Gazette THE ISLE OF WIGHT
THE ISLAND PEOPLE’S PAPER
Saturday December 4, 2010 Issue 77
www.iwgazette.co.uk
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RECLAIMING THE NIGHT: READ JAMES & JULIA’S EXCLUSIVE STORY
See page 24
See page 18
SNOW ROUND-UP FROM ALL OVER THE ISLAND See page 8
INJURED HERO BATTLES TO RESCUE PENSIONER EXCLUSIVE BY JASON KAY TWO HEROIC rescuers walked for one-and-a-half miles through blizzard conditions to reach a 92-year-old woman who was injured after a fall at home in a remote part of the Island. The rescue mission swung into Continued on page 3
Auxiliary Coastguard Martin Groom (left) and IW Ambulance Paramedic Nick Windsor trekking through treacherous conditions
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The Gazette, Saturday, December 4, 2010
RED CROSS WARNING: KEEP WARM
AS the Island was suddenly hit this week by severe weather conditions, the British Red Cross is warning people to be prepared. Weather experts have said the earliest widespread snow and freezing temperatures for 17 years could last for up to a fortnight. These conditions can potentially give rise to accidents and conditions such as hypothermia and falls. British Red Cross Head of First Aid Education, Joe Mulligan, said: “Severe
weather in winter can potentially be life-threatening especially to the elderly and most vulnerable in our communities. But there are a few simple steps you can take to prevent developing conditions like hypothermia such as wearing a hat and lots of layers and buying portable gas or oil-fired heaters in case your heating breaks down. “If you have elderly relatives and neighbours, be sure to call in on them regularly and
including symptoms may include: make sure they are warm redcross.org.uk • Shivering; cold to touch, enough and have enough how to respond to cold pale skin provisions. If the worst does weather-related accidents. • Apathy and disorientation Below are some simple happen with some first aid • Slow and shallow breathing Treatment for hypothermia: • The casualty should be warmed slowly. Cover the person with blankets - and a hat, knowledge you can respond tips that can be employed if possible - and warm the for a range of emergency room. to a range of emergencies.” • They should be given a hot The Red Cross has posted situations, along with advice advice for severe weather on how to cope when they do: drink and some high-energy Hypothermia signs and food such as chocolate. conditions on its website
“If you have elderly relatives and neighbours, be sure to call in on them regularly and make sure they are warm enough and have enough provisions.”
• Call 999 for emergency help. Remember: in elderly people, hypothermia may also be disguising the symptoms of a stroke or heart attack. Strains and sprains should be treated initially by the ‘RICE’ procedure: R – Rest the injured part; I – Ice, in a pack or a cold pad should be applied on sprain; C – Comfortable support should be provided; E – Elevate the injured part.
MP ROARING SUPPORT FOR LIONS ISLAND MP Andrew Turner has urged the Government to do more to tackle the major decline in lion populations across Africa and in Western India. The main cause for concern was the continued practice of ‘sport hunting’ which the UK currently accepts as a legal practice, allowing imports of lion trophies when supported by certificates from game reserves. Mr. Turner said: “In the 1960s, it was estimated that there were 200,000 lions on the African continent. Sadly, only 20,000 are left today. Sport hunting mostly targets adult male animals. Hunters regard them as the most impressive to kill. “Out of the 20,000 lions that remain in Africa, there are lions of all ages and both sexes, from the youngest cub to the most ancient female. However, it is estimated that only 15 per cent at most of any lion population is composed of adult males – the primary trophy targets. Therefore, instead of the figure of 20,000, we must think of 3,000 as the trophy hunting reserve. “This is clearly a figure that
suggests that stronger action should clearly have been taken before now to prevent lion trophy hunting.” Mr. Turner also raised concerns that CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) set up to conserve endangered species have failed to take action whilst lion numbers have continued to decline. They meet every three years but in both 2007 and 2010 the plight of the wild African lion was not even on the Agenda. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Richard Benyon MP responded to Mr. Turner on behalf of the Government, saying: “I share his concern and am equally passionate about the subject. I am lucky enough to have seen a considerable number of lions in the wild, and I want my children and grandchildren to have the same experience. “The UK is presently a member of the CITES animals committee and its standing committee. As a result of recent reports and my hon. Friend’s debate today, I have
asked my officials to look into the matter to see what opportunities are presented, and I shall report their findings to him. I hope that he is convinced from what I have said that the Government take seriously the conservation of international wildlife, including the lion, and I look forward to working with him on any further concerns that he has.”
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Mr Turner later commented: “I am extremely pleased that the Government has recognised the problem and is prepared to take action now. The next meeting of CITES is not until 2013 and by then it may be too late. It would be awful to think that future generations may miss out on seeing lions in the wild. We clearly need urgent action to preserve one
of nature’s most beautiful creatures. I look forward to hearing from the Minister. “I would also like to congratulate LionAid for their continual hard work on this issue and thank them for the information they have given me which helped me raise this issue in parliament.” LionAid trustees Chris MacSween and Dr. Pieter
Kat said after the debate: “We would like to thank Mr. Turner for bringing this issue to Parliament. It has been a great effort on his part, and he gave a wonderful presentation. We are very happy that the Minister gave such positive comments and we hope that this is the beginning of positive steps for the future conservation of Lions.”
The Gazette, Saturday, December 4, 2010
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NEWS
ICY DRAMA AT CULVER
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Continued from front with another car which was making its way down the page hill. The car also collided action early on Thursday with another 4 x 4 vehicle morning on snow-covered that was also assisting in Culver Down after a the rescue. Paramedic Nick Windsor, neighbour discovered the pensioner had who was making his way fallen out of bed in the to treat the pensioner, middle of the night. suffered a back injury After the alarm was raised when he slipped on the the coastguard rescue team icy surface. But he and from Bembridge, driven by coastguard Martin Groom Jim Roberts, supported the still showed courage and Isle of Wight ambulance determination as they service as they ploughed battled on to reach the their way up the steep stranded lady. The pair trekked in hill towards the woman’s isolated cottage. But that slippery conditions and temperatures, proved to be only part of sub-zero with snow still falling the drama that unfolded. On the way to the cottage, heavily before they arrived the coastguard vehicle was at the cottage. Thankfully, involved in an accident the story had a happy
THE PLANNED major cuts to Island services will be discussed by the IW Council Cabinet on Tuesday. The Council are looking to save nearly £18.5milliion over the next financial year, and all areas are set to be affected, along with the loss of around 500 jobs at County Hall. The job losses include reducing management posts by more than a third, from 108 to 70, as well as one third of all other leading officers, which will bring savings of nearly £6.5million. All Tourist Information Centres on the Island will be axed, along with the Waterside Pool at Ryde, which will be closed before the end of March, and offered to market for Ryde seafront regeneration. The popular Wight Bus service will also be stopped from August 31, with
ending as Mike ForsythCaffrey, the sector manager of the Marine Coastguard Agency, explained in an exclusive interview with The Gazette. Mike said: “Conditions were horrendous. It was still snowing heavily, and the road was like a skating rink. Five vehicles tried but failed to get up the hill, and they were all 4 x4s. It became so bad that we had a Navy helicopter on standby. “We soon realised the only way we were going to reach the cottage was by foot. So they set off and when they arrived they decided that in the best interests of the lady, they would treat her where she was. There
the three closures estimated to save around £500,000. Foot passengers who use the chain ferry between East Cowes and Cowes will have to pay 50p per journey, with the service being considered for sale to a commercial partner. There are also plans to cease providing adult social care and instead find appropriate partners to deliver specialist services. This would make savings of £405,000 in 2011-12 and £1.631m in 2012-13. The Cabinet will also discuss proposals that will see County Hall in Newport redesigned to accommodate an extra 350 staff, releasing 14 buildings which would no longer be needed. That work will start in the Spring, with completion due by the end of the year. Other proposals include:
was certainly no point in trying to transport her by road or even by helicopter, which could have proved extremely traumatic for her. Now we have been told that she is no well on the way to a full recovery.” Chris Smith, head of the IW Ambulance service said: “Our ambulance paramedic Nick Windsor was responding to an emergency call, but when he reached Culver Down he soon realised he wasn’t going to make it all the way in a vehicle. So he made what we consider a very heroic decision to get to the house on foot, even though it was about one-and-ahalf miles away and he was suffering a back injury.”
• Find alternative provider to manage Newport Roman Villa, Ventnor Botanical Gardens and Dinosaur Isle - reducing subsidies over the next two years for Botanical Gardens and Dinosaur Isle by £82,000 in 2011-12 and £325,000 in 2012-13. • Cut in parks, gardens and public toilets by £300,000 in 2011/12 and £450,000 in 2012/13. • Cut beach lifeguards, with a saving of £100,000 The library service will also be reshaped to make a saving of £763,000 in the next financial year, and the delayed re-build of Newpor and Ventnor Fire Stations. The proposed changes to be discussed by Cabinet can be viewed on website www.iwight.com/council/ committees/cabinet/7-12-10/ Paper%20C.pdf