James Rann - Digital News Reporter
James joined the Island Echo team in May 2022. Although he holds a degree in sports journalism, he covers all genres of news including court reporting. James has a particularly good memory!
D-DAY VETERAN ALEC PENSTONE HEADS ACROSS THE CHANNEL FOR COMMEMMORATION EVENT IN FRANCE
99-year-old Alec Penstone - who was on the beach in Normandy on D-Day in 1944 - is currently in France an event marking the 80th Anniversary of the invasion. Alec, who lives on the Isle of Wight, was one of...
Read moreDetails‘CHAOS’ IN SOUTHAMPTON AFTER TAKE THAT GIG
Take That fans who had been watching the boyband at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton were left scrambling around in their attempts to get back across the Solent last night (Saturday). Cross-Solent operator Red Funnel announced last week that they...
Read moreDetailsOLD RYDEIANS RUGBY TEAM FINISH MID TABLE AT FLANDERS OPEN RUGBY TOURNAMENT IN BELGIUM
A team of Old Rydeians, parents and friends departed to participate in the 30th anniversary of the prestigious Flanders Open Rugby 10s Tournament in Dendermonde, Belgium earlier this month. Apart from the hosts, the Old Rydeians - a group of...
Read moreDetailsWAYFORWARD PROGRAMME TO PERFORM SUMMER SHOW AT MEDINA THEATRE IN JUNE
Adults at The Way Forward Programme are to take to the stage when they deliver a performance of their show ‘Thank you for the Music' at Medina Theatre in June. Based on the hit musical/film Mamma Mia but with an...
Read moreDetailsCOMMUNITY CONNECTION ENHANCED IN RYDE FOLLOWING LAUNCH OF TIMEBANK
At the most recent Ryde Town Council meeting, Ryde Timebank was officially launched. The Time Bank aims to strengthen community ties and joins a national network supported by Timebanking UK. Ryde Timebank brings a fresh approach to connecting people through...
Read moreDetailsDUO OF SHOUTS KEEP BEMBRIDGE RNLI BUSY THIS WEEKEND
It was a busy 24 hours for Bembridge RNLI who responded to not 1 but 2 shouts. The East Wight based lifeboat was first requested just before midnight on Friday (31st May) by Solent Coastguard to support RNLI Hayling Island...
Read moreDetailsDRIVER SOUGHT AFTER ‘DANGEROUS OVERTAKE’ IN THE BAY
A driver who 'dangerously' overtook Police officers last night (Friday) is being sought after fleeing the scene. The car stopped at Yaverland car park, but the owner didn't hang around and took off into a field. The yellow Mini was...
Read moreDetailsPARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE BOB SEELY LAUNCHES ELECTION CAMPAIGN
Prospective parliamentary candidate for the Isle of Wight West, Bob Seely, launched his election campaign at a rally in Newport on Thursday evening. Speaking to a crowd at Newport Parish Centre, Bob said that if re-elected he would continue to...
Read moreDetailsFREE FOOT PASSENGER TRAVEL FOR VETS AND ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL ON D-DAY 80
In honour of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Isle of Wight ferry operator Red Funnel is offering past and present members of the UK Armed Forces free foot passenger travel on 5th and 6th June 2024. This special offer is...
Read moreDetailsVOLUNTEERS WEEK CELEBRATED BY MANY AT TC’S IN SHANKLIN
Volunteers at Shanklin Voluntary Youth & Community Centre marked National Volunteers Week earlier this month with a visit from High Sheriff Graham Biss. The Centre, established in the 1960s, provides disco, dance and drama activities for its membership, alongside table...
Read moreDetails












































































