FEATURING THE BEST ARTS & CULTURE EVENTS THIS YEAR MAY 2014 PRODUCED BY THE OFFICIAL TOURIST BOARD www.visitisleofwight.co.uk SPONSORED BY
Catch A Star
Katie Price is the latest name to join a star-studded bill at the Isle of Wight Literary Festival in October. These include accomplished actors Simon Callow and Sheila Hancock along with Brian Aldiss, the ‘elder statesman of Sci-Fi’, novelists Katie Fforde and Daisy Goodwin, crime writer John Harvey, food writer and author Jonathan Meades and celebrity gardener and author Alan Titchmarsh. Neil Oliver, presenter of ‘Coast’, Philip Hook from ‘The Antiques Roadshow’ and former politician Ann Widdecombe will also be coming to share their experiences along with Charles Spencer, brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
Win tickets to
BESTIVAL!
SEE PAGE 3
FOR DETAILS
Famous faces will appear at a host of cultural and arts festivals across the Isle of Wight this year. If you prefer being on the ground as new talent breaks, Ventnor Fringe in August is for you. Just like the famous Edinburgh Fringe, acts have to apply to perform and venues spring up in the unlikeliest of places. A stage in a secret wood, a bank that has been converted into a club and a pumping station on the seafront that becomes a club, venue and bar are just three. Plus this year the Fringe open their own arts centre, The Exchange, in the town’s former post office. Past acts have included Marques Toliver, Liam Bailey, Disraeli and talented singer songwriter Johnny Flynn.
As one of the first Festivals on the Island each year, Isle of Arts is the perfect way to spend the early May bank holiday weekend. With over forty events across four days the Festival features comedy, drama, music, literature, film and visual arts, and includes household names as well as local talents. Festival highlights in 2014 included celebrity gardener Monty Don, Kyle Eastwood (son of Clint) and deadpan comic Rich Hall. Next year’s dates are May 1st to 4th 2015. To be the first to hear about acts as they are confirmed, sign up for the monthly newsletter at www.artsisle.org
www.vfringe.co.uk
www.isleofwightliteraryfestival.org
Literatours
Talking Tours with
Celia Imrie
Time travelling literary tours around the Island featuring the voices of Celia Imrie, Richard E Grant and Hugh Bonneville have been a great success since their launch at the first Isle of Wight Literary Festival.
Jean Pierre Masclet
Festival Fever
So much so that Celia and her friends with Sian Thomas, Fidelis Morgan and intend to make them a regular attraction Andrea Miller. throughout the season. Along the way you hear anecdotes A celebrated actress, Celia Imrie often from the Island’s literary history, with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kings of Leon and Biffy Clyro are headlining the IW visits the Island, which she sees as her readings of poetry, letters and diaries Festival this June with Outkast, Chic featuring Nile Rogers, Foals and Beck second home. “I absolutely love every of the celebrated literary and historical time I come to the Island. It’s an escape figures who once lived on the Island, headlining at Bestival in September. for me,” said Celia. “Your shoulders along with music from Island composers. Music as an art form is very big on Bookending the summer, Bestival at go right down as you board the ferry. Each coach tour leaves Cowes Parade the Island, especially since the re- Robin Hill just outside Newport, which There’s something about that little boat at 10am and travels through Gurnard, introduction of the music festivals. runs this year from September 4th to 7th, trip that is absolutely wonderful. I think Yarmouth, Freshwater, Niton, Ventnor, Massive names from the music world has seen Elton John and Stevie Wonder the sun always shines at some point in with a brief stop at Bonchurch. At Shanklin there is a 40 minute lunch appear at the Isle of Wight festivals topping the bill in recent years. Every the day on the Isle of Wight.” every year with acts such as The Rolling year there is a fancy dress theme and Literary and musical greats from the past break on the seafront and the coach Stones, REM, David Bowie and Bruce this year it is ‘Desert Island Disco’. Loads are brought to life as you tour around continues to Newport, Carisbrooke Springsteen having headlined at the of different stages feature everything some of the most stunning parts of the and Calbourne returning to Cowes IW Festival, which sets up camp on the from hip hop, spoken word and theatre Island on these top flight Literatour approximately four hours later. eastern banks of the River Medina – this performances to dancing lessons and coach tours. Celia, Richard and Hugh take “It’s a real magical mystery tour,” said character parts in the audio presentation Celia Imrie of the tour that she devised year from June 12th to 15th. comedy. www.bestival.net that is played throughout the tour along with Fidelis Morgan. “You’re taken on Continued on page 3 www.isleofwightfestival.com
this fabulous adventure. I’m a part of it and I’m really proud of it. It’s a really fascinating journey.” The next Literatour is on Sunday 25th May. Telephone 01983 508854 to book a place or go to www.literatours.org.uk
Art
PIONEER PHOTOGRAPHY
through the Island’s Ages AT DIMBOLA Throughout history many of the creatively inclined have taken up residence on the Island or made it a vacation destination.
Of course Queen Victoria was in residence at Osborne House at this time and had a great interest in the arts, amassing an amazing collection of works from around the world, including personal frescos on the walls of her and Albert’s summer home. The Indian inspired Durbar Room is a work of art alone and the walls and floors of this beautiful Italianate palace are full of incredible art works from old masters and enormous family portraits to models of her baby children’s hands and feet.
Sir Edward Elgar and his new wife, Alice, decided to make the Isle of Wight their honeymoon destination, staying at Alexandra Gardens in Ventnor. Sir Edward said of the area
included Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Joni Mitchell and The Who. (The population of the Island was less than 100,000 at the time.) In more recent years the festival has hosted stars such as The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, The Police and Sir Paul McCartney. This year the “…the flowers and wild things headline acts are Kings of Leon, Red Hot here are marvellous, so large In the mid-nineteenth century, Chili Peppers and Biffy Clyro. and forward; and the gorse, Freshwater Bay became the Bohemian Bestival bursts onto the music scene retreat of a circle of artists, writers and which is in fullest bloom, so in September with a whole host of up photographers – an oasis of poets, abundant and large. to the minute musicians and DJs along painters, pioneers and polymaths. Alfred The hills, and there are many, with an eclectic mix of comedy, spoken Tennyson and his wife Emily moved to and dales are one mass of word and performance artists and film Farringford in Freshwater in 1853 in brilliant yellow! The weather makers plus The Feast Collective – a an attempt to escape the increasingly is gorgeous.” brand new food area. Every year there is overcrowded, smoky and noisy capital a new fancy dress theme, and this year it city and the poet’s own celebrity. Contemporary musicians have is ‘Desert Island Disco’ with headliners Tennyson attracted the greatest minds continued to visit and the Isle of Wight Outkast, Chic featuring Nile Rogers, of the age, and made Freshwater a place became home to the extremely popular Foals and Beck. of intellectual enquiry. They explored Isle of Wight Festival, now staged in June. In 1969, Bob Dylan attended and played to a crowd of 150,000, and a year later the festival attracted an estimated 600,000 people, with a line-up that
Mosaics & More at Brading Roman Villa
Perhaps the oldest artwork that can be viewed on the Isle of Wight is at Brading Roman Villa: a world-class museum which features some of the best preserved Roman mosaics in Europe and plays an active role in the cultural life of the Isle of the story of food, cooking and dining in Wight.
the home and the way this has changed Regular events include open-air theatre over time. productions, music nights and monthly Then from August 1st to 31st the museum is hoping to host ‘Epic film shows. Work has now been completed on the Movie Arms and Armour’ - a stunning Villa’s new secure exhibition space exhibition of movie arms, armour and allowing the Villa to host touring loans costume from feature films including from national museums and galleries. 300, Gladiator, The Eagle and King From May 19th to July 16th Leicester Arthur. Museum will be presenting ‘Eating In’ - www.bradingromanvilla.org.uk
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A permanent exhibition celebrates the legendary 1970 Isle of Wight Festival held at nearby Afton Down as well as a lively programme of temporary exhibitions showing the work of contemporary photographers. Regular events attract a bohemian set similar perhaps to those of Julia’s day, which are held throughout the gallery, including Julia’s former salon; now a delightful shop and tea room serving delicious homemade cakes and light lunches.
the landscape, the heavens, the spirit world, caverns, shipwrecks, and newlyexcavated dinosaur bones from adjacent cliffs. Alfred Tennyson may have been the leading luminary of the Freshwater circle but Julia Margaret Cameron was its driving force. A pioneering photographer, Cameron found herself ideally placed to take advantage of the Victorian vogue for pictures of celebrities, with her distinctive, fullhead portraits. Other notable visitors included naturalist Charles Darwin, astronomer and mathematician Sir John Herschel and artist G. F. Watts and many more leading figures of the day. Many of the places associated with the Circle can still be seen at Freshwater today and Julia’s house, Dimbola, is open to the public as a museum and galleries where you can learn more about her art and the people whose portraits she took. www.dimbola.co.uk
The Royal Collection at
OSBORNE HOUSE
English Heritage
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, poet laureate from 1850, made his home at Farringford in Freshwater on the Isle of Wight, and was followed across the water by a host of celebrity royalty at the time, including pioneer photographer Julia Margaret Cameron and writers such as Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll. Many would be invited to Julia Margaret’s salon at her home Dimbola to be captured on film, and the house is now a superb gallery, museum and restaurant.
Home and workplace of pioneer Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron, Dimbola is now a museum and galleries with displays about Julia’s life and work, vintage cameras and a Victorian dressing up room that is especially popular with children.
Built by her beloved husband Albert and the refuge of Queen Victoria after his sad death in 1861, Osborne House is a time capsule of how the royal family lived in the late 19th century. It was in the privacy of Osborne that the royal couple could indulge their passion for collecting and displaying art, away from the inherited, historic collections at the state-owned residences of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. The tastes of the royal couple, though so often shared, can however be clearly distinguished. The list of birthday and Christmas presents from Prince Albert to the Queen includes a high proportion of jewellery, sculpture and metalwork, whereas the Queen more often presented paintings and drawings to her husband.
he shared with his art adviser, Heinrich Ludwig Gruner. Whilst an appreciation of Raphael and the Raphaelesque in contemporary art – principally the Nazarene school which is represented in the collection at Osborne - is entirely consistent with Prince Albert’s German education, his purchases of much earlier Italian pictures place him in rarer company among collectors in England.
In a concentrated campaign from 1845 to 1847, Ludwig Gruner obtained for the Prince twenty-seven Italian pictures of the fifteenth century or earlier, of which Prince Albert had an enduring love of the the greatest, a triptych by Duccio, was Italian Renaissance artist, Raphael that the first acknowledged work by the
artist to enter Britain. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert understood and appreciated sculpture more than any of their predecessors at the English court since Charles I, and the collection they formed is by far the most important to survive from this period. The newly restored Swiss Cottage in the grounds, re-opened this year by the Earl and Countess of Wessex, was the playhouse for the royal children and the nearby natural history museum is full of every animal and mineral artefact imaginable, collected by the royals for their growing family.
Isle of
With over forty events across four days, the Festival features comedy and drama, classical, folk, jazz and blues music, literature, film and visual arts, and includes big household names as well as local talents. This year festival highlights included celebrity gardener Monty Don and deadpan comic Rich Hall. Liverpool poet Roger McGough gave his recital ‘As far As I Know’ and Virginia Ironside spoke
As one of the first festivals to take place on the Isle of Wight each year, Isle of Arts in Ventnor is the perfect way to spend the early May bank holiday weekend. on ‘growing old disgracefully’. Kyle Eastwood (son of Clint) and his band were also on the bill along with Tenors Unlimited and the amazing Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. Taking place in a number of venues around the pretty seaside town of Ventnor on the Island’s south coast, Isle of Arts also includes walks, talks, children’s events and artistic workshops, films, an Arts Trail round the town and
much more. Don’t be surprised to find pockets of music, dance or even a classic Punch & Judy show in car parks and bandstands.
FRINGE
Ventnor Fringe is a unique gathering of artists from across the world who come together to showcase new work.
Now in its third year, stars of television, politics, current affairs and bestselling authors will take the Isle of Wight Literary Festival to new heights from 16th – 19th October this year.
IW LITERARY FESTIVAL Guests for the Festival include renowned actor, director, author and journalist Simon Callow, actress and author Sheila Hancock, Brian Aldiss ‘The elder Statesman of Sci Fi’ and celebrity, business woman and bestselling author Katie Price.
event calendar. The event prides itself on its ability to attract heavyweight authors and media personalities, whilst maintaining an intimate and boutique feel at venues such as Northwood House, St Mary’s Church and Trinity Theatre in Cowes.
Also joining the 2014 line-up are food critic and author Jay Rayner, TV celebrity and author Alan Titchmarsh, and politician, historian, broadcaster and columnist Tristram Hunt. Prizewinning Reuters Correspondent Tom Bergin, bestselling author Elizabeth Buchan, award-winning travel and history author Philip Marsden, and marine historian Sam Willis will also The Literary Festival has become firmly appear. Katie Waldegrave and surprise established on the Isle of Wight’s bestselling author Charlie Mortimer are Neil Oliver, presenter of ‘Coast’, Philip Hook from ‘The Antiques Roadshow’, writer and former politician Ann Widdecombe, novelists Katie Fforde and Daisy Goodwin as well as John Harvey, the well-known crime writer will all be coming. Another notable guest set to draw the crowds is author Charles Spencer, brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
other notable additions, who join some 40 other writers, poets and performers in the varied programme that is sure to appeal to a wide audience. This year’s event is once again in memory of Serena Courage, co-founder of the Isle of Wight Literary Festival, who passed away in 2013. The Festival’s organisers are indebted to the many sponsors and supporters of this year’s event, who include Red Funnel and the Isle of Wight County Press. Programme director this year is Maggie Hanbury, London literary agent and proprietor of The Hanbury Agency. Maggie was given the Literary Agent of Year Award in 2013. For more details see www.isleofwightliteraryfestival.org
Festival Fever continued V-Dub Festival (August 14th to 18th) celebrates the Volkwagen car and camper van, and the culture surrounding them – not just for owners, the festival is also for ‘like-minded people’. This year think ’Flower Power’ as the festival moves to the old 1970 pop festival site at Afton and the line-up includes Steve Rogers, son of Paul Rogers from Free who played the original festival. Sunday night headliner is Bestival curator and Radio 1 DJ Rob Da in addition to the main acts there are workshops and free ‘fringe’ events. The Bank and the Cuban Brothers. 2014 headline acts include Derek Nash’s www.v-dubisland.com Acoustic Quartet, David Newton and Alan Newport Jazz Weekend (July 17th to Barnes, the Simon Allen Quintet, Tipitina, 20th) is now an established annual the Pedigree Trad Band, a Tribute to Louis event on the Isle of Wight, featuring the Armstrong, the Craig Milverton Quartet, very best and all styles of UK jazz. Non- the Nigel Price Organ Trio, Jim Hart, Mark profit-making and organised by local Nightingale and the Karen Sharp quartet. volunteers and musicians, each year www.newportjazzweekend.co.uk
Ventnor
All ticketed events can be booked separately, for your ideal Festival programme. Next year’s dates are 1st – 4th May 2015. To be the first to hear about events and acts as they are confirmed, sign up for the monthly Looking for something a little out of the ordinary this summer? Transforming the Island’s southern-most town for a week in August, the newsletter at www.artsisle.org Lucy Boynton
Arts
Ventnor Fringe runs from the 12th to 17th August
Inspired by the famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the event will be celebrating its fifth year in 2014 and will encompass midnight ‘lock-ins’ at the local library, intimate church concerts with rising stars, ‘pop-up’ cinemas, gigs in locals’ houses, mystery tours, woodland sing-alongs and parties on the harbour with 360-degree views over the bay. There is also an extensive programme of family entertainment and the Free Fringe, with busking and street theatre around the town.
Wednesday and the illuminated carnival on Saturday.
Camping for the Fringe week is available with passes at just £10pppn, including free parking and the unlimited use of a shuttle bus service to Fringe venues and back. It’s a really affordable way to stay in Ventnor during the Fringe, especially as there is currently no other campsite in the area, and the Watcombe Bottom site on Whitwell Road also provides a great base to explore the south of the Island from, with walks directly off the site to St Ventnor Fringe runs from the 12th to Boniface Downs and the Undercliff. 17th August and some 400 artists are For more details see www.vfringe.co.uk expected to take part, spanning every The town’s abandoned Victorian Post creative discipline and performing in Office is set to be transformed by the pop-up venues all over the town. Plus team behind the award-winning Ventnor the Isle of Wight Film Festival re-located Fringe Festival. Named the Ventnor to Ventnor three years ago and runs Exchange, it will combine a record store in conjunction with the Fringe from and bar by day and a theatre by night, as 12th to 16th August. Coinciding with well as provide development space for the Fringe is Ventnor Carnival, which, a range of associate artists and a venue like Sandown, will be celebrating its during the Fringe and throughout the 125th anniversary this year with the year. For more details see: main procession and fireworks on the www.ventnorexchange.co.uk
Bestival More Than Music The Grand Palace of Entertainment is an inhibition eliminating, twisted wonderland, featuring dazzling queens and party-starting midnight cowboys. Camp cabaret comes to Bestival’s Desert Island, hosted by Scottee and Jodie Harsh returns to take over The Port with London and New York’s hottest gay party, Room Service.
Two huge concerts are held on a large stage erected on the lawn right next Queen Victoria’s favourite home Osborne House every summer and you can sip Pimms whilst watching great artists as the sun goes down. This year it is the rising four piece X Factor winning band from 2011, Little Mix, who star on Saturday July 26th and The Voice judge and all round legend Sir Tom Jones who headlines on Sunday July 27th. www.osbornesummerconcerts.com Rhythmtree Festival from July 18th to 20th has a reputation for bringing an extraordinarily rich mix of high quality music to the Island each year. Bands such as La Chiva Gantiva, Da Lata and Lokkhi Terra feature on the bill this year along with Prince Fatty and Horseman, Tankus the Henge and Wille and the Bandits. Last year Ginger Baker made a rare appearance, and the festival frequently features musicians who have played with the greats. www.rhythmtree.info
Mr Motivator will be hosting daily fun and fitness routines on the main stage and outrageous trannies and club kids, Sink The Pink will run a ‘wake-upworkout’ there on Saturday morning. Rise-and-shine raves from Morning Glory offer yoga, hugs and massages plus Joga Beats will run yoga sessions in Bollywood. Scroobius Pip will curate the line-up of the very best spoken word artists in the UK in his Satin Lizard Lounge. Distinctively attired in trucker cap, charity shop suit and THAT beard, Scroobius Pip is a leading light of the UK’s spoken word scene, revered for his very successful partnership with Dan le Sac. And if you venture into the Ambient Forest late at night you’ll find the Amphitheatre transformed into a glorious cinema with live scores, cult classics, documentaries and short films programmed by the Branchage and London Short Film festivals. www.bestival.net
WIN BESTIVAL TICKETS
Visit Isle of Wight has teamed up with Wightlink to offer one lucky reader a pair of Bestival tickets (4th – 7th September) and ferry travel from either Portsmouth or Lymington (car or foot passenger) to the Isle of Wight. To enter, please go to
www.visitisleofwight.co.uk 3
FESTIVAL of the Sea
Robert Miles of
QUAY ARTS
Headline Act at this year’s Festival of the Sea is the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race organised by the Island Sailing Club on Saturday, June 21st.
“Over the summer here we have some big hitters such as Shakespeare’s Globe who are coming to perform Much Ado About Nothing on the lawns in front of Osborne House”
Splicing the Mainbrace from June 16th to 23rd, the Festival of the Sea encompasses sea shanties, beach art, fishing, sailing lessons and food-tastings, including the Red Funnel Cowes Food Festival and Cookery Theatre in Cowes Yacht Haven on June 21st and 22nd. Following on from the frivolities at Festival of the Sea, Small Hope Beach at Shanklin will host ‘All At Sea’, a beach festival with birdman competition, cardboard boat race, sand sculpture competitions, pirate lessons, live music and an undercover beach bar on June 28th and 29th. www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/events/ festival-of-the-sea
Firmly in the centre of the Island’s cultural landscape within several converted Victorian warehouses on Newport Harbour, sits Quay Arts. the ferry and leaving one piece of land behind, with all the worries of everyday life, and arriving onto another piece of land with endless possibilities. Plus we can recommend some lovely places to stay – we have some beautiful boutique “We’re working with the Tate to bring B&Bs here in Newport within walking the Turner Prize winning artist Martin distance. Creed to the West Gallery and he’ll be “The Island is a magical place with showing from June until September,” an abundance of natural beauty and explained Robert. “His work is amazing natural light that attracts artists to come - he did the ringing of the bells at the here to work. There’s also an amazing opening of the Olympics. We’ve selected legacy of artists who have come here in works of his owned by the Tate and we the past – the Island is very inspiring in anticipate showing more work from that way. their collection on the Island in the “We go to the Edinburgh Festival every future. year and bring the best of what we Its large West Gallery is one of the finest local gallery spaces in the country and this summer Quay Arts is forging links with the Tate and Shakespeare’s Globe under the guidance of Artistic Director Robert Miles.
“Over the summer here we have some big hitters such as Shakespeare’s Globe who are coming to perform Much Ado About Nothing on the lawns in front of Osborne House: six performances through June 18th to 21st.” Resident artists have studios in Quay Arts’ Jubilee Stores warehouse where courses run throughout the year. “One of the really nice things about coming to the Island to do a course is that sense of otherness,” said Robert. “Getting
Monthly Acoustic Original nights showcase local musical talent with those performing often finding themselves on the stage of the Kashmir Café, run by Quay Arts at the IW Festival in June. “We’re building a relationship with the Bestival and we’re going to be running a main bar at Ventnor Fringe this year with classes, workshops and performances; spreading the magic of Quay Arts across the Island,” added Robert.
“Hospitality is a central core of what we do and at the heart of our main building is our shop selling the most amazing unique work from the best craft makers find up there to our theatre,” explained and our wonderful café, both beautiful spaces. I’m very proud of our team and our terrace overlooking the river is one of the nicest places to spend time on the Island. There’s always a fantastic creative buzz here.” www.quayarts.org
The Isle of Wight is well-known for its fabulous carnivals and is one of the most concentrated places in the country to see them, so make sure you catch at least one of these magical events, which are held in Ryde, Ventnor, Sandown, Shanklin, St Helen’s, Cowes, Yarmouth and Newport. Carnival season on the Isle of Wight kicks off on the 28th June at 3.00pm with the annual IW Mardi Gras in Ryde. Presented on the road without the need for floats, it sets the streets of Ryde alive with the sounds of samba and calypso. This is New Orleans meets Trinidad meets Rio on the Isle of Wight! The parade is led by The New Carnival Company’s mascot bucking bull inspired by the fattened calf or ‘Boeuf Gras’ from the New Orleans Mardi Gras. Riding the bull is Rex, King of Carnival, who bestows favoured members of the public with strings of Mardi Gras beads. Following are over 30 schools and youth organisations who have worked alongside professional carnival and visiting artists to create their individual sections within the theme of ‘Natural Geographic’, with glittering entries ranging from Polar Ice Cap to River Nile and Northern Lights to Masai Mara. When the parade has worked its way through Ryde it finally processes over the Carnival Stage at Eastern Esplanade Gardens, which hosts
traditional world music and carnival musicians from 12 noon. www.thenewcarnivalcompany.com The first Ryde Carnival was held in 1888, following the successful Queen’s Jubilee celebrations in Ryde the previous year (1887). Queen Victoria attended again, accompanied by her daughter Beatrice and it was reported that, “Her Majesty scanned the grotesque figures which met her gaze with an amused smile.” Following the success of this first carnival, Sandown and Ventnor held their first carnivals in 1889 and the other towns of the Island quickly followed. The Isle of Wight Council decided to recruit carnival development experts to infuse the Island carnival tradition in 2000. Mass bands of walking performers with amazing structural costumes are now a big part of the carnivals, along with rousing Salsa Bands.
See Arts and Culture events for this Summer’s Carnivals →
STEAM
RAILWAY
Robert Miles of Quay Arts
A heritage railway might not immediately spring to mind as a centre for entertainment and the arts
Globe Theatre On Tour Presents
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING By William Shakespeare
Over four dates six performances TICKETS £17 | CONCESSIONS £11 | SCHOOLS £9
THU 19 & SAT 21 JUNE 2.30PM AND 7.30PM
The performance takes place outdoor in the grounds of Osborne House, so please bring a picnic rug or low backed seating and suitable clothing for all weather conditions. The performance will go ahead in all but the most extreme weather conditions. Refreshments will be available.
FOR TICKETS: AVAILABLE ONLINE WWW.QUAYARTS.ORG
| QUAY ARTS BOX OFFICE 01983 822490
QUAY ARTS OUTDOOR PRODUCTION AT OSBORNE WED 18 & FRI 20 JUNE 7.30PM
Summer Adventures
Special Delights to make your holiday complete!
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Robert. “We run a monthly comedy club, which is always very popular.”
CARNIVAL Island
… but peer beyond the steam and you’ll find a cracking programme of entertainment and themed weekends when the steam trains provide the perfect centre-piece for us to put on something extra! Staged in the natural setting of our tree-lined arena, Midsummer Jazz is the Island’s big open-air jazz party, this year featuring the frenetic Mike Sanchez & His Band and the impossibly talented Swing Commanders. Our 1940s Experience
er
mm
su Mid
offers a weekend of pure nostalgia with inspired music and dance, silk stockings and military machines, spivs doing deals and The Three Belles singing spankingly good songs from the era! A weekend of imaginative street theatre appealing to children aged 2 to 102, sees The Railway Folk ‘take over’ the railway, while our Victorian Weekend offers pageantry, travelling theatre and songs from the music halls … And for four days
Midsummer Jazz 28th June The Island’s big summer open-air jazz party event featuring the frenetic Mike Sanchez & His Band and the impossibly talented Swing Commanders.
The 1940s Experience
The 1940s Experience 5th & 6th July Inspired music and dance … Silk stockings and military machines … Men in uniforms and spivs doing deals – pure nostalgia! The Railway Folk 26th, 27th & 28th July Featuring a host of captivating characters, this fascinating and imaginative street theatre will appeal to children aged 2 to 102!
The Railway Folk
The Island Steam Show
over the August Bank Holiday weekend The Island Steam Show presents stunning arena shows, live music on The Woodland Stage, street acts and traditional fairground rides. Inspiring, surprising and awardwinning, whenever you visit, The Isle of Wight Steam Railway will charm, engage and captivate, leaving some lasting memories of a special day out. For more info www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk
The 40th Island Steam Show 22nd – 25th August Climb aboard the traditional fairground rides, enthrall at the stunning shows in the main arena, and enjoy live music on The Woodland Stage. For full details of these and our many other Special Events throughout 2014, please go to www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk The IW Steam Railway is open throughout the year See www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk for opening times and train timetables. The Railway Station, Havenstreet Isle of Wight PO33 4DS 01983 882204
Arts&Culture events
Event
Website
From
Ends
JMW Turner Exhibition at Shanklin Chine The Picturesque Landscapes of Thomas Walmesley The Blacksmith Experience Rhythmtree by Lucy Boynton Local Views & Landscapes - Gordon Smith Eating In: The Story of Food, Cooking and Dining in the Home Literatours Exhibition: The Essence of an Island by Leigh Jackman Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival Yarn Craft - Learn to Knit - with Tracy O’Brien Pop Up Opera at The Garlic Farm: “Cosi Fan Tutte” Exhibition: Janet Ledger, Harry Brioche and Christie Bird Country Dancing Festival Isle of Wight Festival Festival of the Sea Much Ado About Nothing Quay Arts and Shakespeare’s Globe: Much Ado About Nothing Rag Rug Making at Charlotte’s Studio Marbling with Melanie Swan 6th Annual Midsummer Jazz Royal Isle of Wight Agricultural Society Show Ryde Mardi Gras Chris Packham Wildlife Photography The 1940s Experience at IW Steam Railway Ryde Art Collective at Quarr Abbey COLLAGE Taster with Ian Whitmore Cowes Artisan Market Newport Jazz Weekend Isle of Wight Arts Open Studios Rhythmtree Festival Tom Jones Sandown Carnival: 125th Anniversary Osborne House Summer Concerts: Tom Jones & Little Mix MIST: An evening of alternative film with food Yarmouth Carnival Cowes Artisan Market Quantum Theatre perform Alice Through the Looking Glass & The Tempest Ventnor Fringe Festival Ventnor Carnival: 125th Anniversary V-Dub Island Festival Isle of Wight Garlic Festival London Contemporary Theatre’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream & Treasure Island Really Wild Photography Blurred Boundaries: Stitch, Photograpy and the Landscapes of Virginia Woolf Bestival Bel Cantanti at The Garlic Farm MIST: Pianofest - a weekend of alternative film Ryde Art Collective Autumn Exhibition The Extraordinary Travelling Film Show present Little Shop of Horrors Retro Yoga Weekend at Vintage Vacations Jewellery Design & Creation with Lauren Griffiths Ventnor Botanical Artists Exhibition Sweetcorn Fayre Electric Woods Festival of Light & Divali The Art of Writing Fiction with Sam North Contemporary Felting with Gillian Chapman Isle of Wight Literary Festival Watercolour Painting Workshop with Paul Hewson Art from the Heart with Stoney Parsons Jazz Festival Winner’s Showcase: The Isle of Wight Photographer of the Year Isle of Wight Arts Open Studios @ Christmas Cowes Christmas Festival Isle of Arts Festival
www.shanklinchine.co.uk www.carisbrookecastlemuseum.org.uk www.facebook.com/jrpblacksmith2007 www.dimbola.co.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk www.bradingromanvilla.org.uk www.literatours.org.uk www.seaviewart.co.uk www.yarmoutholdgaffersfestival.co.uk www.quayarts.org www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk www.islandfinearts.com www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk www.isleofwightfestival.com www.visitisleofwight.co.uk www.quayarts.org www.iwgreenshop.com www.quayarts.org www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk www.riwas.org.uk www.thenewcarnivalcompany.com www.dimbola.co.uk www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk www.facebook.com/TheRydeArtCollective www.quayarts.org www.facebook.com/CowesAM www.newportjazzweekend.co.uk www.isleofwightarts.com www.rhythmtree.info www.sandowncarnival.com www.osbornesummerconcerts.com www.seahorsesisleofwight.com www.yarmouthcarnival.org.uk www.facebook.com/CowesAM www.botanic.co.uk www.ventnorexchange.co.uk/vfringe www.ventnorcarnival.com www.v-dubisland.com www.garlic-festival.co.uk www.botanic.co.uk www.isleofwightzoo.com www.dimbola.co.uk www.2014.bestival.net www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk www.facebook.com/thepianocafeiow www.facebook.com/TheRydeArtCollective www.botanic.co.uk www.getbendy.co.uk www.seaviewhotel.co.uk www.botanic.co.uk www.arretonbarns.co.uk/content/events www.electricwoods.co.uk www.thegrangebythesea.com www.seaviewhotel.co.uk www.isleofwightliteraryfestival.org www.paulhewsonart.co.uk www.thegrangebythesea.com www.dimbola.co.uk www.quayarts.org www.coweschristmas.co.uk www.wwartsisle.org
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Festival OF LIGHT
inspired by Diwali
This October, Robin Hill’s electric woods presents the Festival of Light, a stunning spectacle of creatively themed lighting, colour, sound, and entertainment inspired by the Hindu Festival of Diwali where light triumphs over darkness and good triumphs over evil. From 4th October – 1st November, as darkness falls, visitors can experience the majesty of Robin Hill’s glorious autumnal woodland transformed into the spectacular illuminated ‘electric woods’ as it captures the spirit of the most popular festival in the Indian calendar. Wandering through the electric woods, visitors will be entertained by the ancient story of ‘Ramayana’ creatively interpreted through sound & light shows, shadow theatre and interactive light installations. The woodlands will be brought to life with a dazzling array of vibrant coloured lanterns and features will include the stunning “Golden Oriole” bridge with its cascading golden water, and Hindu shrines. An authentic Indian menu of curries and Asian sweets will be served at the woodland ponds where magical reflections will be created in the water and themed music will add to the ambience. Celebrated across the world, Diwali is the largest, brightest and most popular festival in the Indian calendar. The word Diwali means “row of lighted lamps”, with light symbolizing the triumph of good over evil, prosperity over poverty and knowledge over ignorance. It’s a time for lighting diyas (or lamps), laying out colourful rangolis (colours), enjoying fireworks, exchanging gifts of sweets and celebrating with dance, music and storytelling. For more information about the Festival of Light please visit : www.electricwoods.co.uk
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OPENSTUDIOS
“All those people in Cornwall went on about the light there but I think it’s better here”
Island
It’s a rare opportunity to get invited into an artist’s creative space, but each July Isle of Wight artists and crafts-people open their studios or homes to the public for two open studios weekends.
Pop Up Opera group
Richard Lakos
Tanya Goodwin
Steve Thearle
Artists
Julian Winslow
Stay for a ten day break and you could fit church halls, galleries and shops to in both weekends. artists’ homes and even custom made This year sees the artists of the Western sheds in their gardens. side of the Island open their doors over Last year’s event saw over 150 artists the weekend of 18th to 21st July and exhibiting across the Island from Matthew Chambers Jo Hummel-Newell those in the Eastern side are inviting you ceramics and jewellery to fine art and to their studios from 25th to 28th July. felt crafts. Open Studios are as varied A huge number of artists have their homes and studios on the Isle of Wight, Handy guides are available from various and diverse as you can imagine and offer some of whom are extremely successful and sell all over the world. outlets including Quay Arts, the Island’s the chance to buy direct from the artists. artistic hub in Newport, and jaunty red Plus you’re sure to come away feeling Open Studio flags flutter outside each inspired. David Firmstone is one of these: an abstract paintings and more recent work His work is collected worldwide and his location to show the way. Artists also have an Open Studios @ internationally acclaimed painter who includes stitched collages incorporating sculptural pieces are ending up in some Visitors have the opportunity to meet Christmas exhibition at the Quay Arts lives and works in St Lawrence on her photography and archival works. very interesting collections. and see artists at work and to buy on Saturday 30th November and Sunday the Island. Vice president of the Royal Her award winning art has been www.matthewchambers.co.uk 1st December. Watercolour Society until 2010, and a exhibited widely and shown in Cork Jo Hummel-Newell was selected for the the finished artworks and entry to all www.isleofwightarts.com/openstudios locations is free. Venues range from recipient of an MBE for his services to art Street and the Mall Galleries and the Venice Biennale last year. “The images in 1997, David is repeatedly inspired by home that she designed with her I create are frames, capturing and the landscape and history of the Island husband Lincoln Miles, The Tree House, freezing an event. Within the frame is all when he paints his frequently large, has been featured on Channel 4’s Grand the information, sensory experience and colourful canvasses. “One of the things Designs. www.lisatraxler.com emotional response of that instance,” about the Island is the light,” explained Sue Paraskeva has an international says Jo of her work. David. “All those people in Cornwall reputation as a potter and was recently www.joannehummelnewell.com went on about the light there but I think commissioned by Calvin Klein. Her Tim Johnson is a seriously talented it’s better here. It’s quite sparkly, the Sue Paraskeva modernist functional hand thrown world-class basket maker who lives landscapes and seascapes, because of porcelain pieces are coveted by many on the island with his family, although the sea and the reflection of it.” – she once made a 94 piece tablewear he runs specialist courses in basketry www.davidfirmstone.com service for Kevin Costner! worldwide. You can catch him on the Lisa Traxler creates lyrical abstract www.sueparaskeva.co.uk Island at the Quay Arts from August paintings and sculptural pieces Matthew Chambers is especially well 25th to 28th where he will be running a including huge enamelled vitreous known for his sculpted clay globes that Contemporary Basketmaking Summer steel sculptures. Lisa is best known have got more and more intricately School. for her now collectable large canvas faceted as the years have progressed. www.timjohnsonartist.com
Lisa Traxler
abstract works. In July the new body of work from Ventnor-based artist Celia Wilkinson will be shown, August is Staffordshire based Leigh Davis’s first Island exhibition, September sees Linda Beale from Freshwater exhibiting her work and in October Steve Miles will be presenting his first exhibition. www.hillsideventnor.co.uk
Would you expect to be drinking, watching a film or taking in a cabaret show within a former NatWest Bank? Ventnor Arts Club is a members club, where people involved in the arts and media or keen supporters of creativity Art is all around you on the Isle of Wight and not necessarily can relax, have a drink, enjoy a film, music and other regular events. Based where you might expect to find it. within a stylish 1920’s bank, the interior has been restored and refurbished to The Garlic Farm in Newchurch might be Mezze Supper will be served in the reveal its previously hidden beauty, but the last place you’d expect to see opera Restaurant. For further information and is also bristling with technology like but the very popular Pop Up Opera group to book tickets, please contact The Garlic fast WiFi, HD cinema projection and surround sound. return to the farm on 6th and 7th June Farm on 01983 865378. for their fourth visit and this is actually www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk Regular film screenings, live music and a perfect setting. The group will be The Hillside Hotel under St Boniface cabaret feature on the bill and the club performing Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte, his Downs and their sister restaurant occasionally becomes a venue for local famous and much loved comedy opera. Hillside Bistro down the hill in Ventnor Arts festivals. Based on the London style Then on the 12th and 13th September town have a wealth of art on their walls arts clubs such as the Groucho and Soho the Garlic Farm is hosting a new group of and in the Bistro exhibiting artists House, VAC has a membership policy well-known Island singers, Bel Cantanti, regularly have open evenings to present but temporary membership for visitors to the Island can be arranged - email who will be presenting a Gilbert & their new work. Sullivan concert, featuring popular Lisa Rogers will be exhibiting her info@ventnorartsclub.com or call on pieces from their large repertoire.Both land and seascapes in May and June 01983 857060 for further details. events include a longer than usual features the work of prominent Island www.ventnorartsclub.com interval during which The Garlic Farm artist Lisa Traxler with her amazing
Unusual Venues
Garlic Farm, Hillside Hotel & Bistro, Ventnor Arts Club
Ryde
The Ryde Art Collective (TRAC) is a non-profit making group of artists and craftspeople formed to give local professional creative people an opportunity to work and exhibit together. Members are predominantly Ryde-based producing contemporary art of high quality including painting, photography, pastels, mixed media, printing, ceramics and polymer clay. TRAC stage two major exhibitions each year in the Spring and Autumn and smaller ones throughout the year at various venues on the Isle of Wight. TRAC’s forthcoming exhibitions are: Quarr Abbey, Fishbourne, Nr Ryde, PO33 4ES 10th - 15th July 2014 Autumn Exhibition at The Depozitory, 23 Nelson Street, Ryde, PO33 2EZ 13th - 21st Sept 2014 Take 4 at Ryde Library, George Street, Ryde, PO33 2JE 3rd – 29th Nov 2014
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ART COLLECTIVE
For something completely different you have to make a trip over to the West Wight to experience an evening of alternative films with MIST (Moving Image Sound and Things), courtesy of organiser Paul Windridge, himself an innovative film maker.
Yarmouth Gallery
Island
Art Galleries
Paul Windridge
Art galleries are on the increase on the Isle of Wight get out and about and you’ll discover them in the most unlikely places.
This year MIST is stretched over two weekends. The first screening session has a well-stocked gallery shop and art will be at Seahorses, in the gardens of this for sale. The New Rembrandt Gallery on lovely house and art studio, on 2nd August. Scarrots Lane, Newport, features a wide There will be two 25 minute sessions of short films starting at around 8pm. range of art including photography. Yarmouth Gallery is off of the main This is an outdoor event and barbecue square, up the quaint narrow High and wood fired pizza is included in the Street, and another good space to find minimum suggested entry fee of £5, with work by Island artists with a coastal proceeds going to Seahorses’ charity for feeling, especially owner Anne Tom’s Learning Disabilities. Seahorses is not licensed so you are invited to bring your depictions of the wild chalk cliffs. Island artists and crafts people also own bottle/s.
Gate Lane and there are three sessions on each day. The first from 2pm to 4pm has films that are suitable for children, the second ‘sitting’ from 7pm to 7.45pm with films rated 12 and the third is from 8.15pm to 9pm with films rated 15. Booking is advisable as there is only a 40 person capacity and tickets are just £5. For more information go to www.facebook.com/thepianocafeiow
There’s art everywhere. We even had a Island artists and have a superb vintage reputed Banksy on a wall in Ventnor a shopfront and interiors. few years ago. Island Fine Arts in Bembridge has some Galleries tend to open up in Cowes for very exclusive and collectable works the season so you may find a new one of art at its High Street location and when you visit, which is always exciting. specialises in art of the 20th and 21st Kendalls Gallery, the most established, century. Seaview Art Gallery is a small is in a large purpose designed 1500 sq family run gallery towards the top of Paul is also hoping to screen films on the ft airy space on the parade in Cowes and Seaview High Street and it specialises in seafront for Ventnor Fringe so see represents over 80 contemporary artists, maritime art produced by local artists. www.vfringe.co.uk holding a new show of around 100 new Pay a visit to the Priory Bay Hotel and paintings every four to five weeks. you could have your photograph taken exhibit at various church halls and Island The second event is on 13th and 14th September at the new Piano Café on Also in Cowes is the quirky pale between Churchill and Roosevelt on events throughout the season. Lawrence Holofcener’s amazing lifesize blue Pelham House Gallery and café, known as PHG, has a vintage, coastal ‘Allies’ sculpture sitting on a bench in theme and is passionate about the garden – then take afternoon tea or promoting handcrafted work of high lunch on the terrace. quality from artists, designers and small artisan businesses with textiles nestling happily alongside ceramics, paintings, prints, jewellery and sculpture.
Ryde Depozitory is a great gallery space and art studios in a former Wesleyan Chapel with regular exhibitions and functions. Quarr Abbey has an exhibition space that is hired by Island artists throughout the year, opposite the library in the gatehouse to the left of the main abbey.
Green Buoy Arts further up the High Street only features work from Island artists and photographers and has art with a strong maritime theme and owner Maddy is often working within Quay Arts in Newport is the Island’s the studio. Joliffe’s Coffee Shop feature artistic hub with large gallery and it also
FOAL ARTS CIC ARE BASED IN A CONVERTED WESLEYAN CHAPEL ON NELSON STREET IN RYDE NOW NAMED THE DEPOZITORY
Foal Arts
The first floor is a grand space with windows spanning 360 degrees with smooth wooden floor and views of the Solent. Downstairs the basement includes a black and white chessboard painted floor and Victorian iron pillars. The Depozitory houses artist studios and hosts regular workshops, exhibitions and theatre. Look out for their Open Studio event - last year it attracted 950 visitors in four days, which was staggering for an Island art event. “What sets us apart is our ability to gauge quality and select only the most committed artists, who we promote and market,” said one of the Foals directors, Jo Hummel- Newell, who trained at the Royal College of Art and moved to Isle of Wight to curate the Quay Arts galleries before going solo. Foals is a young organisation who represent the future for arts on the Island as well as representing the most prolific arts professionals who work here. Their position in Ryde also means that even day trippers wouldn’t have a problem visiting this superb space and galleries. www.foalarts.org.uk
seahorses
regular art & craft courses weekly drop-in sessions commissions bed & breakfast self-catering 01983 752574 seahorses-iow@tiscali.co.uk www.seahorsesisleofwight.com
Arts & Culture
at Ventnor Botanic Garden It’s not all about the plants and the trees at Ventnor Botanic Garden (VBG) as this verdant venue plays host to numerous arts, crafts, live music and theatre events throughout the year. This summer alone, VBG is hosting four family friendly, outdoor theatre events. From classic adventure tales such as Treasure Island to Shakespeare, visitors can enjoy the beautiful and tranquil surroundings of the Garden as well as theatre performed outdoors. Numerous art exhibitions take place in the Gallery at VBG throughout the year, showcasing the work of local artists using mediums ranging from oil, watercolour and ceramic, and the Gallery is free for all to visit offering something to enjoy whatever the weather.
the Looking Glass at 2.30pm and The Tempest at 7pm in the New Zealand Garden; Friday 22nd August the London Contemporary Theatre perform Treasure Island at 4pm and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at 7pm in the New Zealand Garden and on Saturday 13th September The Extraordinary Travelling Film Show perform Little Shop of Horrors. www.travellingfilmshow.co.uk Tickets for all performances are available from VBG Box Office, call (01983) 855397, option 3. VBG is open daily from 10am all year round.
Sunday 6th July Songbirds Choir For more event details please visit perform from 10.30am to 11.30am in www.botanic.co.uk edulis restaurant; Monday 11th August or call (01983) 855397. Quantum Theatre perform Alice Through
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Zoo photography workshops Memories of
WWI Various events are planned to remember the First World War as it is the centenary of the outbreak of ‘The Great War’ this summer. Carisbrooke Castle is hosting an exhibition, ‘The Isle of Wight – Men and Horses Go To War’ from May 12th, featuring Warrior our own Island war horse and John Attrill of the I.O.W Yeomanry who took his horse to war. www.carisbrookecastlemuseum.org.uk
Vintage Vacations
Yoga Weekends
Animal photo K1 Photography
If you have a keen interest in the art of wildlife photography then the Isle of Wight Zoo has the place for you, on one of their Really Wild Photography Workshops.
Full day classes hosted by professional international wildlife photographer Karen-Jane Dudley will focus on big cats, making use of the magnificent cats at the zoo. The zoo’s official photographer, Karen-Jane is a professional photographer with specialism in African wildlife. See her portfolio at www.k1photography.com.
the white tiger and Casper the white lion, at close quarters.
Workshops are priced at £105.00 per head, student rate is £70 per head, Island Resident discounted rate £95.00 per head. Dates are: 25th May, 15th June, 29th June, 24th August - Really Wild Photography from 10am till 6pm and: 20th July and 10th August – Twilight Workshops give behind the scenes Photography from 2pm till 8pm. access at specially designed photography www.isleofwightzoo.com/products/ stations to photograph a variety of the really-wild-photography.aspx zoo’s stunning big cats, including Zena
Seaview Hotel WORKSHOPS
HOW TO GET HERE
Vintage Vacations is the perfect retro hideaway and the UK’s original Airstream caravan company. The trailers are all based at an exclusive and idyllic, rural setting on the Isle of Wight. Each Airstream is lovingly restored to its original glory and fixtures and fittings are faithful to the appropriate period. As well as the Airstream caravans Vintage Vacations offer other quirkily converted buildings for holidays such as a tin church and an old Scout Hall.
was inspired by yoga. A retro yoga experience with a ‘Women’s League’ twist has been designed that is great exercise but also fun, very simple, and suitable for everyone, even those who have never done yoga before.
Retro yoga fits beautifully with their vintage philosophy as the 1930s Women’s League of Health and Beauty
For further details visit www.getbendy.co.uk/Get_Bendy/ Airstream_Yoga_Holiday.html
Vintage Vacations are offering the retro yoga activity break over the long weekend from Friday 19th September to Monday 22nd September 2014.
The Seaview Hotel and Foal Arts are offering art and craft workshop holidays in the picturesque sailing village of Seaview. Design your own unique piece of jewellery with Lauren Griffiths on Saturday 20th September, learning the basic techniques of contemporary and traditional silversmithing and creating a precious silver adornment inspired by a beachcombing adventure. Or learn contemporary felting with Gillian Chapman on Saturday 11th October. Walk
along the coast, collecting pebbles to transform into pebble weights and seek inspiration for your own handmade felt scarf. Arriving on Friday night, a two night stay at the Seaview Hotel is included with each workshop. www.seaviewhotel.co.uk
WHERE TO STAY
Your voyage across the Solent is the beginning of your adventure You have a fantastic choice of accommodation on the Island; to the Isle of Wight, with or without your own vehicle. everything from boutique B&Bs to top class hotels; vintage caravans or shepherd’s Red Funnel operates a frequent car ferry service huts to majestic manor houses. There’s something for everyone and a price range to from Southampton to East Cowes and a Red Jet Hi- suit every pocket. See www.visitisleofwight.co.uk for more details. Speed passenger only service from Southampton to West Cowes.
Captain Seely’s descendants live at Mottistone Manor, which is open to the general public two days a year (Sunday/ Monday over the May Bank Holiday 25th and 26th), where a painting of General Jack Seely on his horse, Warrior, can be viewed. The gardens are open from 16th March 2014. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ mottistone-manor-garden
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Brading Roman Villa’s new gallery are hosting an exhibition ‘Last Post Remembering the First World War’ on loan from the British Postal Museum from 4th October-31st December 2014. The exhibition explores the role of the Post Office during WW1 from the staff enlisted to fight, its role in censorship and its determination to maintain a service against all odds. www.bradingromanvilla.org.uk
www.redfunnel.co.uk for more information and to book.
Wightlink operates a vehicle ferry service from Lymington to Yarmouth and another from Portsmouth to Fishbourne. The car ferries take around 40 minutes from Portsmouth and Lymington and on board, passengers and drivers alike can relax in the lounges and enjoy some refreshments. Or step off the train from London, hop on a Wightlink catamaran and be on the island in just 22 minutes. The opening of the Hindhead Tunnel in Surrey has cut journey times to Portsmouth from Greater London. By contrast, Wightlink’s port at Lymington is reached by an attractive drive through the scenic New Forest. www.wightlink.co.uk for all details and booking.
Hovertravel operate Europe’s only commercial hovercraft service from Southsea Seafront to Ryde Esplanade, landing on the shore right next to Ryde’s bus & train station. The high frequency service has a journey time of just 10 minutes! Hovertravel offer great value inclusive travel & attraction, & public transport tickets, so you can see more of the Island on just one ticket. www.hovertravel.co.uk for details and booking.
This historic 18-bedroom hotel with Tithe Barns, yurts and self-catering accommodation is the ideal base for visiting the Isle of Wight. 10% discount available on all bookings - please quote Island Arts at time of booking, valid until 31/12/14.
Design & artwork - www.tandem-design.co.uk
Warrior, the famous horse of First World War veteran, the late Gen Jack Seely, of Mottistone Manor, was renowned for his bravery under fire and in appalling conditions. Returning with Jack Seely to his native Isle of Wight in 1918, Warrior lived on until the grand old age of 33, even winning a point to point four years to the day that he had led the charge at Moreuil Wood. His obituary in the Evening Standard in 1941 read ‘Horse the Germans Could Not Kill’: www.warriorwarhorse.com
Their passenger vehicle ferry MV Red Falcon has undergone a major £2.2m refurbishment and now has a bright, modern and stylish new look, a 55% increase in the number of internal seats and a new sun deck and promenade walk (with wheelchair/ pushchair access). There are two new passenger lounges with additional toilet and baby changing facilities, a new pet friendly lounge, child play space and designated quiet zone and air-conditioning in all passenger lounges and improved heating in winter. Flexible spaces offers the option to host live music, entertainment and meetings and there’s improved Wi-Fi and more laptop/phone charging points.