Alan Titchmarsh Is Isle of Wight High Sheriff 2008.

Carolyn Keene reports:   Today (Monday), we see television celebrity Alan Titchmarsh (pictured) take on the Queen’s appointment as her High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight. Read more »

Island Pulse  also report on Tuesday:   Alan Titchmarsh said he is ‘chuffed’ on becoming the Isle of Wight’s High Sheriff for 2008. 

Contrary to national press reports, it would appear Islanders are also happy with this appointment, of which must be noted was by none other than Her Majesty the Queen.

Alan Titchmarsh said: “I hope over the next 12 months I will be able to win over those very few Islanders who think it’s not a good idea. I am chuffed to do it and I will do my best to do it well.” Read more »

Isle of Wight Grand National and Ashey Scurry 2008.

Carolyn Keene reports: According to the Isle of Wight Grand National Scurry Website. todays event Sunday 6th April 2008, has been postponed until Sunday 13th April 2008: 

The Isle of Wight Grand National Ashey Scurry is five class events for riders and horses of all ages, breeds and experience and offers a great day out for all the family. Read more »

IWPOY ‘Wall Of Fame’ Exhibition 2008

The Isle of Wight Photographer of the Year (IWPOY) Exhibition of 2008 was launched at the Quay Arts Centre, on Thursday and runs through to Monday 28th April on the ‘Cafe Wall’.

The fifty shortlisted images from the 2007 competition are being exhibited from those photographers lucky enough to be selected for the ‘IWPOY Wall of Fame’ by a panel of judges.  Read more »

Maceo Parker And All That Festival Jazz.

Whilst Maceo Parker is now headlining the Isle of Wight International Jazz Festival in April, the rest of the line-up is as impressive as ever, from the Jazzcotech dancers (©pictured) to the Swing Era theme. Read more »

Wight High Sheriff Cutting Edge Role.

The Queen’s appointment of television gardener Alan Titchmarsh (pictured) as her new High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight has, apparently, led to an unlikely rebellion.

Yorkshireman, Alan will carry out the role, to which he will be sworn in next month, as the unpaid enforcer of the Queen’s writ on the Island . Read more »

IW Quay Arts Very Own Jo Blogs.

The position of ‘Joe Blogs from the Isle of Wight’ was under threat last week when Carolyn Keene reported the IW Council Chief Executive Joe Blog’s Is Moving On. 

We now happily report it appears Jo Hummel-Newell (pictured) Exhibitions/Visual Arts Co-ordinator for the Quay Arts, is already willing and capable of filling the ‘Joe Blogs’ void with a cultural if not artistic, but a most definately feminine touch.  Jo Blogs:Read more »

Cowes Classic Week Regatta 2008

Some of the finest classic yachts in the world will be gathering in the Solent this summer as part of Cowes Classic Week. 

These towering yachts, normally only seen in the Mediterranean, will be racing off Cowes, in the British Classic Yacht Club and Big Yacht Class Regatta (19th-26th July) Read more »

Tiger Island On TV Wins Award.

The TV series ‘Tiger Island’, which follows the fortunes of feline residents such as Rambo (pictured) of the Isle of Wight Zoo, has won a prestigious ITV award. 

Judges praised the series, which was first broadcast on ITV Meridian in June of last year, for being popularist and entertaining, and exactly the sort of thing that viewers want to watch. Read more »

Last Few Days For RTI Early Bird Entries.

The final days approach for charity competitors to take advantage of the JPMAM Round the Island Race Early Bird Entry Fee, as it is only available until 29th March.

There have been many charity entries already and include:  Martin Stockbridge and two of the crew aboard the Sigma 33 Blazer work with the 2nd Warwick Explorer Sea Scout Unit. Read more »

Red Funnel Easter Challenge Event Review

Day one of the Red Funnel Easter Challenge saw a ’Gale Force Solent’ with strong north westerly winds, gusting over 40 knots. 

The fresh gale combined with spring tides whipped up the Solent into a foaming and confused state. The RORC decided to postpone racing for one hour in the hope of getting at least one race in Read more »

‘Dogs off chains’ racing cancelled again on Day 2 of the Red Funnel Easter Challenge.

Looking on ‘Brightside’ (pictured) the racing may have been blown out for the second day, but competitors had a golden opportunity to take advantage of the facilities made available by the Royal Ocean Racing Club. Read more »

Finally, on day three of the Red Funnel Easter Challenge , after two days of frustration, spectacular Solent racing got underway.  The annual regatta organised by the RORC produced some quite stunning racing with plenty of spills and thrills and was well worth the wait.

After the conclusion of racing, a prize giving was held at the Cowes Yacht Haven events centre. Read more »