Neil Groves was born to Ann and Keith Groves on March 22, 1963 in Cambridge. The family moved to the Island when Mr Groves was three years old and he spent his childhood growing up in Cowes, attending Denmark Road, Somerton Middle and Cowes High Schools. On leaving school he took an apprenticeship at Westlands, later becoming GKN Aerospace. He was a Storeman for GKN at Falcon Yard for his entire working life of almost forty years. Mr Groves was an avid pool player and over the years played in teams for the Woodvale Pub, Cowes Liberal Club, Cowes Conservative Club and Horseshoe Pub.
A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Council said: “The council and Public Health England have been leading a specialist response in relation to a confirmed Covid-19 outbreak among staff working at the premises of the Island Sailing Club, Cowes. “Fewer than ten cases have so far been confirmed and the premises voluntarily closed on 19 December. “The club had taken all necessary safety measures in advance of the outbreak and is following all subsequent actions for notification, self-isolation and test and trace in relation to staff, members and any visitors. “Another business operating in a separate area on the site has not been required to close, and continues to observe all the necessary safety measures and has been working with the council and Public Health England.