In Peter Pan what is the name of the Darling Family Dog?

Our next draw will take place on the 1st January 2022, so don’t forget to buy your tickets when you come and see a show at the Theatre or at our next Coffee Cake and Chat morning. Coffee, Cake and Chat takes place on the 1st Saturday of each month (except January) 10am-12noon.

The Grand Prizes Draw winners were:

 1st £500 – Mrs. T J Haggety  2nd £200 - Pete Leahy  3rd £100 – Mrs. D Mann  4th £75 – Mrs. L L Ferenden  5th £75 - J Goldsmith  6th £50 - P J Lambton  7th £50 – Mr MP & Mrs. TL James

Tickets £1 - Over 16s only

'Drumming & Strumming' event here on YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCwDjjDH3nb_yxnQhbr_6Eg/featured

Isle of Wight Walking Festival 9th – 22nd October 2021

On the 12th October, theatre volunteers, Jane Robert, Sarah Bucher-Jones and Jacqui Robertson were joined by 19 walkers and 1 dog for the Sunshine and Shades of Shanklin walk as part of the Isle of Wight Walking Festival 2021. This first walk devised by Jacqui and Rob Robertson, is one of two walks created specifically for the walking festival a few years ago in conjunction with Visit Isle of Wight. This 7.5 mile route follows most of the southern part of the Shanklin Boundary and is called the ‘Sunshine and Shades of Shanklin’. So called, because during the course of the walk, deep shaded woodland is followed by bright sunny areas. The walk itself is quite a demanding with a steady climb to the top of Shanklin Downs, following a steep descent at Nansen Hill and steep steps at the Devil’s Chimney.

Jacqui goes on to say, ‘we had a brief stop for lunch at the top of Shanklin Downs sharing the views with the cows. On the way back, we stopped at Shanklin Theatre, for a brief talk given by Rob with refreshments provided by our catering team. I think everyone enjoyed the walk and was suitably tired at the end of it. We received very generous donations for which we are very grateful.’

Image above: The view from the St Martin’s Down overlooking the Sandown and Shanklin Bay area. St Martin’s is part of the larger Shanklin Downs area at a height of 213.4 metres (just over 700 feet).

Our furry canine friend thoroughly enjoyed the walk too!

Descending Nansen Hill towards the Devil’s Chimney

The walker’s taking a well deserved rest at the theatre after completing their 7.5 mile route.

Please see over for the 2nd walk, ‘Shanklin Coast to Country’ .

The Shanklin Coast to Country Walk

The 2nd walk, also devised by Jacqui and Rob Robertson as part of the Isle Wight Walking Festival was the ‘Shanklin Coast to Country Walk’ that took place on the 21st October. The walk was led by volunteers of Shanklin Theatre, Sammantha Cave, Gwyn Dawson, Jacqui Robertson and Michael Beston who escorted 11 walkers around the Shanklin route.

Above: The view from Keats Green of Culver Cliff across the Sandown and Shanklin Bay. Culver Cliff is part of the larger Culver and Bembridge Downs area elevating at 104 metres (just over 241 feet). It is believed that its name derives from "Culfre", which is Old English for dove. The down has typical chalk downland wildlife on the uncultivated areas. This includes plants such as Small Scabious, Harebell, Cowslip and Lady's Bedstraw.

This circular walk of around 4 miles in distance commenced at Shanklin Railway station. Although the walking route did not include any stiles, it did have two fairly steep flights of steps up to the top of Shanklin cliff. The second part of the walk included a steep uphill route through the woodland of Batts Copse Hill where walkers were gratified by a beautiful view of the Bay and beyond. The walk was narrated at specific points to highlight volunteer work and key historic facts that also included a brief talk at Shanklin Theatre about its history delivered by theatre manager, Roger Coleman. A well deserved

cup of tea and assortment of biscuits was provided by members of the catering team, Chris Harris and Cherry Scudder.

Walkers gather at the Shanklin War Memorial for one of a number of key historic fact talks. Below, Shanklin Theatre Manager, Roger Coleman addresses the group.

The annual IW Walking Festival is an ideal event for keen hikers, relaxed wanderers, and curious explorers alike, the walking festival is a friendly coming together in the great outdoors for all ages, offering a chance to meet new people, learn and discover the many wonders of the Wight. Over half the Isle of Wight is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and in 2019 the Island became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Island has 500 miles of well-maintained and signposted footpaths.

Images and text courtesy of Jacqui Robertson and Michael Beston.

New Word Search – Created by Sally Beston

Words may run forwards, backwards, horizontal, vertical or diagonal, but always in a straight unbroken line. This theme is all to do with the Theatre. Good luck - Sally.

 Actor  Audience  Balcony  Ballet  Bar  Curtain  Dance  Foyer  Ice Cream  Music  Panto  Performance  Rehearsal  Seats  Show  Spotlight  Stage  Tap  Theatre  Usher

FOST Grand Prize Draw Winners for November

The Grand Prize Draw held on Saturday 6th November during the Coffee, Cake and Chat morning was drawn by FOST Vice Chairman, Michael Beston and overseen by Linda Stoneham - prize draw supervisor. The Grand Prize Draw is in aid of the refurbishment of Shanklin Theatre.

1st Mr K Smith – 2383 £500 2nd Mr S Naylor – 2252 £200 3rd Mrs. D Adcock – 0189 £100 4th Mrs. M Wroe – 0449 £75 5th Mr Simpson – 1809 £75 6th Mr C Bidwell – 1637 £50 7th Mr R Thomas – 0986 £50

Tickets £1 - Over 16s only. Next draw - 1st January 2022.

December Christmas Crossword – Prepared and written by Matt Day.

The Christmas crossword has literary theme and a mix of clues. The shaded squares reveal a message to all solvers. Merry Christmas! Matt.

Answers are on page 26.

Christmas 2021 Stage Write Crossword Clues ACROSS

1. And 4 Ac. Famous author lacked richness bizarrely (7, 7) 8. And 11 Ac. Actor in Picture Clue A (8, 3) 9. See 13 Across. 11. See 8 Across. 12. Relating to or concerning people (5) 13. And 9 Ac. Character depicted in four of the inset pictures (8, 7) 14. And 1 D. Wife of Bob in A Christmas Carol, named as Emily in some versions (3, 8) 15. Fictional festive character known for the phrase ‘’God bless us, everyone!’’ (4,3) 20. And 22 Ac The ____ ___ - David Bowie’s 24th studio album released in 2013 (4, 3) 24. See 27 Across. 25. A spherical object (3) 26. See 28 Across. 27. And 24 Ac. Actor in Picture Clue C (6, 6) 28. And 26 Ac. Actor in Picture Clue B (6, 1, 5) 32. Words of a song, often used in plural (5) 34. At some distance, safari is without limits (4) 36. Pointed weapons designed to be shot from a bow (6) 37. History - as represented by the first ghost (4) 38. Lack of knowledge or information (9)

DOWN

1. See 14 Across 2. Evergreen aromatic shrub used as a culinary herb (8) 3. Type of alcoholic drink such as whisky (6) 5. Pay deduction upsets exotic man (6, 3) 6. Hinged object on a door, used to announce arrival (7) 7. 24th James Bond film released in 2015 (7) 10. Gift – as represented by the second ghost (7) 16. Cheerful song from 1970 film musical at 9 Across (1, 4, 4) 17. Seethe at restrictions surrounding venue (7) 18. A stupid person (5) 19. Small shoot of a plant often used as a decoration or garnish (5)

21. Decorative tuft of loosely hanging threads knotted at one end (6) 23. In the future – as represented by the final ghost (3, 2, 4) 29. Organ of hearing (3) 30. First name of actor in Picture Clue D (5) 31. Desire, need (4) 33. Spiritual discipline combining breath control, meditation and postures (4) 35. Rest in peace - abbreviation (1, 1, 1)

Rebuilding ‘The Stables’

Located below and to the rear of the stage is a location known as ‘The Stables’, well known by performers as a number of the Theatre’s dressing rooms are located there.

Although the dressing rooms were looking very tired and in need of a makeover to bring them up to modern standards, there were not always dressing rooms in this location. An earlier Theatre write-up (date unknown) stated: ‘There are three major dressing room units, one for male cast, one for female cast and one known generally as the “star dressing room” which is usually used by the leading Actor/Director. However, running parallel to the under-stage property room is a very wide “corridor” which can be easily partitioned off into several compartments, thus providing further dressing facilities.’

The wide ‘corridor’ had been taken advantage of in the past by creating basic dressing rooms – now to be rebuilt in a much more practical and aesthetic style by the Theatre’s Maintenance team. However, this was not the first time the team had tackled this area: a couple of years ago, the team built a smart modern shower room and attached toilets at one end of the old dressing rooms. Now the remaining old ‘Stables’ dressing rooms were to be knocked down and rebuilt.

Work started towards the end of May this year, with the old dressing rooms being taken down. With the old walls removed, new stud partition walls could be erected. Anyone looking closely at the studwork can’t help but admire the accuracy and precision of the joints. See next page.

Image below - For an uninterrupted wall surface, electric cable routes were carefully planned and the cables hidden within the walls. Worktops were also installed at this stage.

Image left - The old dressing rooms being dismantled and stripped ready for refurbishment. Below – The stud partition walls being built. Note the accuracy and precision of the joints!

Image Left - The plasterboard could be attached to the walls, with nail heads filled for a smooth finish. Below - The electric sockets, lights and water heaters were then installed, with the redecoration and plumbing started. Each sink is provided with hot water and there

are plenty of electric sockets for hair dryers and phone chargers, including USB sockets to directly charge phones. Image below - Doors take up valuable space, so the Maintenance team took on the task of installing doors (pocket doors) that slide inside the wall. The instructions needed a lot of

de-ciphering for the first door! However, the second was fitted in quick time! When the Island Savoyards staged ‘Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang’ at the Theatre, the Maintenance team carried out the necessary work to strengthen the stage.

Continued over.

This work was required to take the weight of the on-stage car. The Maintenance team accessed the underside of the stage from below to add strengthening.

Left - The access hatch required sanding, ready for painting. The team takes great care with their work, including adding rubbing strips at the height of chair backs to prevent damage to the new décor.

The final image below, shows finishing touches being applied to one of the new dressing rooms. The old floor covering has been removed and the floor re-covered with ply, ready for vinyl flooring to be fitted towards the end of November. Following this, new skirting boards will be fitted.

Soon the new flooring will be laid and the finished ‘Stables’ ready for full use by visiting acts, providing a much brighter and pleasant environment in which to prepare for a performance. Yet another super job by the volunteer Maintenance team of Neil, Peter, Chris, Dave and Geoff for which the Theatre is very grateful!

Bucket Collection Report

August - £1006.93 - 14 shows

September - £1196.52 10 shows

October - £1479.69 - 18 shows

Francis Rossi Lucy Worsley John Suchet Milton Jones David Baddiel

Russell Kane and Jenny Eclair were some of the famous artistes appearing during the summer, along with our own local companies - The Savoyards with Little Shop of Horrors, Lucid and Spotlight’s Musical Variety Show - Beyond the West End.

With the exciting winter season’s programme we have lots more to keep everyone from 9 to 90 entertained, so get ready for some festive cheer.

Please keep supporting our fabulous Theatre!

Season’s greetings to everyone! Alana Bird

Let Every Day Be Christmas

Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself.

– Norman Wesley Brooks

FOST CORPORATE SPONSORS

FOST Corporate sponsors are businesses passionate about the theatre who support it with their Corporate membership. In return, their company is advertised in our FOST website which is open to anyone and our FOST newsletter circulated to over 600 members from the Isle of Wight and beyond. Corporate membership is £100 a year.

Delysia Farmshop

Products at Delysia Farm are arguably as fresh as you can get with owner John Day catching, growing, smoking and preparing the vast majority of it himself. On display you will find freshly laid duck, goose and chicken eggs including rare Araucana eggs, handpicked fruit and vegetables mostly home grown, seasonal meats and game, plus John’s own freshly caught crab and lobster.

The Village Inn

Independent family run free house Church Road, Shanklin PO37 6NU Traditional thatched pub in the centre of Shanklin old village, serving real ales, good homemade food and locally caught crab and lobster in a warm and cosy atmosphere. Pretty enclosed courtyard garden to the rear. Live easy listening music from local talent

Sandra Honey Reflexologist in Somerset Road in Ryde. Contact details via website: www.sandrahoney.co.uk

The Snowdon Silver Award, 4 star guest house situated just some 100 metres away from the spectacular cliff walk and views of Sandown Bay. Sally & Michael Beston - resident proprietors since 2001. www.thesnowdonhotel.co.uk

Ron Bird & Son offers a high quality and affordable piano tuning service across the Isle of Wight and Southern England. www.ronbirdandson.com

Tldesignworks is an Isle of Wight based web design & development company with a mixed portfolio of Island centric websites and mainland websites. www.tldesignworks.co.uk

Jane Oliver - Educational Consultant, can assist schools with all aspects of behaviour management, based on sound practical experience and theoretical knowledge. Contact details and services can be found on this website: www.janecoliver.co.uk

The Clifton - Brimming with coastal charm, this oasis of calm is perched perfectly on Shanklin's clifftop, it's the home from home where you can make yourself comfortable in one of 15 individually designed bedrooms. www.thecliftonshanklin.co.uk

Shanklin Theatre provides a great home for First Act Theatre Group (a theatre group for people with learning disabilities). www.facebook.com/FirstAct2011

Island Webservices is an Isle of Wight based web design and hosting company. We make search engine friendly, quick to load web sites that are accessible and easy to use on all devices. www.islandwebservices.co.uk