Opinion piece
The Isle of Wight has a remarkable, one-off opportunity – to get behind Sandown and boost it to become the UK’s first Town of Culture.
If you haven’t heard about it already, the Town of Culture is a new government initiative designed to help transform select towns around the UK – much the same as the City of Culture programme has.
If they win, not only will there be £3m in new government money coming to the Island, but the Isle of Wight will spend a long time in the national spotlight – a bonus that’s hard to put a figure on.
In a remarkable coup, a small team of people in Sandown has managed, out of all of nearly 400 towns across the UK that applied, to be shortlisted.
Turning the tide on Sandown
It was initiated and driven by Tracy Mikich and Ian Boyd, the original Tide Turners, with the unanimous support of Sandown Town Council.
This initial core team, using only determination, imagination, grit and a belief in Sandown have managed to get this Isle of Wight town shortlisted – making them one of only six across the country in the Small Town category. It’s a remarkable achievement and one that OnTheWight has been behind since the news broke.
What was a small team in Sandown has grown to become a dedicated delivery team, now headed by Isle of Wight Council Regeneration officer, Laura Cansdale, drawing on a diverse mix of the community, including Paul Coueslant, Emma Souter, Joe Redston, John Yetton, and Joan Solomon shaping the next stage of the application.
They’re bringing in some of the best and brightest on the Island – Sharon George, Rachel Clare, Damien Whitmore, to name a few – people with deep-running experience, that believe in the Island, yes, but most importantly, believe in Sandown – believe in what the Victorians and countless previous generations have seen in the place – it’s special and it needs the chance to change.
Change is possible
It’s hard to believe now, but not even 20 years ago, it was a widely-held view around the Island that Ventnor was ‘the armpit of the Island’.
Of course, these days you’d struggle to find someone saying the same – as near-endless features in national broadsheet attest. A change like that can happen in Sandown – and Town of Culture can accelerate it.
Sandown has got good bones. A passionate community and a building stock that, once you look past the small handful that are in bad shape, you can see are quality buildings. It’s got a remarkable beach – with sand that goes on for miles.
This hasn’t come out of the blue – this hard core of believers have been putting their energy towards improving Sandown for years. They did it because they believe in Sandown – despite – or perhaps because of – Sandown having become the butt of jokes over the years as some of their seafront buildings were left to crumble. Viewed by many as a lost cause, they knew different.
Be part of something special
You can be part of bringing change to Sandown – and the whole of the Island will benefit.
If you’ve got the relevant skills and experience to bring to the team to help Sandown bring in a winning bid, get in touch with Sharon George ([email protected]), the powerhouse who not only delivered change in Ryde through The Department, but is now bringing the same energy to Sandown’s ToC bid.
If you’ve only got even a passing interest, join the team in Sandown tomorrow at their ‘Have your say’ event. There’s load going on for all the family to get involved with, all under one roof.
Article edit
9.20am 21st Oct 2026 – Clarified the current team make up
