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.
ISLE OF WIGHT PLANNING APPLICATIONS: 1ST MAY 2020
The following planning applications and appeals have been submitted to the Isle of Wight Council and can be viewed online at www.iwight.com/planning. Alternatively, they can be viewed at Seaclose Offices, Fairlee Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 2QS. New Applications Application...
Read moreDetailsOVER 100 TRUCKS, LORRIES AND VANS SHOW SUPPORT IN HOSPITAL DRIVE-PAST
Over 100 trucks, lorries and vans from a number of different Isle of Wight firms showed their support for the NHS by tooting their horns in a special drive-past parade outside St Mary's Hospital this evening (Thursday). Just before the...
Read moreDetails107 COVID-19 CASES CONFIRMED NEARLY 8 WEEKS AFTER FIRST ISLAND PATIENT IDENTIFIED
Almost 8 weeks after the first confirmed coronavirus patient was identified on the Isle of Wight, the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 sits at 107. The latest figures from Public Health England show a small increase in the...
Read moreDetailsADDITIONAL WASHING MACHINES IDENTIFIED AS BEING A FIRE RISK
Islanders are being urged to check their washing machines as manufacturer Whirlpool has identified even more Hotpoint branded machines that could catch fire. In January 2020, Whirlpool began a recall campaign to identify more than 500,000 Hotpoint and Indesit branded...
Read moreDetailsCYCLEWIGHT CALL FOR MORE SUPPORT FOR CYCLING AND WALKING POST LOCKDOWN
CycleWight has contacted the Isle of Wight Council with a list of ideas to make it easier for people to keep a social distance while walking and cycling as regulations linked to lockdown are relaxed. More people are walking and...
Read moreDetailsFURTHER INCREASE IN COVID-19 DEATHS AT ST MARY’S AS LOCKDOWN CONTINUES
A total of 25 Islanders have now died with COVID-19 in hospital, according to the latest figures released this afternoon (Thursday). Data from NHS England confirms the death toll has increased from 24 to 25. The latest victims died at...
Read moreDetailsISLE OF WIGHT’S EMILY RADFORD NAMED A GRAND FINALIST IN MISS TEEN GREAT BRITAIN 2020
The Isle of Wight's Emily Radford has been announced as a grand finalist in the Miss Teen Great Britain 2020 competition. Judges had a difficult decision to make when selecting the finalists for this year's closely-fought competition as the standard...
Read moreDetails“I’M PROUD AND NERVOUS TO BE ON THE FRONTLINE” SAYS ISLE OF WIGHT’S HANNAH ON HOSPITAL CALL-UP
A student nurse from the Isle of Wight has spoken of the pride she feels after answering the Government’s call to join the NHS’s fight against coronavirus. Hannah Shaw, from Sandown, is one of 222 Nursing students from the University...
Read moreDetailsWILL GOVERNMENT SAVE ISLE OF WIGHT LAND CASINOS?
The coronavirus crisis continues to grow in the UK, with businesses struggling to stay afloat as a result of being forced to close their doors due to the lockdown. On the Isle of Wight alone, more than 50 people have...
Read moreDetailsCANNABIS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITY TO BE BUILT ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT
A new facility is to be established on the Isle of Wight with the aim of becoming a world-leading centre for the research and development of cannabis-based healthcare. Vecticanna, the company behind the plans, has partnered with several large institutions...
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