His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant’s annual awards evening, took place on Tuesday 3rd October 2023, at the Royal Yacht Squadron.
Two British Empire Medals (BEM) were presented to:
HM Lord-Lieutenant also presented awards to Island residents, in recognition of their services to the community.
On Monday 31st July 2023, HRH Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence visited Cowes Week on Royal Navy Day to see the racing and support the Royal Navy presence at Cowes Week. They met the Race Officers and Cowes Week officials running the racing and then were entertained on the motor launch Warrior by the Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron, to watch the racing out in the Solent. Windy conditions and rainy squalls made for interesting viewing.
HRH and Sir Timothy then visited the Naval Guardship HMS Tyne on her mooring and met the Commander of the Ship and his crew and had a tour of the ship. They visited the Naval Stand on Cowes Esplanade to meet the Staff who have been working there all week.
They met Caroline Senior (Director of Spinlock Ltd, recent winners of the Kings Award for Innovation) who explained the innovative ALTO and presented them both with anew ALTO buoyancy aid & a deck safety vest.
Finally HRH took the salute for the march past of the Royal Marines Band supported by Cowes and Ryde Sea Cadets who marched from Cowes Yacht Haven to Holy Trinity Church before attending a service at Holy Trinity. This service was to bless the plaques raised in memory of both Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip. The Royal Marines Quintet provided the music and the service was officiated by Rev Amanda Collinson. Before departure HRH and Sir Timothy attended a reception at the Royal Yacht Squadron and presented the Polly Birch Memorial Trophy to Thomas Leather of Cowes Enterprise College before taking the salute for the Grande Finale of the Royal Marines Corps of Drums.
The Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Mrs Susie Sheldon, joined with local dignitaries to see the launch of ‘Rose, Castle and Crown’ by author Patrick Crowley, at Carisbrooke Castle.
At almost 600 pages, the book is a meticulous and pain-stakingly detailed account of the history of citizen soldiers from the Isle of Wight and Hampshire, sponsored by the Connaught Trust and published locally by Medina publishing, it is a unique history of the Army Reserve, from the days of the militia to today’s Reservist, including accounts of major conflicts, including the 2 World Wars.
Lord Lieutenant Susie Sheldon said ‘The Army Reservist needs to be better understood and this excellent book highlights the part-time soldier, particularly in our counties, and I can’t recommend it enough.’
The launch included an introduction from Vice Lord Lieutenant Maurice Sheen, and a comprehensive presentation, and book signing, from author Patrick Crowley, with Carisbrooke Castle featuring throughout the publication, with a rare glimpse of the Connaught Sword.
Patrick Crowley will feature at the Isle of Wight Literary Festival from 5th-8th October 2023, at Northwood House, with copies of the book available through local bookshops and the Connaught Trust, the Trust provides grants for the Cadet and Reserve force across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Picture Kevin Weeden
On Tuesday 4th July, the Lord-Lieutenant and High Sheriff joined a team of retired netball players to play against the Bay Team in Sandown, which consisted of teachers and Teaching Assistants from Sandown Bay Academy.
On Sunday 25th June 2023, HM Lord-Lieutenant attended the Armed Forces Day celebrations at Eastern Gardens on Ryde Seafront.
As well as the Lord-Lieutenant, in attendance included High Sheriff, Dawn Haig-Thomas, the chairman and leader of the IW Council, Cllrs Claire Critchison and Lora Peacey-Wilcox, patron, Major-General, Sir Martin White, Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Brigadier Maurice Sheen and the
guest of honour, D-Day Veteran, Roy Hayward.
Six people from the Isle of Wight were recognised with honours from HM The King, in the Birthday Honours List:
Ronald George GROVES
has been awarded a BEM For services to the community in Chale
Angela Eugenie HEWITT – Founder Trustee, Naturezones
has been awarded a BEM For services to Nature Conservation and Education
Jacqueline WILSON – Founder, Save Our Hedgehogs
has been awarded a BEM for services to Wildlife Rehabilitation
Nigel Alan HARTLEY – Chief Executive Officer, Mountbatten Hospice Group, Isle of Wight and Hampshire
has been awarded an MBE for services to Hospice Care
Robert THOMPSON – Chef
has been awarded an MBE for services Hospitality, to Tourism and to Charity
Dr Sarah Elizabeth KNIGHT – Behavioural Scientist, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Ministry of Defence (Isle of Wight)
has been awarded an OBE for services to the State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II
On Thursday 11th May, The Lord-Lieutenant was welcomed by Dr Nick England DL and Mr Paddy Lightfoot, Mayor of Sandown, at The Broadway Centre, Sandown.
The Lord-Lieutenant presented a Coronation Champions Awards 2023 certificate and badge to Benjamin Holbrook recognising his outstanding work as part of the Coronation Celebration. A flowering cherry tree was then planted in the garden.
Dr Nick England read the full citation for IOW Volunteer Bus Partnership, who were awarded a Queen’s Award for Volunteer Service in 2021 which HRH the Prince Michael of Kent had presented. The Lord Lieutenant then presented badges to 10 members of the voluntary group who are all fully trained volunteer bus drivers.
The Lord-Lieutenant was then presented with a school bag, by the winner of the Bay C of E Primary school bag design competition to commemorate the Coronation.
On Sunday 7th May 2023, the Lord-Lieutenant attended a church service at St Mary’s Church, Cowes to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The Service was led by The Right Reverend Jonathan Frost, Bishop of Portsmouth.
