The Newport & Carisbrooke Heritage Society is a group formed with the aim of bringing together all of the enthusiasm for heritage and the preservation of Newport & Carisbrooke's rich history for generations to come. We champion the preservation and restoration of historical landmarks, bringing history to life through exhibitions, talks and interpretation panels.
The Newport & Carisbrooke Heritage Society was first conceived at the start of the Covid-19 outbreak and now has a permanent exhibition space at the front of the Newport & Carisbrooke Town Council building at No.64 High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight. If you would like to put on an exhibition or display without cost please get in touch.
Entry is free.
Our first exhibition, all about the Enfield Electric car, was held in August 2023. Noted as the first production electric car in the world, it was designed and built on the Isle of Wight in the early 1970's.
This exhibition went live at the same time as John Constable's iconic 1826 painting, The Cornfield, was displayed for a limited time as part of the National Gallery’s Visits programme.
Since then we have held many exhibitions, all with free entry to the public.
We are delighted to say that we have many local historians and heritage enthusiasts onboard and welcome others who wish to be involved in future projects.
We owe the great task of finally forming a Heritage Society for Newport and Carisbrooke to the great late Brian Greening, who first brought the idea to us. Brian was a well loved and well known historian and not only wanted to bring all the masters of local history, heritage and story telling together, but also wanted to create an area for items to be displayed and eventually a full blown heritage centre for local people to display their treasured artifacts, collections, photos and stories.
We really hope to be able to use the relationship with the Newport & Carisbrooke Town Council (N&CTC) and the use of their building as the first of many steps in the sharing and preservation of the heritage and history of not only Newport & Carisbrooke but of the whole Island. A huge thank you to N&CTC and to all involved for helping to get this started.
It is also hoped that strong links and collaborations can take place with the Carisbrooke Castle Museum, the Museum of Island History, the IOW Councils Heritage Service, Isle of Wight Postal Museum and the many other groups, museums and individuals who have so carefully kept local history alive.
If you are interested in contributing to the group or even putting on a future display we would help you in every way we can. Please feel to get in touch.
We are a diverse group of individuals, but all with a love of history, and in particular the history of our local area.
A native of the IOW and interested in the town’s history and development. I work for the Local Authority and was a Scout Leader for 30 years. I have a particular interest in Island railways and island vehicles too. I love a pretty building and hate to see them deteriorating.
Hannah grew up in Bolton and moved the the Island at the turn of the century for a job at the Needles Battery which kickstarted her career in heritage. Her main interest is social history, she has researched everything from rockets to suffragists and has worked in some of the most amazing historic buildings on the Island. The passion behind her work is to make heritage accessible to everyone in their community, whatever their level of education or background. She regularly pinches herself that she has made a living out of history despite failing it (quite impressively) at A-level!
Ashley is Chairman of the Newport & Carisbrooke Heritage Society and brings a long‑standing love of local heritage on the Isle of Wight. A passionate advocate for preserving and interpreting the Island’s history, and the Society’s growing programme of exhibitions, talks, and community projects.
Alongside his role in the Society, Ashley is also a trustee at Bembridge Fort, where he contributes to ongoing research, interpretation, and the development of the site. His work spans Victorian defences, and the Island’s role in the radar era of WW II.
Currently the Deputy Clerk with the Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council with over 8 years in the role. I act as the liaison between the Council & the Society sitting on the Management Committee. I have a particular interest in Valentine Gray & the 1943 bombing of Newport.
I'm usually the point of contact when booking talks.
Born & bred in Newport, retired from a career in the Royal Navy, with a keen interest in local history. Currently a volunteer with the Victoria Cross Trust coordinating the cleaning of headstones & memorials on the Island. Also a volunteer with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission being responsible for monitoring over 150 War Graves here in the Newport & Carisbrooke area & providing free talks about the Commission's work.