Following her work experience with On The Wight in the summer, journalism student Rosie Saban, returns for our 2012 recap. Ed
The 2011 riots were dwarfed in September by the trouble IW Police had on their hands. A wayward swan necessitated the use of a riot shield as police tried to nudge him back to the river and away from Newport’s shopping area.
A teenager had a lucky escape when she fell between Brook Bay and Freshwater whilst walking along the under pass at the water’s edge. She suffered serious injuries, and with her mobile falling into the sea, it was sheer luck that saved her that day as a local fisherman decided to fish in an area he had not fished in for a long time, and spotted the young girl. Experts estimated she would have been 45 minutes away from death if she had not been found.
Pop n’ grown n’ grow n’ grow
An idea that was borne on the Isle of Wight, Pop n Grow are celebrating their first birthday after a whirlwind year that saw the charity supply over a thousand baby grows, and hundreds of their incubator vests to neonatal intensive care units all around the world.
Bestival better than ever
Another year, another Bestival, and vying for big names with the IW Festival, Bestival organiser Rob da Bank really had to pull something out of the bag this year. As usual, he did not fail to deliver, as music legend Stevie Wonder hit the main stage on Sunday evening.
The Bestival proved an incredible experience to those at the festival site, but for the first time those at home could enjoy it live also, as the Bestival kept ahead of the game withlive streaming over YouTube.
‘Cycling paradise’
Those that have lived here have known it for a long time, but in September Lonely Planet, the world renown travel guide, poled the Isle of Wight as THE best place to cycle in the world, calling it a ‘cycling paradise’.
We’ve all heard the phrase ‘a dog is for life, not just for Christmas’, but this year Island rescue centre Feline Welfare announced it was cats that were having a really hard time of it lately. With an estimated 300 unwanted kittens across the island, the rescue centre described the situation as the worst they’ve seen in 32 years.
In better news, 11 fire-fighters from across the Isle of Wight were recognised for their good conduct and long service to their community with medals, they were presented on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen by the Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight.
A motorbike ride out took place to commemorate all bikers lost to Island roads. There were a number of motorbike deaths in 2012, and as ever drivers are encourage to ‘think bike, think biker’ when travelling by car.
Seven years old
Recently re-branded On The Wight celebrated their 7th Birthday, thanking all their readers for the support as they passed the 70000 comment mark. A massively impressive achievement, and a nice end to September.
