Christmas and New Year opening hours 2024-25

Offices close at 4.30pm on Tuesday 24 December 2024 and reopen at 8.30am to 4.30 pm on Friday 27 December 2024. They reopen following the weekend and close again at 4.30pm on Tuesday 31 December 2024 and reopen at 8.30am on Thursday 2 January 2025.

• Adult Social Care webpages: www.iow.gov.uk/adultsocialcare
• Housing Needs webpages www.iow.gov.uk/housing

If you are worried about a vulnerable adult and it is an emergency CONTACT THE POLICE BY DIALLING 999

Collections will return to normal from Monday 6 January 2025

Bulky waste

No bulky waste or free reuse collections will be made on

• Wednesday 25 December 2024
• Thursday 26 December 2024
• Wednesday 1 January 2025

Polystyrene collection

Excess polystyrene will be collected from households on general (black bin/black reusable sack) waste collection days from Monday 6 January 2025 to Friday 17 January 2025.   

If you have extra polystyrene packaging that will not fit in your black bin or sack 

• place it within a clear or white plastic bag next to your black bin/black reusable sack on your general waste collection day
  
  
• It must be in a clear or white sack so that the collection crews can easily identify it. The clear bag must only hold polystyrene, or it will not be collected. 
  
  
• Any excess general waste or black sacks left to the side of your bin or gull sack will not be collected 

 After 17 January 2025 as polystyrene is not currently recyclable it must be placed in your black bin/black reusable sack or taken to Lynnbottom or Afton Marsh Household Waste Recycling Centre and put in the general rubbish skip. 

The opening and closing times for the Bereavement Service will be

• Christmas Day 25 December 2024 (closed)
• Boxing Day 26 December 2024 (closed)
• Friday 27 December 2024 (9am to 4.30pm)
• Monday 30 December 2024 (9am to 4.30pm)
• Tuesday 31 December 2024 (9am to 4.30pm)
• New Year’s Day (closed)
• Thursday 2 January 2025 – normal opening hours

Building Control will continue to operate a Dangerous Structure out of hours service over the festive period.

If there is immediate danger and a threat to life, call 999. For all other situations, please call (01983) 821105.

Surveyors will still be available for site inspections and enquiries during normal working hours (8.30am to 4.30pm) on 27, 30 and 31 December 2024, although there may be a limited service, and normal service will resume from 2 January 2025.

Offices close at 4.30pm, Tuesday 24 December 2024 and reopen Friday 27 December 2024 at 8.30am.

If you are worried a child is, or at risk of, suffering, neglect or abuse contact the Children's Reception Team

• Tel 0300 300 0117 (available 24 hours a day)

If you are concerned, it is important that you talk to someone about this.

You do not need to know everything about the child and what is happening before you contact the Children's Reception Team.

IN AN EMERGENCY CONTACT THE POLICE BY DIALLING 999.

If you have an active Garden Waste Subscription, you can also dispose of real Christmas trees as part of the service.

The tree should be clear of all decorations and pots and can be left to the side of your garden bin on your collection day between Monday 6 January and Friday 17 January 2025. 

Chale Pop-Up Community Pantry

Chale Village Hall, Church Place, Chale, Isle of Wight, PO38 2HB

Cowes Pop-Up Community Pantry

The Apex Church Hall, St. Faith’s Road, Cowes, PO31 7HH

Cowes Community Pantry

Unit 1, Seaways, Seaview Road, Cowes, PO31 7US

Christmas opening:  Tuesday 24 December 2024, Saturday 28 December 2024 & Tuesday 31 December 2024 -  Tuesday’s 10am – 12pm, Thursday’s 5pm – 6pm. Saturday’s 5pm – 6pm

East Cowes Community Pantry

Community Spirited, Vectis Road, East Cowes, PO32 6HN

Freshwater Pop-up Community Pantry

Freshwater Parish Hall, Victoria Road, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, PO40 9HZ

Ventnor Community Pantry

Baby Box, Victoria Street, Ventnor, PO38 1EJ

Christmas opening: Saturday 21  December 2024 and Saturday 4 January 2024 - Tuesday 3pm to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 1pm

Ryde Community Pantry

Oakfield CE Primary School, Appley Road, Ryde, PO33 1NE

Newport Community Pantry

The Pyle Street Pantry, Newport Congregational Church, 98 Pyle Street, PO30 1UH

Pan Community Larder

Downside Community Centre, Furrlongs, Newport, PO30 2AX

Sandown Pop-up Community Pantry

Lighthouse Church, Lake, Isle of Wight, PO36 8BA

Shalfleet Pop-up Community Pantry

Shalfleet Village Hall, Church Lane, Shalfleet, Isle of Wight, PO30 4NF

Christmas opening:  Friday 20 December 2024 and Friday 10 January 2025 - Friday 10am to 11am

These services will close at 4pm on Tuesday 24 December 2024.  Services will be open on Friday 27, Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 December 2024 between 8:30am and 4.30pm.

These services will be closed on Wednesday 1 January 2025 and will be open as normal from Thursday 2 January 2025.

The Coroner’s Office will close at 4pm on Tuesday 24 December 2024. It will be open on Friday 27 December, Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 December 2024 between 9am and 4.30pm.

The office will be closed on Wednesday 1 January 2025 and will be open as normal from Thursday 2 January 2025.

 The Book of Remembrance will be closed on 24 (from 3.30pm) 25, 26 December 2024 and 1 January 2025

• Up to 23 December 2024 – open 8am to 4.30pm
• 24 December 2024 – open 8am to 3.30pm
• 25 to 26 December 2024 - closed
• 27 December 2024 – open 8am to 4.30pm
• 28 December 2024 – open 10 am to 12 noon
• 29 December 2024 – closed
• 30 to 31 December 2024 – open 8am to 4.30pm
• 1 January 2025 - closed. 
• 2 January 2025 -   open 8am to 4.30pm

Office hours are as above for weekdays, except for bank holidays, when the office is closed.

All cremation documentation, burial forms and music should be delivered at least three clear office working days prior to each service, especially over this period.

Service update notification

All Crematorium wreaths will be removed before 20 January 2025. This so the lawns are clear for scatterings.

Cemetery wreaths will be removed before 31 January 2025.

Closes at 4pm Saturday 21 December 2024

• 22 & 23 December 2024 - closed as normal
• 24 December 2024 - closed
• 25 to 26 December 2024 – closed
• 27 & 28 December 2024 – open 10am to 4pm, last entry 3pm
• 29 & 30 December 2024 – closed as normal
• 31 December 2024 – open 10am to 4pm, last entry 3pm
• 1 January 2025 - closed.        
• 2 January 2025 – open (normal winter hours)

Christmas and New Year operating schedule

• 23 December 2024        0500-0030
• 24 December 2024        0500-0030
• 25 December 2024        0700-0030

(Service suspended Christmas Day between 1320 and 2000 – launch service NOT IN OPERATION)

• 26 December 2024       0700-0030
• 27 December 2024       0500-0030
• 28 December 2024       0500-0030
• 29 December 2024       0630-0030
• 30 December 2024       0500-0030
• 31 December 2024       0500-0130**

**Last crossing from East Cowes  0110
Last crossing from West Cowes  0120

• 1 January 2025          0700-0030
• 2 January 2025          0500-0030 
• 3 January 2025          0500-0030

The Help Centre, at Ryde Library, will close at 4pm on Tuesday 24 December and will reopen at 9am on Friday 3 January 2024

Newport Help Centre will close at 5pm on Tuesday 24 December 2024. It will reopen at 8.30am until 4.30pm on Friday 27 December 2024 and at 9.00 until 5.00pm on Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 December 2024. Closed on Wednesday 1 January 2025 and re-open at 8.30am on Thursday 2 January 2025.

Flooding, fallen trees, highway obstruction, traffic lights not working etc - contact Island Roads on 01983 822440

Non-emergency highway issues can also be reported online at fms.islandroads.com

General information is available via the website www.islandroads.com

Lynnbottom and Afton Marsh Household Waste and Recycling Centres will be closed on Christmas Day. Other than this, normal opening hours apply. 

• Book a trip to the recycling centre

The Learning and Development Resource Centre be available until 4.30pm on Friday 20 December 2024. The Service will re-open as usual on Thursday 2 January 2025.

Loans for books and resources you may require for January can be collected during December up until Friday 20 December 2024.

The Heights

• Up to 23 December 2024 - 6am to 9pm
• 24 December 2024 - 6am to 2pm
• 25 & 26 December 2024 - closed
• 27 December 2024 - 6am to 6.30pm
• 28 & 29 December 2024 - 8am to 5pm
• 30 December 2024 - 6am to 6.30pm
• 31 December 2024 - 6am to 2pm
• 1 January 2025 - closed     
• 2 January 2025 – 6am to 9pm

Medina

• Up to 23 December 2024 - 6am to 9pm
• 24 December 2024 - 6am to 2pm
• 25 & 26 December 2024 - closed
• 27 December 2024 - 6am to 6.30pm
• 28 & 29 December 2024 - 8am to 5pm
• 30 December 2024 - 6am to 6.30pm
• 31 December 2024 - 6am to 2pm
• 1 January 2025 - closed        
• 2 January 2025 - 6am to 9pm

Medina Theatre

• 23 December 2024 – 12.30pm to 5pm
• 24 December 2024 – 9.30am to 5pm
• 25 & 26 December 2024 - closed
• 27 to 30 December 2024 – 12.30pm to 7.30pm
• 30 Decembe2024 - 2 January 2025 - closed.       

Westridge

• Up to 23 December 2024 - 6am to 9pm
• 24 December 2024 - 6am to 2pm
• 25 & 26 December 2024 - closed
• 27 December 2024 -  6am to 6.30pm
• 28 December 2024 - 8am to 2pm
• 29 December 2024 – closed
• 30 December 2024 - 6am to 6.30pm
• 31 December 2024 - 6am to 2pm
• 01 January 2025 – closed
• 02 January 2025 – 6am to 9pm

Theatre Pantomime times

www.medinatheatre.co.uk

• 21 December 2024 -  2pm
• 22 December 2024 - 2pm
• 23 December 2024 - 2pm
• 24 December  2024 - 10.30am & 2pm
• 27 December 2024 - 2pm & 7pm (Grown-ups panto)
• 28 December 2024 - 2pm & 7pm (Grown-ups panto)
• 29 December 2024 - 2pm & 7pm (Grown-ups panto)
• 30 December 2024 -2pm & 7pm (Grown-ups panto)

Libraries

The Museum of Island History will be closed from Friday 13 December 2024 to Wednesday 15 January 2025. Reopening on Thursday 16 January 2025 at 10.00am

Parking services close at 4pm on Tuesday 24 December 2024. They next open Friday 27, Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 December 2024 with the hours of 8.30am to 4.30pm. Closed 1 January 2025 and reopen as normal on Thursday 2 January 2025.

The planning department will be operating within office hours of 8.30am to 4pm on 23, 24, 27, 30 and 31 December 2024 with pre-booked appointments only. It will be closed on 25 and 26 December 2024, 1 January 2025 and will operate as normal from Thursday 2 January 2025.

Reporting any alleged Planning Enforcement breaches, including any alleged illegal works to protected trees, and a range of other online Planning actions can continue to be made anytime at iow.gov.uk/planning 

The Records Office will close for Christmas on Monday 23 December 2024 at 4.30pm . Re-opening on Thursday 2 January 2025 at 9.30am

Service update notification

The Records Office will also be closed to the public from 27 January 2025 to the 7 February 2025. Staff will be busy behind the scenes carrying out essential work to improve access to our collections.

All enquiries emailed to record.office@iow.gov.uk during this period will be processed in the order they have been received as soon as possible after 7 February 2025.

The Register Office closes at 4pm, Tuesday 24 December 2024. An appointment only service will run on Friday 27 December, Monday 30 December and Tuesday 31 December 2024 from 9.00am to 4pm.

The office at Seaclose will open as normal on 2 January.

To register a death between 23 December 2024 and 2 January 2025 call (01983) 823233. For the out of hours emergency service call Wightcare on (01983) 821105

Online applications remain available for council tax/local council tax support/housing benefit and Blue Badges.

Christmas housing benefit payment arrangements - Those expecting a Housing Benefit payment on 30 December 2024 and 6 January 2025 will receive this payment on those days as normal. 

To use the Citizens Access Portal to view your council tax account online visit Council Tax

To use the Citizens Access Benefits Portal to apply and notify a change of circumstances visit Housing Benefit and support

You may need to apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) if your hours of operation are restricted. If you do need to apply, the deadlines are set out below.

Christmas Eve 

• Last date for TEN application is 9 December 2024
• Last date for late TEN application is 16 December 2024

New Years Eve

• Last date for TEN application is 16 December 2024
• Last date for late TEN application is 23 December 2024

Samaritans

Tel: 116123 24 hours a day confidential service.
Support for people who have feelings of distress or despair

Isle Help

Tel: 01983 823898
Email: enquiries@iwcab.org.uk
Or leave a voicemail for a call back on 01983 309309 
Help through crisis. Advice and information on benefits, money issues, rent concerns, referrals to Isle of Wight Foodbank.

Community Mental Health Support Hub (NHS)

Tel: 111
Online self-help and signposting to support your mental health and wellbeing.

Community Mental Health Safe Heaven (for adults)

Tel: 01983 520168
Email: safehaven@twosaints.org.uk
Monday to Friday, 5 to 10pm Weekends and bank holidays, 12 to 10pm Trained professionals can discuss your mental health concerns and provide you with some help.

Space 4 U safehaven (for young people aged 11 to 17)

Tel: 07741 665182

Monday, 5 to 8pm
Wednesday, 5 to 8pm
Thursday, 5 to 8pm
Saturday, 10am to 1.30pm

An emotional crisis support service for young people

Citizens Advice - Help Through Hardship

Tel: 0808 2082138 for free Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Talk confidentially with a trained Citizens Advice adviser. They can

• provide support to maximiseyour income
• help you navigate the benefits system
• identify eligibility for other additional grants
• provide a voucher for an emergency food parcel from the Foodbank in an emergency

Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111

Electricity emergency – 0800 072 7282

Emergency services – 999

Environment Agency – 0800 807 060

Floodline – 0345 988 118

Hovertravel – 0345 222 0461

Island Roads (24hrs) – 01983 822440

Isle of Wight Council – 01983 821000

Non-emergency ambulance, fire or police – 101

Non-emergency NHS – 111

Rail Enquiries – 03457 484950

Red Funnel Ferries – 02380 019192

Social Services (Adult) – 01983 814980

Social Services (Children) – 0300 300 0117

St Mary’s Hospital – 01983 822099

Wightlink – 0333 999 7333

Members of Parliament

Richard Quigley (West Wight) richard.quigley.mp@parliament.uk

Joe Robertson (East Wight) joe.robertson.mp@parliament.uk