Category: News

On Friday 12^th December 2025, The Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Susie Sheldon, hosted the “Together at Christmas” Community Carol Service held at the Minster, which was supported by the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The service was conducted by the Rural Dean, the Revd Chris Bradish with the Lord Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Revd Dr Jonathan Frost attending. The organist and soloist were joined by musicians and choirs including musicians from the Medina Marching band and the Mountbatten Hospice Choir.

The Lord-Lieutenant read a seasonal message from HRH The Princess of Wales. Many readings were given and carols sung. Candles were lit throughout around the packed congregation as the service drew towards the final blessing by the Bishop. The WI team provided refreshments. New children’s books that had been provided by the congregation will be donated to a local school in need of improving literacy skills. Donated craft boxes were available to children attending the service. It was the few “Together at Christmas” services outside of  London that was supported by the Royal Foundation. It was a most special service enjoyed by those who attended and those listening live on Vectis Radio.

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On Friday 5^th December 2025, the Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Susie Sheldon, attended the Minster for two King’s Award presentations. She was greeted by Rachael Randall for HTP and Nicola Longston for the NHS.  Rachael welcomed the guests attending and introduced Mrs Claire Locke DL who read the Citation. The Lord-Lieutenant was invited to make the presentations before which she gave a short speech about the Kings Award and about each organisation. The King’s Awards were presented for Enterprise – Promoting Opportunity – Social Mobility.  Rachael then gave thanks. A short film presentation was followed by talks from both Rachael and Nicola with two of their star students.

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On Wednesday 3 December 2025, the Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Susie Sheldon, attended Tapnell Farm to present the Garlic Farm with the Kings Award for Enterprise.   She was met by Mr Colin Boswell who introduced his daughter, Natasha, and other members of his family, in front of nearly 100 staff.  Natasha welcomed the Lord-Lieutenant before Mr Geoff Underwood DL read the citation for the King’s Award for Enterprise – Sustainable Development. This award is the first to be granted by the King on the Isle of Wight.

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On Wednesday 3rd December 2025, the Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Susie Sheldon, visited the Waterside Pool in Ryde. She was greeted by Todd Miller, the Manager, who introduced the trustees and met other members of staff. She was shown the recent project display panels before cutting a ribbon to open the new changing facilities. She was given a tour of all the changing areas by the main contractor and the trustees. A plaque to commemorate the latest official opening was presented.

On Sunday 9^th November 2025, The Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Brigadier Maurice Sheen, represented the Lord-Lieutenant at the Remembrance Service in St Thomas’s Square in Newport.

The parade formed up around the War Memorial to a changed viewing format. The Band of the Vectis Corps of Drums marched into the square and set the scene. Dr Kieran Cooney played his bagpipes alongside the Memorial to the many hundreds of spectators present.  The assembled Standard Bearers carried their standards and the Council Chairman was escorted by the Civic Mace Bearer to his position.

The Vice Lord-Lieutenant was escorted by the Parade Marshall accompanied by the Rev Chris Bradish to take their places. During the service the Last Post was played by a Bugler with an historic silver bugle originally presented to the Colonel and Officers of the 1^st Battalion of the Isle of Wight Rifles before they departed to engage the Turks at Gallipoli in 1915. The Reveille was followed by the Kohima and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant laid the first wreath. Many wreaths were laid from all organisations across the island. At the conclusion of the Service the parade was led away by the Vectis Corps of Drums towards St James Square.

The Vice Lord-Lieutenant took the salute as the columns marched by.  The parade was later dismissed by the Simon Tutton, The Parade Marshall, in front of the Minster. Crowds formed to inspect the War Memorial and the many tributes that had been laid.

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On Thursday 6th November 2025, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Brigadier Maurice Sheen DL, represented the Lord-Lieutenant at Carisbrooke Castle. The now well established Field of Remembrance was opened and dedicated by the Rev Stephen Sutcliffe in the presence of many dignitaries, veterans and uniformed cadets together with local people and school children.

A party of Standard Bearers added colour to the occasion in the autumn clear weather. A trumpeter, Andy Croucher, played the last post to start the 2 minutes silence followed by the Reveille. Dr Keiron Cooney played a lament on the bag pipes during the laying of crosses. The first crosses were solemnly laid by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant. Many others followed as the assembled people departed. Some of the school children gathered around the famous Warrior Horse bronze statue in the walled Princess Beatrice Gardens where a short service was held before wreaths were laid to remember the huge loss of animals during wartime.

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On Monday 13^th October 2025, the Annual Service Marking the Beginning of the Law Year was held in Newport Minster.

The Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Susie Sheldon, was escorted by her cadets and processed with the High Sheriff and many members of the Courts and Judiciary to the Minster. They were greeted at the door by The Bishop of Portsmouth, The Right Reverend Dr Jonathan Frost and the Area Dean, Reverend Chris Bradish.

Inside the  packed Minster, the first reading of the service was given by The Honourable Mr Justice Linden, a Presiding Judge of the Western Circuit. The prayers were led by those working in the Justice system. Children from Gatten & Lake Primary School performed two pieces.  At the conclusion of the Service the colourful procession returned to the Law Courts in Quay Street.

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Island Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Susie Sheldon recently succeeded in gaining her Advanced Driver Certificate from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

Seen here celebrating her success with Mr Mark Andrews, senior examiner for IAM South Central and Southampton and Isle of Wight Advanced Motorists Group representatives.

Mrs Sheldon is Hon. President of the Island Group and member of the Southampton IAM parent group.

“I found the course and tuition gave me a new insight into my driving and that of others. The promotion of higher driving standards is key to improving road safety for all road users. Refreshing driving skills, theory and practical challenge is something we should all consider as for many of us this was only done when we passed our driving test, probably sometime ago.” Mrs Sheldon said.

If you are interested in seeing what the local Island Group could do for you and your driving contact our Lead senior Observers

David Jones
Chairman Island Advanced Motorists Group