After cross-training as a journalist 10+ years ago, Simon has been living and breathing news ever since. He would love to see more of the beautiful Island he lives on, but spends far too much time relaying the news of the Isle of Wight to the Islanders.
Having pioneered Readers' comments on Isle of Wight news stories 10+ years ago, OnTheWight now launches a new feature so you can find which articles are attracting the most comments and which comments are getting the greatest reaction.
OnTheWight has discovered the council's Gender Pay Gap Report. There are significantly more women working for the council than men and women's hourly rates are lower. The council claim it's not down to them paying differently for the same or equivalent work.
Simon Wells is opening an invitation to all Islanders to visit his photographic studio this bank holiday weekend and have their portrait taken with a frame saying “Protect the IOW’s NHS”. OnTheWight has details of how to take part. The more photos, the stronger the voice.
The BBC listened! After the BBC redid their TV weather map, the Isle of Wight was covered up by the 'Plymouth' label. OnTheWight got in touch with the BBC (as did Twitter users) to plead for the Island's return. It's worked.
Staff at Sandown Town Council have refused to distribute the formal notes taken at last Friday’s publicly-called Town Meeting OnTheWight has been informed. “Head in the sand” is the accusation. You can read them here in full.
Do you use the bus station in Newport? Here are the details of the big ol' rejig Southern Vectis are doing of where buses leave from Newport bus station and re-lettering some of the Stands. A big map and details enclosed.
The council are putting up car parking fees, but don't seem to have told anyone the detail. Find out how much the Isle of Wight car parks that you use are going up by in price - OnTheWight has them all.
The Isle of Wight council have snuck out rises in parking charges across the Island - 32 separate increases in total. OnTheWight speaks to an Isle of Wight councillor and small business representative who hasn't even been told.
We all see the Ryde Arena - It's so massive it's hard to miss - but what's it like inside now? Watch this video shot by the adventurers who have been inside. OnTheWight also chats to them asking, "Can it be saved?"