A couple who have holidayed on the Isle of Wight over 60 times in the last 56 years will be honoured by the IW Council when they make their latest visit in August.

Mr and Mrs Lillian and Leonard Howard from Edmonton in London will be bringing members of their family along when they visit Sandown in August for a particularly special holiday to mark their diamond wedding anniversary.
 
And the IW Council, determined not to let such a special visit go unrecognised, will stage a mini reception for the couple at the Carlton Hotel in Sandown at 12 noon on Thursday 7th August when the Howards will be presented with gifts - produced locally, to remind them of their favourite holiday location.
 
The reception will be hosted by IW council chairman, Cllr Arthur Taylor who will present the couple with a piece of Isle of Wight Glass and local artwork to commemorate the couple’s visits to the island, which have spanned over half a century and their own special day.

The London couple first holidayed on the Isle of Wight in 1953 when their daughter was just three years old. They have returned almost every year since, only missing a couple of summers. They also visit for Christmas weekend breaks and day trips, as well as the annual family holiday during the summer, bringing their total number of trips to the Island since 1953 well in excess of 60.

The couple warmly recall family train journeys to Ventnor and walks on St. Boniface Down with their children. Over the years, the couple have holidayed with cousins, aunts and uncles who have all enjoyed the Island’s sandy beaches and other attractions. This year the couple will be joined by their family, some of whom will be flying in from America to join in the celebrations. Mr and Mrs Howard, have four children, seven grandchildren and three great grand-daughters with another one on the way.

Mrs Howard, who celebrated her 80th birthday earlier in the year has fond memories of her holidays and describes them as, “the best times of our lives.”

Her favourite place on the Isle of Wight is Culver Down which offers fantastic views of Sandown Bay, she has requested to have her ashes scattered in this location when the time comes.

Cllr Arthur Taylor, Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council said:

“I am delighted to be hosting a reception to recognise the couple’s loyalty to the Island, Mr and Mrs Howard have an obvious love of the place, as demonstrated by their regular holidays since 1953.

“At a time when British holidays are said to be making a comeback, for Mr and Mrs Howard it seems the attraction of beautiful beaches and the traditional British holiday never went away. I am very much looking forward to meeting the couple and hope they enjoy this holiday as much as they have enjoyed all their others.
 
”The fact they come back year after year shows just what tremendous appeal the Island has. We hope that our recognition of their loyalty will help make their latest visit one of the most memorable. We are also sure that all the varied attractions the Island has to offer will also ensure all members of their family also enjoy their stay.”
 
Mr and Mrs Howard’s daughter, Kim Lipscome, who is organising the special family holiday said:

“Mum and dad have occasionally travelled abroad for holidays but have always returned to the Isle of Wight because they love it and have never been disappointed with the time spent there.

“I have since taken my children to the Island for their summer holidays; they are grown up now, but still have precious memories of the beach and places like Blackgang Chine. We have all particularly enjoyed the cliff walk from Sandown to Shanklin and even the beautiful aroma of the rhododendrons! This year I will be bringing my granddaughter in order for her to have the fun that we all associate with holidays on the Island.

“After all this time, it seems very appropriate that mum and dad will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on the Isle of Wight. I know that we will all have a fantastic family time there this year. We are all really looking forward to it.”