Latest news with #Cowes
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Islander purchases fake mummy from Cairo and more in the County Press archives
The Isle of Wight County Press has been bringing the news to Islanders since 1884. We've delved into the archives to find out what was happening in days gone by. 125 years ago, in May 1900: Cowes infants celebrated the relief of Mafeking, a breakthrough in the Boer War, by dressing up in warlike garb and marching in procession to Holy Trinity Vicarage and on to St Mary's Vicarage, where they sang the National Anthem. Some £45 worth of gold was stolen from a property in Dodnor Lane whilst the owners were out celebrating the relief of Mafeking. Read more: 'Worst ever" Cowes Week firework display and more in days gone by Landlords of popular pub to step down after two years Captain Seely was returned to parliament as the Island's Liberal MP. An Islander travelling in Çairo purchased a 'genuine' mummy, and for £20 was able to transport it home. But on closer examination, the so-called artefact contained copies of 1898 newspapers, stones and copious quantities of bullrushes. 100 years ago, in May 1925: The 124-year-old ketch, Bee, had made 40,000 trips between Southampton and Cowes. A proposition to save the crumbling cliff path between Sandown and Shanklin by employing a series of groynes was put before Sandown District Council. 75 years ago, in May 1950: Wartime radio traitor Gerald Hewitt was released from Parkhurst Prison after serving a sentence for making broadcasts on behalf of the Germans from Berlin and Paris. Yarmouth police went to the rescue of two runaway boys from London, who telephoned them saying: "Please, we want to give ourselves up." They had run away that morning, and after spending the night in the care of the police, were put on a train home. A witness at the County Petty Sessions at Ryde swore that the evidence he would give "might be the truth", amid much laughter. 50 years ago, in May 1975: Sixteen-year-old Janet Rann was the latest member of the magical Randini family to be accepted into the International Brotherhood of Magicians. She had been assisting her father, John, since the age of nine. 25 years ago, in May 2000: Six Southern Vectis vehicles were withdrawn from service after pupils completing their GCSEs vandalised them, mostly with flour and eggs.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Isle of Wight road closure 'could end my pub', says landlord
A pub landlord has said the effect of a two-month road closure "could see the very end" of his major route on the Isle of Wight has been closed one-way to traffic travelling northbound from Newport to Cowes since last Westwood, landlord of the Stag Inn, said over three days "we saw two people through the doors".Isle of Wight Council said it "does not have the facility to provide for financial assistance to businesses due to roadworks". 'Catastrophic effect' Vehicles have been forced to take a more than seven-mile diversion to avoid the works, which aims to widen Horsebridge Hill and install a junction to a new housing estate."It's had a massive impact," Mr Westwood said."There's more tumble weeds than there are cars using the main road as everybody is using the diversion road in both directions, taking business seven miles out of the way..."He said compared to figures from last year at the same time it was having a "catastrophic effect". Mr Westwood has contacted the local authority to enquire about receiving some support but said the "answer I got was no, there won't be any business relief at all".He wants people to know businesses are still open and accessible on the main arterial Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said: "During temporary roadworks there is no facility for business rates relief to be claimed from the utility company or developer who is carrying out the work."The council does not have the facility to provide for financial assistance to businesses due to roadworks."For example, Ventnor businesses did not receive payments of this nature when Leeson Road was closed for six months as alternative routes were available."Horsebridge Hill has a diversion in place where the business is still accessible from Cowes to Newport by passing traffic and also local traffic flowing north of Nicholson Street."The council added for any form of compensation to be considered a report from an insurer's loss adjuster would have to demonstrate the roadworks alone were having a detrimental impact on a business. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cowes superyacht design nominated for prestigious award
A superyacht design by an Isle of Wight company has been nominated for a prestigious award. Cowes-based Olesinski's concept superyacht, RISE, has been nominated at the 2025 International Yacht & Aviation Awards in the concepts over 40 metres category. The superyacht design, spanning 70 metres and boasting four decks, focuses on guest and crew wellbeing, with an infinity pool, a spa bath and a massage room among the yacht's features. Justin Olesinski, managing director, said: "Being nominated for an International Design Award as a small company means the world to us. The yacht's design has been nominated for an award (Image: Contributed) Read more: 84-year-old rower sets off for the Island in a homemade boat "It's a powerful recognition of our team's creativity, passion and dedication." The awards ceremony will be held at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Monaco, on Friday, June 6. The public can cast their vote on the awards' website. Olesinski are based in Cowes, with 21 designers working on creating world-class yachts. The company, founded in 1972, are one of the world's longest-established and leading designers of motor and superyachts.
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Aviary destroyed as fire spreads through Cowes back gardens
A fire has spread across the back gardens of three homes on the Isle of Wight, destroying an aviary and several garden & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service said the fire in Elm Grove, Cowes, began on Friday at about 21:30 from three stations - Newport, Cowes and Ryde - were sent and the fire was put out shortly before 23: fire service said officers had found the cause of the blaze was believed to be an electrical fault. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
12-05-2025
- BBC News
Safety and trade fears over Newport to Cowes roadwork diversion
A major route on the Isle of Wight will be closed one-way to traffic for up to two months from diversion route for vehicles travelling northbound from Newport to Cowes is more than seven miles. The southbound side will remain closure is needed to widen Horsebridge Hill and install a junction to a new estate, which Isle of Wight Council said would provide "much-needed" social residents are concerned the diversion creates "an accident waiting to happen", with cars forced on to narrow residential roads without pavements. Resident Jon Davis said: "Traffic from Newport will have to turn right into Whitehouse Road against fast-moving oncoming traffic from Yarmouth, which is a very dangerous junction, I have had some near-misses here."The council said the route was drawn up by a traffic safety control officer who considered the width and classification of the road."The diversion route will be monitored throughout... and any additions will be made if required," a spokeswoman said."[It] is on existing roads that already have no pavements; therefore, pedestrians are advised, as they are with all routes with no pavements, to follow the Highway Code... to ensure their own personal safety." Matthew Westwood, landlord of the Stag Inn on Cowes Road, has raised concerns about the potential fall in trade because customers would be stuck in traffic."We have regular bookers, contractors, who are here several nights a week who are thinking of staying elsewhere to avoid the chaos of the extra traffic," he said."It's heartbreaking to hear when businesses are already struggling."Buses and emergency vehicles will be permitted to travel northbound throughout the works."If the road can be open for them, it makes sense to put temporary traffic lights in for all vehicles," Mr Westwood Isle of Wight Council said traffic lights would cause more disruption and make the working environment less safe for the added a crew member would be onsite to help buses get through, particularly to help commuters and children getting to school, especially during exams. It urged people to switch their car for the bus during the road will reopen for the duration of the Isle of Wight Festival in June. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
