A StoneCrabs Theatre Company Project
(1955-2019) In 1983, Phaedra Kelly’s wedding at the Isle of Wight Registry Office made national headlines when he married Vanda, a cis woman at the registry office in Newport with Vanda as the groom and Kelly in traditional bridal attire. Kelly coined the term ‘gender transient’, which was included in the Oxford English Dictionary in… Continue reading Bruce Laker / Phaedra Kelly
(1954-2013) Nikki Dorakis was called Enrico Cortesi when he was born in Ventnor, Isle of Wight. He was a courageous activist, author, musician and psychiatric nurse who was involved in the Gay Rights movement and founded the Campaign for Homosexuality (CHE) group on the Isle of Wight in the 1970s. He arrived home one day… Continue reading Nikki Dorakis
Keith Biddlecombe was born on the Isle of Wight in 1936. He served in the Royal Navy in 1952 and was arrested and questioned in Malta under suspicion of being homosexual. He was sentenced to prison but released early for good behaviour. Biddlecombe was forced to rebuild a career for himself, eventually becoming a skilful… Continue reading Keith Biddlecombe
Tom Priestley is an award-winning British film and sound editor, the son of writer J B Priestley. Tom’s parents owned Billingham House near Chillerton and Tom spent some years living on the Island with them at Brook Hill House in the 1950s. Priestley edited some iconic nineteen seventies films including Tess, The Great Gatsby and… Continue reading Tom Priestley
(1924 – 2012) Kenneth Kendall was a popular British broadcaster, known for his pioneering work as a newsreader on the BBC and as the host of Channel 4’s Treasure Hunt. He had a cameo in the 1968 science-fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey. In 1992 Kendall moved to Cowes on the Isle of Wight, opening… Continue reading Kenneth Kendall
(1899–1963 Seely, 1901–1985 Paget) ‘The Shack’, a small cottage in the grounds of Mottistone Manor on the Isle of Wight was home to Paget and Seely. They were partners in their own architectural firm and referred to each other as ‘the partners’. Paget stated in an interview that they lived a “completely common life together”. Their… Continue reading John Seely and Paul Paget
(1809-1892) Farringford House in Bedbury Lane in the small town of Freshwater on the Isle of Wight was the home of Lord Alfred Tennyson and his wife for 39 years. Tennyson was an English poet and Poet Laureate from 1850 to 1892. We have included Tennyson because Arthur Henry Hallam inspired a number of his… Continue reading Lord Alfred Douglas Tennyson
Sydney is a trans lesbian who was born in 1987 and grew up in the small village of Rookley on the Isle of Wight. She tries to make ends meet working part time jobs whilst pursuing her passions as a freelance illustrator, poet and game designer. Lie Along The Shore Book By Sydney Cardew… Continue reading Sydney Cardew
Rosa is a lesbian who has lived on the Island since 2003. She has found that activities and events for lesbians here are few but the groups that do meet up are friendly and welcoming. She remembers times when it was extremely difficult to be ‘out and proud’.
Robin was inspired to share his story and contacted us after coming along to a talk featuring Peter Tatchell and hosted by Out On An Island at Quay Arts in Newport. Listen to the challenges that Robin faced as a teacher in the times of Section 28. He was born in 1942 and describes himself… Continue reading Robin Ford
