomorrow’, YouGov has projected.

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https://iwobserver.co.uk/could-reform-uk-win-both-iw-seats-at-the-next-election/

10/10/2025

The Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council is swapping the chamber for tunes tomorrow (Saturday) – and he couldn’t be prouder.

The Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council is swapping the chamber for tunes on Saturday – and he couldn’t be prouder. Cllr Ian Dore, former soldier and DJ, is dusting off his headphones and returning

10/10/2025

Following last week’s IW Observer report on serious governance concerns at Visit Isle of Wight Ltd (VIOW), both the Island’s MPs are calling for greater transparency and accountability from the tourism body.

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Following last week’s IW Observer report on serious governance concerns at Visit Isle of Wight Ltd (VIOW), both the Island’s MPs are calling for greater transparency and accountability from the tourism body. VIOW is funded by

10/10/2025

Across the Island, people are wearing yellow, baking yellow cakes, and hosting sunflower-themed events to raise funds and awareness for Mountbatten Isle of Wight’s round-the-clock services for Islanders facing the end of life, and their loved ones. In homes and in the hospice, and through the John Cheverton Centre in Newport, Mountbatten supports thousands of Islanders every year so they do not have to face that final journey alone.

https://iwobserver.co.uk/go-yellow-today-for-mountbatten/

10/10/2025

An Isle of Wight councillor has been reported to the police after allegedly bullying a female colleague, calling another councillor a “fascist pig,” and accusing the council chairman of being racist.

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An Isle of Wight councillor has been reported to the police after allegedly bullying a female colleague, calling another councillor a “fascist pig,” and accusing the council chairman of being racist. Reform UK councillor, Caroline Gladwin,

10/10/2025

IW Observer Issue 349 - Read, Share and Enjoy!

Inside this week’s paper:

MPs concerns over tourism body -The Island’s MPs raise questions about transparency at Visit Isle of Wight - see page 3 for their full comments.

Red squirrels get a new safe haven - We’ve had an exclusive tour of the Island’s newest sanctuary - discover what’s being done to protect these shy tree-dwellers on page 8.

Appley Day draws the crowds - Were you there? Hundreds joined in the fun - flip to page 12 to find out what they got up to.

A raw and powerful Vectis View - Mark Langford shares a deeply personal piece for World Mental Health Day - turn to page 25 to read his story.

Click here to read it >
https://iwobserver.co.uk/i349
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https://iwobserver.co.uk/subscribe/

10/10/2025

Classic buses will once again take to Island roads this weekend as the Isle of Wight Bus & Coach Museum hosts its annual Wightrider running weekend on Saturday and Sunday, October 11 and 12.

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Classic buses will once again take to Island roads this weekend as the Isle of Wight Bus & Coach Museum hosts its annual Wightrider running weekend on Saturday and Sunday, October 11 and 12. The two-day

09/10/2025

The crew of Yarmouth RNLI have their own natty headwear, thanks to the Kingsteignton Knit & Natter Circle, which has sent them a box of assorted hand-made beanies!

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The crew of Yarmouth RNLI have their own natty headwear, thanks to the Kingsteignton Knit & Natter Circle, which has sent them a box of assorted hand-made beanies! The beanies will keep the all-weather lifeboat crew’s

09/10/2025

Hundreds of people took part in the Appley Day activities, at Ryde on Sunday.

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Hundreds of people took part in the Appley Day activities, at Ryde on Sunday. The event, hosted by Friends of Appley, and supported by Ryde Town Council, offered something for everyone with High Sheriff, Jacque Gazzard,

09/10/2025

A stalwart of the Yarmouth community, Ian Francis Dallison, has died, aged 98.

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A stalwart of the Yarmouth community, Ian Francis Dallison, has died, aged 98. Ian moved to the town in 1992 and quickly became involved in local organisations. He was born and raised in Portsmouth, attending Portsmouth

09/10/2025

A tender for the refurbishment of public toilets in East Cowes, valued at approximately £190,000, has been abruptly withdrawn by the IW Council. The decision, made on September 18, cites an “internal decision to halt the tender and withdraw due to a change of need within the scope.”

A tender for the refurbishment of public toilets in East Cowes, valued at approximately £190,000, has been abruptly withdrawn by the IW Council. The decision, made on September 18, cites an “internal decision to halt