International Island Games Association

Member Profile

Isle of Wight

Flag of Isle of Wight

Games Attended

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LOCATION AND COMMUNICATION LINKS

Separated from the south coast of England by the Solent, travel between the five points of entry varies from ten minutes by Hovercraft from Portsmouth to Ryde to one hour for the  car ferry crossing from Southamption to East Cowes. Fast catamarans carry passengers only from Southampton to West Cowes and from Portsmouth to Ryde, whilst larger car ferries run from Lymington to Yarmouth, Portsmouth to Fishbourne and from Southampton to East Cowes.  Southampton and Portsmouth provide fast road and rail links to London, Gatwick and Heathrow. Southampton is also the gateway to a rapidly developing local airport which, together with an equally expanding airport at Bournemouth (linked with Lymington) offers expanding services to many parts of Europe and Scandinavia.

GEOGRAPHY

The Isle of Wight lies off the southern coast of England. It is an approximate diamond shape, about 37km from east to west and 22km north to south.

The Island has attractive, hilly countryside which is lovely for walking.  The network of public footpaths is probably the densest anywhere in England and is now supplemented by a range of cycle paths for the really energetic. Most of the hills are made of chalk, which forms a central ridge running east-west across the Island, and chalk also caps the southern hills. The coastline is eroding rapidly in places, particularly where there are clay outcrops at the base of cliffs, causing landslip. The coastal scenery is varied and beautiful, attracting many tourists who are vital to the lsland economy. Often described as a microcosm of England the Isle of Wight enjoys a fairly dry climate with a good deal of sunshine.  winters tend to be mild and severe frost and snow are rare.

POPULATION AND MAJOR CENTRES

Records curently show a population of 138,000.  The two main centres are Ryde and the County Town of Newport, each with a population of 20-22,000.  Smaller centres of population are largely on the coast at Sandown, Shanklin, East and West Cowes, Freshwater and at Ventnor.

HISTORY

Since becoming an Island 7,000 years ago when the last remaining ice fields of the Ice Age melted causing a break at the Eastern end of the River Solent estuary, the habitation of the  Island has been distinct yet varied.

Early history records the ‘Beaker’ people, or makers of pottery from around 2000 B .C. followed by Iron Age tribes and then the arrival of the Romans in 43 A.D. Much remains today of the roman presence including the name ‘Vectis’ as they called their home during their stay of 500 years, and two well preserved Roman Villas. Rule of the Island then moved to the Saxons, the Mercian, Danish and Norman Kings.

In 1290 Edward I of England took possession from which time Sovereigns ruled through the appointment of Lordships, Captains and more recently Governors. In the 1800s Queen Victoria brought world recognition by spending a great deal of her time at Osborne House in East Cowes with her family.

GOVERNMENT

After centuries of being part of the County of Hampshire the Island became an Aministrative County in 1890 with its own County Council.  In 1974 the Island completed its 'coming of age' when the Local Government Act granted it an entitlement to a Lord Lieutenant and a High Sheriff.   Twenty years later further local government changes amalgamated the existing three authorities into a single entity whilst retaining the Administrative County status.  the Island Council has 48 elected members and the Island returns a single member to Parliament.

 LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

The Isle of Wight displays many of the cultures and language of a mixed community.  As with many tourist islands many visitors return and settle by taking work or retiring.  In other cases people come from all parts of the country to work for varying periods and of course there is the indigenous population born on and spending thier entire lives on the Island.                                                   

There is a rich history of relationships with the English throne, from the imprisonment of Charles I at Carrisbrooke Castle, through Queen Victoria at Osbourne House and a strong Royal presence at Cowes Week.  In 1993 Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, became Patron of the Isle of Wight Island Games Association.

At the other end of the scale there are many legends of wreckers and smugglers along the Channel coast of the Island.

ECONOMY

Arable land and a temperate climate have kept agriculture as a stable part of the economy, whilst first class beaches and sunshine records boost the tourist trade.  Areas of outstanding natural beauty and many places of interest from castles to manor houses, country parks, vineyards and theme parks all add to the attraction for visitors.   Many years ago dinosaurs roamed the Island and the area is recognised as one of the best places in Europe for finding fossil remains.

SPORT AND LEISURE 

 

In the 1960s and 70s the Isle of Wight gained a national profile for the annual Pop Festivals and the attendant publicity.  After a lull of more than thirty years the Island is again nationally known as the venue for two of the major festivals in the national calendar, each of which bring in thousands of visitors.  The largest Scooter Rally in Europe takes place n the Island in August each year, with more than 1000 bikes moving around the Island roads.

On the sporting front annual walking and cycling festivals attract participants of all ages and abilities.  During the autumn the Island plays host to the largest Extreme Sports festival in Britian, with activity on both sea and land.  Cowes Week, culminating with the Fastnet Race, is internationally renowned and each year over 1000 boats take part in the 'Round the Island' race.  Outside the age of sail there is an annual offshore Powerboat race from Cowes to Torquay.  In recent years the Isle of Wight has hosted rounds of the World Beach Volleyball competition, European and World windsurfing championships, the Americas Cup Centenary celebrations and the Schneider Trophy Air Race.  During the past twenty years sports facilities have been much improved and the Island is a popular venue for touring teams in many sports.

The Isle of Wight has taken part in every Island Games since inception in 1985 and hosted the Games for the first time in 1993.


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