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  • Culture
    Culture
    Platform One students performing at 25 year anniversary event

    Platform One marks 25 years of creative education with special celebration

    The cast of Impromptu Shakespeare walking through old courtyard

    Impromptu Shakespeare brings a brand-new Bard to Ventnor this July

    Vintage dinner table setting

    A summer supper club comes to Ventnor Exchange: Limited spaces

    Fran Heath sitting on her desk surrounded by her dire-ramas and vintage typewriters

    Writer and artist Fran Heath showcases decades of creative work at Quay Arts

    Person holding up a sign that reads' Community writes off Sandown' with school children walking past

    Sandown’s high street to become living canvas as arts initiative takes shape this summer

  • 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.

    The cast of Impromptu Shakespeare walking through old courtyard

    Impromptu Shakespeare brings a brand-new Bard to Ventnor this July

    Vintage dinner table setting

    A summer supper club comes to Ventnor Exchange: Limited spaces

    Two people constructing large signage for Ventnor's Fringe Festival

    Ventnor Fringe launches community making club to craft festival decorations and props

    Fran Heath sitting on her desk surrounded by her dire-ramas and vintage typewriters

    Writer and artist Fran Heath showcases decades of creative work at Quay Arts

    Person holding up a sign that reads' Community writes off Sandown' with school children walking past

    Sandown’s high street to become living canvas as arts initiative takes shape this summer

  • Sustainability
    Sustainability

    If you want to find out more about sustainability and the issues that affect our environment, you’re in the right place.

    Whether it’s details of changes you can make at home, or at your business or work, we lay out the facts and let you share your opinion.

    Below are articles relating to sustainability and green issues on the Isle of Wight.

    Volunteers planting at Calshot Restoration Site

    Record number of seagrass seeds planted in Solent this spring in major restoration effort

    Lucia Para sitting by beach painting

    Isle of Wight Biosphere Festival programme returns with more than 100 events across the Island

    Chris Packham and others in the People's Emergency Briefing film

    Green Room to screen People’s Emergency Briefing film with post-show discussion

  • Community
    Community
    lots of five pound and twenty pound notes sterling cash money

    Next week’s Island Independent Lifeboat Lotto jackpot reaches £3,900

    The C.A.R. Gardens team on planting day, with Mountbatten volunteer gardener, Jenny Peddar, centre back and Rob Mew, centre front

    Mountbatten’s Oak Garden revived in memory of Ventnor Botanic Garden’s former curator

    Scene of Ryde shopping area

    Ryde launches £100,000 community grants programme for local projects

    People attending the opening of GRAFT Studios

    Art studios open at Sandown’s Old Town Hall as GRAFT launches creative community hub

    Crowds on the esplanade on Armed Forces Day

    Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day cancelled in 2026 due to logistical and resourcing pressures

  • News
    News
    Volunteers planting at Calshot Restoration Site

    Record number of seagrass seeds planted in Solent this spring in major restoration effort

    Dental patient sitting in dentist's chair with dentist standing over him

    Isle of Wight sees 48 per cent rise in NHS dental care as access continues to improve

    totland parish council meeting

    Totland parish councillors raise sewage failings ahead of Southern Water chief’s Island visit

    hot tub in garden

    Isle of Wight Council launches hot tub safety campaign for accommodation providers

    Platform One students performing at 25 year anniversary event

    Platform One marks 25 years of creative education with special celebration

    VIVA Creative Crew's painted tiger faces

    Sandown’s VIVA Creative Crew gets to work on Mardi Gras costumes for Ryde parade

    one-network road closures map

    Checking before you travel could save you time and frustration: Isle of Wight roadworks map

    Lawrence Gosden Southern Water CEO

    Southern Water CEO visit to Isle of Wight councillors closed to public and press

    Vintage dinner table setting

    A summer supper club comes to Ventnor Exchange: Limited spaces

    Winter Gardens in the Sun August 2025

    Council closes Winter Gardens enforcement case after landowner completes visual works (updated)

    planning key on a computer keyboard

    Dozens more affordable homes proposed for major Ryde housing development

    6 high street cowes

    Former Poundland store in Cowes to become banking hub with Post Office services

    Two people constructing large signage for Ventnor's Fringe Festival

    Ventnor Fringe launches community making club to craft festival decorations and props

    Steve Hammond with the Mace

    From chauffeur to mace-bearer: Steve Hammond reflects on 25 years serving Isle of Wight Council

    Fran Heath sitting on her desk surrounded by her dire-ramas and vintage typewriters

    Writer and artist Fran Heath showcases decades of creative work at Quay Arts

    No poo at the point protest on Monday 8th June 2026

    Southern Water defends Bembridge outfall repair as legal challenge keeps work on hold

  • 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.

    one-network road closures map

    Checking before you travel could save you time and frustration: Isle of Wight roadworks map

    teenagers on a bus

    Isle of Wight families set to save thousands under Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme

    Towngate Bridge, Newport

    Weight restrictions lifted on seven Isle of Wight bridges

    Quay wall at the ferry terminal

    Red Funnel submits plans to repair failing quay wall near ferry terminal

    General highway maintenance signage

    Fairlee Road night works to improve two sections of Newport road next month

    Steve Cooper at community meeting

    Ventnor Town Council renews community bus contract and freshens up public conveniences

    Two Hovertravel craft at Ryde

    New hovercraft route linking Lee-on-Solent with the Isle of Wight begins trial this summer

    staff with cockroaches

    Cowes cleaner discovers box of Madagascan hissing cockroaches during town round

    new green electric bus

    Isle of Wight’s new electric bus fleet cuts emissions by 75 per cent

    Joe Robertson speaking in parliament

    Isle of Wight East MP raises £511 Solent ferry fare in Commons energy debate

    road closed sign laying flat on the road

    Daytime closure of road between Brading and Ryde this week

    Electric cars lined up in the car park

    Wight Community Energy brings Going Electric back to Newport for fifth year

    Class 444 Train Platform 18

    Faulty radio system causes widespread train disruption across southern England

    Red Jet coming into harbour at night

    Red Funnel launches late-night Red Jet charter service for Isle of Wight travellers

    Hale common road junction from google maps

    Pedestrian safety improvements planned for Hale Common

    road closed sign laying flat on the road

    Parish councillor reveals 37 road closures on single day as Isle of Wight frustration mounts

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  • 12, June 2026
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Isle of Wight Opinion Pieces

OnTheWight is run on journalistic principles of honesty, transparency and balance. Every so often, there will be a subject or issue that the editors or contributors wish to share that reflects their personal opinion.

These Isle of Wight opinion pieces will be clearly marked as such. We believe their inclusion adds to the diversity of content available to readers.

The band - 5 degrees north - playing on stage at strings venue
27, December 2024·4 min read

Strings Bar and Venue celebrates a successful 2024 and looks forward to 2025

Strings Bar & Venue enjoys a record-breaking 2024 and anticipates an even busier 2025
St Mary's Hospital and Kone
27, December 2024·4 min read

2024: A year of progress and resilience for Isle of Wight NHS

Joe Smyth, Isle of Wight NHS Trust's Chief Officer, outlines milestones and strategies for better health care in 2025
Richard Quigley in Yarmouth
26, December 2024·6 min read

Strengthening connections: Richard Quigley MP’s commitment to Isle of Wight constituents in 2025

Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley reflects on his progress and goals ahead
quay arts building 1
26, December 2024·2 min read

Trustee reflects on a successful year at Quay Arts Centre and future hopes

Kim Purton celebrates the artistic achievements at Quay Arts Centre and anticipates 2025
Train exiting through tunnel at Ventnor Railway Station
3, January 2024·10 min read

Urgent calls for Ventnor railway reinstatement as town faces geological threats

Rejection of Shanklin-Ventnor railway bid ignites debate on Ventnor's geology and future
Staff outside WightFibre building
21, June 2023·1 min read

Wightfibre: Outage highlights how the Island is becoming completely reliant on them

As the Isle of Wight switches to Wightfibre, the company have a growing power (and responsibility) over Islanders' ability to communicate
Ian Stephens
25, January 2023·2 min read

Deputy Leader reveals disorganisation of IWC housing service inherited from previous Conservative Administration

Ian Stephens, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Housing, criticises the Conservative's Housing Paper for lack of engagement and understanding of the housing situation on the Isle of Wight
Darren Henley
4, November 2022·4 min read

Exclusive: Arts Council CEO explains why The Arts on the Isle of Wight wins massive funding boost

The Arts Council CEO details why five Isle of Wight arts organisations have won substantial funding over three years - putting the Island firmly on the country’s cultural map. It’s for all Islanders - The central message: “We are all creative”
Cllr Joe Robertson - Bembridge
7, September 2022·2 min read

Island Planning Strategy: Call for Cabinet to overrule committee’s recommendations

Cllr Robertson responds to the accusation that he's playing Monopoly with planning in Newport and calls for the Cabinet to overrule the Scrutiny Committee's recommendations
Vix Lowthion outside Nodehill VI Form Campus
6, September 2022·3 min read

‘We are not Cllr Joe Robertson’s monopoly board’ says Newport community councillor

Cllr Lowthion shares her concerns about the Conservative councillor's desire to move new housebuilding from Freshwater and Bembridge to Newport
Unwell woman lying down
6, May 2022·2 min read

ME/CFS Awareness Week: Time for this cruel condition to be properly recognised and researched

ME/CFS is a cruel condition that affects more than 550 Isle of Wight residents. Ted explains why it's so important to help raise awareness for ME/CFS
Electric car being charged on street
10, January 2022·6 min read

Colin Palmer’s take on the Isle of Wight EV charging plans and the state of the EV market

Colin Palmer brings his long experience to bear on where he sees the state of the Electric Vehicle market, the IW council’s EV charging plans and where he sees it all going
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