Chris Jarman for Totland & Colwell

23/11/2025

22/11/2025

A Festive Feast of Fun and Delights this weekend at Dimbola Christmas Fair.

Having enjoyed all the stands and emptied our pockets in exchange for Christmas presents for family and friends we headed for a hot chocolate in the cafe!

PS don’t forget the raffle!

22/11/2025

Great news for Freshwater !

The lovely Marian at The Cabin advises that she will be staying with a slightly different retail offering.
Out will go the jars of sweets (sad) and in will come space for local artists (yeah).
The prospect of yet another closed shop was of great concern to many, so the good news will be particularly welcome!

21/11/2025

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐋𝐆𝐑) 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐌𝐇𝐂𝐋𝐆).

It provides residents with an opportunity to share their views on the options currently under consideration and will run until 11 January 2026.

Each of the proposals claim that status of the Isle of Wight Council as a Unitary Authority will be unchanged.

The consultation does not, however, confirm what services and functions will remain with the IWC. Those matters are part of the distinct proposed establishment of a "Mayoral Combined County Authority of Hampshire and The Solent" - more on that soon.

If you would like to complete the consultation please click on the link below:

Find and participate in consultations run by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

19/11/2025

I was honoured to deliver to Full Council an In Memorium for John with contents and memories shared by members of Totland Parish Council and some of his many friends and colleagues. Like many I am deeply saddened by his passing. May his memory be a blessing to all that knew him.

“It is with great sadness that I report the passing of my predecessor and great friend John Howe.

John was born on our Island in 1942. He married Pat Carter in 1970 and their son Paul was born here in 1972.
John was a Totland Parish Councillor for over 50 years and an IOW Councillor for over 20 years.
He was my proposer and mentor, leading to my election as his replacement as Ward Councillor for Totland and Colwell.

John was also Chair of Totland Parish Council, Chair of Trustees at West Wight Nursery, helped with Abbeyfield, local schools and the West Wight Sports Centre. He volunteered as an ambulance driver, worked the lighting for the local shows, and always known as one who quietly stepped in when others needed help.

He always believed that even small acts of kindness could make life brighter.

John's convivial style endeared him to all and enabled him to excel in his Council life. He loved every minute of it and enjoyed positive relations with fellow Councillors and Officers.

John Howe 1942 to 2025.
A big man, with a big laugh, and an even bigger heart.”

19/11/2025

Closure notice for Tennyson Road through Yarmouth.

Please note this urgent closure and the diversion. This is in addition to the close of both Copse Lane and Heathfield Road.

13/11/2025

Public Meeting Tonight Regarding latest Camp Road Planning Application

Yet again an application has been resubmitted for a massive housing estate on the greenfield site along Camp Road.

The public meeting, hosted by Freshwater Parish Council, will be held this evening.

Previous objections will not count and new comments to this application are necessary.

To be informed and to inform FPC of your view, please attend this critical meeting.

11/11/2025

If you need help submitting your comments on the Camp Road development proposal, come to Our Place at the West Wight Sports and Community Centre this morning.

It’s open from 1030 till 1230 and a team will be there to help you with your submissions..

10/11/2025

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐦 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥
𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐂 𝐨𝐧
𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟎:𝟎𝟎-𝟏𝟖:𝟎𝟎 𝐚𝐭
𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡, 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝.

The event is open to the public, with people encouraged to participate in different musical performances, including solos, ensembles, duets, instrumentalists, pianists, choirs, and solo singers.

The closing event will be the Big Sing, which will include all participants and performers.

A music festival is inviting Isle of Wight musicians to take part.

10/11/2025

With thanks to IOW Council Tax and Business Rates payers plus those using IWC Pay-as-you-go services for their funding of these laptop devices.
Now that they can no longer support the work of IWC you may be please to know of their continued practical use within our community.

Isle of Wight Council donates 170 laptops the Digital Poverty Alliance to help Island young people get online

09/11/2025

My privilege to support the service of remembrance in Yarmouth today and to pay my respects after at the Totland War Memorial.
My granddad and dad both foremost in my heart.♥️ ♥️