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  • Culture
    Culture
    The National Gallery’s Head of Exhibitions, Alex Kavanagh, standing in front of Surprised! by Henri Rousseau at Newport Bus Station

    Isle of Wight singled out by National Gallery expert as life-size art trail arrives in Newport

    artist drawing on an ipad

    Tatty Devine founder makes case for Isle of Wight to become home to UK’s first arts basic income scheme

    charlie lovell-jones playing at iwso concert in May 2026

    Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra Review: Overture, Nocturne, Concerto, Symphony

    Sue Paraskeva's cream porcelain

    Isle of Wight Open Studios 2026: Spotlight on five artists across four venues – one week left

    Photo from three rivers music festival showing people sitting in front of stage

    Three Rivers Music Festival returns to Porchfield for May bank holiday weekend

  • What’s On
    What's On

    Below you’ll find the latest features highlighting the upcoming events here on the Isle of Wight.

    If you would like to promote an event to OnTheWight readers, find out more.

    Chris packham looking at a large projection of earth from space

    People’s Emergency Briefing film comes to Freshwater as part of Biosphere Festival

    Parents and children at Dinosaur Isle quiet hour

    Dinosaur Isle offers families a week of fossil walks and prehistoric talks this half term

    Vintage Tractors

    Vintage tractors and steam engines head to Goddards Brewery this bank holiday weekend

    Sue Paraskeva's cream porcelain

    Isle of Wight Open Studios 2026: Spotlight on five artists across four venues – one week left

    seagrass meadow

    Priory Bay seagrass drop-in session at Seaview Yacht Club this Saturday

  • Sustainability
    Sustainability

    If you want to find out more about sustainability and the issues that affect our environment, you’re in the right place.

    Whether it’s details of changes you can make at home, or at your business or work, we lay out the facts and let you share your opinion.

    Below are articles relating to sustainability and green issues on the Isle of Wight.

    new green electric bus

    Isle of Wight’s new electric bus fleet cuts emissions by 75 per cent

    Chris packham looking at a large projection of earth from space

    People’s Emergency Briefing film comes to Freshwater as part of Biosphere Festival

    Dr Luke Helmer talking with volunteers

    20,000 native oysters returned to the Solent in record-breaking restoration effort

  • Community
    Community
    lifeboat lotto balls

    Sign up for the Lifeboat Lotto for your chance to win up to £5,000

    Four cyclists taking part in the randonnee

    Cyclists urged to sign up for Isle of Wight brain tumour fundraising ride this summer

    People taking part in Walk the Wight

    Walk the Wight 2026 raises over £522,000 for Mountbatten Isle of Wight

    Organisers of the skate art auction

    Freshwater skatepark fundraiser passes £7,000 mark after skate deck art auction

    Ryde rescue crew in boat on water

    Sign up for the Lifeboat Lotto to support our local independent lifeboat – and win cash

  • News
    News
    1-125 Good Boy Vodka

    Good Boy Vodka wins Round the Island powerboat race in under 50 minutes

    Two Hovertravel craft at Ryde

    New hovercraft route linking Lee-on-Solent with the Isle of Wight begins trial this summer

    staff with cockroaches

    Cowes cleaner discovers box of Madagascan hissing cockroaches during town round

    The National Gallery’s Head of Exhibitions, Alex Kavanagh, standing in front of Surprised! by Henri Rousseau at Newport Bus Station

    Isle of Wight singled out by National Gallery expert as life-size art trail arrives in Newport

    new green electric bus

    Isle of Wight’s new electric bus fleet cuts emissions by 75 per cent

    osborne steps

    Osborne Steps repair works to begin next week with June reopening target

    ferret drinking water from a big bowl

    RSPCA warns pet owners to take care of animals during late May heatwave

    Chris packham looking at a large projection of earth from space

    People’s Emergency Briefing film comes to Freshwater as part of Biosphere Festival

    Man sat in dark room looking depressed sad

    CQC finds staffing shortages and safety concerns at Isle of Wight mental health crisis services

    Tom Fahey from The Terrace Wine and Rooms receiving the award

    The Terrace Rooms and Wine’s Tom Fahey named Wine Buyer of the Year

    artist drawing on an ipad

    Tatty Devine founder makes case for Isle of Wight to become home to UK’s first arts basic income scheme

    Parents and children at Dinosaur Isle quiet hour

    Dinosaur Isle offers families a week of fossil walks and prehistoric talks this half term

    Vintage Tractors

    Vintage tractors and steam engines head to Goddards Brewery this bank holiday weekend

    Computer keyboard with shift key replaced by the words 'planning'

    Flooding, wildlife and road pressure cited in objections to Newport homes plan

    Andrew Garratt standing by road works sign

    Cost of living and road works disruption top Isle of Wight Lib Dem agenda

    People with their hands in the air

    Isle of Wight Council to elect new leader at full council meeting next week

  • Travel
    Travel

    Our Travel section is the place to check for fast and accurate travel updates from all the ferry companies, bus, train and hovercraft operator.

    In this section, we’ll also let you know about road closures and diversions.

    Below are articles relating to Isle of Wight travel.

    Two Hovertravel craft at Ryde

    New hovercraft route linking Lee-on-Solent with the Isle of Wight begins trial this summer

    staff with cockroaches

    Cowes cleaner discovers box of Madagascan hissing cockroaches during town round

    new green electric bus

    Isle of Wight’s new electric bus fleet cuts emissions by 75 per cent

    Joe Robertson speaking in parliament

    Isle of Wight East MP raises £511 Solent ferry fare in Commons energy debate

    road closed sign laying flat on the road

    Daytime closure of road between Brading and Ryde this week

    Electric cars lined up in the car park

    Wight Community Energy brings Going Electric back to Newport for fifth year

    Class 444 Train Platform 18

    Faulty radio system causes widespread train disruption across southern England

    Red Jet coming into harbour at night

    Red Funnel launches late-night Red Jet charter service for Isle of Wight travellers

    Hale common road junction from google maps

    Pedestrian safety improvements planned for Hale Common

    road closed sign laying flat on the road

    Parish councillor reveals 37 road closures on single day as Isle of Wight frustration mounts

    ian dore by closed sign at firestone copse

    Independent review of highways PFI contract sought following Isle of Wight Council elections

    roadworks on fairlee road

    Councillor calls for full committee review of Isle of Wight roadworks disruption

    Lane closed on start of Fairlee Road

    Visit Isle of Wight CEO warns roadworks crisis is causing measurable damage to Island businesses

    Dementia UK cheque presentation

    Dementia UK leaders visit Isle of Wight as Hovertravel backs Admiral Nurse fundraising

    car loading on to the floating bridge on the first day of service

    Letter: ‘Temu’ Floating Bridge 6 wastes £1 million a year of your council money

    roadworks sign

    Councillor Price reassures residents over access during Fairlee Road roadworks

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  • 24, May 2026
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Mary Ellis, WWII Pilot

Mary Ellis had her first flying lesson in August 1938 and was later trained to fly fighters and bombers. She served as a First Officer in the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) during the Second World War.

Flying over 400 Spitfires and Seafires, Mary achieved an impressive record of aircraft flown and was also Commandant of Sandown Airport for twenty years from 1950.

In February 2017, Mary celebrated her 100th birthday by going for a ride in a Spitfire (and taking the controls).

January 2018, Mary was awarded the Freedom of the Isle of Wight.

Sadly Mary passed away on 24th July 2018. Below are some of the articles about her.

Mary Ellis in a spitfire - Cam-Ara
3, May 2022·1 min read

Mary Ellis featured on BBC R4 as new Royal Mail stamps celebrating the ‘Spitfire Women’ launched

The Isle of Wight's Spitfire heroine, Mary Ellis, was featured on BBC R4 today in advance of the release of four Royal Mail stamps celebrating the ‘Spitfire Women’
mary ellis
5, September 2018·1 min read

Mary Ellis to be honoured at Memorial Service with Spitfire flyby

She delivered over 1,000 aircraft on her own during WW2 to the RAF – including Spitfires and Wellington Bombers – equipped with only a compass, stopwatch and map to find the airfields. Later this month, the amazing Mary Ellis will be remembered at a Memorial Service with Spitfire Flyby.
Mary Ellis talking to Stan Baker by Graham Reading Photography
26, July 2018·1 min read

Who was Mary Ellis? WW2 Spitfire pilot (Video)

Mary Ellis, one of the last WWII 'Spitfire Girls', was a truly remarkable woman. Read about her considerable achievements.
mary ellis
26, July 2018·3 min read

Mary Ellis, WW2 Spitfire pilot, passes away aged 101 on the Isle of Wight

Thoughts go out to Mary's family and friends at this very sad time. She was an inspiration to many and her legacy will continue as her memory lives on.
Benedetta and Hurricane 2 - cropped
9, July 2018·1 min read

Time for Benedetta to be recognised as one of first women to get RAF Wings

Benedetta Willis of Bembridge was one of the first five ex-ATA women pilots who their full RAF Wings in the 1950s. A documentary is planned to highlight this fantastic achievement.
Wight Aviation Museum - Design Concept
6, March 2018·4 min read

‘The Beagle has landed’ at the Wight Aviation Museum

The Scottish Aviation Beagle Bulldog 120 G-CCOA has become the first exhibit at the new Wight Aviation Museum, opening this summer at Sandown Airport. Find out how to share your aviation memorabilia.
mary ellis in the council chamber
17, January 2018·2 min read

Mary Ellis, WWII Pilot, given Freedom of the Isle of Wight: Watch Video

The extraordinary former WWII pilot, Mary Ellis, has been granted to the Freedom of the Isle of Wight. The long campaign to honour her has paid off.
mary ellis
17, January 2018·2 min read

Council consider Freedom of the Wight for former WWII pilot Mary Ellis

In a remarkable - and very welcome - u-turn on what OnTheWight had been told by the Isle of Wight council's Head of Legal, members will tonight consider granting Mary Ellis with Freedom of the Isle of Wight.
mary ellis
22, November 2017·2 min read

Mary Ellis ‘Freedom of the Isle of Wight’ campaign looks like it’s winning!

It's fantastic to see that the OnTheWight campaign to award Wartime Spitfire pilot Mary Ellis the Freedom of the Isle of Wight looks like it is coming to fruition.
Mary Ellis and Alison Hill
26, September 2017·1 min read

Mary Ellis, Isle of Wight centenarian WWII pilot, receives more honours

The honours keep coming for Isle of Wight Centenarian, former WWII Spitfire pilot, Mary Ellis.
mary ellis
23, February 2017·1 min read

Let’s give Mary Ellis, former WWII pilot, Freedom of the Wight: Sign the petition now!

We all remember the love that went out to Mary Ellis, Isle of Wight's inspirational former WWII pilot, when she turned 100. She gave so much - Now there's something we can all do for her: Sign this petition to have her honoured with the Freedom of the Island.
Mary Ellis Air Pilots cert 3A cropped
2, February 2017·1 min read

Birthday wishes to Isle of Wight centenarian, Mary Ellis (updated)

Many happy returns to the inspirational WWII female pilot, Mary Ellis, who celebrates her 100th birthday today.
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