ISLE OF WIGHT

LOCATION AND COMMUNICATION LINKS

Separated from the south coast of England by the Solent, travel between the four points of entry varies from ten minutes to one hour for the 5-6km crossing. Fast hovercraft and catamarans carry passengers only, while the larger ferries carry many cars day and night with in excess of 300 sailings each day linking the island with Lymington, Southampton and Portsmouth. Southampton and Portsmouth, in turn, provide fast rail links with London and the major airports as well as liners to and from all parts of the world.

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. Most of the hills are made of chalk, which forms a central ridge running east-west across the island, and also caps the southern hills (up to 235m). The coastline is eroding rapidly in places, especially in those areas where clay outcrops at the base of cliffs, causing land slipping. The coastal scenery is varied and beautiful, and helps to attract many tourists, who are vital to the local economy. By British standards, the climate is fairly dry (750 mm per annum) and sunny (averaging over seven hours per day in July). The winters are mild (January daytime average 10°C) and severe frost rare — many sub-tropical plants flourish outdoors in the Botanic Gardens at Ventnor, where the land is particularly sheltered from the north-easterly winds. The warm, sunny summers (July daytime average 21°C) allow some farmers to grow crops usually found only in Southern Europe — for instance garlic and vines.

POPULATION AND MAJOR CENTRES

Records in the early 1990s show a population of 125,000 with an estimated rise to 128,000 in the late 1990s. The two main centres of population are the County Town of Newport with approximately 20,000 and Ryde 22,000. Smaller centres of population, less than 10,000, are spread around the island, generally on the coast at Freshwater and Yarmouth, West and East Cowes, Bembridge, Sandown, Shanklin and 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. Rule of the island fell to the Saxons in the sixth century and then in succession to Mercian, Danish and Norman Kings.

In 1290 Edward I of England took possession from which time succeeding 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 with her family thus moving world attention from London to Cowes.

GOVERNMENT

After centuries of being part of the County of Hampshire the island became an administrative County in 1890 with its own County Council. In 1974 the island completed its coming of age when the Local  Government Act granted it entitlement to its own Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff. For the twenty years that followed the island has, whilst being responsible to Westminster (one member of Parliament) been governed by the County Council and two District Councils (Boroughs). In 1994 changes to Local Government Regulations entitled Councils to amalgamate by popular consent, to become Unitary Authorities. The Isle of  Wight was proud to be the first such constituted Council in England. 

All local services, including Cultural and Social, Health, Education, Recreation and Sport, Highways and  the Countryside are administered by a Council of 48 elected members supported by appointed professional officers. Finance comes mainly from the collection of local taxes (Community Charge) topped up by National Government Grants. 

LANGUAGE AND CULTURE 

The Isle of  Wight is sometimes described as a microcosm of England and as such the inhabitants display many of the cultures and language of a mixed community. As with many tourist islands, visitors tend to settle, take work or retire to the island and are often known as ‘Overners’ as distinct from the indigenous population who are known as ‘Caulkheads’. Both combine well and each contribute strength to the developing culture. The Isle of Wight has a rich and colourful history from its various connections through the centuries with the English Throne from Queen Victoria and her wonderful home at Osborne House, Royal presence throughout the whole of Cowes Week and the acceptance by Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, to be Patron of the Isle of Wight Island Games Association.

More locally known events include the ancient rights of Longshoremen, still practised today, and the reenactment of the smuggling trade. The Ventnor Crab Fayre each year adds flavour to the wreckers and smugglers of the 17th and 18th centuries.

ECONOMY

Arable land, temperate climate, sandy beaches and inexpensive rates and building land have combined to encourage the development of a mixed economy of agriculture, tourism and light industry to be at the forefront of island economy.

A well preserved landscape maintained by an environmentally conscious community is coupled with many caves, inlets and sandy beaches. Areas of natural beauty and many places of interest both old from castles and manor houses, to new, country parks, vineyards and theme parks make the Garden Isle, with its high sunshine rate, a tourist’s paradise.

Over 100 million years ago dinosaurs roamed the island which is recognised as the best place in Europe for finding their fossil remains.

On the other hand industry has been attracted to the Isle of Wight in the same way but not in an intrusive 

way. Shipbuilding has been an island strength for centuries. Light engineering allied to shipbuilding has spread to include electrical goods and a wide range of  trade requirements such as switches, valves etc.

On larger projects the famous ‘Islander’ aircraft are made at Bembridge. British Hovercraft/Westland Aerospace and Seimans/Plessey all go from strength to strength at Cowes.

SPORT AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES

Prior to 1970 sport and leisure progressed at a gentle in England. pace mainly on a local level. Provision of natural facilities by nature — sea and the countryside — encouraged a minority of sports people to increase participation and to take their sport to a higher level. There were, however, no sports hall, significant swimming facilities, stadia or all-weather surfaces. The National Initiation of Sport for All raised by the National Sports Council and supported by grants and loans, coupled with a growing demand for greater sporting opportunities motivated the island’s three Councils to improve facilities.

Many existing facilities were upgraded and new ones were created. The provision of joint community and education facilities together with Sports Council input both advisory and financial has resulted in the building of two sports halls, four swimming pools and an all-weather track together with a myriad of smaller, but, nevertheless, equally important facilities.

The increase in sports participation has brought higher standards and a will to promote major events. Whereas only sailing carried the International Banner, European and World Championships in surfing and windsurfing have now been held. The Schneider Air Trophy Race and an Offshore Power Boat Race are now annual events.

At national level the island has hosted the All England Netball Championships, Cross Country, Junior Soccer and Trampoline Championships. In 1993 the Island hosted the Fifth Island Games.

Vernon Shimmin