Our Heritage
The image above shows two icons of Cowes’ industrial past; the Hammerhead Crane (100 years old in 2012) which serves as a reminder of the great days of J Samuel White’s shipbuilders on the Medina until the 1960s; and the 5th mechanical Floating Bridge, connecting Cowes with East Cowes, a service which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2009.
Cowes Heritage is an organisation focused on recording the history of Cowes, capturing for future generations its industrial past.
Every year Cowes Heritage put on an exhibition; subjects covered in the last few years include: Made in Cowes; Cowes At War; Schools in Cowes; Businesses in Cowes; Northwood House; Churches in Cowes; Cowes in the 1950s; and J Samuel White’s.
Cowes Heritage has merged with the Cowes Voluntary Community Group and formed a new charity: Cowes Heritage and Community Group.
Please contact Cowes Heritage and Community Group for more information:
http://www.cowesheritage.co.uk
Historic Walks
There are many historic points of interest throughout Cowes. Details of historic walks, which are unescorted, are available:
Town Councillors
Cowes is served by a complement of 16 Town Councillors representing four wards: Cowes North (5 Councillors); Cowes South (3); Cowes West (3); and Cowes Medina (5).
All four elected IW Councillors – Cllr Paul Fuller, Cllr John Nicholson, Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox and Cllr Paul Bertie also sit on Cowes Town Council.
Cowes Business Association
Cowes Town Council works with local organisations for the benefit of the residents of Cowes. One of these is the Cowes Business Association. Please contact the CBA for further information:
Cowes Harbour Commission
Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC) is the statutory harbour authority for Cowes Harbour on the Isle of Wight. Further details can be found on their website:
Projects Committee
The Projects Committee is a sub-Committee of Cowes Town Council and is responsible for identifying and managing projects which are designed to improve the amenities within the town.
Current projects being considered include:
- Improvement of The Cut area
- Cycling in Cowes High Street
- Commemorating the Ark and the Dove
Completed Projects
A redesigned Town map has been completed in 2020 and are on display throughout the town.
The Children’s Play Area, the MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) and the Outdoor Gym in Northwood Recreation Ground (situated in Park Road) are major projects that have been completed by the Projects Committee.
The Projects Committee completed works for the Festive Lights for the High Street, repairs and refurbishment of the crane and benches outside of the Harbour Commission office, repairs to the Town Clock, replacement artwork for the Interpretation panels in Northwood Park and drainage for the area around the War Memorial.
In April 2017 the installation of a shelter on Cowes Seafront was completed, which has proved very popular with both locals and visitors to Cowes.
One of the successful projects has been the co-ordination of the defibrillators in the Town which are now available for community use.
The Horizon Plaque was installed in The Parade in 2014.
Please contact the Town Clerk if you have a project in Cowes which you would like Councillors to consider.
