What makes the Island such a special place?

We are told countless times that the Island is special. People do not say it is unusual or unique or peculiar.  They say it is a step back in time or that it has much to offer in terms of views, walks and history.  Unless we can say why it is special we will never be able to explain fully the needs of the people who have invested their lives here.

Geography, geology and the surrounding water give it physical character. These fundamentals give the people the culture and the approach to life here. This, in turn, shapes our relationship with the mainland.  One could argue that counties in England have less need for an emphasis on their specialness because they are not a separate body.  
Being an island means that much exists in a limitted space.  There are artifacts from pre-history through to now.  Much has been dependant on the land and agriculture and from the sea and ship building, but does that make the Island special?

Perhaps it does because it has affected our history and how we have dealt with our needs.  Do we  underestimate the depth of thought that went into watching events and behaviours over the centuries?  Can we see that exhibited, in a patience and acceptance that things are always changing and that someone is prepared to make changes they must expect it to fit in with other people. Selfishness will be fought.

Other values instilled over time are challenged now with the emphasis on wealth and its creation. Times change quicker than people's basic thought patterns and instincts.
The Island does have a level of corruption, as is in every place in England. However, the physical level of crime is low compared with some places over the water.  Is this because there is space to live?  Housing density is known to affect opportunites for theft and property destruction.  We are watchful of people and happenings and are able to spread the word because we have communities. 

Interestingly we are not an Island lauding people in the form of statues.  Nearly all our public exhibitions of approval are in the form of monuments and collective acknowledgement of efforts made to the benefit of others.  We then keep the people statutry inside, in the churches and chapels and in the graveyards. This subdued recognition of individual worth can be interpreted as supporting the idea that we are equals.  

A touch of humour now.  We have some follies.  Perhaps the greatest of these is Carisbrooke Castle. Who had the bright idea to build a castle on the top of a hill with an inadequate, non- secured water supply?  Who let them do it?  You can ask the same of the Solent Forts and that was the government of the day.  

The government now is taking decisions that will affect our Isle of Wight.  Will the ministers understand what is “specialness” and why it is important to over 140,000 people and relevant to the history and culture of Britain and not just to the tourist trade.