Latest news with #Cowes
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Katie Price and son Harvey in Isle of Wight trip for 'family time'
Celebrity and former glamour model Katie Price is visiting the Isle of Wight with son Harvey for some 'family time'. Posting to her three million Facebook followers, the 47-year-old uploaded pictures of the pair of them at the Red Funnel ferry terminal in Southampton, and arriving in Cowes. The caption said: "And we are off", followed by boat emojis and hashtags saying 'family time', 'I love it' and 'exciting times'. Katie's cocker spaniel Rookie has also come along for the journey. Read more: Katie Price enjoys 'family time' on the Isle of Wight Katie Price shares Isle of Wight Festival 2024 photos Katie Price out and about on the Isle of Wight during weekend visit Celebrity inadvertently photobombs school's beach photo She also posted a video telling Harvey that they were going on "the white/Wight boat" to see "nanny and grandad". Katie is a frequent visitor to the Island and it's thought her mum Amy and stepfather Paul both live here. In February, she was seen out and about in Cowes town centre. Joined by JJ Slater, mum Amy and sister Sophie, the former glamour model visited a number of Island shops and businesses. While dining in cafe Sails of Cowes, Katie was filmed video calling son Harvey. In April, she was spotted in the background of a picture posted by an Isle of Wight school, inadvertently photobombing while pupils enjoyed themselves on the beach. Last year she was seen at the Isle of Wight Festival.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
Parents' fury as primary school bans children without 100% attendance from end-of-year bouncy castle treat
Furious parents have blasted the primary which has banned children with less than 100 per cent attendance from their end-of-year bouncy castle. Several pupils were left in floods of tears after being barred from an end-of-year party, as they watched classmates enjoy themselves, all because they didn't have perfect attendance. Fuming parents said children were 'emotionally damaged' after watching classmates at Lanesend Primary School in Cowes, Isle of Wight, enjoy the reward without them. One mother told how her daughter missed out over just a single sick day. Others lambasted the decision as 'abusive' and staged a protest by keeping their children home. The school's executive principal, Alex Augustus, insisted the treat was 'never designed to punish or discriminate'. In an email to parents, he said: 'Please know that this was only done with the best intentions as we wanted to reward children for something that we thought was an exceptional accomplishment. 'It was never designed to punish or discriminate against other children.' But parents weren't buying it, with Stacey Dale-Lamb telling the BBC her daughter came home in tears after missing the event by just one day's absence. She said: 'Who gets 100 per cent? Illness - you can't help it, can you? Understandably, she was very upset on the way home, crying.' Another parent, Riana Neocli, said her seven-year-old daughter was 'heartbroken' and believed she was being punished for not working hard enough. The controversy has sparked outrage across the island, with some families accusing the school of failing to show compassion, and turning a celebration into a public shaming. She said: 'I don't think she should be punished for being late for school because we are homeless and don't have transport other than bus... let alone having to sit and watch the children go on it, which is what they wanted.' Peter Crates said his son had special educational needs and hospital appointments and could not attend school full-time. He said: 'He wouldn't have understood at all. I don't see that as a reward. It's more of a punishment to the children that aren't allowed on there.' Another parent, Danielle Hall, said: 'This is not down to the staff at all. 'I have had staff members crying on the door to me, trying to explain to the children why they can't [go on the bouncy castle]... It is the senior management.' She said she had been falsely accused by a member of staff of taking part in a 'riot' over the issue. Ms Hall said: 'It's absolutely shocking. I have had to explain to them why their peers can be involved and they can't. 'They were really poorly, hospitalised for it, it wasn't just a little illness. 'They weren't even fit to be at home, let alone at school. They have been penalised for that. How do you explain that to a five year old? 'It's frustrating. I just don't want to speak for my own children it's every child when I left yesterday when they found out and were walking down this lane in tears to their parents.' Another parent, who did not wish to be named, said: 'This punishes children - some as young as five - for circumstances completely out of their control'. Parents have said they believe it also contradicts the diversity and equality policy set out by the Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust (DCAT), which has run Lanesend since February 2024. In its diversity and equality statement, DCAT said it is 'committed to preventing discrimination, valuing diversity and achieving equality of opportunity'. It is understood that only parents of children with exemplary attendance were sent notifications about the bouncy castle. The note to the parents, sent out on Wednesday, said: 'As a result of your child's exemplary attendance this school year we are rewarding them with a bouncy castle treat tomorrow in school. 'Children will be on it in small groups, monitored by adults. Congratulations once again for this amazing achievement!' Mr Augustus' email to parents concluded: 'We are sorry if this has caused any upset and will take your feedback on board.' Neither the school or the Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust (DCAT) responded to a request for comment.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Father and daughter to take on 'Everest' of sailing' — the 2025 Fastnet Race
A FATHER and daughter from the Isle of Wight are set to take on the 'Everest' of sailing — the Rolex Fastnet Race — this weekend. Richard and Sophie Palmer, from Cowes, will be competing in the world famous race on his yacht, Jangada, which starts on Saturday (July 26). The double-handed crew will be part of the IRC4 class in the world's largest offshore yacht race. Having already completed the 2023 Fastnet Race together, Richard will once again be sailing double-handed with his daughter. Sam White and Sam North, of Yarmouth, will be competing double-handed in the 2025 Fastnet Race. (Image: Sam White) For Richard, the Fastnet Race this year is all about "sharing the experience with my daughter," he said. "This will be the 11th Fastnet for me, and Sophie's second." This year marks the 100th anniversary of the legendary race, organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and is part of the Admiral's Cup regatta, hosted by Cowes. The non-stop race course is 1,287 km long, from Cowes to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, in France, via the iconic Fastnet Rock off Ireland. Richard's past sailing highlights include being crowned the 2022 RORC season's champion, winner of the 2019 RORC Transatlantic, and the 2022 Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race. Richard said: "We will be hoping for light winds and calm seas. A clean start and exit from The Solent is key to settling in well. "It always takes 24 hours to then settle into the rhythm." The Fastnet Race started in 1925, with just seven entries, and a mission to encourage long-distance yacht racing and excellence in design, building and navigation. Among the other competitors in this year's race are co-skipper Sam North, and Sam White, of Yarmouth, sailing his boat, Mzungu!. Action from the 2023 Fastnet Race (Image: Carlo Borlenghi) North, a former professional sailor, will be taking part in his fourth Fastnet, while for White, it will be his seventh. White is an airline pilot and property developer, following a career in the Royal Navy, while North owns a conference and trade show business, splitting his time between London and the New Forest. Their friendship goes back to university, but the idea for their double-handed campaign was sparked during a stag party at Lake Garda in 2020. More than 3,500 crew members will be competing in what has been described as the 'Everest' of sailing. For most, the race is a personal challenge and a 'bucket list' event.
BBC News
15-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Floating Bridge: Isle of Wight residents' views sought on future
Isle of Wight residents are being given the chance to share their views on the future of the Cowes Floating council voted last year to replace the troubled £3.5m chain ferry, which has been plagued with issues since being installed in the decision, consultants came up with options for the future of the service and ruled out ideas including a new bridge or part of the consultation process, an online survey is available on the council website and drop-in sessions are due to be held later this month. The council said, as part of a new River Medina Crossing Strategy, consultants assessed the available options for affordability, sustainability, value for money, reliability and the need to minimise traffic concluded the three options for the service, which crosses the River Medina between Cowes and East Cowes, were to replace the existing vessel, modify it or maintain the current ruled out included building a new River Medina bridge, a tunnel, a new type of vessel and discontinuing the service altogether, Answers gathered from the consultation will be used for a report to be considered by the council's transport committee in the online survey is available on the council's website. Drop-in sessions are due to be held giving people the chance to speak to industry experts and council representatives. They will be held on: 22 July - East Cowes Town Hall (15:00 - 1900 BST)23 July - Northwood House, Cowes (15:00 - 1900)31 July - The Riverside Centre, Newport (15:00 - 1900)There will also be online sessions on 7 August at 12:00 and 12 August at 18:00. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Reuters
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Sailing–Admiral's Cup revival draws world's elite to Cowes
LONDON, July 10 (Reuters) - After a two-decade hiatus, the Admiral's Cup returns to Cowes this month, drawing a top-tier international fleet of teams packed with America's Cup veterans, Olympic medallists and offshore specialists competing for one of sailing's most coveted trophies. The 2025 event, from July 17-August 1, features a series of inshore and offshore races in the Solent, culminating in the 100th anniversary Rolex Fastnet Race. The team with the best combined score across all races will win the Admiral's Cup. Among the frontrunners, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's Karl Kwok helms Beau Geste, bringing together Gavin Brady (six America's Cup campaigns for New Zealand), four-time Cup winner Simon Daubney, and Britain's double Olympic medallist Nic Rogers. New York Yacht Club's Black Pearl, skippered by Germany's Stefan Jentzsch, features British veteran Paul Standbridge, calling this Admiral's Cup his farewell after five round-the-world races and more than 15 Fastnets. Italy's Django WR51—representing the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda—lines up with Vasco Vascotto, owner of more than 25 world titles, alongside a seasoned international crew. The Netherlands are sending a new wave -- the Dutch Offshore Sailing Team's ROST VanUden is skippered by Volvo Ocean Race veteran Gerd-Jan Poortman, but his teenage crew weren't born when the Dutch last lifted the Cup in 1999. Nicklas Zennstrom leads the Royal Swedish Yacht Club's Ran 8, with Ireland's Justin Slattery, a double Volvo winner, on board. Ran remains the only modern team to defend the Fastnet Challenge Cup with the same boat. Another Swede, Daniel Baum, enters the fleet's only wooden yacht, the Tison 48 Elida representing the Hamburg Sailing Team. Elida's secret weapon is the Isle of Wight's James Gair in its crew -- he has 14 Rolex Fastnet Races on his CV and an expert knowledge of the Solent. Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, the Admiral's Cup is a team-based offshore sailing event where yacht clubs represent their countries. Each team typically fields two boats — one larger and one smaller — chosen by the club based on performance and eligibility. Crews are selected by the clubs and often include a mix of top professionals, Olympic medallists and offshore race veterans. While sailors can be international, teams race under their club's national flag.
