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.
GODSHILL PRIMARY START A NEW CHAPTER THANKS TO MORRISONS BOOK DONATION
Pupils from Godshill Primary in Godshill celebrated World Book Day last Thursday (5th March) with a bundle of new books for their school library, donated by Morrisons Lake. The books were gifted to the school thanks to a partnership between...
Read moreDetailsSTRONG TURNOUT DESPITE FORECAST FOR 27TH ANNUAL HEDGELAYING COMPETITION
Novice winner Tod Carder with judge Richard Grogan and co-organiser Matthew Chatfield On a return visit to Coombe Farm, Brighstone, the 27th Annual Isle of Wight Hedgelaying Competition provided its usual combination of traditional craft and skill, keen competition and...
Read moreDetailsNEW SCHEME TO MINIMISE DISRUPTION CAUSED BY ROADWORKS ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT
A new permit system designed to give better control over works by utility companies and highway contractors on the highway network is to be rolled out next month. The permit scheme is a Department for Transport requirement for all local...
Read moreDetailsWESTRIDGE GOLF CLUB CELEBRATE SEASON SUCCESS
L-R: Harrison Knights, Joel Tarry, Dave May and Rose Budd It was a night of celebration last Saturday as the members of Westridge Golf Club gathered together to celebrate the achievements of the 2019 season and recognise the individual competition...
Read moreDetailsGOOD NEWS FOR MOTORISTS AS ASDA SLASH THE PRICE OF FUEL
Supermarket giant Asda has slashed the price of fuel today (Tuesday) in reaction to falling oil prices. It's good news for Isle of Wight motorists as Asda has cut 2p a litre off petrol and diesel meaning you will pay...
Read moreDetailsCANCER RESEARCH BENEFITS FROM WIGHTLINK’S 2020 CALENDAR
Wightlink’s 2020 calendar featuring scenic views of the Solent and the company’s fleet has raised £730 for Cancer Research UK. All the photographs were taken by staff members who captured images from the company’s 3 cross-Solent routes. The striking cover...
Read moreDetailsRAINBOW RUN SET TO BRING BUBBLE FUN TO SANDOWN
Wessex Cancer Trust’s Rainbow Run is bringing bubble fun to Sandown Airport for the first time this summer. The popular family fundraiser, featuring 10 giant inflatables and 5 colour stations, will this year include 2 new bubble stations, making it...
Read moreDetailsBRADING PRIMARY SCHOOL RETAINS ‘GOOD’ STATUS AFTER 4 YEARS
Brading Primary School continues to be a good school, according to the latest report by Ofsted. Inspectors visited the West Street school on 11th February for their first visit since July 2016. During that time leaders are said to have...
Read moreDetailsBEMBRIDGE LIFEBOAT STATION AND SHOP CLOSED AMID CORONAVIRUS FEARS LOCALLY
Visits to Bembridge RNLI have been suspended and the charity's shop in the village has been closed as a precautionary measure over coronavirus. There have been no reports of any Bembridge volunteers experiencing symptoms of the virus at the station...
Read moreDetailsFIREFIGHTERS WORK TO EXTINGUISH CHIMNEY FIRE IN ROOKLEY
Firefighters from Shanklin and Newport are working to extinguish a chimney fire at a property in Rookley this evening (Monday). 1 appliance from Shanklin was mobilised to the scene on Main Road, near to Hunt's Fruit and Veg, sometime before...
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