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News
Latest up to date news on a variety of topics relating to tourism on the Island.
Go nuts about Red Squirrels at Osborne House - MarchToday, the Isle of Wight is one of their few remaining strongholds of the native Red Squirrel and is home to a population of about 3,500 of them.
Mother's Day baby for Amazon World - MarchA two-toed sloth, normally found hanging from the trees of tropical forests in south and Central America has been born at Amazon World Zoo Park on the Isle of Wight.
Ben Fogle to launch the 10th Isle of Wight Walking Festival - JanuaryTelevision presenter Ben Fogle is to launch the 10th Isle of Wight Walking Festival (3 - 18 May 2008) on Saturday 3 May at the Medina Theatre in Newport, Isle of Wight. Ben has presented numerous television programmes including the BBC's Animal Park, Countryfile and Wild in Africa. The Walking Festival has grown to become the biggest event of its kind in the UK.
Guy Fawkes Night on the Isle of Wight - NovemberThere are two major celebrations taking place in Sandown and Yarmouth on the 5th of November this year.
Halloween on the Isle of Wight - OctoberAll Hallows Eve, or Halloween as it's more commonly known, is the famous night when spirits can cross over into the real world to contact loved ones or wreak revenge on those who have wronged them. There's no better place than the Isle of Wight, a hub of paranormal activity, to spot a ghostly apparition or startle a spook.
Heritage Open Days - AugustFrom 6 to 9 September, you will be able to visit interesting historic buildings which are normally closed to the public or where an admission fee would usually be charged to visitors. There is also a variety of guided tours on offer. It is a once-a-year chance to discover hidden architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities which bring to life local history and culture. Buildings taking part include Bembridge Windmill, Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Shanklin Chine and many more.
Red Arrows to perform at White Air - AugustThe Red Arrows will be performing one of their famous aerobatic displays in the skies above Sandown Bay for White Air spectators on Saturday, 1 September. It is the 43rd display season, in which the Red Arrows have demonstrated the professional excellence of the RAF to millions of people both in the UK and fifty two countries worldwide. The display starts at 2pm. In addition, the RAF Falcons will be giving a parachute display at 10am. White Air is an annual seven day extreme sports festival based in Yaverland.
History comes to life at Carisbrooke this summer - AugustChildren will love creating their own delightful characters by decorating princess and wizard hats, shields, masks, crowns and tiaras during a crafty day at this magical castle (12 and 13 August). Your family can also sample 'The Worst Days Out in History' in a fun look at the smelliest, goriest and most gruesome aspects of history (19 and 20 August), or watch in awe at the bravery of real-life knights colliding at speeds of up to 60mph in the 'Grand Medieval Joust' (Bank holiday weekend 25 - 27 August).
Learn to sail at Cowes Week - August![]() Skandia Cowes Week 2007 © onEdition There's nothing quite like Cowes Week, the sailing is great for spectators and competitors alike as well as a fantastic line up of live entertainment day and night. This year's event kicked off on Saturday the 4th of August, with over 1000 boats competing, crewed by 8500 sailors ranging from amateurs to Olympians.
Rare Pterosaur fossil discovered by six year old - JuneA six year-old boy has unearthed rare pterosaur bones on the Isle of Wight. Owain Lewis was on holiday with his family when he discovered the fossil - part of a flying reptile called a pterosaur - while hunting for the relics at Compton Bay near Freshwater. The 120 million year old find comprises wing bones of the extinct flying reptile which soared above the skies of the Isle of Wight during the Lower Cretaceous Period. At the time the area was a coastal lagoon occupied by crocodiles and dinosaurs.
Ellen MacArthur wins Round The Island Race - JuneDame Ellen MacArthur has won the annual Round the Island Race. More than 1,800 yachts started the 55 mile yachting grand prix around the Isle of Wight which is open to professionals as well as amateur sailors. Speaking after the race, Dame Ellen said: "It was a fantastic race. It was an early start for everybody but the weather was great for us. I think this event is fantastic, at the end of the day how many events can you go and see 1,800 boats taking part, I think it's amazing." The race was started at 5am by Alan Titchmarsh, who will become High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight next year.
Bestival sells out in record time - MayThe annual 'Bestival' music festival has sold out in record time this year, four months before the event takes place at Robin Hill Country Park on the Isle of Wight. The festival boasts an impressive list of acts including Primal Scream, the Chemical Brothers, Beastie Boys, Electrelane, the Gossip and The Go Team. The three day event starts on Friday the 7th of September and runs until Sunday September 9th.
Tutankhamun's treasure found on the Isle of Wight - AprilTwenty years ago, Markas Dove's father found a mysterious Egyptian ring on an Isle of Wight beach when it was unearthed by the great hurricane of 1987. Experts believe it could be part of the lost treasure of Tutankhamun, transported from Egypt during the early twentieth century by a ship that sank off the coast of the Island. Apparently the ring has caused many problems for the family of Mr Dove and they now suspect that it's cursed. Elisabeth O'Connell, the research curator at the British Museum's Egyptology department, said, "The inscription suggests it belonged to either Tutankhamun or one of his inner court. I would not like to try and put a figure on its value."
Tiger Island, new ITV documentary - AprilThe countdown to Tiger Island, ITV Meridian's new seven-part series about the Isle of Wight Zoo, has begun. Programme One will be broadcast at 5.30 pm on Sunday 20th May. From the humorous to the shocking, dramas great and small; Tiger Island will follow the professional team who tirelessly dedicate their lives to help some of the most beautiful and endangered creatures on the planet.
Dolphin spectactular - April
A pod of 60 dolphins, including newborn babies were spotted around The Needles this week! Visitors were treated to the amazing sight. Dave Evans, Isle of Wight Branch of British Divers Marine Life Rescue said "There are pods around this time of the year but it's not usual to see so many in one place."
Island rocket testing site opened to public - April
High Down, perched high above The Needles on the western tip of the Isle of Wight, has been home to a remarkable secret for more than five decades. A space rocket testing site was built there at the height of the Cold War in 1957. Dubbed 'Britain's secret Cape Canaveral', the National Trust acquired the site four years ago and have now opened it up to the public for the first time. There's a runway and two launch pads, along with several control rooms. Heather Bradshaw from the National Trust said, "We feel that 50 years after this site started to be used in the space race this is an important story to be told."
Go SunSmart this summer - AprilOne third of young British holiday-makers will double their chances of developing the most fatal form of skin cancer this summer because they plan to get burnt on the beach. A national survey by Cancer Research UK, to launch its 2007 SunSmart campaign, found that 30% of 16 - 24 year olds said they were certain to get sunburnt on their summer holiday. And a further 30% said they might get sunburnt. SunSmart campaign manager Rebecca Russell said, "This year the campaign is focusing on holiday-makers because research has shown that people are most likely to burn in the sun when they are on holiday."
Island featured in San Francisco Chronicle - April
American jouralists Sally and John MacDonald were so inspired after spending a three day short break on the Isle of Wight, that they've written a glowing article about the Island in the San Francisco Chronicle. Sally writes, "The mother country might lay claim to more countryside to walk, bigger castles, more splendid palaces and a more complex history. But the Isle of Wight is living large as its mirror-image 'Mini Me.'"
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