Warren Whitmore

6 days ago | islandecho.co.uk | Warren Whitmore

Frank James Hospital in East Cowes – which sadly fell to rack and ruin at the turn of the century – served the communities of the twin towns at the mouth of the River Medina for over a century. The hospital had very strange beginnings. It was founded in memory of the wealthy explorer and yachtsmen Frank Linsly James, who was gored to death by an enraged elephant on his 39th birthday – 21st April 1890.

1 week ago | islandecho.co.uk | Warren Whitmore

A 16.7% increase in car ferry charges caused uproar at an Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce meeting held at the Guildhall on 21st June 1950. Hoteliers had reported a tremendous number of cancellations of holiday bookings because ferry charges were now 74% higher than in the pre-war era, and that it had become impossible to get a car across the Solent at weekends. One speaker at the meeting suggested that the ultimate effect of the ‘crippling’ charges would be the complete ruin of the Island.

1 week ago | islandecho.co.uk | Warren Whitmore

Disgraced former Wootton councillor Daryll Pitcher has returned to local politics as the election agent for Vectis Party candidate Graham Perks in the upcoming Wroxall, Lowtherville and Bonchurch by-election. The former Vectis Party leader took a sojourn from active politics after his conviction for 2 counts of rape against a child back in February 2023 – and the subsequent failure of his appeal in April of that year.

1 week ago | islandecho.co.uk | Warren Whitmore

Wightlink Warriors have announced their intention to stage a 7-meeting season of speedway between July and September at Smallbrook Stadium. There will be 4-team speedway meetings to include the Vince Mapley Memorial, and the Steve Piper Memorial meetings, plus the popular Best Pairs as well as our British Championships to include Women, J.A.P, Upright and the 500cc. Races will be held on a Tuesday in 2025, allowing access to a greater number of riders, as this is a quiet fixture night in the UK.

1 week ago | islandecho.co.uk | Warren Whitmore

Local MPs, business leaders and community figures condemned the soaring costs, unreliability and lack of accountability of the Isle of Wight’s ferry services during the Island Echo/IW Observer State of the Island Debate. The ferry companies faced a barrage of united, cross-party criticism during Friday’s event, with calls now mounting for a public service obligation to finally bring change.