The programmed activities are now complete but work continues so for the latest details please see our Facebook page.

Mardi Gras Activities 

Here is a list of the activities involved with Mardis Gras costumes, there is a cost this year to attending the workshops and limited places.

We have started making costumes for Mardi Gras at Wow. Please anyone who would like to join the parade let Sandra know.

Apologies for the poor display of this table on a mobile phone.

For further detaills please contact Sandra Trigg by email at

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The committee meeting planned for Thursday 12th April 2018 at the Newport Police Station has been CANCELLED.

Date and Time of Next Meeting and Venue to be announced shortly.

Our Annual General Meeting will be held at the Riverside Centre in Newport (11.30am - 2pm) on Saturday, 24th March 2018.

Would You Like A New Exciting Challenge for 2018 then come and join the Equals IW Committee.

We are looking for people to volunteer and develop the work of Equal’s IW:

• Secretary – work includes typing committee minutes, organising committee meetings, taking meeting minutes, organising meeting venues, replying to Website and Facebook enquires, sending official correspondence on behalf of Equals IW.
• Press Secretary – work includes promoting Equals IW's local meetings, activities and events in the local press, local magazine publications, online and on the local radio. Also prepare and issue statements about relevant affairs on behalf of Equals IW.
• Grants and Funding Co-ordinators – to work in a team to seek out and propose funding sources and make funding applications.
• Education and Training Co-ordinators – to work in a team to promote equality and diversity in the community and the work of Equals IW. Deliver awareness training of equality and diversity, facilitate and deliver talks and presentations on equality and diversity in the community. Delivery of formal and informal programmes involving equality and diversity activities to schools, colleges, community groups, adult learners and staff associated with businesses.
• Fundraising Co-ordinators – work in a team to plan, organise, facilitate and run fund raising activities and events for Equals IW.
• Equals Development Co-ordinators – work in a team to develop new opportunities for Equals IW, develop partnership working opportunities, identify, suggest and co-ordinate events for Equals IW to be involved in.

To find out more contact Mark via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You can learn more about Equals IW on Facebook or

download and display our flyer.

Equals IW is recruiting now for 20 Mardi Gras Team Members

• We need people to join the Creative Team to create the costumes, Komodo dragon, Flowers and Flags.
  • Be available to attend some of the workshops shown in the programme to make the costumes and the Komodo dragon.

• We need Dancers and Performers to join the Parade Team and take part in the parade.
  • You must be available to take part in the Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday 30th June 2018
  • Be available to attend some of the dance workshops to practice the dance routines. These details will be sent out in due course.

Here is a list of the activities involved with Mardis Gras costumes, there is a cost this year to attending the workshops and limited places.

Apolgies for the poor display of this table on a mobile phone. We are working to correct this.

For further detaills please contact Sandra Trigg by email at

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The next few meetings of the Equals IW Ladies Friendship Group are planned for

• 20th February 2018 at the WoW centre in  Newport 6pm to 8pm
• 21st February 2018 at the Cowes Scouts Hut 10am to 12pm
• 28th February 2018 at the Cowes Scouts Hut 10am to 12pm Mardi Gras Meeting

January's meeting covered mostly administrative and planning activities for the coming year.

The next meeting will be held on the Thursday 22nd of February at 6:30pm in the Police Station.

1 January – New Year's Day
2 January – Local Bank Holiday
3 January – Classes Resume
16 January – Trust Board Seminar to endorse LCB reco to be ratified at the Trust Board
27 January – Equals Committee ‘Oriental Night’
27 January – Holocaust Memorial Holiday

9 to 19 February Spring Half Term
13 February – Shrove Tuesday and Maha Shivaratri Hindu holiday
14 February – Ash Wednesday/Valentine’s Day
16 February – Chinese New Year

8 March – Women’s Day
11 March – Mothering Sunday
25 March – Daylight Savings Time starts
29 March to 16 April Easter School Break
30 March to April 7 – Jewish Passover

1 April – Easter Sunday

4 to 8 May – May Day Holidays
7 May – Monday Bank Holiday
25 May to 2 June – Summer Half Term holidays
21 May – Diversity Day
28 May – Spring Monday Bank Holiday

14/15 June – Eid al-Fitr Muslim Holiday
30 June – IW Mardi Gras Festival. The theme is Global Biospheres - ‘Connecting people with nature and cultural heritage’

21 July – UK Pride in Ryde
29 July – Asian Day 2018 at Arreton Barns

4 to 11 August – Cowes Week
18 August – IW Wildlife Themed Event for Kids
27 August – Bank Holiday
30 August – Main Ryde Carnival Parade

10 to 11 September – Jewish holiday
18/19 September – Yom Kippur Jewish fast day

24 October – United Nations Day
28 October – Daylight Savings Time ends

5 November – Guy Fawkes Day

2 to 10 December – Hanukkah
25 December – Christmas Day
26 December – Boxing Day

Equals IW committee meetings are announced on this website..