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  • Culture
    Culture
    charlie lovell-jones playing at iwso concert in jan 22

    Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra welcomes back violinist Charlie Lovell-Jones in May concert

    artists studio with paintbrushes in pots and painted fabric on the walls

    Promote your Isle of Wight Open Studios event with OnTheWight’s competitive package

    Big Red & The Cava Boys with Angelina, Jo and Dick

    ‘Jimi and Friends Part Two’ draws enthusiastic crowd to Dimbola for Isle of Wight festival tribute

    Audience seated in fold up chairs in the field at Wolverton Manor for the Folk and Blues Day

    Wolverton Folk and Blues Festival returns to Shorwell with award-winning artists

    Cotswold and Newchurch Male Voice Choirs singing in the church

    Newchurch Male Voice Choir joins forces with Cotswold singers for Shanklin concert

  • 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.

    RNLI crew carry a dummy along the seafront

    Cowes RNLI invites public to 999 Emergency Services Day on the Parade this Saturday

    charlie lovell-jones playing at iwso concert in jan 22

    Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra welcomes back violinist Charlie Lovell-Jones in May concert

    artists studio with paintbrushes in pots and painted fabric on the walls

    Promote your Isle of Wight Open Studios event with OnTheWight’s competitive package

    Big Red & The Cava Boys with Angelina, Jo and Dick

    ‘Jimi and Friends Part Two’ draws enthusiastic crowd to Dimbola for Isle of Wight festival tribute

    Audience seated in fold up chairs in the field at Wolverton Manor for the Folk and Blues Day

    Wolverton Folk and Blues Festival returns to Shorwell with award-winning artists

  • Community
    Community
    Tiger drinking water at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary

    Wildheart Animal Sanctuary marks 50 years and asks Isle of Wight community to share memories

    lifeboat lotto balls

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

    Dementia UK cheque presentation

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

    Amy Jolliffe playing guitar in the studio

    Wessex Cancer Support brings community funday back to Ryde in May

    Head of King Arwald by Nigel George

    Last pagan king of Isle of Wight celebrated by Pagans on St Arwald’s Day

  • News
    News
    RNLI crew carry a dummy along the seafront

    Cowes RNLI invites public to 999 Emergency Services Day on the Parade this Saturday

    the front of county hall

    Reform UK predicted to win most Isle of Wight Council seats in May elections

    Nick and Sue (Evalyn’s parents) with Evalyn, Becky McGregor, Mountbatten CEO, teacher Paula Blackley

    Shalfleet pupil’s sunflower design to feature on 1,000 Walk the Wight medals

    charlie lovell-jones playing at iwso concert in jan 22

    Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra welcomes back violinist Charlie Lovell-Jones in May concert

    Tiger drinking water at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary

    Wildheart Animal Sanctuary marks 50 years and asks Isle of Wight community to share memories

    polling station sign by a park

    Ultimate candidate guide: Isle of Wight 2026 local election

    Polling station sign outside a church

    Helping you decide who to vote for: May 2026 elections

    artists studio with paintbrushes in pots and painted fabric on the walls

    Promote your Isle of Wight Open Studios event with OnTheWight’s competitive package

    ian dore by closed sign at firestone copse

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

    Big Red & The Cava Boys with Angelina, Jo and Dick

    ‘Jimi and Friends Part Two’ draws enthusiastic crowd to Dimbola for Isle of Wight festival tribute

    Audience seated in fold up chairs in the field at Wolverton Manor for the Folk and Blues Day

    Wolverton Folk and Blues Festival returns to Shorwell with award-winning artists

    roadworks on fairlee road

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

    Long line of walkers walking up the Tennyson Downs

    Eight thousand walkers expected as Walk the Wight 2026 online registration nears close

    Lane closed on start of Fairlee Road

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

    Three bottles of the 33 parishes Biosphere blond beer

    New Isle of Wight beer brand celebrates UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status (updated)

    man working on a building site

    Isle of Wight planning application lists and maps: 20 and 27 Apr 2026

  • 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.

    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

    Roadworks lights and signs

    Councillor questions Fairlee Road diversion plan as two-week closure looms

    General highway maintenance signage

    Fairlee Road to close for two weeks from 20th April for utility works

    Ryde Pier Head train station canopy

    Asbestos canopy among works proposed for Ryde Pier Head station

    Karl Love with the hovercraft propellor

    Isle of Wight councillor shares story behind hovercraft propeller plan for East Cowes

    Paul Merton standing next to a steam train and coal pile with shovel in hand

    Paul Merton’s upcoming ‘Driving Amazing Trains’ series features the Isle of Wight

    Artist impression of the hovercraft propellor

    Hovercraft propeller from iconic SR-N4 could become East Cowes heritage landmark

    Environmental Services Manager, Jez Mew, with the gritting fleet

    Isle of Wight records mildest gritting winter in 13 years with just 22 runs made

    MMC Rope Access team hanging off Castle Rd Bridge in Wroxall

    Rope-access teams to survey hard-to-reach retaining walls in Ventnor this month

    electric vehicle charging by possessed photography

    Isle of Wight set for major EV charging expansion with over 1,500 new chargepoints planned

    abstract illustration of the Island with ferry to the right and needles lighthouse to the left

    Isle of Wight’s 15-year transport plan moves into delivery phase after public backing

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  • 30, April 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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