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.
AMBULANCE CREWS ASSIST INJURED WALKER AT FIRESTONE COPSE
The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service has this afternoon (Sunday) assisted an individual who injured themselves whilst enjoying a walk at Firestone Copse near Havenstreet. 2 ambulance crews - 1 local crew and 1 from Festimed - responded to the...
Read moreDetailsLIFEBOAT-SHAPED PLANTER UNVEILED AT TRAIN STATION THANKS TO SCHOOL’S EFFORTS
A planter, created to look like Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat, has been unveiled at Lake Train Station. The project has involved staff and students from nearby Broadlea Primary School as part of the Lake Community Kids Project, with sponsorship...
Read moreDetailsPOLICE SEIZE JAG AFTER LEARNER DRIVER CAUGHT
The driver of a Jaguar will now appear in court after being found driving on the Island’s roads without a full licence and without insurance by Police. Officers have seized the saloon car in Freshwater this afternoon (Sunday) as a...
Read moreDetailsSSEN URGES LOCAL FARMERS TO ‘LOOK OUT, LOOK UP’ AND STAY SAFE
As farmers begin harvesting their various crops over the coming weeks and months, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is urging everyone across the agricultural industry to stay safe and ‘Look out, look up!’ when working near overhead power lines...
Read moreDetails‘PORTFOLIO OF LEARNING’ BEING COMPILED TO HELP WITH NATIONAL ROLL OUT OF CORONAVIRUS APP
Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Dave Stewart, and the Isle of Wight's MP, Bob Seely, have informed Health Ministers they are happy to share their experiences about the app and wider test and trace programme to inform the...
Read moreDetailsISLAND VOLUNTEERS JOIN MAINLAND COLLEAGUES IN SEARCH FOR MISSING TEEN
Volunteers from WightSAR are travelling to the mainland this morning (Sunday) to assist colleagues from Hampshire Search and Rescue in the ongoing search for missing teenager Louise Smith. Louise, 16, was last seen in Havant at around midday on 8th...
Read moreDetailsEARLY HOURS CALL OUT TO PERSON IN THE WATER AT RYDE ESPLANADE
Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team, Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team and Police were tasked to reports of a person in the water at Ryde during the early hours of this morning (Sunday). The National Maritime Operations Center at Fareham mobilised the 2...
Read moreDetailsCOASTGUARD AND LIFEBOAT TASKED TO MISSING WALKER AT CULVER DOWN
Coastguard Rescue Officers from Ventnor and The Needles are on scene alongside Bembridge RNLI at Culver Down near Sandown this evening (Saturday). Concerns have been raised that someone may be stuck on the cliff between Whitecliff Bay and Yaverland. HM...
Read moreDetailsFIREFIGHTERS RUSH TO GARAGE FIRE AT ELM GROVE IN NEWPORT
Firefighters are attending a garage fire at a property in Newport this evening (Saturday). 2 appliances from Newport Fire Station are currently in attendance at Elm Grove. They responded to the scene at speed at around 18:15. Local residents have...
Read moreDetailsCAPTIVA LAUNCHES SCHEME TO THANK NHS WORKERS
Captiva Homes has announced that it is offering NHS workers extra help to get on the property ladder. As the Isle of Wight housebuilder prepares to restart on its construction sites, it released details of special packages to help key...
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