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Women’s Institute Celebrates 100 Years

25th November 202126th November 2021

On Thursday 25th November, the Lord-Lieutenant attended a service of thanksgiving at the Newport Minster to celebrate one hundred years of the WI being on the Island. Six favourite Hymns…

Remembrance Sunday 2021

14th November 202116th November 2021

On Sunday 14th November, HM Lord-Lieutenant laid a wreath at St Thomas’s Square, Newport. Wreaths were also laid by the High Sheriff and Chairman of the Council along with other…

On Thursday 11th November 2021, the Field of Remembrance took place in the Princess Beatrice Garden at Carisbrooke Castle. HM Lord-Lieutenant planted crosses along with other dignitaries, members of the…

Queen’s Award for Enterprise presented to Wight Shipyard

9th November 202115th November 2021

On Tuesday 9th November 2021, The Lord-Lieutenant presented Peter Morton, Chief Executive of Wight Shipyard with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.

Lord-Lieutenant plants a tree for the Jubilee

28th October 202131st October 2021

On Thursday 28th October 2021, The Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, as President of the Royal Isle of Wight Agricultural Society, planted an oak tree at the County Showground…

Lord-Lieutenant visits Brighstone British Legion

19th October 202124th November 2021

On Tuesday 19th October, the Lord-Lieutenant visited Brighstone British Legion and presented the president of the branch, Mr Reg Hunt with the Presidents Medallion.

Legal Service Procession 2021

11th October 202113th October 2021

On Monday 11th October 2021, The Lord-Lieutenant attended the annual Legal Service at the Minster Church, Newport. This traditional Service is held on the Isle of Wight each year and…

Vectis Bus Company

10th October 202124th November 2021

On Sunday 10th October, the Vectis Bus Company celebrated their 100th Anniversary of the first ever Vectis Bus service. Mrs Susie Sheldon, Lord-Lieutenant, joined the celebrations at the Isle of…

Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards Evening 2021

6th October 20218th October 2021

The annual Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards ceremony took place on Wednesday 6th October 2021 at the Royal Yacht Squadron. Two British Empire Medals (BEM) were presented to: Laura Jane Gaudion – for…

Lord-Lieutenant Cadets

4th October 202131st October 2021

The Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Susie Sheldon has thanked her retiring cadets for their hard work and support at numerous events during the last year. She wishes them all well for the…

Lord-Lieutenant Awards 2016

Local achievers have been honoured by the Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Major General Martin White CB CBE JP has at his annual awards ceremony.

The Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Major General Martin White CB CBE JP has honoured local achievers at his annual awards ceremony, held last night (Thursday 5 October) at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes.

The event saw military, public service and community achievements recognised, as well as the presentation of a British Empire Medal.

The evening was an opportunity to highlight the success of Island residents who have demonstrated an outstanding level of commitment to their work, making a valuable difference within the community.

The following awards were presented:

British Empire Medal – Mrs Sarah Burdett BEM
Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion – Mrs Claire Locke DL
HM Lord-Lieutenant’s Meritorious Service Certificates – Mrs Margaret Elcome, Ryde Sea Cadets and Mrs Ann Lovejoy, Isle of Wight Squadron ATC
Isle of Wight Territorial Trust Award for Notable Achievement – Lt Col (Retd) David Langford MBE DL
RNLI Gold Badge – Mr David Kennett
St John Ambulance Awards – Miss Natalie Rose (Medal of the Order), Mrs Rosemary Thirkettle (3rd Bar to Medal of the Order), Mr Derek Lammers-Wood (25 years) and Mrs Sandra Potts (25 years)
Royal British Legion Award – Councillor Ian Ward
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Long Service Certificate – Wg Cdr John Turner (5 years), Mr Roger Spivey (5 years), Mr David Jones (10 years) and Maj Gen Martin White CB CBE JP (15 years)
Exemplary Service Awards – Police – Mrs Barbara Bailey (30 years Custody Visitor), Mr George Bason (45 years exemplary service), PC Lesley Metcalfe (Operation Serenity), Mr Dave Wilkins (Operation Serenity)
HM Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets – Cadet Sgt Megan Rozee, Cowes College CCF, Cadet LCpl Keiran Thorne, Ryde SCC Royal Marine Cadets, Cadet Cpl Ashlee Robinson-Webb, Ryde Troop ACF, Cadet Flt Sgt Joel Hopwood, Isle of Wight Squadron ATC

Lord-Lieutenant Major General Martin White, said:

“It was a pleasure to acknowledge and recognise the commitment of those who give so much to our community, particularly our armed forces and other uniformed services. I would like to congratulate all of the award winners, they should be very proud of their achievements.”

The annual awards ceremony took place at The Royal Yacht Squadron. It was supported by 266 Port Squadron Royal Logistics Corps and sponsored by the South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association.

Earl of Wessex October 2016

THE Earl of Wessex is to open the Isle of Wight Literary Festival at Northwood House, in Cowes, on October 14.

Prince Edward will meet organisers and trustees, who will explain the origins of the festival and the programme of events before being introduced to volunteers and visiting Blackwell’s Book Shop and the Jazz Cafe.

The earl will then visit the Royal Yacht Squadron, also in Cowes, and trustees of the IW Foundation, which he is a patron of.

The royal will then travel to Newport to visit Newport Minster to discover how restoration work is going and then he will stop at Isle of Wight Radio.

There will also be visits to Quarr Abbey and Brading Roman Villa.

Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Maj Gen Martin White, said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming The Earl of Wessex back to the Isle of Wight.

“He has a busy day of engagements across the Island, finding out more about the wonderful work which is being undertaken on our Island.”

Field of Remembrance Service 2016

A special ‘field of remembrance’ will once again be opened to the public at Carisbrooke Castle to commemorate those in the uniformed services who lost their lives in service of their country.

The field was introduced in the Princess Beatrice Garden at Carisbrooke Castle in 2010.

It was established by the Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Major General Martin White, as a place where residents could pay their respects around the time of Remembrance Sunday.

The castle will open its doors for people to visit the field between 10am and 1pm on Thursday, November 10, as well as on Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13 between 10am and 4pm. It will not be open on Friday, November 11.

Crosses can be purchased at the castle, with proceeds going to the Royal British Legion.

A formal service of remembrance, which members of the public are welcome to attend, will take place at the castle on Thursday, November 10 at 10.45am.

Following the service, refreshments will be provided by the Isle of Wight Federation of Women’s Institutes.

Remembrance Sunday: The Isle of Wight remembers

THE Isle of Wight fell silent as the dead of both world wars and conflicts across the world since were honoured yesterday (Sunday).
With excellent autumnal weather, attendances at services in the Island’s towns and villages were good as thousands of residents paid their respects to the fallen.

Hundreds honoured those who made the ultimate sacrifice at the cenotaph in St Thomas’s Square, Newport, before a service was held in Newport Minster

There were also large gatherings in Sandown, Shanklin, Ryde, Cowes and Ventnor. Wreaths and poppy crosses were laid at memorials across the Island by families and organisations, which included the Isle of Wight Council, town and parish councils, the Royal British Legion, ex-services groups, emergency services and cadets.

Article by Isle of Wight County Press 14th November 2016

New Year’s Honours List 2017

THE QUEEN has recognised five people on the Isle of Wight for their hard work and dedication to a range of charities and organisations.

Mrs Gillian Frances BURNETT – receives a BEM for Services to the Community.

Mrs Victoria DUNFORD – receives a BEM for Services to Children with Special Needs in Moldova

Mr Ian David WARD – receives a BEM for Services to Community Transport.

Mr Glyn ELLIS – receives an MBE for Services to Maritime Safety and the Community.

Mrs Alison Linda BEANE – receives an OBE for Services to Education.

The full list of honours for 2017 can be found here.

Légion d’Honneur Medal Presentation

On Sunday 12th March 2017, Isle of Wight’s Lord-Lieutenant presented the Légion d’Honneur medal to Mr John Higgins at the Blackwater Mill Residential Home in Newport. Mr Higgins received the medal in recognition for the part he played in the D day landings.

The Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2017

Spinlock presented with The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation

Spinlock, designers and manufacturers of rope holding equipment and personal safety products for leisure and commercial water users, are delighted to announce they are winners of the 2017 Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation.
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s most prestigious business awards that celebrate and encourage business excellence. Winners must have demonstrated outstanding results in their respective fields of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity. Spinlock have been selected as winners for their Deckvest lifejacket, a revolutionary product that has changed the landscape of the market for personal safety products used by those on the water.Spinlock’s James Hall comments: “With no significant technical or aesthetic change in lifejackets for over thirty years, we decided to develop the Deckvest – a completely new personal lifejacket that is attractive and comfortable to wear; a revolutionary move and step-change in lifejacket design.”The development of the Deckvest and continuing year-on-year increase in demand for the product has had a very positive effect on the business, as CEO Chris Hill explains: “Due to the success and popularity of the Deckvest, Spinlock has been able to grow exports to 25 countries across the globe, add new market sectors and has seen a 20% increase in employment at our two sites in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.”

This is the second Queen’s Award Spinlock have won, having been presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade in 2016 by the Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness enjoyed a guided tour of Spinlock’s production facility and met with staff during his visit.

Chris Hill adds: “The continued success of Spinlock reflects a truly dedicated and talented team. They are a passionate group of individuals who really understand the market; many of them are keen sailors and this unique insight helps them develop and design products that are truly innovative.”

Spinlock will be presented with the award by Major General Martin White CB CBE JP, Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, at a ceremony (date to be confirmed).

Representatives from Spinlock will also attend a prestigious award winners’ reception at Buckingham Palace, hosted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, later in the year.

Article from www.spinlock.co.uk

Remembering the ORP Blyskawica

The commemoration of the defence of Cowes and East Cowes by the Cowes built Polish Destroyer ORP Blyskawica

On Sunday 7th May 2017, the Polish marine band followed by Cowes RBL band marched from Northwood Park to Cowes Parade where the salute was taken by the Lord-Lieutenant and accompanying dignitaries. A short address was given by representatives of the ORP Blyskawica Society and Polish dignitaries. This was followed by a dedication and unveiling of a commemoration plaque.

For further information on the ORP Blyskawica, please click here.

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Lord-Lieutenants Association

On Tuesday 23rd May 2017, Major General Martin White and Mrs White attended the annual Lord-Lieutenants Association’s AGM. This was followed by a reception in the garden of Clarence House.

BEM Medal Presententation

On Wednesday 24th May 2017, the Isle of Wight’s Lord-Lieutenant presented the British Empire Medal (BEM) to Gillian Burnett. Friends and members of the Isle of Wight Historical Association gathered in the museum at Brading Roman Villa to watch the presentation.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2017

Three organisations on the Isle of Wight have been awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service:

Aspire Ryde – Developed a much needed community facility for locals following their successful quest to save redundant church building. For further information, click here.

Storeroom2010 – Furniture re-use charity that provides free/low cost training to unemployed locals. For further information, click here.

The Volunteers of Carisbrooke Castle Museum – Engaging the public at the Museum itself and with the Outreach programmes to schools and care homes. For further information, click here.

Birthday Honours list 2017

The Queen’s Birthday Honours list, recognises people for their contribution to education, children’s services and equality.

From the Isle of Wight, Mrs Gabrielle Anne Lynam EDWARDS has been awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the community in the Isle of Wight.

Armed Forces Day

The Isle of Wight’s Lord-Lieutenant took the salute at a number of events on the Island to celebrate Armed Forces Day.

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Friends of Quarr Abbey

On Saturday 8th July 2017, the Lord-Lieutenant attended the completion ceremony of the Walled Garden Project.

The Earl of Wessex visited the Abbey in October 2016 during the rebuilding of the wall.

Royal Victoria Yacht Club, Open Day

The Lord-Lieutenant attended the Royal Victoria Yacht Club’s Open Day for Disabilities.

Over 140 guests ranging in age from four to 90 enjoyed the day and managed over 60 trips out on The Solent . Over 11 boats were used – for the thrill seekers on fast RIBs that went to Osborne Bay, to a Drascombe gig pottering up and down Wootton Creek.

IW Pride Day

Deputy Lieutenant, Mrs Anne Longford DL joined in the celebrations in Ryde on Saturday 15th July 2017 for the inaugural IW Pride Day.

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Passchendaele 2017

On Saturday 15th July 2017, Deputy Lieutenant, Colonel Langford DL led a service at Newport Minster to commemorate 100 years since the Battle of Passchendaele, officially known as the Third Battle of Ypres.

Lord-Lieutenant Launches New Website

The Isle of Wight’s Lord-Lieutenant, Major General Martin White CB CBE JP has today launched the website of the Isle of Wight Lieutenancy.

Deputy Lieutenant, Mr Adrian Medley DL, who founded Cemoc Ltd, along with Director, Mr Dick Doran and Programmer, Mr Peter Westmore , have worked together with the Lieutenancy to create the website.

Lieutenancy Assistant, Mrs Andrea Sheridan is the webmaster and Mr Michael Dunkason, photographer.

Abbeyfield House Celebrations

Mr Adrian Medley DL and his wife Ann, visited Abbeyfield House on Saturday 22 July 2017 for its 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Unfortunately the inclement weather meant the celebrations were held next door at All Saints Church, thanks to the generosity of Canon Graham Morris.

Lord-Lieutenants Conference

The Lord-Lieutenant met with his Deputy Lieutenants today,
Monday 24 July 2017 for their six monthly meeting, to update each other on the work they have been doing since January.

The Lord-Lieutenant also welcomed his recently appointed Deputy Lieutenants to the meeting and to the Isle of Wight Lieutenancy.

(Pictured left to right)
Col (Retired) Carron Snagge OBE DL
Mrs Kate Collins DL
Mr James Attrill DL

HRH The Princess Royal visits the Island

HRH The Princess Royal, visited the Isle of Wight on Monday 31st July and Tuesday 1st August.

Click here to see photos from her visit

Storeroom2010

HM Lord-Lieutenant, Major General Martin White presented Storeroom2010 with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service on Thursday 24th August 2017. Storeroom2010, a furniture re-use project, provides free/low cost training to unemployed locals and is one of three charities on the Island to be awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year.

To read further information on Storeroom2010, you can go to their website by clicking here.

Spinlock

On Tuesday 12th September 2017, HM Lord-Lieutenant, Major General Martin White presented Spinlock with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation.

Spinlock achieved this award by demonstrating that their business has substantially improved in areas of performance and commercial success by either outstanding innovation, continued over at least 2 years, or continuous innovation and development over at least 5 years.

HRH The Countess of Wessex visits the Island

HRH The Countess of Wessex, visited the Isle of Wight on Wednesday 13th September 2017.

Click here for more details of her visit.

Aspire Ryde

HM Lord-Lieutenant, Major General Martin White presented Aspire Ryde with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service on Saturday 16th September 2017. Aspire Ryde is a community hub located in what was once a disused Grade II listed Church and is one of three charities on the Island to be awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year.

To read further information on Aspire Ryde, you can go to their website by clicking here.

Isle of Wight Day

Saturday 23rd September saw the Isle of Wight community come together to celebrate Isle of Wight Day.

On Sunday 24th September, HM Lord-Lieutenant attended the Songs of Praise at Cowes Enterprise College.

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HRH The Earl of Wessex visits the Island

HRH The Earl of Wessex, visited the Isle of Wight on Thursday 28th September 2017.

Click here for more details of his visit.

Carisbrooke Castle Museum

The third Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service of 2017, was presented to the volunteers of Carisbrooke Castle Museum by HM Lord-Lieutenant, on Friday 29th September 2017.

Carisbrooke Castle Museum volunteers were recognised for “welcoming visitors and engaging the local community with outreach programmes to schools and care homes”.

Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards Ceremony

The annual Lord-Lieutenant’s Award ceremony took place on Wednesday 4th October 2017 at the Royal Yacht Squadron.

HM Lord-Lieutenant presented awards to Island residents, in recognition of their services in the community.

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Commemoration of the Battle of Passchendaele

A service to commemorate the Battle of Passchendaele was held at the Church of St Nicholas in Castro, Carisbrooke Castle – “The Island’s First World War Memorial” – on Thursday 12th October 2017.

The Battle of Passchendaele, otherwise known as the Third Battle of Ypres took place on the Western Front from July to November 2017. The battle lasted 105 days and around a third of a million British and Allied soldiers were killed or wounded in some of the most horrific trench warfare.

Legal Service Procession 2017

On Monday 16th October 2017, the annual Legal Service was held at the Minster Church.

This traditional Service is held on the Isle of Wight each year and provides an opportunity to give thanks for the Queen’s Peace and our Heritage, in the presence of Her Majesty’s Judiciary.

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RBL Isle of Wight County Poppy Launch Appeal 2017

On Saturday 28th October 2017 a parade and drumhead service took place in Ryde to mark the start of the poppy appeal on the Isle of Wight. The salute was taken by HM Lord-Lieutenant Major General Martin White and former members of the Women’s Royal Navy Service were guests of honour.

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Field of Remembrance 2017

A formal service of remembrance took place at Carisbrooke Castle on Thursday 9 November 2017, to commemorate those in the uniformed services who lost their lives in service of their country.

The field was first introduced in the Princess Beatrice Garden at Carisbrooke Castle in 2010. It was established by the Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Major General Martin White, as a place where residents can pay their respects around the time of Remembrance Sunday.

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Remembrance Sunday 2017

A service of remembrance was held at Newport Minster on Sunday 12th November 2017.
This was preceded by a parade through Newport followed by a two minute silence and wreath laying ceremony in St Thomas’ Square.

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New Year’s Honours List 2018

HM The Queen has recognised people on the Isle of Wight for their hard work and dedication to a range of charities and organisations.

Mr John Bernard Roger MATTHEWS receives an MBE for services to Dentistry.

Angela TATE receives an MBE for Probationers and voluntary work to the community in the Isle of Wight.

Ms Elizabeth TAPPENDEN receives an MBE for services to Small Business Start-ups and Women in Business on the Isle of Wight.

Mr Reginald Robert BARRY – receives a BEM for services to the Community.

Mrs Ann Marjorie Francescia PEMBROKE – receives a BEM For services to the Cultural History of the City of London.

Mr Scott John WATKIN – receives a BEM for services to people with Learning Disabilities.

Holocaust Memorial Day

On Saturday 27th January 2018, HM Lord-Lieutenant attended the Holocaust Memorial Day which was organised by the Isle of Wight Jewish Society and held at the Isle of Wight Free School. Also in attendance were Isle of Wight MP, Mr Bob Seeley; Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, Mrs Lora Peacey-Wilcox and Provincial Grand Master of the Hants & Iow Freemasons, Mr Michael Wilks.

Pupils gave addresses between each of the 6 key speakers, finishing with each pupil lighting a single candle to represent the 6 million lives lost in the Holocaust.

Lord-Lieutenant awarded The Presidents Cup

The Presidents Cup was awarded to the Lord-Lieutenant at the Chamber’s Business Awards For Excellence held in December. This was presented at the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday 31 January 2018.

Commemoration of the Sacrifice of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade

On Friday 30th March 2018, a wreath was laid in commemoration of the sacrifice of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade.

General Jack Seely and Warrior, his charger, led 1000 horses of the Canadian Calvary Brigade, forcing the withdrawal of the 23^rd German Division from Moreuil Wood. The Battle of Moreuil Wood is considered to have been a key event of the First World War which occurred on March 30, 1918 on the banks of the Arve River in France.

The wreath was laid beside the statue of the warhorse, Warrior, in the Princess Beatrice Garden at Carisbrooke Castle by General Seely’s granddaughter, Mrs Didi Nicholson.
David Langford DL attended on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant.

New High Sheriff for the Isle of Wight

On Monday 9th April 2018, Gioia Minghella-Giddens was sworn in as the Island’s new High Sheriff. The ceremony at Northwood House, Cowes was presided over by HH Judge Ralls QC, in the presence of the Lord-Lieutenant and over 150 guests.
Retiring deputy lieutenant, Mr John Matthews DL was sworn in as Under High Sheriff.

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Lord-Lieutenant announced as Mountbatten’s new Patron

Mountbatten is very delighted to announce that Major General Martin White CB CBE JP, Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, is to become their Patron.

The appointment recognises his growing support of Mountbatten’s work, which on any one day includes the 24/7 care of over 650 Islanders facing death and bereavement in the places that they live across the Island. This is in addition to Mountbatten’s hospice building in Newport, which houses 16 inpatient beds and a range of day services. The charity provides free bereavement support to people of any age, including children and families, regardless of whether the person was being cared for by Mountbatten at the time of their death. Expert teaching to other health and social care organisations forms an important part of Mountbatten’s commitment to improving end of life care for everyone across the Island. Central to Mountbatten is our commitment to developing a society which is much more comfortable and open with death, dying and bereavement.

Major General Martin White, said: “I am delighted to become Patron of Mountbatten and to join a team which is recognised as being outstanding in what they do.

“We are so fortunate to have Mountbatten on the Isle of Wight, the only end of life care charity on the Island which provides free 24-hour care and support to patients and their families. Many people still don’t realise the breadth of what Mountbatten does, or what its supporters’ hard-earned fundraising supports them to achieve. As Patron, I hope to be able to tell that story to as many people as possible, so that we can ensure continued and growing support for this very special organisation that touches the lives of so many people on the Isle of Wight.”

Sara Weech, Chair of Mountbatten Board of Trustees, said: “This is such a wonderful appointment and I am delighted that Martin has agreed to extend his existing support to us in this way. Having someone who is so passionate about our Island community, and who is so interested in how we will continue to provide the highest quality of end of life care to our residents, is so important. Martin is highly qualified in so many ways to support our cause and I am sure he will help us continue to make a difference to Islanders facing death and bereavement when they need us most.”

Nigel Hartley, Mountbatten’s Chief Executive, said: “We are incredibly fortunate that Major General Martin White has agreed to support us, and to help explain how our work impacts the lives of Islanders. It is vital that the Island knows what their generous and tireless fundraising supports.

“This year and every year, we must raise over £7 million to ensure free end of life care is available to whoever needs it, wherever they need it. We receive a small amount of financial support from the NHS, but that is not guaranteed. As an independent Isle of Wight charity, neither are we currently supported financially by other national charities including Macmillan or Marie Curie. Our Mountbatten nurses are paid for through the generous donations and fundraising of our Island community.

“With Martin’s support, I am sure many more people will start to realise how vital their fundraising is to how we can care for people facing death, dying and bereavement in the future,” he added.

The role of Patron is voluntary and extends for a period of five years.

100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Royal Air Force

On Sunday 27th May 2018, the Lord-Lieutenant joined local dignitaries, veterans and cadets, at a Service held at St Mary’s Church in Cowes, to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Royal Air Force. Rev Andrew Poppe Sqn Ldr RAF (Retd) led the Service.

During the Service, long-standing awards were presented by the Lord-Lieutenant to Officers and Cadets from the Air Training Corps 1024 Squadron and Cowes CCF.

The Lord-Lieutenant then presented 100 year old Mr Harry Flack, who was a member of the RAF, with the Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur medal, in recognition for the part he played in the D-Day landings.

The celebrations concluded with a March Past and Salute on Cowes Parade and a fly past by a vintage Tiger Moth owned by member of the Royal Yacht Squadron.

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Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2018

Four voluntary groups on the Island who work in the community to have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for voluntary groups in the UK.

The 4 groups that were successful this year are, Northwood House Charitable Trust, Isle of Wight Foodbank, Needles National Coastwatch and Ability Dogs for Young People IW.

The recipients are four of 250 volunteer-led groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of awarded groups have increased again, demonstrating the continuous expansion and value of the voluntary sector in today’s society.

This is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK to recognise exceptional service within their communities. The recipients of the award are announced each year on 2 June – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

This year’s awardees are incredibly diverse, innovative and impactful, ranging from FISH Neighbourhood Care, an organisation committed to combating loneliness and social isolation in older and vulnerable people living in Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen in Greater London to The Monday Night Club, providing social opportunities and sporting activities for adults with learning disabilities and autism in Worcestershire.

The Groups will receive their awards from HM Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight later this year, who has said that this once again demonstrates the outstanding quality of our voluntary groups on the Island.

Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport and Civil Society, said:

“Everyone who has received this award should be incredibly proud. Their service, commitment and care has a profoundly positive impact on communities throughout the country and I am delighted they have been recognised with this prestigious award.

“The record number of recipients this year is testament to the strength of the voluntary sector and I am sure this trend will continue into the future. If you know any organisations that deserve to be recognised, make your voice heard and nominate them for next year.”

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Independent Committee Chair, former broadcast journalist Sir Martyn Lewis said:

“This year’s record number of Queen’s Award awardees are a powerful testimony to the remarkable achievements and innovative ideas which characterise volunteering in the UK. They prove that, more than ever, volunteers beavering away at grassroots level are the active lifeblood of our communities, identifying all kinds of problems and issues and tackling them with enthusiasm, talent and a high degree of success.

“The recipients of the Queen’s Award are at the very top of a formidable volunteering movement in the UK involving millions of our citizens, and going from strength to strength.”

Battlefields to Butterflies

On Tuesday 12 June 2018, Mrs Kate Collins DL represented the Lord-Lieutenant when she attended the Battlefields to Butterflies service at Osborne House.

The Osborne project is part of a nationwide commemorative programme initiated by the Royal Parks Guild. Organiser Mike Fitt OBE, chairman of the Guild, is the former Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Parks for The Royal Parks and lives in Ryde. The plot, based in the walled garden, is in memory of Britain’s parks, gardens and grounds staff who died in the First World War.

Children from Community Kids after school club at The Bay CE Primary School worked on the battlefield landscaping ranging from weeding, digging bomb craters, finding and positioning dead trees and planting out poppies, cornflowers and other native plants that changed the landscape of the Battlefields of the 1st World War into Butterfly fields within one year.

Armed Forces Day 2018

On Saturday 16th June 2018, the Isle of Wight’s Lord-Lieutenant and Lady White took the salute at the march-past of service personnel, veterans, standard bearers and cadets in celebration of Armed Forces Day

Members of the public showed their patriotic support for service personnel past and present, throughout the country.

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Flag Raising Ceremony, 2018

On Monday 18th June 2018, Col Carron Snagge OBE DL, represented the Lord-Lieutenant at the Flag Raising Ceremony at St Thomas’s Square, Newport. Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Sir Guy Acland Bt, LVO, DL and Dr Charles Mobbs DL also attended from the Isle of Wight Lieutenancy.

The Armed Forces Day flag was raised in front of local dignitaries, representatives of the armed forces, veterans and members of the public by cadets from the Military Preparation College. The flag raising ceremony is part of the Fly the Flag campaign, which enables communities to show their support for their military community, both serving and retired.

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Légion d’Honneur Medal Presentation

Two Legion d’Honneur medals were presented by the Lord-Lieutenant on Wednesday 20th June 2018 at the Quay Arts Centre, Newport.

Bill Shepherd – joined the services in 1941 at the age of 19 and received the medal for his services during the Normandy Landings during World War II.

Kenneth George Morrison (deceased) – The medal was received by Ken’s sister Joyce, as Ken sadly passed away nine months ago. Ken was the youngest of four boys who all went on to serve for over 22 years in the Army. The Legion d’Honnuer medal had been awarded to Ken for his services during the Normandy Landings during World War II.

Isle of Wight Foodbank

HM Lord-Lieutenant, Major General Sir Martin White presented Isle of Wight Foodbank with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service on Wednesday 4th July 2018.

Isle of Wight Foodbank is one of four charities on the Island to be awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year.

More information on the charity can be found here.