Darren Toogood - Editor
Darren heads up Island Echo not only as Editor, but as Publisher and Founder too. He specialises in breaking news and has worked in the local news market for the past 15 years.
‘OUR STAFF SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORK IN FEAR OF THEIR SAFETY’ SAYS ISLAND’S NHS TRUST
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust is reminding members of the public that it has a ‘zero tolerance’ approach towards violence, aggression and abuse; NHS staff should be able to do their job without fear of violence, abuse or harassment from...
Read moreDetailsFOSSIL FINDER MAP LAUNCHED TO INSPIRE DISCOVERY OF UK’S DINOSAUR PAST
National hotel chain Premier Inn has launched an interactive map that reveals the all the best places to find fossils up and down the UK, thanks to the help of the Isle of Wight's very own Martin Simpson. In a bid to...
Read moreDetailsISLE OF WIGHT VOLUNTEER PRAISED BY BARNARDO’S
An Isle of Wight volunteer has been praised by a national children’s charity for the support she has given to children and families on the Island. Jessica Berry, 27, from Ryde, volunteers at the Barnardo’s Family Centre’s locally. She recently...
Read moreDetails‘HOVER BOVER’ SEES ISLAND FLYER LIST TO ONE SIDE
Passengers on the 13:00 Hovertravel service from Southsea have described the moment the craft listed to one side just a short while into what was meant to be a 10 minute crossing to the Isle of Wight. Hovertravel's Island Flyer...
Read moreDetailsINDEPENDENT ARTS SHOWCASING TIME & TIDE ART AT SUMMER EXHIBITION
Local charity Independent Arts is showcasing work produced in their Arts Council England funded project, Time & Tide, at a summer exhibition. The work has been produced by older people at creative workshops run in Southern Housing Group schemes, local...
Read moreDetailsMOUNTBATTEN RESPONDS TO NATIONAL STUDY ON ‘UNEQUAL ACCESS TO HOSPICE CARE’
Mountbatten, the Isle of Wight's end of life care charity, is responding to a national study which has looked at how soon people were referred to hospice care after being diagnosed with diseases such as dementia, liver and heart failure...
Read moreDetailsNHS ISSUE SIMPLE ADVICE TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OF SKIN CANCER
As part of the national ‘Cover Up Mate’ campaign health professionals are urging men who spend long periods of time outdoors to cover up and protect themselves from the sun. Farmers, builders, sportsmen and gardeners are all being targeted because...
Read moreDetailsTRACEY’S MARATHON EFFORTS RAISES OVER £2,200 FOR ABILITY DOGS 4 YOUNG PEOPLE
A cheque for £2,281 has been handed over to local charity Ability Dogs 4 Young People by Tracey Rae who, instead of going out to celebrate her 50th birthday, completed the hottest London Marathon is history back in March. Other than...
Read moreDetailsINCIDENT AT ZEBRA CROSSING LEADS TO DELAYS IN LAKE
UPDATED: The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service is attending an incident on the zebra crossing outside Broadlea School in Lake this morning (Thursday). 1 person has been injured and is receiving medical treatment at the scene on Newport Road. It...
Read moreDetailsGROUP BEACH BIKE EXPERIENCE TO LAUNCH ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT THIS SUMMER
A unique 17-seater bike experience with an eco-friendly heart will quite literally roll into Ryde this summer. Set to brighten Britain’s beaches, the world’s first BoRo Beach Bike will be launched on the Isle of Wight on 22nd July. Modelled...
Read moreDetails































































































