A new riverbank cycle-way has recently been completed between Newport and Island Harbour Marina, with further plans for it to be extended to the Folly Inn in the future.

Also in 2016, the on-site restaurant was greatly enlarged and refurbished and a new chandlery and boat repair workshop was built on land to the rear of the hardstanding.

In the film, the brightly-coloured, Union Flag painted tour bus driven by Dennis (Meat Loaf) transports the Spice Girls around London to all of their engagements and appearances.

The abbey was granted areas of the nearby parish of Whippingham in the early to middle of the 13th century by Henry de Clavill.

[8] The oyster lakes became the mill's millponds and the water wheel was placed right where the current marina's lock gates are now situated.

[9] The southern half of the mill, described as a "bakehouse and storehouse", was from the start still occupied as a hospital and barracks by His Majesty King George III's troops.

It seems that the soldiers at both East and West Medina Mill were barracked there in between being sent to assist in, among other things, the quelling of the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

[12] In 1863, there was another death at the mill when the 22 year old Henry Slade was dragged into a bean crusher by his clothing, which was revolving at 600 revolutions a minute.

In 1930, much of the mill was badly damaged by a terrible storm which ripped off most of the roof and sent it flying up to 100 yards into nearby cottages.

[7] In 1933, the aging Roach sold the mill to the Newport Corporation (the local council), but stayed on as a tenant until September 1937, by which time he was 78 years old.

The current owners are Eamon O'Connor and his business partner Kevin Webb, who bought the marina in January 2013.

There was in fact a period of nine months between September 1970, when the Ryde arrived and June 1971 when the Kingswear Castle left, that Island Harbour boasted three paddle steamers, all at the same time.

Having been due to be scrapped before this, the Daily Mail set up a campaign to save her and she was duly rescued by the Ridetts, together with various preservation trusts, who paid £6,000 to buy her from a Belgian breaking company.

Her aft end was modified to accommodate minesweeping equipment, she was painted battleship grey and she was fitted with anti-aircraft guns.

In the course of the evacuation, she made a record number of trips (seven) across the English Channel, rescued over 7,000 soldiers[23] and was given four awards for gallantry.

But when they could find no place to berth her on the River Thames, they sold her to ship-breakers, Van Heyghen Brothers of Belgium.

This allowed time for the Daily Mail to set up their campaign and for the Medway Queen's ultimate arrival at Island Harbour.

The Medway Queen fell into a state of severe dilapidation, but was bought in September 1977 by a trio of Kent businessmen for £10,000.

[28] After many years of uncertainty, she is now owned by the Medway Queen Preservation Society and is currently undergoing full restoration at Gillingham Pier.

[29] She was built in 1937 by William Denny and Brothers of Dunbarton for Southern Railway (UK) and operated the Portsmouth to Ryde Pier passenger ferry service with her sister-ship, the PS Sandown.

Her task was to take up position on the western side of the Mulberry Harbour at Omaha Beach and protect the invading US troops there by giving covering fire.

Heading for the breakers yard, she was bought for £12,000 and saved by the Ridetts, who took her to Island Harbour in September 1970, to become its second floating restaurant and nightclub.

An application was made to the Isle of Wight Council planning department on 11 June 2014 by the owners of Island Harbour Marina, for permission to retain her on site for a further three years.

Owner, Alan Ridett, thought that the Kingswear Castle would be an attractive addition to the marina and hoped that he would be able to use it for cruises along the River Medina.

There she stayed until 2012, when she returned to her original home on the River Dart and continues to work there, on charter to the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company.

The Monarch was designed and built by Brian Waters, who was a key volunteer in finally restoring the paddle steamer Kingswear Castle.

[42] She is powered by a 100-year-old compound steam engine, fed by an oil-fired boiler, which was originally used as a tar pump at Caerphilly gas works.

[45] In 1977,[45] the Nora-av-Ven came to the Isle of Wight and the River Medina, where she began her new career as "The Pirate Ship" restaurant and museum.

Ultimately, after the marina was sold, the Pirate Ship departed Island Harbour in November 1987, temporarily going back to a berth in East Cowes.

The Pirate Ship finally ended up at Newport Quay in April 1988[48] and carried on trading there until July 1997, when her deteriorating condition forced her to close.