Category: News

On Wednesday 1st May 2024, HRH Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh visited the Island.   He was received by Mrs Susie Sheldon, HM Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight.

His first visit was to  OSEL Enterprises, Wight Crystal and the Way Forward Project in Newport, where he was given a tour of the bottling plant and met staff and clients of the Project.

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He then went to the Royal Yacht Squadron and met representatives from the Royal Yacht Squadron Foundation, followed by a visit to Clare Lallows Boat Builders to meet apprentices who had benefited from the RYS Foundation.

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From there His Royal Highness was taken to Spinlock Production Facility in Cowes, to meet staff and see the production of life jackets.  The Duke of Edinburgh then presented Spinlock with the King’s Award for Innovation for the design of the ALTO, a waist-worn lifesaving device, primarily targeted at those in the fishing and water sports sectors.

And finally His Royal Highness visited the Minster Church in Newport and attended a church service to officially open the church.  The church had undergone a £2.6m project to complete the renewal of the building’s exterior and to refurbish its interior has been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England, the National Churches Trust, the Benefact Trust, other grant-giving bodies, private individuals and local fundraising.

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On Tuesday 30th April, HM Lord-Lieutenant, along with the High Sheriff,  Mr Graham Biss BEM DL and Councillor Ian Dore, Armed Forces Champion (IW Council) visited 4 Troop (RLC) Freshwater, Gallipoli Company for their open evening.

The cadets took great pleasure  showing them a range of the equipment and activities they undertake.

On Monday 8th April, The Lord-Lieutenant and Mr Sheldon attended the  High Sheriff’s Declaration at the Island Riding Centre, along with the Vice Lord-Lieutenant and many of her Deputy Lieutenants.

The new High Sheriff, Mr Graham Biss BEM DL read his Declaration of Office and April Newton was sworn in as the Under Sheriff.

Mr Biss aims to support and promote the Island’s voluntary sector and in particular the groups who support our young people.

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On Monday 4th March 2024, Mrs Sheldon met with Mr Darren Cool Chief Operating Officer of Northwood House Charitable Trust, Trustees and Mr Graham Biss DL.

Mrs Sheldon planted a tree in the grounds of Northwood House, funded from a national tree planting fund, to celebrate His Majesty’s passion for the environment and as a reminder of the Coronation.  An Island wide survey had asked for suggestions where the tree should be planted resulting in Northwood House being the favourite.

You can find more information on the tree planting fund by clicking here.

On Sunday 3rd March 2024, HM Lord-Lieutenant, along with other dignitaries attended a Service at St Mary the Virgin, Brook to commemorate 200 years of the RNLI.  The Isle of Wight’s first RNLI lifeboat was based in Brook in 1860.

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HM The King has recognised people on the Isle of Wight for their hard work and dedication.

Diana Violet O’GRADY
– receives a BEM for services to the community in Arreton.  She has been awarded a BEM for her work with the Pony Club and the Isle of Wight Music, Dance and Drama Festival, Arreton Church, Arreton Village School, Prison Visitor, Scouts, Lunch clubs for the elderly; to name but a few.

Dean Mark TERRETT
– receives a BEM for services to Search and Rescue on the Isle of Wight.  He has been awarded a BEM for establishing SAR on the Isle of Wight and built up trust with the police, coastguard and other government agencies while giving volunteers the support and inspiration needed in what can sometimes be very harrowing circumstances.

This year two groups of Island volunteers have been honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS); this is the highest award that a voluntary group can receive in the UK and is the equivalent of an individual being awarded an MBE.

The Isle of Wight Literary Festival has been recognised for its contribution to the education, cultural life and wellbeing of the community. Organised and stewarded entirely by volunteers, over 2000 visitors attend 50 lectures over a four-day period each autumn. Those attending are given a great opportunity to study new areas of learning and to broaden their
reading. The festival also supports a Schools’ Programme, which takes authors, illustrators, poets, and story tellers into schools to educate, entertain and inspire pupils. This year over 3000 pupils benefitted from the programme. Maggie Ankers, chair of trustees said: ‘It is an honour to receive this prestigious award, which recognises and celebrates the enormous amount of work done by our volunteers to create this outstanding cultural event.’

Also recognised this year is the Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat (SSILB), which has existed in its current form for over thirty years, though the history of an independent lifeboat on the Island goes back to 1868, when Sunday School children raised £168 to buy our first boat. The lifeboat is called out some 40 times a year, thereby alleviating distress
and saving dozens of lives at sea. The SSILB also benefits the tourist economy by providing safe beaches for holiday visitors and supports the community by educating young people about safety at sea. This charity receives no central funding and is entirely responsible for raising its own funds. Mark Birch lifeboat coxswain said: ‘We are truly honoured to receive
this award; it means so much to us and recognises the hard work of the crew and fundraisers over the years. This is the best accolade we could have wished for.’