Category: News

On Friday 9th October, HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of UKSA, paid a working visit to see the renovated Training Facilities at Arctic Road.  During the visit, The Princess Royal was briefed on the 1:1 Virtual tutoring system and was given a demonstration of the Simulator Suite. The Princess viewed the new kitchen facilities and was given a tour of the Sports Hall where she received a briefing on the Capital Development Plan and the Island Youth Programme. The Princess Royal was also given a brief on the Isle of Wight programmes supporting young people during COVID 19 as well as the Careers in Maritime project.

As Patron of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureau’s (NACAB), Her Royal Highness then visited the Isle Help Advice Centre at County Hall. Paul Savill, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice IW  introduced The Princess Royal to representatives of partner organisations and gave a demonstration of the ‘Attend Anywhere’ video conferencing system in use. Her Royal Highness then met Citizens Advice volunteers, staff and trustees via video link and thanked them for their work.

Finally, The Princess Royal visited the Island Riding Centre to see the new facilities for the disabled and the work being done with apprentices from HTP College. Her Royal Highness was shown around by Mrs Louise Buckner and was given a demonstration of the new parahoist. The Princess met the
students and apprentices at their work in the stables and then met the students from St Catherine’s school who were there for their weekly riding session. Finally, the apprentice students performed a musical ride for The Princess, before Her Royal Highness unveiled a plaque to open the Island Riding Centre.

The annual Lord-Lieutenant’s Award ceremony took place on Wednesday 7th October 2020 on the Platform of the Royal Yacht Squadron.  The ceremony, a much smaller affair than usual, but no less important to the Lord-Lieutenant was held under strict COVID-19 guidelines.

Vice Lord-Lieutenant Sir Guy Acland, Bt.,LVO, DL welcomed guests and thanked the Commodore and his Flag Officers for allowing the event to be held at the Royal Yacht Squadron.

Awards were presented to:

PC Justin Pringle for his work with young people and in combating violence in the community.

Three Deputy-Lieutenants received their commissions:
– Gillian Kennett, MBE
– Mary Case, DL
– Graham Biss, DL

Three Lord-Lieutenant Cadets were appointed:
– Royal Marine Cadet Corporal Daniel Williams, Ryde Sea Cadet Corps
– Cadet Sergeant Emely Luhan, No 2 Troop, Gallipoli Company ACF
– Cadet Flight Sergeant Leo Walters, 1024 Squadron Royal Air Force Cadets

On Tuesday 29th September 2020, the Earl of Wessex visited West Wight Sports and Community Centre and met staff and volunteers from the community project ‘Our Place’.

The Earl then went on to the town of Yarmouth to meet shopkeepers outside Harveys Convenience Store and Yarmouth Pharmacy.  From there, he spent time in Newport High Street where the Lord-Lieutenant updated the Earl with plans for regeneration.   He ended the visit at Thompsons Restaurant where Mr Thompson explained how the business has expanded to cope with COVID.

HM Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Susie Sheldon presented The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to the Isle of Wight Multiple Sclerosis Society, on Monday 21st September 2020 .  Dr Nick England DL and Cllr Paul Brading also attended the low key presentation.

The Isle of Wight Multiple Sclerosis Society is one of four charities on the Island to be awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year.

The Isle of Wight Multiple Sclerosis Society was set up over 40 years ago, moving to its current premises in Shanklin in 2009; the group is highly successful in supporting, both emotionally and financially, those suffering from MS together with their families.  More information on the charity can be found here.

On Tuesday 1st September 2020, HM Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Susie Sheldon,  officially opened the West Wight Heritage Centre in Freshwater.

Over a number years the Freshwater and Totland Archive group led by Linda Barnes had existed in various locations.  During that time the volume of
information increased, along with the interest in the past and there had been an increasing need to make the information more accessible and secure.  Further information on the project can be found here.

On Saturday 15th August 2020, the Isle of Wight’s Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Susie Sheldon joined war veterans, members of the Isle of Wight Royal British Legion, the High Sheriff and other local dignitaries to mark the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day.  Wreaths were laid at Shanklin, Lake and Sandown Memorials.

The Lord-Lieutenant also officially opened the newly created Shanklin Library.

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On Sunday 12th July, the Isle of Wight’s Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Susie Sheldon along with the High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight, Mrs Caroline Peel, supported the ‘Let’s Buy Local’ Open Air Market at the County Showground in Northwood.  The market will also be open on Sunday 19th July at the County Showground.

Further details of the Let’s Buy Local campaign can be found here.

The Isle of Wight Lord-Lieutenant, Susie Sheldon joined the Isle of Wight Council’s chairman, Councillor George Cameron, High Sheriff, Caroline Peel, and the council’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Ian Ward to the annual flag raising ceremony on Monday, 22 June to mark the start of national Armed Forces Week. Raising the flag were council officers, Steve Brockbank and Darren Steed, both service veterans.

Social distancing measures enforced by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic meant the traditionally held ceremony in St Thomas’ Square, Newport, could not take place this year. Instead, the Isle of Wight Council hosted an intimate ceremony in the grounds of County Hall.