Issue 36 - The Isle of Wight Mail by Isle of Wight Mail

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

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Mardi Gras A taste of Brazil at this year’s Mardi Gras in Ryde! M By Chris Slann

A summer of Music and Arts Page 03

An Unmissable Cowes Week Page 06

‘Disregard for Rules’ says MP

Page 17

REVEALVED: BESTIVAL 2014 COMPETITION WINNER! ~ FIND OUT WHO WON!

ISSUE NUMBER 36 Friday 27th June 2014

NEWS

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

mail Taste of Brazil at this Isle of Wight

year’s Mardi Gras

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By Chris Slann

Forget the football, turn off the telly, come on down to the New Carnival Company’s annual Mardi Gras event and experience samba, costume, colour, dance and music on Saturday 28 June. To celebrate the World Cup and forthcoming Olympic Games in Rio, The New Carnival Company has arranged for special guests The London School of Samba to appear in the parade. They will be presenting drummers and traditional costumes including ‘Passistas’ the iconic feathered and bikinied dancers typically associated with Rio Carnival. Local Island dancers working with The NCC will also be given the opportunity to learn the moves and join the parade in costume with the London Samba School. The line-up for this year’s Mardi Gras parade is the biggest in the event’s 10 year history with over 750 adults, children and young people representing 25 schools and community groups taking part and displaying their fabulous costume creations in the parade. Frankie Goldspink, Participation and Learning Manager for the New Carnival Company explained “Each year the Mardi Gras takes an educational theme to encourage schools in particular to embrace Carnival in the Curriculum and give a depth to learning, discovery and creativity. This year’s theme is Natural Geographic, so visitors can expect to see geography, geology, environmental science, people and places like they’ve never seen before!” Sections on display will include Haylands Primary School’s ‘Polar Ice Cap’, Cowes Primary School’s ‘Northern Lights’ and creatures from the ‘Galapagos Islands’ from Priory School, Whippingham. The New Company’s Mardi Gras Mascot – The Boeuf Gras (or fattened bull) inspired by the New Orleans tradition – will lead the parade again, ridden by our new REX, King of Carnival, elected every year, who distributes ‘favours’ of Mardi Gras beads to members of the crowd. You will need to impress him by clapping or cheering as he rides by! The Parade leaves Ryde School, Queens Road at about 3pm, heading for High Street, Union Street and The Esplanade, arriving 4.30pm approximately. Mardi Gras magic unfolds at Eastern Esplanade Gardens throughout the afternoon. With a specially commissioned live Cultural Music Stage featuring a mix of carnival and music acts including the RASPO Steel Band Ensemble, popular local artist Derek Sandy and headline act The Lutenant’s, top Soca (calypso) duo from London. The stage opens at 12 noon and the event also features an Arts & Crafts Marquee, beer tent and a BBQ.

The London School of Samba

Line-up of Aerial Displays

People in Cowes will enjoy a sensational display by The Blades Cowes Week Limited (CWL) is delighted to announce that local letterbox has extended its support of the regatta in 2014 to include even more awe-inspiring airborne displays which will significantly enhance the shore-side programme at this year’s regatta. local letterbox, an exciting new business that is set to be the only dedicated network of parcel shops and parcelpods™ in the UK, steppedin with support to safeguard the regatta’s Red Arrows display last year. This year, the company that will soon be offering customers a new and much more convenient way to collect, try on, return and send their parcels, irrespective or where they shop, is stepping-up its support to not only include a display by the iconic aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, but also has secured a Typhoon display and a display from the local letterboxsponsored display team, The Blades. The support provided by local letterbox means that many thousands of people in Cowes will enjoy a sensational display by The Blades (2 August), the RAF Typhoon Display Team (8 August) and the Red Arrows (8 August); the latter two complementing a packed evening of entertainment culminating in the traditional fireworks display.

By Ben Cummings

Commenting on the announcement, Zoë Ombler, Chief Operating Officer at local letterbox said: “We’re delighted to offer our support to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week by ensuring the appearance of the world famous Red Arrows again this year. In addition, we're extremely excited to announce a fabulous display by The Blades Aerobatic Display Team, who last wowed the crowds at Cowes Week in 2008; as well as an incredible display by an RAF Typhoon, completing the line up of spectacular aerial displays and providing the Cowes audience with some unforgettable shore-side entertainment”. Michelle Warner, Sales and Marketing Director for Cowes Week Limited added: “We’re delighted that local letterbox, with its fresh and innovative approach to online shopping, is providing such great support to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week and that, through our event, we are able to provide a platform for them to promote their new concept while delivering a great experience to all our competitors and visitors”.

NEWS

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

A SUMMER OF MUSIC AND ARTS ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT M By Sue Emmerson

Ventnor Fringe Festival Credit Lucy Boynton.

Cannabis scratch and sniff cards sent out M

By Hampshire Police

Crimestoppers will be sending out thousands of ‘Scratch and Sniff’ cards in a bid to increase public awareness of the amount of cannabis being grown in the community on an industrial scale. The campaign is not targeting individual growers but criminal gangs who rent domestic properties and turn them into cannabis factories by hijacking the electrical supply, stripping out all the rooms for plants and often using trafficked people to undertake their work. Organised criminals from home and abroad see cannabis cultivation in this country as a low risk, high profit venture, and use it to fund a range of other criminal activities such as trafficking, gun crime and Class A drugs. There is clear evidence that serious and organised criminal groups are using cannabis cultivation as a means to further their criminal activity. The cards – which contain no harmful ingredients – give off the sickly sweet smell to which the public should be alert. Hampshire Constabulary Detective Superintendent Kath Barnes said: “Cannabis is often seen as harmless and somehow acceptable. This is just not the case. It’s harmful to use and many people including children, across the world, are exploited in furtherance of the cannabis trade. Through Operation Fortress, we will continue to work with our partners across the two counties to reduce supply, restrict demand and rebuild communities. The Crimestoppers Cannabis Cultivation campaign has our full support.” Founder and Chairman of Crimestoppers, Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC said: “The campaign run by Crimestoppers last year highlighted just how much people care about removing cannabis farms from their community. “Quite often, those running cannabis cultivation operations are also involved in other serious and organised crime, such as human trafficking and possession of weapons. So I would urge the public to contact Crimestoppers in order to try and keep their communities free from cannabis farms.” Crimestoppers Director of Operations, Roger Critchell said: “This is a crime that can lead to much more serious incidents which is why we feel it’s important to reinforce our appeal for information from the public. We’re not looking to target individual users, we’re looking at something much bigger here, something much more dangerous, and we are targeting serious and organised crime groups who are involved in this illicit trade.” Home Office Crime Prevention Minister, Norman Baker said: “There is a strong link between commercial cannabis cultivation and organised crime, with the same gangs often involved in further criminality such as modern slavery, trafficking and the use of firearms. “Initiatives like the Crimestoppers campaign are invaluable in helping frontline officers protect society by stopping the supply of harmful drugs and cracking down on related crime.” Crimestoppers is asking members of the public to pass on any information about cannabis farms anonymously by telephoning 0800 555 111 or via our Anonymous Online Form via www.crimestoppers-uk.org . Both routes are 100% anonymous – names are not taken, calls and IP addresses are not traced or recorded and people do not have to go to court. The campaign is being run for a second year with seventeen police forces after the successful outcomes from 2013. Information passed to Crimestoppers on cannabis cultivation increased by 28% in the month following the launch in March 2013. Over 800 pieces of information about cannabis crime were passed to law enforcement in the first week – an increase of 59% on the previous seven days.

The Isle of Wight Festival got the summer off to a Red Hot Chilli Pepper style start with fabulous music and great vibes. It was a fantastic opening to the Isle of Wight’s festival season as now a whole range of smaller music and arts events are gearing up to welcome you to ‘Festival Island’. Ryde Arts Festival: The next big arts event on the horizon is Ryde Arts Festival and this year the eclectic collection of talented artists have taken the commemoration of the outbreak of WWI as their inspiration for art, music and poetry under the title ‘Ryde on the Brink of War’. Events run from June 27th to July 6th with most being held in their converted church ‘The Depozitory’ and free entry for many exhibitions and activities. Newport Jazz Weekend: Kicking off on Thursday July 17th with the Derek Nash Acoustic Quartet, Newport Jazz Festival runs from July 17th to 20th. Friday features an appearance from the Simon Allen Quintet with top UK trumpeter Martin Shaw, Tom Cawley on piano and David Newton. One of the highlights of the weekend will be a Tribute to Louis Armstrong featuring the Bateman Brothers and vocalist Maggie Reeday, followed by a Tribute to Oscar Peterson led by pianist Craig Milverton. For the full line-up see Rhythmtree: Rhythmtree is the Island’s world music festival and this year it will, as usual, feature a fantastic line up of world-class musicians playing everything from guitars and keyboards to full brass sections, hang drums and didgeridoos at this family-friendly festival from July 18th to 20th. Rhythmtree has a great reputation for bringing together an extraordinarily diverse rich mix of high quality music and will introduce visitors to some of the most exciting, dynamic and innovative bands that exist and thrive below the radar of today's mainstream music scene. Postfest: For a small but perfectly formed festival make your way to Postfest over the weekend of July 25th to 27th at the Island’s only museum to all things postal – including a field full of post boxes. The cream of local bands can be seen and heard at this boutique festival that runs from 10am till 9pm daily. There’s free entertainment for kids and a plethora of local crafts and this year there’s even an indoor arena. Cowes Week: Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, the biggest sailing festival in the UK, descends upon Cowes for the first week of August and on Sunday August 3rd there is a fantastic Family Day. UKSA at Cowes Yacht Haven has children’s flag-making, colouring and painting and on-thewater spot prizes are awarded for families racing together. Wight Stars produce Wind in the Willows at Northwood House at 14:30 and there’s an open-air cinema here in the evening. JackFM feature on Cowes Parade throughout the day and adventurous

families can enjoy an exhilarating RIB ride with Solent RIB Charters or the spectator boat service with both providing a significantly discounted family ticket price for the day. V Dub Island: V Dub Island Festival from August 10th to 14th celebrates the Volkswagen car and camper van, and the culture surrounding them – not just for owners, the festival is also for ‘like -minded people’. This year think ’Flower Power’ as the festival moves to the old 1970 pop festival site at Afton and Sunday night headliner is Bestival curator and Radio 1 DJ Rob Da Bank and the Cuban Brothers. Ventnor Fringe: Transforming the Island's southern-most town for a week in August (12th to 17th), the Ventnor Fringe is a unique gathering of artists from across the world who come together to showcase new work. Inspired by the famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the event will be celebrating its fifth year in 2014 and will encompass midnight ‘lock ins’ at the local library, intimate church concerts, ‘pop up’ cinemas, gigs in locals’ houses, mystery tours, woodland sing-alongs and parties on the harbour with 360-degree views over the bay. There is also an extensive programme of family entertainment and the Free Fringe, with busking and street theatre around the town. Carnival Island: Before any of the more recent festivals, the Isle of Wight had the festivities of carnival every summer and this year is no exception with parades in Newport, Cowes, Ryde, St Helen’s, Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor and Yarmouth on ‘Carnival Island’. This year Sandown Carnival is celebrating 125 years (main carnival Saturday July 26th and illuminated carnival and fireworks on Wednesday August 27th). Ryde Carnival - reputedly the oldest carnival in the UK at 126 years has its main procession on Saturday July 2nd and a glorious illuminated carnival bringing the season to a close on Saturday August 30th. Apps for all – plan your holiday: The Isle of Wight Official Tourism app is a great way for visitors to start planning their holiday prior to arriving on the Island. Developed by Visit Isle of Wight, the app contains all the essential information to make the most of a trip to the Isle of Wight; it’s like having a mini-guidebook in your phone. Select a period of history on the Island such as Dinosaurs, Ancient Britain and Romans, Medieval Worlds, Tudors and Stuarts, Victorians and Modern times and Dinobot Hunt and see attractions, monuments and heritage sites. Now in its second great year, the Dinosaur Island app meanwhile, brings the incredible story of these creatures from the cretaceous period to life, giving people the chance to see the dinosaurs roaming the sites where they were discovered.

‘Should we be looking at different Supermarket models?’ M

NEWS

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL REUNION GIG M Amy Rackham

By Andrew Turner's Office

Wednesday 2nd July is the date for the Isle of Wight Council Planning Committee to meet to consider two applications received for land off St. George’s Way, Newport. A plan for another out of town superstore has been put forward by supermarket giant Asda and an alternative plan has been put forward by owners of Newport Football Club, South Coast Leisure, for a retail development which will be a little closer to Newport Town. Their plans include the construction of a new football club on neighbouring land, which could be used by the local community. Mr Turner said: “We all use supermarkets, and many would like the option of an Asda, but perhaps we should be looking at different supermarket models. If we do have another one in my opinion it should not be ‘out of town’ but rather in town, accessible to those without cars and where our local shops will not be so disadvantaged. Other towns have supermarkets built above car parks in town or with car parking on their roof - why can’t we? It’s true it is a more expensive option, so clearly one that the supermarkets themselves might not favour, but it is one that doesn’t seem to have been explored. We need some imaginative thinking if our town centres and family businesses are to be protected. If town centres continue to lose out to green-field developments we will lose many more jobs than a new supermarket would create. “Another concern I have is the road infrastructure. It is just not suitable as it is. Eight years ago I suggested a ring road from Staplers to St. Georges to relieve the pressure on Coppins Bridge. It was not considered then but perhaps now is the time to think about it, and make it a condition if approval is to be given to an outof-town option. It is absolutely essential we get these matters sorted out properly before any permission is given.” The final closing date for the consultation has passed. However it is still possible to comment on these proposals and it is within the jurisdiction of the Planning Committee to decide whether they will consider comments received after the closing date.

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As the first major festival of the season, the 13th annual Isle of Wight Festival (12th-15th June) well and truly kicked off the summer in style. To celebrate another epic year, the Festival has teamed up with Variety, the Children’s Charity, and a host of music stars for an exclusive charity event to raise money for disadvantaged and disabled children and young people across the UK. In support of this incredible cause, artists who performed over that unforgettable weekend earlier this month will take to the stage again for a night of great music and fundraising, presented by TV and radio personality Gaby Roslin. Fans will be treated to special sets from The Struts, James Walsh, The Carnabys, Little Eye, The Soho Hobo, King Eider and Skinny Living. This ummissable reunion gig is being held on Monday 1st September at KOKO, Camden. Relive the excitement of the legendary Festival, if you were lucky enough to be there, or enjoy a taste of one of the world’s most iconic music events in this prestigious North London venue. Tickets are priced at £10 from www.ticketmaster.com *Age restriction 16+ with limited numbers available on the door. For more information about Variety, head to www.variety.org.uk.

£250,000 SPORT BOOST The Isle of Wight Council is set to help more local people get into sport thanks to £250,000 of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Community Sport Activation Fund. The Isle of Wight Council put forward a funding bid to build on the work it carries out to promote sports and fitness across the Island. The council’s bid was successful and among just 88 projects to receive a share of £15 million of funding to support grassroots sport activity across the country. The council will use the funds to run a wide range of community sports and physical activity sessions designed to encourage people of all ages to get active. The funding will also be used to expand the range of after school sports activities for young people.

HELP FOR BREASTFEEDING MUMS Seven mums have received training to become breastfeeding peer supporters to help new mums at the Island’s children’s centres. The scheme, funded by Public Health, aims to give new mums the confidence to breastfeed by receiving guidance and encouragement from fellow mums who understand the physical and emotional challenges of breastfeeding. The newly trained peer supporters, recruited and supported by the Island’s children’s centres, will work closely with centre staff and health professionals to promote breastfeeding which is the best option for babies and mums, both in terms of nutritional benefits and developing close bonds between mother and child. Councillor Phil Jordan, Executive member for public protection, whose portfolio includes Public Health, presented certificates to the volunteer peer supporters. “This is the first time we have had a dedicated team of peer

supporters working on the Island, I am sure they will play a valuable role in providing emotional and practical support to new mums alongside the health professionals,” said Councillor Jordan. The presentation coincides with Breastfeeding Awareness Week, which is run by the Department of Health. The main aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the health benefits of breastfeeding, increase social acceptance of breastfeeding, and promote support for breastfeeding. Eleanor Bell, senior public health development commissioner, said: “Public Health is supporting local services to deliver the Unicef Baby Friendly initiative which works to promote and protect breastfeeding and improve mother and baby relationships.” Public Health plans to fund more courses to train more peer supporters, anyone who is interested in the training should contact their local children’s centre.

By Anna Price

Councillor Phil Jordan, Executive member with responsibility for public health presented certificates to the peer supporters at Newport Children's Centre

NEWS

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

RECORD YEAR FOR DISABLED FACILITIES GRANTS M

Dominic Hillyard

A record number of facility grants for disabled people were approved by the Isle of Wight Council in 2013/2014, new figures show. The council’s Housing Renewal Section approved 248 grants last year, an increase of 10.7 per cent on the 2012/2013 figure of 224. The value of the approved grants was £1.32 million compared to £1.22 million the previous year. Executive member for adult social care and community wellbeing, Councillor Steve Stubbings, said: “This programme is vital to quality of life for some of our most vulnerable residents and enables people to live independently at home for as long as possible. “We were very pleased to be able to assist a record number of people in 2013/2014 - and although for the year ahead the resources available for these grants have reduced, we remain fully committed to ensuring we help as many people as we can.” Disabled facilities grants can assist with adaptations ranging from improving access to bedrooms, kitchens and other rooms to installing more suitable bathroom facilities and putting in stair lifts. To be eligible a person must be substantially and permanently disabled. To find out more about the grants and how to apply, please visit www.bit.ly/1m4lcCf

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All hands on deck M

The Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker for Outdoors

By Ben Rust

East Cowes Sailing Club, in conjunction with the Westerly Owners Association, is inviting all seafarers to Sail the Wight on Saturday 12th July to raise funds for Age UK Isle of Wight. This full day of sailing and fundraising sets off at 7am from the Royal Yacht Squadron Line, Cowes. Participating yachts will have the option of taking part in one of two routes; there is a full east-about circumnavigation cruise of the Isle of Wight with the Westerly Owners Association flotilla, a trip of roughly 55 nautical miles finishing at the Royal Yacht Squadron Line. This replicates the historic Royal Yacht Squadron 100 Guinea Cup route which, after defeat by the New York Yacht Club in 1851, latterly became known as The America’s Cup. Alongside this there is the option to sail a shorter course configured in the shape of the Island within the confines of the Solent, which rounds North Sturbridge Buoy, heads westwards to West Lepe Buoy before returning to the Royal Yacht Squadron Line, and takes in roughly 30 nautical miles of the Solent. Following on from a good day sailing all skippers, crews, family and friends are invited to East Cowes Sailing Club for an evening celebration with bar, BBQ, DJ and music from local band Juicebox into the night. There will also be an awards presentation and fundraising raffle to support the Oar-some Memories Challenge in aid of Age UK Isle of Wight. Full sailing instructions for all classes, registration forms and sponsorship forms are available now from www.sailthewight.org.uk.

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

An Unmissable AAM Cowes Week Shaping Up for 2014 With less than two months to go until the start of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2014, excitement is building at Regatta HQ with a packed schedule ashore taking shape. Some of this year’s highlights include: UKSA activities (all week): UKSA offers transformational opportunities to young people through sailing and watersports and is the official charity of the regatta in 2014. There is a raft of activities planned by the charity throughout the week designed to get as many people as possible actively engaged with the charity and take part in some fundraising at the same time. Plans include: ▪ “Try Sailing” taster sessions throughout the Week for visitors to the regatta. ▪ Gutter Boat Racing competition – everybody at the event can make their own gutter boats using any material they like, with the only specification that the gutter boat must fit within the dimensions of an A5 piece of paper, to fit in the guttering. A ‘Top Gear’ style scoreboard will keep a record of the leading participants; readymade gutter boats will also be provided for impromptu racing. To enter a team, simply email gutterboatracing@uksa.org. ▪ “Boss up a Mast” – From Sunday 3 to Tuesday 5 August) one of UKSA’s ocean-going Farrs will be moored in Cowes Yacht Haven for the ‘Boss up a Mast’ fundraising spectacle. Senior executives locked into a Spinlock Mast-Pro harness 100 ft up can only come down once they’ve gone through their mobile phone and urged their contacts to pledge donations to UKSA. To nominate a “boss”, email bossupamast@uksa.org. Family Day (Sunday 3 August): Now a regular feature of the regatta, Family Day offers a range of family-friendly activities. In addition to spot prizes being awarded to families racing together, flag-making colouring and painting competitions, and special Family Day discounts on the spectator boat trips and RIB rides, this year there will also be a performance of Wind in the Willows and an outdoor cinema at Northwood House. Circus skills and musical theatre workshops at Cowes Yacht Haven will provide fun for all, as well as air guitar competitions and much more on Cowes Parade, courtesy of Jack FM. You can even buy a special Family Day hamper from The Food Hamper in Cowes. Check the event website for more details. Ladies Day (Thursday 7 August): Celebrating women in sailing, Ladies Day was first introduced at the regatta in 2006. In recognition of an outstanding contribution, commitment, or achievement of women in sailing the Ladies Day Trophy is awarded as part of the day’s celebrations - nominations are now being accepted on the event website. The process is simple, and anyone can nominate a female competitor at the regatta, past or present. Female competitors may even nominate themselves, or put someone else forward for nomination for their outstanding contribution; commitment; or achievement in sailing in general terms (not just at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week). The only criteria is that nominees must have competed at the regatta in recent years, and be available to attend the Ladies Day reception on Thursday 7 August where the Trophy will be awarded. Nominations close at midnight on Monday 28th July. A judging panel of Double Olympic Gold Medallist, Shirley Robertson; the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation Trustee, Melanie Howard; Aberdeen Asset Management’s Global Head of Human Resources, Kerry Christie; Yachting World’s Features Editor, Elaine Bunting; and Cowes Week Limited’s Sales & Marketing Director, Michelle Warner will determine the 2014 winner. Fireworks (Friday 8 August): The annual fireworks spectacular is scheduled to take place on Friday 8 August at 21:30, subject to sufficient funding. Cowes Fireworks Committee is committed to securing the future success of the display and the committee has a long term

Helena Lucas with the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Day Trophy

By Ben Cummings

objective to secure fireworks funding by working in partnership with: ▪ All financial beneficiaries of the display ▪ Those using the display as a backdrop to their own hospitality programme; and ▪ Those who are passionate about the display. To secure the long-term future of the fireworks display that so many people enjoy, additional funding support is needed so Cowes Fireworks Committee urges anyone in the above categories to step forward to provide as little or as much funding support as possible. Donations can be made securely online. In addition to these highlights, Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week has a packed schedule throughout the entire week.

Spectator Options: Visitors can enjoy watching much of the racing from the shore in Cowes. The Green and The Parade are great places to view the action and on Wednesday 6 August, in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Victory Class, the event partners will be pitching their sailing skills against one another in an exhibition race-off after the main racing of the day has finished. It’s going to be competitive so don’t miss it! For those who would like to get afloat, bookings are open for the event spectator boat service or the more adrenalin-fuelled RIB rides. To avoid disappointment, book online via the event website. Tickets for the spectator boat trips are £8 for children up to 16 years old and £12.50 for adults and RIB rides are £25 for children up to 16 years old and £35 for adults. Special discounted family tickets are also available, especially on Family Day.

CLA calls for Government action over UK land shortages M

By Isobel Shayle

The CLA says that a new report - The Best Use of UK Agricultural Land by the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) raises important questions over the future of UK land use. The association, whose members own or manage more than half the rural land in England and Wales, believes the report demonstrates that the industry has taken the lead and started the debate in the absence of any Government vision on land use. CLA Director South East Robin Edwards said; “Clearly something needs to be done and this is the right place to start. The CISL vision is that by 2030 UK agricultural land will be optimised to support the multiple needs of 70 million people, while delivering an improved and sustainable natural environment.” To achieve the vision, the report identifies five objectives, which are to improve UK food security, increase UK energy security, better protect nature, improve competitiveness and enhance recreation spaces. Mr Edwards continued: “The findings in this

report need to act as a catalyst for change, but businesses need better direction from the Government to identify priorities for UK agricultural land, while farmers and land managers need clarity over what they are expected to deliver. “Land is a finite resource, so land use needs to be multifunctional in the delivery of goods and services. Sustainable intensification, a reduction in food waste and a change in diet are just some of the ways in which we can release land for other purposes while continuing to meet a growing UK population’s food, space and energy needs - all of which landowners and farmers are best placed to provide. “Many already use their land to provide multiple goods and services, often with no commercial return and we want to see improved competitiveness and more diversified income sources to encourage multifunctional land use. “But to put the right conditions in place we need Government to endorse this vision, and to integrate all departments’ policies and actions to help achieve it.” READ THE FULL REPORT The online report can be found at www.bit.ly/1nr4UDi

FEATURE

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

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TECH INSIDER

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

THE VIBRATING BASS EGG A Bass Egg is a sleek, durable, and portable audio device that transforms everyday objects into speakers. Despite its small size (fits in the palm of your hand), the Bass Egg is capable of making anything a 360 degree full-range speaker system. Connectivity is via Bluetooth or 3.5mm audio lead. Bass Egg is supplied in either black or silver (they both sound amazing!) and shipping is included in the price along with a 12 month warranty. Bass Egg Specifications: ● Bass Egg comes with a fitted Rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery with a full charging time of 90 minutes. ● Charge Life of the battery is 410+ hours depending on the playback volume. ● Connect to the speaker wirelessly via Bluetooth or using the 3.5mm audio lead ● Audio Specs: 50Hz to 16kHz and over 100dB ● Speaker Weighs 1 lb. 1 oz ● Product Dimensions: Height: 3.62″; Diameter 2.40″

Countertops, coolers, boats, and car bonnets - with the Bass Egg, they all play music in 360 degree surround sound you can feel.

The Bass Egg Current Price: £75.00 www.bassegg.co.uk

THE PHILIPS BR1X Keep the party pumping wherever you go with the epic-sounding SB5200 portable speaker and its hot design. Hit the Indoor mode for crisp, clear sound at home, or flick it to Outdoor mode and crank the volume to get people jumping. The speaker comes with two sound settings designed for your convenience and greater versatility: indoor mode and outdoor mode. Use Indoor mode when you want strong bass and crystal clear sound and Outdoor mode when you need maximum loudness and power in the open air.

SB5200 Specifications:

The SB5200 has a rugged design and oversized strap for active use ● Product weight: 0.5 kg ● Built-in rechargeable battery for even better portability ● Operating time on battery: 6 hr ● Built-in microphone for speakerphone conversation ● Bluetooth range: Line of sight, 10 m or 30 ft ● micro USB port: to charge up BR1X via PC ● Output power (RMS): 2 x 5 W ● Sound System: Stereo ● Volume control: up/down To get bigger sound outdoors, chain together as many BR-1Xs as you want with the special audio cable supplied. Once they are connected, the volume on all BR-1Xs will synchronise. Simply change the volume on the BR-1X connected to your device to change it on all of them. ●

Make one easy connection andenjoy all your music from portable devices and computers. Simply plug your device into the AUDIO-IN (3.5 mm) port on your Philips set. With computers, the connection is typically made from the headset output. Once linked, you can enjoy your entire music collection directly, on a set of superior speakers. Philips simply delivers better sound. Bluetooth is a short range wireless communication technology that is both robust and energy-efficient. The technology allows easy wireless connection to iPod/iPhone/iPad or other Bluetooth devices, such as smartphones, tablets or even laptops. So you can enjoy your favourite music and sound from videos or games wirelessly. Included accessories: AC Power Cord, hand strap, audio cable to chain up BR-1Xs, Warranty certificate, World Wide Warranty leaflet, Quick install guide Compatibility: iPad: iPad 1, iPad 2, new iPad, iPad mini, iPad with Retina display, iPhone: iPhone 3, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch: 3rd generation or later Android tablets and smartphones: with Android 2.1 and Bluetooth 2.1 or above work with: Bluetooth 4.0 or below

The Philips BR-1X Current Price: £99.99 www.philips-shop.co.uk

Keep the party pumping wherever you go with the epic-sounding SB5200

Included accessories: AC Power Cord, hand strap and audio cable

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

ARTS

Island Arts

The Isle of Wight is home to some amazing artistic talent, and we want to highlight it on these pages. We want to hear about you and your activity, your successes, your events, your news … whether you are an artist, a musician, a dancer, a singer, a writer, a performance group … if in doubt, just tell us anyway! We will, of course, be happy to report the big events, but we want Island Arts to be for everyone of any age, at whatever level they are. And we are especially keen to

showcase new talent and new ideas. So please get in touch. Tell us about your event, your exhibition, your auditions, your new commission, yourneed for people to take part … whatever it is, we’ll do our best to help. You don’t have to pay for advertising on these pages to get your story covered, but we have kept the costs really low to make it a little easier for you to raise your profile. Obviously, we can’t promise to cover every single story that is sent to us, so there may be times when you want to be sure you have a presence on these pages, and advertising will give you that guarantee! Island Arts will be published every other week, as part of the Isle of Wight Mail newspaper Island Arts is edited by Kevin Wilson. Send him your news and questions kevin@iwmail.co.uk

Cats Wight Stars CIC is staging 'Cats' at Medina Theatre from June 27 to 27, with two matinee and two evening performances. 'Cats' is an amazing blend of fantasy, drama and romance that has been breaking box office records just about everywhere, and you can be sure the young stars of Wight Stars will be giving it all they've got. Call the box office on 01983 472465 (note that Medina Theatre is not handling ticket sales for this one).

Tales of the Sea The Rope Store Gallery at Quay Arts is currently home to Zoe Sadler's pen and ink sea themed illustrations, under the banner 'Tales of the Sea'. Zoe's exhibition runs until Saturday, July 5. This gallery is available for hire, and artists wanting the chance to exhibit or experiment (and sell!) can apply through the Quay Arts website at www.quayarts.org/hire.aspx

ABBA some of that!

Abba Reunion Tribute Show Hard to believe, but 2014 marks the 40th anniversary of the Abba's Eurovision Song Contest success with the classic 'Waterloo'. You see, you learn something new every day … And it is one way of plugging the fact that The Abba Reunion Tribute Show is coming to Shanklin Theatre on Friday July 4 for a night of timeless hit songs.

The show ran for four months in the West End, followed by a four year European sell out tour, and the Shanklin gig features six performers, an exact copy of Benny's spinning white piano, and a spectacular finale recalling that Eurovision win 40 years ago. For more information, and booking, go to www.shanklintheatre.com

Pygmalion ABBA some of that!

Ryde Arts Festival St Thomas Heritage Centre in Ryde forms the setting for a 'Landmark Trees Installation' – a mixed media depiction of a forest that celebrates volunteering in Ryde from August 1914. It is being staged as part of the Ryde Arts Festival, and will be accompanied by a specially composed piece of music, a recording of which will be playing all day. 'Seasons of a Soldier' was written by Florence Wenden and Tom Courtney of the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra. The exhibition runs from June 28 to July 5.

Celebrating Original Theatre is celebrating after successful runs of two new plays generated what the group calls 'amazing audience feedback'. 'The Truth Untold' by Kevin Wilson, and 'Music on a Distant Shore' by David Weir, were performed in May and June at different Island venues, including the Apollo Theatre, the Depozitory in Ryde, and Chale Church, and 'Music on a Distant Shore' – runner up in the international From Page to Stage playwriting competition – was also performed at Groundlings Theatre in Portsmouth: the first time Original Theatre has appeared there. The group's director, Kevin Wilson, said: “It feels like we have really developed this year, and the feedback for both plays has been amazing. We specialise in doing new work, and it has been so rewarding to know that an increasing number of people are enjoying what we do.” Original Theatre's next production is their first musical, 'Star Prize', which will be performed at Shanklin Theatre and Trinity Theatre, Cowes, in October, raising funds for the Samaritans Isle of Wight.

Pygmalion Cast Bernard Shaw had strong feelings about the independence of women, and he gave them full expression in his play, 'Pygmalion' – which inspired the much-loved film 'My Fair Lady'. The Apollo Theatre in Newport aims to recapture the spirit of the original in its production, which runs from July 2 to 5, and July 9 to 12.

A strong cast will demonstrate that this is a witty comedy of manners, but also a sharp satire on the British class system. The box office opens on Saturday June 28, and tickets are £7. Call 01983 527267 from 11am till 2pm each day except Sunday, and from 6.45pm during the run. More info at www.apollo-theatre.org.uk

Get in touch If you want us to feature you and your group, just send us a message and a few words about what you are doing, and leave the rest to us. Island Arts is about encouraging … Island Arts. So don't be shy. Send an email to kevin@iwmail.co.uk

NEWS

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

Artist launches greetings card range M

By Tim Saunders

Launching a new greetings card range is a huge challenge, especially if you’re an independent artist rather than a large publishing house. But Isle of Wight/Hampshire artist Daphne Ellman believes she has the recipe for success. Cards that are blank inside but linked to a specific month. Her collection is entitled Country Years and depicts the flora and fauna of the countryside throughout the year painted by Daphne, who is a member of Society of Woman Artists and the Society of Floral Painters. She is also listed in the Who's Who of Art. Daphne worked for an agency for over 25 years supplying images for greetings cards to countries across the globe. “I have retailed these cards myself at exhibitions for two years and in retail outlets for the last six months and they sell well,” says Daphne, who now plans to get her cards into garden centres across the United Kingdom. “They are available on the Isle of Wight at Ventnor Botanic Garden and the Roman Villa at Brading. “They are supplied wrapped and the envelopes are of good quality,” says Daphne. Her cards are appealing because they are blank inside for your own message but are also linked to a specific month - making them suitable for multi events such as birthdays and anniversaries.

Right to oppose Juncker’s ‘Election’ M

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Isle of Wight Mail

The Island’s MP, Andrew Turner, thinks that David Cameron is right to stand up against the appointment of Jean-Claude Juncker as the new President of the European Commission. Mr Cameron has spoken out against Mr Junker’s appointment, suggesting that if he takes the post it could spur Britain to vote to leave the EU. Mr Cameron wants to renegotiate the terms of British membership ahead of the planned referendum in 2017. He has robustly opposed Mr Juncker being handed the job, viewing it as another blow to any immediate EU reform; but is now seemingly resigned to losing the argument. The Island’s MP, Andrew Turner, thinks that the Prime Minister David Cameron MP is right to stand up against the appointment of Jean-Claude Juncker as the new President of the European Commission. Mr Cameron has spoken out against Mr Junker’s appointment, suggesting that if he takes the post it could spur Britain to vote to leave the EU. Mr Cameron wants to renegotiate the terms of British membership ahead of the planned referendum in 2017. He has robustly opposed Mr Juncker being handed the job, viewing it as another blow to any immediate EU reform; but is now seemingly resigned to losing the argument. When Mr Juncker’s name is tabled at today's summit of EU Leaders, Mr Cameron will demand an ‘unprecedented’ vote on his nomination to demonstrate the level of opposition to it. Mr Turner said: “The Island, like Britain as a whole, wants a new direction in Europe as shown in the recent Euro-elections. The British people are much more sceptical than during the last parliament, and much of the population in other EU countries are also opposed to further integration. Many MEPs do not accept how Europe is changing. Parties in favour of change won the recent Euro elections making it clear that reform is what the people of Europe want - and it's even more true of Britain and the Island. “The PM is right to take on this fight – even if it is one that he does not win. The people of Britain, and indeed Europe have a growing feeling that the EU is out of touch with its citizens. If Mr Junker gets the top job the widespread voice across Europe for change will have been ignored. This only reinforces the idea that the EU is not working for the wishes of, or in the best interests of the people it serves. It concerns me that Mr Junker will only stagnate any change within the EU. It is widely known that I am not at one with Mr Cameron on the EU, but he is right to stand up against this appointment”

www.wightislandradio.com

HILL FARM STABLES Riding school and pony club centre 01983 752502 / 07748 253899 www.hillfarmstables.com

Cardboard Boat Race for Cowes Week M

By Dennis Jones

Lovers of adventure and excitement are being encouraged to take part in the inaugural Cowes Cardboard Boat Race, taking place at 3pm on Sunday August 3, during this year’s Aberdeen Asset Management, Cowes Week regatta. Cowes Cardboard Boat Race, organised by The Southern Cooperative, is part of the Society’s wider community focus to involve local people, whilst also raising money for UKSA – the adopted charity for Cowes Week 2014-15. People of all ages, as well as businesses who fancy the challenge, are being invited to ‘build a cardboard boat' – which, in return for sponsorship – will be raced along a course alongside Cowes Esplanade, by teams of one or more competitors. Tony Downs, Customer Services Assistant at The Southern Cooperative in Cowes, who is behind the idea, said: “Local people have been saying, that there is no fun anymore for families and visitors like there used to be in Cowes.” So after seeing a clip on the television about a cardboard boat race in Gibraltar, I thought “Why not in Cowes?” So here we are, some fun!” Tony’s Manager, Nathaniel Dunkley, added: “The Southern Co-operative store in Cowes is a community store where our customers help us to support local charities through every purchase. We are proud to be supporting UKSA raise funds during Cowes week with our 'Cowes Cardboard Boat Race'." The proceeds from what promises to be a fun family day will help UKSA get our year six Island pupils afloat. Take up the challenge, build your boat and join us at the Esplanade in Cowes Week! Just prior to the racing, a pirate reenactment group ‘Crew of the Rose’ will be performing some piratical entertainment. Registration for the event has already started and places will be limited. To download the entry form and sponsorship form, visit www.manvswight.com or pick these up at The Southern Co-operative store in Terminus Road, Cowes.

NEWS

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

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APPEAL M

Hampshire Police

Police are appealing for the occupants of a grey vehicle who stopped to help at the scene of a fatal single-vehicle collision on the Isle of Wight to contact them urgently. Officers believe that the occupants of this vehicle may hold vital information to help with their investigation. On Sunday 15 June, at about 4.20pm, a scooter was travelling along Binstead Road, from Ryde to Newport. It is believed the rider lost control of the scooter and collided with a post at the side of the road. Nobody else was involved in the incident. Kenneth Mead, 59, from Ryde was taken to St Mary’s Hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead. Sgt David Sanderson from the Roads Policing Unit said: “We are trying to trace the occupants of this grey car, possibly an estate, which was seen driving behind a yellow Mini shortly before the incident. “Both drivers stopped and helped administer first aid at the scene prior to our officers arriving. “We believe the occupants of this vehicle are key witnesses and may be able to help with our investigation. If you were the driver or passenger/s travelling in this grey vehicle please call me as soon as possible on 101, quoting Operation Mayfly.” Officers are carrying out further enquiries and preparing a file for the coroner.

WASHOUT WEEKEND

Your ISLAND Phone, Broadband & TV Network

LEARNING CELEBRATED AT CEREMONY The achievements of adult learners were recognised at an awards ceremony last week, coinciding with Adult Learners’ Week. Now in its 23rd year, Adult Learners’ Week is a national celebration of the benefits of lifelong learning and is the perfect opportunity to explore the many types of learning available to adults from all walks of life. It inspires thousands of adults each year, whatever their age or background to discover how learning can change their lives. On Monday 16 June, the IW Council Adult Community Learning Service hosted its local Adult Learners’ Week award ceremony at the Community Learning Centre, Westridge. Fifteen nominees were received from tutors and partner agencies with five overall winners recognised for their commitment to learning from the following categories: Learning through Arts, Crafts and Culture,

Learning within the Family, Learning through Technology, Learning within a Community Project and Learning for Life and Work. All nominees and winners were presented with certificates and trophies by Councillor Richard Priest, Executive member for children’s services. The evening was a huge success and an enjoyable opportunity to showcase individual achievement and hear their inspirational stories. Commenting on the event, Councillor Richard Priest said: “I would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners, as well as those nominated for awards. It was great to meet those involved in inspiring people to learn new skills as well as those benefiting from the great courses and learning opportunities on offer through the service.” Through events and award ceremonies, Adult Learners’ Week recognises the achievements of

outstanding individuals and innovative learning projects. It encourages participation in different kinds of learning, whether it is to improve prospects in a current role, start a new career, improve physical and mental health, learn skills to support family and community, improve essential skills for personal development or learn just for fun. Adult Learners’ Week is a chance to showcase learning opportunities across the Island.

Met Office

The Met office have issued a “yellow” weather warning for heavy rain over the Weekend. Showers will become heavy and thundery across southwestern parts of England and Wales early on Friday, moving northeast to affect other areas south of The Wash to North Wales during the day. Some reduction in activity is expected overnight, before further slow moving heavy and thundery downpours develop during Saturday, easing from the north later. The public should be aware that the resulting downpours may lead to localised flooding and potential disruption to transport and outdoor events.

NEWS

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

When the students met STOMP M

Catherine Bassindale

It’s not every day that you get to meet the stars – and be treated like a VIP – but the music scholars from The Island Free School didn’t skip a beat. Ten students from across the Island, who will start at the new secondary school in September, were taken by staff on a special visit to see STOMP’s hit West End show. The flamboyant percussionist troupe use everything from brooms to basketballs to make music, and play to packed houses all over the world. Afterwards, the children had the opportunity to meet the performers and ask questions. To add to the excitement of the day, the students were filmed by a TV crew, who are making a documentary about The Island Free School, which will be aired later this year. “It was such a wonderful day”, says Mr Richard Peace, the school’s Head of Year 7. “The children were thrilled to meet the cast and get the star treatment from the film crew – and who knows, one day, it could be them up there on stage, performing to a full house. These particular students were selected for their musical aptitude, and will receive free musical tuition throughout their time at the school. They have such talent and potential, it’s a real possibility that they will be the stars of the future.” After the show, the children had a meal in an Italian restaurant and a stroll along the Thames – before it was time to return to the Island. Says Mr Peace: “We hope this trip will inspire them to achieve great things and it’s the first of many activities that we hope will be educational, motivational, and a whole lot of fun. All the pupils at our new school will benefit from a range of musical experiences, as we’re a music specialist school – and by music, we mean pop, jazz, classical, funk, latin, hip-hop, you name it. They will be able to play a wide range of instruments, including drums, saxophones and electric guitars. We might even teach them how to play the bin lids, like STOMP!”

Coming up… Superchoir comes to The Island Free School

Sense of Sound The next planned activity takes place on Friday 4 July. The Island Free School has booked the internationally renowned super-choir, Sense of Sound, to spend Transition Day at the new school in Ventnor (Transition Day is when students in Year 6 are given a taster of what life will be like at their secondary school). Says Mr Peace: “We can’t wait for our doors to open in September, and this will help to set the scene for what’s ahead. We’re all going to have a lot of fun together on our wonderful journey of musical discovery!”

Music scholars from The Island Free School with Jason Mills from STOMP

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

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NEWS

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

COUNCIL TO REVIEW PETITION RULES The Isle of Wight Council is reviewing the way it handles petitions following recent issues surrounding a number which have been compiled via online facilities. Executive member for corporate governance, Councillor Jonathan Bacon, told a meeting of the Full Council that the council’s Constitution Working Party is reviewing the approach. This will include looking at the acceptance of electronic petitions under the constitution and what form of identification for signatories to a petition will be valid. It is planned that a revised petition scheme will be put before the Full Council meeting for approval in July. Petitions which meet the criteria under the council’s constitution can prompt a debate at Full Council. However, those which do not satisfy the current rules are still taken account of and considered by the council, but without a debate taking place. Councillor Bacon said: “It is hoped a review of this issue will provide us with a more adaptable yet still robust way in which we deal with petitions. This will include how we deal with

Dominic Hillyard

electronic petitions. “It is not the case that petitions which do not currently satisfy the rules in the constitution to secure a debate are ignored or not taken account of. Valid expressions of views are always given attention and taken account of.” Under the existing constitution there is a need to enable the council to verify the numbers of people signing a petition to prevent someone making multiple entries. Currently a written signature is deemed to be the only mechanism that allows this process to take place. Alternatives could include acceptance of an individual person’s email address although this could still mean that a person with several email accounts can sign up to a petition more than once. Councillor Bacon said: “We will find a way to deal with these issues in a satisfactory manner which will then allow most, if not all, petitions which attract a sufficient number of signatures to be debated by the Full Council, whether in paper or electronic form.”

Record numbers swab to save a life at Isle of Wight Festival A record number of people signed up to join the UK Stem Cell Registry at this year’s Isle of Wight Festival. Just under five hundred people signed up and swabbed the inside of their cheeks at a festival stand run by charities Delete Blood Cancer UK and Love, Hope, Strength. This is double the number of people who registered at last year’s festival. Joining the blood stem cell registry means that they will go on stand-by to maybe one day give a donation to someone in search of a lifesaving donor match. For many blood cancer patients a blood stem cell donation is their only chance of survival, but only half of the people diagnosed in the UK find a matching donor. The more people who join the registry, the greater the chances of people finding their lifesaving match, which is why Delete Blood Cancer UK and the Love Hope Strength Foundation are so thrilled at the huge number of people who registered at this year’s festival. Agnieszka Chrosciel, Donor Recruitment Manager at Delete Blood Cancer UK, explains the impact of the event: “Thank you to everyone who came to our stand drive and registered as potential blood stem cell donors. Everyone who registered will increase the chances of those needing a blood stem cell donation of finding their lifesaving match. What a special thing to do when you are already having a great weekend. “As one of the people signing up said to me - going to see your favourite bands play is a wonderful and memorable thing to do, and becoming a potential lifesaver at the same time makes it all the more wonderful and memorable.” The Love Hope Strength Foundation is literally working to save lives - one concert at a time. In conjunction with Delete Blood Cancer UK, the Love Hope Strength Foundation harnesses the global power of the music industry and the passion of its fans to save lives - one concert at a time. Speaking about the event, Jules Peters, co-founder of Love Hope Strength said: "We are very grateful to Isle of Wight Promoter, John Giddings at Solo Music Agency, for giving us the opportunity to set up a Delete Blood Cancer UK / Love Hope Strength Foundation booth and potentially save a life. The response over the weekend from the IOW festival-goers was overwhelming!" "How amazing if one of the IOW Festival fans is able to save a life!”

Agnieszka Chrosciel

A record number of people signed up to join the UK Stem Cell Registry at this year’s Isle of Wight Festival.

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NEWS

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

Police appeal for beach rescue photos Police on the Isle of Wight have launched an appeal for witnesses to the events leading up to the rescue of a child from Ryde seafront. Hampshire Constabulary was one of several emergency services called to Appley beach shortly before 6pm on Saturday, June 21. Police officers helped to maintain the safety of public crowds in the area while an eight-year-old boy received medical attention on the beach before being airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital in Newport by a Coastguard helicopter. An investigation is continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding what happened to the boy on Ryde seafront on Saturday afternoon. Detectives are leading enquiries due to the boy’s critical condition in

Hampshire Police

hospital in Southampton. Specialist family liaison officers remain in contact with the boy’s immediate relatives to ensure they are supported at this difficult time. Detective Inspector Adam Price from Hampshire Constabulary said: “Firstly, we’d like to express our thanks to the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, particularly its Ambulance service and emergency department, HM Coastguard, Ryde Inshore Rescue and members of the public for their actions during the emergency and their assistance with our investigation so far. “I am appealing for more witnesses, particularly any members of the public who took

photos and videos on Appley beach between 1pm and 6pm on Saturday, June 21. “There were Armed Forces Day celebrations taking place in Ryde, and a band was playing near the Appley beach café during these times. “Therefore, we believe people would have taken pictures or videos that can help us with enquiries into exactly what happened to the boy. I am also interested in anyone who took pictures or videos of the band and surrounding area.” Photos and videos can be sent to: ryde.beach.appeal@hampshire.pnn .police.uk Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact police by phoning 101. Mini-com users can phone 18001 101.

IOW Councillor organizes historic event in Parliament

left to right: Rob Flello MP (Convenor of the Catholic Legislators’ Network), His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Joe Kelly (Editor of the Universe newspaper) and Cllr Chris Whitehouse.

The Conservative Councillor for Newport West, Chris Whitehouse, last week organized an unprecedented event in the Palace of Westminster when the recently appointed Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, visited to say Mass in the Crypt Chapel of St Mary Undercroft and afterwards to attend a Reception in the prestigious Jubilee Room off the Great Hall of Westminster. Speaking today, Cllr Whitehouse who is both a Papal Knight of St Gregory and Secretary to the

Chris Whitehouse

Catholic Legislators’ Network says: “This was the first time since the Reformation that Catholic MPs and Peers had invited their local Bishop to meet with them to say Mass and to celebrate his recent appointment as a Cardinal. It was a pleasure and a privilege to have been present at this occasion. It was particularly poignant because in moving from the Chapel to the Jubilee Room the Parliamentarians

and visiting clergy passed the brass plaque which marks the spot upon which Saint Thomas More, the Patron Saint of Politicians, stood trial and was sentenced to death.” Cllr Whitehouse also took the opportunity to arrange for prayers for Christ the King College student, Joe Ellis, who is raising funds for essential drugs to fight his cancer, and two other Island youngsters, Callum Millar and Teagan Stanton, who are also under the care of Southampton Hospital for leukaemia.

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CHANGES AHEAD M

Isle of Wight Council

The IW Council is working in partnership with parents on the island to prepare for changes to special educational needs and disabilities arrangements being introduced by the government from 1 September 2014. The changes seek to join up specialist support across education, health and care from birth to age 25. Parents Voice is working with the council to ensure that families affected by the changes are involved in the process. It's important that information is shared with parents and carers and Parents Voice will be helping the IW Council to do this as the changes are introduced. Under the new arrangements, help will be offered at the earliest opportunity for children and young people with SEND – and their parents or carers – so that they can be fully involved in decisions about their support and what they wish to achieve. Key changes from 1 September include: : The Isle of Wight Council and Clinical Commissioning Group will work together to commission services jointly to secure better services for 0 to 25 year olds. : The Isle of Wight Council and Clinical Commissioning Group will produce a local offer of services, developed with parents and young people. : A co-ordinated assessment process across education, health and care – involving young people and their families throughout. : A new 0 to 25 education, health and care plan to replace the current system of statements and learning difficulty assessments. Children and young people who already have statements and learning difficulty assessments will not need to be reassessed as a result of the special educational needs and disability reforms, there will be a phased transition over time to avoid disruption to families. Councillor Richard Priest, Executive member for children’s services, said: “Any change can be unsettling which is why we have involved Parents Voice from an early stage so that families are fully involved in the introduction of this new way of working. “We understand how frustrating it can be for parents and carers to have to repeat their stories to different agencies in order to get the support their child requires. From 1 Sep the council, schools & Clinical Commissioning Group will work together to provide co-ordinated support, ensuring the children and young people and parents and carers are fully involved in the process.” Helen Bowley, parent carer rep from Parents Voice IW, said: “We have been consulting with parents for some time about the new arrangements and recently held an event which was a great opportunity for parents to learn more from those who have already experienced some of these changes as well as ask questions and gather information about future services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. “We are continuing to work with the council while the changes are implemented and would encourage families or carers of children or young people 0 to 25 years to read about the forthcoming changes on the council’s website and talk to us if they need more information, support or would like to become involved.”

NEWS

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

‘Disregard for Rules’ says MP Further details have been disclosed about the financial and other arrangements behind the proposed turbines on land in Parkhurst Forest rented to Partnerships for Renewables (PfR) by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The Island’s MP Andrew Turner organised a meeting on 2 April with the Prisons Minister Jeremy Wright MP, which was attended by local residents Dr John Yelland, Roy Scott and Isle of Wight Councillor Richard Hollis. During the meeting the Minister agreed that he would review the potential costs associated with the MoJ terminating the lease agreement. He also confirmed that the MoJ was not working in partnership with PfR, contrary to claims they had made. The Minister has now advised Mr Turner that if the proposal were to go ahead each turbine would have the potential to earn PfR up to £13m over 20 years, meaning that early termination of the lease is ‘unlikely to come cheaply’. He has also confirmed that PfR have apologised for ‘mistakenly’ using the MoJ logo in a newsletter in July 2013; and they have been instructed not to use it. As of today’s date the website of PfR still claims that they are working with the MoJ and displays the MoJ’s logo. The planning permission for the turbines is solely a matter for the Isle of Wight Council as the local planning authority. Mr Turner said: “Partnerships for Renewables appear to have a complete disregard for rules and indeed, it seems, the truth. With so much money at stake they presumably consider it worth trying to give the misleading impression that their proposals are in some way supported by the Government – they are not. My impression is that their rather lax attitude on this is extended to other areas of this application. I am writing to the Isle of Wight Council to

Andrew Turner's Office

make the position clear and to the Prisons Minister to make sure he is aware of this continuing misrepresentation.” Dr Yelland commented on the proposed project: “It’s quite a challenge to find where that huge sum of money would go, with PfR’s complex web of over 40 subsidiaries and holding companies, and with venture capitalist and foreign investment funds as major shareholders. We do know that PfR’s average salary has been over £60,000 and that the chief executive has been paid more than the Prime Minister; not bad for a company of 30 or so employees. We also know where most of the money comes from; it’s from us, all UK taxpayers and electricity consumers. “In a previous press release, it was reported that the Minister was most displeased to find PfR were falsely claiming to be in partnership with the MoJ and were using the MoJ logo without permission, both on the PfR website and in PfR publications. I was amused to see that even part of the PfR’s reported response appears to be given on behalf of the MoJ. The false claims and the unauthorised logos are still on the PfR website. PfR’s response also claimed that the turbines would not be in the Forest. Perhaps the local media could show readers exactly where they would be, and how tall they are, at 7 to 10 times the height of the forest canopy and 18 times the height of a two storey house. “Fortunately the Government now seems to understand that the wind rush is in fact a gold rush, and that developers are subsidy farmers, not wind farmers, and certainly not the concerned, dedicated environmentalists that they pretend to be.”

A 410ft turbine next to a 2 storey house

WONDERS OF THE SCREEN COME TO THE DESERT ISLAND FLICKS After an action-packed day of getting down at our Desert Island Disco, what better way to kick back than to watch a film or two at Bestival’s ever-popular late night cinema, which returns to the Amphitheatre for 2014, this time billed as ‘Desert Island Flicks’ (clever, aren’t we)? With nightly double bills of offbeat vintage hits & contemporary screen classics, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll surely shriek at our ace, themed movie nights. And make sure you catch the London Short Film Festival short films that will play each night in support of the main features. Expect comedy skits, horror shorts & music videos in abundance… Friday’s film theme is all about Rock’n’Roll Adventures, with former Rolling Stone scribe Cameron Crowe’s Oscar nominated and semi-autobiographical classic Almost Famous, and Michael Fassbender’s finest performance in a papier-mâché head in Frank, Lenny Abrahamson’s lauded fictionalisation of the life and times of the much-missed Frank Sidebottom. Saturday sees a Branchage Festival Takeover, going on a Beach Party tip with Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens and James Franco in the wildly hedonistic Spring Breakers and timeless celluloid masterpiece Endless Summer, which is guaranteed to make you want to go surfing immediately, with its thrilling excitement and awesome photography.

The proposed location of the two turbines

By Simon Blackmore

Cult Cuts come to the fore on Sunday, with two alternative audience favourites, one of which was chosen by the Bestival audience themselves! Grab your spot early because cult classics don’t come much more revered than Bruce Robinson’s Withnail & I, one of the most hilarious and iconic comedies of British cinema. Plus, from our online poll for the Fans’ Film Choice, you lot chose Rob Reiner’s coming of age chronicle, Stand By Me, following four boys on a hike to discover the missing body of a dead kid, encountering deadly guard dogs, genital-loving leeches and a bequiffed Kiefer Sutherland along the way. So grab your popcorn, settle in and enjoy some screen wonders at the Desert Island Flicks.

Lots more magic, mayhem and madness soon come. Till then: Dancing Information Services & Communication Operations:www.Bestival.net / Facebook / Twitter / Tumblr / Instagram / Pinterest

STI risk is greatest in gay men & young adults Isle of Wight Mail Reporter M There were 446,253 sexually transmitted infections diagnosed in England in 2013, according to Public Health England data published this month. Chlamydia was the most common STI, making up 47% of all diagnoses, while gonorrhoea diagnoses saw a large rise, up 15% from 2012 to 2013. Among heterosexuals diagnosed in genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in 2013, young people (15 to 24 years) experienced the highest STI rates: 63% of chlamydia cases, 54% of genital warts, 42% of genital herpes and 56% of gonorrhoea. Gay men were also disproportionately affected, accounting for 81% of syphilis and 63% of gonorrhoea cases in male GUM clinic attendees. Gonorrhoea diagnoses rose 26% in this group, nearly double the national rate, which is of particular concern as harder to treat gonorrhoea strains emerge. National guidance recommends local services routinely offer chlamydia screening to young adults but only 15% of young men and 35% of young women were tested in 2013. Wide variation across the country were seen in rates of chlamydia testing and diagnoses, with only around onethird of local authorities reaching the recommended chlamydia screening outcome.

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS MEET PRINCESS BEATRICE M By Anna Price

Four young people who received help from the Isle of Wight Council to start their own businesses attended a lunch with HRH Princess Beatrice on June 16th. The lunch, hosted at Osborne House by English Heritage, was organised by the Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight to showcase some of the Island’s young entrepreneurs and achievers. Anna Lancaster, a personal trainer and Chris Philpott, a magician and illusionist both took part in the Islework scheme which was funded by the Isle of Wight Council and delivered on its behalf by the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce. The pair were among around 40 young people who were supported through the scheme which provided the following support: ● Training in how to set up and start your own business. ● A wage subsidy of the order of £60 a week for the first six months of their trading. ● A grant of up to £1,000 to assist with set up costs. ● Mentoring both in the set up phase and first six months of trading. Anna, aged 23, runs her own personal training and sports massage company. She currently has around 20 clients who train up to three times per week. She comments: “I had worked in the fitness industry since I was 16, but the Islework scheme gave me the confidence to take the important step of setting up my own business.” Chris, aged 21, who took the opportunity to show off his magician’s skills to guests at the lunch, said: “My interest in magic started when I was five after being given a magic set by my parents. I studied at the Isle of Wight College before embarking on setting up my own company, Chris Illusions Magical Theatre Co. “The scheme gave me the financial support I needed to get started, as well as mentoring which helped me to improve the skills that are needed to make a business a success.” Chris performs around Britain and abroad, notably performing at the London Palladium and at venues in Canada. Raven Lyness, setting up a music agency and Jade Anderson, an online fashion designer, were also at the lunch with Princess Beatrice. They have been supported through a joint project organised by the Isle of Wight Council and Shanklin Rotary Club. The scheme, called GetStarted, was the idea of Shanklin Rotary Club who approached the council with an offer of sharing their business experience by providing mentors to young entrepreneurs. The project is jointly funded by the two organisations which has so far supported four young people with training, start up grant and wage subsidy. Raven, aged 22, is in the process of setting up an online music agency called Touchwire that will specialise in finding and funding live music opportunities for independent musicians. After gaining a degree in music journalism, Raven is looking forward to the challenge of starting her own business, “The help I’m receiving through GetStarted is invaluable, I’m really excited about launching my new business later this year.” Jade, aged 20, plans to launch her own online fashion retail company soon. “It was a privilege to meet Princess Beatrice and talk to her about my passion for fashion. It was great to meet other people at the event who have realised their dreams of starting their own businesses.” Councillor Ian Stephens, leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said: “It is so important that we support our young people, which is why the council is continuing to invest in young Islanders through schemes like this. We hope to be able to announce details of a new scheme to support young people into work very soon. “It was a great opportunity for these young people to meet with Princess Beatrice and share their success stories which I hope will inspire more young people to pursue their ambitions of starting their own businesses.”

From left to right: Jade Anderson, Raven Lyness, Anna Lancaster and Chris Philpott. Photo Credit: Michael Dunkason.

NEWS

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

VOTE FOR CINEMA MOVIE Choose from: Belleville Rendez-Vous - Despicable Choose from: Belleville Rendez-Vous - Despicable Me 2 - The Lego Movie - The Wizard of Oz - Wall-E

A unique event that requires pedal power to watch a movie is returning to the Island - and votes are needed to choose which film will be shown. The outdoor 'cycling cinema' will again be part of the popular Isle of Wight Cycling Festival when it is held in Seaclose Park at 7pm on Saturday 13 September. It works by members of the audience placing their bikes on a stand which captures power generated as people cycle. There is no stored energy so if the

pedals stop – so does the film. Although people are encouraged to cycle to the event, there will be some bicycles available to use. The idea of the cycling cinema is to promote sustainability and a healthy lifestyle all while enjoying a family movie. Ahead of the event, voting is taking place to see which film will be shown. These range from all-time classics to recent Hollywood blockbusters. Votes can be cast via the Isle of

By Simon Butler

Wight Cycling Festival's website at isleofwightcyclingfestival.co.uk with the closing date being midday on Friday 1 August. Councillor Luisa Hillard, Executive member for sustainability, said: "This is another example of how the council is supporting innovative projects across the Island that promote fun, eco-friendly events that bring together many aspects of a

more sustainable lifestyle for Islanders and visitors as part of the ‘Bicycle Island’ brand recently launched by Visit Isle of Wight." The cycling cinema is a free event and is a great way of bringing people together to celebrate cinema, sustainability, renewable technology and cycling. A marquee is provided in the event of bad weather. For more information call 821000 or email info@sunseaandcycling.com. Photo Credit IW Council

Red Funnel hails the IW Festival a major success Red Funnel is celebrating the success of this year’s legendary Isle of Wight Festival which saw headliners Biffy Clyro, Calvin Harris, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Kings of Leon enthral the 50,000 festivalgoers. The Isle of Wight Festival, now in its 13th year marks the start of the summer music festival season which culminates with Bestival on the Isle of Wight in September. Red Funnel Isle of Wight Ferries carried 18% more cars and 57% more foot passengers on its services from Southampton than in recent years and sold 33% more weekend tickets and 380% more day tickets compared to 2013. The popularity of festival packages was also evident with shuttle bus ticket sales up 127% and river bus tickets up by 100%. Jonathan Green, marketing & communications director for Red Funnel commented: “A lot of time is spent planning for the festival with all the various agencies and stakeholders and it was rewarding that operationally the event ran like clockwork. There was minimal

By Stephanie Buck

queuing for foot passengers throughout the weekend and sufficient additional late night capacity was in place to get day ticket holders back to the mainland on Saturday and Sunday nights. Our East Cowes traffic management plan once again worked extremely well.” Festivalgoers who are already thinking about next year’s Isle of Wight Festival can pre-register their interest in early-bird ticket and travel offers at redfunnel.co.uk/iwfestival. As per normal for advance ferry bookings, festival vehicle reservations for 2015 can be secured with a deposit of just £25, with the balance due 30 days before departure.

NEWS

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

Mediation ‘Often a Good Alternative to Legal Action’ says MP M Andrew Turner's Office

Simon Richards of Vectis Mediation recently spent time briefing Andrew Turner about the growth of mediation services, and how they are increasingly being used as an alternative to litigation, both nationally and locally. Mr Richards contacted the Island’s MP as mediation is receiving increasing attention in Parliament as a proven and successful alternative method of resolving disputes. Mediation is often much cheaper than turning to the courts to settle differences, it delivers a sense of ownership over the outcome and can be much quicker and less distressing for all involved. Mediation is a way of resolving disputes between two or more parties, using a ‘mediator’ to facilitate discussion between the parties (either separately or together) to come to a mutually acceptable agreement to resolve problems. It is often used in workplaces or to sort out delicate family matters and also used in other areas of conflict such as disputes between neighbours. A settlement can often be made legally binding if required. It is increasingly being recommended and used by firms of solicitors to settle

Island MP and Mr Richards

disputes where a consensual approach is considered appropriate. Mr Turner said: “I was very pleased to meet Mr Richards and learn more about mediation, which is a fast growing alternative to more traditional methods of conflict resolution. Although still developing, it may well become more widely used in a range of disputes as pressure on legal aid budgets grows. Mediation lends itself to sorting out small disputes but it can be extended to larger, high profile disputes in the right circumstances. I was particularly pleased to hear that mediators on the Island are willing to work together in order to promote the concept. It is often a good alternative to legal action and is well worth considering to settle disputes of all kinds.” The proprietor of Vectis Mediation, Mr Richards, added: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to discuss mediation with the Island’s MP. It is very encouraging that Parliament is keen to promote the increased availability and use of mediation as an alternative to legal action.”

CHILDREN EXPERIENCED

WAR EVACUATION Children from twelve Isle of Wight schools discovered what it was like to be evacuated during the Second World War. Organised by Isle of Wight Council's heritage service, the event held this week recreated the scenario that tens of thousands of school children went through over 70 years ago. Pupils and staff arrived dress up in wartime clothes and gas masks ahead of a ride on the train, mirroring the experience from the world war two years. Pupils tasted authentic wartime

Isle of Wight Mail

food, such as eggless cake, and learnt about rationing and make-do-and-mend toys. They also boarded a train and were waved off from the platform, giving them a real feeling for how it was for children to be evacuated all those years ago. The activities were put together by the heritage education service to support the learning of students as part of their Key Stage 2 history programme.

MEET NEW PEOPLE “A new social network for people aged 18+ looking to meet new people on the IOW” Perhaps you're new to the Island or about to move here, or maybe you have been here all your life but want to expand your social circle.

www.wightpal.com

BESTIVAL

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

THE CASTAWAYS ARE TAKING OVER! BOLLYWOOD LINE-UP REVEALED M

By Simon Blackmore

Quintessentially Bestival, Bollywood has been the heart and soul of our Robin Hill adventures since day one. With a frankly mindblowing temple entrance, the exquisitely handstitched tent is where the real action happens. The perfect lounge lizard’s perch for catching some rays, drinking delicious cocktails from the cocktail bus and soaking up the vibes by day, it’s party central by night. Loved by every DJ who’s ever played there, this year the Bollywood line-up embraces our Desert Island Disco ways, playing host to a series of amazing takeovers from the likes of Skream, Ram Jam, Bicep and Faith. Rob da Bank says, “Bollywood is everything that Bestival is all about, from its mind-bending entrance and lavish insides to the dangerously moreish cocktails and full on party music. And when it comes to the music, I have to say I’m quite chuffed with who we’ve got coming to take over Bollywood for our Desert Island Disco, with Skream and Derrick Carter ramping up the disco vibes, the mighty Rodigan and his Ram Jam crew adding some fat reggae and Terry Farley and Stuart Patterson’s peerless Faith with Ame and Luke Solomon, it’s gonna go right off, all weekend long. You’re guaranteed to see me having a bit of dance there, so see you down the front!” The Desert Island Disco kicks off in Bollywood on Friday with a Skreamizm takeover featuring Skream, Derrick Carter, Route 94 and Horsemeat Disco. We’ll also have David Rodigan MBE at the controls for Ram Jam with an AWOL set from Randall & MC Fearless, plus Mele, Stylo G and Venum Sound. And there will be sets from Hackman, Lorca, Awesome Tapes From Africa, Desert Island Disco and Yoga Beats. Saturday will see Zane Lowe dropping some of his hottest records and Feel My Bicep flexing with Bicep, John Talabot and Medlar. Plus there will be enough grooves to wear out your dancing shoes from James Zabiela, Will Saul, Frank Tope, Tayo, Jerome Hill, Steve Cobby, with an appearance from the one and only man like Mr Motivator. Sunday will see Bollywood sets from Cholombian, Dom Servini, Blonde Ambition and Morning Glory, before a very special Sunday service celebrating Faith with founders Terry Farley & Stuart Patterson and very special guests Ãme and Luke Solomon. Faith’s legendary club nights (and fanzine) have fuelled myriad memorable nights for the Bestival crew, so it’s an absolute honour to have them taking over a Bestival institution like Bollywood for the final night of our Desert Island Disco! Commenting on Faith’s Bollywood Takeover Terry Farley said, “About 10 years ago a record label appeared that caught the mood of real Househeads all over Europe, and especially those on the Faithfanzine board. Innervisons out of Germany caught the vibe perfectly and the producers and DJs of Innervisons are now huge stars across the world. Dixon and Ãme both played in London for Faith in those early days and Innervisons were big fans of the Faith printed 'Strobelight Honey/Faithfanzine' magazine whose mantra 'House, House and more f*cking House’ became a T-shirt that Innervisons printed up as a homage . It’s with great pleasure that we once again join up with Ãme at Bestival with Stuart Patterson and myself playing on the Sunday night in Faith’s takeover of the Bollywood tent. Come along and join us, you know already that it’s going to rock”. Guaranteed to get you up on your feet come September 4th-7th on the Isle of Wight, Bollywood is unmissable. Lots more magic, mayhem and madness soon come. Till then: Dancing Information Services & Communication Operations:- www.Bestival.net

Horsemeat Disco

Skream

For more information and to book tickets go to www.bestival.net or call

Zane Lowe

TICKET WINNER!

0844 888 4410 Tickets on sale right across the Isle of Wight ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

The Bugle Inn, YARMOUTH Harwoods, YARMOUTH The Bonchurch Inn, VENTNOR Lugley’s, COWES The White Lion, NITON Old Village Inn, BEMBRIDGE The Pointer Inn, SANDOWN Caulkheads, SANDOWN Robin Hill Park, NEWPORT Valentine Gray Bar, NEWPORT

Congratulations to Lisa Van Dam! You've won two tickets to one of the top ten best festivals in the WORLD! - You're going to have an amazing time! The correct answer to the 2014 Desert Island Disco #bestival competition was – Outkast will be headlining Friday night.

COMMUNITY

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

COMMUNITY RESEARCH AND INFORMATION INTO EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS 29

VectisWeather Research into Extreme Weather on the Isle of Wight

WE JUST CAN'T DO THIS ON OUR OWN DONATE FROM £1 & BE PART OF THE LIGHTBOX PROJECT

projectlightbox A Public Lightning Detector for the IOW Can you help us kick-start this project? “The Lightbox Project is a crowd-sourced venture to raise funds for a long range lightning detector.”

Project Expenses: NEEDED: Lightning Detector £1,000 NEEDED: NexStorm Software £100 NEEDED: Local Background Maps £100 FUNDED: Website Design &Hosting £500 FUNDED: High Speed Broadband £800 FUNDED: Personal Lightning Detector £180 FUNDED: 2 HD Streaming Cameras £700 FUNDED: Computer Hardware £450 FUNDED: Android App Development £100 “We currently monitor lightning strikes within a 40 mile radius of the Island. With your help we can extend that to 300 miles and publish the real-time data online”

We’re hoping to raise enough money to purchase the Boltek 350 that will not only benefit the Island community and surrounding areas, but also provide the opportunity to expand on the current educational offerings and provide a look into atmospheric sciences using real, live weather data. For more information about our weather station and the equipment we currently use visit http://cowesweather.co.uk.

Follow @iowpl on twitter for all the latest updates http://www.twitter.com/iowpl

For more details please email vectisweather@gmail.com

VectisWeather and our affiliated websites are set up as non profit projects. We don't make any revenue from them and we don’t intend to. Make a donation today and help us get the project to the final stage.

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Data provided from the lightning detector will be made publicly available in real-time for the Isle of Wight Community to use.

Over £1 – Feel good knowing you’ve helped us research extreme weather conditions on the Isle of Wight Over £5 – Get your name/company listed on the website supporters page (links to a website if required) Over £10 – Get your name/company, logo and website listed at the top of the supporters page Over £50 – Get your name/company, logo and website listed at the top of the supporters page. You’ll also receive a ‘rotating banner’ on the side of the website Over £100 – Get your name/company, logo and website listed at the top of the supporters page. You’ll also receive a ‘static banner’ on the side of the website Over £200 – Get your name/company, logo and website listed at the top of the supporters page. You’ll also receive a ‘fixed banner’ on the front page of the site, a ‘rotating banner’ on the side of the website and a half page advert in the Isle of Wight Mail for 12 Issues Over £300 – Get your name/company, logo and website listed at the top of the supporters page. You’ll also receive a ‘fixed banner’ on the front page of the site, a ‘rotating banner’ on the side of the website, a half page advert in the Isle of Wight Mail for 12 Issues., a link on our twitter description and a tab on our facebook page

BE PART OF LIGHTBOX PROJECT: www.vectisweather.com/lightbox

ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT MAIL Visit www.iwmail.co.uk/advertising to see the new summer 2014 rates, sizes and special offers. Call our sales team today on 01983 242095 / 07413 599 446 or email us via sales@iwmail.co.uk

NEWS

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

Red Funnel marks 18 years of low-sulphur fuel use As the Chamber of Shipping embarks on a campaign urging the government to review the timing of the impending sulphur regulations, Red Funnel can confirm that it is already compliant with the new regulations which come into force on 1 January 2015 in EU Sulphur Emission Control Areas. Whilst the government is being encouraged to consider the huge economic and wider environmental impact of the impending regulations, Red Funnel Isle of Wight Ferries is the only crossSolent vehicle ferry operator which uses low-sulphur fuel on all of its services, something which it has done since 1996. Red Funnel’s fleet of three ro-pax vessels and three high-speed catamarans are all fuelled with 0.1% lowsulphur marine gas oil. Although more expensive, it has saved many tonnes of sulphur being released into the atmosphere over the last 18 years, which has been good news for the Isle of Wight, Southampton, and people living along Southampton Water. Although low-sulphur fuel is more costly, the Company has maintained its reputation for offering some of the cheapest vehicles fares across the Solent. Kevin George, CEO commented “Red Funnel is proud to have reduced its sulphur emissions some 18 years ahead of these statutory regulations and also for the other voluntary initiatives which have reduced the environmental impact of our services.

By Helen Coop

Red Funnel Ferry In 2011, the Company was one of the first UK ferry operators to be awarded ISO14001 for its environmental performance”. Red Funnel supports the UK Chamber of Shipping’s campaign which highlights the need to reduce sulphur emissions in a way that protects jobs and businesses. Part of the concern is that the demand and therefore the price of low-sulphur fuel could increase considerably as ship-owners weigh up alternative solutions such as installing scrubber technology or converting tonnage to run on LNG. The additional cost of low sulphur fuel could also jeopardise the viability of some sea routes and lead to more overland transport which has wider environmental consequences.

SCAM EMAILS! M

By Sandy Clarke

Tax credits claimants are being warned about scam or “phishing” emails sent out by fraudsters in the run-up to the 31 July renewal deadline. During last year’s tax credits renewal period nearly 24,839 phishing emails were reported to HMRC. May this year has already seen a 131.32% increase in phishing email reports on the same month last year, with 11,219 being recorded. Although HMRC worked with other agencies to shut down 611 scam websites during the tax credits renewal period last year, others continue to be created. HMRC took action to close down 1,740 illegal sites in 2013, most originating in Turkey, Spain and Bulgaria. Phishing emails also came from the UK and USA. Phishing emails often promise money back and, if the recipient clicks on a link, they are taken to a fake replica of the HMRC website. They are then asked to provide credit or debit card details or other sensitive information such as passwords. The fraudsters then try to take money from their account. They often ask for the recipient’s name, address, date of birth, bank account number, sort code, credit card details, national insurance number, passwords & mother’s maiden name.

NEWS

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

Island Roads gives locals a helping hand M

Dangers of eating undercooked chicken Data from Public Health England (PHE) shows that since the year 2000, 1,595 people were affected in outbreaks of food poisoning caused by the bacteria campylobacter. These were all associated with the consumption of poultry products. This information was published as part of activities to raise awareness of Food Safety Week, a national campaign managed by the Food Standards Agency, which ran from the 16 June to 22 June 2014. Campylobacter is the bacteria most commonly associated with gastrointestinal illness and PHE records show that there are on average 60,000 confirmed cases each year. Most of these infections are sporadic and not associated with outbreaks. Infection is self-limiting and people will usually recover without treatment in a few days. It is important to remain hydrated and some people may find rehydration salts useful. Any meat can be contaminated with campylobacter and poultry is commonly affected as the bacteria get onto the surface of the meat during the slaughtering process. It can also be found inside chicken livers. Similarly not cooking chicken livers thoroughly means that bacteria can survive and this increases the risk of infection. Chicken liver parfait/pate dishes have increased in popularity over the last few years and many chefs recommend leaving the centre of the livers pink which

Isle of Wight Mail Reporter press@iwmail.co.uk

By Claire Robertson

Island students are being given help through university and into careers thanks to two initiatives being run as part of the Highways PFI project. Two university bursaries and two specialist scholarships are being offered as part of the PFI’s commitment to creating local employment In the first initiative, Island Roads – the company formed to undertake the Highways PFI - in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council, is offering a bursary of £1,000 a year to two students from the Island to study business, engineering or environment related degrees at university. In addition Island Roads’ parent company, the Eurovia Group, has two places available on its Civil Engineering and Quantity Surveying Scholarship Programme for students. The scholarship is worth £1,500 per annum and provides training (paid) for eight weeks during the summer vacations and an industrial year placement should the course include one. It is the intention that the scholarship scheme, will lead to an employment opportunity with Eurovia on their accredited Graduate Development Programme following completion of their studies. Island Roads service director Paul Herbert, said: “The Highways PFI is the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken on the Island and with it comes real opportunities to pursue a career in engineering and allied occupations. “We are delighted to be helping Island young people along this career path. Island Roads is determined, through the highways PFI, to bring as many associated benefits to the local community as possible and these bursaries and scholarships are just two examples of this commitment. We look forward to receiving applications from Island students.” The bursaries and scholarships are open to students whose main residence is on the Isle of Wight and currently studying in a state funded school, college or via an apprenticeship provider. They must also have a confirmed offer from a UK university, for an appropriate course. Students applying for the engineering scholarship will have to have been accepted onto a MEng degree programme at university. All applications must be received by midday on the 9th September 2014. Further details including how to apply can be viewed on www.islandroads.com

Cuts from plucked chickens does not kill the bacteria. PHE records show that the number of people linked to outbreaks where chicken livers were implicated has risen from eight people in 2000 to 210 in 2013. Dr Bob Adak, head of the gastrointestinal diseases department at PHE, said: ”Out of a number of possible risk factors the greatest by far is eating or handling poultry meat. Hand and kitchen hygiene are key and if you handle raw meat or used a chopping board you need to wash these thoroughly using soap and hot water.”

NEWS

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

EXECUTIVE TO CONSIDER KEY PARKING CHARGES REPORT A meeting of the Isle of Wight Council’s Executive is being asked to approve proposed changes to onstreet and off-street parking charges when it meets on 7 July. In a report to the Executive, the full changes proposed in the Isle of Wight Parking Places Order (2014) published on 9 May are being recommended for acceptance. The council is facing a budget deficit of £28 million over the next three years, and it is estimated the recommended parking charges will generate extra annual income of £256,000, with the proposed increases in line with inflation. The extra income in relation to off-street parking charges will help offset highways and transport costs including the increasing financial pressure on the council of funding free bus travel for people of a pensionable age. The extra income from on-street parking will be used in accordance with statutory requirements. The recommendation follows public consultation on the proposals - which took place between 9 May and 6 June - and detailed consideration and analysis of the responses. A total of 543 valid objections were received to the proposals, together with nine petitions either before or during the consultation process.

By Dominic Hillyard

Executive member for resources, Councillor Jon Gilbey, said: “We completely recognise that the issue of car parking changes can be a very emotive issue, but at the same time the council is facing increasing costs in its highways and transportation budget and has not increased its car parking charges since April 2008. “We have tried to reduce the likely impact on individuals with the introduction of a new parking permit, which at £295 represents very good value especially if purchased by monthly direct debit. “Full consideration has been given to all valid objections, petitions and comments received as part of the consultation. Details of the consultation, the analysis of the responses and the recommendation will now be considered by the Executive. “This was a very detailed process and fair and proper consideration has been given to the range of valid responses received.” Details of the recommended changes to parking charges and the consultation exercise can be viewed via the following link to the report: http://bit.ly/1lVKGzS

DOUBLE JOY FOR REGISTRAR STACEY

There was double joy for Stacey Gough when her parents remarried at the Isle of Wight Register Office – for Stacey, a registrar, was able to conduct the ceremony herself and declare her parents “husband and wife”. Stacey, who works as a registrar for the Isle of Wight Council, said: “It was just perfect, especially the bit where I was able to tell mum and dad they are again husband and wife.” Her parents, Stuart and Julie Gough, from Cowes, remarried 25 years to the day after they first married – also at the Register Office at County Hall, Newport, Isle of Wight. Since they divorced in 1999, neither had remarried – and the couple have spent much of the intervening time together. Stacey, 26, said: “When they told us they were going to tie the knot again, I was delighted to be able to offer to conduct the ceremony – it just seemed the obvious thing to do. It was also really nice that we were able to arrange it for the 25th anniversary of the first time they were married.” Stacey’s brothers and sisters – Rachel, 24, Emily, 22, Helen, 20, Christopher, 19, and Jacob, 14 - were all at the ceremony, as was the couple’s granddaughter Ruby, aged one.

By Dominic Hillyard

August will be going on our full honeymoon.” Stacey’s dad Stuart, 49, a bus driver, said: “It was a great day. The weather was brilliant and we had a fantastic garden party after the ceremony. It was great that all our children played a part in the ceremony, especially Stacey. It was strange hearing her call us by our names instead of ‘Mum and Dad’.” Sharon Crews, superintendent registrar for the Isle of Wight Council, said: “It is always lovely to conduct a ceremony for people you know, but when it is your parents getting remarried it must be extra special. “Stacey had asked if it was ok to officiate at the remarriage of her parents and of course we were delighted to give the go ahead. “The Register Office team were so pleased for Stacey and her parents. It was very much a first for us here – as none of us can recall someone officiating for their parents remarriage to one another.”

Jacob gave his mum away, Chris presented the rings, Helen gave the reading and Rachel and Emily signed the register as witnesses. Ruby also wore the same headband that Stacey wore on the original wedding day 25 years ago.

Stacey’s mum Julie, 45, said: “We had been thinking about remarrying for a few years as we knew we wanted to spend the rest of our lives married to each other. With the 25th anniversary coming up and with Stacey as a registrar it just seemed the perfect time to do it. It was lovely to also have my dad there, who wasn’t there the first time round and the ceremony itself was very emotional – even Stacey was crying by the end. “We had a lovely day and had a minihoneymoon in Shanklin at the weekend. In

Stacey conducts the remarriage of her parents

Lower bills under updated water plan M

By Joel Hufford

Southern Water customers are set to benefit from lower average bills after the company updated its Business Plan for 2015 to 2020. It is now proposed that average bills will rise by 3.2 per cent less than the rate of inflation. This compares with an increase of 1.5 per cent below inflation in the plan put forward to the water industry regulator Ofwat in December last year. Matthew Wright, Southern Water’s Chief Executive, said: “We have worked hard to respond to Ofwat’s feedback on our plan and this means we can now provide even better value for money for our customers. We believe our proposals strike the right balance between the need to deliver the improved services customers want, cater for a growing population in our region, safeguard the environment and make sure bills are affordable. “Our plan is based on the views of more than 27,000 people from across our region and includes 26 promises which we are making to customers about the quality of service they receive. One of these key commitments is that we will make nearly £200 million in efficiency savings between 2015 and 2020 – that amounts to about £20 per year for every household we serve.” The range of improvements Southern Water’s plan will deliver includes: ● 90 per cent of customers’ queries resolved the first time they contact Southern Water ● A 25 per cent reduction in sewer flooding inside people’s homes and businesses ● No ‘serious pollution incidents’ affecting local rivers and coastal waters caused by Southern Water’s operations ● A 15 per cent increase in the number of beaches with the official ‘excellent’ rating for bathing water quality ● A further reduction in leakage of two million litres a day ● A reduction of 15 litres per person, per day in average water use. Ofwat is due to publish a final determination on Southern Water’s plan in December 2014.

Visitors invited to discover the secret of Time Travel Actress Celia Imrie is the “voice” of the Isle of Wight in a TV ad enticing UK holiday-makers to visit the Island and to journey back in time to follow a new Time Travel trail with the Transformers: Age of Extinction film. Aiming to follow in the giant footsteps left behind by Dinosaurs last year, the Isle of Wight is now looking to capitalise on the upcoming blockbuster, and will be offering to send visitors on a journey back to the future with the help of a new Time Travel app and visitor’s passport. Free to download, the app is available to iPhone users from Apple’s App Store along with an Android version from Google Play

NEWS

Outdoor Cinema Event on Family Day Family Day at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week will have an exciting new addition this year – an outdoor cinema screening at Northwood House, West Cowes. The screening, courtesy of the Extraordinary Travelling Film Show, will take place on Sunday 3rd August, and will be a wonderful way for everyone to relax after a day of sailing or a busy Family Day ashore. The film will be chosen by a public vote with voting taking place at www.travellingfilmshow.co.uk/vote. The choices include: Pirates of the Caribbean:, Curse of the Black Pearl, Finding Nemo, The Goonies & Splash Voting begins on Friday 27th June, and the count will take place on Monday July 7th. Vote for Captain Jack, Marlin, Mikey or Madison and see the winning choice on the big screen under the stars on Sunday 3rd August. Northwood House, a 5-minute walk from Cowes Parade, is a beautiful, historic house set in lovely grounds. Cinema-goers will also get to see some of the ornate interior, including the rotunda. The film will be shown on the private lawn of the house and film goers are encouraged to bring a picnic mat or chair to relax in the wonderful surroundings and experience a truly entertaining film under the stars. There will be delicious food, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks available as well as blankets, picnic mats and ‘wedge’ seats for sale to keep you comfortable through any high seas adventure!

Nine teams for 2014 Cup M

Northwood House

By Ben Cummings

The screening during Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week is part of a summer-long schedule that the Extraordinary Travelling Film Show are bringing to the Island. Full details at: www.travellingfilmshow.co.uk

OPTIONS FOR UNDERCLIFF DRIVE TO BE DISCUSSED Six options for the future management of Undercliff Drive, St Lawrence are to be discussed by the Isle of Wight Council’s Executive when it meets next month (7 July). A report before the Executive is recommending that the council and Island Roads develop more detailed costings of the various repair options before a preferred scheme is agreed. The six options have been developed following the compilation of three reports by Island Roads about sections of Undercliff Drive which were affected by ground movement earlier this year. Land movement at two main locations left nine properties landlocked and inaccessible by vehicle. The land movement followed rainfall levels during the winter of 2013/2014 which were 25 per cent higher than any previous figures for the location. The options being considered include re-establishing access to the nine properties or possibly reopening Undercliff Drive to through traffic. The options are as follows (provisional estimates in brackets): ● Option 1 – re-establish pedestrian access only (£250,000 to £500,000). ● Option 2 – repair and reopen the road with access from one direction only (£1 million to £2.5 million). ● Option 3 – repair and reopen through road from Ventnor to Niton (£6 million to £20 million). ● Option 4 – establish a new access road to properties along the base of the cliff (£200,000 to £500,000). ● Option 5 – establish a temporary low cost road from the west (initially less than £100,000). ● Option 6 – permanent vehicular closure of the affected part of Undercliff Drive, pedestrian access limited to residents. The three reports submitted by Island Roads were published at the end of May and outlined factors including what actions were taken in the lead up to and following the geological failure; what actions Island Roads proposes to rectify, manage and/or mitigate the geological failure; and a financial estimate of costs of proposals. Under the Island’s highways PFI contract, should a section of the highway fail for geological or geotechnical reasons, Island Roads is required to provide the council with a technical report, known as a failure report. The report to the 7 July meeting of the Executive follows consideration by council officers of the three failure reports – which were posted on the council’s website so residents and affected parties could study the findings of Island Roads and its specialist geotechnical consultants. The reports can be found at: http://bit.ly/TqtOpY.

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail – Friday, 27th June 2014

By Dominic Hillyard

Undercliff Drive Island Roads is continuing to monitor groundwater levels as well as surface and sub-surface groundwater movement at the location – and the monitoring shows that while ground movement has slowed, it has not stopped. One of the affected properties has been declared unsafe by the council’s building control section, which continues to monitor the remaining properties. Two of the properties are still occupied. There has also been ground movement identified at several places away from the two major areas of ‘failure’. The council and Island Roads have held meetings with affected residents to keep them informed of progress with the reports and the options under consideration. The report to the 7 July meeting of the Executive states: “The initial cost estimates set out by Island Roads in their failure reports indicate that some form of improved access is probably affordable. It adds: “However, without more detailed information regarding the construction costs it is not possible to determine which of the potential schemes is preferred. “It is therefore appropriate that officers investigate which of the possible options suggested by Island Roads can be delivered at an affordable cost, whilst considering the wider threats to Undercliff Drive from ongoing instability problems.” Councillor Jon Gilbey, Executive member for resources and highways PFI, said: “The three reports from Island Roads have been closely studied and it is now being recommended that the six options arising from these reports are fully and properly costed before we propose a preferred way ahead. “The welfare and concerns of the affected residents remain paramount, and in the mean time we are keeping them fully aware of progress - and are reassuring them that we are doing all we can to reach a decision on the road’s future as soon as possible.”

By Trish Jenkins

With the entry list now closed, nine teams have confirmed their participation in the Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup, taking place out of Cowes over Saturday 19th July until Saturday 26th July. This year the Royal Ocean Racing Club's biennial flagship event for national teams with amateur crews has two more teams than when the event was last held in 2012. This is thanks to France and Great Britain both fielding four teams, each comprising three boats. The teams feature many previous Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup participants, particularly in the French line-up, where they are keen to emulate the success of the campaign led by Géry Trentesaux in 2006. "The French have come back with vengeance - they have got severe strength and depth, which is going to be an interesting problem for everyone else," advises CEO of the RORC, Eddie Warden Owen. "They are taking it seriously. The crews are all friends and I think they will be a severe handful for the rest of the teams." Ireland, winner in 2010, was unable to defend its title in 2012, but is back with a team every bit as strong as it was four years ago. While it doesn't have the same depth as the British and French, the one Irish team is of exceptionally high quality. As in 2010, the effort from the Emerald Isle is being spearheaded by Anthony O'Leary, once again campaigning his Ker 39, Antix, the recent winner of the IRC National Championship. O'Leary, a former Vice Commodore of the RORC, will be joined on the Irish Team by the current Vice Commodore, Michael Boyd, competing on Quokka 8. "The Irish are sailing very well," says Warden Owen. "I think Antix has done a brilliant job. The other two boats have put a lot of time in, so I see the Irish as being strong." However the French and the Irish will be up against the defending champions, Great Britain, this year comprised of three teams from the nation as a whole and one specifically from Scotland. Surprisingly there are few surviving members of the 2012 winning GBR Red team among the British crews. One is sailmaker Kevin Sproul, who is racing as one of the two ISAF Group 3 'pros' aboard James McGarry's Swan 45, Eala of Rhu. For Sproul this year's event will be special because he has sailed the Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup twice before and twice has won, on both occasions sailing with Jonathan Goring. If Team Scotland is successful, then this year will be his hat trick. However this will not be easy, Sproul recognises: "The Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup is a team event and a lot of people underestimate that. The reason we won it last time with GBR Red is that we had a good all round team, and all three boats got the results they needed. It was the same the previous time we won it. I think it will be a tough event - It always is." The Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup 2014 will be held between 19-26 July 2014 at Cowes, Isle of Wight. For further information on the event visit: www.commodorescup.rorc.org

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of Wight Mail â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday, 27th June 2014

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