At the end of September OnTheWight will celebrate its 20th anniversary.
For two decades, we’ve been publishing trusted, independent news about the Isle of Wight – keeping distractions out and keeping readers informed.
We’d love to mark this milestone by sharing your stories, words and memories of what OnTheWight has meant to you over the years.
From VentnorBlog to OnTheWight
What started in 2005 as VentnorBlog – a small local project focused on arts and culture in Ventnor – quickly grew into something bigger.
That year we also launched the VentnorBlog Discussion Forum, a pre-social media bulletin board which racked up 100s of 1000s of discussions and is now lodged with the British Library.
Transformed to more ‘hard news’
Over time, our scope expanded to the whole Island as readers asked us to report on more ‘hard news’, and our coverage of the three tier to two tier schools reorganisation led to a sharp rise in the number of new readers.
OnTheWight was one of the first news publications in the UK to report live from council meetings (our first in 2007) and the first hyperlocal news publication to be archived by the British Library.
The site has picked up several accolades over the years including Guardian-sponsored, ‘Best UK Hyperlocal Site Award’, as well as ‘Best Coverage of A Story’ for our reporting of the Vestas Sit-In back in 2009, and a ‘Best Forensic Reporting’ Award‘.
By 2012, the name changed to OnTheWight, reflecting that wider scope, while keeping the same independent spirit.
From major council debates to local festivals, transport sagas, Island artists, and community campaigns, OnTheWight has been there to report, explain and, at times, challenge.
Readers’ contributions
Our readers have also made a huge contribution to the success of the publication.
There are more than 200,000 readers’ comments on the website, and over the years journalists from the Financial Times and The Guardian have praised the quality of these discussions.
In fact, journalists writing for Private Eye picked up on readers’ comments relating to the Armchair Auditor website that we operated for several years (which put council spending data into a readable form) and they ran a piece about Dave Burbage, former head of finance at the Isle of Wight council.
It would be remiss not to mention the huge number of contributed articles and Letters from readers (OnTheWight has more than 3,000 contributors), as well as the generous financial donations and positive responses to funding appeals to help cover running costs.
20 years together
During those years, thousands of Islanders and beyond (we have ex-pats around the world tuning in) have come to rely on OnTheWight as their daily source of Island news.
Many of you have been with us since the VentnorBlog days, others found us later, but all have been part of this journey.
Now, as we approach this 20-year landmark, we’d love to hear from you.
Share your thoughts
Do you remember the early days of VentnorBlog? Did you first discover us through a particular story?
Have you found OnTheWight helpful, surprising or thought-provoking?
Whatever your memory, feedback, or message, we’d love you to share it.
You can leave a comment under this article, email us, or message via our social channels.
We’ll gather your words together and publish a selection to mark the anniversary.
OnTheWight at 20: A timeline
2005 – VentnorBlog launches
Started as a small local blog about arts and culture in Ventnor.
Also launched the VentnorBlog Discussion Forum – a pre-social media bulletin board that became hugely popular and is now archived by the British Library.
2006 – Wider Island coverage begins
Reporting expands beyond Ventnor as readers call for more Island-wide news.
2007 – First live reporting from council meetings
VentnorBlog becomes one of the first UK publications to live-report from council meetings.
Coverage of the schools reorganisation sparks a surge in readership.
2009 – National recognition
Wins the Guardian-sponsored Best UK Hyperlocal Site Award.
Also receives Best Coverage of a Story for reporting the Vestas Sit-In protest.
2010 – Armchair Auditor project
Launches a tool making council spending data transparent and readable, later picked up by Private Eye.
2011 – Best Forensic Reporting Award
Further recognition for in-depth, independent reporting.
2012 – From VentnorBlog to OnTheWight
Name changes to reflect Island-wide scope while keeping the same independent values.
2013–2018 – Readers shape the site
More than 200,000 reader comments build a lively, respected discussion space, praised by national journalists.
Contributed articles and Letters to the Editor pass 3,000 submissions.
2015 – Ten years online
OnTheWight marks a decade of continuous Island reporting.
2020 – Trusted source in a crisis
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Islanders increasingly turn to OnTheWight for clear, independent reporting.
2025 – 20 years of trusted Island news
Celebrating two decades together with readers on the Isle of Wight and across the world.
