Quay Arts in Newport was the venue for the presentation of awards for this year’s Isle of Wight Day, where an auction of the large 7ft high “Island Heroes” figures, created by Island artists, was also held in aid of the Isle of Wight Day Fund.
- The award for the Island’s “Best Dressed Village” on Isle of Wight Day was shared jointly this year by the villages of Chale and Seaview.
- The award for the best “Dish of Isle of Wight Day” using fresh local produce went to The Seaview Hotel.
- The winner of the I-Spy competition for guessing the names and locations of all 28 of the “Island Heroes” figures, which were placed all over the Island, went to Tracy Asher.
Following the awards an auction of all 28 “Island Heroes” figures was conducted by auctioneer Rex Gully and raised £1,100 for the Isle of Wight Day Fund. All proceeds in the fund will remain on the Island and will be distributed to worthy causes on the Island. The “Island Heroes” art installation project was the brainchild of former IOW Council Leader Jonathan Bacon and was coordinated by island artists Penny Walford and Jeremy Gully.
Isle of Wight Day founder and Chairman Robin Courage, who handed out the awards said
“This year we distributed 100 miles of celebratory bunting for the day and every flag was used. In the opinion of the judges the villages of Chale and Seaview did a fantastic job of decorating their villages and were worthy winners, as was the Seaview Hotel who entered into the spirit of the day by creating a truly delicious local dish for their menu. It was wonderful to see all 28 “Island Heroes” on exhibition at Quay Arts, but they have now raised valuable money for our Fund as they head off to their new homes.”
Next year’s Isle of Wight Day will be on Saturday, September 22nd 2018.
