Isle of Wight town celebrates its heritage with community events

Newport Heritage Day took place on September 7 with an array of events across the county town including workshops, presentations and tours.

Newport Quay saw around 600 classic vehicles park up, spanning cars, bikes lorries and buses - and collecting donations for Medina Marching Band and Wessex Cancer Support.

Meanwhile, the recently refurbished Newport Minster saw 600 visitors alone, with the church offering guided tours and presentations by the Isle of Wight Council Archaeology team and Gary, finds liaison officer for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The Classic Car show on Newport Quay (Image: Pamela Parker)

Kids were catered for through interactive creative sessions from artist Trudie Wilson, and local shops contributed with special displays paying homage to past occupants.

Newport Heritage Day was also the culmination of Retail Therapy, an initiative to bring footfall back to Newport shops.

The scheme saw Newport shops offer special reductions and offers in unison for two weeks leading up to the event.

A spokesperson for Shaping Newport said: “The overwhelming participation and feedback from the community have been incredibly positive.

“This day not only celebrated our rich history but also brought together the community in a way that truly showed the spirit of Newport.”