Tune in to @maggiecurrie.bsky.social on Vectis Radio for the Sunday Breakfast Show from 07:00 UK Time today. FM 104.6, online, on the app, on your smart speaker and on Radio Channel 5 of the Hospedia System at St Mary's Hospital, Newport. vectisradio.com

There's little wonder that the Southampton, Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. Ltd. adopted the trading name of the Red Funnel Line and indeed, the company survive to this day using the Red Funnel name for ferry services between the mainland, primarily Southampton, and the Isel of Wight. The company was formed in 1861 and at the time of this guidebook, they also ran services and excursions along a longer section of the English Channel coast, such as at Bournemouth in the 'season', as well as operating a fleet of tugs in the Solent and Southampton that were seen handling major liners such as the Cunard fleet. This chatty and informative guide employed a stellar cast; Ernest Pendarves Leigh-Bennett (c.1882-1937) was a doyen of travel writers and was commissioned by many transport companies to write guide books and commentaries. Helen McKie was also much employed by railways, notably the Southern, to illustrate books such as this and other illustrations, such as the maps, are by "Kish". The book, that also includes releavnt adverts for local concerns and suppliers, looks at the history, the work and the routes of the 'steamers' used on the ferry and excursion services. The book is not dated but there is much information as the the fleet's most recent acquisition; the paddle steamer the P.S. Gracie Fields, constructed at Thornycroft's Yard at Woolston in Southampton by the Rochdale born singer of that name on 8 April 1936 and launched by the star with the song "Sing as we go". The P.S. Gracie Fields, the company's last such vessel, had a relatively short life with Red Funnel. Requisitioned in 1939 at the outbreak of war H.M.S Gracie Fields took part in the Dunkirk Evacuations in May 1939 and was sunk by enemy action during the second jouney the ship made, Eight crew members lost their lives. The cover shows the old pier and jetty at Southampton with two paddle steamers departing & a third tied up.

Great late '30s publication by the Red Funnel Steamer company, who still exist, telling of their story, the workings of the ferries & the destinations served. The cover shows three of the paddle steamers at the quayside in Southampton. @historicalsoton.bsky.social #transport

↘️ flic.kr/p/2riwg7o

Join me on @vectisradio.bsky.social for the Retro Show from 10:00 UK time. Three hours of Magical Musical Memories. Including tracks from Whitesnake, Cyndi Lauper, Status Quo, The Equals, Tom Jones & ZZ top, to mention just a few. Tune in on FM 104.6 or online www.vectisradio.com

Vectis Radio will be at the Royal Isle of Wight County Show this weekend, broadcasting from site, live, between 10 a.m. & 4 p.m. both days. If you are coming to the show, please drop by our mobile studio, OB-1, and say hello. Our coverage this year is generously sponsored by ACE WASTE.

Join @kelvincurrie.bsky.social for the Retro Show on Vectis Radio from 10:00 UK Time. Three hours of Magical Musical Memories, including Midge Ure, The Knack, ABC, Nazareth, The Everly Brothers & Barry White. FM 104.6, online, the app, smart speaker & Radio Channel 5 at St. Mary's Hospital, Newport

Come on down to The Bay School, support local charities and hear Vectis Radio broadcasting live, Sunday 1st June.

A poster giving details of the 4Ps Short Breaks sessions at Vectis Radio contact info@4[s.org.uk

Are you 11-19 & looking for something different to do on a Saturday Morning? Do you hold a (free) IW Council Short Breaks Card? Interested in radio? Take a look at this.

Vectis Radio seeks volunteers to support community efforts behind the scenes Support Vectis Radio as a volunteer, even without presenting experience or skills

Support Vectis Radio as a volunteer, even without presenting experience or skills

#iwnews #IsleofWight

Picture of Maggie standing in front of the Vectis Radio Sign at the Newport Studio.

Join Maggie Currie on Vectis Radio for the Breakfast Show from 07:00 UK time. Tune in on FM 104.6, online, on the app, on your smart speaker and on Radio Channel 5 of the Hospedia system at St. Mary's Hospital, Newport.

You spend, brands donate to Vectis Radio 4Ps Training School. Help us when you shop with 7,000+ brands. Join now.

You can raise FREE donations for Vectis Radio 4Ps Training School EVERY time you shop online. Just use #easyfundraising! Over 8,000 retailers will donate, including all the big names like John Lewis & Partners, BT, Argos, and many more! Please support us: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/vecti...

Help keep Vectis Radio Going. Running a Community Radio Station costs many thousands of pounds. You can help by donating here: www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/...

How would you spend your perfect weekend on our island?🏝☀️🦀💕

🎥 Featuring: @wightlinkferry.bsky.social, Carisbrooke Castle, The Duver, Castlehaven, The Kitchen at London House, Alum Bay, Yarmouth, Compton Bay & The Military Road.

#WeCantWaitToShowYou #IOW #IsleofWight

Just clearing up a few Isle of Wight myths✌️🏝☀️

#IsleofWight #IOW #RedFunnel #RedFunnelFerry

Join Maggie this Saturday from 7am for the Weekend Breakfast Show, sponsored by Island Environmental Hygiene Ltd. Enjoy travel updates, local music from Ben Stubbs and more, plus tracks by Billy Joel, Gabrielle, The Monkees and others—plus Maggie’s signature burblings! FM104.6 www.vectisradio.com

Join Kelvin on Vectis Radio from 10:00 UK Time today for The Retro Show. Three hours of Magical Musical Memories, including The Hooters, Gladys Knight, The Casuals, NKOTB, The Sweet & Tommy Steele. FM 104.6 & online. vectisradio.com

Hi. We are now on Bluesky