SPECTRES of Britain’s world class rocket programme still haunt the cliffs of the Isle of Wight – where the ruins of our pioneering space research station endure as a permanent reminder of what could have been. But as the EU prepares to kick UK scientists out of the Galileo satellite programme we look at how British technology led the world – and hope this time we DON’T give it away quite so readily.

The immutable sandstone launch blocks, where scores of massively powerful rocket engines were tested and perfected, stands as a shaming monument to political short-sightedness, scientific penny-pinching and the decline of British standing in the world.

In the immediate post-war period Britain was a serious player in three-horse race with Russia and the USA in the battle to perfect rocket technology.

The driver of course was not pure science. The world had just witnessed the terrible power of nuclear bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the imperative military goal was to team a thermonuclear device with a dependable targetable, rocket.

The Americans had sneaked arch-Nazi and architect of the V2 bomb Werner von Braun to the US and the Russians had collected what was left of his missile team.

But Britain still had the home-grown brains and technological clout to punch above its weight in the race to space.

And she would need to. During the war the US and Britain had shared technological advances but in 1946, fearing Britain’s loss of international political clout, the American’s ended all technological cooperation with the McMahon Act.

It is exactly 3 months since Wightlink’s new environmentally friendly hybrid energy flagship Victoria of Wight was launched to cheers and applause from staff and shipyard workers at Cemre.

Since the ferry went down the slipway in Yalova, Turkey, an army of construction staff and contractors have been hard at work installing everything from engines to carpets, starting at the bottom of the hull with the 4 Wartsila engines, batteries and generators for the hybrid energy propulsion system and Voith propellers and making their way upwards through the vessel, putting in windows, building walls and fitting out toilets.

On board, there will be both a Costa coffee shop and a Wight Taste outlet selling Isle of Wight sourced food and drink.

Project Director John Burrows has been a frequent visitor to the yard over the last 18 months. He cut the ceremonial ribbon with an axe to launch the ship on 7th February 2018 and will supervise the sea trials in the Sea of Marmara later this month. Several senior Wightlink staff, including captains and engineers, are currently at the Cemre yard as the ship is made ready for her journey to the Solent.

John has said:

“I have enjoyed watching our new flagship take shape and know our customers will enjoy travelling on Victoria of Wight.

“We look forward to introducing her to Islanders, mainlanders and holidaymakers this summer.”

Wightlink Chief Executive Keith Greenfield says:

“The arrival of Victoria of Wight will herald a new era of cross-Solent travel and increases our capacity to carry more people and freight to and from the Isle of Wight. The hybrid energy propulsion system will mean she will operate quietly and efficiently, with fewer emissions. This marks the completion of our £45million project to improve the Portsmouth-Fishbourne route.”

Victoria of Wight fast facts:

• Victoria of Wight is 90 metres long and 19.4 metres wide, slightly larger than St Clare
• She weighs 2,550 tonnes (without crew, passengers, vehicles, freight or fuel)
• The ship can carry 178 cars or their equivalent on every sailing
• Victoria of Wight has been fitted with more than 146 kilometres of cable, weighing 76 tonnes
• Almost 30,000 litres of paint have been applied to the ship
• Spacious lounges take up more than 500 square metres inside the ship and there are more than 550 square metres of outside passenger decks

AIR RACING TO RETURN TO THE ISLE OF WIGHT IN MAY AT SANDOWN AIRPORT

It’s been almost 10 years since the last air race took place in the skies above the Isle of Wight, but in less than 2 weeks’ time aircraft will be competing once again – this time out of Sandown Airport.

It will be eyes to the skies on both 12th and 13th May as many different types of fixed-wing aircraft compete in The Royal Aero Club Records Racing and Rally Association handicap races – known as the ‘3Rs’.

The route will see the competitors take off from Island Airport at Sandown before flying over Apse Heath and Godshill, turning at Chale to follow the coastline around to St Catherine’s Point, Ventnor, Luccombe, Shanklin, across Sandown Bay to Yaverland and then back to the Airport.

The best viewing point is likely to not only be Sandown Airport itself, but St Catherine’s Point and St Boniface Down – the highest peak on the Island.

Visitors to the airport can expect to see all the planes in their full glory, as well as live music, food and drink from the onsite bistro and BBQ from 11:00.

Saturday 12th May will see The Grosvenor Challenge Trophy race take place at 15:30, whilst Sunday 13th May’s racing will be for The Battle of Britain Challenge Trophy starting at 13:00.

Both races will be held over 100 miles, meaning 4 laps of the 25-mile course. The planes will fly at just 500ft.

The racers have already visited Leicester this season and will be heading to Abbeville, Haverfordwest, Sherburn, Shobdon, Llanbedr and Alderney (TBC) between now and the end of September.

If you are looking for somewhere nice to stay while visiting the race look no further The Montpelier is a great place to stay and just down the road from Sandown Airport.

ISLE OF WIGHT FEBRUARY EVENTS

MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE TO STAY ON WHILE VISITING ISLE OF WIGHT FEBRUARY EVENTS STAY AT THE MONTPELIER IN SANDOWN			1 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light	2 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Digital Photography – David Babsky	3 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Digital Photography – David Babsky Isle of Wight Wildlife Themed Events for Kids View All 5 Events »	4 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Digital Photography – David Babsky Family Coppicing FUN – Borthwood Copse
5 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Monday Evening Life Drawing at Dimbola	6 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light	7 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light	8 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light	9 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light	10 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Isle of Wight Wildlife Themed Events for Kids Electric Woods ‘Spirit of the Orient’ – ROBIN HILL	11 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Electric Woods ‘Spirit of the Orient’ – ROBIN HILL
12 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Electric Woods ‘Spirit of the Orient’ – ROBIN HILL Monday Evening Life Drawing at Dimbola	13 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Electric Woods ‘Spirit of the Orient’ – ROBIN HILL Yarmouth Carnival Committee Pancake Races 2018	14 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Electric Woods ‘Spirit of the Orient’ – ROBIN HILL VALENTINE’S IN THE GARDEN – Ventnor Botanic Garden	15 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Electric Woods ‘Spirit of the Orient’ – ROBIN HILL	16 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Electric Woods ‘Spirit of the Orient’ – ROBIN HILL	17 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Electric Woods ‘Spirit of the Orient’ – ROBIN HILL Isle of Wight Wildlife Themed Events for Kids	18 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Electric Woods ‘Spirit of the Orient’ – ROBIN HILL
19 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Electric Woods ‘Spirit of the Orient’ – ROBIN HILL Monday Evening Life Drawing at Dimbola	20 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Electric Woods ‘Spirit of the Orient’ – ROBIN HILL	21 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Electric Woods ‘Spirit of the Orient’ – ROBIN HILL	22 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Electric Woods ‘Spirit of the Orient’ – ROBIN HILL	23 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Electric Woods ‘Spirit of the Orient’ – ROBIN HILL	24 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Electric Woods ‘Spirit of the Orient’ – ROBIN HILL Isle of Wight Wildlife Themed Events for Kids View All 5 Events »	25 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Electric Woods ‘Spirit of the Orient’ – ROBIN HILL
26 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Monday Evening Life Drawing at Dimbola	27 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light	28 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light	1 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light	2 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light	3 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light Isle of Wight Wildlife Themed Events for Kids	4 Peter Johnstone Exhibition – Dimbola Museum Jan Ramscar – Plants in a Different Light

ISLE OF WIGHT FEBRUARY EVENTS ISLE OF WIGHT FEBRUARY EVENTS ISLE OF WIGHT FEBRUARY EVENT ISLE OF WIGHT FEBRUARY EVENTS

Jack Up The 80s has been consistent in terms of bringing feel-good pop acts to the Isle of Wight over the last 5 years and the nostalgia factor will definitely be satisfied at next year’s event when boy band 5ive (Five) take to the stage.

Backed by the same management team which launched the career of the Spice Girls, Five have enjoyed remarkable success and sold 20 million records worldwide. They achieved 11 UK Top 10 hits including Keep on Movin’; Everybody Get Up; When the Lights Go Out; Got The Feelin’; Don’t Wanna Let You Go and Let’s Dance.

In the late 90s they released a cover of We Will Rock You featuring 2 members of Queen; Brian May on guitar and Roger Taylor on drums; the song charted at Number One.

Organisers of Jack up the 80s have said:

“Jack Up The 80s is one big Summer party and that’s the essence of what people love about it. As long as the acts remain in keeping with the overall party vibe, the decade in which they achieved success pales into insignificance.

“We always like to throw in a couple of curveballs, that’s what makes our line-up quirky and unique. Fans of Jack Up The 80s are always guaranteed an incredible upbeat atmosphere which is something Sean, Ritchie and Scott – the three original members of Five – bring in abundance.

“Owing to the unprecedented success of S Club earlier this year and other show-steeling performances over the years from names such as Right Said Fred, Angie Brown and The Hoosiers at the very first edition of the festival back in 2013, we continuously listen to the demands of our audience and evolve the line-up to prevent it becoming stale and predictable.”

Jack Up The 80s volume 6 will take place over the weekend of 11th and 12th August 2018 and this will be the festival’s second year at its new home Smallbrook Stadium in Ryde.

Early Bird tickets go on sale on Monday 22nd January and will be available to purchase from www.jackupthe80s.co.uk.

One of Sandown Bay’s most fascinating spaces, Sandown Barracks Battery will be transformed into ‘The Christmas Garden’ this coming Saturday (16th December).

We are thrilled to be bringing back The Christmas Garden back to Sandown Battery gardens! After the success of last year’s event attracting over 400 people through the gates we’re back better and bigger than before.

The Christmas Garden Sand Isle of Wight

With traditional band Vectis Brass performing festive tunes, Company B singing their charming nostalgic songs and interactive theatrical experiences including immersive-storytelling! Everyone in the family loved our hands-on craft stalls and this year we will have even more available to make and do!

Not to mention the fire pits for toasting your marshmallows and warming cold hands, a 20ft tree for all to gather round in the snow (yes snow!), along with the magically illuminated barracks, thanks to the talented team at Genelec.

This community event is free and created in collaboration with Arc, Artecology, The Bay and The Common Space to celebrate the festive community spirit within the Bay area and also to re imagine spaces within the public realm.

The Christmas Garden is a free community event that will see the ruins transformed with magical lights, live music, art workshops, a giant Christmas tree and campfires in a special celebration aimed at bringing the community together and breathing new life into an under-used space.

Created in collaboration between the Ventnor Exchange and The Common Space, it follows on from last year’s inaugural attempt to highlight how spaces like the battery could be used in interesting ways for the benefit of local residents.

Mhairi Macaulay, from the Ventnor Exchange said:

“We were bowled over with the response last year when hundreds of people visited and we will be building on that this year with more activities for families, interactive experiences, storytelling, more music including a traditional brass band and of course, snow!”

Thompson’s Nursery has kindly donated a spectacular Christmas tree for the event, which will be decorated during the evening and then transported to the YMCA at Winchester House for the Christmas period.

The Christmas Garden will open as the sun sets from approximately 16:30-19:00. All are welcome and entry is free.

Depeche Mode, The Killers, Kasabian and Liam Gallagher have been announced as the headliners of Isle of Wight Festival 2018.

The Script, Van Morrison, Blossoms and James Bay will also perform at Seaclose Park in Newport between 21st-24th June next year – 50 years since the first Isle of Wight Festival in 1968.

Depeche Mode, one of the most influential, beloved and best-selling musical acts of all time, will be headlining Saturday night. Depeche Mode have sold over 100 million records with no less than 17 top 10 UK albums.

The Killers return to the main stage on Sunday night following the release of their latest album ‘Wonderful Wonderful’, which continued their unbroken record of Number 1 studio albums. The Las Vegas band will bring to the Isle of Wight Festival a career-spanning headline set picked from an enviable back catalogue that includes ‘Mr Brightside’, ‘Somebody Told Me’, ‘When You Were Young’, ‘Human’ and most recent hits, ‘The Man and Run For Cover’.

Formed in Leicester in 1997, Kasabian have established themselves as Britain’s biggest rock band. As well as their last 4 albums all topping the UK charts the band are no stranger to awards, receiving the NME’s ‘Best Live Band’ gong as well as accolades from the BRITs and Q magazine throughout their career.

Rising to fame as the lead singer of Oasis, and later fronting Beady Eye, Liam Gallagher will be performing on Saturday night. His debut solo album ‘As You Were’ shot straight to Number 1 with over 100,000 sales within the first week – 1 of only 3 albums this year to have sold 6 figures in its week of release.

John Giddings of Isle of Wight Festival, says:

“This year’s line-up brings together the best bands of the moment. This is a special year as it celebrates 50 years since the festival’s first incarnation so it’s fantastic to celebrate with returning artists and those appearing for the first time.”

Having sold-out venues across the globe, Irish exports The Script will return to the Isle of Wight Festival to perform on the Friday of the event.

Tickets are available now from The Price is Wight at www.thepriceiswight.co.uk.

Isle of Wight Festival 2018:

Friday

Kasabian
The Script

Saturday

Depeche Mode
Liam Gallagher
James Bay
Blossoms

Sunday

The Killers
Van Morrison

www.islandecho.co.uk

Dream of a Traditional Wight Christmas

Christmas is coming to The Needles, so expect sacks of festive fun and a twinkly, goodtime atmosphere for 2017. The Needles massive tribute to festive fun is the only place to find the ‘real’ Santa Clause in residence. Join us for another magical December with the Island’s most famous Christmas grotto returning, helping to spread cheer to families accross the Island.

Come and meet the real Santa Clause;

2nd & 3rd December – December 2nd, Autism and disability friendly sessions available,
please call for further details 01983 752401
9th & 10th December
16th & 17th December
Saturday 23rd December

See special guest from ‘Whoville’ arrive every morning at 10:00am. Grotto entry is only £6.00 and includes a quality gift for each child. Last Grotto entry is 4:00pm

Derek Sandy will be performing his number 1 song ‘Cos it’s Christmas’ on December 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd. The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary will be present on selected dates throughout December.

Forget presents, tinsel and turkey sandwiches. What could make Christmas more magical than meeting Father Christmas, the man himself? Once you have indulged in the free parking, free children’s rides*, free Jurassic Golf, free sweet making and glass demonstrations and free elves workshops complete your festive day and hunt down the man in red!

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, mauled wine and fresh mines pies will keep the adults entertained courtesy of ‘Taste of The Wight’ who will be offering local flavours to our families during some of the grotto dates in December.

Christmas is coming to The Needles,new for 2017 will bring more of a ‘Winter Wonderland’ atmosphere to our festival street along with some rather special guests! The Islands favourite ‘Donkey Sanctuary‘ will be present on selected grotto dates for children and adults to meet those special Donkeys and Shetland Ponies in their festive enclosure. In addition, the Needles are pleased to welcome ‘Jara Amusements’ who will be offering exciting street family entertainment games.

The Needles Christmas would not be the same without the man of the moment Mr Derek Sandy performing his Christmas hit ‘Cos it’s Christmas’ on selected dates throughout December, a real treat for anyone feeling the spirit of the season and a perfect opportunity to support a local Island Charity ‘Daisy Chains IW’, 50p from each CD sold will be donated. CD’s can be purchased from our Pier Head Shopping Emporium.

On the outskirts there lives a green Grinch another special guest for the Needles in 2017. Watch out for him over the Christmas period as he plans to put in some appearances!

As if that wasn’t enough, our 4D cinema will be half price this Christmas at £2.00 per person, fun for all the family! You can find our Santa’s breakfast special in our Marconi’s’ Restaurant along with Santa’s favourite winter warmer meals plus festive mince pies and speciality coffee.

Looking for something special for your loved one this Christmas? Our unique handmade Alum Bay Glass makes for the perfect gift and our extensive showroom displays a myriad of exquisite glassware in a variety of different colours and shapes.

Our Isle of Wight Sweet Manufactory is a must too! Watch our sweet makers create treats you’ll find nowhere else and then sample the results. We make hard boiled sweets in every imaginable flavour, perfect gifts for all the family!

Visit our Pier Head Shopping Emporium for a wide selection of gifts for all tastes and budgets , from stocking fillers to beautiful handcrafted items. Our Taste of the Wight outlet will also be ideal shopping for those all important local flavours, a must visit whilst at the Needles!

*All rides are free however not all will be open at one time, unlimited rides will be limited by ride closing times, inclement weather and demand.

Need somewhere great to stay on the Isle of Wight then look no further, The Montpelier in Sandown a great place to stay. Check out our special ferry inclusive deals.