IW Gazette 20

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Saving Chale Page 14

Steaming ahead!

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In Lifestyle: Janet StreetPorter interview

A safer Island as crime rate falls

By Peter White

CRIME figures released by IW Police have revealed that the Island remains one of the safest places to live in Britain.

Although crime remains on the increase in many mainland areas, the Island saw a welcome reduction of more than 1,000 offences in the year up to the end of March, compared with the previous 12 months.

Police say that the encouraging figures show an overall decrease of nine per cent. Although the Island still had 10,236 reported crimes, the figures were down by 1,005 across the board.

The most dramatic and welcome drop came in serious violent crime, from grievous bodily harm with intent to more serious offences. That was down by 25 per cent, while there was a 17 per cent reduction in criminal damage and arson and a 16 per cent cut in violence against individuals.

While welcoming the statistics, IW police Chief Superintendent Dave Thomas has called for Islanders to try to play their part in ensuring even better figures over the next 12 months.

He said: “The challenge for us now

Dave Thomas: close co-operation

is to maintain this level of performance through close co-operation with the community. The Island can be an increasingly safer place with members of the public who are well informed and confident about action they can take themselves to avoid becoming victims of crime.

“At least half of house burglaries so far this year took place when doors and windows were left open by residents. We are committed to working as part of the Isle of Wight Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership in delivering crime prevention advice, and welcoming new initiatives.

“One example this year will be the Island’s new independent ‘Street Pastors’, a concept that has proved successful in reducing fear of crime in other parts of the country.

“Trained church volunteers work in town centres to calm aggressive behaviour, assist the vulnerable, and provide practical help to those in need on Friday and Saturday nights.

The public has a powerful role in reinforcing a strong sense of community, which is a vital foundation in keeping crime low, and reducing people’s fears of crime.”

Mr Thomas added: “A summer policing plan enabled our Targeted Patrol Teams to focus resources where they were most needed, especially at weekends, to identify and deal with potential problems before they could develop into crimes.

During July and August 2008, violence against the person was reduced by 30 per cent compared to the same months in 2007.

“Prevention is always better than detection, and our Safer Neighbourhoods Teams [SNTs] have played a vital role in encouraging more community co-operation, activities and facilities, which help reduce the fear Continued on page 2

Champagne Charlotte!

BUBBLY Charlotte Barton-Hoare had cause for a champagne celebration after scooping the £1,000 prize in Channel Four’s popular ‘Come Dine With Me’ TV programme.

Aspiring actress Charlotte turned on the wacky charm, and showed her culinary skills,

Axe hangs over Vestas jobs VESTAS, the Danish-owned manufacturer of wind turbine blades, looks almost certain to close its manufacturing facility in Newport with the loss of up to 500 Island jobs.

The grim news was announced to the workforce on Tuesday (April 28). A letter leaked to The Gazette reveals workers were told by management: “Subject to appropriate consultation, we are proposing to cease our production operations at Vestas Blades UK Ltd and are proposing to close the business as a result.”

By Paul Rainford Once the news had been delivered, stunned workers were told to go home for the day.

The proposed Newport closure is part of a wider culling of Vestas’ European interests. An announcement from Vestas’ Danish headquarters said: “…a lack of political initiatives have hit the group harder than initially anticipated, and Vestas therefore expects to lay off approximately 1,900 employees in Northern Europe”. Denmark

will bear the brunt of these redundancies, with 1,275 jobs expected to go across several sites.

Vestas management in Newport have entered into a 90-day period of consultation with unions and other interested parties regarding the proposed closure.

Employees were told that further information would be provided to them during the course of the consultation period.

Though the feeling among staff was that the plant Continued on page 2

to beat three other Island contestants. The Sandown High School drama teacher, who lives in Ryde, cooked up a tasty three-course meal of mainly Island produce that proved just too mouthwatering to miss.

See full story – page 3

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the gazette Contact Details Newsdesk: (01983) 409928 Fax: (01983) 404189 Email: newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk Address: The Isle of Wight Gazette Unit B18 Spithead Business Centre Newport Road Sandown Isle of Wight PO36 9PH Sales: 01983 402599 Head of Media Sales: Laura Webb James Rolfe Kim Stent Roxy Vaughn Published by: The Isle of Wight Gazette Ltd Editor: Martin Potter Reporters: Jamie White, Peter White, Richard Collins, Justin Gladdis News Editor: Paul Rainford Features Editor: Jo Macaulay Distribution: Isle of Wight Distribution Ltd. Design: Colin Clarke

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Successful launch of mobility boat SEVERAL Island wheelchair users went out on the new RO-RO boat specially commissioned by Fishbourne Sailability Club (FSC) last Saturday (April 25) as a part of the official naming ceremony held at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club (RVYC).

The Fishbourne Sailability Club was founded in 2002 to enable people with disabilities to enjoy water based activities in both sailing and motor boats. The RO-RO project was started last year to identify and buy a motor boat suitable for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.

Opening the event, Steve Warren-Smith, commodore of the RVYC, said: “We are proud to be able to host Fishbourne Sailability and hugely impressed that they have brought this important project to completion in just eight months.”

Brian Gay, commodore of FSC, said: “We owe a great

debt to RVYC, our sponsors and members of both clubs for supporting FSC in raising funds and buying the boat in such a short period of time.”

Mrs Gay Edwards, the Island’s new High Sheriff, presided over the cutting of the ribbon and ‘wetting of the bow’, naming the boat ‘Dougal’. Mrs Edwards, together with members of the management committee and Geoff Holt, as guest helm, made the inaugural trip. Mr Holt, of Personal Everest fame, made a short but heartfelt speech in support of the project. Following the ceremony, Mrs Edwards said: “I was thrilled to bits to be invited to name Dougal and very relieved to have got it right on the day. Sailors do not like misnaming jinxes.”

The club is now actively seeking new members and is looking to develop special interest groups such as fishing, painting, and photography to take advantage of the new boat.

Supporting the Earl Mountbatten Hospice through your generous donations when you pick up your free copy. * (Front page) Print runs may vary from issue to issue

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May 1 2009

The first trip of the Sailability boat, with Geoff Holt at the helm

Threat to Vestas jobs Continued from front page would close at the end of this period, Vestas offered a glimmer of hope in its statement, saying: “The British Government’s commitment of April 21 regarding massive investments in wind power and higher tariffs will have a positive influence on producing blades in Great Britain.”

Despite the probable closure of the manufacturing plant, Vestas has said it is still committed to opening a new research and development facility, in Stag Lane, Newport. This, however, will employ considerably fewer people than the threatened manufacturing plant.

The company said that due to a fall in demand for its blades in the European market, it was now focusing on the burgeoning American and Chinese markets, where it is expanding its operations.

Commenting on the news, Island MP Andrew Turner said: “I am told this is not a ‘done deal’ but it is obviously extremely worrying news for Vestas employees, their families and for the Island as a whole. Our unemployment figures are already above the national average and more than double the average in the South

East. This morning I have spoken to the Minister for Energy and Climate Change Mike O’Brien who also expressed his disappointment with the news.

“I very much hope that the planned investment in research and development here on the Island will continue, and I understand that to be the position at the moment. The recent plans approved by the IW Council for the new Stag Lane site were based on 300 jobs working on projects including the largest blades, but of course that will be scant comfort to those who may be losing their jobs over the coming months.”

Steve Beynon, IW Council chief executive, said that the council’s efforts would be focused more on securing regional funding both to support workers made redundant should the Vestas plant close and to encourage other companies to move to the Island, rather than on trying to persuade Vestas to stay. “It’s more likely the Government who would be dealing directly with Vestas – it’s not normal for a local authority to get involved in that sort of thing,” he said. “We are prepared for the worst but if the best happens we will all be delighted.”

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Saxon story told in Newport

Charlotte cooks up a tasty £1,000 winner VIVACIOUS Charlotte Barton-Hoare has been inundated with messages of congratulations after serving up a feast of entertainment on popular TV programme ‘Come Dine With Me’.

Aspiring actress and full-time drama teacher Charlotte, who lives in Ryde, proved herself a dinner party queen as she beat three other Islanders to lift the £1,000 prize.

Charlotte (above), who has worked at Sandown High School for the past three years, was picked along with newsreader Michael Coombes, car salesman Steve Morris and travel agent Mandy Gale from around 300 Island applicants to cook a three-course meal for each other.

In ‘Come Dine With Me’ the contestants visit each others’ homes for the meals, and then give each host a mark out of 10 for their starter, main course and dessert, with the highest scorer picking up the cash.

Charlotte’s zany sense of humour – especially references to her ideal man ‘Mr Darcy’ from Pride and Prejudice – resulted in scores of texts and messages on her Facebook from friends.

“I even had a message from four RAF pilots who has seen the programme and said how much they enjoyed it,” she said. “Lots said they hoped I find my Mr Darcy. But I played the whole thing up a bit. I am not that desperate – I am happy with or without a man. But I do like to be the centre of attention!”

By Peter White She continued: “The kids at school absolutely loved it. The way they saw me on screen was not a surprise to them because they know I’m a bit crazy. They were asking me for weeks when it was going to be on television, and they were all delighted when I told them it was eventually coming on.”

Charlotte, 31, admitted she had never heard of or seen ‘Come Dine With Me’ before she applied to go on it. She explained: “I rarely watch television, but received an email from a friend saying they were looking for people to appear on the programme.

“I had no idea how popular it was. It was only when got down to the last 10 and I mentioned it to some of my students that I realised it had something of a cult following.

I’m glad I didn’t know because I might have been nervous and not got on. I think for me it was a case of ignorance being bliss.”

Charlotte’s winning menu

Starter: Isle of Wight crab cakes with sweet chilli sauce.

Main: Wild Island pheasant with root vegetable (fenton moulon – a name she made up).

Dessert: Polish rich chocolate love torte (on the seventh mouthful the name of your future love should pop into your head).

Picture courtesy of IW Council

Picture by Jamie White

A NEW exhibition showcasing rare Saxon finds on the Island is now on display at the Museum of Island History in Newport.

The exhibition tells the story of Anglo-Saxons on the Island and displays some of the important objects from the museum’s collection, including many new finds.

These include a skillet, which is a type of pan that may have been used for baptism purposes, which is indicated by a cross on the handle. The skillet is very rare and dates from the late seventh to ninth century. It is the Island’s earliest known Christian object.

Also on display is a gold necklace known as a bracteate. This is very rare and only 30 have ever been discovered in Britain. They were usually made as amulets for good luck and this bracteate shows a coiled animal. The piece was bought in February by the Heritage Service.

A lady’s gilded silver brooch, which would have been used to fasten clothing, can also been seen alongside other finds including a late Anglo-Saxon silver penny which shows a picture of Aethelred II (AD 978 - 1016).

The new exhibition can be seen now at the museum, which is based at the Guildhall on Charlotte’s venue was her eye-catching Newport High Street. flat in Ryde, and she even employed two To celebrate the display, the museum will ‘staff’ to serve up her delights. “One of my open its doors free of charge on Saturday best friends Samantha Howard was Mrs May 9 between 11am and 5pm. There will Cramp the maid – I just wanted a name that also be a chance to handle replica Saxon sounded ridiculous. And my brother James objects, play Saxon games and complete a was the waiter. As for the flat, my mother family trail. made it look quite amazing. She set the table and made the whole thing so over-the-top with a magic atmosphere, so I just had to have the staff.”

There was drama when fellow contestant Continued from front page Steve became locked in the toilet during the show. Charlotte said: “It was all my fault. of crime and reinforce positive relations I never lock the door because I am usually between different generations.” the only one there. But he was in there ages, John Pullen, secretary of IW Neighbourand I began to panic, even though we were hood Watch, said: “I believe that the reducall laughing. I thought we would have to tion in crime figures can be, in a lot of cases, call the fire brigade to get him out. We were attributed to the community involvement that about to knock the door down, but I had one has been evident since the establishment of more try and thankfully it just opened.” the SNTs. The hour-long programme took five days “The SNTs are in the schools talking to the to record, using two film crews – and the youth. They attend town and parish meetings days began at 9am and often went through where they work in partnership to combat until midnight. Now she plans to keep in crime and their visible presence has helped touch with her rivals, but has not decided to reduce the fear of crime. ‘The local bobby how to spend her £1,000 prize. is back’ is something I hear so many times at “I said on the programme I was planning meetings and events I attend.” to sleep with it, but I forgot all about that.

Police on the Island also solved a greater I didn’t want to just fritter it away on fine rate of crimes during the 12-month period to wines and gentlemen so I have put it into a March. A total of 3,387 crimes were solved, special account, and I will buy something producing a detection rate of 32.6 per cent. that I really want and that will be benefiThat was an improvement on the previous cial.” year’s detection rate of 31.8 per cent.

Crime figures down

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Isle of Wight Rotary Clubs

A round up of Island Rotary Club news St Mary’s and Juba Romanian teachers visit Island Training Hospital link VECTIS Sunrise Rotary Club was visited by Doctors Hakim and Attwood to update them on developments at the Juba Training Hospital in Southern Sudan, which is supported by a number of Rotary clubs on the Island. In a presentation

by David Attwood, Rotarians were told that three parties of professionals had been out to the hospital since July 2008. An assessment had been carried out and this established that there was a pressing need for training for doctors and nurses and also a triage system and equipment. In Juba half of all mortalities occur within the first 24 hours of being

FOLLOWING the humanitarian aid and shoeboxes full of gifts which were admitted to hospital, infant death sent to Romania from the people of being particularly high.

Approximately 500 people visit the Island, organised by local Rotary the hospital daily so essential clubs, Rotarians training was provided by teams from Sandown and of specialists from St Mary’s Ryde clubs are now Hospital in Newport, equipputting the finishing ment and practical help was touches to a progiven as well as funds. Already gramme for a May the mortality rate within the visit by two teachfirst 24 hours has been reduced ers from the area by 20 per cent. Dr Hakim has of Romania which been heavily involved in the received the aid and production and circulation of a shoeboxes. medical journal to educate the Their visit is being professionals and phase two is to set up an online centre to keep sponsored by Ryde and Sandown Rotary them up to date with the latest Clubs, Busy Bee advances in medicine.

From left: Vectis Sunrise Rotary Club president Jeremy Dale, Dr David Attwood, Dr Hakim and Rotary Club vice-president Maire Reeves

Nurseries of Ryde and Sight Guard Security of Wootton.

The Rotarians who went to Romania at Christmas met some schoolteachers who expressed a wish to make contact with some schools on the Island and to forge a link between teachers and students here.

They will be spending time with teachers and students of Sandown High School, Lake Middle School and Sandown CE Primary.

They will also be

Riding for the disabled classroom AFTER a talk by members of Riding for the Disabled to the Shanklin Rotary Club, past President Ken Lock decided to pay the centre at Lake Farm, Rookley a visit. He worked out the materials required and set about finding sources for the build.

Thanks to Moreys Timber and Travis Perkins, all the wood was donated and a start was made with the help of two Rotarians, Howard Brown and Barry Reeves, and friend of Rotary, Alan Woodcock.

The classroom, which took three weeks to complete, is fully insulated and painted, with electric lights and sockets fitted. Carpet tiles and some furniture donated by BAE Systems finished off the project.

Know your Wight Island curiosities explained

No. 6: Brook Hill House

By Paul Rainford

meeting members of the public at Busy Bee nurseries in Ryde on Saturday May 9 from 10.30am to 12.30pm, and a coffee morning will take place at the Yaverland Sailing Club, Sandown on Tuesday May 12 from 10.30am till 1pm.

If you would like to say hello, please come along, they would like to meet you. They will also be meeting members of Island Rotary Clubs during their visit.

Rotary Clubs around the Island Meetings:

Cowes, Royal London Yacht Club Thursday 7pm Newport, Conservative Club Wednesday 1pm

Vectis Sunrise, Riverside Centre, Newport Wednesday 7.30am Ryde, Yelfs Hotel Tuesday 6.30pm

Sandown, Conservative Club, Shanklin Tuesday 7.30pm (fortnightly) Shanklin, Conservative Club Wednesday 7.30pm Ventnor, Cricket Club Monday 7.30pm

West Wight, Sun Inn, Hulverstone Tuesday 7.30pm

Plant sale

SANDOWN Rotary Club will be holding a plant and brica-brac Sale at St Helens Community Centre on Saturday May 2 from 11am to 3pm. Anyone

THOSE who have left Blackgang behind them and are aiming for the Needles on the coastal footpath near Brook are likely to be focused on the impressive chalk cliffs of Tennyson Down ahead of them. But if they cast their eyes inland for a moment they will see, high on a hill, something that almost has the look of a fairytale castle.

This imposing edifice is no castle but Brook Hill House. These days it is apparently divided up into luxury apartments, but it is probably best known as the former residence of author and playwright JB Priestley, a Yorkshireman who acquired a taste for the Island.

He moved into the house in 1948, after a spell living at Billingham Manor House near Chale Green. Priestley referred to Brook Hill House as a “kind of Edwardian folly”, and he used it as a place to entertain many eminent writers and thinkers of the day. He used to enjoy marching these guests along the downland footpath that links Brook Hill with Freshwater

wishing to have a stall can contact Dorothy Dye on 564928. The cost is £5 per table. Teas, coffees, cakes and ploughman’s lunches will be served.

Bay – these days this same section is trampled by the thousands who Walk the Wight each year to raise money for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

The house was actually built between 1901 and 1916 by Sir Charles Seely for his son Frank.

The Seely family had made their fortune from Nottinghamshire coalmines, stashing away enough lucre to buy substantial chunks of West Wight. Mottistone and Gatcombe Manors were also in the Seely property portfolio at one time or another. Sir Charles had originally come to the Island as a boy to recover from a chest infection, presumably the result of working amongst all that coal dust up North.

The architect of Brook Hill House was Sir Aston Webb, who was also noted for his work on the eastern facade of Buckingham Palace and parts of the Victoria & Albert Museum. He clearly set out to design a house that would be noticed, and looking up at the high walls and even higher chimneys of his creation, you have to conclude he succeeded.

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Will is on the bill!

By Peter White

FORMER ‘Pop Idol’ winner Will Young is among the latest names to be added to the line-up for this summer’s IW Festival.

Young won the television talent contest in 2002, pipping hot favourite Gareth Gates, and has subsequently gone on to be one of the country’s top recording artists.

The 30-year-old performer had the fastestselling debut single in British chart history.

‘Evergreen’ sold nearly 500,000 copies on its first day and went on to sell almost two million copies.

This summer he will have his fourth album, ‘Let it Go’ under his belt and will be making his debut at the Festival, even though he has appeared on the Island at the Bestival.

He said: “I am really excited to be doing festivals again this summer.

It’s going to be a be a hot summer, and I can’t think of anything else I’d like to be doing more – I enjoyed them all so much last year.”

Young will be one of the acts in the Big Top at the Festival, which takes place

at Seaclose Park, Newport from June 12-14. He will appear on the Saturday along with McFly, who have also been confirmed as performing.

When McFly first started out back in 2004 they became the youngest band ever to have an album debut at number one, a record previously held by The Beatles.

Iglu & Hartly and Sneaky Sound System have been confirmed to perform on the main stage alongside headliners The Prodigy on the Friday (June 12).

Los Angeles based poprockers Iglu & Hartly will make their debut appearance at this year’s Festival when they mix things up with their combination of synth pop and semirapped vocals on the main stage.

Sneaky Sound System will be kicking off the main stage on the Friday.

Solo artist Sharon Corr, formerly of The Corrs, will take to the main stage to debut her new material on the Saturday.

Island combo Papa Do Plenty will also be playing at this year’s IW Festival after being chosen for

Shakespeare was on Island - claim

SHAKESPEARE is highly likely to have visited the Island, according to a local historian.

Diners at the St George’s Day and Shakespeare’s birthday celebrations, organised by Anthony Churchill at the Piano Bar at the Rex in Ventnor, were astounded to hear Haylands’ Adrian Ould claim that Shakespeare was likely to have visited the Island to play bowls with his patron, the Earl of Southampton between 1603 and 1609.

Shakespeare dedicated his first two poems, Venus and Adonis (1593) and The Rape of Lucrece (1594) to the “pretty featured” Earl of Southampton, who was to become his patron. The unfortunate earl was imprisoned,

by Elizabeth I, for plotting her downfall, but on his release from the Tower, when she died in 1603, he was appointed GoverWill Young: appearing at this year’s IW Festival nor of the Isle of Wight.

Shakespeare and the earl the honour at the annual the final day of the Festiwere said to be very close and Wight Noize showcase at val, where Canadian rock shared a passion for the game of Ryde Theatre. legend Neil Young will bowls – Mr Ould has discovered The seven-piece band, be headlining later in the 22 references to the game in comprising Tommy Burnevening.

Shakespeare’s writings. During hams (guitar and vocals), Also confirmed to appear his time as Governor of the Chris Hendy (drums), Ben in the Big Top on the Island the Earl of Southampton Cadman (guitar), Daryl Saturday night is Scottish made many visits to CarisNorman (percussion), chart act Calvin Harris, brooke Castle and also refortiJamie Moody (bass), and 80s band Mercury Rev, Bob Harrison and Nino The Rakes and south Lon- fied Sandown and Yarmouth.

D’Angelo (trumpets) will don’s five-piece band The Mr Ould claims that he also had a bowling green built at a play the opening gig on Maccabees. well-known Island manor on

By Jo Macaulay St George’s Down, which has recently been discovered.

Apparently Shakespeare was a regular visitor to the Earl of Southampton’s seat in Titchfield and it is highly likely that he would have joined the earl on his regular jaunts to the Island.

“Did Shakespeare ever visit the Isle of Wight?” was the proposition and there really is no way of proving or disproving the hypothesis. But given their great friendship it seems likely that he might have, according to Mr Ould, and he suggests we market the Island accordingly.

Shakespeare: IW or not IW?

Snails’ pace too hot for Mike Award for Ryde school WHEN Mike Ridge moved a tarpaulin from off a pile of rubble in his garden he thought he had unearthed the perfect ingredients for one of his favourite recipes.

A couple of dozen juicy snails had wintered there, and were now all ready for collecting and cooking.

Mike, a keen cook, is never slow to come out of his shell when it comes to experimenting with such delicacies.

He was first introduced to snails around 30 years ago when he worked alongside Spanish peasants grape-picking in the south of France, and they used them to make a traditional national dish.

So when this latest opportunity arose he wasted no time in collecting his mouth-watering molluscs and putting them in a plastic container near his front door overnight, ready to prepare them the following day. What Mike, from Luccombe, didn’t know was that he had obviously rounded up a species of super strength snails.

He returned to open the container the following morning only to find the lid removed – he had been foiled by a gastropod getaway. He explained: “I left the lid ever so slightly open to give them a bit of air – but they took full advantage.

“They prised it open, and then made their great escape. But at least they had left clues, because I could see which direction some of them

BISHOP Lovett CE Middle School in Ryde has won an award for its use of computer technology.

Following an extensive external assessment by Becta, the school was awarded the prestigious ICT Mark. Becta is the Government-funded body responsible for promoting the use of ICT in Britain’s schools and colleges.

The award recognises the school’s success in developing

Mike Ridge with the one that didn’t get away

had gone by the trails they had left.

“They had gone up the door frames, under the settee, and near my shoes.

I checked a couple of pairs of shoes, but because I was getting late for work, I slipped on my work boots.”

Alas, one snail had sought refuge in the toe end of Mike’s boot, and as he put his foot in it there was a nasty crunch, followed by a quick change of socks.

“I ended up looking all over the house for three days because I knew I hadn’t caught all of them,” he continued. “I found a couple on a chair

and under the settee – they seemed to be everywhere.”

Then after he and his children Alex and Lily had finished eating lunch, they discovered ‘marathon mollusc’.

One had travelled from the door at the front of the house to the kitchen sink at the back – a distance of more than 40 feet!

Mike added: “I had made the snail dish before, but they had never done a ‘runner’ before. I think the moral of the story is to prepare them and cook then before they have time to break out. I think there could still be a couple around the house – it’s just a matter of hunting them down.”

the strategic use of ICT in both administration and across the curriculum.

Headteacher Ursula Hutchinson said: “Following our Outstanding Ofsted judgement in May 2008, we are now delighted to be the first middle school on the Island to be awarded the ICT kitemark. This award is clear testimony to our positive approach to and huge investment in ICT learning for our pupils.”

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‘Tackle beach litter’

THE GOVERNMENT is being urged to introduce an action plan to tackle beach litter as many of the Island’s tourist spots are becoming rubbish collecting grounds.

Figures released by the Marine Conservation Society reveal the amount of rubbish washed up on shores has shot up by more than 100 per cent over the last 15 years.

Plastic is cited as the biggest problem, followed by polystyrene and crisp and sweet packets.

Now the MCS wants the Government to step in to try to halt the slide in standards.

By Peter White

They are calling for a coordinated approach from Governments to develop a marine litter strategy.

Emma Snowden, MCS Litter Projects Coordinator, said: “Whether you live near the coast or miles inland, we are all connected to the sea. This is a man-made problem.

Every piece of litter has an owner and we all need to take responsibility to not drop litter in the first place.

“MCS wants to see zero waste on Brit-

Hot, step and jump

A RED-HOT walk is being held in Newport to mark the opening of the 2009 Isle of Wight Walking Festival.

The Fire Walk will see participants walk barefoot over hot coals and ash on a specially made facility at Newport Quay from 9pm on Saturday May 9.

There are still some spaces left for anyone eager to take the challenge of walking on fire. The event costs £50 to enter and people must also have a guaranteed minimum of £50 in sponsorship money, which will be equally split between the

By Jamie White Barely Born Appeal and the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

The celebrations begin at 6pm and there will be music and entertainment on the Quay with Joules and Dave, whilst the Fire Walkers take part in a ‘Learn or Burn’ fear-busting seminar.

At approximately 8.30pm the fire, which is made up of a combination of pine, ash and oak, will be lit and broken down into a smooth red-hot path, which is about 20ft long and 3ft wide.

There will be a lantern

procession to the Quay involving pupils from various Island schools who have been busy creating their own lanterns for the walk.

All walkers will end up at the Quay and, together with jugglers, stilt walkers and fire-eaters, will help create a suitably fiery atmosphere for the fire walkers. Refreshments will be available on the Quay and a barbecue provided at the Riverside Centre.

For more details call 823099 or log on to www. isleofwightwalkingfestival. co.uk

ain’s beaches and our first goal is to halve the litter on Britain’s beaches by 2015, but in order to achieve this we need to appoint lead agencies with the specific responsibility to stop marine litter and develop a marine action plan now.”

More than 5,000 volunteers nationwide moved on to 374 British beaches, including ones on the Island, in September 2008, and removed over 385,000 items of litter.

The report maintains that litter on beaches is now at its highest level since records began.

Toilets closed for two months THE PUBLIC toilets in South Street, Newport are closed for eight weeks, while refurbishment work is carried out.

The work forms part of the IW Council’s One Island project, which has seen investment in public toilets over the last two years.

The nearest alternative public toilets to those at South

Street can be found in Post Office Lane or at the Harbour Office.

Cllr David Whittaker, IW Council champion for civic pride, said: “Once the work is completed, the public toilet block at South Street will provide a first class facility for residents, shoppers and visitors to Newport.”

World War veteran to remember D-Day heroes AN ISLAND veteran of the Second World War is to play an important part in the Normandy landings commemorations in June.

Neville Hallifax (left), a retired naval officer now living in Cowes, was 18 years old when he served on the Hunt Class destroyer, HMS Southdown, which took part in the D-Day operations with her sister ship HMS Quorn. The Quorn was sunk with the loss of many of her crew off the beach head of Arromanche.

Mr Hallifax will be attending the memorial service and parade at the Normandy

landing commemorations on June 5-6. With the permission of Brittany Ferries, he will be placing a wreath on the sea as the ferry to Caen approaches the beach-head, as a tribute from the people of Cowes and the Isle of Wight, to those lost on HMS Quorn.

As well as being a member of the Royal British Legion, Mr Hallifax is also a member of The Royal Navy Association and life president of Cowes Sea Cadets.

Both HMS Southdown and HMS Quorn were built at J Samuel Whites shipyard in Cowes.

Enough to drive Merstone quackers WHO SAYS nothing happens in Merstone?

In April the sleepy hamlet saw its population increase by 17 in just one day.

Its duck population, that is. Retired Barry Reeves, who lives in the village with his wife Maire, took this charming picture of the mallard with her new brood in his garden.

“We had 12 ducklings last year; one was lost on the second day but the rest survived to maturity. This year she came back and had 17 ducklings and again, sadly, one was lost on the second day,” said Barry. “But she is an excellent mother and looks after her brood very well.”

Wildlife enthusiast Barry suspects this might be some sort of Island record – can anyone out there trump 17?

Tell us your news!

Heard something interesting or have a story to tell?

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A busy fortnight for Island lifeboats

Duke opens workshop ROYALTY returned to the Island when the Duke of Kent opened a new lifeboat workshop in East Cowes.

The new £2.5 million building is based within the RNLI’s lifeboat centre in Clarence Road and is specifically designed for the building of Atlantic 85 class lifeboats and for the re-fits of all Atlantics.

Glyn Ellis, operations manager for the inshore lifeboat centre, said: “We were delighted that the Duke came to visit us to officially open the centre.

“The new Atlantic 85 workshop is very much a hub of engineering excellence and plays a very important role. We know that every lifeboat we build or re-fit will go on to play a major part in saving lives at sea.”

The Atlantic 85 is a rigid inflatable boat, introduced in the latter part of 2005 as the latest development of the older Atlantic 21 and 75.

The Duke, alongside RNLI chief executive Andrew Freemantle, unveiled a commemorative plaque. “The RNLI has a policy of improving everything it does and this is one

By Jamie White

Double trouble for Bembridge IT WAS a busy Sunday morning for the Bembridge offshore lifeboat crew on April 19, with involvement in two separate incidents.

At 9.07am the crew were paged for an immediate launch to go and assist the 27ft fishing boat ‘Fathom’, which had engine failure north east of the Nab lighthouse tower.

The Bembridge Mersey class Lifeboat, ‘Peggy & Alex Caird’, was launched at 9.18 and arrived on scene with the casualty at 9.33 when a tow was established and the casualty taken back to its berth in Portsmouth harbour, which was reached at 10.46.

The plan had been before the shout for both Bembridge’s offshore and inshore lifeboats to take part that morning in a search and rescue exercise being run by the local coastguard between Whitecliff Bay and Nettlestone point. The inshore lifeboat and Ryde Rescue were already taking part with members of the Island’s Coastguard, and the offshore lifeboat joined in the exercise on its return from Portsmouth.

At 12.42, however, a Coastguard team involved in the exercise came across articles of clothing including shoes for an adult and a child that were unattended in the area of Nodes Point. With no one in the immediate vicinity both the Bembridge lifeboats along with Ryde Rescue boat began a sea search while members of the coastguard searched the foreshore and surrounding area.

Thirty minutes later the owners of the clothing were found safe and well and the boats were released from the search and the Bembridge lifeboats returned to station at 1.20pm

example of that,” said the Duke.

Mr Freemantle said: “It is a very special day for everyone involved in the lifeboat centre.”

The Duke, whose visit was delayed by technical problems with his helicopter, also greeted members of staff and took in a tour of the new facility accompanied by Lord Lieutenant Major General Martin White.

Glyn Ellis added: “The old facilities were deemed not capable of housing the new materials and technology required for newer craft. Following an official review by an independent group, it was decided to build the new workshop.”

New HQ for Cowes crew

Cowes RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Tabbycat

THE RNLI has found a new home for Cowes RNLI lifeboat station.

Its bid to buy the Old Custom House in Watch House Lane, Cowes has proved successful, and work on modifications to the building could start next year.

Michael Vlasto, RNLI operations director, said: “The decision to put in a bid was a difficult one in the current economic climate, but the RNLI always puts operational priorities first.”

The RNLI has been looking for a new and permanent home for the Cowes lifeboat station since last June. It wanted a base that would give offer its volunteer crew faster access to the Solent and enable them to improve their overall opera-

tional efficiency.

“We also wanted a lifeboat station that would provide our volunteers with the necessary training and crew facilities – and now we have found it. This was a one-off opportunity to acquire the right property in the right location, something that occurs very rarely in Cowes,” added Mr Vlasto.

Andrew Freemantle, RNLI chief executive, welcomed the acquisition of the building as the first step to providing RNLI Cowes with a better operational location and a new home: “This is very good news for Cowes and all those who use the Solent. The total cost of the RNLI’s bid is confidential, but it was only made possible by a significant contribution from the Island Sailing

Club in return for access rights. If all goes well, plans will be drawn up later in the year for the necessary modifications to the building, which will enable our B class Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat to be housed, launched and recovered.”

Work on the modifications, subject to planning approval, is subject to the availability of funding and overall RNLI priorities.

Cowes RNLI lifeboat station currently operates from a site in Shepherds Wharf Marina, Medina Road.

The RNLI’s current priority for fundraising on the Island remains the appeal for Bembridge, where a 15month project to build a new lifeboat station and slipway began in March 2009.

Friday MAY 1 2009

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Shopmobility Take care with Chinese lanterns project gets new site THE IW Council is set to release one of its buildings in a bid to assist the Newport Shopmobility Scheme.

An unoccupied former tourist information office building in Newport has been identified as a suitable site for the new project.

The premises, which sits opposite Church Litten’s public toilets, will be used for the loaning of mobility aids such as electric scooters, manual wheelchairs and powered wheelchairs, to residents and visitors who find getting around Newport’s shopping area difficult. Town centre location, wheelchair access centre location, proximity to disabled parking bays and good public transport links, were all factors that were taken in to consideration in deciding that it was the ideal spot.

The size and location of the building limits its opportunity for rental, and has been vacant for some time. The council believes the benefits to residents and visitors who receive assistance in living more independent lives and better access to town centre facilities, along with the economic benefits the scheme will bring to Newport will outweigh the potential loss of rental income.

Cllr Dawn Cousins, IW Council cabinet member for health, housing and community wellbeing said: “The Island is one of the few places in the country without a Shopmobility scheme. I believe our residents and visitors would benefit hugely from the introduction of such a scheme. It is anticipated that visitors to the Island would make up a large proportion of users, providing a boost to Newport’s economy and enhancing the Island’s tourist facilities.

REVELLERS across the Island are being asked to show caution when setting off Chinese lanterns, because they are leading to unnecessary coastguard call-outs.

The lanterns, powered by a small flame, drift in the wind to great heights, and have become popular at parties and celebrations. But they have been

By Peter White

mistaken for distress flares, with coastguards from Bembridge to The Needles turning out to investigate.

Mark Birch, coxswain of Sandown and Shanklin Inshore Lifeboat, said: “Naturally when an orange glow is seen in the sky, people think it could be a

flare. All calls are treated very seriously, and I know there have been a number of emergency call-outs in recent weeks.”

Solent Coastguard Watch Manager Colin Griffiths added: “We have received a dozen or so reports of red flares that have turned out to be Chinese lanterns being let off along the coast.

“Please could we ask anyone taking these lanterns on to the beach at dusk to contact us on 023 9255 2100 beforehand. We do experience this problem with firework displays too and have been successful in encouraging organisers to inform us of their intentions, so that we know the likely source of red flare sightings.”

‘We need council funding or vital club may have to close’ - warning

A CLUB for Islanders with learning disabilities is in grave danger of being forced to close unless the IW Council steps in to provide much-needed funding.

That was the stark warning delivered by John Phillips, who has been running the Gateway Club on the Island for the past 14 years. Now Mr Phillips fears he may have to put up the shutters on the club, which hold discos, karaokes and barbecues for members, and disappoint scores who attend it each week, because of the acute shortage of money.

The recession has meant funding from banks and other organisations has slumped dramatically in recent months, and Mr Phillips – who along with staff do all work voluntarily – has desperately been seeking other sources of income.

Now he has pointed an accusing finger at the council for not doing enough to keep the club in existence, and has requested: “Please help, before it is too late.”

Mr Phillips is hoping the club will receive at least a £10,000 donation through the council from a partnership board. But the New for 2009 there is a twice-daily stunt Gateway club costs around £50,000 a year to run, and even with the board money, it show and a rally may be too little too late. car demonstration.

He continued: “We are trying to fight the The garlic festival council because we feel they should be site in Newchurch doing more for us. This club is too valualso has a bar, food able for too many people to go. Around 150 and ice cream. people a week with learning disabilities Add in some stalls – both children and adults – come to enjoy to browse, a few themselves with us. fun fair rides and “We run three mini buses and pick up inflatables and you people from all over the Island. It is so imhave the ingredients portant because it is maybe the only time in for a perfect family the week that they are able to get out.” day out. Organiser Alex Dyke said: “We Since funding has dried up, people who attend the club and their families have been never really know what’s coming – this digging deep to try to keep it afloat. “We year we may run out have two elderly ladies who attend, who of space if everyone have saved up their pennies and given us £2.50. It was a marvellous gesture. turns up!”

“We have also had a couple of donations The show opens of £1,000, so provided we receive the partat 10am each day, nership board money we will have around closing at 4pm.

Admission costs £5 £13,000 in the kitty. That will keep us going for a while, but obviously a lot more is for adults, £2 for children. For details needed,” added Mr Phillips.

“We desperately want to keep going and call 05602 786785 provide this service for people who need it or visit www.garlicand look forward to coming to see us. But festival.co.uk

Mega-Wheels revs up MEGA-WHEELS, the Island’s spring motor gathering is set to roll over the May Bank Holiday weekend May 2-4.

This fast growing show, now in its third successful year, features the largest gathering of classic cars, bikes, buses, lorries and tractors seen on the Island. It’s a great chance for petrol (or diesel) heads and enthusiasts to show their own vehicles or just wander around looking enviously at other people’s. The Big Green Picnic is another attraction.

Most of the Island’s car clubs are coming – vintage, pre-war, American and just about every make you can think of.

John Phillips, who has helped run the Gateway club for 14 years is challenging the IW Council to provide much needed cash to keep it in business

we are struggling and there is a real danger we could close without council funding.”

The Gateway club runs two sessions in Ryde for children with learning disabilities on Saturdays and Tuesdays, as well as a teenage club in Newport on Saturdays.

There are also two adult clubs, one in Newport and one session which takes members around different pubs and clubs on

the Island.

The Gateway is also seeking an alternative venue in Ryde to take members following the closure of the British Telecom Club. Mr Phillips added: “We are looking for somewhere to entertain around 50 to 75 members on a Friday night for a couple of hours, even if the facility is only available once a month.”

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It’s a dogs life for beach walkers ISLAND residents who own dogs are being reminded that annual restrictions on which beaches they can walk their pets on have now come into force.

Under the IW Council’s Dog Control Orders, which run from May 1 to September 30, owners will cannot walk their dogs on a number of beaches across the Island, although several beaches and areas of coastline remain accessible to dog walkers during this period.

A full map of the locations of the dog exclusion zones can be found by logging onto www.iwight.com/dogorders/maps.asp Any owner who is found to be breaking the restrictions may be liable to pay a fine. These range from £50 up to £500 for walking a dog on a prohibited beach.

Other Dog Control Orders remain in force throughout the year which carry fines if owners are found to be breaking them. This includes keeping dogs on leads on roads and pavements that are maintained by IW Council, and cleaning up your dog’s mess.

Don’t walkies: where you can’t take your dog this summer The beach from a point immediately east of the Ryde Harbour boundary wall eastwards to Appley Tower for a distance of 100m out from the sea wall.

Cowes

The beach from the eastern edge of the public slipway adjacent to the junction of Egypt Hill and Queens Road eastwards to a point immediately north of the eastern edge of Prices Green for the area from the promenade walk out to mean low watermark.

East Cowes

The beach from the eastern edge of the first set of steps eastwards from the slipway opposite the public toilets at East Cowes Esplanade for approximately 100m to the western edge of the next set of steps.

Freshwater Bay

The beach from the slipway at the eastern edge of the promenade at Freshwater Bay to a point approximately 150m to the western edge of the steps in front of the Albion Hotel.

Gurnard Bay

The beach from the eastern edge of the public slipway at the junction of Shore Road and the promenade walk eastwards for approximately 218m to the western edge of the groyne adjoining the electricity substation on Princess Esplanade for the area from the promenade walk out to mean low watermark.

Gurnard Marsh

The beach from an imaginary line running north/south from the western edge of the footpath adjoining the electricity substation in Marsh Road westwards for approximately 155m to the eastern edge of the slipway in Marsh Road for the area from the sea wall out to mean low watermark.

Puckpool

The beach from the Dell Cafe at Puckpool to a point 200m westwards for a distance of 100m out from the sea wall.

Ryde

The beach from the eastern edge of St Thomas slipway to Ryde Pier for a distance of 100m out from the sea wall.

Sandown

The beach adjacent to the public conveniences at Lake slipway, north to a point approximately 1,634m to the groyne opposite Fort Street and Sandham Grounds.

Seaview (1)

The beach from a point immediately east of the first set of steps Westwards from Puckpool Hill, Puckpool at its junction with Springvale Road Eastwards to the floodgate culvert at the Duver Road Tollgate for a distance of 100m out from the seawall.

Seaview (2)

The beach from the Western edge of the groyne opposite the Old Boat House, Pier Road, Seaview, Westwards for approximately 230m to the steps adjoining the seaward side of the Weedside, Pier Road, Seaview, for a distance of 100m out from the seawall.

Shanklin

New mums group picks up award A NEW baby and toddler group on the Island has won an award for its work with mums suffering from mental health problems.

Mindful Mums, which has only been running for seven weeks, was nominated for a WightMind Excellence in Mental Health award by Health Improvement Services.

The group supports mums who feel isolated and lack confidence and enables them to meet other mums who feel the same.

The idea came from Rachael Hodgson, a mum from Ryde who suffers from anxiety.

Rachael found attending community groups such as toddler groups difficult without support and so shared her concerns with occupational therapist Julia Ratsey-Woodroffe.

Julia said: “Attending groups with Rachael, I observed the difficulties for mums who were

anxious, depressed and living with other mental health issues and realised that the groups we were attending were meeting the children’s needs but not Rachael’s, so we thought ‘why don’t we run one ourselves?’”

Commenting on her experience Rachael said: “To me Mindful Mums means a lot, it means mums like myself can go along and feel at ease and not judged. I think it’s a great way for mums to meet people in similar circumstances. The group has already made me feel more confident and has helped me to realise that I wasn’t the only one finding the toddler groups hard to face.”

Mindful Mums meet weekly at a central Island Children Centre.

If you would like more details or are interested in attending contact Julia on 534077 or Rachel on 814282.

TV’s Flog It on way to Cowes

ISLANDERS will have the opportunity to sell some of their valuable possessions in front of the TV cameras when the popular BBC series ‘Flog It’ arrives in Cowes on May 13.

The ‘Flog It’ roadshow, headed by presenter Paul Martin will be at the Cowes Haven Yacht Club, Vectis Yard, High Street, with doors open from 9.30am

By Peter White until 4.30pm.

A spokesman for the programme said: “The Flog It team invite you to come and have your antiques and family heirlooms valued for free at our valuation day.

“If anyone is interested in selling them, our experts will consider putting them into auction

and flogging them.

Someone could end up on television and with a tidy sum in their pocket.

“We’ve had some great results - like a ceramic bowl, bought for £4 at a car boot sale, which was sold for £1,500.

So if anyone is wondering how much that clutter in the loft might be worth, now is their chance to find out.”

The beach from the Chine, Shanklin to the southern edge of the first groyne along Shanklin to Sandown Revetment.

Totland

The beach between Colwell Chine and Warden Point, Totland.

Totland Bay

The beach, western side of the pier to a point approximately 270m to the western edge of the esplanade in line with the Waterfront Restaurant.

Ventnor

The beach between Linnington Groyne and Water Edge, Ventnor.

Picture courtesy of the BBC

Appley

Friday MAY 1 2009

Yarmouth

The beach known as Love Shore Beach, Yarmouth, extending 33m west from the steps leading to Loves Lane to the first landing stage.

Yaverland

The beach from the slipway, eastern edge of Yaverland Car Park, to a point approximately 225m to the western edge of the car park, adjacent to the steps/ groyne.

Flog It presenter Paul Martin

Friday MAY 1 2009

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Ryde remembers

Double your money boost

A GROUP of Island businesses have bucked the recession to help raise £27,000 for projects in their local communities, which will be doubled to £54,000 thanks to Government match funding.

The Grassroots Endowment Challenge is a threeyear scheme being managed locally by the Isle of Wight Community Fund.

It aims to encourage local giving for local needs. Under the terms of the scheme, for every £1 donated

another by businesses another is given by the Government.

By June 2011 it is hoped £300,000 will have been raised for the Island.

Thanks to investment from ferry operator Red Funnel, sailing company Ondeck and an unnamed Cowesbased businessman, the IWCF met its target for year one and says it is on track to meet its target for year two. Chairman Chris Martin is delighted that Islanders have been

so generous in these difficult times. “Even the smallest donation can end up making a big difference,” said Mr Martin.

“And for businesses it’s an effective way to give something back to their local communities. They can use the match funding from the Endowment Challenge to help create their own charity fund which the IWCF will manage and ensure the money goes to where it is most needed,” he added.

Band strikes up to aid charity

THE LIVES of hundreds of sailors who died off the coast of the Island in one of Britain’s worst naval disasters will continue to be remembered in Ryde, the place where many of those who perished were later buried.

IW Council has placed a new memorial plaque in the newly restored Ashley Gardens on Ryde Esplanade in memory of HMS Royal George (above), which sank off the Island in 1782. It is a copy of the original plaque unveiled in 1965 by Earl Mountbatten of Burma, which was moved in 2006 to the Royal George

women and children who were visiting the men on board.

It was later declared the ship had rotten timbers that buckled under the stress of the listing and the ship’s officers were cleared of any wrongdoing. The casualties are reputed to have been buried at various places on Ryde Esplanade including the site of what is now Ryde Canoe Lake.

In 1832, salvage divers recovered 29 guns from the sea bed from the A SPECIAL performance by Royal George which were melted Cowes Concert Band has bendown and used in the construction efited two Island charities – to of Nelson’s Column in London. the tune of hundreds of pounds.

The brass band (above) unveiled its new uniforms at St Mary’s Church, Cowes, and the audience dug deep to support the Earl Mountbatten Hospice and IW Kidney Patients Association in a retiring collection and raffle.

A grant of £5,000 from the Hampshire and IW Community Foundation was used to buy new jackets for the band which reflect the colours of the Cowes town crest.

And the concert was made even more special thanks to the band’s musical director, Andy Norman. Included in the programme was a new composition entitled ‘Celebration’ – written especially by Andy to mark the occasion.

Andy, who has already composed the band’s signature tune Royal Osborne, said: “It seemed fitting to write a piece to mark what is a special event in the band’s history.

“Writing a new piece of music for the band is a way of creatSandy Ciccognani and Amanda Coyle with dragon sculpture ing a permanent reminder of the event. We will be playing some inspirational entries this year we want to inspire local children ‘Celebration’ at our concerts this from neighbourhood recycling to grow fruit and vegetables. We’d year and it will then remain in schemes to herb and vegetable love to see them snacking on fruit our library to be played on suitprojects, which makes their achieve- that we’ve grown, rather than able occasions.” ment all the more impressive. packets of crisps.

The concert marked another The busy mums plan to use their “It was a fantastic surprise to us milestone in the band’s long and £250 winnings to involve the to win the award. The project was colourful history. scheme’s children in growing their something Amanda and I cooked Details of the early years of the own fruit and vegetables. up to create a community feel and band are somewhat sketchy but Sandy, who works as a community space for our children in which to it is understood East and West film maker, said: “With the money play and learn.”

Cowes Town Band was formed

Memorial Garden, also on the Esplanade.

HMS Royal George was a Royal Navy battleship built in 1756. She had a history of successful battles but met her nemesis in August 1782 while anchored at Spithead near Portsmouth.

During routine maintenance to replace a cistern pipe, the ship was deliberately listed to one side so carpenters could cut a hole in the ship’s hull. However, the ship took on water and quickly sank with the loss of around 1,000 lives, including

Win for green residents A GROUP of Island mums have won a housing association’s regional award for their creative shared garden scheme in Newport.

Sandy Ciccognani and Amanda Coyle, along with their fellow residents from Melton Hall in Dover Street, impressed the judges of Southern Housing Group’s 2009 Greener Living Awards with the innovation and teamwork demonstrated by the transformation of their shared gardens.

The awards were created to acknowledge and celebrate residents’ efforts and achievements in creating positive change for the environment. The awards were open to all 66,000 residents in more than 80 local authorities across the south of England.

The residents’ garden now boasts environmentally friendly features including a wormery, bat bins, bike racks, new plants, a herb garden and a willow hut for children to play in.

Local sculptor, Paul Sivell, featured in the April 3 issue of The Gazette, carved a striking wooden bench in the shape of a dragon.

Chair of the environmental sustainability working group, Valli Van Zijl, said: “Congratulations to the Melton Hall residents. We’ve had

towards the end of the 19th century.

By the early 1930s the band was flourishing and had close links with the town’s huge JS White’s shipyard, regularly performing at launching ceremonies.

The band was also a popular sight at Island carnivals, often leading processions, and became known for its high standard of marching.

The Second World War put an inevitable strain on membership and the band was put in abeyance. However, thanks to the enthusiasm of Lewis (Sid) Bircham it was resurrected in 1951 when he moved to the Island to wok at Saunders Roe aeroplane manufacturers at East Cowes.

The band slowly grew in playing strength again and regularly attended contests in the south of England up until the 1970s, as well as performing in carnivals and at bandstands in the summer.

On deciding to drop its marching role, the 1980s brought about a change of name to its present title of Cowes Concert Band.

Today, after several years of struggling with low membership, the band is up to full strength and performs at venues across the Island and regularly at Rylstone Gardens, Shanklin, throughout June, July and August.

• The band always welcomes new players. For further information contact Andy Norman on 566826 or 07786 166 304.

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Friday MAY 1 2009

Small ships,

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THE ASTO Small Ships Race in Cowes takes young people, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, and gives them an empowering experience that they never forget.

Roz Whistance was at the launch of this year’s event ‘LIFE CHANGING’ might be an overused expression, but at a lunch at the Royal London Yacht Club in Cowes the great and the good of the Island gathered to celebrate an event that routinely does just that.

It was a reception to promote the ASTO Small Ships Race in Cowes, in which each October young people of varied backgrounds are brought together to race sailing

boats. It may sound a simple idea, but as the host and patron of the organisation, Major General Martin White, explained, the effect of being part of a sailing team can have a transforming effect: “I asked a lad from Lancashire who’d never before been afloat what he normally did. He said he nicked cars. I said ‘this is a bit different then,’ and he grinned and said ‘It’s the

best thing’. For the first time in his life he’d been treated as an individual person.”

Maj Gen White went on: “And that’s the sort of magic that happens in these races.

Three hundred young people who’ve never been afloat before are finding out about self reliance, teamwork, comradeship, confidence – and that’s what we’re here for.”

Just looking up and seeing stars for the first time, being away from the light pollution of a city, is new and profound experience for some. “It’s not just the sailing; it’s about the youth of the future.”

The Cowes Small Ships Race is a two-day event. Away from their comfort zone – their home, their gang maybe, their mobile phone – participants find the food won’t get cooked, the sewage won’t be dealt with, and electricity will not be produced unless everyone pulls their weight. The sense of achievement is unimaginable to many.

The event has been going since 2004, and has been growing, though not quickly enough for Maj Gen White. At the reception, held on Friday April 3, he appealed to the gathered company to encourage greater awareness and participation – noting that the presence of the Mayor of Cowes, the chairman, vice chairman and leader of the Council, as well as the local MP must constitute a useful ‘Royal Flush’ of politicians.

“Last year the race cost £12,000 to run,

and we had 300 young people on the water, which is a pretty good return, but we want more,” he said, appealing to them and the 49 other guests for goods, services and money to fund the race. He also appealed for more yacht clubs to offer participants. Fifty per cent of a crew needs to be made up of young people, with ‘young’ defined as between 12 and 25, and for sail training the teams will be made up of people from all sorts of backgrounds. “You get an old Etonian and someone who’s on remand and they get on extraordinarily well,” he said.

The Cowes Small Ships Race comes under the umbrella of ASTO, (Association of Sail Training Organisations) which has 36 member organisations, with 65 berths all round the UK from the Shetland Islands to Guernsey, Ireland to Scotland. Last year it funded its members to the tune of £270,000. “So these kids who really needed this experience got it,” says chairman of ASTO, Colonel Ron Dadswell. He too has often seen the effect of getting youths from deprived backgrounds to sail. “There is this barrier we have to overcome that this is a rich man’s sport,” he went on. “It is not, it is accessible to anyone.”

While individual events such as the Small Ships Race in Cowes raise the required funds each year, ASTO’s support is essential: it goes in part to a bursary for training instruc-

Friday MAY 1 2009

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big changes

Picture courtesy of MAX

tors. “These are exceptional people,” says Mr Dadswell. “People might be technically able to take a boat out, but where you’ve got car thieves who have never been part of a team, or kids from normal backgrounds who just don’t want to be there, you need someone there with the ‘soft skills’ who can turn the experience round into something positive.”

ASTO even has links with Australia and Canada, and everyone involved is evangelical about the effects of sailing – be it small boats or large square riggers – on the participants: “It isn’t just people from deprived backgrounds who change,” said Craig Burton, ASTO’s race director. “People with normal, happy lives who just want the experience of sailing a big boat come on board as helpers. They then think ‘I could work with some young people’. So they’re getting a bit of a recalibration – that these people are not bad people, they’ve just had bad things happen to them.”

Maybe a simple story about the effects of sail training on a young person makes the most telling point. Maj Gen White said: “During the initial briefing I’d asked a couple of lads to put the kettle on. At the end of the time they are asked to name their most memorable experiences of the trip, and one said: ‘It was when you asked me to make the tea. I’d never done anything anyone had asked me before.”

Picture courtesy of the Ellen Macarthur Trust

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Saving Chale THIS WEEK a petition went up to the Houses of Parliament carrying the hopes of an entire village. Paul Rainford reports on the fight to save Chale School THE BIG white banners are impossible to miss as you enter the village. ‘Save Chale’, they shout, to anyone who will listen.

This is a village that feels itself under threat. Its residents fear that its status as ‘real’ place, with a shop, a pub and several other successful businesses is in jeopardy for one simple reason: its school is earmarked for closure.

About a year ago the IW Council announced it was to close Chale CE Primary School, the smallest school on the Island with a current roll of 25, as part of its grand plan to improve academic results on the Island by moving to a two-tier education system. Since the announcement, the school’s governors, the parish council, parents of children at the school and local residents have sent letters to the IW Council asking for more information and forcefully expressing the view that closing the school would have a disastrous effect on the village. These letters, locals claim, have gone largely unanswered.

Exasperated by the deafening silence, campaigners have this week taken a petition signed by hundreds of people who want to save the school up to the Houses of Parliament, where it was presented to Island MP Andrew Turner.

Derek Sprake, treasurer of the Chale School and Village Community Association, sums up the mood: “We are running the school campaign to save Chale,” he says.

“We feel the closure of the school would materially affect the village. If the school isn’t there people won’t come to live in the village – some people may even move out of the village. It will affect the whole community.”

Chair of governors Jill Jackman outside her beloved Chale School

His colleague, association chair Alan Lock, fears that without its school Chale could become another Island ‘ghost village’.

“We’re determined that we don’t end up like, say, Merstone,” he says. “Merstone’s just a road where people where people get up in the morning and if they’re not retired they get in their cars and drive to Newport or Sandown or wherever for work and come back in the evening. Nothing happens there during the day. This is a thriving village – there are more than a dozen businesses here.

There’s employment here.”

It’s not as if Chale’s school is a failing one, Mr Lock is keen to point out. “The curriculum teaching gets glowing Ofsted reports – we’ve got a superb IT suite here, for example.”

He is also convinced that small schools like Chale are not antiquated, expensive anomalies but beacons of educational excellence.

“There is very clear evidence small schools provide high quality education. There was a lot being put around in the early days of this campaign that children received a less than adequate education in small schools like this where the classes were mixed. There are very clear reports that prove the opposite is the case. The best results in the country come from the Isle of Scilly, where the schools are much smaller than this even.”

The campaigners point out that the IW Council is using the cost per pupil of maintaining the school as its criterion for closure.

This, campaigners say, is plainly wrong, as the school is protected against closure by the Designation of Rural Primary Schools (England) Order 2007, which clearly states that a school should not be closed on cost grounds alone. The standards of education provided and the effect on the local community of closing the school must also support the case for closure.

If the school were to close, where the children would go to for their education and just how they would get there would present a major problem. Jill Jackman, chair of the school governors, explains: “If they close the school and bus the whole school somewhere else, including those

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gazette feature

Scenes from a happy school, which was recently awarded a special certificate (below) in recognition of its work with the local community

as young as four, where are they going to that Chale always used to take children up to send them? They have a choice: they could the age of 11 before the education system on in theory send them just over the hill to the Island was changed to three-tier in the Niton, which is 2.6 miles away, but Niton 1970s. It could also be extended, if needs be. school is full – they are up to capacity for “The site here is one of the strengths of this 2010 and they wouldn’t be able to take them school,” says Mr Lock. “It’s not landlocked, all anyway. So then the powers that be say, there is room for further expansion if needs ‘OK, then you can go to Brighstone’, on a be, but its position, as such, in an Area of bus that would start at Chale Green, pick up Outstanding Natural Beauty, leads to all children on the way, because we’re a ribbon sorts of potential opportunities for out-ofvillage, and then go along the Military Road school activities during the summer holidays and up to Brighstone School – that’s eight when schoolchildren from inner cities could miles, a 16-mile round trip! come to study. None of these opportuni“The other plan is to bus the children to ties have been explored yet. There’s just Godshill, where the so much here. Just to new school is going to close the site would be a “We feel the closure of the be built, and there will complete waste.” school would materially affect Chale may be a stragbe 400 children in the school.” the village. If the school isn’t gling village, running Neither Brighstone or for almost two miles there people won’t come to Godshill is currently on from Chale Green to live in the village” a bus route from Chale, the school, but what Mrs Jackman points out. emerges from talking to “It’s taken the council about a year and local campaigners is a real sense of a tighta half to come to the conclusion that they knit community. Mr Sprake, whose family would need to do something about the bus has been in Chale for 300 years, stresses transport,” she adds. the sense of togetherness. “Historically the The campaigners have understandably council has regarded Chale and Chale Green been encouraged by the fact that primary as two separate communities. A lot of people schools at St Helens and Yarmouth have rethink that Chale Green is a different village: cently resisted the threat of closure by going it is not. We are one village. ‘Chale’ also down the federation route – St Helens with includes Blackgang, the hamlet of Pyle and Brading and Yarmouth with Shalfleet. The the Gotten Lane area.”

Chale campaigners are now pinning their Chale School’s bond with this commuhopes on federation too, says Mrs Jackman. nity was recently recognised in a special “We want to be half-form entry like St award they received from the outgoing High Helens and Yarmouth. How we do that isn’t Sheriff, Alan Titchmarsh. Proudly brandishimportant at the moment. If we can organing the certificate, Mrs Jackman says: “If ise ourselves so that we’re ready to federthey close our school, they’re going to lose ate before the schools reorganisation goes all the community things that we’ve set up – through, there is a much better chance of they just won’t be there any longer.” us remaining open. Until the local election If the campaign is successful, Alan Lock is happens nobody really knows what’s going convinced that the future for Chale School on. We’re not going to wait till they’ve made will be very bright indeed. “You’ve got to up their minds. We’re doing our bit now, remember, when all these changes come in pushing in all directions.” there are going to be no other small schools At the moment they do not want to go into left on the Island. And there will be some too much detail about potential federation children who can’t handle that. I think that partners; all they will say is that they have the fact that we will be the only small school put out feelers and are awaiting responses will be our salvation.” from the other schools involved.

In the meantime, those ‘Save Chale’ Mrs Jackman and her colleagues point out banners are going nowhere.

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On the right

Pictures by Jamie White

The Gazette continues its look at some of the Island’s top tourist attractions gearing up for the holiday season by finding out how Havenstreet’s Isle of Wight Steam Railway is continuing to go from strength to strength

Dave Griffiths stokes the engine

WHEN Dr Beeching’s infamous axe began decimating the railway system throughout England in the 1960s, a small band of enthusiasts decided that steam trains should continue to be part of Island life.

Richard Beeching was appointed by the Ministry of Transport in 1961 with the message ‘make our railways pay’. Soon thousands of miles of track and hundreds of stations were closed across the country, and the Island did not escape.

Around 55 miles of line and around 30 stations here were cut to a skeleton service.

But Jim Loe, one of the youngsters at that time determined to keep steam alive, joined forces with others to ensure at least one section of Island heritage survived. The outcome is a sheer joy for steam enthusiasts of all ages who flock to the Havenstreetbased Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

The line through Havenstreet initially opened in 1875, but was closed in 1966.

However, in 1971, after years of hard slog, the Isle of Wight Steam railway was formed and re-opened at Havenstreet, initially operating a journey of just two miles to Wootton.

Then, in 1991, Smallbrook station was opened and the line was extended. Now the one-hour round trip is a must for around 100,000 Islanders and tourists each year, who are able to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and smells of a bygone era.

Jim Loe, now commercial manager at Havenstreet, recalls: “Back in 1966, a group of young people were desperate to preserve something of the railway before it was cut up and lost. Stock was accumulated in Newport. I got involved in the early negotiations for some of the line and land.

“Eventually we got the line from Havenstreet to Wootton and then through to Smallbrook. The track was lifted and brought in from Cowes. We then started our early train services.”

By Peter White Now Havenstreet employs 19 full time staff, and can call on a further 250 volunteers – there simply because they want to be, and love the business. But the steam railway has not been without its problems.

In the mid 1990s it got into serious financial problems, but somehow survived.

After general manager Hugh Boynton set about making the railway a going concern, Peter Vail was recruited as his successor in 2005 to continue the revival. Under his guidance the site – registered as an education charity – has kept right on track with a variety of shows, exhibitions and events at Havenstreet to complement the steam railway.

Peter explained: “I was brought in to try to raise more funds to keep the railway open, and increase its awareness. By visitors coming along and seeing what we do and having a ride on the trains, we aim to cover our costs and basically break even.

Our catering, the shop and events are a good source of income for us, and because we are a charity, all the money that we make from those is re-invested in the railway.

“There are always on-going projects throughout the year. We have facilities for functions and seminars, as well as the space outside. Last year we had built a five-bedroom facility for volunteers who visit from the mainland. Basically, it’s free accommodation for doing volunteer work for us.”

Havenstreet boasts 11 locomotives, three of which are originally from the Island.

‘Freshwater’, built in 1876, is the oldest, with ‘Newport’ in 1878 and flagship locomotive ‘Calbourne’, built in 1891, the last surviving member of the famous 02 class.

‘Calbourne’ has recently undergone a boiler restoration, and should be back on line inside two years. The carriage and wagon

What’s on at Havenstreet A LOT more than just the trains will be letting off steam at Havenstreet over the next few months.

The IW Steam Railway complex has the facilities to stage a number of popular Island events, from country dancing festivals to jazz concerts.

The action kicks off in earnest on May 2, 3 and 4 with the fourth spring beer festival for lovers of real ales. There will be 24 different tipples on offer from brewers both on the Island and in the eastern counties.

The Havenstreet May Queen will also be holding court on May 4, arriving in a horse-drawn carriage from the village centre.

‘Walk the Line’ is part of the IW Walking Festival at Havenstreet on May 9 and 10,

with a number of walks beginning and ending at the station.

A festival of old buses – appropriately named ‘Bus-tival’ – arrives at Havenstreet on May 24 and 25 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Island bus company Southern Vectis.

An eagerly-awaited midsummer jazz festival will take place on June 20, featuring Pete Long’s All Star Goodman Orchestra, and eight days later Jaguars galore will take pride of place for the Jaguar Car Club 20th anniversary rally.

Add to those the 1940s Experience in July, as well as a Schools Country Dancing Festival, art exhibitions, a Father’s Day train special and even Santa and Mince Pie Specials leading up to Christmas, and it all adds up to a busy 2009 at Havenstreet.

The railway attracts over 100,000 visitors a year

Gazette

Lifestyle 1st May 2009

Simply Red, Anastacia, Alain Clark & Escala

at Osborne House

Janet Street-Porter

at Medina Theatre

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Friday May 1 2009

lifestyle comment

Contents Janet Street-Porter

3

Entertainment

4

Bank Holiday Fun

6

Wine and Dine

8

Island Country Pubs

12

Weddings

15

Tasty Take Aways

16

Caravans & Camping

18

Health & Beauty

20

June Elford

22

Gardening

24

Beer Festival

26

Hospice News

28

David Holmes

Could doughnuts be good for you?

This was my favourite headline last week. The answer is, of course not.

They’re about as digestible as another five years of New Labour. I have no faith in these food stories, who does?

One minute all margarine spreads are chemical killers, the next consumers of butter are a dead cert for heart failure. So what are we supposed to apply to our toast? Marmalade is 50% sugar. Peanut butter is an allergy killer. Marmite is a salt laden stroke in a jar. A double dozen Krispy Crème doughnuts are delicious, but dodgy for the ticker. My nightly chocolate fix, scrummy Buttons Easter eggs @ 99p threaten both waistline and teeth.

On the day I saw the daft ‘doughnuts are good’ story, I heard that a local council is trying to hound ice cream vans off its roads. Ice cream can make

Jo Macaulay Features Editor

David is your typical ‘Grumpy Old Man’. In his late 40’s David has been involved in several businesses and was also a local Councillor for a short while. He regularly appears with Alex (Grumpy 2) on wightFM. children obese. Fancy that! The same argument applies to almost anything -except fruit and vegetables. This past fortnight I have eaten mainly fish. I confess I was not in the least bit concerned about which over-fished ocean it had come from. All of the Sea Bass I ate they claimed to be ‘line caught.’ Quite frankly I couldn’t care less if they’d landed it with dynamite.

I was too busy worrying about the budget, delivered by the bloke with the mismatched eyebrows and hair.

You know, old badger features, Darling! Alastair in wonderland casually announced this year’s £175 billion borrowing figure, before offering the reassurance that he would reduce it to £173 billion next year.

No-one was pleased to hear this news; even the normally pro Labour BBC didn’t seem convinced this time. The country is now officially in crisis and that was before we heard the BBC propose making ‘Jade the Musical.’

Brown & Darling are like a pair of Blackadder World War 1 Generals.

The rest of us know we’re going down in a hail of machine gun fire, Gordon and Alistair keep on insisting it’s all going to be Ok, if the rest of us just keep heroically advancing into the onslaught. They cheerfully hold their view from the safety of their secure bunker in Whitehall. The rest of us sadly are on the front line. For them it will definitely be Ok. They have fabulous salaries, enormous pensions, ludicrous dodgy expenses and the prospect of book deals and

lecture tours when they’re booted out. For you and me there’s no more house price inflation to give us the feel good factor. No more borrowing to help the kids. Or long haul holidays and flash cars. In the next twenty or thirty years we’ll be paying off our debts and taxed beyond all reason.

Forget the 50% taxpayers; they’ll be N.I to pay too on the half they have left. And council tax, car tax, airport tax, insurance premium tax and, a whopping 17.5% vat on anything else we want to buy. Then there’s tax at 70% on fuel, fag tax, booze tax, gambling tax, insurance tax, even water tax! In fact there’s nothing left to tax, except sex of course. And that wouldn’t raise much, except from the over 55’s and kids, who are skint.

Our marginal tax rate for top earners is 75% plus. Would you be happy to pay that? Anyone with the potential to earn these sums will have enough intelligence to stop working or flee abroad. America has a top rate of 40% and sales tax around 5%. A 50% tax rate in Britain will not raise more money. And what do any of us get back for this generosity? Most people with a choice opt for private health and education. The roads are so bad you may as well get a horse and cart.

Jobs are created by entrepreneurs.

Stop them dreaming of a better life and all of us are in trouble. Britain isn’t great anymore. The Tories won’t yet say how they’ll make things better. Until they do, we’re all doomed.

It’s official – I’ve got my number and I’m Walking The Wight.

Or hobbling or crawling, depending on my level of fitness.

Last Sunday I began my training regime by taking a 2 ½ hour walk along the coast from Ventnor to the Buddle with my eldest daughter, Mhairi, who’s also entered.

You’ve never seen so many people out walking – it’s an infectious disease.

Trying to negotiate the coastal path was a veritable examination in courtesy.

At the outset we were nearly run over by a column of organised ramblers, each with one of those stout steel walking sticks and all sporting serious walking boots with thick socks. I’m sorry but that just doesn’t look like fun to me – nor to them if you look at their faces, but I daresay they’ll be the ones striding past me on the great day.

Rambling always reminds me of the day that ‘mummy’, i.e. me, decided to take her two little girls on a nice walk through the woods from Godshill to Appuldurcombe back in 1998.

Unfortunately I had plotted the route on a map that I’d left back at the tent.

Taking the wrong turning we ended up on a road in the middle of nowhere.

Eventually finding a signpost we walked into the middle of a gun club’s firing range – luckily vacant at the time. Who puts a gun club on a public footpath?

We then came to a lovely green field with a pathway clearly visible across the centre but the landowner had erected fences at least ten feet high leaving only a small pathway around the edge of the enormous field.

Darkness was falling and my two little girls were getting worried – as was I – particularly about the animals that might be behind the ten-foot fences.

Kangaroos? Ostriches? Panthers?

By the time we got back to Appuldurcombe it was nearly dark and we felt as if we’d cheated certain death by inches.

Luckily on Walk The Wight they’ll be loads of people to follow and the route will be well signposted - I hope... jo@iwgazette.co.uk

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lifestyle profile

Talking Walking with Janet!

The IW Gazette talks to Janet Street-Porter about her love of walking before her visit to the Island.

Gazette: We’re all looking forward to

meeting you here on the Island but have you been here before? And if so have you ever been walking here? Could you tell the Gazette what you remember about your visits/walks here?

JSP: I’ve only been once before, and that was over thirty years ago - so I can’t remember very much…

Gazette: Would you like to do any walking while you are here? Have there been any walks especially arranged for you?

JSP: I will be doing some walking- but I like walking by myself! I’m going to research it and decide nearer the time - and keep it a secret. I’m not keen on crowded routes.

Gazette: How long is a good walk for you?

Does it have to be a least a couple of hours?

JSP: I broke my ankle last summer walking in Glen Etive in the Highlands, and had to have a steel plate put in it, and then they found out I’d torn the cartilage in my knee, so I had to have an op on it in December. Since then I’ve been gradually building up my distance and stamina. I am up to three hours now…I have done some long walks in the past, but I don’t like walking for six hours a day every day! I always tell people planning walking holidays to do a couple of days, have a day off and then do three days.

Gazette: What are your preferred walks

and favourite walks in England? Do you like wide open spaces rather than woods and valleys? Do you like walking by the sea? We’ve got a lot of different types of landscape here even though we’re relatively small. What would you like to see if you have the time?

JSP: I love walking by water, I have walked a lot in Kent and Cornwall. I have a house in Yorkshire so I’ve done a lot in the Dales.

I like bleak empty moorland and don’t care about the weather. I just did the last bit of the Southern Upland way in Scotland- over the moors and then the cliffs to Portpatrick on the West Coast.

Gazette: What are your views on walking in the rain?

JSP: I don’t mind the rain as long as I’m wearing a waterproof jacket and trousers…I don’t spend a lot of money on equipment but keeping dry is really important. Rain means there are less people!

Gazette: As vice president of the Ram-

blers Association, do you get to go on many organised walks?

JSP: I don’t like organised walks, having said that I have been on some excellent walking holidays where I just walked with a guide and our tents were pitched for us at the end of the day. I did the Larapinta trail in the middle of Australia, out of Alice Springs, and it was phenomenal. I’ve done a lot of trail walking in New Zealand where you stay in huts with other people- the Routeburn, the Abel Tasmanm the Queen Charlotte Walkway. I’ve also had holidays with companies like inntravel, where they book the hotels and organise your luggage to be taken from one to the next for you, and they supply you with instructions. I’ve walked in the Cevennes in France and the Apennines in Italy like that. You have to be pretty confident about map reading, but it’s good fun and the instructions are usually foolproof.

If God had wanted me to be a packhorse he would have given me four legs.

Gazette: I saw you

last night with Gok Wan and your wardrobe.

Do you run to designer wear for your walks or do you buy your walking gear on the high street?

JSP: I wear old stuff, not much new. I get given stuff to test from time to time, but I stick to lightweight trousers with loads of pockets, an old anorak I got given in New Zealand ten years ago, Brasher or Saloman boots,

Gazette: I really enjoyed The

Knowledge. Do you walk whenever you can or do you jump a taxi?

JSP: I walk in London whenever I can, and when I arrive in a new city I always explore it on foot.

I won the Knowledge because I have spent all my working life in London and I spend as much time on foot as possible.

Gazette: Food – we’ve got some very good eateries here and we even have a one star Michelin chef at the Hambrough Hotel in Ventnor. Are you hoping to visit any of our local restaurants while you’re here?

JSP: Yes, I LIKE GOOD FOOD AND EATING LOCAL PRODUCE.

Gazette: What will you be

Gazette: And on the topic of organised

talking about at your ‘evening with’ and would you like to give us a few snippets to whet our appetites?

JSP: I only carry a daypack, I will not carry any more than that. When I did the Coast to Coast walk in the UK I got everywhere we stayed to drive our gear to the next hotel.

JSP: It will just be a version of the mad roller coaster that has been my life, a load of laughs and some stranger than fiction moments.

Janet Street-Porter is at Medina Theatre on Friday May 15.

walking - what is this obsession with large backpacks? Do you take much with you and if so what?

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lifestyle entertainment

Sandy on the beach Fans of Derek Sandy were at Sandown seafront’s Driftwood Bar on April 26 for his regular Sunday afternoon of reggae and roots. Launching into ‘I Can See Clearly Now The Rain Has Gone’, Derek was back in full voice for the summer season.

Derek’s single ‘Welcome to the Isle of Wight’ has been getting over a 1000 hits a day on You Tube over the past few months – a late flowering for the song he included on his 2008 album Dancing in Heaven, but a welcome one never the less.

“It’s even better this year, I’ve had people from Australia, the States, Japan and the Caribbean watching it,” said the Island’s reggae star.

It was in his native Trinidad and Tobago that Derek began his career, singing in the choir at his local spiritual Baptist church. His move into reggae music began at the age of eleven and in 1976 he got a recording contract with Eddie Grant and Mark Holder, releasing the singles ‘Let’s Dance’ and ‘Cry To Me’ which became big hits in the Caribbean.

Red, hot and wild at Osborne House Simply Red and Anastacia to hit town in August with Escala, Alain Clark and Leon Jackson

Simply Red and Anastacia are to play at Osborne House over the weekend of August 1 and 2, announced Solo yesterday.

Newly wed Anastacia will bring her new look and new sound, with tracks from the softer, gentler, more feminine album, Heavy Rotation, to the stage on Saturday 1.

Supporting will be the gorgeous electric string quartet Escala, with their debut album, which fuses contemporary sounds with classical instruments, and Scottish X factor winner Leon Jackson will be performing an acoustic set.

Mick Hucknall and his band Simply Red will top the bill on Sunday, bringing the weekend to a close in this stunning setting. Simply Red’s classic pop and elegant ballads have spanned across three decades and achieved over fifty million global sales in their time. Iconic front man Mick Hucknall is set to perform many of the 30 top 40 UK singles from the bands recent Greatest Hits 25 album.

Dutch soul sensation Alain Clark has progressed from being an unknown support act of Amy Winehouse to becoming an arena-filling star in his own right, collecting two of the Netherlands’ most prestigious musical honours on the way.

Bringing the Motown feel with him Clark is set to replicate his homeland success

in the UK when he supports Simply Red on the Sunday night bill.

The stunning 19th century English Heritage location of Osborne House, set in 1000 acres of lush greenery proved a fantastic setting in 2008 and English Heritage is once again delighted to be hosts. English Heritage Head of Visitor Operations Dean Pascall says: “We are delighted to be hosting another fantastic line-up for these concerts this year. Staging concerts in the grounds of important historic sites like Osborne House is great for attracting a diverse audience, some of whom may never normally visit a historic property. We hope they will go away with lasting memories of a fantastic evening’s entertainment and an important part of our British history.”

John Giddings, organiser of Osborne House and the Isle Of Wight Festival, is thrilled to have teamed up with Green Eye Events, Riverside Productions and The English Heritage again to put on this unique weekend.

“It’s wonderful to be able to continue playing a part in developing the music and cultural scene on the island and by once again attracting world class acts to this wonderful location I’m looking forward to a cracking weekend.”

Tickets are available from Liberties in Ryde, HMV in Newport, Tourist Information Centres and ferry terminals at £35, or £60 for both dates or from www.ticketzone.co.uk, www.wightlink.co.uk or www.redfunnel.co.uk

Rockin’ the aisles

Whitwell Church was rocking with what some refer to as the devil’s music last Saturday April 25, when members of Ventnor Guitar Group and JC and Angelina presented an evening of jazz and blues organised by John and Selina Hepworth to swell the church’s coffers.

Mark Innocent and Jamie Macaulay, with Mike Huddart on bass guitar, kicked off the evening with Muddy Water Blues, followed by an original blues number, Walkin’ Shoes written by Mark. Dick Taylor joined them for Moondance and then he and Mike were joined by Tony Minx for a short set which kicked off with Don’t Go To Nightclubs Anymore.

JC and Angelina were in their usual excellent form with a selection of instruments including slide guitar and mandolin. Over £550 was raised for the church.

Dick Taylor with JC and Angelina at Whitwell church

Friday May 1 2009

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lifestyle entertainment

Gondoliers plays at Shanklin Theatre The Savoyards are delighted to once again perform Gilbert and Sullivan’s popular operetta ‘The Gondoliers’. It was performed for the first time 120 years ago and was considered by the composers as some of the best work they had compiled together.

In this production there are even a father and daughter playing the roles of father and daughter. Paul Stevens takes the part of the eccentric Duke of Plaza Toro and his daughter Lucy Stevens shows off her soprano talents in the part of the Duke’s daughter Casilda.

Another parental connection is John Woodford - who plays Guiseppe, one of the main gondoliers – with his son Jamie playing in the orchestra.

Helen Mansfield is one of the leading violinists and her mother Anne is in the all too important chorus along with Bryony Morey who appears on stage along with her mother Menna. The Savoyards think of themselves as one big family, always willing and pleased to welcome new members into the fold.

The company has a new musical director in the very talented Donna

Brihmani who has the unenviable task of forming the orchestra. Another new young man, Kit Courage, who is playing the romantic role of Luiz, has made an impressive mark.

The Savoyards celebrate 38 years of performing many operettas, almost all of them in Shanklin Theatre, which has been ‘home’ to the company since its inception. However, life moves on, and other venues are also being considered.

They are lucky to have a number of young talented singers and actors at the present time, but there is always room for more.

Throughout the summer the company will be busy. On June 26 they are singing at the Roman Villa’s ‘Singing and Swinging’ evening and later in the summer they will be performing in the West Wight for a children’s charity. They hope to stage a nostalgic Christmas evening toward the end of November before embarking on rehearsals for another show in 2010.

Tickets for The Gondoliers are available from Shanklin Theatre on 868000.

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lifestyle bank holiday

Bank Holiday Fun on the Island

Bank on good fun

May Bank holiday is an ideal time for a day out with the family, whether you have a young family or older children with a sense of adventure, and we’re spoilt for choice on the Isle of Wight.

The IW Railway at Havenstreet is always good value with regular trips in the wonderful old steam engines to Wootton and back. This weekend they host a Real Ale Festival on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Also on Monday a procession through the village will culminate here with the crowning of the May Queen, maypole dancing and local stalls so they’ll be something for everyone to enjoy.

Old and young alike love a visit to the zoo on Sandown’s seafront where you could meet Winston the micro piglet, who

will soon join other small animals in the new petting ZooLittleFarm. Several of the tigers and lions have already had their eye on him. With one of the largest collections of tigers in Europe, the zoo also has a large collection of lemurs and, for those of a strong constitution, Nature’s Nightmares houses reptiles, spiders and other creepy crawlies.

At Calbourne Water Mill you can see the wonderfully preserved old mill in action on Sunday at 3pm, although it is always open for visitors. Cakes and scones made from the flour are on sale in the café, and you can buy the flour for home baking. Take a pedalo on the mill-race, or play crochet on the lawns. There are interesting antique items in the barns and tame peacocks, ducks and

chickens to feed.

Paint your own design on to a wide range of white bisque clay items, with over 40 of the different coloured glazes supplied at Fired Art in Ryde.

Children especially love to paint the little figurines and personalise their own crockery – a lovely idea for a children’s party too.

If it’s an adventure you seek then see the Island from a different perspective by hiring an 8.5 metre Cobra Rib from Island Charters. Powered by 4.2 turbocharged Mercruiser inboards, you’ll get a comfortable, stable ride but the excitement of skimming at speed across the Solent.

Or you could take a cruise with Solent and Wightline Cruises to visit Portsmouth for some shopping at the sales. Departing from Thetus Wharf by the chain

ferry at Cowes, there is plenty of free parking and the fare is only £6.50 return per adult.

If you’d rather stay on dry land then you’ll see a lot more of our lovely scenery from the back of a bike.

Test a new one at The Bike Shed in the heart of the countryside in Merstone – with ample free parking. If you get your bike out of the shed and it’s not going to make it through the summer then bear in mind that The Bike Shed offer part exchange.

Or for something completely different take a trip on the back of Steve Tosdevin’s Boom Family Trike with Pure Trike Tours. Chauffeur driven

by Steve, who has over 30 years experience of riding motorbikes, the 1.6 Ford Zetec motor has space for two passengers.

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lifestyle bank holiday

Heavenly scents down on the Lavender Farm It’s amazing how far lavender’s image had improved over the past few years.

Formerly the preserve of ladies of a certain age, lavender is now the scent of the century.

It’s a wonderful herb that has numerous properties. Lavender oil contains the natural alcohol linalool; ketones; esters; and aldehydes. Linalol provides lavender’s antiseptic properties by effectively killing bacteria and viruses, healing skin irritations including burns, wounds, acne and sores.

The aldehydes in lavender are responsible for its distinct aroma and soothing properties. The ketones in lavender effectively reduce pain and inflammation and help induce sleep.

The esters in lavender reduce soreness and swelling, prevent muscle spasms, fight fungal infections and prevent scarring. The esters in lavender also help relieve tension, depression and hysteria, and they help regulate moods.

Over this bank holiday weekend why not spend a relaxing couple of hours at the Lavender Farm where you can see over 200 species of lavender in the Collection Garden. Now is the ideal time to purchase lavender plants for your garden with over 40 varieties on sale ranging from white, through pink, purple to blue. Advice on which plants will be suited to your garden is also

available – make sure you know what type of soil you have in your area.

Conditions at the farm are ideal for lavender growing – it needs free draining soil. The farm has over 20 acres of lavender and over 300 different varieties. They are national collection holders for Great Britain and possibly the largest collection in the country.

The angustifolia and intermedia varieties are best for producing the oil, which is sold Islandwide, by mail order and in the farm shop. Lavender products include shampoo, shower gel, moisturising cream, cologne, soaps and even lavender jam, marmalade, tea or coffee.

In the café, or outside on the terrace, you could sample lavender scones with cream and jam or lavender shortbread.

Or you could opt for home made soup, paninis, sandwiches or cakes. For dessert there is strawberry and lavender or chocolate and lavender ice-creams made at Chilton Farm.

Although the farm is open, this weekend owners Paul and Reuben Abbott will be at the Malvern Show – last year they won a silver gilt award and narrowly missed ‘best in show’. The boys also take Isle of Wight Lavender to Gardeners World Live, Hampton Court Show and Chelsea Flower Show, gathering a whole host of awards.

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Friday May 1 2009

lifestyle wine & dine

Wine & dine on the Island

Tennyson comes alive again at the Farringford You always know you’re in for a treat as you sweep up the driveway to the beautiful old Farringford House with its crenulated walls, arched windows and meticulously manicured climbing creepers.

It’s not too difficult to

imagine the horse drawn carriages of Queen Victoria, Charles Darwin, Lewis Carroll and many of his other famous friends arriving to visit Alfred Lord Tennyson around 150 years ago when he was in residence.

It is the bicentenary of Tennyson’s birth this year and an odyssey into his world is planned for diners and guests at the Farringford when Andrew Motion visits from Tuesday July 30 to Thursday July 2. But this bank holiday,

on Saturday May 2, weekend diners will be rewarded with a taste of things to come.

On Saturday evening in the Ruskin Restaurant, which holds an AA rosette for fine dining, a gala dinner with a traditional Victorian

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lifestyle wine & dine style menu will include dishes Tennyson might have enjoyed when he lived at Farringford.

Diners are to be entertained by soprano Amanda Pitt, and pianist David Owen Norris, with songs from Queen Victoria’s favourite composer, Mendelssohn, such as On The Wings of Love and Oh For the Wings of a Dove - all in English. David will also play the pieces that Queen Victoria loved to play on the piano.

Other songs will include Home Sweet Home by Sir Henry Bishop and Cherry Ripe by Charles Horn.

Tennyson was a great friend of Sir Arthur Sullivan, of Gilbert and Sullivan, who composed music for the great man’s poetry and these will also be played along with pieces written to accompany the poems by other composers.

Along with the Ruskin restaurant, which will feature a Victorian menu throughout the summer, the Farringford’s Garden Restaurant, which opens on May 22, serves bistro style meals overlooking the pool. Live

music will accompany diners at the Garden Restaurant throughout the summer on Tuesday curry nights and Thursday barbecue nights.

From June 30 to Jul 2 residential guests are invited to go ‘Walking in Tennyson’s Footsteps’ with the retiring poet laureate Andrew Motion who will host lunch and the workshop on the Wednesday afternoon. Guests also have the chance to complete a three-tiered residential workshop on June 30 with Brian Hinton MBE, which will Andrew Motion include an introduction to Tennyson’s poetry, a look at 18 with reference to “words, how he structured his poems woods and previous owners.” and a chance to try and write a Guests at the hotel have a Tennyson type of poem. morning of practical writing and A talk by Andrew Motion at wandering for inspiration with 7.30pm on Wednesday 1, is open the afternoon free to explore to the public and priced at £15 the Island. An evening farewell per person including a drink – dinner includes the presentation numbers are limited to 200 so of poems. For further details see early booking is advised. On www.farringford.co.uk and to the Thursday Andrew will run a book call 752500. creative writing workshop for young students between 15 and

Be beside the Shoreside THERE aren’t many places where you can get a home cooked meal for £3.95 on the Island but the Shoreside Inn on Shanklin seafront is one of them. The specials board has a selection of well-loved meals at this bargain price.

In the past two years the Shoreside has been moving more firmly into the family market and welcomes children.

A good quality toy, bought from specialist toy markets, accompanies each of the children’s meals. This year a range of inflatable backpacks and Frisbees are particularly popular and children can choose their gift from a selection.

The Shoreside is beautifully decorated in a minimalist style with porcelain floor and cream walls. Outside on the two descending terraces, overlooking

the sea, you can sit at a selection of stainless steel and hardwood tables, sheltered from the sun under an umbrella if you wish.

Why not try breakfast at the Shoreside with fresh Segafredo coffee, or afternoon tea with

home made scones. Sunday roasts are also popular and all meals are home cooked, even using the herbs such as parsley, thyme and rosemary, which are grown in the garden behind the premises.

Advertise your Pub, Restaurant in the Gazette. Call 01983 402599

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lifestyle entertainment

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lifestyle wine & dine

Wine & dine on the Island

Winning winery

YOU can buy award-winning wines, liqueurs, ciders and juices made from the fruit grown at Rosemary Vineyard, but you may not realise that their recently refurbished Vineleaf coffee shop is the ideal location for lunch, a snack or afternoon tea.

Set in the beautiful surroundings of Rosemary Vineyard, on the outskirts of Ryde in Smallbrook Lane, with stunning views over the 30-acre estate, you could sit inside or out. Choose from an extensive choice of freshly prepared light lunchtime

dishes such as sandwiches, baguettes or paninis – all served with salad garnish and Tyrell hand cooked crisps.

And what better way to enjoy lunch than with a glass of their very own locally produced award winning wines or refreshing apple juice - all at extremely competitive prices.

For morning coffee or afternoon tea select from the large choice of tempting, mouth watering cakes and biscuits accompanied by your choice from the extensive range of freshly ground bean coffee drinks. Delicious cream

teas start from only £3.50.

Rosemary vineyard was planted in 1986 and covers 30 acres at almost 60 feet above sea level. With its mostly south facing aspect the vineyard is ideally placed to benefit from the mild island climate. The valley situation helps retain summer warmth and offers shelter from the south-westerly winds. The gentle vineyard slopes allow excellent frost drainage in the spring to protect the newly budded vines whilst the soil, a clay-silt loam overlying greensand, is not only free-draining but also retains sufficient moisture for healthy growth.

Annual production is over 50,000 bottles per year and the working winery is open to the public with free admission and free tasting. The winery is in operation on selected days throughout the year and if you are interested in visiting during a operational day, contact the vineyard on 811084 for details.

Last year the vineyard won two gold awards at the Great Taste Awards for their

raspberry liqueur and apple juice, bringing their total to three gold and two silver awards in the past three years.

Both of these are available in the vineyard shop along with their white, red and rosé wines, English country wines, sparkling wines and liqueurs.

All products are packaged with Rosemary Vineyard’s distinctive labels – or you could have your own bottle of wine personalised with the free of charge while-you-wait wine label service, designed with your own special message, and picture. Also on sale are a wide selection of Island products, from Island Mustards, Island Biscuits, Goddard’s Brewery and The Needles Sweets Factory, including mustards, chutneys, jams, biscuits, beers and sweets.

Groups are welcome but booking is advised. For further details see www. rosemaryvineyard.co.uk For Rosemary Wines latest money saving special offers see the advertisements on pages eight and nine in the main paper.

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Friday May 1 2009

lifestyle country pubs

The Island’s Best Country Pubs

Eat well in Whitwell’s White Horse

The White Horse in Whitwell have just launched a new menu featuring Isle of Wight produce. With a specials board which changes daily there’s something for everyone at this picturesque old hostelry, which often has queues outside the door at opening time.

But for the White Horse this is not

a new occurrence. With the coming of the railways to the Island and in particular the Whitwell in 1897 the White Horse boomed mostly thanks to the Irish navvies. There are tales that the bar was filled to over-flowing, with men not being able to get into the building at 6 o’clock in the morning, as they had a pint before going to work.

The White Horse was built in approximately 1454, and has been used as a hostelry since at least 1780. It was formally called Chiddle’s Tenement and was leased by the brewer Richard Cooke from the landowner Sir Richard Worsley. In these early days the Island and Whitwell in particular was a centre for smuggling and the White Horse, being a centre for the community,

probably acted as a meeting house and rallying point for the smugglers.

Nowadays it is for their food that the White Horse are notorious with Island reared Kemphill Farm beef steaks, Moor Farm organic pork, Parkwater Farm lamb, Blakes of Ventnor’s fresh fish and seafood and Brownrigg’s chicken and ducks on the menu.

“We’re trying to create restaurant style food in a relaxing pub atmosphere,” said landlord and chef Jerrie Mallon who runs the pub with fiancée Hayley. “You can come down here after work in jeans and a T-shirt and not feel you have to dress up, but have a good restaurant quality meal.”

Tuesday night is steak night with 12 to 15 different steak dishes including

the staggering 64oz Island rump steak with all the trimmings for £29.95.

Other possibilities include dishes such as fillet steak with IOW cherry tomato and balsamic reduction or sirloin with IOW spring asparagus and melted IOW blue cheese.

Sunday roasts feature the Isle of Wight beef, pork and lamb, or a trio option of all three, served with five fresh vegetables and Yorkshire puddings for £7.95.

Extended ten years ago the pub now has the original olde worlde bar as well as a large barn style function room, which can be hired for weddings and celebrations. Outside there is a large lawned area and ample car parking.

1000 years of history leads to success

An inn has stood on the site of the Pointer Inn in Newchurch since the foundations of the church were built around 1000 years ago and the first record of the present building dates from the 1400s. But Paul Clark and son Nathan have brought this 600 year old pub bang smack into the 21st century with a dining experience to die for and a new website to check the changing menus.

Winners of the Island Life Dining Pub of the Year in 2007 and 2008, this family run pub features local produce whenever possible and is aimed at the more discerning diner – this is more than just pub grub. The a la carte menu is changed quarterly with the seasons, featuring game

in the winter and lighter fresh fish and salad dishes in the summer.

The specials board daily with dishes such as half roasted ‘Sheepwash’ Farm freerange duck with a Cumberland sauce and veal jus or Bembridge crab thermidor on a cushion of mashed potato with a rich cheese sauce with a hint of mustard, served au gratin on a bed of watercress.

A very contemporary wine list includes New World and French classical wines and is being revamped to include some exciting South Africa whites, blushes and reds.

Nathan (30) who has been running pubs since he was 19, recently achieved the status of Master Cellarman from Fullers Brewery - the only person on the Island to hold this nationally recognised accolade. His wife Brenda, who is a teacher, helps in the pub when required and mum Chris keeps the premises

maintained – especially the large pretty garden and the numerous planters.

“In this economic climate this successful business is still building and growing,” said Paul who has been a

chef for 43 years. For a traditional English country village pub full of gastronomic delights look no further than the Pointers. See www. pointersinn.co.uk for further details.

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lifestyle country pubs

Brighstone’s Bishops serves local treats

Now moving into the second summer since their refurbishment in November 2007, the Three Bishops in Brighstone is finding more and more converts. People are coming from far and wide to sample the home cooked dishes at this welcoming country pub. For those who remember the White Mouse before its refurbishment, landlord and chef of the Three Bishops, Chris Hessey, was chef there for eight years when it regularly won best pub of the year awards.

All produce is now sourced on the Island if possible with meats from Kemphill and New Barn Farms, fresh local fish and crab from Yarmouth. Dishes are then made on the premises – nothing

is bought in, with dishes such as mouth-watering homemade pies and suet puddings, local steaks, curries, stews and even venison casserole.

There are always two fresh fish on the menu, depending on what’s being caught. “That’s the beauty of living on an Island,” said Chris who runs the pub with wife Helen.

“You can point to anything on the menu and we can tell you where it came from and how we prepared it,” continued Chris. “We can cater for food allergies and those on gluten free diets too as we cook everything to order.”

Dating from the 1750’s the pub was originally called the New Inn and changed its name in the 1970’s to commemorate the fact

that over a period of time three of the parish’s local vicars had gone on to become bishops.

The pub has a large lawned garden with a glazed non-smoking pergola covering one patio and another comfortable smoking patio - a giant umbrella covers some of the many outdoor tables along with smaller parasols. Pretty hanging baskets and flowerbeds surround the pub garden and there is a large free car park.

A new adventure trail style children’s play area is being installed in mid June. Made in natural wood to blend in with the environment, the playground will have tyre swings, a climbing net and wobbly bridges.

The pub features live music this weekend with No Strings Attached on Saturday May 2, and Route 27 on Sunday May 3 playing in the garden, weather permitting, between 5pm and 7pm.

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lifestyle advertising

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lifestyle bridal

The wedding of Barrett & Walker

The wedding of Pippa Walker to Peter Barrett was celebrated at the Church of the Holy Cross in Binstead on Easter Saturday April 11.

Son of James and Theresa Barrett (both deceased), the bridegroom works as a management consultant.

The bride is the daughter of Gordon Walker (deceased) and Judith Walker and works as an architect.

Although they are in their 50s it was the first marriage for both the bride and groom, who met as teenagers on the Island. Bridesmaids were the bride’s nieces Alice Bateman (14), Harriet Walker (21) and Joanna Walker (21). The groom’s son Angus Barrett and his nephew James Bateman acted as ushers. The groom’s friend Giles Clarke was his best man.

A honeymoon was spent on Alderney and the couple will live in London, although the Island has been Pippa’s home since the age of 18 months.

Photography is by Steve Thearle LMPA

Book for our bridal feature in the May 29 2009 Gazette issue.

Call 01983 402599

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Friday May 1 2009

lifestyle tasty takeaways

The Island’s Best Take-aways

Indian jewels shine in Nodehill, Newport YOU are spoilt for choice in Upper St James’s Street in Newport as it boasts two good Indian restaurants within close proximity, which are run by the same family. The Nabab at number 84 and the Tamarind at number 65, both offer great food at reasonable prices.

Both restaurants specialise in Bangladeshi food as owner Jila Miah and his family come from this part of the world, although you’ll find all of your favourites too such as korma, rogan, madras, tandoori and biryani. Chef’s specials include some really hot and spicy dishes, as well as milder creamier options, and descriptions of all ingredients are outlined on the menus.

Jila’s father came to England in 1956, working in England and making regular trips home to Bangladesh to visit his wife and children. When Jila finished school in 1984, his father brought the family to England and Jila took on a part time job.

Learning his trade as a chef in Portsmouth, Jila moved to the Island in 1987 and worked for two years at the Bombai Palace in Cowes. He then came to work as head chef at the Agra Deluxe, which he renamed Nabab when he took over the business in 1990.

The oldest of three brothers; his brother Rujal has the Cinnamon in Ryde and Munsur will be shortly opening a new Indian restaurant and take away in Ventnor to be called the Chutney Express.

After running the Nabab for several years the family decided to take on the former Ralph’s Health Foods premises and turn it into a more upmarket Bangladeshi restaurant. But finding there was not enough of a market for this the two restaurants now have very similar menus, served in either the more traditional surrounding of the Nabab or the light an airy modern interior of the Tamarind.

Both offer a Wednesday evening special with two people eating for only £24.50; two starters, two main courses, one side dish, one pilau rice and one naan bread.

On Thursdays and Sundays the Tamarind also offers the same deal for only £23.90 per person. All dishes are freshly prepared and cooked on site with English options also available.

You’ll be assured of a warm welcome and wonderful food at either location.

The Nabab

Tamarind

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lifestyle tasty takeaways

Mr T’s takes the top for take-aways ‘Big Don’- as he is affectionately known to his many customers - together with his dedicated and qualified team, have been successfully running Mr T’s for the past 18 years. Being firm believers in providing high levels of customer satisfaction and food quality is no doubt the secret to their success and the reason for Mr T’s gaining their Five Star hygiene rating, This, together with their warm and friendly welcome and high-class service, ensures Mr T’s stays at the top of its field.

Mr T’s specialises in freshly prepared dough baked pizza, cooked to perfection and the choice is phenomenal. Should you need any help deciding, Don is happy to recommend.

In addition, there is a wide selection of chargrilled burgers, steaks, BBQ ribs and chicken on offer, with a vast array of side orders and salads to complement.

Children are catered for, with a varied choice of menu and goodies. To complete your dining experience at Mr T’s, Don recommends one of his tempting cakes or ice creams.

And that’s not all - Mr T’s also offers an efficient, free delivery service within a specified area, so all you need to do is pick up the phone. Mr T’s, at 46 Atherley Road, Shanklin, is open from 5pm until 11.30pm, with last orders at 11.20pm.

Telephone 01983 863361

Express delivery

Tasty, good value for money and fun are the main ingredients at Hong Kong Express in Newport, Ryde and Freshwater with delicious Chinese dishes and restaurant service at very affordable prices. Look out for the new specials board, which offers authentic Chinese dishes you might not have tried before.

A lunchtime special offer every day comprises a starter, main course with rice and a drink for only £5.95 and for Sunday buffet lunch you can fill a plate from the selection of starters and main course dishes for only £4.95.

Breakfasts are only £1.99.

The quiz night on Tuesdays in Newport is particularly popular and it’s advisable to book. It’s a fun evening culminating with a game of stand up bingo.

Islander Paul Moreton started the business with partners Michael and James Hang back in 2003 with the opening of the Ryde

restaurant. The Newport branch was opened 2005 and Freshwater opened in October last year. Soon a garden will open at the back of the Freshwater branch for dining in the sun – or under the stars.

Open daily from 8.30am till 11pm, with late opening till 3am on Friday and Saturdays, the Hong Kong Express also offer a free delivery service Island wide, subject to conditions.

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Friday May 1 2009

lifestyle camping & caravans

Caravan sales surge as Brits holiday at home An increase in the number of Brits holidaying at home is expected this summer and caravan sites across the Island are seeing an increase in bookings. Not only are bookings up for those bringing their own touring caravans and tents but sales of static caravans are also looking healthy.

Nodes Point Park Resort must be one of the oldest established holiday parks on the Island. Previously an army camp from 1905 until 1945, the park began life as a camping site, adding chalet style accommodation in 1961 and introducing static caravans

in 2001.

Chris Norman, who celebrates his fiftieth year with the park this year, was just a lad of 13 when he began helping with luggage. In fact his father was a sergeant stationed at the camp during the war. “ It’s been a very successful park,” said Chris. “In the 70s and 80s we had about 2,500 people on the park during the summer and 250 chalets. Now we have about 160 static caravans and 42 chalets and around 1,500 people on site.”

The caravans are available to hire or buy with around 75% now privately owned. Prices start from £19,995 for a pre-owned two or three-bedroom model, including site fees until January 2010, water rates until April 2010 and insurance until October 2009.

Pots, pans and utensils are included in the price. “Everything you can think of, including a dustpan and brush,” said Caravan Sales Manager Matthew Cook. “You only need to bring your clothes.” Under a managed lettings scheme the park can rent out your caravan when you’re not using it, taking a small management fee plus bed linen charge, which could cover all of your running costs and even leave you with a small profit.

The site is set in beautiful National Trust Woodland and sweeps down to the Duver beach with stunning views of Bembridge Harbour and across the Solent. It boasts an indoor swimming pool with flumes, a celebrity show bar with acts nightly throughout the season and the Harbour Bar for breakfast, snacks or evening meals.

Matthew Cook of Nodes Point Park

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lifestyle camping & caravans

Sports facilities include an all weather sports court and Sally’s horse riding.

In the tenting and touring area Nodes has a ready-erected tent area with gas cookers and electricity hook up. A lot of money has been spent landscaping this area and it also has a £250k shower block with baths, heated floors and washing and waste facilities.

“If you buy a caravan at the park it comes fitted with a Ram-tech security alarm, which is just for piece of mind as there is also 24 hour security 365 days a year,” said Matthew Cook.

With the park for five years, he has now settled on the Island with fiancée Amy Duncan and their baby son Reece. General Manager, Gavin Hobbs, has recently returned to the Island from Camber Sands with his wife Anna and son Jack.

“Nodes Point is a safe haven for memorable family holidays,” said Matthew. Whether you’re holidaying on the Island this year or looking for a home from home, Nodes Point has the answer. Contact the park on 872401

or see www.park-resorts.com Further around the coast, Sandhills, at Whitecliff Bay is another perfect location for holiday caravan ownership. Its commanding position on the cliff top overlooking Whitecliff Bay is quite simply breathtaking.

“In today’s economic climate more and more people from all age groups are purchasing a holiday caravan at Sandhills,” said sales manager Ron Lansdale. “We are finding that after over ten years of promoting this family owned park as a style similar to the 1960’s way of holidaying our message is really hitting home.”

Timeless and tranquil and set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Sandhills is unique. You don’t have to break the bank to become an owner at Sandhills as prices start from as little as £7,995 for a second hand model and £19,995 for a new model.

Visit the park and see for yourselves or contact Ron or Sarah for more details on 872898 or check out www. sandhills-sales.co.uk

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Friday May 1 2009

lifestyle health & beauty

Quays

offer healthy living

Smooth operators Orchard Skincare are a centre for excellence in skincare solutions. Below they offer you the answer to your skincare problems.

Máire Rhatigan moved to the Isle of Wight eight years ago, working as a consultant eye surgeon in the NHS. Developing her interest in oculoplastics, eyelid surgery and dermatology, Máire went on to establish the Orchard Cosmetic Skin Centre.

As a result the IOW now boasts a centre of excellence for skin treatments and minor surgery. Máire’s effective and proven techniques include all the most popular cosmetic skin treatments of today.

Which treatment is right for you?

Facial lines and wrinkles are the most sought after area of cosmetic treatment and new technology and research is an ever-increasing part of the cosmetic skin care industry. The Orchard Cosmetic Skin Centre offers a choice of leading treatments for facial lines and wrinkles, helping patients feel and look years younger without any need for the more

serious option of surgery.

But just what are the choices? To help,

we have asked Dr Máire Rhatigan to put together a brief guide to wrinkle treatments.

Wrinkle Relaxing Injections

A muscle relaxant (a natural protein) is injected into the area to be treated, relaxing the over-contracting muscles and smoothing the surface of the skin. The effects are visible from two days + of treatment.

This is a quick and easy treatment, which can be done in a half-hour appointment. No anaesthetic is required and patients can return to normal activities immediately. Results last for four months + and can be repeated.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers smooth lines and wrinkles by adding volume and ‘plumping up’ the skin.

The most commonly used fillers are made from a crystal clear gel form of hyaluronic acid – a substance that occurs naturally in our bodies. A simple injection of filler replenishes lost volume, creating softer lips and smoothing out lines and wrinkles. The smoothing effect of filler is instant, and adds volume to your skin without affecting your natural expression.

It is nonpermanent and is absorbed naturally over time. Effects can last from six months to over a year. The treatment can be repeated.

All these treatments are ideal if you have a special occasion that you want to look your best for, or simply want to look and feel rejuvenated. www.botox.com www.juvedermultra.co.uk www.orchardcosmetic. co.uk Tel: 01983 822220

OPEN to non-residents at the hotel, the Quays Leisure Club at Bembridge Coast Hotel boasts nearly 400 members Island wide. Why not check out the facilities during the first ten days of May when you can have a free day pass for just this purpose.

One of the better-equipped leisure clubs on the Island, the Quays has a fully air conditioned gym with 19 stations of the very best of life fitness equipment overlooking the large indoor heated pool. You can have an individual fitness programme designed for you, by qualified gym instructors, and aqua aerobics is offered in the pool.

Sauna and steam rooms are joined by the only tropicarium on the Island.

The Beauty Salon offers a full range of treatments including facials, massage, pedicures, and manicures and waxing with special discounts to members of the club.

Non-members can have a free day pass to use the facilities if they take a treatment at the Beauty Salon.

Outside there is a putting green, French boules and tennis court with activities such as archery and rifle shooting also on offer in the grounds. The Bembridge Coast Hotel is in a fantastic location overlooking the sea, almost at the most easterly point of the Island. The outdoor bar has a patio overlooking the sea where members of the Quays can take lunch or refreshments.

Part of Warner Leisure Hotels, who own 13 hotels nationwide, The Bembridge Coast is aimed at an adult clientele with no children permitted on site. The Quays is a very friendly informal relaxed club featuring curry nights, quiz nights and barbecues throughout the summer. Why not check out the facilities for free over the next ten days? For further details see www.quaysleisureclub.co.uk

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lifestyle health & beauty

Better by spa OASIS spa at the Wight Montrene Hotel in Sandown’s Avenue Road is a refreshing find: a spa with all of the facilities you would expect, including a sauna, steam room and indoor swimming pool.

And if you spend over £20 on your treatments (per person) you may use the facilities free of charge.

Open to hotel residents and locals, the experienced therapists offer a full range of treatments to men and women including massage, facials, manicures and nail enhancements, pedicures, waxing, electrolysis, bleaching, tinting and even ear piercing.

The swimming pool is a good size with a raised shallow area at one end for children and has large picture windows to

the sun terrace outside. Either before or after any booked treatment Oasis clients, who are not resident in the hotel, are invited to use the Wight’s indoor swimming pool without charge.

The nearby sauna and the steam room are available for clients to use if they spend over £20, or if they are spending less a charge of £3 per hour, or part thereof, is made for each. To enable these to heat up, 30 minutes notice is needed for the sauna and 15 minutes for the steam room. Tokens for the upright 48 tube Luxura Delta 500 upright tanning booth are on sale at reception at a cost of £2 per 6 minutes. The Jacuzzi is operated by a £1 coin meter.

For further details check www.wightspa.co.uk

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lifestyle living

June Elford

June Elford is a book and feature writer who lives below the castle in Carisbrooke with her cat. She enjoys gardening and Scottish dancing.

“In Spring, a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love,” wrote Alfred, Lord Tennyson, the poet who lived at Farringford.

Sadly, romance has become one of the latest victims of the recession and online spending on gift items like lingerie has been hit particularly hard. Plainly blokes are too skint to buy that frivolous piece from figleaves.com.

Instead the latest fashion news comes from the poultry world with Janet Street-Porter, the well-known celebrity, journalist and broadcaster, reporting that chickens are wearing knitted sweaters this spring after

animal workers appealed to the public for knitted woollies for their rescued battery hens. The chicken were bald and feeling the cold but we British are known for our love of fur and feather and a rescue centre in Norwich received over 1,500 sweaters.

You can catch pictures online of the ‘dressed’ chickens in their state-of-the-art woollies including a trendy model called the “chux tux”.

So now you’re tempted to give a home to some ex-battery hens?

Remember it can be a tricky business as they will be unfit and need special treatment and you’ll probably find they won’t be able to fly to a perch or nest box and need to adapt to their new surroundings. But if the thought of brown eggs at the breakfast table makes you want to rescue a chuck, contact the Battery Hen Welfare Trust on www.bhwt.org.uk).

The Island’s Walking Festival runs from 9-24 May and Janet Street Porter will be speaking at Medina Theatre on

the evening of Friday, 15 May. Janet has appeared in several television programmes including ‘Coast to Coast’ and ‘I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here’, she’s a keen walker and vice president of the Ramblers Association. Did you know that the people wearing smart royal blue sweatshirts at Medina and working the front of the theatre are volunteers?

The theatre has three teams with eight people in each team who regularly give up their spare time to help the theatre.

There’s a great selection of walks planned for the Festival with wonderful names like ‘Let us Thread a Needle’ and ‘Snakes and Ladders Reversed’ and the Speed Dating Walk has mixed age groups so there’s hope for an old ‘cotton top’ like me.

Tennyson said the air on the Island was “worth 6d. a pint” - where did I put those walking boots?

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Friday May 1 2009

lifestyle newport

Toby’s gardening tips

By Toby Beasley, head gardener, Osborne House The spring bedding on the terraces at Osborne is looking absolutely fantastic at the moment. When I walked around the side of the house onto the terraces the other day, I couldn’t help but be impressed with the display the wallflowers, pansies and tulips were putting on. Couple this with a lovely blue sky, warm temperatures and the sea view beyond - it was just a fantastic sight.

But how do we get the bedding to look that good? As ever, it’s a combination of things, not just one trade secret. We tend to plant closely. A trowel is used as a measuring stick and each plant goes in no more than a trowel length apart, then a bulb will go in each gap. When the plants start to grow all the gaps will be filled in so we end up with a solid carpet of colour. An added bonus from close planting is that it helps with weed control as the bedding plants can ‘out compete’ the weeds by shading them out. Try and weed regularly though. It’s surprising how many weeds germinate through the winter. If you keep on top of them before the weather warms up, weeding will be that much easier when you really want to enjoy the spring sunshine.

Dead heading is another regular task that needs doing, especially with the bulbs. For daffodils and hyacinths we cut the flowering stem off right at its base. If only the very top is removed they can look very odd when they start to die down as the leaves often sink below the surrounding foliage only to leave the stiff flower stems behind. With tulips cut the flower

stem back to the first leaf. Don’t remove the foliage completely as this gives a clue to where the bulbs are when it comes to digging them out.

Finally look at your grass edges. A freshly edged lawn leaves a crisp neat edge that sets the flower beds and any paths off to their best; we try and edge the grass on the terraces whenever we are doing any flower bed maintenance. This is probably the simplest finishing touch that gives the greatest effect so if you want to impress your neighbours clip the edge of the lawn.

Our spring bedding display started with plant selection in April and May last year when the plans for the spring bedding were being compiled. So check to see what has done well in your garden right now. If you haven’t planted any bedding check out your neighbours or even make a trip the local park or come to see our display at Osborne. But remember to make a note of the plants you like so you can plant them in the autumn.

Greenthumb, green lawns You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the cost of a lawn treatment with GreenThumb lawn treatment service, which start at £14.00 inc vat. GreenThumb was the first lawn-care company in the UK and now, with over 20 years experience, continue to pioneer lawn treatment across the country.

GreenThumb have a branch in Shanklin and have been treating customer’s lawns for over ten years, keeping the lawns in tip-top condition.

In the spring Nutragreen® 1, which is suited to cooler temperatures, gives a good colour early in the year and

weed growth is targeted.

Then in early summer Nutragreen® 2, a ‘no scorch’ fertiliser, encourages a deep, thick sward and no watering is required. Further weed identification and treatment is administered as required.

In late summer, Nutragreen® 3 is applied which continues to nourish the grass plant and offers protection from certain lawn diseases and in the autumn/winter Nutragreen® 4 maintains a long lasting green lawn into the winter months. It also contains a moss control agent, which provides a fine basis for the mechanical winter treatments

also on offer.

Hollow tine aeration is a treatment that can put well needed oxygen into the soil and scarification uses a machine that can remove thatch from your lawn (one of the causes of moss) - two treatments you might like to add to your lawn care regime to maintain the appearance of the grass in the growing season.

“It’s cheaper than DIY,”

said Mike Lee who with his fully trained & qualified lawn operatives look after nearly 2000 of lush green lawns on the island.

GreenThumb’s service is exclusive to all. Need more advice? Then call them on 01983-867272 or text ‘lawn’ and your postcode to 60006 and they will call you back.

Or you can visit their website at www.greenthumb.co.uk

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Friday May 1 2009

lifestyle beer festival

Totland Beer Festival Broadway Real Ale Festival May 14-17 Live Bands Real Ales Cheese & Chutney It’s not often that you find a traditional pub these days but that’s exactly what The Broadway in Totland offers to the local community. Local ales have been their focus for the last three years and it was a natural progression to offer a beer festival for all the real ale aficionados who have become regular visitors to the pub.

“Real ale is the way the pub is going and we’ve built it up over time,” said landlady Kim Filby who runs the pub with husband Dave. We’re getting a better and better reputation for it – people come from across the Island.”

“It’s because we serve it off the pumps,” added Dave. “People don’t like it through the pipes.”

The ales are kept in the ‘cellar’, which is actually on ground level at the rear of the pub. During the festival a bar will be set up on the decking to the side of the pub and the real ales are drawn direct from the barrel or ‘off the wood’ as it’s known. A marquee will cover the rear bar area and the rear door to the bar. Tokens will be purchased at the bar inside and exchanged for beer outside.

Last November a first foray into running a beer festival at the Broadway was a big success. “We were very well attended, even

though it was freezing,” said Kim, “so we thought we’d go for the better weather.”

The theme of the beer festival will be ‘Cheese and Chutney,’ with at least ten real ales on offer along with local cheeses and chutneys. Makers of chutney take note that if you bring along a jar of your home made chutney you may win a bottle of wine.

To start off with why not take advantage of a ‘ten for a tenner’ offer which allows drinkers to pay just ten pounds to sample a quarter pint of ten different ales and then choose a pint of their favourite - biscuits with cheese and local chutneys will also be included.

“The ten for a tenner came about because we were committed to responsible drinking,” said Kim. “We thought quarter pints would be a safer bet.”

Local Isle of Wight Cheese will be accompanying the ales along with local chutneys such as Ventnor Sandrock chutney from Ventnor Brewery. “We’ll also have one of the last barrels of Ventnor Golden,” said Dave. Joining this will Broadway’s Special Delivery from Island brewers Goddards and another special cask fromYates.

Brains will supply a cask of Steaming Wagon and Andwell

are supplying King John. Dark Star Brewery in Brighton will be supplying ‘Critical Mass’ – enough said.

Live music has always been important for Kim and the Broadway is known for the quality of the visiting bands. A recent gig by Amen Boogie Blues Band packed the pub. For the beer festival Rip Tide will play on the Friday night and on Saturday Smokestack will entertain drinkers.

The Broadway are supporters of LOCALE an Island-based initiative to encourage pubs to support local breweries, and they always have at least one local ale on offer in the bar. Guest ales are introduced according to availability and demand. The festival will kick off on Thursday from 7pm till 11pm and continue from noon on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

It wasn’t until 1951 that The Broadway became a pub although in its previous life it did sell wines and beers – as Jordan and Stanleys Supply Stores. “We’re a traditional pub, not a theme pub or a gastro pub,” said Kim. “We try to do a bit of something for everybody because we are a community pub.”

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lifestyle hospice

the gazette lifestyle

Friday May 1 2009

Hospice News Earl Mountbatten Hospice - Newport

Caring Bears for Island Hotels

Ventnor Social Club Quiz for Hospice Ventnor Social Club will be holding a charity quiz which is open to all, at 8.30pm on Monday May 4 in memory of club member Dot Wightman.

All the proceeds from the event will come straight to the Island’s hospice and go towards patient care.

If you wish to donate a prize please call 852103.

Monty’s Miles for the Hospice.

The Island’s Hospice is appealing to hotels and guest houses across the Island to encourage their guests to take home a Caring Bear. The little bears can be placed in guest’s rooms and if the guest would like to take the little chap home, as a memento of their stay, there will be a donation tin in reception. Each bear is proudly wearing a white jumper with a sunflower, the national symbol of the hospice movement, embroidered across the front.

Any hotel interested in taking part can phone the fundraising team on 528989.

Monty the Shire Horse will be doing a fundraising walk on Saturday May 9 from Haylands in Ryde to St Thomas Square in Newport. He will be departing Ryde at 9.30am and will be travelling

through Upton Road and Pellhurst Road and then following the A3054 Ryde to Newport Road. He will be stopping at The Cedars in Wootton for a well-earned bucket of water at around 11am and is expected to reach St Thomas Square at about 12.30pm.

Monty will be easy to spot as he will be sporting the Hospice Sunflowers. Please give Monty a wave if you see him.

special bear to use for a ‘name the bear’ game. The hospice can provide you with personalised posters and invitations to promote your event and put it in the local press for you. If you would like to take part in Tea @ Three please give the fundraising team a ring on 528989.

Sail the Wight 2009

Could You Hold a Tea @ Three Party for the Hospice?

Would you like to hold a Tea Party in June to raise some funds for your Island’s Hospice? Last year parties of all types and sizes were held across the Isle of Wight and raised over £5000.

You could hold a family get-together, a ‘do’ at work, in a social group, sports team, choir – it could be a small private party or open to the public - anything at all.

The official Tea @ Three day is June 19 – but there will be parties held right throughout June - choose a time convenient to you.

The fundraising team at the Hospice can help you by providing butterflies, pens and keyrings to sell as well as a

Hospice Fundraising: Telephone - 528989

It’s not too late to register this year for Sail The Wight if you would like to race or cruise around the Isle of Wight on May 30 and raise funds for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. The event is hosted by East Cowes sailing club and includes a bar and BBQ at the end of the day. For more details, entry and sponsor forms please go to web@ eastcowessc.co.uk

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track

gazette feature

Freshwater, the oldest of Havenstreet’s locomotives, works up a head of steam

workshop was opened by the Queen in 2005. The locomotives pull six carriages – both first and third class as tradition dictates.

But the search for more rolling stock goes on. Jim continued: “Around the Island there are several holiday homes, sheds, out-houses that were at once railway carriages.

“We have acquired several that we have restored and several more are in the process of being restored. In the 1930s people bought the carriages as homes. Now we are reversing the process, and the oldest carriage we have goes back to 1864.

“We pride ourselves on keeping the trains and carriages clean. People are paying good money to have a ride, and we want them to be in a pleasant environment. We keep the gardens tidy so people can have a nice view on their journey.

“We do get a wide range of visitors, including holidaymakers, Islanders and school children on educational trips. It is a vital part of 20th century history.

“You can actually walk into Waterloo Station in London and ask for a through ticket to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

If we had the opportunity, we would love to extend the line to Newport or Ryde, but there are many complications and hurdles to overcome.”

Jim added: “We are proud of what we have achieved over the years. We all have a great passion for the railway and take great pride in what we do. We have had a lot of the surroundings, signs and buildings restored to look as original as it possibly could be.”

In the hands of Jim and his colleagues, the age of steam is alive and well in Havenstreet.

Jim Loe and Peter Vail have made the steam railway a thriving enterprise

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gazette property

Friday MAY 1 2009

Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 409928

HILLTOP DAIRY, NEWPORT - £POA st Ne ru w ct io n

• Five Bedrooms • Three Reception Rooms • Five Bathrooms • 3.5 Acres Of Land • Outbuildings • Fantastic Views

OSBORNE ROAD, RYDE £224,950 • Stamp Duty Paid • Two Reception Rooms • Kitchen/Diner • Enclosed Rear Garden • Double Glazing • Off Road Parking This well proportioned Victorian home comprises four bedrooms, two reception rooms, kitchen/ diner, bathroom, garden and off road parking. It has been maintained to a very high standard. Located in Haylands, Ryde with far reaching views of the beautiful Island landscape.

VEREKER DRIVE, EAST COWES - £199,500 • Chain free Conservatory • Modern Kitchen • Gardens • Garden Terrace • Garage A detached bungalow which has been refurbished and improved by the present owners with a newly fitted Kitchen, Bathroom, Conservatory, landscaped Gardens and new carpets throughout.

The property also has Two Bedrooms, Living/Dining Room, Driveway parking and Garage. East Cowes is the terminus of the car and passenger ferry from Southampton.

Re P du rice ct io n

in

Hill Top Dairy enjoys an enviable position with superb 360 degree Panoramic views over the beautiful Island landscape.

This 5 Bedroom family home was constructed in 2006 with the balance of an NHBC warranty with Oak joinery throughout including floors, staircases, doors, skirting etc. The house briefly comprises 40 feet Living Room, Family Room, Study, Fully Fitted Kitchen with ‘Redfyre’ (Aga style cooker) 5 Double Bedrooms all En-suite, Utility Room, Verandah, 2 Outbuildings with Shower Rooms, which could provide over spill accommodation.

Garages and over 3.5 acres of gently sloping grassland with secondary access to a private lane.

Friday MAY 1 2009   

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the gazette

Friday MAY 1 2009

Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 409928

The Firs is a character residence close to Freshwater Bay with 2/3 Reception Rooms, 4/5 Bedrooms all En-suite, Garage, Garden and sea views form the first floor. Located in The Square, the beach is a short walk away. The Firs retains many original features including the staircase and galleried landing, picture rails, ceiling coving and deep skirting boards.

This versatile home offers the possibility of income by easy conversion to B & B. The Living room, Bedroom and Bathroom on the ground floor could be used for owner’s accommodation or as an Annexe for an elderly relative.

In

st Ne ru w ct io n

34 STAPLERS ROAD, NEWPORT - £170,000

16 LOWER FURLONGS, BRADING - £160,000

• 70 ft Garden • Patio • Three Bedrooms • Workshop • Conservatory • Cloakroom

• Off Road Parking • Garden • Double Glazed • Village Location • Chain Free • Cloakroom

A Semi detached house which benefits from 3 bedrooms, conservatory, living room, large kitchen diner, cloakroom, garden, patio & workshop.

Accessible to the beautiful island countryside via the Downs and Bridle paths

A semi-detached house comprising two Bedrooms, Kitchen, Living Room, Cloakroom, Shower Room, Garden and Off Road Parking. Located in the historic town of Brading the property is within a short walk of the Downs, Brading village and train station. Brading is a picturesque village situated at the eastern end of the Island in the beautiful Yar Valley, a popular Wildlife and Sailing centre.

In N st e ru w ct io n

• Five Bedrooms • Character Property • Income Potential (B&B) • Sea Views • Flexible Accommodation • All Bedrooms En-Suite

re Pr du ic ct e io n

THE FIRS, FRESHWATER - £375,000

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gazette business news

Fire in their belly

AJ WELLS & SON, the Island-based manufacturers of Charnwood stoves, have just won a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise. Paul Rainford heard their story DUTCH elm disease was, on the whole, definitely Not A Good Thing. It left big gaps in Britain’s landscape, which are unlikely to be filled for a very long time.

It did, however, provide an opportunity for one small Island company that now, some 37 years later, has gone on to become a successful multi-million-pound concern and, last month, win a coveted Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Back in the early 1970s, AJ Wells & Sons was a three-strong family firm based in Niton and undertaking general ironwork and welding as well as mending tractors and cars. When Dutch elm disease struck, there was suddenly an awful lot of spare wood around as trees were rapidly felled. Sensing an opportunity, the Wells family hit upon the idea of making ‘dog grates’, the large grates that can accommodate the larger log.

Soon after they hit upon this ruse, imported woodburning stoves started to appear, partly as a reaction to the hike in oil prices. AJ Wells became dealers in these woodburners, selling them on the Island.

As managing director John Wells explains, this gave the firm another idea. “These foreign-made stoves were all big, and people found that when they put these stoves into their tiny living rooms they would dominate the room. So we thought: ‘we bend metal, we can make a smaller one’. So we made about ten of them.”

In 1975 they took up three of their selfmade stoves to a trade exhibition in Welwyn Garden City. “There were all these huge companies there,” says John. “We took three of our models and painted them three different colours. We set them on the stands and waited in trepidation. This guy came round and said ‘I like these, I’ll have 12’. We’d only made ten! Then another guy came and ordered six. We suddenly thought: ‘we’re onto something here’.”

Indeed they were. Orders for the stoves started to flow, and in 1980 the firm had to move out of Niton and into premises in Westminster Lane, Newport.

While at Westminster Lane, another opportunity opened up for the business. One of the problems the firm had encountered was with the paint they used on their stoves.

“We found that the paint we used didn’t stand the heat very well – we used to line the stoves with tin foil to protect the paint!” explains John. “That made it a bit better but it still didn’t work that well, so we decided to have the panels on the stoves enamelled.”

But this didn’t prove as straightforward as they hoped. “We went through five vitreous enamellers in ten years. They kept going bust. The enamellers were a peculiar breed in those days. They had these huge brick furnaces that took two days to heat up, so they had to keep them going 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there just wasn’t the work. And they couldn’t count! We were carrying tens of thousands of pounds’ worth of stock we didn’t need.

“In the end we decided – it was mad really – to put in our own enamel plant in 1987. It cost about a quarter of a million pounds.”

Unfortunately, it didn’t prove to be great timing. “Just after we put it in the recession of the early 1990s hit us,” admits John.

Interest rates were very high, and we had just borrowed all this money, which wasn’t very clever. We always knew the plant had too much capacity, and we were struggling for work.”

Help came in the shape of London Underground, who got to know about AJ Wells’ enamelling facility. Wells quoted for some vitreous enamel signage, got the nod, then started to do some work for them.

But the real leap forward in signage came

Marketing manager Ced Wells with some of the company’s showcase products

Clockwise from top left: managing director John Wells; Charnwood stoves being built; an example of the company’s high-grade vitreous enamel signage

when they were awarded the job of re-signing London’s Barbican Centre, the concrete complex of flats and cultural venues that had developed a reputation as a good place to get lost in.

“We did a really good job and they were very pleased – except for the sign on the Barbican’s church, where they missed off the time of the morning service!” admits John. “But the Barbican job was the big break, and it just grew from there.”

Now the company’s business is split roughly 75-25, with the Charnwood stoves brand forming the larger portion and the enamel signage the smaller.

And according to sales director Hugh Wells (John’s son), business is going great guns, not least because wood is becoming seen as the most the eco-friendly choice for stoves and boilers. “As long as wood is planted in a sustainable way it will replace itself in its own lifetime, so it is carbon neutral. It’s true, not everyone in this country is going to have a woodburning stove, but not everybody’s going to have wind power either. Woodburning is very much in the pot of renewable fuels.”

In the last six years AJ Wells have seen their exports of Charnwood stoves increase eight-fold to be worth more than £2 million.

Europe, Japan and South Africa are all strong markets.

Succeeding on the export side of the business is, of course, what has brought them the Queen’s Award. (AJ Wells won in what is now known as the ‘International Trade’

category.) But, as Hugh explains, satisfying all these different markets is far from easy.

“Each market has its own standards. In Japan, for example, they wanted external air coming into their stoves and heat shields on them. What you find is that because different countries place higher values on different aspects of the product you have to start hitting the standard on lots of different things. I’m sure our export experience has helped us grow as a company overall.”

The management team is understandably keen to pay tribute to the role played by those at the coalface in their success both at home and abroad. “We have a tremendously loyal workforce – we have people who’ve been here 10, 15, 20, 25 years,” says John Wells.

AJ Wells currently employs 164 people.

The firm admits they are fortunate in having the right sort of skill sets already in place on the Island. With the likes of Gurit and GKN not that far away, experienced metalworkers are relatively thick on the ground. “They steal our workforce and I’m sure we steal theirs,” admits Hugh.

The management team is keeping an open mind about the future. After all, their move into signage came about almost by accident, so who knows what might come their way?

“With our skill sets, there are other things we could do, other avenues we could pursue,” says John. “But the trouble is with expansion is it catches up with you. When you’re small and you double in size it’s big but it’s not massive; when you’re already big and you double in size it’s different!”

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Friday MAY 1 2009

Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 409928

New approach to debt A NEW company based in Newport is offering what it says is a fresh approach to debt recovery on the Island.

JLW Recovery Solutions, which is owned by Janet Watts (left), combines a “corporate approach with local knowledge”, according to Miss Watts, to generate cash from credit control.

Miss Watts is drawing on her training and experience with PricewaterhouseCoopers, the international management consultancy, where she worked for six years and managed several pan European and UK cash generation projects.

“A lot of companies on the Island have no dedicated credit control so it often comes down to the salespeople chasing the debts, which is wrong – salespeople should be out selling,” said Ms Watts. “What you tend to find is that the ‘easy stuff’ is chased but the ‘difficult’ debts are swept under the carpet.

“According to industry statis-

tics, once a third party becomes involved around 70 per cent of debts are recovered,” she added.

JLW Recovery Solutions offers complete business confidentiality and can work on either a “disclosed” or “undisclosed” basis, in other words, as an independent company or as effectively a part of the client company.

JLW usually works on a commission basis, although day rates and project rates are also possible. JLW works on a no collection, no fee basis.

JLW also carries out in-house training for Island companies who want to put better debt recovery systems in place.

A multi-lingual service is also available if required. Miss Watts is fluent in French and Spanish.

Miss Watts is an affiliate of the ICM (Institute of Credit Management), the largest association of professionals in the credit sector. She gained a BA Hons Dual Language degree from Portsmouth University.

RW ECCOTT & Sons, the Lake-based sellers of pools, spas and therapy cabins, are to hold a ‘Men’s Health Day’ on Saturday May 30.

This is a chance for men aged over 18 to try out one of their two-person Doctor Detox Far-infrared therapy cabins for Above: Janet Watts, a 30-minute session. Normally this would cost £20. owner of JLW It is claimed that the cabins can Recovery Solutions soothe aches and pains, reduce

blood pressure and eliminate toxins, amongst other benefits.

Changing facilities are available and healthy drinks will be provided. Participants are asked to bring clothing appropriate for a sauna session.

The sessions run from 9am to 3pm – to book a slot call 401800.

RW Eccott & Sons can be found at the Spithead Business Centre on Newport Road.

Eccott hosts detox day

High-value valeting

KWICK Stop Mobile Car Valeting, of Freshwater Bay, has been taken over

by Keith Parish and Alec Alexander.

Keith and Alec, who had both taken early retirement, met last summer at a classic car show at Havenstreet Railway and, both being car enthusiasts, started to discuss the possibility of setting up their own business, in some car-related area.

In early April. Alec spotted the car valeting business for sale in the local press and

Advertising Feature phoned Keith. About two hours later they had bought the business – lock stock and chamois leather!

The first two weeks were spent familiarising themselves with the equipment and carrying out any necessary servicing and repairs.

Although the business had previously offered many different services, Keith and Alec have decided to initially concentrate on car, van and caravan valeting.

They aim to offer a friendly and professional service to private and trade customers at competitive rates and will travel anywhere on the Island.

Kwick Stop will offer a range of services from a jet wash and Hoover to a full valet, and will customise any of their services to suit customer requirements.

While Keith and Alec have taken on some of the business’s existing clients, they are keen to extend their customer base.

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gazette business news

Queen’s Award hat-trick Wind power: a modest proposal THREE Island firms have further enhanced their reputations by winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the latest round of what is this most prestigious of business award schemes.

AJ Wells & Son, the Newport-based manufacturer of the Charnwood range of woodburning stoves and vitreous enamel signage for the likes of London Underground, won an award in the international trade category (see interview, page XX). Its woodburners have found a market in Europe, Japan and South Africa.

PhysE, a Yarmouth-based firm that provides data analysis software for offshore oil, gas and wind energy firms, won in the innovation category for its OceanStats 3 product.

PhysE’s clients include BP, Shell and Total.

Most of its work is currently related to oil companies, and it has another office near Aberdeen to help deal with work relating to the North Sea rigs. However, director Nigel Bellamy said that renewable energy – such as wind and tidal power – is becoming an increasingly important part of its work.

Also winning in the innovation catergory was RF Engines, an electronics firm based in Newport. It develops technologies for use in digital signal processing, finding applications in, for example, the design of efficient wireless communications. The Ministry of Defence is one of its most important customers.

Advertising Feature

by Laurie Tennant

WHATEVER you think about those turbines planned for Wellow and Cheverton, there are plenty of people and businesses up and down the country who are voting with their wallets. But they’re thinking on a more modest scale: forget MegaWatts, think kiloWatts.

Even B&Q have stopped selling turbines for fitting to your house, and most experts now agree that very small machines are best suited where there is no alternative – boats and remote cottages, for example. But if you’ve got a bit of space, well away from your neighbours, and you want to make some money as well as an impact on the environment, then a mid-range wind turbine may be for you.

If the huge costs of civil works can be avoided (power cables, roads, buildings, foundations), and size isn’t going to upset often not the fault of the planners, then turbines in the 5-10kW business owner but a failure bracket can be very attractive. In a good of their web designer, but site a machine in this range should generas the owner of a business ate two or three times as much electricity as you are required to comply most households use, meaning that not only with the Disability Discrimi- do you get yours for free but you can sell at nation Act of 1999,” she least as much again back to the Grid. continued. “The DDA states Selling to the Grid these days is straightthat “the Act makes it unforward, and many power companies are lawful for a service provider delighted to buy your ‘green’ power because to discriminate against a it helps them avoid penalties. Furthermore, disabled person by refusing the UK Government has recently doubled to provide any service which the rate at which green power credits can be it provides to members of traded, which has had an immediate effect the public”.” on the price offered by electricity suppliers.

“To make a website acces- The credits alone are now worth a minimum sible it needs to be designed of 7.2p per unit (one unit is one kWh), in such a way that it is acbefore any payment for the power sold into cessible from the start,” ex- the Grid; that mid-range turbine is startplained Claire. “You have to ing to look like a money-printing machine. consider content, structure Payback times are typically 5-8 years, while and design. Also a properly designed accessible website should cost about the same to produce as a standard website.”

Call Eve Designs Limited on 811652 or visit www. evedesignsltd.co.uk

Design for accessibility

EVE DESIGNS is an Internet design and consultancy company, which also offers creative design for print. Director Claire Kay has over 11 years experience in internet design and management. They produce internet solutions for small to medium size enterprises and private individuals.

These sites can range from single page sites, to fully functioning e-commerce solutions. All their sites are bespoke; hand coded and designed within the clients exact requirements.

Eve Designs are specialists in accessibility for internet design. One in five people have an impairment and over half of these have more than one impairment issue.

The more significantly impaired, the more important the internet is to their independence, their access to information and entertainment

Advertising Feature and their general quality of life. Impaired vision, limited fine motor control, dyslexia and colour blindness are all accessibility issues.

“Just because your website is available this does not mean it is accessible,” said Claire Kay. “Accessible information can be understood by people with impairments, and is presented in a structure and format that makes it meaningful. An accessible website is one that is designed to be easy and satisfying to use.”

“Making your website accessible will benefit your organisation or business.

An accessible website: is good business - it is easier and more satisfying to use for everyone and provides better service.”

“Many websites today ignore accessibility, this is

The IW Zoo Blog FANS of the film Madagascar 2 may recall the little nervous lemur character that loyally followed King Julian on his journey to Africa, an enormous shark snapping at his heels. This character is based on a real species; the tiny mouse lemur.

A few days ago, after weeks of careful preparation and planning, two adorable grey mouse lemurs arrived at the Isle of Wight Zoo. Weighing just 60 grams (about 2 ounces) each, these tiny nocturnal lemurs are now resident in the Jeepers Creepers exhibit. Anyone who has been through the process of obtaining a pet passport for their dog will know how much paperwork is necessary when bringing animals into the UK from abroad. Have pity then on Lisa, head keeper of the primate section of the Isle of Wight Zoo, who has had the daunting responsibility of ensuring all procedures were correctly adhered to when importing the new animals.

The preparations for the arrival of the mouse lemurs began in October when work commenced on their new quarters. Because the UK is a rabies-free country all animals coming to the zoo from abroad must complete six months quarantine in Defra-approved accommodation. Lisa’s team needed to ensure the new enclosure complied with the many pages of regulations. The Defra inspector visited regularly to check progress

by Tracy Dove

and, after a nail-biting final inspection, signed the approval papers. The next step was to arrange for the staff that would be authorised to work within the quarantine area to receive rabies vaccinations. The vaccine was specially ordered for direct delivery to the relevant surgeries and each keeper had a series of three injections at carefully-timed intervals.

Meanwhile applications were being made for import permits. While awaiting these Lisa had to make the travel arrangements, booking flights and organising an approved animal transportation company to collect the little guys from Heathrow airport. Once the documentation arrived Lisa and I spent an anxious half hour working out which pieces of paper needed to go into which envelope – with import permits, export permits, boarding documents and special ‘live animals’ labels for the crates to distribute to both exporting zoos and to the carrier it all seemed very complicated indeed!

All the double-checking paid off though.

The transfer of both species from their respective zoos to their new home with us on the Isle of Wight went off very smoothly and I am delighted to report that the animals have all settled in extremely well. Now we must cross our fingers and wait patiently for the pattering of very tiny feet...

the machine’s service life should be around 15 years, more in good conditions and if properly maintained.

With excellent timing, a long-established UK manufacturer of small wind- and waterturbines for yachts and harsh environments is moving into this mid-range market with a 6kW machine. The Ampair is built to last, even in the salty and sandy breezes of the Island, yet is priced lower than its competitors and is simple to install. Will this modest proposal find favour?

Laurie Tennant is an energy consultant at Engenius Limited, renewable energy system engineers based in Cowes.

For more information, contact Engenius on 01983 247981 or e-mail: info@engenius. co.uk

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gazette recruitment LICENSING ACT 2003

LICENSING ACT 2003

Notice of Application to vary a Premises Licence

Notice of Application for a new Premises Licence

NOTICE is hereby given that American Amusements Limited has applied to Isle of Wight Council for the variation of a premises licence for the premises known as The Balcony Esplanade Pavilion, Esplanade, Ryde, Isle of Wight. The application is to vary the licence so as to remove from its ambit those premises known as “LA Bowl”, Esplanade Pavilion and to vary the conditions attaching to the licence. No changes to the licensable activities or the permitted hours are proposed. Anyone who wishes to make representations concerning this application must do so in writing to The Licensing Team, Isle of Wight Council, Jubilee Stores, The Quay, Newport PO30 2EH no later than 22nd May 2009. The full application may be inspected during normal office hours at the offices of Isle of Wight Council at the above address (or www.iwight.com). It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with this application.

The maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction is £5,000.

NOTICE is hereby given that American Amusements Limited has applied to Isle of Wight Council for the grant of a premises licence for the premises known as LA Bowl, Esplanade Pavilion, Esplanade, Ryde, Isle of Wight. The application is for the sale of alcohol from 10:00 hrs until 01:00 hrs daily, the provision of regulated entertainment (recorded music, live music, facilities making music and indoor sporting events) from 10:00 hrs until 01:30 daily and late night refreshment until 01:30 hrs. Anyone who wishes to make representations concerning this application must do so in writing to The Licensing Team, Isle of Wight Council, Jubilee Stores, The Quay, Newport PO30 2EH no later than 22nd May 2009. The full application may be inspected during normal office hours at the offices of Isle of Wight Council at the above address (or www.iwight.com). It is an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a false statement in connection with this application.

The maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction is £5,000.

Horsey Lightly Fynn, 3 Poole Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5QJ Solicitors for the Applicant.

Horsey Lightly Fynn, 3 Poole Road, Bournemouth BH2 5QJ Solicitors for the Applicant

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wightFM Media Group This rapidly expanding media group is looking for two highly motivated and skilled marketing/ sales executives to take this inspiring company to the next level

Call wightFM on 402599

the gazette isle of wight

Join the Gazette team today!

We are looking for a enthusiastic and skilled graphic designer to join our growing team at the IW Gazette, the Island’s great read.

You will need to have knowledge of Adobe Photoshop & Indesign, creativity, able to work flexible hours and a good work ethic.

Contact us on 402599 or send in your CV with a covering letter to Martin Potter, Unit 18b, Spithead Business Centre, Newport Road, Sandown, PO36 9PH or by email to gazettead@ mac.com

Looking for new staff?

Then make sure the whole Island knows it!

Advertise your vacancies in the NEW Recruitment Section of the Isle of Wight Gazette today and find that new staff member that you’ve been looking for

Call our marketing department on 402599 or email sales@iwgazette.co.uk

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Tell us your news!

Heard something interesting or have a story to tell?

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Call us now to advertise your business on 402599

WIN!

A meal for four and a bottle of wine

THIS ISSUE we are giving you the chance to win a meal for four at the Broadway Inn, Totland, one of the West Wights premier pubs, along with a bottle of wine to the value of £100.

The Broadway Inn is a family run pub selling superb real ales, Italian coffee and traditional pub food. They also have live music every weekend to suit all tastes.

It’s so easy to enter, just answer the question below, then send your entry to: Broadway Competition, IW Gazette, Spithead Business Centre, Sandown, IW, PO36 9PH. The closing date is May 11 2009 Questions: In which US city is there a location called Broadway

Answer: Name: Address:

Tel no: The prize will be awarded to the first correct entry opened after Monday May 11, 2009.

Terms and conditions apply. Employees and their immediate families of the Broadway and The Gazette are not allowed to enter. The editor’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.

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Terios is tops Vespa sells well VESPA GTS300 Super the largest capacity Vespa in history and is proving to be a big seller at Isle of Wight Motorcycles Ltd in Newport.

Vespa remains an iconic scooter brand and along with Piaggio who is the parent company are based in the Tuscan countryside between Florence and Pisa.

Isle of Wight Motorcycles Ltd in Newport, have the latest Vespa GTS 300 Super in stock, it embodies the sportiness, style, comfort and stability of the Vespa brand, essential qualities for commuting or long distance riding. The GTS300 is the largest capacity Vespa in history and is proving to be a big seller with styling reflecting Vespa’s of old.

The GTS range of scooters are also available in 125cc and 250cc engine sizes, all share a similar body styling, The Vespa GTS300 Super from Isle of Wight Motorcycles Ltd is priced at £3887 with the GTS250 at £3787 including a chrome rack and GTS125 at £3219 all prices include government charges.

The new Super model is designed for those seeking more performance and much better handling than previous models.

With a displacement of 278cc with an increased bore and stroke, the single-cylinder liquidcooled engine has a higher level of torqueat a lower rpm than the GTS250ie, which translates to

Advertising Feature more flexibility for commuting.

On the road the GTS Super with its increased torque is noticeable quicker, making it very easy to get in front of the traffic thanks to the engine’s smooth, strong pulling power.

After riding both the 250ie and GTS Super it’s evident the GTS Super handles the Island roads better, demonstrating its impressive build quality. A lot of scooters bang and crash over rough patches on our roads, but the GTS Super just soaked them up.

The GTS Super has an under seat storage area, the storage tub comes out for easy access to the engine and/or for cleaning.

There is the ‘mandatory’ shopping hook under the middle of the bars and a large storage area straight under this.

Scooters sales have increased at Isle of Wight Motorcycles Ltd during the past two years, with Vespa being a major scooter supplier. With good fuel consumption figures the GTS Super makes for a very economical mode of transport.

So if you’re in the market for a scooter or looking at upgrading, the new Vespa GTS300 Super is one you should seriously consider. Phone Isle of Wight Motorcycles Ltd on 522675 and book a test ride or visit the Newport showroom on Daish Way, Dodnor.

THE DAIHATSU Terios is a compact 4x4 with a surprising amount of room on the inside.

In fact, the Terios is one of the smaller 4x4s on the market and doesn’t have the bulk that make some of its larger rivals slightly cumbersome.

Having watched Jeremy Clarkson attempt to take it across fields, through streams and hedges whilst being chased by a pack of dogs and horses on Top Gear, I was initially tempted to try something equally daring! However, I soon realised the new Daihatsu dealership in Bembridge wouldn’t be too thrilled with an off-road test drive, so I opted for the relatively smooth roads of sunny Seaview and St Helens instead.

I took out the ‘Kiri’ version of the Terios, which has a 1.5litre engine

By Jamie White with 103bhp. It has a 0-60mph time of just over 12 seconds. But speed is not what this vehicle is about.

The Terios is a comfortable but firm drive, and does tend to notice the bumps in the Island’s roads.

That may have something to do with the fact that this was a brand new vehicle and has got some wearing in still to be done. It has a tight turning circle and decent body control making it fairly easy to park.

Inside, the design looks reasonably modern, and it has a very solid feel throughout, and Daihatsu cars tend to have a pretty strong record when it comes to reliability. The all-round visibility is good and the dash has been thoughtfully laid out, placing everything within easy reach.

There is enough head and legroom for four adults to sit comfortably, and getting in and out is a doddle.

The access to the boot from the back seats is also pretty easy.

Remote central locking, four electric windows, a CD player and airconditioning along with anti-lock brakes and front and side airbags, all come as standard.

The Terios looks very much like the Toyota Rav 4, and could easily be mistaken for its competitor. But the style and dimensions on the Terios are just right, and it should hang on to its value as well if not better than many of its rivals thanks Wilton Body Repairsto its looks.

Prices start from £12,725 for the S version of the Terios, and discounts are available. For more information contact Staddlestones Daihatsu on 872121.

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Sally gambles for victory Westridge juniors from left: Lucy Burke, Joe Wright, Hannah Wright, James Burke

Action during the Ladies Open at Westridge which attracted 60 entrants

WESTRIDGE Golf Club raised more than £750 for the Island’s Earl Mountbatten Hospice at two of their major events.

The Westridge Ladies Open attracted 60 golfers from all over the Island, and they took advantage of ideal conditions to post impressive scores in the stableford event.

Sally Gambles took the honours with 39 points, followed closely by Ann Grimes with 38. Sue Blandford took third place from Rosemary Walshe with a better back nine.

The Susan Mew Challenge attracted a sizeable field, where good weather and again a superb condition golf course meant a great day for competitors.

John Laws took first place with a highly impressive total of 45 stableford points from Bud Abbott and Dan Mew who finished second and third. Hannah Wright took the ladies prize with 38 points. The competitors and sponsors of the two events helped to raise £758 for the Hospice.

Westridge recently had six of their junior golfers involved in Hampshire competitions.

Junior boys Joe Wright, Mathew Mew, Dan Mew and James Burke competed in an 18 hole medal competition at Tylney Park Golf Club.

They all played well with Joe winning the under 14s age group with a gross score of 80. Mathew did himself great credit scoring a gross score of 77.

Junior girls Hannah Wright and Lucy Burke competed at Alresford Golf Club.

Hannah competed in a 36-hole junior championship competition and scored 95 on the first 18 and 93 on second 18 holes, off a handicap of 18. Lucy competed in the Juniors’ Douglas Cup, a stableford competition played over 18 holes.

Playing off a handicap of 24 she scored 38 points winning the prize for the best front nine holes with a score of 22 points and finishing fifth overall.

Joe, Mathew, Hannah and Lucy also competed in a Junior Open Stableford and Medal competition at the North Hants Golf Club where they all did very well.

Results: Mixed PAR comp: Division 1: 1, James Burke (17) +7. 2, Joe Wright (7) +2. 3, Alan Seager (14) even. Division 2: 1, Mick Sadler (23) +2. 2, Jean Daniels (32) Even on countback. 3, Jasmine Royl (26) even.

Mixed Medal competition for the April Bowl: 1, Darren Mew (24) 56. 2, Brian Smyth (15) 57 ocb. 3,. Gary Cox (13) 57. * * *

SSGC pro Peter Hammond (left) with event winner David Coleman

Ringside seat for Ventnor boxing

COWES Golf Club began their centenary year celebrations with an invitation to all the Island clubs to take part in a team event for the Cowes Centenary Salver.

Club captains were invited to enter a team of four men and four ladies to play individual stableford rounds, following which the best aggregate of three men’s and three ladies’ scores would find the winning club.

Shanklin & Sandown were the proud inaugural winners of the Cowes Centenary Salver. Representing Shanklin were Neil Jackson (club captain), Stef Brochocki, Mo Ismail, Gary Meszynski, Lesley Ismail (ladies’ captain), Mira Brochocki, Margaret Clark and Sheryl Jackson. * * *

A FIELD of 80 took part in Shanklin & Sandown GC’s Virgin Atlantic PGA National Pro-Am Championship Qualifier.

The winner, with a fantastic score of 45 points, was David Coleman. David will now accompany Peter Hammond, SSGC’s PGA professional, to play in the Regional Final at Hindhead Golf Club, Surrey on July 15. Should they win that event, they will then go through to the Grand Final played over the magnificent PGA Sultan Golf Course in Turkey. The Monthly Stableford Division One was won by Paul Butler (39 points) with Division Two going to Peter White (40). * * * SIMON Smith was the toast of Freshwater Bay GC after a hole in one during the Monthly Medal which attracted 43 entrants.

Simon went round in 63 and he also took home the prize for the lowest gross with his 68 helped out by his ace the first.

Kevin Garrett was second on 65, with Brandon Thompson and Barry Crook finishing in third and fourth place respectively both returning net 68s.

Andy Rann (27) managed to equal Simon’s score of 63 playing in Division 2 of the mid-week medal, taking first place three shots ahead of Richard Couse (17) and John Herbert (21) on 69. The scoring wasn’t so good in Division 1 with Myles Taylor taking the honours returning a net 67 off of 6 handicap, with Richard Frost also playing off 6 in second on 68. John Veal (15) eased Dave Morey out of third spot on count back, both players returning a 69.

Two junior stablefords were held with typical high scoring in both. Kasey Tuckey (11) ran out the winner of the first with 39 points ahead of Ryan Harmer (14) on 38. In the second event Kasey narrowly lost out to Steven Cooke (13) on the back nine with both players returning very creditable scores of 41 ahead of Conor White (29) on 40.

At the other end of the age scale scores were even better with Peter Cooper (16) taking the Veterans’ Monthly Stableford on count back with 42 points leaving Graham Ellis in second place playing off of 25. Third place went to Peter Marsden with 38 points.

The veterans tried their hand at playing from the back tees with Mike Dowsett (18) holding off Chris West on count back for the prize money, both players returning 35 points in tough conditions.

Ryde Rowers Itchen for more success

INJURY and work commitments reduced the number of crews VENTNOR Amateur Boxing Club is holding Ryde Rowing Club sent to the an exhibition event down at Ventnor Eslast head race before the Hants planade on Monday (May 4). Everyone is & Dorset ARA Regatta season invited down to see the sessions between starts at Ryde on May 9. members of the club, which has been organHowever the Wightlinkised by former boxer Darren Green. sponsored club were still able to The Boxing Club has been going for just return to the Island with a win, over a year and hold training sessions at and two other notable performVentnor Methodist Church Hall. ances.

A boxing ring will be set up outside the The Head Race in Coxed Mill Bay Inn, with the action starting at 3pm. Coastal Fours is a time trial, For further information you can call Darren staged over a four and a half on 07977 862239. mile course, in two divi-

sions, on the River Itchen. In the Second Division a newly formed men’s novice crew of John Gedling, James Cleary, Donat Debrecan and Curtis Lowe with Dale Buckett coxing, were competing in only their third event, but did well to finish fifth.

In the First Division the Club boated a Coastal Veteran 40 Crew, for the first time for many years, consisting of Allan Evans, Mike Jenner, Russell Page and Nick Pike with Dale in the cox-

swain’s seat again, and they had an encouraging row, finishing third in their section.

Also racing in the First Division was the club junior-senior crew of Callum Lowe, Tim Wiggins, Francis Moore and Tom Clark with Bryony Reeve coxing and they had an excellent row, albeit against limited opposition, winning their section and beating the Ryde Veterans by just one second.

The junior-senior crew coxswain, Bryony Reeve, competed

at the National Junior Inter-Regional’s Regatta at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham. She was selected to row in the Girls J15 Coxed Four.

It maintained a strong Ryde Rowing club tradition of providing members of the junior regional team. The crew finished third in their heat – with the eighth best time overall – which put them in the ‘B’ Final which they won, placing them seventh overall and helping the Wessex team to eighth.

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Injury follows first home win

By Jamie White heats, and in truth the match could have swung either way.

There was more injury woe for the Islanders when Chris Johnson was involved in a horrendous second lap crash of heat seven.

The 21 year-old rider has only just returned to the Islanders line up after missing the entire 2008 campaign as he battled to recover from a broken thigh, pelvis and kneecap.

There were gasps of horror followed by a stunned silence all around the West Row stadium, when he and Mildenhall’s Mark Thompson locked together whilst battling for supremacy and hurtled into the backstraight fence.

The home rider was able to walk away from the incident, following treatment, but Johnson needed lengthy medical attention before limping off the track to everyone’s relief. Thankfully there were no broken bones this time.

Joint team manager, Kevin Shepherd, said: “Without Nick (Simmons) and then Chris crashing out, it was always going to be a tough match. The rest of the team battled hard, but the obstacles that then faced us were simply too high. I am just relieved that Chris’s injuries are nowhere near as bad as we all initially feared.”

The Islanders next match sees them travel to Plymouth on Friday May 8.

Picture courtesy of David Valentine

AFTER a disappointing start to the season, the Wightlink Islanders recorded their first victory in the National League by beating the Weymouth Wildcats 51-42.

The Islanders faced an uphill battle after it was announced that skipper Nick Simmons wouldn’t be featuring in the match due to injury. Andy Braithwaite was also ruled out after aggravating a hand injury in last week’s British U21 semi-final.

Weymouth have put together a very strong squad for the new season, but the Islanders were determined to overcome the odds in a highly entertaining challenge match at the Wave 105 stadium.

The Islanders got off to a great start, and they opened up a ten point lead after the opening six races at 23-13, with Tom Brown, Ben Hopwood and Brendan Johnson all posting double figure scores.

James Cockle (17pts), Lee Smart (9pts) and James White-Williams (6pts) did their best to keep the Wildcats in contention after their skipper Jon Armstrong was forced to pull out of the match after aggravating an existing leg injury.

The team raced superbly throughout the evening, and got their reward as they notched up their first win of the new National League season.

However, the celebrations were short lived as the Islanders suffered a defeat at the hands of Mildenhall, in their first away league match of the season, going down 55-37.

The scores were level at after the first six

Wightlink Islanders’ Tom Brown in action

Steve’s large cod to go THOSE in the know keep telling us that stocks of cod worldwide are seriously depleted, but it seems that in Island waters they are alive and well and – more importantly for those out to catch one – growing nice and big.

Steve Thomas (pictured), who during the week works as buildings manager for Carisbrooke High School, spends every weekend he can out in his boat fishing. So far this spring he has had a bumper haul of cod, and his last outing, fishing a mile off the Needles, saw him reeling in a rod-bending 23-pounder.

“People say the area around the Needles

Martyn Davies winning Sunday’s race in his Contender

Davies goes it alone RACING at the Brading Haven Yacht Club was held in some fairly windy conditions of a brisk force four to five, causing many retirements with several capsizes thrown in for good measure.

David Earee set a course outside the harbour for the fast handicap, with Martyn Davies the only boat left after an hour of gruelling sailing in his Contender, to earn a well deserved win.

It was tough going for the Slow Handicap, even though the race was held inside of the harbour. The Scows blasted round the course in no time at all with no capsizes or retirements. Oliver

Morgan took both line and handicap honours with Mike Toogood in second place and cadet member Joe Moore a very close third.

Sunday was the first race of the Spring Series and with Robin Lobb as race officer setting a course around the Tide Gauge for the fast handicap and a slightly shorter one for the slow, all 17 boats enjoyed the early summer sunshine. The breeze was very kind with a steady force four from the south-east giving a slight sea but fairly comfortable beats.

Martyn Davies led the fast handicap from the start to claim both line and handicap

honours in his Contender, with a 370 second corrected time win over Marten Springett sailing his RS Vareo in second place. The two Wayfarers sailed neck and neck for the latter part of the race, but after some strong attacks from John Carter and Ken Nigh, they overtook to earn themselves a third place.

Out of the 12 slow handicap boats 10 were Scows, taking the main winning positions. Graham Sutton sailed a great race to earn a fine win of 55 seconds from Francesca Morgan in second place and young Ellie Moore a very impressive and well deserved third.

isn’t what it used to be for fishing but I’ve landed 27 cod this spring, which is exceptional,” said Steve.

“Everyone thought that cod were getting very rare, but they seem to be staying round here longer. The waters around the Needles are famous for throwing up the odd 30pound cod.”

The week before, Steve landed a 13-pound bass – the biggest Steve has ever caught – and a 15-pound thornback ray.

Luckily for Steve, his wife Elena is a dab hand at piscine cuisine, so the pair of them won’t be going hungry for a while.

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Sam heads up Town

TALENTED Island teenager Sam Turner has taken a big step towards achieving his goal of becoming a professional footballer after being signed by Woking Town.

Sam, 17, currently studying Sports and Vocational Studies at Carisbrooke High School, was delighted when he got the call.

“I am really happy that I

By Jamie White have been selected for the squad. It has been a very intense few months of hard training, but it has all been worth it,” he said.

Sam, who lives in Sandown, was picked out from hundreds of other players through Woking’s elite academy selection process.

Woking manager, Dennis North, added: “We chose Sam because of his natural ability and versatility. I am sure he will fit in very well with the squad.”

Sam had been playing for Kynges Town in Brading, but he is now packing his bags to begin training with his new teammates throughout the summer, ready for the start of the new season.

Healthy brekkie for team SHANKLIN Predators U14 football team (above) were given the perfect start before their Island cup final against Oakfield.

Steve and Dawn Leach of Hollier’s Hotel, Shanklin, put on a special breakfast to

get the players prepared for their big day.

The 14 players were given an array of fruit, cereals and toast with no sign of any junk food. The players thanked Steve and Dawn for the breakfast and their

Help for coaches THE IW Council are supporting six budding sports coaches by paying for their qualification courses under a scheme supported by external grants.

Under the initiative, apprentices who successfully join the IW Council Sports Unit’s apprentice scheme will have their coaching qualification funded in return for them delivering agreed new sports coaching and activities once they graduate.

On receipt of a successful application, the coaches will have the costs of their training paid for. The council’s Sports Unit will also offer mentoring to the applicants and offer help and advice in finding coaching opportunities and in setting up new sporting activities.

George Brown, IW Council cabinet member with responsibility for sport, said: “This worthwhile scheme is an example of how the council is able to help sporting endeavour to complement the expertise we already offer.”

The Sports Coach Apprentice Scheme is open to anyone aged 16 and above. Applicants must either hold no coaching qualification or at maximum a Level 1 coaching qualification.

Anyone interested is asked to fill out an application form which can be obtained by contacting the Sports Unit by calling 823818 or by emailing sports.unit@iow.gov.uk.

Magnificent seven

NEWPORT continued their impressive winning run as they beat Fareham Town 2-1 at St George’s Park. It was the Port’s seventh straight victory in a row. Ross Gregory put the home side in front before Fareham drew level. However, a long-range effort from Darren Powell late on secured another three points for Newport.

Cowes Sports, who are now managerless following the resignation of Andy Sampson, won 3-1 away at Romsey Town. Goals came from Alex Harvey (2) and Wayne Newnham.

A Darren Williams hat-trick helped Brading ease to a 6-0 win at home against Hamble ASSC. Scott Jones, Will Quigley and Adam Sunsberg were also on the scoresheet for The Romans.

East Cowes Vics rounded off a perfect weekend for senior Island sides as they beat Verwood Town at Beatrice Avenue. Joe Butcher and Jamie Brenchley netted to give Vics a 2-0 victory.

hospitality in preparing the healthy fare.

Unfortunately the team were not victorious in the match against Oakfield, but in reaching the cup final it showed how far the youngsters had come this season.

Sam Turner (white shirt) recently signed by Woking Town

Hants Cup joy for Sandown

Sandown High School’s football team celebrate their Hampshire Cup victory with manager Adam Tuck (far left)

SANDOWN High School’s year nine pupils have won the schools Hampshire Cup, after defeating St George Catholic School from Southampton in a tense penalty shoot-out.

It was the first time a side from Sandown High had reached the final for many years, and in the pouring rain, the Islanders didn’t disappoint. The game had to be switched to the school, after it was decided Newport’s St George’s Park was unplayable.

Sandown started brightly, and put early pressure on the St George’s defence with Ruben Bryan carving out several chances.

The breakthrough eventually came when Mitch Walker slotted home following a great pass from Dean White.

The goal was the wake up call the visitors needed, and it didn’t take long before they were level after some good build up play.

The mainland team were taking control of the game, with some of their Southampton FC Representative players showing their

By Jamie White class with their confident first touches, and creative play.

Sandown captain Harlan Corkhill, man of the match Jack Wedderkop and Will Hurrell were standing firm in defence, meaning goalkeeper Stuart Moore was reduced to making only a few saves in a competitive first half.

St George’s started the second half in the way they finished the first, with Matty Gray and Sandown’s Alex Edwards battling hard in midfield. Sandown manager Adam Tuck decided to make a tactical change bringing on Ryan Brown to try and keep Gray quiet.

It was a change that proved vital for the home side, and the match tipped back in to Sandown’s favour, with Dec Leach blasting wide after racing clear of the defence.

After 90 minutes the teams were locked at 1-1, so the game went to extra time.

Sandown’s wide men James Harrison and Nathan Hull were getting the better of their opponents and were looking dangerous.

However, neither team could grab the vital goal meaning a penalty shoot-out would decide the winner.

Jordi Galsworthy, Dec Leach and Ruben Bryan all scored their penalties for Sandown, whilst some superb goalkeeping from Moore led to St George’s missing three.

The deciding penalty fell to Jez Conway, who fired home giving Sandown a magnificent cup victory.

Manager Adam Tuck was delighted with the result. He said: “I am extremely proud of the boys. They have been tremendous this season, with a fantastic attitude on and off the pitch. This match proved a fitting climax to the season, with both teams providing an excellent game for the crowd. For the team to lift this trophy is a remarkable achievement.

It caps a fantastic season for the boys.”

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Hurries seal promotion

By Jamie White

SANDOWN and Shanklin rugby team have sealed promotion to the London South West Three Division after defeating Old Whitgiftians 17-10 in their final play off match.

It has been a long hard season for the Hurries, but after a battling performance the Island side came through strongest to record a fantastic victory.

It was a perfect day for attractive rugby for the large crowd of supporters that turned out to watch the team against their opposition who had travelled down from Croydon in Surrey.

For the first 20 minutes, the play was mainly in the middle of the pitch with both defences working hard.

The visitors then kicked up field, and it was gathered

by Hurries’ Kern Wales. He attacked down the centre breaking the defence line and sprinted away, before supplying a superb pass to Dan Robinson who scored the first try, converted by Danny Thomas.

The visitors tried to work their way up field but a combination of missed

touchline kicks and bad passing allowed the Hurries to put together a host of attacking runs. Thomas kicked another penalty making it 10-0 to the home side. Although a little shell shocked, the visitors managed to work themselves up field and ended the half with a long range penalty.

The second half kicked off and and a close in line out was won and Sam Rees peeled of with the ball and managed to offload to his brother, Captain Joe Rees, who scored a try with three defenders on him, converted

by Thomas, 17-3.

The visitors never gave up and used all their substitutes

in a gallant last effort. Again by using pick & drive, got down to the Hurries fivemetre line and managed to barge over for a converted try making it 17-10. It made for an anxious last few minutes, but the Hurries held on to secure a vital win and promotion. * * * As a warm up before the Hurricanes big promotion game, a few old faces from the past graced the field for a veterans match against Lordswood RFC. The Hurries fielded a surprisingly sprightly team of over 40s former 1st XV and 2nd XV players, mixed

in with a few young tyros aiming for 1st XV honours next season.

Ray Smith juggled operations at outside half, releasing father and son pairing Josh and Kevin Wetherick for a few forays into Lordswood territory, with Wetherick Jnr jinking through for an early try. At loose forward Miselbach impressed with his athleticism and bagged a brace of tries for himself.

Hurries made changes after the break and spurred on by scrum half Keith McGloughlin, forwards Perfect, Squibb, Buckingham, Berry, King, Hudd, Coleman and Simpson summoned up enough energy to feed the Sandown backs. Brothers George and Rob DrakeKnight competed in midfield, with new face Dalloz proving elusive at centre with a good pair of hands.

Boardman made a sizeable impression on his return to his former club, and the Hurries eased away in the final minutes with a fine try from Ashleigh Guest House man of the match Steve Crookes, converted by George Drake-Knight giving them a 29-17 victory.

Stars to shine at Newclose NEWCLOSE County Cricket Ground have announced that a series of international cricketers will be playing at the new County Ground during the coming season.

On Friday July 31, Hampshire are bringing a first team squad over to play a twenty20 game against a Newclose

Invitational XI. Subject to ECB and County commitments, Essex and England International Ravi Bopara will be playing for the Newclose Invitational XI, alongside former England International and current Essex opening batsman Jason Gallian, and the Twenty20 sensation from the 2008 season

Graham Napier.

Mike Scott, Newclose County Cricket Ground General Manager, said: “We are delighted to have been able to secure the services of such high quality players to be part of our team to play against Hampshire.

“We have made no secret of the fact that it is a goal of New-

close to have County Cricket return to the Island and the Hampshire fixture will go a long way to helping us achieve this.”

Continuing along the international theme, the Bahrain national Cricket team will be playing at Newclose as part of their preparations for the Pepsi ICC Pre Qualifying World Cup

competition, which they are competing in during June.

On Monday May 11 they face Sussex University and on Wednesday May 13 they take on the Isle of Wight 1st XI. Full details of all fixtures taking place at Newclose can be found on www. newclose-cricket. co.uk.

Island aces help save Cherries

ISLANDERS Shaun Cooper and Lee Bradbury have played a major role in helping Bournemouth pull off one of football’s great escape acts.

Cooper (pictured) and Bradbury, both born on the Island and who began their playing careers here, were part of the Bournemouth squad that defied the odds to stay in the Football League after beginning the season with a crushing 17point deduction for going into administration.

Cooper, 25, skippered Bournemouth – known as the Cherries – throughout the campaign as they delicately picked their way to safety, while much-travelled Bradbury chipped in with some vital goals.

In a nail-biting finale the Cherries beat relegation rivals Chester and Grimsby in successive games to retain their League status, rather than fall into the Conference.

Now midfielder Cooper and striker Bradbury will be looking forward to a welcome summer break after the final game of the season against Morecambe before trying to steer the Cherries towards a promotion campaign rather

than relegation battle next season.

Newport-born Cooper played Island football before beginning his fulltime career as a trainee at Portsmouth. He was then allowed to go out on loan to Leyton Orient and Kidderminster before joining the Cherries on a free transfer in August 2005.

Since his move along the south coast he has played more than 150 games for Cherries, including 44 this season, although he missed their crucial win over Grimsby through injury.

A former army recruit, Bradbury, 33, also started his professional career at Portsmouth, where he played for three seasons, before joining Manchester City for a club record £3 million.

He then joined Crystal Palace for £1.5 million, but less than a year later Bradbury was on the move again, returning to Portsmouth for £300,000, where he made more than 100 appearances in his second spell at the club.

Loan spells at Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Walsall followed in the 2003-04 season, before he found himself at Oxford United and Southend.

He eventually ended up at Bournemouth in August 2007 on an initial fourmonth loan deal. But after just one game for the club the loan was made permanent.

The highlight of this career came when he scored twice in the 2-0 victory at Macclesfield in March that sparked the revival that ultimately saved the Cherries from tumbling into nonLeague football.