On Tuesday 30th September 2025, the Lord-Lieutenant, Susie Sheldon held the annual Awards Presentation to the Reserves, Cadets and members of the community at the Royal Yacht Squadron. Amongst the many distinguished guests attending was Commodore Tim Green, Royal Navy Commander South East. The Lord-Lieutenant presented an honorary MBE, a BEM and commissioned a new Deputy Lieutenant. Military awards were followed by Community and Youth awards. The new Lord-Lieutenant cadets were appointed to serve for the next year ahead.
Category: News
King’s Award for Voluntary Service awarded to SWAY
On Thursday 25th September 2025, the Lord-Lieutenant, Susie Sheldon, presented the Kings Award for Voluntary Service to Joanna Richards and the trustees of SWAY.
The South Wight Area Youth group is based in Chale Green. Their new building was also formally opened by the Lord-Lieutenant in the presence of the trustees, donors builders and volunteers.
Wight SARS awarded the Kings Award for Voluntary Service
On Friday 29th August 2025, the Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Susie Sheldon visited the Sandown Broadway Centre to present Wight SARS with the Kings Award for Voluntary Service.
The Lord Lieutenant gave a short speech of congratulations before presenting the award to Mr Dean Terrett BEM.
The Lord-Lieutenant visits Aspire in Ryde
On Friday 29th August 2025 the Lord-Lieutenant, Susie Sheldon visited the successful Aspire charity in Dover Street Ryde. She was met by three trustees and shown around the former church that has been repurposed into separate activity areas. Later she visited their two sites in the High Street and opened the newly refurbished ARCH flats.
VJ-80 Commemoration Service
On Friday 15th August 2025, The Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Susie Sheldon, attended a Commemoration Service for the Burma Star Association held at St George’s Church in Arreton. She read the first lesson from the Old Testament. A poignant tribute was given by Dr J Sichel. His late father was captured at the fall of Singapore in February 1942 and survived captivity until August 1945.
An act of Remembrance was held in front of the Burma Star stained glass window with the laying of bright yellow fresh flowers and poppy wreaths.
Princess Anne Visits Cowes
On Saturday 26th July 2025, HRH The Princess Royal visited Cowes.
On arrival at the Royal Yacht Squadron, she was introduced to the Island Sailing Club’s flag officers. This was the first time she had met them in her newly appointed role as their Patron and introductions were made by Sir Martin White, Admiral of the Island Sailing Club.
Then the Princess went onto the Platform in the Yacht Squadron where she met the Race Officers for both the Fastnet and the Admirals Cup races. When the time came, the Princess Royal fired the gun for both starts.
The visit concluded by the Princess making her way across the road to the Royal Ocean Racing Club, Cowes (RORC), where she met flag officers and viewed the display boards showcasing the 100-year history of the RORC.
The Armada Coast 1588 Heritage Trail
On Wednesday 21st May, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Brigadier Maurice Sheen, attended an event on Ventnor seafront to launch the Armada Coast 1588 Heritage Trail.
The Nao Santa Maria, a Spanish galleon, sailed off Ventnor and fired a four-cannon salute in honour of the newly coastal path..
Quarr Abbey service to celebrate Mountbatten
On 15 May, 2025 the Lord-Lieutenant attended a Service held by the Monks of Quarr and led by Abbott Father Xavier, in a special service in celebration of Mountbatten.
Among the guests were the High Sheriff, Jacqueline Gazzard, Mountbatten trustees and the CEO of the Hospice, Nigel Hartley MBE.