Isle of Wightcounty

Isle of Wight Council will end free parking for electric vehicle drivers in its car parks, bringing EV parking arrangements into line with those for all other vehicles. The council introduced the free parking concession in 2023 as a temporary measure to support EV uptake and charging infrastructure expansion. Michelle Love, the council's service director for highways and community protection, said the change reflects growing EV ownership and established charging infrastructure, and helps ensure parking arrangements are fair and financially sustainable.

Major refurbishment work is underway on the Hovertravel footbridge in Ryde, led by Island Roads in partnership with Isle of Wight Council. The project involves repainting the structure and replacing the wooden deck with composite boards, expected to be completed by early December. Foot passengers are being diverted via the Esplanade and Hovertravel car park during the closure.

The Isle of Wight Council has been criticised for 'secrecy and exclusion' over a new improvement board created to provide oversight and expert advice. Councillor Chris Jarman claimed board meetings are attended only by 'pre-selected' councillors, with no public vote on membership, and that elected representatives cannot attend meetings, view agendas or minutes, or submit questions. The council said the board was created voluntarily to review improvement plans and offer constructive challenge.

Cross-Solent operator Hovertravel will run with only one hovercraft from 9 November until spring 2027 while Solent Flyer undergoes extensive refurbishment. Island Flyer will solely maintain scheduled services between Ryde and Southsea. Hovertravel has adjusted its winter timetable accordingly and says contingency arrangements will provide alternative transport if services are disrupted.

The Isle of Wight Federation of WIs has provided refreshments at monthly British citizenship ceremonies over recent years. At the most recent ceremony, 20 individuals gained citizenship and swore or affirmed an Oath of Allegiance to the King. Cowes WI held a fashion show at Cowes Football Club that raised £1,100 for Sight for Wight.

The last SPAR on the Isle of Wight, on Somerset Road in Ryde, is being transferred to new ownership and will become a Loop Convenience store. The shop has been bought by VST stores group, which recently agreed a five-year deal with Co-op Wholesale to convert 35 stores to the Loop brand and stock Co-op's own products. The shop will close briefly from 10 November for the changeover, with the Post Office remaining at the premises and existing staff unaffected.

Zoë Barr, an Isle of Wight mother who has experienced five pregnancy losses, is organising a 5km Starlight Walk in Shanklin on 28 November to raise money for Sands. The event at Small Hope Beach aims to bring together families and individuals affected by pregnancy and baby loss, offering an opportunity to remember loved ones. Participants are encouraged to bring lights or lanterns to create a moving tribute.

The Isle of Wight County Press publishes on Friday 6 November with local news, court reports and community coverage from across the island. The edition includes a Halloween picture spread, photographs from the opening of a new play park in Brighstone and coverage of a Carisbrooke High School reunion, alongside eight pages of puzzles and three pages of letters and opinion.

Merrill Brown, 78, of Freshwater on the Isle of Wight, admitted inflicting actual bodily harm with intent after launching what a prosecutor described as a 'prolonged and persistent' attack on her 26-year-old granddaughter. The assault occurred in a car at a garage forecourt in Northwood on 8 June. Brown was spared a custodial sentence at Isle of Wight Crown Court on 4 November.

Matthias Hooper, 42, of Newport on the Isle of Wight, was charged with one count of rape and five counts of sexual assault following an incident on 14 August 2024. He did not attend his first hearing at Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 3 November. The bench issued a no-bail warrant for his arrest.

Planning permission for four semi-detached chalet bungalows on land behind Old Road in East Cowes has been withdrawn. The applicant, Penny Downer, had not secured permission from Saraward, which owns part of the proposed development site. The proposal faced opposition from local groups over concerns about overdevelopment, design quality and character.

Rachael Randall, CEO of HTP Apprenticeship College, has been confirmed as permanent chair of Ryde Neighbourhood Board. She replaces Steven Holbrook, who resigned earlier this year, and has served as interim chair since June. The board is managing a £19.5 million Pride in Place initiative over ten years to drive improvements in Ryde.

Cornelia Manor, an Isle of Wight care home run by Hillview Care, has been downgraded from 'good' to 'requires improvement' by the Care Quality Commission following an inspection. The watchdog found regulation breaches relating to safe care and treatment, premises and equipment, staffing, and governance.

A revamped play park in the Isle of Wight village of Brighstone has been officially opened following a major overhaul. The Island's High Sheriff, Nigel Hartley, cut the ribbon at a ceremony attended by Brighstone Primary School pupils, parents, teachers and parish councillors. The new facility features junior gym equipment, interactive play panels, climbing towers, tunnels and a basket swing.

A garage was destroyed following an overnight blaze in Arreton on the Isle of Wight. Fire crews from five stations arrived shortly after 2am and found the garage well alight with fire spreading to neighbouring properties. Residents were advised to keep doors and windows closed due to smoke. Firefighters removed gas cylinders from the partially collapsed garage and extinguished the fire before 4.30am. No one was injured, though a nearby vehicle suffered heat damage.

Sarah Luton, a PhD researcher in Garden History at the University of Buckingham, is appealing to Isle of Wight residents for stories about people who worked at or were treated in the Island's First World War hospitals between 1914 and 1930. She is seeking information about doctors, nurses, volunteers, domestic staff and patients connected to establishments including Osborne House, Ryde Castle and Northwood House. Families are invited to share photographs, letters, diaries and personal recollections via email.

Isle of Wight County Press reports that a group of walkers aged 65 to 95 raised £375 in a sponsored walk called Plod the Prom on Shanklin Esplanade. The event, organised by personal trainer Ellen Robinson, saw participants complete as much of the Sandown Revetment and Shanklin Esplanade as they could in one hour, with some using walking frames or sticks. The funds support the Age Concern Centre in Shanklin, which provides social activities, hot meals and shopping trips for older people.

Mia O'Dell, 31, of Ryde, admitted eight counts of assault by beating, two counts of using threatening words or behaviour, one count of criminal damage and one count of assaulting a police officer following incidents between July and August. She struck a heavily pregnant woman in the stomach multiple times, along with assaulting neighbours who had helped her with her children and other members of the public. Magistrates handed her a community order, ordered compensation of £100, and made her subject to an alcohol treatment requirement and a probation requirement.

Kathleen Hornsby, 60, of Ryde on the Isle of Wight, has admitted seriously injuring a dog walker after reversing her Seat Ateca into him at a junction on West Street on 12 September 2025. The pedestrian's leg was run over, leaving him with a broken hip requiring surgery. Hornsby will be sentenced on 16 December.

An online auction by the Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust has raised more than £4,000 in its first four days, putting it well on the way towards a £10,000 target. The Return of the Reds charity auction attracted £2,250 on its opening day alone and features hundreds of lots donated by Island businesses and supporters, with starting bids from just £4. Money raised will support the trust's conservation work at Howes Wood and educational projects, with bidding closing at 8pm on Sunday, 8 November.

A popular woodland route for dog walkers at Holme Copse, Shanklin, on the Isle of Wight has been closed by the landowner, Anne Springman, a former high sheriff. The permissive paths were provided under a Forestry Commission woodland grant scheme that required ten years of public access; this commitment has now expired. The Isle of Wight Council confirmed the closure but noted that actual public rights of way crossing the area remain unaffected.

Police are appealing for information to locate Michael Gower-Crane, 26, who is wanted in connection with a rape investigation on the Isle of Wight. Officers have carried out several enquiries and are now asking the public for help finding him. Anyone with information can contact Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.

Canon David Low, who died on 19 August aged 86, was a parish priest who served in the diocese of Portsmouth, mainly on the Isle of Wight. He is remembered for his warmth, pastoral abilities and mentorship. Low also worked as an ornithologist and was a trustee of Brading Roman Villa.

Timothy Layfield, 57, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm after attacking his wife at their Wootton home on 12 June. Although the couple have since reconciled, a judge refused to lift the bail condition banning him from returning there. Layfield's defence said he had attended alcohol misuse meetings for three months, but Judge William Ashworth was not convinced. He is due for sentencing on 18 December.

A scheme to repair 'deteriorated' roads around the Isle of Wight's three prison sites is finally beginning, five years after the council received £6.3 million from the Ministry of Justice to take control of the estates. Work will address long-standing safety concerns raised by residents. Councillor Andrew Garratt said residents would 'finally get better roads and pavements' after 'decades of deterioration'.

Environmental health officers from the Isle of Wight have released the latest batch of food hygiene ratings for local restaurants, cafes and takeaways. Inspectors assess how clean facilities are, what food safety procedures are in place and how hygienic food handling is, then award ratings from five to zero. Island Crafts And Gifts in Shanklin, Pizza Hut in Newport and Comicoffee in Cowes each achieved the highest rating of 5, whilst Stotesburys Fish & Chips in Newport received a 3 and Manny's Baguettes in Cowes was rated 1.

Alan Kaye, former chief executive of the Isle of Wight Council, has died. He served as the council's director of education from 1995 before becoming chief executive in 2000, a role he held until his retirement in 2002. He was widely respected for his commitment to improving opportunities for young people.

Zacharie Armiger, 29, of Bembridge on the Isle of Wight, escaped jail after admitting ten shoplifting offences, three public order offences, common assault and criminal damage at Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court. His offences included stealing from multiple shops, assaulting and verbally abusing staff, and kicking a McDonald's glass door in Newport, which cost £1,044 to replace. His defence lawyer said he had apologised and was caught in a cycle of offending.

Firefighters tackled a chimney fire at a property on Ventnor High Street on the Isle of Wight on Wednesday afternoon. Using chimney rods, crews extinguished the flames and carried out safety checks, leaving the scene shortly after 2.30pm. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service urged people to maintain chimneys regularly, advising professional sweeping at least once a year and avoiding burning wet or treated wood.

A plan to install a reclaimed shipping container next to The Bath House Isle of Wight sushi cafe in Cowes has won public support. Planners received 18 representations in favour during a consultation compared to four against. The container would provide extra space for the hospitality business to operate sustainably, according to Leah Mew Architecture, which submitted the application on behalf of Amick Productions. Supporters argue it represents vital investment for the seaside town.

Anne Springman MBE, 95, has been named a Heritage Hero in recognition of her 60-year dedication to preserving Shanklin Chine on the Isle of Wight. Building the Bay, the place plan steering group, bestowed the honour on the heritage champion, who was born in Shanklin and has served as owner, manager and trustee of the 200-year-old tourist attraction. Ms Springman said the Chine, which opened to the public in 1817 and is now a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, is 'a magical place'.

George Madgwick, a Reform UK councillor representing Hampshire and Portsmouth, has been charged with 35 offences including 12 counts of rape. Reform UK has suspended his membership and employment. Madgwick said he is innocent and will continue as an independent on the councils until cleared.

Age UK Isle of Wight is calling on knitters and crocheters to help create 20,000 miniature hats for the 2027 Innocent Big Knit campaign. The charity aims to raise £6,000 to fund services for older people on the island. Hats will be placed on Innocent smoothie bottles in early 2028, with the charity having already collected over 2,000 hats two weeks into the campaign.

Hannah Davies and Mark Wilde, from Sandown, deny stealing items from a five-bedroom rented property in October 2024. Ms Davies pleaded not guilty to two counts of theft from a dwelling and Mr Wilde to one count. The couple claim the items they took—including chairs, pictures, a sofa bed and a mirror—belonged to them.

Ryan Bridgeman, 32, of Lake on the Isle of Wight, has been given a 14-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months after refusing to provide a breath sample when stopped by police in the Ystrad Mynach area of South Wales on 22 May. He has also been disqualified from driving for 30 months and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, plus pay £450 in court costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

The Telegraph has named two pubs in Ventnor among Britain's best for 2026. The Bonchurch Inn, converted from stables in 1904 and run by the Besozzi family since the 1980s, was praised for its cask ale and Italian food. The Volunteer, on Victoria Street, was recognised for its traditional character, wooden Union Jack and military memorabilia, with no television or fruit machines.

WightFibre, an Isle of Wight broadband provider, has reached 30,000 customers and achieved more than 40 per cent penetration in its coverage area. The company currently covers 91 per cent of the Island, serving 75,000 premises, and aims to reach 95 per cent coverage by March 2028. Its Gigabit Island project, backed by over £110 million in investment, has transformed digital infrastructure on the Isle of Wight.