Isle of Wight Radio

Dominic Kureen 17 minutes ago 2 min read The Government has confirmed that plans to remove remuneration payments for Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) will not go ahead. Maritime Minister Keir Mather announced in the House of Commons that proposals by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to move to an expenses-only volunteer model from September have been abandoned.

Children across the Isle of Wight are being encouraged to discover the joy of reading this summer by taking part in the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge. This year's free challenge, Read to the Beat, celebrates the connection between books and music as part of the National Year of Reading 2026. It aims to inspire children to read for pleasure throughout the school holidays while exploring how stories and music can entertain, spark creativity and bring people together.

Dominic Kureen 10 minutes ago 1 min read Residents at Orchard House Care Home in Newport have been treated to a visit from a local ice cream van, with the sunny afternoon bringing back fond memories of summers gone by. With warm weather continuing across the Isle of Wight, residents spent time outdoors choosing their favourite ice creams while enjoying the sunshine with fellow residents, staff and visiting relatives.

Dominic Kureen 7 minutes ago 1 min read Emergency services attended a three-vehicle collision on the main Newport to Sandown road at Hale Common on Saturday afternoon (July 18). Police, firefighters and paramedics were called to the incident, which happened near the Suzuki dealership. The three vehicles involved were moved into a nearby lay-by, helping to minimise disruption to traffic while emergency crews dealt with the incident.

Dominic Kureen 17 minutes ago 1 min read Firefighters were called to tackle a fire at a flat in Sandown late on Saturday night. Emergency services were alerted shortly before 23:15 after black smoke was seen billowing from the top-floor windows of a block of flats in Albert Street. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service mobilised fire engines from Ryde and Shanklin in response to multiple 999 calls.

Dominic Kureen 7 minutes ago 1 min read Cowes Ale House and Goddards Brewery have been recognised in this year's Isle of Wight CAMRA Beer and Pub of the Year Awards. The awards were presented by Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley at Cowes Ale House on Friday 11th July. Cowes Ale House was named the Isle of Wight CAMRA Pub of the Year, taking the title after its predecessor, located just along the road, sadly closed. Meanwhile, Goddards' popular Fuggle Dee-Dum was crowned Beer of the Year.

Dominic Kureen 8 minutes ago 1 min read A group of Isle of Wight students have been recognised by councillors after their Island-inspired board game earned national success through the Young Enterprise competition. Boundless Wight, a student company from The Island VI Form, was welcomed to County Hall this week following a remarkable year that saw the team reach the Young Enterprise UK National Final in Cardiff.

Campaigners gathered outside County Hall in Newport this week as Isle of Wight councillors debated whether to declare no confidence in Southern Water. The protest on Wednesday (15th July) came after the water company pleaded guilty to pollution offences relating to the River Test, a major source of the Island's drinking water. Demonstrators urged councillors to back a motion expressing no confidence in Southern Water's handling of wastewater and environmental issues.

Families are being invited to explore the Isle of Wight's coastline this summer as ranger-led rock pooling and fossil hunting sessions return to Fort Victoria Country Park. Running throughout the school holidays, the guided sessions offer the chance to discover marine life including crabs, shrimps, anemones, fish and shells, while also searching for fossils hidden among the shingle. Participants may even uncover the remains of ancient marine creatures such as sharks, fish, turtles and crocodiles.

Dominic Kureen 30 minutes ago 1 min read Seventy-six swimmers will take on this year's Cross Solent Swim on Saturday 25th July, raising vital funds for West Wight Sports and Community Centre. Among them are swimming club coaches Lottie James, Bethany Williams and Jack Pickford, as well as brothers Michael (76) and Clive Bullock (71).