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.
WHY PERSONALIZATION IN PRINT STILL MATTERS FOR EVENTS
A printed certificate carries more weight than just the paper it’s printed on. It’s a token of achievement, an expression of gratitude, or simply a keepsake for a cherished memory. But what makes certificates truly meaningful is personalisation. Generic templates...
Read moreDetailsWIGHTLINK TO INCREASE MULTILINK VEHICLE FARES FROM 14TH APRIL
Wightlink is increasing the cost of its Multilink Vehicle Pass fares again, with the cross-Solent operator partially blaming the Labour Government's National Insurance contributions hike for the change. Increasing operational costs are also being attributed to the price hike, which...
Read moreDetailsSAINSBURY’S RECALLS CHOCOLATE PRODUCT OVER METAL CONTAMINATION FEARS
Shoppers on the Isle of Wight are being urged to check their cupboards after Sainsbury’s issued a product recall for one of its premium chocolate snacks over fears it may contain pieces of metal. The affected item is Sainsbury’s Taste...
Read moreDetails£1.35MILLION FUNDING UNLOCKED FOR CRIME PREVENTION ACROSS THE ISLE OF WIGHT
Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has announced £1.35million in crime prevention grant funding for charities, councils and third-sector organisations working in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. Underscoring her pledge to cut crime, the Safer Communities Fund is...
Read moreDetailsSELF-BUILD HOME GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT NEAR CLIFF EDGE IN SANDOWN
A 3-bedroom house will be built on grassland near a cliff edge in Sandown, despite opposition from next-door neighbours. Council planners have approved Lee Boynton and Laura Craven’s proposal for a ‘high-quality’ self-build property with ‘scenic views of the surrounding...
Read moreDetailsISLANDERS URGED TO TAKE ACTION AS 2024 DECLARED ONE OF THE WORST YEARS FOR BUTTERFLIES
Butterfly lovers across the Isle of Wight are being urged to take action following the release of shocking new data confirming 2024 as one of the worst years on record for UK butterflies – with the much-loved Small Tortoiseshell having...
Read moreDetailsINTERNATIONAL EXTRADITIONS: LAWS, PROCESS, AND KEY CHALLENGES
International extradition is a complex legal process that involves the surrender of an individual from one country to another for prosecution or punishment for a crime. With globalization and increased cross-border activity, extradition cases have become more common and often...
Read moreDetailsHAVE ONLINE CASINOS MANAGED TO AVOID THE COMMON PITFALLS FACING LAND-BASED CASINOS?
As someone who has spent much of my life working in the iGaming industry, I’ve seen a huge shift in the way people interact with casinos over the years. In particular, the rise in popularity of online casinos has transformed...
Read moreDetailsGURNARD DRAINAGE WORK HALTED AMID PERMIT ISSUE – TALKS ONGOING
Work to install sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) on the streets of Gurnard has ground to a halt, with Southern Water confirming that a 'permitting issue' is currently preventing the project from continuing – casting doubt over the timeline of the...
Read moreDetailsWET LEG ARE BACK: NEW SINGLE, ALBUM AND HUGE UK TOUR ANNOUNCED
The Isle of Wight's hottest band, Wet Leg, have just announced a brand new single, a brand new album and a massive UK-wide tour, which includes Glastonbury, Primavera, Radio 1 Big Weekend and Green Man. It has been confirmed this...
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