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 ARE WIFI SPEEDS IN THE ISLE OF WIGHT 28% SLOWER THAN THE UK STANDARD?
According to reports, Wi-Fi speeds in the Isle of Wight are 28% lower than the national standard of the UK. Although the island is known for having poor coverage, this statistic has taken residents by surprise. A lot of people...
Read moreDetailsTICKETS SELLING WELL FOR LITERARY FESTIVAL – BUT STILL PLENTY TO BE HAD
There is less than a month to go until this year’s Isle of Wight Literary Festival…and tickets are going fast. Big names such as Gyles Brandreth, Clare Balding, Celia Imrie and Susie Dent are proving so popular with audiences that...
Read moreDetailsBEYOND THE BEAUTIFUL GAME: UNVEILING THE WORLD OF NICHE SPORTS BETTING
The roar of the crowd, the last-minute goal, the sweet taste of victory – for many, sports are more than just entertainment. They're a passion, a source of community, and sometimes, a thrilling opportunity to test your knowledge and intuition...
Read moreDetailsBREEZE APP EXPANDS TRANSPORT OPTIONS WITH WIGHTLINK FERRIES
Breeze, the innovative Mobility-as-a-Service app serving the Solent area, has added Wightlink to its growing list of transport options. This integration further enhances the app's mission to provide seamless and sustainable transport solutions to residents and visitors alike. The addition...
Read moreDetailsCCTV SURVEY REVEALS BINSTEAD CULVERT ‘CLEAR AND RUNNING PROPERLY’
A culvert running underneath the main road in Binstead, thought to be the cause of flooding in the local area in recent years, has been confirmed to be free of blockages. For years, the culvert on Cemetery Road in Binstead...
Read moreDetailsCOURT DATE FOR ISLAND ROADS DRIVER ACCUSED OF SERIOUSLY INJURING ELDERLY MAN
56-year-old Richard Price from Freshwater is to appear in court next week accused of causing serious injury to an elderly pedestrian by careless driving. It was on 27th January last year that an Island Roads vehicle struck a male and...
Read moreDetailsEDITOR DECLARES START OF GAME-CHANGING ERA FOLLOWING TRIO OF MAJOR INVESTMENTS
A new era for the Island's leading news website has begun following the completion of a series of significant investments over the past 6 weeks. Readers will know that a new version of the website - which sees up to...
Read moreDetailsRYDE’S WAXHAM HOUSE CARE HOME SLAPPED WITH POOR FOOD HYGIENE RATING
Waxham House Care Home in Ryde has been handed a 1-star food hygiene rating by the Isle of Wight Council following a recent inspection of the home's facilities. The care home, owned by Sanjay and Sandhya Ramdany, provides accommodation for...
Read moreDetailsBAY RESIDENTS INVITED TO MEETING OVER NEW PLAN FOR SANDOWN, LAKE AND SHANKLIN
Shanklin Town Council is hosting a meeting for local residents to introduce the rationale behind a new plan for The Bay area, incorporating Sandown, Lake and Shanklin. The meeting, to be held at Shanklin Theatre next Tuesday (17th September), will...
Read moreDetailsISLANDERS INVITED TO GREEN PARTY’S PUBLIC MEETING OVER PIPELINE PLANS
The Isle of Wight Green Party is welcoming everyone to a public meeting next week to address ExxonMobil’s plans for the Island. The news of a massive pipeline being installed across the Isle of Wight by a multinational oil and...
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