Darren Toogood - Editor
Darren started his career as a photojournalist at just 16 years of age, reporting across the Isle of Wight for regional, national and international media.
Driven by a passion for trusted local journalism, this true Caulkhead founded Island Echo in 2012 and has since grown it into a multi-award-winning publication. He is still the Editor and Publisher today.
Darren holds a Diploma with Honours in Media Law from the London School of Journalism.
‘SPOONS PREPARING TO RE-OPEN IN RYDE AND NEWPORT
JD Wetherspoon has drawn up plans to ensure that its staff and customers are safe before its Isle of Wight pubs re-open - but that is likely to be several weeks away yet. The company, which operates S. Fowlers &...
Read moreDetailsSKY BROADBAND DOWN FOR CUSTOMERS IN NEWPORT AND COWES
A large number of Sky Broadband customers on the Isle of Wight are without internet connection this morning (Tuesday). Those living in the Newport and Cowes areas woke to find orange lights displaying on their router as a result of...
Read moreDetailsCOWES NEIGHBOURS CELEBRATE POSTCODE LOTTERY WIN
3 people in Cowes are celebrating after winning £1,000 each thanks to their lucky postcode. The Park Road neighbours netted the windfall when PO31 7LZ was announced as a Daily Prize winner with People’s Postcode Lottery yesterday (Monday 25th May)....
Read moreDetailsKFC TO WELCOME TAKEAWAY CUSTOMERS IN-STORE FROM TOMORROW
No car? No problem! KFC in Newport will welcome customers in-store for takeaway orders only from tomorrow (Tuesday). The drive-thru re-opened earlier this month but it has now been announced that those without transport will also be able to visit...
Read moreDetailsWOLVERTON MANOR GARDEN FAIR CANCELLED FOR 2020 – BUT 2021 RETURN PLANNED
The Wolverton Manor Garden Fair has been cancelled for 2020 due to coronavirus, but the committee say they plan for the popular event to make a return in 2021. A spokesperson for the committee has today (Monday) said: “Firstly, we...
Read moreDetailsNON-ESSENTIAL SHOPS CAN RE-OPEN FROM 15TH JUNE ANNOUNCES BORIS JOHNSON
Non-essential high street shops and department stores across the Isle of Wight will be able to re-open from 15th June if they are 'COVID secure', the Prime Minister has announced tonight (Bank Holiday Monday). The good news was announced by...
Read moreDetailsPURSUIT OF CAR ENDS DOWN COUNTRY BRIDLEWAY NEAR BINSTEAD
The pursuit of a car has come to an end on Playstreet Lane near Binstead after winding through the busy streets of Ryde this afternoon (Monday). Police attempted to stop the silver Ford Focus on Monkton Street shortly before 15:30...
Read moreDetailsBODY FOUND AT COMPTON IN SEARCH FOR MISSING PENSIONER
The body of a man in his 70s has been found on the beach at Compton this morning (Bank Holiday Monday). Police were called to the popular beauty spot sometime before 07:00 after it was reported to the authorities that...
Read moreDetailsIS ONLINE GAMBLING LEGAL IN ICELAND?
You must be wondering what a country with a population strength of a shade over 300,000 has to do with any kind of betting, let alone comprehending the potential its market might or might not carry. The condescending European counterparts...
Read moreDetailsPOLICE RESPOND TO OFFICER IN TROUBLE ALERT AT SHANKLIN TRAIN STATION
Police from across the Island have responded to Shanklin Train Station tonight (Sunday) in response to an officer reporting to be in trouble. At just before 21:30, a local officer dealing with a group of intoxicated individuals declared a ‘red...
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