Darren Toogood

Publisher and Editor at Island Echo

Editor/Publisher of the award-winning @islandecho 🏆 Journalist on the Isle of Wight for the past 15 years 📝 IW Chamber Board Member ⭐️ NUJ Member. Dad 🎀

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Articles

CRAB & LOBSTER RECEIVES DAMNING 1-STAR FOOD HYGEINE RATING - AGAIN

1 week ago | islandecho.co.uk | Darren Toogood

The Crab & Lobster pub in Bembridge has been handed another damning 1-star food hygiene rating – the second within 9 months – with inspectors discovering a mouldy ice machine, flies landing on food and tubs of out-of-date crab. Following an inspection on 28th April, the popular Forelands Field Road establishment has once again been found to be failing across multiple hygiene standards.
TIMETABLES AND NEW VESSELS HOT TOPICS AT RECENT RED FUNNEL CUSTOMER FORUM

1 week ago | islandecho.co.uk | Darren Toogood

Red Funnel customers recently met with the ferry operator’s leadership team to discuss topics at the front of customers’ minds, as part of the Customer Forum initiative. Senior members of the Red Funnel team spoke openly with customers to tackle some of their most pressing matters, including hospitality and vessel technology upgrades, as well as timetables, reliability and punctuality.
LOCAL GROUP LAUNCHES REVITALISATION PROJECT AT THE POINT IN BEMBRIDGE

1 week ago | islandecho.co.uk | Darren Toogood

A group of Bembridge residents have joined forces with a local landowner to revitalise The Point, with work beginning this week to clear concrete blocks and reopen the area to the public. The project aims to transform The Point – also known as Silver Sands – into a community-first destination, offering wellness activities, access to the beach, and local food and drink. It has been confirmed that a new pay-and-display car park will be created, improving accessibility.
WIGHT EAGLES FC & ACADEMY CELEBRATE WITH END‑OF‑SEASON GALA

1 week ago | islandecho.co.uk | Darren Toogood

Wight Eagles FC & Academy hosted a spectacular end‑of‑season celebration at GG Bar & Restaurant in Newport on Saturday (14th June), bringing together around 250 players, parents, staff and sponsors for an evening of honours and community spirit. Chairman Michael Ross and Director of Football Dan Verstraeten welcomed guests, and the event saw Academy players and the Ladies side take to the stage together.
LONG-SERVING LAKE PARISH COUNCILLOR BETTE YOUNG RETIRES

1 week ago | islandecho.co.uk | Darren Toogood

Lake Parish Council has paid tribute to Councillor Bette Young following her retirement at the Council’s recent Annual Meeting. The meeting, held for the first time at the new venue known as the Meeting Place next to the New Road Public Space, also saw the return and appointment of other Parish Councillors.
GOLD MEDAL SUCCESS FOR SHANKLIN-SANDOWN ROWERS AT BRITISH MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS

1 week ago | islandecho.co.uk | Darren Toogood

Shanklin-Sandown Rowing Club have struck gold at their first-ever appearance at the British Masters Championships, held at the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham last weekend. Club members Simon Nevitt and Gary Burch competed against some of the most experienced rowers in the country, racing in both single and double scull events. Saturday’s races took place in challenging, coastal-style conditions that even led to racing being suspended temporarily.
PLANS FOR RAISED OUTDOOR SEATING AT COWES BAR REFUSED BY COUNTY HALL

1 week ago | islandecho.co.uk | Darren Toogood

Plans to give a Cowes town centre bar a raised outside seating area have been refused. County Hall rejected Steve Tewkesbury’s proposal for raised seating to the rear of The Bird Bar at 104 High Street, Cowes. A statement submitted by Mr Tewkesbury’s agent, Nova Architectural, described ‘outdoor dining and drinking’ as ‘highly sought-after experiences’ in Cowes.
ISLE OF WIGHT SWIMMERS DIVE INTO FINAL FUNDRAISER FOR ISLAND GAMES

1 week ago | islandecho.co.uk | Darren Toogood

A team of 9 dedicated young swimmers from the Isle of Wight are preparing to represent their home at the 2025 International Island Games in Orkney next month – and they’re marking the moment with a 48-kilometre sponsored swim. The challenge, which reflects the combined ferry distance from the Isle of Wight to Orkney, is part of a wider fundraising effort to help cover the team’s travel and competition costs for the prestigious international event.
MECHANICAL FAILURE THOUGHT TO BE BEHIND EARLY HOURS FESTIVAL BUS BLAZE

1 week ago | islandecho.co.uk | Darren Toogood

Southern Vectis is working to establish the cause of a blaze that destroyed one of its Isle of Wight Festival transport buses during the early hours of this morning (Friday). It was just before 00:40 that the Salisbury Reds-liveried double decker bus came to a stop on the A3056 Newport Road between Lake and Apse Heath, when a fire broke out in the engine bay.
STUDENTS UNVEIL 'SANDY MCPULLER' AFTER RAISING £1,216 FOR INDEPENDENT LIFEBOAT

1 week ago | islandecho.co.uk | Darren Toogood

Blue House students from The Bay CE School have officially unveiled ‘Sandy McPuller’, the newly named lifeboat tractor at Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat, after raising over £1,200 through a school fundraiser. Last Friday (13th June), students visited the lifeboat station to reveal the name and see firsthand how their efforts will contribute to saving lives off the coast of the Isle of Wight.