On Saturday 18 May 2019, the Lord-Lieutenant attended a Service at the Newport Minster, where The Ven Peter Leonard was welcomed as the new Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight.
The Rt Revd Christopher Foster, The Bishop of Portsmouth led the service which was attended by worshipers, dignitaries and community representatives.
During the Service, the Lord-Lieutenant presented the Archdeacon with a hamper of local farm produce.
On Sunday 5th May 2019, deputy lieutenant The Hon Patrick Seeley DL attended the 77th Anniversary of the Defence of Cowes and East Cowes by the Polish destroyer ORP Blyskawica on Cowes Parade. Retired deputy lieutenant Mr John Matthews DL, representatives from the Polish Navy, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland and Isle of Wight’s civic dignitaries also attended.
ORP Blyskawica and her sister ship ORP Grom were built in a local shipyard J.S. White & Co. The Friends of the ORP Blyskawica Society annually commemorates the defence of Cowes and East Cowes by Polish destroyer ORP Blyskawica, an event which took place on the night of the 4/5th May 1942 claiming the lives of 70 townspeople from the two towns. The loss of ORP Grom in Rombaken Fiord Norway on the 4th of May 1940 was also commemorated.
On Monday 8th April 2019, Mr Geoff Underwood was sworn in as the Island’s new High Sheriff. The ceremony at CECAMM in East Cowes was presided over by HH Judge Roger Hetherington, in the presence of the Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Mrs Susie Sheldon.
Retired deputy lieutenant, Mr John Matthews DL was sworn in as Under High Sheriff.
On Sunday 7th April 2019, the Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Susie Sheldon attended a charity concert supporting Citizens Advice IW and Mountbatten, by The Band of the Hampshire Constabulary at All Saint’s Church in Ryde.
Band member and Island Commissioner for the IW Scouts, Mr Paul Saville met the Lord-Lieutenant on her arrival and during the concert, Mrs Susie Sheldon presented a Queen’s Scout Award to Oliver Scragg.
On Tuesday 2nd April 2019, Deputy Lieutenant, Lt Colonel David Langford MBE DL attended the Isle of Wight Citizenship Ceremony on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant. Following a welcome address from both himself and Lora Peacey-Wilcox, Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, the five candidates each gave their oath or affirmation of allegiance.
On Friday 29th March 2019, the Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Susie Sheldon attended the launch of the Community Library and Heritage Trail Project in Shanklin. Mrs Sheldon, along with the High Sheriff and Chairman of the IW Council met volunteers and school children from St Blasius C of E Primary Academy.
Today, Major General Sir Martin White KCVO CB CBE JP, celebrates his 75th birthday marking his retirement as Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight.
Sir Martin was appointed Vice Lord-Lieutenant of the Island in 1999 before becoming Lord-Lieutenant in 2006. Over the past 13 years he has attended hundreds of events in his official capacity and overseen more than 50 Royal visits to the Island. In his role as Lord-Lieutenant, Sir Martin has presented MBE and British Empire Medals, advised on submissions for honours nominations and nominated Island residents to attend Royal Garden Parties.
Sir Martin has supported military organisations on the Island attending events such as Armed Forces Day, Remembrance Services and events commemorating the centenary of WW1. In 2010 Sir Martin introduced the Field of Remembrance Service, in the Princess Beatrice Garden at Carisbrooke Castle, as a place for people to pay their respects.
Other key moments during his term of office include the visit of HM The Queen in July 2012, as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and the bi-centenary of the Royal Yacht Squadron in 2015, which was attended by members of the British Royal Family and European Royal Families.
On Friday 15th February 2019, the Voluntary Sector paid tribute to the contribution the Lord-Lieutenant and Lady White have made to the Isle of Wight during the last twelve years. Major General Sir Martin White, who retires at the end of March, along with Lady White, attended the event at the Riverside Centre which was hosted by Mr Richard Priest MBE. The Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire and his wife also attended, along with other Island dignitaries.
A number of speakers from organisations and charities with whom the Lord-Lieutenant and Lady White have worked over the years, many of which had been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, shared their experiences and gave thanks for what had been achieved.
Standard Bearers from the Royal British Legion and cadets from the Island’s Army Cadet Force also took part in the evening along with Lord-Lieutenant Cadets, past and present who expressed their gratitude. Personal tributes were also made from Officers with whom the Lord-Lieutenant had served in the Armed Forces.
A letter of good wishes on his retirement, was presented to the Lord-Lieutenant from Rt. Hon Sir John Major KG CH, Britain’s Prime Minister during the first Gulf War in 1990/91 when Sir Martin commanded the United Kingdom’s logistic operation in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Memories were also shared from Sir Martin’s time as a school boy at Sandown Grammar School, Shanklin Town Brass Band provided the music and a fabulous cake was presented by the Women’s Institute, amongst other gifts.
