Category: News

This year, two groups of Island volunteers have been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service; this is the highest award that a voluntary group can receive in the UK and is the equivalent of an individual being awarded an MBE.

Pan Together have been recognised for their work supporting their local community in East Newport. Their community café is open 5 days a week, providing wholesome and affordable food. The centre acts as a community focus, enabling people to meet and for young people and adults alike to receive guidance, support and access to learning, thereby providing them with opportunities to progress into or return to employment.

Sandown Green Town Volunteers have transformed their town, providing clean, attractive and colourful public spaces. Each day you can see SGT volunteers in their high viz jackets picking up litter and improving the environment. With regular gardening sessions they care for flower-beds, planters and troughs from the Cliff Path to Yaverland; the beds in front of
the Pier are a centre-piece for the town. They have rewilded parts of the coastal path and planted hundreds of hedgerow trees. Their activities enhance the town and promote a sense of well-being.

Three people from the Isle of Wight were recognised with honours from HM The Queen, in the Birthday Honours List announced over the Jubilee weekend:

Jamie BRENCHLEY – Housing Needs Manager, Isle of Wight Council
has been awarded an MBE for services to Homeless People, particularly during Covid-19

Margaret BEACHAM – Chair, Ryde Unit, Sea Cadets.
has been awarded a BEM for voluntary service to Young People in the Isle of Wight

Robert John JONES – Library Service Manager, Isle of Wight Council
has been awarded a BEM for services to Public Libraries

TRH The Earl and Countess of Wessex visited the Isle of Wight on Tuesday 24^th May 2022.

Their first visit was to see the work done by Pan Together and the Barnados Family Centre alongside Barton Primary School on Pan in Newport.  From there they went to the Isle of Wight Agricultural Society Education Day at the County Show Ground where primary school children were spending the day.   The couple then separated, with the Earl visiting the Creative Hub at Independent Arts and the Countess visiting South West Area Youth (SWAY) in Chale Green to see the work being done with young people on the Isle of Wight. They then came back together and visited the sheltered housing at Columbus House to see and join in with their preparations to celebrate HM the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

For enquires relating to the following photographs, please contact Michael Dunkason:   dunkason.photo@btinternet.com

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Pan Together & Banardos Family Centre

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The County Show Ground

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Independent Arts

SWAY

Columbus House

Over the weekend of 8th and 9th May 2022, the 80th Commemoration of the Polish destroyer ORP Blyskawica saving Cowes & East Cowes in 1942 were held. Vice Lord-Lieutenant Brigadier Maurice Sheen CBE QVRM TD DL represented the Lord-Lieutenant.

The Polish naval vessel ORP Wodnik arrived to an evening reception. A piano recital was performed by the granddaughter of Captain Francki who led his crew to a heroic defence in 1942. The Polish Ambassador was the guest of honour at a dinner held at the Royal London Yacht Club. Lt Col Otton Hulaki (100) was also a special guest. He served with 11 Polish Brigade that took Monte Casino and opened the road to Rome in 1944. On the Sunday the new Polish Consulate was opened in Cowes and a short commemoration was held at Francki Place.

The main service of commemoration took place at the bandstand on Cowes Parade.

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On Friday 29th April 2022, HM Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Susie Sheldon attended the 50th Anniversary of Broadlea Primary School and opened the new school library.  Mrs Sheldon was greeted by Cllr Paul Brading, Mr Richard Priest OBE DL and  Mr Patrick Mcgrorty, all of who were original pupils of 1971.

Mrs Sheldon was given a tour of the School where she met and chatted to school pupils.

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On Monday 11th April 2022, the Lord-Lieutenant attended the Declaration of the new High Sheriff for the Isle of Wight, Kay Marriott JP at Northwood House, Cowes.

The new High Sheriff introduced her theme for the year: Inspire to Aspire, which aims to highlight the work of people and organisations who dedicate their time to supporting young people at risk, and to inspire others to play a part.

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Two new Deputy Lieutenants have been appointed to serve on the Isle of Wight.

In this formal voluntary role, they will assist the Lord-Lieutenant in her work. The appointment is until retirement on their 75th birthday.

The Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Mrs Susie Sheldon, has said:

“I am delighted to welcome both Richard Priest and  Didi Nicholson to the Lieutenancy team where their in-depth knowledge of their particular sectors will be invaluable to the Lieutenancy role on the Isle of Wight.”

Richard Priest OBE

Richard was born in Lake, and met his wife Jane, when Lake Middle School was first opened in 1971. They live in Shanklin and have a Son Adam, Daughter-in-Law Jennie, and grandchildren Benjamin and Isabelle.

From 1995 to 2015 Richard managed the Riverside Centre in Newport, as well as being Chair of Medina Housing Association, a School Governor, and he is actively involved locally and nationally with Charities such as Community Action (IW) & ACRE.

Richard remains involved with town councils on the Island, as well as with Shanklin Voluntary Youth & Community Centre, and his interests include Football and Cricket, sports writing and making local history films.

The Hon. Mrs Nicholson

Didi’s family have long been linked to the Isle of Wight but Didi was born in Malta and has previously been a Freelance travel writer.

She came back to the island in 2014 after living abroad for many years. She is married to Edward  and has three children,  Alexander, Zoë  and Henrietta.

Didi has a strong background in the charitable sector and is currently a trustee of both the Royal Yacht Squadron Foundation and the Island Careers Partnership. She is also a churchwarden of Mottistone Church and was from 2015 – 2020 the Chair of Governors at Brighstone Primary School

She enjoys Singing, walking, travel, sailing and lives in Mottistone.

On Sunday 13th March 2022, The Vice Lord-Lieutenant Brigadier Maurice Sheen, along with Bishop Jonathan Frost, Bishop of Portsmouth elect, attended evensong at St Mary’s Church in Cowes.
Other Deputy Lieutenants were also in attendance including retired Vice Lord-lieutenant Sir Guy Acland and his wife, Lady Acland.

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