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.
GIVING BACK – WHY PHILANTHROPY CAN HELP ANY BUSINESSMAN
No matter what industry your business is in, you can find some way to give back to the world. When business is good for you, you should look for some areas where you can give back. Here are some of...
Read moreDetailsNEWPORT HIGH STREET TO BE CLOSED OVERNIGHT TONIGHT
Newport High Street will be closed overnight tonight (Thursday) to enable Southern Water to carry out urgent works. The closure will be in force between 22:00 tonight and 06:00 tomorrow morning. The road will be closed from a point 30...
Read moreDetails£100MILLION OF FRAUD STOPPED THROUGH BANK BRANCH RAPID RESPONSE SCHEME
Over £100million worth of fraud — often targeting vulnerable and elderly customers — has been prevented through the Banking Protocol, a UK-wide scheme that enables bank branch staff to spot potential fraud victims and request an immediate police response. The...
Read moreDetailsSEVERAL ARRESTS MADE IN ISLE OF WIGHT CRIMINAL ACTIVITY CRACKDOWN
An operation to prevent and disrupt criminal activity across the Isle of Wight has led to a number of drug seizures and arrests over the past 2 weeks. Response and Patrol Police officers have made no less than 6 arrests...
Read moreDetailsSOLENT LEP ANNOUNCES INVESTMENTS REACHED CLOSE TO 142MILLION IN 2018/19
L to R: Gary Jeffries, Anne-Marie Mountifield, Brian Johnson At its Annual General Meeting recently the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) announced that for the financial year 2018/2019 its total investment reached close to £142 million for projects across the...
Read moreDetailsVISIT ISLE OF WIGHT COMMENTS ON COVID-19 SITUATION
The Isle of Wight's destination management organisation, Visit Isle of Wight, has commented on the ongoing situation surrounding coronavirus. Island businesses and visitors are being urged to follow the guidelines laid down by health officials in a bid to help...
Read moreDetailsSIDE ROAD CLOSED IN RYDE FOR ELECTRICITY WORKS
Abingdon Road in Ryde has been closed to allow Scottish and Southern Energy Networks to restore service. The road was closed yesterday (Wednesday) and remains shut today. Motorists are being diverted locally via Quarry Road and St John's Road.
Read moreDetailsZOO PREDICTS A RIOT – KAISER CHIEFS FRONTMAN TO OPEN NEW LION ENCLOSURE
Kaiser Chiefs frontman and renowned coach on BBC TVs The Voice, Ricky Wilson, is set to formally welcome lion’s Kumba and Vigo into their new home at the Isle of Wight Zoo next month. The 2 rescued lion brothers recently...
Read moreDetailsLAKE RESIDENTS WIN SHARE OF £300,000 IN POSTCODE LOTTERY DRAW
Wendy Moses and Mark Fisher 10 lucky Isle of Wight residents have won a share of £300,000, thanks to playing People’s Postcode Lottery. The players in Sandown Road, Lake have won £30,000 each after PO36 9JL was announced as a...
Read moreDetailsLESSONS LEARNT FOR KIMBERLEY MURRAY AFTER 23RD PLACE FINISH IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
A disastrous first run in Altenberg - despite positive training runs - led to a lower than expected result in the Women's Skeleton World Championship for the Isle of Wight's Kimberley Murray last Friday. Kim's season has finished on a...
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