Isle of Wight Observer Issue 78

28th February 2020

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Meet Victoria and Bea in East Cowes

Friday 28th February 2020 Issue No.78

New End of Life Unit at St Mary’s

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OUCH!

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And lots more pain to come

'Many cannot afford rise in Council Tax'

3 Island residents’ worst fears have been of further pain to come through cuts to confirmed with an inflation busting rise in services, and increases in fines and charges.

Council Tax of 3.99 per cent, along with more The Council Tax hike was rubber-stamped expensive car parking and during the prospect at the IW full Council meeting on Wednesday Dagmar Turner playing –violin brain surgery

with the agreed increase taking Council Tax for a Band C property to £1,478 a year, a rise of nearly £57, which does not include precepts for the Police or town and parish

councils.

There was also the warning that the Council needs to make a further £10.5 million in savings over the following three years,

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28th February 2020

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Address: Suite 6, 17 Thomas House , St. Thomas Square, Newport, IW, PO30 1SL Publisher: IW Observer Ltd. Digital Editor: Sandy Clarke Sales: Carole Dennett, Emma Harper, Wendy Willmott Layout & Production: Jade Honey Photography: Chris Cornford, Sharon Cornford Regulated by IMPRESS: The Independent Monitor for the Press CIC The IW Observer is a member of IMPRESS: The Independent Monitor of the Press.

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Crossword Answers - P.29 Down: 1. Palace, 2. Sirloin, 3. Budge, 5. Chorizo, 6. Raise, 7. Damask, 9. Extremity, 13. Dungeon, 14. Flowers, 15. Oliver, 16. Census, 18. Paris, 19. Pedal.

Across: 1. Pass by, 4. Scored, 8. Lurid, 9. Egotism, 10. Closest, 11. Ideas, 12. Nodded off, 17. Lupin, 19. Implore, 21. Variety, 22. Duets, 23. Resent, 24. Blasts

Find Bob, our friendly squirrel!

Find Bob somewhere in this week’s paper and one lucky winner will win a pack of goodies from the Wight Squirrel Project including two books and two videos.

Tell us which page number Bob appears on (not including this one). You can email the page number and your name to spotbob@ iwobserver.co.uk or text 07749 591550. The deadline is midday on Thursday. Last week he was on page 14. The winner of last week’s Isle of Wight related books was Len Griffin.

Harry’s ‘Sandbanks Summer’ suddenly ends up in Cowes!

The Island suddenly became an integral part of Harry Redknapp’s ‘Sandbanks Summer’ programme, currently being shown on ITV, when he landed at Cowes to shoot the second episode of his new show, which was screened this week.

Redknapp, the former manager of both Portsmouth and Southampton Football Clubs, exKing of the Jungle in ITV’s ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’, and now TV personality, just happened to stumble across the world’s biggest and most famous powerboat race in history.

No fewer than 150 racers from across the world were swarming the Cowes pits when the programme was recorded last summer on one of the hottest weekends of the year for the world famous CowesTorquay-Cowes race.

As Redknapp arrived with his wife Sandra and close friend and former football ace John Barnes on their £3 million Superyacht, a Sasse Sunseeker 75, Cowes Harbour was already full of Superboats. The Redknapps, along with Barnes, were greeted by noisy engines and a hive of activity as the international teams prepared to race.

Redknapp’s skipper Simon Firth, looking for space in Cowes marina, was the first to shout from the fly deck into the marina after spotting former Bond stunt-girl Sarah Donohue, shooting a new line of

official 007 Magazine clothing on board ‘Dry Martini’, a boat the stars were soon to be interviewed aboard, alongside driver Christian Toll.

Redknapp lives with Sandra in a multi-million pound home at Sandbanks, and along with Barnes, a former Liverpool player and England international, they wandered through the wet pits.

They wished the race teams well and asked questions as they passed by stopping at one of the most famous boats steeped in history, Dry Martini with it’s race team Christian Toll and Mike Bontoft, who featured in the ITV show on Wednesday evening.

Bond girl Sarah had her feet safely on the terra firma that weekend, working as Race Secretary and team liaison alongside Laura Aitken, the daughter of Sir Max Aitken, 2nd Baron Beaverbrook, who started in the CowesTorquay-Cowes race back in1960.

Sarah was working in between changes of 007 outfits ahead of the release of the new Bond movie ‘No Time To Die’.

August Bank Holiday weekend this year sees the 60th anniversary of the historic race and it will be incredibly spectacular, the biggest race the world has ever seen with many personalities and vibrancy surrounding it, as 189 miles of open and often treacherous water faces more than 60 boats and crews that will taking part.

28th February 2020

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Testy exchanges at County Hall Continued from page 1 with £4.5 million to be found in the 2020/21 forthcoming financial year. So clearly there is more penny pinching - and far worse - to come with many Islanders already struggling to make ends meet.

Cllr. Geoff Brodie, who stands for Newport East, said that many of the people he represents couldn’t afford a four per cent increase in Council Tax. He remembered protests at unaffordable Council Tax rises in the past, but said now ‘there is no outrage out there, people have given up’.

In testy exchanges at County Hall, opposition members complained they had been given only two days to scrutinise the ruling Conservative group’s budget and come up with their own proposals. Deputy Council Leader Stuart Hutchinson apologised for the delay, citing Brexit uncertainties, the December 12 General Election and a delay to the Government’s Fair Funding Review as some of the ‘uncertainties that kept arising’ during the budget review process.

He thanked opposition groups for putting forward alternative budgets, noting that none challenged the need for the near four per cent rise in Council Tax, a cross-chamber recognition he said, of the challenge the Council faces.

The Conservative’s budget will see increased parking fees for pay and display and parking permits, higher charges for crematorium services with cut-backs in parks and cemeteries maintenance; beach cleaning cut to once a week during term time, with cuts to school buses and an increase in fees for leisure services such as swimming lessons. The 3.99 per cent increase is the maximum allowable without a local referendum and includes two per cent which must be spent on adult social care.

Three amendments, introduced by Councillors Michael Lilley (1953 group Independent Green), Andrew Garratt (Liberal Democrat) and Debbie Andre (Island Independent Group) were described as a ‘financial risk’ by Council leader Dave Stewart and voted down, with the Conservative budget being passed by 23 votes to 12, with former Council leader Ian Stevens abstaining.

Cllr Garratt said the cuts must stop because education and social services could not take ‘any more pain’. He proposed investing an extra £700,000 in adult social care and £200,000 in children’s services, keeping current levels of support for beach cleaning and community libraries and trialling 30-minute free parking in Newport High Street.

Cllr Andre criticised the allocation of £820,000 for the refurbishment of the Broadway Centre in Sandown. She said: “How can this be justified when there are 2,655 people currently on the housing register with no idea of when they will have somewhere to call home?” The group’s alternative proposals included using £500,000 to purchase sites for affordable and social housing.

Cllr Lilley wanted £1 million from the the Council’s £12 million reserve pot, to help Parish and Town Councils support a range of initiatives such as tree planting, solar energy farms, reducing local fuel poverty, ecological job creation initiatives and develop green tourism.

Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, of the Island Independent Members Group, said Councillors should put themselves ‘in the shoes’ of service users. She pleaded with members to work together to get a message to the Prime Minister: “Where is our money?

Send us the cheque and backdate it please.”

Council leader, Dave Stewart, pointed out that only seven per cent of savings were coming from reductions in service, adding: "For the fourth year running we have been able to 'balance the books' and meet our future funding requirements.

"In the coming year the Council will spend more than £203 million on frontline services, including an extra £6.5 million in adult social care and children's services.

This level of investment in these statutory services reflects just how much we recognise and prioritise these essential services for our community.

"We have a clear strategy to keep the council financially balanced and sustainable.

As a result, we're pleased to say we can reduce our savings target for the next three years by £3 million, to £10.5 million, keeping to a consistent downward trend that we have delivered in our required savings for the last four years. This reflects a major improvement in the Council's overall financial position."

Councillor Dave Stewart

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News in brief Man trapped in car Firefighters were called to remove one man trapped in a car, following a crash in Sandown.

Emergency services were at the incident, involving two vehicles, on Carter Street last Saturday.

It is believed a car went into a wall and the driver of a vehicle was left in the care of the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service.

HSBC to stay in Newport It appears Newport’s branch of HSBC has been spared the axe as the high street bank has announced a further 27 branch closures as it ‘cannot ignore’ changes in the way that people are doing their banking.

Following the latest round of closures there will be 594 branches remaining across the UK.

Increases in parking charges Pay and display charges are going up by an average of 20p per hour and fees will be introduced along Cowes sea front, There will also be a new charge of £2 per day at Cowes park and ride from Somerton, which is currently free. A new fee is to be introduced in Newport High Street allowing parking for 30

minutes for what the Council calls 'a convenient £1'.

A single annual parking permit will be introduced for £600, replacing previous permits which cost £324.50 or £462.

The new permit will allow parking for 24 hours or two hours in a short-stay car park.

Giant Boat Jumble The second Cowes Giant Boat Jumble is to be held at Northwood Park, Cowes on Sunday, March 29, from 9am to 3pm. It provides enthusiasts with the chance to buy and sell nautical equipment, with pre-booked pitches necessary. Call (01983) 293642.

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28th February 2020

Flippin' good fun for a very worthy cause

Councillor Michael Lilley There was flippin' good fun in Ryde this week, and it was all for a very worthy cause.

Independent Green Councillor for Ryde East, Michael Lilley, established an annual Pancake event three years ago to raise awareness of poverty and the work of IW Foodbanks.

This year's event on Pancake Day took place at Ryde Foodbank, Grace’s Church, Marlborough Road, Ryde. with competitors flipping their pancakes along the route.

Cllr Lilley hosted the race as Mayor of Ryde with funds going to Ryde Foodbank to raise awareness of how family poverty leads to poor mental health for children. Around £1,400 has already been collected, with more money expected to come in, to hopefully push the total towards £1,500.

The Children’s’ Society state that over the last 25 years research has shown growing up

in poverty has a detrimental effect on the mental health and well-being of children and young people. There is evidence to suggest that children and young people who live in poverty have a higher chance of experiencing mental health problems and lower subjective well-being both as children, and as adults.

Joseph Rowntree UK Poverty Report 2018 published in December 2018 said child poverty has been rising significantly since 2011/12 in the UK and this was the case on the Isle of Wight. There are 4.1 million children living in poverty in the UK, a rise of 500,000 in the last five years. Four million workers are also living in poverty, a rise of more than half a million over five years, and in-work poverty has been rising even faster than employment, driven almost entirely by increasing poverty among working parents.

Victoria and Bea turning the heads in East Cowes A striking cat mural created by street artist and local resident Tony Trowbridge is attracting plenty of attention at Weaver Brothers’ new Link Road premises. Councillor Karl Love posted on Facebook in December ‘I have just spotted this latest addition to East Cowes Wall Art. I think puss looks great and wonder what puss’s name might be? It certainly brings a bit of interest and colour to the area’.

His comment gave Weaver Brothers the inspiration to run a competition to name their new feline. Two names proved initially popular, Victoria and Garfield, so an on-line poll was organised. Nearly 300 people voted with Victoria attracting 66 per cent of the votes.

Richard Weaver said: “I was really impressed with Tony Trowbridge’s artworks

at Sandown Zoo and thought an animal painted on the wall of our new branch would brighten the area up. We eventually settled on a cat watching a bee, and people seem to be really taken with her. The most famous East Cowes resident was of course Victoria and her daughter was Beatrice, so we have named the bee in her honour – Bea.” Weaver Brothers have also made donations to the Isle of Wight branch of the Cats Protection League and Andy Marshall who volunteers with a number of cat charities including Feline Welfare Isle of Wight. The winner of the competition to name Victoria is Kara Logan of East Cowes. Her name was drawn at random from all the entries and she will be presented with a personalised Emma Bridgewater cat mug.

28th February 2020

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Landlocked boats stuck on Ryde Harbour berths

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News in brief

Cliff fall at Sandown

Cadet leaders needed The police cadet scheme is run by teams of enthusiastic volunteers from the police force and the local community, and are always looking for new adult volunteers to help as leaders within the scheme.

Leaders do not have to have previous police experience, only an interest in helping

young people achieve their best and reach their full potential.

If you can spare at least two hours a week and are interested in becoming involved as a Volunteer Adult Leader, you can find out more information at hampshire. police.uk/join-us/volunteerpolice-cadets/

Island Repair Cafe being considered?

BBC local democracy reporter Louise Hill Angry Ryde Harbour users have hit out at the Isle of Wight Council for not keeping the harbour in working order. Currently, a build up of silt is blocking part of the entrance and exit to the harbour, meaning some berth holders are unable to use their boats.

According to the users, the Council sent a digger and a dumper to remove some of the build up for one day but they believe that is not enough. However, a spokesperson for the Council said the build up in Ryde Harbour happened ‘rapidly’ in late December and early January in a period when dredging cannot take place, due to conditions in its dredging licence.

A Council spokesman said it cleared it at the earliest

opportunity over five days, when a large amount of silt was moved, although it was accepted that it only marginally reduced the build up.

Alan Venters, who pays £1,000 to keep his boat in the harbour, said: “We do worry about the build up as it restricts our time to get in and out of the harbour.

Ordinarily, I can come out of here two hours before high water and get straight through, now it is harder and I only have an hour. We are paying money for our boats we cannot use.”

Mike Drinkwater said he and fellow users in fishing boats and catamarans couldn’t get out at all. He said: “We are landlocked — the Council are never going to clear it.”

Other sailors complained there was no communication between the Council and those using the harbour, coupled with a lack of investment.

A lack of warning signs around the silt build up has also caused concern among the sailors, with the entrance described as a ‘bottleneck, it was so narrow’.

One accident saw a lady go over the bow of her boat as it was coming in, with its fenders out, and collided with the build up.

Letters had been written to the harbourmaster explaining the issues the group have but users said they either got no reply, or what little response they did receive was ignorant.

The Isle of Wight may be getting its first Repair Cafe, depending on the support the idea receives. As a nation, we throw away vast amounts of stuff, even things with almost nothing wrong, which could get a new lease on life after a simple repair.

Repair Cafes are free meeting places and they’re all about repairing things together. You find tools and materials to help make any repairs. The concept originated in Amsterdam and offers a unique repair service to fix a range of items,

from household objects to electrical goods, clothing or even bicycles.

The community-driven cafe would need a spacious, accessible venue to operate from, with WiFi and food and drink facilities, to be used on a monthly basis. If we want the cafe confirmed on the Isle of Wight, we are asked to show our support at an event in Newport. An information session is happening at Shaping Newport, 30 High Street on March 14 at 10am.

The idea has been inspired by the success of Portsmouth’s Repair Cafe.

Assault at Coppins Bridge Police are investigating a serious sexual assault against a 15-year-old girl which it was reported took place at the pedestrian subway tunnel that connects the Riverside Centre with Coppins Bridge in Newport.

Police were called to the location at around 11.30pm last Saturday (Feb 22). A spokesman for

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed they were undertaking investigations and supporting the individual concerned. There is thought to be no risk to the wider public. If anybody has any information about the incident they should report it to 101 quoting reference number 44200068540.

A clear-up took place after several tons of cliff behind Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat station fell during the early hours of Monday morning. One resident in Grange Road reported being woken by ‘a short jolt, a bit like a mini-earthquake’.

Networking event for health care Anybody interested in supporting the health, social care and wellbeing of Islanders is invited to a network event next Wednesday (March 4) from 2pm to 5pm at Aspire in Dover Street, Ryde. The event is organised by the Institute of Health Management and is free to attend.

Further information is available from Loretta Outhwaite at louthwaite@ ihm.org.uk or register in advance https://zcu.io/ eJnc

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28th February 2020

End of life care unit opens at St Mary's

Photo credit: BBC Local Democracy Service

Parish Councillor is cleared of swearing End of Life Care Team Isle of Wight NHS Trust has opened a new three-bed End of Life Care Unit to help support people as they approach the end of their lives.

The Trust announced the new nurse-led Wellow Unit as part of its committment to improve acute or hospital-based services.

It has been opened on a 12-week pilotbasis with the potential for it to become a permanent addition to St Mary’s Hospital.

Alice Webster, Nursing Director at Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said: “This is a really welcome addition to St Mary’s Hospital.

Supporting people as they enter the final days and hours of their lives is such a vital thing and this new unit will give them the space and quiet they need. It will also provide a much more peaceful environment for their friends and family.

“Our End of Life Care Service has improved a huge amount in the last couple of years and the Care Quality Commission found examples of outstanding practice. Opening Wellow Unit shows our commitment to continue to improve our services and to support our Island community.”

A Bembridge Parish Councillor has been cleared of allegedly swearing at a fellow member in a public meeting. Cllr Richard Weaver, who has served on the parish council since May 2017, denied swearing at Cllr Alasdair Steane during a meeting in September 2018.

An earlier report produced by an Isle of Wight Council officer found Cllr Weaver had ‘more likely than not’ sworn at Cllr Steane and he ‘failed to meet the obligation’ of two aspects of the code of conduct, treating others

with respect and not bringing his position or the parish council into disrepute.

Cllr John Kilpatrick Chairman of the committee, said: “On the balance of probabilities and having carefully considered the conflicting evidence, Cllr Weaver is found not guilty.

“It is the decision of the panel that there is insufficient reliable and irrefutable evidence to reach a conclusion that a breach of the code of member conduct has occurred.”

One in four medical staff abused in the last year BBC local democracy reporter Louise Hill More than one in four staff across the Isle of Wight NHS have experienced abuse towards them by patients in the last 12 months. The statistics were released as Government health secretary Matt Hancock announced new measures to protect workers.

Results from the 2019 NHS staff survey revealed dramatic levels of health workers have suffered from abuse, bullying or harassment directed towards them by patients and other members of the public, while doing their jobs.

Of ambulance staff at Isle of Wight NHS Trust who answered the survey, 57 per cent of disabled and 28.8 per cent of non-disabled staff said they had experienced issues, a 10 per cent increase of incidents against disabled staff compared to 2018.

Mr Hancock sent a letter to all NHS staff earlier this week saying every health worker deserves to work in a ‘safe, caring and compassionate environment’, and introducing new rules to shield workers from abuse. Medical professionals can refuse to treat patients in non-emergency cases, who are aggressive or discriminatory towards them.

Mr Hancock said: “There is far too much

violence against NHS staff, and too much acceptance that it’s part of the job. “Far too often I hear stories that the people you are trying to help lash out.

“I am horrified any member of the public would abuse or physically assault a member of our NHS staff but it happens too often.”

Currently, medical staff can refuse to treat verbally aggressive or physically violent patients but this will now extend the policy to include any form of harassment including homophobia, sexism or racism.

Staff in the mental health area of the trust also reported being abused with 45.5 per cent of non-disabled and 38.9 per cent of disabled staff experiencing incidents.

A spokesperson for Isle of Wight NHS Trust said: “Bullying, harassment and abuse of NHS staff is totally unacceptable and we will take all the necessary steps to ensure that people are safe and supported at work.

“Our staff work extremely hard, in often challenging roles, and they deserve to be treated with respect. Our new Respect Campaign will seek to tackle bullying, harassment and abuse from any source through training and improvements to our reporting and support processes.”

Weighbridge but no Spider Ride Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary have postponed their Spider Ride on Sunday, March 1. Their paddocks are already waterlogged and with more rain expected it is not safe to host the event. A

spokesman said: “We would be grateful if our enquine community support us by using the weighbridge.

"We have had a horrendous start to the year with barely any visitors to the sanctuary,

so by having your horse weighed, it would benefit yourself, your horse and support us financially.”

The weighbridge will be available from 11am to 3pm, booking is advised.

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Top Citation award for hospital doctor

Photo of Dr Victor Lawrence / Photo from NHS Twitter A top doctor from the Isle of Wight has been awarded an Honorary Citation from the College of Podiatry.

Dr Victor Lawrence is a Consultant Physician in Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus, based at St Mary’s Hospital, and will receive one of two prestigious awards given by the College at an annual awards ceremony later this year.

IOW NHS Trust Medical Director, Alistair Flowerdew, said: “We are delighted about the award conferred on Dr Lawrence. It is a tribute to his exemplary service for the people on the Isle of Wight.”

Dr Lawrence was nominated to receive the award by colleagues at St. Mary’s, and across the Solent, for his dedication and proactive involvement

in championing the cause of podiatry, the reduction of lower limb amputations as well as the support he gives to the development of practitioners within the Podiatry teams.

Stephanie Stanley, Consultant Podiatrist and Head of Podiatry at St. Mary’s Hospital, said: “He is not only the designated medical practitioner for myself as an independent prescriber, he also acts as a clinical educator for all of the podiatry students from the University of Southampton and offers the opportunity for the Podiatry team to rotate through the joint diabetes foot ulcer clinic to gain experience and update their skills.

“He has striven to reduce the lower limb amputation rate on the Island and we currently have one of the lowest

amputation rates in the region. We are very fortunate that he is a part of our multi-disciplinary team on the Island.”

The diabetic foot team at St. Mary’s run a high-risk diabetic foot service for people with ulcerations requiring intervention. It works with the University Hospital Southampton’s vascular teams and the renal dialysis team at Queen Alexandra Hospital Portsmouth for onward referrals.

Last year the Podiatry service saw over 41,000 patients with almost 1,000 being at high risk of threatened limb loss. Dr Lawrence will be awarded an Honorary Citation later this year at a prestigious ceremony to be held at The House of Lords.

Knit a chick for Mountbatten Could you knit or crochet a chick to raise funds to support Islanders and their families when they need it most? That is the question being asked by Mountbatten, as they launch their annual knit-a-chick campaign.

Anyone can get involved in the Easter project by knitting or crocheting a chick, which can then be filled with a small chocolate egg. The completed chicks are sold as an ideal Easter gift in Mountbatten’s ten charity shops across the Island, raising important income for the hospice’s services.

Last year, 367 wonderful chicks were created, raising an amazing £550.

As well as raising funds, the project aims to raise awareness of Mountbatten Neighbours, a free community-led project which offers time and support to people living close by who have serious illnesses or who are older, and face isolation and loneliness. Sally List, Mountbatten Neighbours project lead, said: “The idea behind Mountbatten Neighbours is that the relationship should be two-way, and that the neighbour should get as much enjoyment and fulfilment as the person being supported by them.”

Anyone is welcome to knit or crochet a chick from the patterns which are available to download from mountbatten. org.uk. Donations of crème eggs to fill the knitted chicks are also very welcome. Both the finished chicks and any egg donations can be taken to Mountbatten’s donation and delivery centre at Riverway Industrial Estate, 16a Riverway, Newport PO30 5UZ, or to your local Mountbatten shop. Each chick will be sold for £2 in Mountbatten shops.

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28th February 2020

Irish music and a special exhibition at Mountbatten

Donal O’Riain A music concert with a special Irish theme is heading to Mountbatten this March.

Donal O’Riain and Mark Hickman, from The Teetotallers, will perform at the John Cheverton Centre, in Newport, on Thursday, March 5.

Donal, who plays the fiddle, said: “Last time we played at Mountbatten, it was packed, so let’s hope we can do the same again. It’s a great venue and a super cause for us to support, so come along for a fun evening of Irish music and songs.”

Recent concerts at Mountbatten have

proved hugely popular, with more than 100 people regularly attending.

Nigel Hartley, Mountbatten CEO, said: “We want people to see Mountbatten as a place to socialise, have fun and be surprised.

“Our Mountbatten Hospice building is a warm, light and very welcoming place and it is lovely to see so many people coming along to enjoy live music here.

“We have a varied programme over the coming months, and we are keen to develop our concert series to offer something for everyone, so if you have not yet been, please come along.”

Tickets are available on the door, priced at £10, which includes wine and canapes. The concert starts at 7.30pm.

The latest exhibition is now also on display at Mountbatten’s public art gallery.

Island artist Andy Walker, who was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2006, has a series of stunning paintings for sale.

The collection includes portraits of wild animals, iconic London landmarks and Island landscapes.

Unauthorised absences drop but fines income up BBC local democracy reporter Louise Hill The Isle of Wight Council received more than £100,000 last year from fining parents and carers whose children had unauthorised absences.

In 2018-19, 97 cases went to court because parents and carers failed to pay the £120 fine in 28 days. A Freedom of Information request by The Knowledge Academy found the council received £105,420 from fines, paid before and after the 28 days.

In the previous year, 2,030 truancy penalty notices were given to parents and carers of students compared to 1,920 in 2018-19. Fines for a child skipping school without authorisation start at £60 but rise if they are not paid within 21 days, and parents can face a £1,000 fine in court.

A total of 211 people failed to pay the fine in 21 days in 2018/19 compared to 229 the year before.

An Isle of Wight Council spokesman said: “We are committed to securing high attendance from all pupils and

take our statutory responsibility in this area very seriously. The local authority issues penalty notices on behalf of head teachers and it is a head teacher’s decision as to whether to authorise term-time leave. The law allows them to do so if they deem it to be in ‘exceptional circumstances’.

“The Council is not allowed to make any profit from fine income.

The proceeds contribute to the legal costs of issuing penalty notices and other work related to promoting good school attendance. The DfE has issued guidance on attendance and the Isle of Wight Council has a statutory duty to implement it in full.

“The Council recognises that regular attendance at school is essential for pupils’ learning and attainment and creates more opportunities for their future. We continue to urge parents to ensure that their children maintain a high level of school attendance.”

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First Story Festival a treat for families

Hundreds of children and their families were treated to a magical two days, encompassing stories, illustrations, theatre, puppetry, live animal encounters and all manner of handson arts and crafts, at the inaugural IW Story Festival at the Riverside Centre, Newport.

Major attractions included sessions by some of the country’s best known and

most loved children’s illustrators. They included Korky Paul, Nick Sharratt and the fabulous hat-wearing author and illustrator, Sarah McIntyre.

The IW Bat Hospital, the shadow puppet theatre company, Emergency Turtle and local author Kieran Larwood also performed to sell-out crowds.

The event was a great showcase for the wealth of local writing, illustrating and

storytelling talent on the Island. There were inspirational workshops from performance poet and cartoonist, Adam Gaterell, authors and illustrators Jules Marriner, Zoe Sadler and Peta Rainford, authors Debbie Webb, Kate Rossati and Paul Barrett and storytellers Sue Bailey and Paul Wilson of Sacred Isle.

By-the-wind sailors stranded ashore A walk along Yaverland beach after Storm Dennis led to a surprising find for keen beachcomber Joanna Crouch. She found a number of these beautiful creatures which had been washed ashore. Usually a denizen of the open seas, Velella Velella are related to jellyfish and are commonly known by their more descriptive names of sea raft or by-the-wind sailor.

They float on the sea’s surface with their rigid transparent sail propelling them across the open water. They are carnivorous and catch plankton by way of small tentacles that hang down in the water. They are not poisonous, but some people can have an unpleasant reaction to the toxins they carry. It is wise not to touch your face or eyes if you have handled them.

Picture by Joanna Crouch

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28th February 2020

Lifetime love of music for pianist Andrew

Andrew Pellow Island born and bred Andrew Pellow, has now made his 15th appearance at the prestigious Oxford Music Festival after his first foray into the open piano classes there in 2003. He embarked on a full-time musical career in 1990, calling his professional work, which includes instrumental accompaniment and calligraphy, ‘Taylorian Fine Arts’, adopting his grandfather’s surname Taylor. This year he will be celebrating 30 years as a piano teacher.

During three decades as a musician, Andrew has held organist appointments at several Island churches and assisted at other places of worship in a freelance capacity.

Where there have been choirs he has gladly directed, as well as being a chorister himself and he has occasionally composed choral settings too.

At Oxford this year, Andrew competed in four classes, the pieces he played ranged from 18th Century Baroque, to

the 20th Century music, for which he gained a distinction.

His greatest happiness comes when his pupils do well and he encourages people of all ages to learn, love and enjoy their music. He felt great satisfaction this year when an Oxford Japanese friend, 'pipped him to the post' in coming first in the French class with her Debussy entry. Andrew’s offering was two of the Gnossiennes by Erik Satie.

The Mermaid rides again!

Sandy Kealty Island poet Sandy Kealty will be celebrating her newly published poetry collection ‘The Mermaid Rides Again’ at two Island venues that helped hone her poems — Dimbola and Quay Arts.

Sandy will be reading poems from her new ‘even funnier and rambunctious’ collection in the tea-room at Dimbola on March 7 from 7pm to 9.30pm, and Quay Arts café on March 10 from

7pm to 10pm.

Sandy said: “People can expect an evening of entertainment performed by people who were important in inspiring the poems in the book and my life on the Island. There will be me reading from the book, music, film, spoken word, songs, photography, and a fellow poet, Graham Brown, who I’ve been working with for a very long time.”

Sandy has chosen these venues as they have been a big part of her evolution as a poet. She said: “Both Dimbola and Quay Arts were instrumental in honing my performance skills. I actually think my writing has come along since I came to the Isle of Wight, a lot of it through performance. It’s through that way of presenting that I’ve managed to hone things, cut things down, get a bit

less self-indulgent!”

Both launch events are free with a voluntary donation to charity, at Dimbola for the Julia Margaret Cameron Trust. And at Quay Arts for Planet Aware, a glass of wine or soft drink will be provided on arrival at both venues.

If you would like to attend either or both events please let Sandy know at skealty@ sky.com so she has an idea of numbers.

28th February 2020

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Photos: Trudie Wilson

Dangers of cliff falls highlighted Cliff falls around the Island are common place, but the recent downpours have made the ground sodden and even more unsafe, not helping the situation. Residents and tourists are reminded of the dangers of being too close to the foot of cliffs at any time, as these pictures taken in Shanklin underline.

The fall included a whole tree, and IW

Observer reader Trudie Wilson, who took the images from a safe distance using a zoom lens, said: "The experience of witnessing the fall was amazing and the noise of the fall was quite something. I’m a local artist and I was out photographing the cliffs at the time, hence I happened to be there at that moment with a camera."

Yasmin Pannell, Kelly Jeffers, Sharon Lawton, Carol James, Chris Brien and Becky Mew.

New standard of dementia care at Orchard House Orchard House Care Centre in Newport is celebrating achieving foundation level accreditation for a new standard of dementia care.

The 10-60-06 dementia programme was developed and trialled by the Dementia Team at Barchester Healthcare, who have over 200 homes across the country and will replace the company’s current dementia programme.

Orchard House, like many of Barchester’s homes, has a Memory Lane Community, a dedicated part of the home designed to support residents who are living with various stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia. It helps them to stay as independent and active as possible and aims to give the best dementia care in the sector.

Orchard House has implemented significant improvements to the personalised dementia care services they offer and the way that staff are trained to better understand what it means to be living with dementia.

The home was inspected after they had

implemented the new programme and found to have met all standards within the foundation programme. The home will now move forward towards the ‘gold standard’ of the 10-60-06 accreditation.

General Manager at Orchard House Gaynor Rhead said: “We are delighted to have achieved the foundation programme award for dementia care. The changes we are making to our Memory Lane Community and the services we provide there are making a big difference to people’s lives and wellbeing. Both staff and residents’ family members have been especially delighted with the impact of the improved training programme. It is noticeable that people are being supported in a more person-centred way and staff have embedded what they learned into their everyday work.”

Orchard House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for sixty residents from respite care to long term stays.

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28th February 2020

Rock ’n’ goal from Saints and Level 42 Mark for Beaulieu

Home shirt, back row: Lynn Burford, Mark King, Dave Woodhouse, Lillie Fettes.

Front: Harrison Hutchcraft, Cameron Gunton - Bunn, Maggie Feltham.

It’s a case of rock ’n’ goal as Level 42’s Mark King and Southampton Football Club have teamed up in support of Beaulieu House Respite Centre, Newport. Mark has donated four tickets to Level 42’s forthcoming gig at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton on November 1, while Southampton FC have given two framed shirts signed by the first team.

Both shirts are being auctioned, along with two tickets for the concert, to raise funds for Beaulieu House in Newport, which provides a home and overnight respite for children and young people with severe and challenging

disabilities.

The Saints shirts have been donated

by Jonathan Woodhouse who works as a strength and conditioning coach with the club’s under 18 and under 23 teams, and his dad Dave, a past captain of the Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club.

Tony Wake, Beaulieu chairman, said: “Jonathan got the Saints first team to sign the shirts, and both him and Dave agreed that they would like to present them to Beaulieu House so that they can be auctioned to raise some funds for the charity.

“Added to that, Mark has also given two

Away shirt, back row: Jonathan Woodhouse, Cameron Gunton-Bunn, Dave Woodhouse. Front row: left Chloe Barnaby and Jonathan Thorpe. free tickets for the forthcoming Level 42 gig to go with each shirt. Given the strong ties between the Island and Level 42 and the Saints, I think this is a fantastic lot which I hope will raise lots of money for Beaulieu House.”

Jonathan said: “Myself and my dad are delighted to be supporting Beaulieu House – it is a magnificent charity providing a vital service.”

Mark, who is a patron of the charity, said: “What a fantastic gesture from Dave and Jonathan for our young ones at Beaulieu House. The least I could do was to donate two

pairs of signed tickets for the forthcoming show.”

The shirts are being auctioned until March 15 by Dean Hodges at Starsignings IOW free of charge. Bids will be taken on his Twitter account @ludowhufc in his shop in Newport, and also on the charities Facebook page, Beaulieu Respite Isle of Wight.

Money raised will go towards day trips on and off the Island for the children and young people at Beaulieu during school holidays.

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News in brief Veterans sought The Wessex branch of the National Malaya and Borneo Association are looking for veterans from all three services who served during the Malayan Emergency and the Borneo Confrontation to join them. The friendly and sociable group meet regularly at the Royal Maritime Club in Portsmouth. Close family members of those who have served in the conflicts and all other ex-service personnel qualify for associate membership. Please email the secretary at wessexnmbva@gmail. com for further details.

Chimney fire Firefighters dealt with a chimney fire at a property on The Crundles, Freshwater. Using a stirrup pump the fire was extinguished last Sunday evening.

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28th February 2020

Lucky Ryde five win £1,000 each in Postcode Lottery

Freshwater bookshop on Awards shortlist

People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Judie McCourt Five neighbours in Ryde are celebrating after finding themselves £1,000 better off, thanks to their lucky postcode.

The Marlborough Road residents netted the welcome windfall when PO33 1AT was announced as a Daily Prize winner with People’s Postcode Lottery this week.

People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Judie McCourt sent her well-wishes to the winners.

She said: “I’m so happy for our winners, what a great surprise to start the day. I hope they treat themselves to something nice with their winnings.”

A minimum of 32 per cent of ticket sales goes directly to charities and players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised over £500 million to date for thousands of good

causes in Britain and beyond.

This draw was promoted by the Wildlife Trusts which have received over £11.3 million in funding from the players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The Wildlife Trusts look after more than 2,300 nature reserves and operate more than 100 visitor and education centres across the country. The Trusts work to make life better for wildlife, people and future generations.

Many good causes close to the winners have also benefitted from players’ support, and local charities can next apply for funding in August. For more information on People’s Postcode Lottery, please visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk or Facebook and Twitter.

An Isle of Wight bookshop is celebrating being shortlisted for a national award, and the chance to win £5,000.

Freshwater’s Mrs Middleton’s Shop and The Rabbit Hole opened five years ago and is hoping to be crowned this year’s best independent bookshop at the British Book Awards.

It’s the second year that the shop will compete in the South East region, against seven other stores, before vying for the overall prize. The British Book Awards ceremony takes place at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on May 18.

Night search of Medina Concerns raised that a man had gone into the River Medina led to Cowes RNLI lifeboat carrying out an intensive night-time search.

The lifeboat was launched at 11.40 pm last Friday night in response to reports that a man had gone into the upper reaches of the river,

With the aid of an on-board searchlight, the lifeboat proceeded to painstakingly search from the area of the Folly up to the Riverside Centre at Newport Harbour.

Eventually, after finding nothing, the lifeboat returned to the station at 3.25 am.

28th February 2020

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Cycling an opportunity not to be missed here

Tour of Britain

By Cllrs. Steve Hastings and John Hobart The Leader of the IW Council has unveiled the route of the Tour of Britain finale, should plans to hold it here prove successful. Negotiations are now progressing between the Council and event organisers SweetSpot to secure the final stage of the 2021 cycle race for the Island.

This is of course great news for the Island and would provide fantastic opportunities to local businesses such as hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, cafés and caravan/camp sites. But what about our cycleways?

Surely if we are to promote cycle racing here, we should also be promoting the safe use of cycling on a daily basis. This would fit in with our new climate change strategy and action plan developed through the Task and Finish Group of

the Regeneration and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Committee.

We both attend these meetings and supported by Natasha Dix, our hardworking Strategic Manager for Waste and Energy, we have created the new strategy following on from the cross-party declaration of a climate emergency on the Island.

It seems to us this is an ideal time to develop safe cycle routes across the Island, getting more people out of their cars and onto two wheels. You never know, we might find a budding champion if more of our youth are inspired to cycle to school and college.

Such routes would need to be off-road and purpose-built for safety, and to give confidence to parents.

We will be working with officers to seek funding from Government, especially following Boris Johnson’s recent announcement of more money

for buses and cycles. We both feel this is such a good opportunity that it should not be missed. Whenever new roads are proposed, good cycle routes should be a major part of the plans.

Cyclewight are a very proactive group on the Island, who not only push for safer cycling routes but organise group rides throughout the year. These are aimed at all levels of proficiency and are a great way to see the countryside and share the enthusiasm for cycling that is building on the Island.

Their webpage and online magazine can be viewed at www.cyclewight.org where a fund of information can be found for those interested in cycling.

It includes up to date information on their activities and how to report a pothole! They have also been working tirelessly to promote the maintenance of cycleways and develop new routes.

Keziah's memory still helping Island young people A skills auction held by Kezi’s Kindness charity raised a total of £1,772 including a donation of £400. Lots sold ranged from a sand art party for five children to beautiful cakes and an Indian head massage session. The funds raised will go towards the costs of a fun day with free entrance to give a day of enjoyment to Island children.

The charity was set up in memory of Keziah FluxEdmonds who was killed by her father in her East Cowes home in June 2016. They are currently collecting Easter eggs for Island children who may otherwise go without. There is a collection point in Morrisons supermarket in Newport.

Great advertising rates 01983 214264

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28th February 2020

New defibrillator after fundraisers at pub The Eight Bells pub in Carisbrooke has taken possession of a new defibrillator for community use and it is all as a result of local fundraising. Joint owner of the popular local pub Kelly Early, started raising money for the equipment after her own father was diagnosed with a heart condition and the community ‘really rallied round’. A series of bingo and quiz nights, collection boxes on the bar and a second-hand book-shelf in the pub raised the £2,200 needed.

The defibrillator is housed in a secure, weather and vandal proof case and is available 24 hours a day every day of the year. It is also covered by a four-year maintenance plan taking care of insurance, regular inspections and any spare parts or work needed to keep it up and running. It even supplies a replacement unit if is is out of service for 3 consecutive days.

Kelly, who will be monitoring the equipment and feeding the results into an online database, said: “Over a year ago my dad was suddenly diagnosed with a life-threatening heart complaint and it came home to me how important it was to have this sort of equipment available in an emergency. The Eight Bells is at the heart of the village and it seemed exactly the right location.

“Our customers were fantastic, they really rallied round and our bingo and quiz nights were sell-outs.

“We all hope it is never needed, but it is reassuring it is there in an emergency. It has video guidance so even a child can use it to save a life. There will be a free awareness session held in the pub shortly which will give guidance on when and how to use it, we hope everybody will come along."

Kelly Early joint owner of the Eight Bells and barman Nick Griffin

New lease of life plan for Sandown

Hovertravel is chosen as Government case study

BBC local democracy reporter Louise Hill A busy stretch of Isle of Wight seafront could see a new restaurant and public toilets if planning permission is granted. Sandown could be given a new lease of life as the Isle of Wight Council has submitted a planning application, to itself, to partially tear down the public toilets and make way for a new retail unit, Ocean Bay Beach Shop, and cafe.

It is also thought five full-time and ten part-time jobs could be created with the development.

The plans to rejuvenate and completely renovate the toilets are part of the Council’s Eastern Bay Regeneration Plan.

A separate set of unisex public toilets, with

changing facilities, will be built to the side of the new commercial property where food kiosk, Only Foods and Sauces, used to stand.

The area, opposite the entrance to Sandown Pier, will include a terrace overlooking the sandy beaches for the new food and drink outlet. In the design and access statement, the plans to rejuvenate the seafront are called an 'opportunity to revitalise a critical urban space within the heart of Sandown'.

It also says it will create a new functional space of simple yet high quality design that draws upon social and historical context.

Comments on the application can be made until March 13.

A successful initiative by Hovertravel has been chosen as a case study by the Government.

HoverCare is a service for any Hovertravel customer requiring assistance with their travel whether they have reduced mobility requirements or just need a little extra help with their journey.

Neil Chapman, Managing Director of Hovertravel, said: “We have been working with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Department for Transport, explaining how we implemented our HoverCare initiative.

“To be highlighted as a case study and featured on the Government’s website demonstrates that HoverCare is a worldclass, industry leading scheme which is changing the perception and reality of how accessible today’s transport can be.”

HoverCare will act as a case study to provide guidance on the national Inclusive Transport Leaders Scheme, which aims to improve transport for disabled people.

The initiative has already been recognised with finalist positions and commendations across several national awards schemes.

28th February 2020

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Hose Rhodes Dickson branch at East Cowes

New homes plan next to East Cowes School More houses have been proposed for East Cowes, with a developer submitting plans for up to 25 homes on the grounds of a former convent.

Vail Williams LLP, on behalf of Sisters for Christ, are submitting an outline plan for houses on Millfield Avenue, East Cowes, with 35 per cent being affordable.

Sisters for Christ sold part of the land and the convent building on the Springhill Estate in 2016.

The proposed land being developed is predominantly greenfield, and the last bit of land the Sisters for Christ own.

A design and access statement in the application to the Isle of Wight Council, said the work would ‘create an attractive, walkable residential development’. The site plan features 16 open-market and nine affordable homes, a mixture of one-bed bungalows and two, three or four-bed houses, backing onto the primary school.

Isle of Wight Councillor for East Cowes, Cllr Karl Love, has said the convent field is ecologically important, containing rare reptiles, harvest mice and voles among other species. He urged residents to comment on the application.

He said: “In this field wildlife currently coexists in harmony with humans, in spite of modern day pressures brought by the progress of human beings. Old Road, connecting to Millfield Avenue, has no pavements and has a complicated road structure to navigate.

“Residents have raised concerns with me last year about the possibility of this field being built upon and now is your time to make your comment.I encourage everyone living in the immediate location to consider the impacts and importance of this development on our community and environment as a whole.”

Comments can be made on the application

by March 20.

Wolverton Manor Garden Fair is set to be best yet

As well as celebrating 30 years in business in 2020, estate agents Hose Rhodes Dickson have opened their seventh Island branch in East Cowes.

Marcus Waldron is heading up the office, assisted by Jennie Abrook, a well-known face within the Cowes property market.

The office is located at 26 Castle Street and offers residential sales, lettings and property management services.

The decision to expand in this location was taken after a very successful 2019 for the business and, after careful research, East Cowes was identified as a key growth area.

Marcus said: “East Cowes is such an up and coming area, with a huge regeneration project taking place. Traditionally, it has always been covered by a Cowes branch, but we see this

as two distinct towns, each with their own vibrant community that needs a dedicated team of its own.

“We have a great support network. As the largest independent estate agent on the Island, we are connected to a network of 7 offices, which provides us with the ability to tap into an extended market, more buyers and provide higher exposure for our vendors’ properties. This is a huge advantage to the service that we offer.”

The new East Cowes branch will also take an active role in Hose Rhodes Dickson’s pledge to raise £30 000 for Mountbatten in 2020 as part of their #Raising30for30 celebrations.

Hose Rhodes Dickson now operates branches at East Cowes, Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Bembridge, Sandown and Ventnor.

Redundancy threat at The Bay School BBC local democracy reporter Louise Hill

Celebrating its 21st anniversary, this year’s Wolverton Manor Garden Fair will take place on September 5 and 6 and promises to be the best yet.

Exhibitor bookings are coming in thick and fast, with all indoor stalls taken, with a waiting list only, and just a few outdoor pitches left.

There will be a variety of specialist Island and mainland garden nursery stalls displaying a diverse and inspiring range of plants, flowers, gardenalia and arts and crafts.

The Elizabethan ‘re-enactors’ will bring music and dance, and cooking and crafts from the past back to life. There will be dog shows, wildlife and conservation experts, alpacas, bats and donkeys, poultry exhibits, wood carving, traditional wool spinning, archery, falconry displays, kayaking on the moat, tree climbing, vintage and military

vehicles, vintage fairground amusements, magic shows, live music (Sunday) and lots, lots more.

There will also be the opportunity to meet the IW Observer team and hear about future plans for the Island’s locally owned newspaper.

Free parking and a variety of refreshments make this an all day one-stop event. Last year £25,000 was raised for Age UK(IW) and donations made to other Island charities, The Foodbank, Cowes Sea Scouts, 2nd Cowes Sea Scouts, Wight Brady Bunch, Care in the Garden and The Salvation Army. Visitors over the weekend neared 7000!

Tickets will be on sale soon, £5 in advance and £7 on the gate, with children under 14 having free entry. Both exhibitors and visitors can be assured they will have a great time.

Demoralised support staff fear they will bear the main brunt of any cuts as The Bay CE School considers potential redundancies. A major staffing restructure has been proposed for the Sandown school in 2020/21, across both primary and secondary sites, which is feared will have a negative impact on the school’s special education needs (SEN) provisions.

A statement from the school confirmed the restructure but did not comment on individual proposals.

It is thought a number of technician and site staff, as well as four teachers and five learning support assistants, nearly half the SEN support team, could potentially be in the firing line.

Unison branch secretary, Mark Chiverton says support staff have already faced considerable cutbacks to their pay and conditions. He said: “They are very demoralised, frustrated and angry that yet again they are bearing the main brunt of these cuts. They are also very concerned about the impact this leaves on the fabric of the school and the delivery of education services.

“They have a deep concern this could have a disproportionate impact on those with special needs, many of whom are very vulnerable.”

The proposals are only part of a consultation and may not be approved but it is thought the school needs to get its staffing budget in line with the Isle of Wight Council’s expectations.

When the Council took back control of the school from Academies Enterprise Trust in 2018, staffing costs equated to 102 per cent of the overall school budget. The school is now expected to fall in line with the Council’s standard 80 per cent.

A question mark is also looming over the future of The Cove, the SEN unit for children with particular special needs. With fewer staff there are fears those affected won’t get the help they need.

A joint statement from Duncan Mills, Executive Headteacher and Teresa WestcottHayes, Head of School, said: “We confirm The Bay CE School has issued a consultation document for a proposed staff restructure.

“We are looking for viable solutions to our inherited deficit position. The school will take all reasonable steps to mitigate against any compulsory redundancies where possible.

“At this stage no decisions have been made and we will not comment on individual proposals. However, we can give absolute assurance that the best interests of our students remain at the centre of what we do.”

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28th February 2020

Focus for Lent will be to combat climate change

Anthony Cane enjoying a meat free meal Worshippers in Island CofE churches are being urged to focus on conserving God’s planet and combatting climate change during Lent this year.

They are praying for God’s world, taking practical steps to save the planet, and donating money to environmental charities between Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, April 10, as a stepping-stone to making more permanent changes in their lifestyles after Easter.

The Church of England has suggested a series of practical actions to undertake each day during Lent to be greener, rather than

Members of St Helen’s church making bird feeders giving up chocolate or some other luxury. The Bishop of Portsmouth, Bishop Christopher Foster, and his senior staff are leading the way, by tackling some of the practical actions themselves during Lent, such as observing a ‘meat-free Monday’; recycling clothes and shoes to help those in need; and cycling or walking to meetings, rather than using a car.

Volunteers from St Helens Church have already received a prestigious award recognising their focus on the environment.

It is just one of four churches in the south of England to receive a Gold Award from the Eco-Church scheme.

Villagers meet once a month on a Sunday afternoon for an Eco-Church service. It includes a few minutes of informal worship with an environmental theme, a practical task that helps sustainable living, and a shared ethical meal around a table inside the church. Those practical tasks might include surveying plant and animal life, assessing carbon footprints, making sustainable gifts, pressing apples or planting trees.

The Rev Ali Morley, vicar of St Helens Church, said: “There are around 12 of us who decided that we wanted to gather monthly to develop our love of nature and take some

practical steps in response to the global climate emergency. Between 20-30 people have been involved in our other Eco-Church activities.”

The need to plant more trees has led to a seed-planting project with St Helens Primary School, as part of a long-term commitment.

Each pupil in the Year 1 and 2 class planted a seed which is now germinating in a seed bed at the church. When the children leave at 11 years old, they will plant their sapling elsewhere.

Moody Lodge back for a Night in Wight Satin!

John Lodge, vocalist and bass guitarist for iconic group The Moody Blues, wll be making a nostalgic return to the Isle of Wight later this year, 50 years after the Moodies triumphant appearnce at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival.

The John Lodge Band will be headlining the EXPERIENCE 70 golden anniversary event in September, showcasing many of the Moody Blues’ classics in the climactic Saturday, September 5 appearance during the three-day celebratory fest, to be held on the 1970 Festival site near Freshwater.

The Moody Blues, whose many hits included ‘Nights in White Satin’ played the closing day of the 1970 Festival and took to the stage just as fans without tickets tore down perimeter fences and forced the promoters to declare it a ‘free festival’.

Now John Lodge’s ‘10,000 Light Years Band’ will bridge the decades to perform his ‘Classic Moody Blues Hits and More’ show at East Afton Farm. He is already looking forward to an emotional return to familiar turf.

He said: “The iconic 1970 Isle of Wight Festival has become a legend in British rock history. I am really excited to return 50 years later, and share with you some classic Moody Blues songs and recapture the Spirit of 1970 at the return of ‘The Last Great Event’ in September 2020. It was a magical time for us then as I’m sure it will be again.”

Lodge has also had a successful career outside the Moody Blues and formed a successful duo with fellow

band member Justin Hayward. He is keen to see his return to the Isle of Wight help spread the music to a new generation.

He said: “I want to keep the Moody Blues’ music alive.

Music is my life and I can’t wait to get on the road with the 10,000 Light Years Band. I am a Moody Blue, I always will be and the fans and I have travelled this road a long time so I hope they will continue with me as we keep the Moodies’ music alive.”

His band will feature long-term collaborators such as Alan Hewitt (music director and keys); Bill Ashbaugh (from the Moody Blues touring band) plus Duffy King (guitars) and Jason Charboneau (cello) alongside the man himself, of course, on bass and vocals.

The anniversary festival bill for EXPERIENCE 1970 is taking shape with an impressive list of original 1970 performers returning, supported by some top class tribute acts set to recreate the sounds of many of the other original performers. These included the late greats Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison of The Doors, plus The Who, Emerson Lake and Palmer and Free.

EXPERIENCE 70’s Sunday, September 6 on-stage action will be compered by the incomparable ‘Whispering Bob’ Harris.

A full list of the artists on the bill announced to date can be found at both www.experience1970.com or www. allwightnow.com Tickets are now available online at £180 plus £15 booking fee from both the websites above.

John Lodge from The Moody Blues

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Southern Vectis’ Zoe Stroud (right) with members of Lake Craft and Chatter

Knitted hats with love for newborns Newborn babies are set to benefit from lovingly knitted hats, thanks to support from Southern Vectis. The Island’s bus operator is donating money from its Community Fund, to help knitters at Lake Craft and Chatter with their charitable work.

Edna Morris from Lake Craft and Chatter, said: “One of our members started a charity which supplies hats for newborns at hospitals across the country. Her target is to supply 2,000 hats each and every month, and our

group - along with others - works very hard towards this challenging mission.

“Although we try to use our own balls of wool, we can’t stretch to the whole amount so we rely on donations. Thankfully, Southern Vectis has stepped in and donated enough for us to knit 200 newborn hats. We’re very grateful for this Community Fund grant - it will benefit babies and their families, both on the Isle of Wight and further afield.”

Southern Vectis’ Zoe Stroud added: “This

is a wonderful cause - and it was an easy decision for us to support the wonderful members of Lake Craft and Chatter when they applied to our Community Fund.

“We consider ourselves an established part of the local community here - connecting people across the Island and helping to reduce social isolation. Groups like Lake Craft and Chatter do this too, at the same time as making useful things for those who need them.”

Members of Lake Craft and Chatter also produce items for other good causes, including Seafarers and Shoe Boxes.

The Southern Vectis Community Fund is open to applicants all year round but the next funding allocation is due in May. To apply, groups should visit Southern Vectis’ website and provide details about their cause, what they need, and the difference the support might make to their organisation.

Friends of the Animals turn 30 Fun for all ages as Wonderfest returns As Island charity Friends of the Animals reaches its 30th birthday they are marking the occasion by cutting their already reduced charity prices for pet spaying and neutering by 30 per cent.

Carrying out these operations can give health benefits, improve behaviour and cut the incidence of stray or

unwanted animals. Friends of the Animals are very near reaching the amazing total of 250,000 animals spayed or neutered on the Island.

If you really need help with the cost of spaying or neutering your pet you can call the charity on 522511 to get a voucher or call into the office at 17a Riverway in

Newport. Using the offer dog neuters and spaying will cost £64 and £81 respectively.

Cats £22 and £36 and rabbits £30 and £35. The offer runs from Tuesday (March 3) to March 31 and operations must have taken place by the end of June.

Great Wonderfest returns to Duxmore Farm on the Isle of Wight from August 6 to 10 with cracking music and big family fun promised all weekend long. There will be something for all ages, from Basil Brush and Sigala to Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp, who swaps his bass for his Back to the 80s DJ show, and Terry Hall of The Specials.

Sigala, Ella Eyre and Faithless (DJ Set), will be joined by Hacker T Dog & Dodge, Hey Duggee and everyone’s furry friend Mr Brush!

Ziggy Gilsenan, the Great Wonderfest Promoter, said: “We are super-excited to launch the second edition of Great Wonderfest. It a handcrafted family music festival, so a whole lot of love has gone into curating the show, making sure we’ve got something for everyone. And it’s been a

family affair all the way, with the kids getting stuck into helping us plan it, too.

“Great Wonderfest is designed for families with kids of all ages not forgetting parents and grandparents who fancy a bit of a day of it, or even a big night out festival style!

Sigala plays a live headline set, topping the main stage bill on the Friday. Pop dynamo Ella Eyre takes main stage pole position on the Saturday and dance music legends Faithless (DJ Set) will lead into a spectacular fireworks finale on the Sunday There will also be plenty of Island talent on show, including singing sensation Lauren Hibberd.

Early Bird Tickets are on sale for a very limited period now. Head to greatwonderfest. com for ticket details and more information.

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28th February 2020

GREAT BEER GUIDE Cheers! Enjoy the taste of our really great beers

Brewing is a magical process that turns the main ingredient barley, into one of the oldest and most widely consumed alcoholic drinks in the world. There is an ancient Egyptian quote from 2200 BC, ‘The mouth of a perfectly happy man is filled with beer’.

But what makes a great beer is very subjective – what one person might consider outstanding might make another recoil in horror.

That being said, great beer will always be made from top-notch ingredients and served in quality condition.

This is particularly true when it comes to real ale, which is a living product and requires careful handling throughout.

In comparison to other types of beer, real ale contains live yeast which continues to condition and ferment the beer until it is served.

Like any artisan product, good beer needs careful handling and storing to ensure the quality of taste.

Well-kept ale served at the right temperature should be lively, carbonated and flavourful, the pinnacle of the brewing art.

Whether you prefer your

beer dark and strong, or light and fruity, Goddards, the oldest brewery on the Island, has a beer for you throughout the year. Their use of local flavours and ingredients gives Goddards' beers a distinctive character and unrivalled provenance.

If you feel like taking on the professionals and trying your hand at brewing your own beer, then Easy Weigh in Newport should be your first port of call. Britain is in the midst of a homebrew revolution with an obsession with quality and taste.

As well as all you need to

make delicious beer you can get expert advice and help to make sure you and your friends will enjoy your efforts.

Whatever your preference, if you enjoy your pint chilled or at room temperature, you should always enjoy it with some good company either at home or in one of the Island's great establishments.

Take your pick of the pubs advertising on these pages, you can be sure of a warm welcome – and some really great beer!

28th February 2020

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Feature Puzzles

GREAT BEER GUIDE

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28th February 2020

Island Roads busy raising money for Daisy Chains Opera coming to Monkton Arts Stars from Budapest’s National Opera performed at Newport Minster with members of Project: Opera . They performed Rossini’s Petite Mese Solennnelle (Little Solemn Mass), which he described as ‘the last of my sins of old age’. The performance was conducted by Steve Parker, Music Director at the Minster and Project: Opera.

Their next event is a programme of Sicilian and Neapolitan songs along with a few favourite classical pieces on Sunday (Feb 29) at 5.30pm in Monkton Arts in Ryde. Tickets for Tea at the Opera are available on www.ticketsource.co.uk/projectopera and will be available from Monkton Arts later this month.

Project: Opera’s Summer production this year will be performed on August 5,6,7 and 8.

Joanna Westwood, Mandy Fuller and Kellie Lawrence and Elbie Todd Island Roads employees will focus this year’s fundraising activities on helping the Daisy Chains charity which supports Island children with a disability, longterm health need or life-limiting condition.

Founded in 2012 by a group of parents, it also provides grants for much needed equipment and helps families with the cost of travelling to mainland hospital

appointments.

After raising more than £1,900 for Home-Start Isle of Wight last year, Island Roads employees are planning a host of events and activities throughout 2020 to raise vital funds for Daisy Chains IW. Mandy Fuller, fundraising manager from Daisy Chains IW, said: “We are thrilled that Island Roads has chosen

us as their charity for 2020. All the money we raise goes towards helping Island families whose children have disabilities or life limiting conditions, whether that be in the form of a grant or by helping a wish come true by providing an experience for families to help them create special memories."

Don't tell the bride but we're on telly!

West Wight Sports Centre hosting ‘Activities’ Day

An event to showcase activities and services offered by Island businesses to enable disabled people to enjoy a better quality of life and achieve new skills and experiences, is happening in Freshwater this March.

The second, free to attend, Accessible Activities and Services Day is happening at West Wight Sports and Community Centre in Freshwater.

It is being co-hosted by

the Centre along with Island based charity, Isle Access, whose mission it is to make the Island more accessible and inclusive for people of all ages and all abilities.

Disabled and able-bodied visitors attending the event, which will be held between 10.30-3.30pm on Saturday March 14, will have the opportunity to discover new activities including table-top cricket, kayaking and wall climbing.

Isle Access CEO, Jan Brookes, will welcome DaVinci Mobility which manufactures specialist mobility equipment including wheelchairs and bikes – some of which have off-road capability.

Jan said: “One of our trustees, who is a wheelchair user himself, has recently tried out one of these distinctive bikes on the beach and was absolutely delighted to now have the

ability to walk his dogs along the sand without help, and is looking forward to being able to use some of the great walking paths on the Island.”

Isle Access is also extending an invitation to Island businesses that might like to support this growing annual event. Interested businesses are asked to contact Jan at info@isleaccess.co.uk

Gems Bridal Wear in Scarrots Lane, Newport, is to appear on the popular TV programme ‘Don’t tell the Bride’ on Monday (March 2). They’ve been keeping the secret since filming took place in October.

In the popular series a couple has a set amount to spend on their wedding.

However, the groom must plan every detail of the entire wedding by himself, while staying apart from his bride-to-be. When the bride sees what her fiance has chosen for her to wear, will the wedding still be going ahead? Tune in to E4 at 8pm on Monday to find out.

28th February 2020

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March of The Mods event going for a world record

Organisers of the popular March of the Mods event will be aiming to break the world record for the world’s longest Nutty Ska Train dance, popularised by the band Madness, on Saturday, March 28.

It's hoping up to 500 people will line-up to ska dance along Ryde Seafront beating the current unofficial record of 423, and it's all to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust and Tonic Music for mental health.

As part of a national event that runs every weekend in March, the IW leg is the only one that does an actual march going from venue to venue with DJs and live music at each. All donations go direct to the charity as all the artists play for free, with over £26,500 raised on the IW so far and £600,000 nationwide.

It’s always a fantastic, busy atmosphere with some great music, and it’s free all day but everybody is encouraged to buy a £10

Day wrist band or evening a £5 evening one to support the charity and respect the artists who are giving up their time to make the day work.

The day starts at 1pm at Ryde Pavilion with DJ Kath Tan followed at 1.30pm by Tonics Ska Choir with an hour of some of Ska’s biggest tunes sung live by the UK’s No1 Ska choir.

The start of the World record attempt is at 2.30pm, so everybody is asked to arrive by

2pm to register, so if the record is broken they will be included, and with a small donation receive an official certificate.

The event then carries on after the record attempt with everyone welcome at The Esplanade Hotel, then back at Ryde Pavilion for a whole host of great bands and DJs from across the UK. Full details at visualimpact.co.uk/events.

Beatles celebration set for Quay Arts

Warm-up event for Roman ‘invasion’ Quay Arts is marking 50 years since The Beatles last ever recorded studio album with a special night to celebrate.

London Astrobeat Orchestra will be at the Newport venue on Saturday March 14, performing a number of Abbey Road favourites and more timeless Fab Four hits.

The iconic album topped the charts giving to the world huge anthems such as ‘Come Together’, ‘Octopus’s Garden’ and ‘Here Comes The Sun’.

The Beatles took great inspiration from the American Rock ’n’ Roll icons like Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry whose sound was influenced by the

Blues created in the southern states of the US. The London Astrobeat Orchestra will be paying tribute to the album in their own unique Wild West African way with the intention to take the sounds back home to their roots. Tickets are available at quayarts.org.

Three days of Roman games, Gladiator fights in a big top and a living history village are heading to Brading Roman Villa in August.

Re-enacting the Roman lifestyle will be the Second Augusta Legion (LEG II AVG), who are a local group based around the Portsmouth area.

To promote the August Bank Holiday Weekend event, on Saturday February 22, nine of the re-enactors will be visiting Brading Roman Villa. One of them, Lisa Vanlint, is the only female Gladiator in the UK. They will be travelling to Brading to meet visitors.

24 Entertainment

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LOCAL EVENTS ACROSS THE ISLAND MEDINA THEATRE

By

28th February 2020

Jade Honey

Premiere of Aida at Shanklin Theatre

Wannabe - The Spice Girls Show

Stop right now! Thank you very much. It’s time to Spice Up Your Life like it’s 1996. Relive the ’90s through the hits of the Spice Girls on this Spice World journey; all you have to do is Say You’ll Be There.

February 28 @ 7.30pm

Ben Hart: Wonder

Britain’s Got Talent 2019 finalist, West End star and multi award-winning magician Ben Hart is embarking on his debut solo tour. Described

by David Walliams as ‘the living embodiment of magic’, Ben has recently played to royalty, heads of state and celebrities, in West End theatres, international arenas and on dozens of UK and international TV appearances

February 29 @ 7.30pm

Opera loving Islanders are in for a rare treat with the forthcoming performance of Aida by The Russian State Opera House at Shanklin Theatre on March 25.

Verdi’s 1871 masterpiece brings ancient Egypt to the stage telling a timeless love story to the backdrop of war.

Egypt and Ethiopia are at war.

Aida, the Princess of Ethiopia, who has been enslaved as a

handmaiden in the Egyptian royal household, falls in love with Egyptian General Radames, and he is besotted by her. But when Radames is chosen by the king to lead the war with Ethiopia, Aida is left to choose between her lover or her father and her country with devastating consequences.

Producer Alexej Ignatow said: “We are constantly on the lookout for new challenges.

With extensive national tours that get our productions seen the length and breadth of the country, we are able to offer audiences an unforgettable experience at a fraction of the price, all without sacrificing quality. No experience is needed to enjoy these classics. Our sets and costume designs, as well as the informative programmes make the productions very accessible and most of all,

enjoyable. English subtitles make it easy to follow the story as you listen to the performance sung in its original language.”

Featuring an impressive cast and accompanied by a live orchestra numbering more than 30 musicians the production has sumptuous sets and splendid costumes. Tickets are available from the box office on 868000 or shanklintheatre.com.

Great Leap Day brings finale to ‘Lift The Lid’

John Culshaw: The Great British Take Off

Comedian, impressionist and star of BBC Radio 4’s Dead Ringer’s Jon Culshaw, accompanied by legendary comedy producer and author Bill Dare, takes to the road for a new run of their acclaimed show, following sell out runs at the Edinburgh Festival and across the UK.

March 6 @ 7.30pm

BOOKINGS & INFO 01983 823884

www.medinatheatre.co.uk

Sponsored By Wightlink

To celebrate the end of the Lift the Lid on Island Culture project, Quay Arts will be holding ‘The Great Leap Day’ event from 10am to 2pm tomorrow (Saturday), a day of free workshops, performances and fun for all ages.

The Great Leap Day will feature performances from the Isle of Wight College Performing Arts students, workshops with Lift the Lid artists (for all ages), an illustrated talk and discussion about ‘Notable Newport’ from Independent Arts (for 11+ year olds) and a creative drop-in workshop with the New Carnival Company.

Lift the Lid artist Ian Whitmore will be exploring places, people and objects that inspire us all, whether you are a Caulkhead, an Overner, a Grockel or a DFL (Down from London), saying 'This is IW Culture' and asking 'Is this IW Culture?' through interactive mapping, drawing and writing.

Storyteller Sue Bailey from ‘But that’s another story’, will be working with children to sculpt clay models of the Ventnor Giant and encouraging stories to be created.

Young people can join in online

through their social media channels using #LetsCreateIW and a social media plan is available for community group leaders. This event is free and no need to book; just turn up and get involved at Quay Arts or online.

The aim of the whole project was to explore what Cultural Heritage looks like on the Isle of Wight and to celebrate the four Lift the Lid public art commissions which were created in 2018 and 2019: Phlegm’s Ventnor Giant mural, Dmitri Galitzine’s film about East Cowes ‘Back and Forth’, Julie Myers’ ‘The Great Light and Dark Show’ in Totland and BearFace Theatre’s community piece ‘We that breathe...’.

It is also a chance for everyone to explore children and young people’s vision of the Island’s future through The Great Leap Forward exhibition in the West Gallery with artists Ian Whitmore and Chris Jenkins, collaborating with six Island schools: Queensgate Foundation Primary, Nine Acres Primary, St Saviour’s Primary, Barton Primary, St Catherine’s School and the Island Free School.

DO YOU HAVE AN EVENT COMING UP? LET US KNOW BY EMAILING NEWSDESK@IWOBSERVER.CO.UK

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Entertainment 25

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THEATRE, LOCAL EVENTS & CINEMA The Folsom Prisoners at the Steamer Inn The Folsom Prisoners celebrate the career and music of Johnny Cash, from the early classic Sun Session Recordings such as Folsom Prison Blues, through to the modern classics from Rick Rubin’s American Recordings including Hurt.

Catch them at The Steamer Inn, Shanklin on Saturday, February 29, from 8.30pm.

Featuring a great venue with lovely food

and fine ales. To book a table, please phone 01983 862641.

SHANKLIN THEATRE

February 29 @ 8.30pm The Steamer Inn, 18 Esplanade, Shanklin, PO37 6BS

Let the ‘Robbie’ entertain you!

CJshows presents Hollyoaks Heartthrob Tom Vaughan, as The Robbie Williams Experience on Sunday, March 1 at the Trinity Theatre. His sound-alike vocals, cheeky personality and charisma will leave everyone entertained. This is his 5th Isle of Wight show. Tom will perform all the hits through the years such as Angels, Rock DJ, Candy and many more.

Tickets £16.50 @ www.ticketsource.co.uk/ cjshows For info call 07752377517.

March 1 @ 7.30pm Trinity Theatre, Cowes, PO31 7QR Tickets £16.50

February 29. Advance tickets cost £15, for more information please visit Strings Bar & Venue’s Facebook page.

February 29 @ 7.30pm Strings Bar & Venue, 9 Bowling Green Lane, Newport PO30 1LL

Easter Bonnet Tea Party Northwood House are supporting Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses by hosting an ‘Easter Bonnet Tea Party’. Taking place on Friday, April 3 from 2.30pm with pianist Bryan Rhodes Smith to provide the softest and sweetest sounds, this tea party will be a great one - especially because funds are going to a good cause. Make sure you wear your most fanciest Easter bonnet

Legends of Irish music and song The Fureys, renowned for their hit songs ‘I Will Love You’, ‘When You Were Sweet 16’, ‘The Green Fields of France’, ‘The Old Man’, ‘Red Rose Café’, ‘From Clare To Here’, ‘Her Father Didn’t Like Me Anyway’, ‘Leaving Nancy’ and ‘Steal Away’ return on Friday, February 28.

February 28 @ 7.30pm

The Marley Experience at Strings Strings Bar & Venue present ‘The Marley Experience’, the ultimate Bob Marley tribute live and direct from the heart of the UK. Giving you all the hits, classics and sing alongs including ‘One Love’, ‘Three Little Birds’, ‘No Woman No Cry’, ‘Iron Lion Zion’ and many more.

The rescheduled date is now Saturday,

The Fureys

- dress to impress and all that! For more information or tickets, email catherine. flury@gmail.com or phone 01983 298 060.

April 3 @ 2.30pm Northwood House, Cowes, PO31 8AZ £23 - tables for 8/10

Ben Fogel - Tales From The Wilderness

Join Ben in this uplifting and exciting show, when he’ll be sharing his stories of the wilderness. Ben has climbed Everest, been swimming with crocodiles, saved elephants, dodged pirates and so much more!

March 2 @ 7.30pm

WHAT’S ON AT THE CINEMA? RYDE

NEWPORT

SCREENING

SCREENING

Brahms: The Boy II

Sonic The Hedgehog

Unaware of the terrifying history of Heelshire Mansion, a young family moves into a guest house on the estate where their young son soon makes an unsettling new friend, an eerily life-like doll he calls Brahms.

Sonic The Hedgehog is a live-action adventure comedy based on the global blockbuster videogame franchise from Sega that centers on the infamously brash bright blue hedgehog.

Emma

Dolittle

Jane Austen’s beloved comedy about finding your equal and earning your happy ending, is reimagined in this delicious new film adaptation of Emma. Handsome, clever, and rich, Emma Woodhouse is a restless queen bee without rivals in her sleepy little town.

After losing his wife seven years earlier, the eccentric Dr. John Dolittle, famed doctor and veterinarian of Queen Victoria’s England, hermits himself away behind the high walls of Dolittle Manor with only his menagerie of exotic animals for company.

Birds of Prey

The Call of The Wild

You ever heard the one about the cop, the songbird, the psycho and the mafia princess? ‘Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)’ is a twisted tale told by Harley herself, as only Harley can tell it.

Adapted from the beloved literary classic, 20th Century Fox’s The Call of The Wild vividly brings to the screen the story of Buck, a big-hearted dog whose blissful domestic life is turned upside down during the Gold Rush of the 1890s.

Joel Dommett Unapologetic (If That’s OK?)

He has become a regular face on TV, from being a finalist in 2016’s I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! (ITV), to then hosting ITV2’s I’m a Celebrity Extra Camp alongside Scarlett Moffatt and Joe Swash.

March 6 @ 8pm

BOOKINGS & INFO 01983 868000

www.shanklintheatre.com

DO YOU HAVE AN EVENT COMING UP? LET US KNOW BY EMAILING NEWSDESK@IWOBSERVER.CO.UK

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28th February 2020

Sporting Bears give kids a day out to remember

The Isle of Wight Sporting Bears Motor Club use their luxury and high-end cars to raise money for children’s charities on the Island.

Recently they organised a special day for a number of families working with the Joe Ellis Trust to give them an absolutely fabulous day out. The Joe Ellis Trust works to support local children who have been diagnosed with cancer, and their families.

The Bears met up ready to chauffeur their

special guests for the day. The first stop was for lunch at the Fighting Cocks at Arreton, where Sam Shaw’s team laid on a slap-up meal and drinks. Huxley the local magician entertained the families as they enjoyed the hospitality.

Jumping back in the cars to get to Medina Theatre they took in the afternoon performance of the Wight Strollers’ classic performance of Sleeping Beauty, with special

VIP seats in the front two rows.

After the show the cast met the children and their parents. Photographs were taken before the families returned back to say goodbye and drive home, tired but happy.

Local Sporting Bears organiser Clive Ford said: “It’s a very rewarding little event, and it just helps to give some smiles and some memories to these families to treasure for the future.

“We would like to thank Wightlink Ferries for getting our mainland cars on and off the Island safely, the Fighting Cocks and Huxley Hunt for their fantastic generosity, and of course the Wight Strollers who always make sure we are looked after at Medina Theatre.

Everyone comes together and it all helps to make a difference during difficult times, so thank you all.”

Photos: Roz Wistence / Year 1 & 2 Boys trying hard not to run in the wet conditions

Musthava pancake down Yarmouth way

Over 50s race: Marion Smith, Mike Wigley and Frank Hughes

The heavens opened just before the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Races in Yarmouth Square, but the brief deluge only put a slight dampener on proceedings, with the imposition of a ‘walk-don’t-run’ rule for safety reasons.

The potential slippery surface simply led to

inventive ways of walking as fast as possible. Only one race had to be ‘re-walked’ when girls couldn’t help themselves and broke into a sprint. The rules required all competitors to run round Musthava Pancake, who waved the Union Flag.

The races started with the youngest children, and

proceeded through year and gender groups, the last races being for adults; the men’s race, the Women’s race, apron races and local business, the latter featuring Vintage Yarmouth’s owner, Nao Utsumi stoically pulling a vintage toy car and coming in a commendable last place.

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Boost for Northwood gardening equipment Spinnaker challenge for Breast Cancer Now team in July

Northwood House has been presented with a cheque for more than £350 to help fund cordless gardening equipment for Park volunteers by local charity organisation Wight Aid. The 20 acres of parkland surrounding the iconic building is maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers who toil throughout the year maintaining hedges, shrubs,

trees, borders and planters on the estate.

The park, with paths and lawns, is open to the local community and visitors all year round and boasts views across the Solent and wonderful specimen trees from the estate’s origins as a Victorian pleasure park. There are also tennis courts, bowls green and a children’s playground.

The park volunteers keep the paths clear, the shrubs in check and the borders in bloom. A cheque for £358.18 has helped purchase a hedge trimmer, a strimmer and a leaf blower.

Dr John Pollard, one of the directors of Northwood House Charitable Trust Co Ltd, said: “We are very grateful to Wight Aid for the grant. The team has relied on

motley collection of donated equipment are delighted with these lighter, more ecofriendly tools.”

To find out more, people can attend a volunteers’ coffee morning on Saturday April 4 in The Stables – known locally as the community hall – between 10.30am and 12pm.

The time to find your walking boots is drawing ever closer

A key boost to the pre-summer season, the Isle of Wight Walking Festival is drawing ever closer, and 2020 promises to be an excellent festival, built upon the shoulders of volunteers who love to share their favourite walks with visitors.

The Island’s recent Unesco Biosphere Reserve award means the Walking Festival will have an added boost as

natural way to enjoy the Island. Add to this, All Along the Riverbank on May 2, May Day Bank Holiday, May 8, also VE Day anniversary, and the 30th anniversary of Walk the Wight on May 1.

The Yar River Trail is being relaunched and a series of walks to celebrate this will be led by IW Ramblers during the festival. There is also another exciting event in the pipeline for walk leaders

and walkers, with more on this when it is confirmed.

The Isle of Wight Walking Festival website is now live with many new walks; you can find out more at isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk.

The news section of the Isle of Wight Walking Festival is a great place for information to share with guests.

The Isle of Wight’s Breast Cancer Now support team is hoping to raise even more money for the cause, after a successful two years.

The charity has raised just over £11,000 which goes towards helping and supporting Islanders battling breast cancer. A group of fundraisers are planning to scale down Portsmouth's Spinnaker tower on July 11, while people who will have their head shaved are also being sought for a separate event.

Sarah Tyrrell-Jones is the Breast Cancer Now Community Fundraiser for the Island and hopes people will continue to support. She said: “We have a lot of exciting fundraising events happening this year and I really hope people will be able to support us. I had my head shaved and it was amazing.

Throughout the year we are also doing raffles, cake sales, fancy dress days, Wear it Pink Day – we want to do them all again this year."

You can find more details about the group on Facebook.

Ryde musician app to help tinnitus sufferers

A new app has been released by a musician from Ryde to help people who suffer from tinnitus. T-Minus is a sound therapy app to help people with the condition that causes a persistent internal noise within the ear.

It has been created by Rupert Brown to help relieve symptoms in different ways.

Rupert has spent more than 30 years collecting a music library designed to suit people seeking relief, after

getting tinnitus in his early 20s.

He has worked with Cher and The Lighthouse Family during his time as a percussionist. The T-Minus app was developed by a team of audiologists and ENT consultants.

T-Minus app is available to download on from Apple devices, with an Android version to set for launch later this year. More information can be found at t-minus.info

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28th February 2020

FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENTS 01983 216200

ANNOUNCEMENTS@IWOBSERVER.CO.UK Birthdays

DANIELLE CONLON, To Our Gorgeous Girl Danielle.

Happy 21st Birthday Darling.

We Love You So Much. All Our Love Mum, Dad and Rhianna XXX

KELLY (Lisa)

Look who is the big 30!!!

Happy Birthday beautiful.

Enjoy your special day.

We all love you and are so proud of you.

Love from Mum, Shana, Tara and all the family. Xxxx

JULIA FRAREY, Look who’s 50! Happy Birthday, love from mum and dad xx ABBY GLOVER, Happy 18th Abby. Love Nan xx

TYLER SMITH, Happy Birthday. Love you, from mum xx JESSICA NEEL, You are more than just a sister to me.

Many a times you have proved you can also be my mom, my dad, my brother, my best friend, my life coach.

Thank you for being in my life.Happy Birthday Dear Sis, love you millions from Oliv x

WALL

(Laura Jane)

Wedding Anniversaries

BRIDGER (Darren)

Thanks for making all the sacrifices silently and working hard all day and night just to get us a better life.

You are one of the most important people in my life!

I love you, happy birthday dad!

From Alice xxx

Simply the best wishing you a wonderful birthday and a great load of fun.

Sending lots of special love from Matthew, Mum, Nan, Dad, Andria, Alfie & Lottie.

Birthday kisses to my Mummy xxx from Bertie

IWOBSERVER.CO.UK/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements GENTLEMAN looking for a lady to take dancing and to the cinema. Please call 07555678252 for more details.

SYLVIA & ALEC

Births

ELLIOTT

LAKE

With every passing year your marriage isn’t becoming old—it’s becoming beautifully vintage and exquisitely priceless. Happy anniversary.

(Dianne & Mark)

(Charlie & Hayley)

Sending all our love and best wishes as you celebrate another year of love and togetherness.

Congratulations on the birth of Maximus Charles on January 22nd.

From Janet and Paul x

May you love continue to hold strong and grow with the passing time.

HYDE

Happy Anniversary!

Love Jean & kids x

Love Mum and Dad, Dan and Keira xxx

Deaths

(Jack & Mel)

Wishing a perfect pair a perfectly happy day and a perfect forever.

Love you both.

Anniversary cheers!

Mum & Dad xx

SARAH, I can’t believe we’ve been together for 10 years.

They have been the happiest ones of my life. Love you always. Your husband xxx SIMON, happy anniversary to my darling hubby. I can’t help but smile thinking back on all of our happiest memories from the past 20 years, and I’m excited for what the future with you will bring. Love you forever. Mara xxx

EVANS

Peter Charles Who passed away on Saturday 15th February 2020 aged 84 years.

Beloved husband of Elizabeth, loving father of Shelby and Leizu and grandfather to Sacha, he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Funeral service to take place at Isle of Wight Crematorium on Wednesday 11th March 2020 at 3:45pm.

Family flowers only.

All enquiries are being received by Weaver Brothers Ltd, Independent Funeral Directors, Bembridge PO35 5UE. Tel: 872598

When cold snap hits charity there to help

With further cold snaps expected to cause temperatures to drop on the Isle of Wight, the Island’s fuel poverty charity, The Footprint Trust, is aiming to cut bills for Island households.

The Footprint Trust will be holding events across the Island to give people face to face energy guidance to help reduce energy use and bills. Their next one is on Wednesday, March 4 at Newport's Church on the Roundabout between 10am and midday. The Trust helps people to maximise their heating, manage their tariffs and billing and access further financial help and support.

The recent Big Energy Saving Week saw the Footprint Trust charity help 50 people cut

their utility bills. Laura Stichbury, Assistant Manager of The Footprint Trust, said: “We’re so grateful to our funders for their generous donations to our work. I have realised that consistency is really important to helping people and I’m delighted that our work can continue. Last year we saved Island homes over £100,000.

“Our team of trained home energy specialists can cast a fresh pair of eyes over people’s home energy use and they’re full of useful insights. If you would like to save your household £100s, give us a call on 822282 or get details of our events by emailing info@ footprint-trust.co.uk”

Jazz night is big success Monday Night Jazz at East Cowes Town Hall, organised by Mark Thomas of Jukebox Jazz, proved a big success. The 82 people who attended had a good night entertainment

by Cat Skellington Quartet, featuring Hugo Boswell on guitar, Richard White, clarinet

and vocals, Steve Thompson, guitar, and Jon Thorne, double bass and Jukebox Jazz. Mark Thomas also played the ukulele and banjo, with Jon Throne on the double bass and Sandor Sztankkovics on drums.

28th February 2020

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Puzzles

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Chess puzzle

Crossword Across

Down

1. Overtake (4,2)

1. Royal residence (6)

4. Coders (6)

2. Cut of beef (7)

8. Horrifying or sensational (5)

3. Move (5)

9. Self-centredness (7)

5. Spanish sausage (7)

10. Nearest (7)

6. Elevate (5)

11. Notions (7)

7. Cloth with a pattern woven into it (6)

12. Fell asleep (6,3)

9. Furthest point (9)

17. Tall border plant (5)

13. Underground cell (7)

19. Beseech (7) 21. Music-hall entertainment (7) 22. Compositions for two performers (5) 23. Feel bitter about (6) 24. Explosions (6)

Sudoku

How to play Place a digit from 1-9 in each empty cell so that each row, each column and each 3x3 block contains all the digits from 1-9 only once.

For the answers to the crossword, see page 2.

Spot the differences

29

14. Blooms (7) 15. Lional Bart musical (6) 16. Offical enumeration of a population (6) 18. City on the Seine (5) 20. Foot-operated lever (5)

Spot the winning move? White to play & mate in two moves. Puzzle kindly supplied by John Wrench. To join a club email: chessplay@mail.com. Last weeks solution: 1. Rf8+ Kxf8 2. Rf4+ Kg8 (or Ke8) 3. Rf8++

Wordsearch Find the following list of words relating to the Beer Feature on pages 20 and 21.

ALE BOOZE BREWERY BUDWEIZER DRINK FOAM HOFMANN

LAGER LIQUOR MALTING PINT SMUGGLER SUDS YEAST

For the answers to the Spot the Difference see the IW Observer website

Can you find all eight differences between the two pictures of the premiere of Aida below?

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28th February 2020

Nature Notes Sharp’s the word for Fun House Experience

Pat Sharp Dig out the lycra and save the date! Iconic TV host Pat Sharp will be bringing his Fun House Experience to Cowes Enterprise College on April 24.

Pat hosted the popular show on TV in the 90s, and it will be recreated at Spectrum, the Island’s Autism Festival, which will include a question and answer session, meet and greet and DJ set.

For anyone who cannot fully remember the Fun House Experience, Pat was helped by twin cheerleaders, Melanie and Martina Grant. The TV game challenged contestants

to tackle ball pools, race through balloonfilled tunnels and climb up tricky net bridges, among a whole host of other tasks.

Players also had to whizz around on go-karts and let themselves get drenched in gunge as the red and yellow teams competed to win a string of prizes. However, the go-karts will not be part of the show on the Island.

Tickets are priced at £39.99 and is an adults only event, strictly over 18s. Spectrum are supporting Ability Dogs 4 Young People as their Charity of the Year.

For ticket details visit: ticketsource.co.uk/

All along the backwater Through the rushes tall Ducks are a-dabbling Up tails all!

Kenneth Grahame’s poem from The Wind in the Willows is a little misleading - not all ducks dabble; some dive and swim underwater.

Mallard, Pintail, Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall do though, and all these can be found here on the Island during the winter months, along with over two million other dabblers who come to the UK to escape the chilly lakes and marshes of northern Europe and Russia.

To see most of these you’ll have to be quick, over the next couple of weeks a lot of them will be heading back to the sub-Arctic tundra again.

Dabbling mostly involves skimming the surface with neck stretched out and beak level with the water, sweeping from side to side and taking quick slurps of various insects, algae and larvae.

This is more efficient than it sounds. They also ride high on the water so they can ‘up-end’ more easily.

Proper dabbling action has the dabbler tipping over to rummage about in the mud and vegetation, bottom raised, tail straight up and moving back and forth to aid stability.

Dabblers are also gabblers; they chatter a good deal; the females quacking hoarsely while the males honk and whistle.

They walk confidently on land where they browse on seeds, nuts and grubs and when they take off from the water they jump straight into the air rather than build up speed running across the surface, as most spectacularly swans do.

Swans, incidentally, also dabble in both dabbling duck styles but, not being ducks, they shouldn’t be called ‘dabblers’.

Meanwhile the genuine articles like nothing more than to be left, in the words of ‘Ducks’ Ditty’, heads down, tails up; dabbling free.

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Holmesy!

by David Holmes

one man against the world david@iwobserver.co.uk

Forget regrets, and don’t bother to write ‘em down

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Island Soapbox

Send your letters into us newsdesk@iwobserver.co.uk or post them to us IW Observer, Suite 6, 17 St.Thomas Square, Newport, IW, PO30 1SL Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in these letters are not those held by the IW Observer or its staff.

They belong to the author and the author alone - Letters must be no longer than 250 words please.

Blame the human footprint Dear Editor, Debbie Tann is right on the button when she says the Environment Bill needs 'more teeth' to help restore our countryside (February 7 issue).

But it also needs to perform a whole set of extractions, mainly of the people fast destroying it.

Make no mistake, the human footprint is chiefly to blame for most of the problems faced by our natural landscape.

Yet here on the Island, and elsewhere, the National Trust, which was formed 125 years ago to preserve our wild places not our stately homes, has lately embarked on a major drive that will only increase the damage.

It's overtly commercial policy to attract ever more casual visitors - described as

'unwelcome' by the deputy leader of the IW Council Stuart Hutchinson whose ward embraces the bulk of our own open spaces, will result in meltdown if allowed to proceed unchecked.

This is already happening at Newtown, our sole National Nature Reserve where numbers have grown exponentially since it took over management in the 1990s.

It is hard to follow the logic in this. They bring in no extra revenue and the oft repeated claim that more punters will lead to greater understanding and so help preservation has been shown to be fallacious, these 'last chance tourists ' only serve to hasten the decline.

James Allaway, Newport

Time for a Ryde beach rethink

Second thoughts are a part of life and as we grow older, the list of things for which we’re truly sorry grows ever longer. Should I be unwise enough to write mine down, I fear they would barely fit on an unravelled family pack of Andrex loo-roll.

I’m naturally impulsive, I’ve never bought a car that I didn’t regret between order and collection, that’s why they make you pay a hefty deposit. I only really regret the hurt I’ve caused others, everything else I put down to experience. ‘Don’t look back, you’re not going there’ is my mantra, but only a fool doesn’t consider past mistakes, how else do you avoid repeating them?

Many of my married (now divorced) friends claim that they knew on the eve of their wedding they were making a terrible mistake.

The excuse offered for ‘going through with it’ is usually that a lot of money had been spent.

A mate once asked me to drive his brideto-be to the church, but on the journey, she expressed serious reservations about the impending nuptials.

The previous evening, rummaging around in his chest of drawers, she’d discovered paperwork relating to not one but two previous marriages that her older groom hadn’t thought to mention.

She did know he’d been married before, but the extra couple of brides came as quite a shock. Her decision was touch and go all the way. I became anxious, but she went ahead and the marriage lasted 20 years. He’s single again now, if you think he might still be a catch, I can give you his number.

If you’ve really struggled to get on or off the island this winter, the past three weekends included, the image of our Member of Parliament, helping plant shrubs at Fishbourne ferry terminal might have produced profound regret and even nausea.

Bob may ‘work for you’ but he does so

entirely to his own satisfaction. Mostly his ‘work’ seems to consist of sending out press releases welcoming announcements he had nothing to do with. Trowel in hand, on his knees, I sincerely hope he took the chance to give the ferry boss a piece of his mind but I’m not hopeful.

Perhaps Captain Bob could stand in for the essential member of staff whose sickness causes so many cancelled ferries. We still await the promised island deal and Bob’s list of actual achievements (not promises) would comfortably fit on a postage stamp.

I gave up even trying to travel on Monday, instead I sat idly at home, zooming in on the cosy images of the Fishbourne gardening hokum. I wanted to see what species were being planted, the press release claimed they’d chosen plants that help mitigate the effect of diesel burning ferries and the fumes belching from queues of frequently delayed traffic, but it was hard to tell exactly.

My own gardener’s encyclopaedia tells me hemlock, foxglove and nightshade absorb limited amounts of Co2, but give you terrible diarrhoea if ingested.

Bingo! I instantly knew which species I would have supplied for the photo-op if asked. Is it so very wrong for me to have imagined a few spores creating mild discomfort?

Wightlink boasts of ‘Award winning loos,’ so perhaps Bob would have welcomed the opportunity to hurriedly put them to the test. The Fishbourne project also involved a few bird boxes, so I conjured up one further image. An enormous flock of exceptionally large seagulls flying overhead in formation, passing their own spontaneous verdict on Wightlink’s service and the entire greentosh scheme.

‘Only a fool doesn’t consider past mistakes’

Dear Editor, I was pleased to read in the IW Observer two weeks ago (Feb 14) that the planned dog ban on even more Island beaches has been scrapped. This is great news for those of us who like to take our dogs for a swim in the summer.

I just wondered if the Council could extend this common sense decision and not allocate the same section of Ryde beach which they allow us to take our dogs on to the youth football event.

It seems ludicrous that the adjoining section of beach which is equally flat and sandy is empty while the young footballers are playing on a beach where dogs are walked daily and where they are likely to run through or fall on the mess left by the '10 per cent of owners who don't pick up'. It also means nervous dogs cannot be walked on the beach during the weeks when the football events are on.

R Payne, Ryde

Where has all the respect gone?

Dear Editor, Idly flicking through television channels one afternoon I chanced upon a documentary on 'women who are afraid of their children'. Watching, I sat in horror and disbelief. A 14-year-old who physically assaulted her mother, an even younger child allowed to run riot in a restaurant. I was taught to sit up at table and respond politely to the waitress who brought your meal and to say 'thank you' for any service performed.

As a woman of 84 summers, am I out of touch with the young? But I truly believe it's not the children who have failed but us. One of my granddaughters is a primary school teacher, she told me it's quite common for children to start school not trained to use the toilet. Unbelievable!

Sadly gone are the days when you stood up as a teacher came into a room and when you would not dare to go home and say you had been in trouble at school. You were well aware this was nothing to compete with the trouble you would be in at home. Or when a policeman could clip your ear - which once happened to me along with my six-year-old cousin when we were caught red-handed (maybe I should say apple handed) climbing over an orchard wall.

"I know where you live," he yelled, thus sending me home fearful, worried how my grandmother would react to my bringing 'shame to her door', everyone's reaction if a policeman was seen on the doorstep!

Now of course police officers are scared of

the repercussions to do any such thing, today they would be in court. Teachers are too scared to chastise because they fear parents appearing in school the next day bringing threats of dismissal!

Admittedly I did not have to deal with iPads and mobile phones. I retired from fostering at 80, but at the tail end of those days computers were allowed for only a couple of hours a day, downstairs in full view, never in bedrooms. Facebook - over 16s only, as well as ear piercing! Before you pity my poor foster children many of them still see me as Nanny and know if they're in trouble, I am there for them still. Yes it was strict but consistent, children above all need consistency!

Maybe we need to start asking ourselves, 'If we are turning out tomorrow's citizens, what kind of people will they be?'

Hazel Wylde, Freshwater

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Cooper races to Wight Tri Cross Country title

Observer

By Peter White

Fixtures & Match Officials for Saturday

(Kick-off 2pm unless stated) Sydenhams Wessex League, Premier Division Cowes Sports v Alresford (3pm) Division One East Cowes Vics v Laverstock and Ford (3pm) Verwood Town v Newport (3pm) Hampshire FA Trophy Semi-Finals Moneyfields Reserves v Brading Town - Referee & assistants appointed by the HFA Shanklin v Fareham Town Reserves – Referee & assistants appointed by the HFA Andy Butler Sports Ground Specialist IOW Memorial Cup, Second Round Niton Community v Adgestone – Ian Gordon Ken Morris IOW Junior A Cup, Second Round West Wight Reserves v Sandown Reserves – Dale Smith Harwoods Renault Saturday League, Division One Bembridge v Sandown – Jamie Saltzer Binstead & COB v Cowes Sports Reserves – Brian Hayward East Cowes Sports v Carisbrooke United – Dave Jukes Northwood St Johns v Ventnor – John Hopkinson Pan Sports v West Wight – Matt Sainsbury Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Ryde Saints – Steve Raybould Division Two Newchurch v Seaview – Ali Taylor Newport Reserves v Oakfield – Ian Smith Osborne Coburg v AFC Wootton – Richard Mcfarlane Vectis v Yarmouth & Calbourne – Andy King Combination One Carisbrooke United v Seaview – Chris Cass Oakfield v Brading Town - Keith Ruth Ryde Saints v Binstead & COB – Stephen Todd Combination Two AFC Wootton v Ryde Saints ‘A’ – No Referee Available Niton Community v Pan Sports – Chris Beard Yarmouth & Calbourne v Vectis - No Referee Available

Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club

Ladies’ 12 Hole Medal: 1, Anna Garriock 48; 2, Stephanie Hart 49; 3, Brenda Keyte 50.

Midweek Open Stableford: 1, Keith Taylor 35.

Saturday Open Stableford: 1, Tim Exell 39 points; 2, Joseph Green 39; 3, Thomas Punter 38 (ocb); 4, Steven Russell 38.

Newport Golf Club

Roy Young

Neil Cooper Wight Tri were well represented with 11 members taking part in the final event of the Ryde Harriers, series the Arthur Biggs Handicap that doubled as the Wight Tri Cross Country Championships.

To compete in this event runners must have taken part in at least one of the first two races where their best time would set the handicap mark for the final event. Those who only took part in the second event the IOW Cross Country Championships, were at a considerable advantage as the course was significantly slower than on the first race.

The first Wight Tri runner home, and

Wight Tri Male Cross Country champion was Neil Cooper (1:06:03), also taking third overall in the Ryde Harrier Handicapped Race.

Second was Roy Young, (1:05:41) and third Joe Norman ( 53:35).

Mary Norman retained the Female Cross Country Championship Trophy finishing in eighth female position overall in 1:03:05. Mary led the ladies team home with Delphine Lever (1:12:29) in second and Sally Trotman (1:21:00) in third.

Other Wight Tri results: Grant Philbrick, 57:10. Nick Lever, 59:46, Sean Williams, 48:35, Craig Wilson, 50:50, Tom George, 50:40.

Mary Norman

Saturday Stableford: 1, Callum Mcallister (22) 38 points.

Cowes Golf Club Pyrah Stableford: 1, Ian Hobson 41 points; 2, Peter England 39 (ocb); 3, Peter Cade 39.

Cowes & District Snooker League League Week 16

Results: Lib A 4, Con C 3, WC Con 4, Lib C 3, Con A 4, Con B 3.

Lib A WC Con Con C Con A Con B Lib C

PL

W

L

16 16 16 16 16 16

69 59 58 53 50 47

43 53 54 59 62 65

F

A

Diff

Pts

5972 6434 6257 6071 5704 5701

5346 6316 6334 5889 6270 5984

626 118 -77 182 -566 -283

69 59 58 53 50 47

Highest Break: R. Green (WC Con), 61 (twice).

Highest scorer of the week: P. Cates, 40 Handicap (Lib C) 116 v 84 R. Green, -30 Handicap (WC Con).

Golden times for Ventnor and Ryde in Under-12s Clearly inspired by the exploits of the Ryde senior side, both Ventnor and Ryde remain unbeaten in the IW Under-12 indoor cricket league.

Ventnor Gold and Ryde are battling it out at the top, with Gold making it six wins out of six as they beat Shanklin by five wickets. Oliver Cheeseman led the bowling attack for Ventnor with 2-9 as they restricted Shanklin to 69 runs from their 12 overs. Then Nathaniel Wells (23) top scored for Ventnor as they knocked off the target in eight overs.

Arreton could not stop Ryde getting win number five under their belts as they set the highest score in the league so far with 172-5 (Kensi Parker 34no, Xavier Meadows 24 & Harry Everard 22). Arreton batted out their overs reaching 58-3 (Rydian Cobb 26no) Meanwhile, Newport beat Cowes by 49 runs, even though Cowes ran out

Max Poynter, Newport's dangerman for two. Dan Peach 30 and Ollie Hartnell 36 took on the challenge and set Cowes a tough target of 133.. Newport could not bowl out Cowes who reached 83-4.

Ventnor Blue took on Shanklin and East Cowes but could not get a victory under their belts. East Cowes made short work of reaching the 73 required for victory as brothers Jack (28) and George Charlesworth (25) both retired.

Shankin set Ventnor 121 in their game, but Ventnor found runs hard to come by reaching 57.

East Cowes got their third win of the season with a success against Newport. Newport's Max Poynter scored a magnificent 50 not to take their score to 96 in12 overs. But George Charlesworth scored a quick 25no and then his brother Jack (24) and Oliver Purser (21) finished off the chase to give them a three-wicket win.

Island Vecta Billiard and Snooker League Terry Phillips Knockout Plate Semi Final Ryde B.L. 531 v Newbridge 600. John Barnes (74) 166 v Trevor Whillier (4) 200. Tian Sleight (82) 331 v Trevor Rider (118) 400. Tony Worsfold (62) 531 v Kev Whillier (-35) 600. Highest break, Kev Whillier 37 League Week 14 Newport Con 10 v Chillerton 5. Mike Gardner (0)167/1 v Jamie Sprake (69) 200/4. Dave Cox (-28) 200/5 v Roger Packer (72) 137/0. Terry Phillips (1) 200/4 v Andy Potts (14) 167/1 PLD W Newport Con. Chillerton Ryde B.L. Arreton Newbridge

12 12 12 12 12

9 7 7 4 3

L

Pts

3 5 5 8 9

107 105 88 82* 67

*Arreton deducted 1 point for man rule Highest Break: Trevor Whillier and Dave Cox 48

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28th February 2020

Island RFC hopes of another victory dashed by Pompey Portsmouth II 27 points IW 12 After an emphatic win against Southampton the previous week, Isle of Wight RFC saw their winning run grind to a halt against Portsmouth 2nd XV. IW were without the injured Luke Blackman, but started well as the weather conditions worked in their favour during the first half with a strong wind into the corner. IW applied constant pressure within the Portsmouth 22 but their defence held out for a sustained period. Eventually, IW’s continual pressure resulted in a score for Andi Raunigger from a driving maul, with Lewis Murray converting.

Strong defence by IW resulted in confusion between the Portsmouth players, resulting in the unusual sight of a yellow card for verbal abuse towards one of their own players.

Fountain Inn man of the match Jordan Langdon then was close to an interception before dropping the ball. Portsmouth still battled on to score their first try of the match, then continued their forward momentum with another try shortly after, taking them into a 12-7 half time advantage.

Playing into the wind in the second half, IW needed a strong start to keep the pressure on Portsmouth. Good strong carries from Biffa Man of the Match, Grant Smith saw Luke Chandler touch down to level the scores. The Island were then halted in their momentum losing Dan Bishop to the sin bin, Portsmouth capitalising and taking three points to regain the lead.

Portsmouth went on to score another try through their forwards. George Huish appeared to have stopped the home player from grounding, and was promptly sent to the sin bin for appealing the decision. This course of events effectively ended IW’s victory hopes, though while pushing for a final score and at least a bonus point, Portsmouth intercepted and finished the game with a converted try.

IW now look ahead to tomorrow (Sat) when they host Fawley with IW 2nd XV against Bognor. Both games kick off at Wootton Rec. at 2.30 pm.

Last-gasp Pumas score a sickener for Ventnor Locksheath Pumas RFC 22 points Ventnor RFC 14 When Locksheath RFC scored within a couple of minutes of the kick-off in this Hampshire League, Division One clash, there were concerns that this could have been a long afternoon for Ventnor. But not a bit of it!

Playing with the wind, the Islanders were in terrific form, taking the game to the league leaders in concerted phases in which the support play of Ben Savill and Harry Colson was exceptional. Dean Magnurson and Tristan Price managed to slow any Pumas attacking ball and the returning James Green was providing his considerable power in the loose.

Ed Blake missed an early penalty but a burst by skipper Lewis Jones led to great forward drives by Colson, George Finan and Blake. The ruck was won and Louis Malkin fed Calvin Edwards whose short pass allowed Ian Lane to force his way over despite the attention of three defenders. Blake converted and Ventnor reached halftime 7-5 to the good.

With the wind behind them, the Pumas started the second half strongly and only an exceptional tackle by the evergreen Warren Riches prevented a score after a kick chase. However the subsequent scrum led to a push-over score, despite the suspicion of a knock-on, and the home team were again in the lead. Ventnor came back strongly when the dynamic Chris Hill picked up at the back of a scrum on halfway. The ball went wide, Blake brought it back against the grain, Finan straightened the line and, from the ruck, Malkin spotted a gap and shot through, stepped the full back and touched down.

Riches converted and Ventnor were back in the lead.

Playing all the rugby, inspired by the relentless energy of Andy Teague, Ventnor almost scored again when Jones burst through and was stopped a yard short. At the other end, Jake Babington pulled off a try-saving tackle but, soon afterwards, the Pumas caught a break when the ball went loose and their flanker chased a kick-ahead and touched down to retake the lead.

Noyes came on for Lane but Ventnor's lack of further replacements probably decided the match as injuries took their toll and the Pumas scored in the last movement of the game to rob the Islanders of a hugely-deserved bonus point.

A J Wells Man of the Match: Chris Hill

Trevor Jones of Ryde Raptors in Division Two / Photo by Toby Woolgar

Freshwater close gap but Vics A remain favourites

Lawrence Fo of Freshwater A in Division Two

With three games left to play in Division Two of the IW Table Tennis Association, Freshwater A continue to close the gap on Newport Vics A, but with a 15-point gap Newport look clear favourites to take the title. Freshwater met Rookley A and won the match 6-4, while Vics A played Ryde Rascals and gained a 7-3 victory. Ryde Raptors and Ryde Red Kites’ played an exciting, tight match, with the Raptors’ Trevor Jones playing three five-setters which culminated in two victories, and one loss to the Red Kites Manfred Gelhard. Jones and team mate Spike Hughes won the doubles to claim the match 6-4 for the Raptors.

St Lawrence Lizards are top of the Division Three table with a 10-point lead over Ryde Revellers after their tight victory over Ryde Rustics. The Revellers have a game in hand and the teams next meet in a match which could decide the Division Three championship.

Results: Division Two: Rookley A 4, Freshwater A 6; Newport Vics C 7, Ryde Rascals 3; Ryde Red Kites 4, Ryde Raptors 6; Newport Vics C 2, Ryde Rookies 8; Shanklin B 2, Havenstreet Locos 8.

Division Three: Newport Vics E 4, Wootton Wombles 6; Ryde Regals 7, Ryde Ramblers 3; Ryde Rustics 4, St Lawrence Lizards 6; Ryde Rockets 3, Ryde Rackets 7.

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Gay wins her way through to two Area bowls finals

Ian Morey, Alan Cawdell, Bob Mortlock, through to the area final of the Men’s National Over 50s triples.

Gay Allen has won her way through to the Area Final of the National over 60 Ladies’ Singles. Having recorded 21 shots to 16 quarter-final win against Julie Hudson of Bournemouth Indoor Bowls Club she took on Joy Travers of Palmerston in an away tie in the semi-final. In a good match Gay came home victorious by 21 shots to 15, and in the area final she will take on Lyn Howard of Bournemouth on March 15, the game to be played at Palmerston In the Ladies’ Area National Triples final Gay, joined by Anne Bernard and Pauline Proud will compete against Julie Hudson’s trio from Bournemouth in a match to be played at Five Rivers on Sunday (March 1).

Darren Griffith took on Tony Farrington of Palmerston at home in the area semi-final of the Men’s National two-wood competition. In the early stages there was little between the two players but playing well Griffith soon took command.

Farrington never looked like getting back in to the game and Griffith went through to the final where he will play Peter Ward of Five Rivers at East Dorset on Sunday.

Playing at home Alan Cawdell, Ian Morey and Bob Mortlock took on Cliff Higgins, Lee Croad and over 50s England International Chris Daniels from Bournemouth in the area semi-final of the Men’s National Over 50s triples. Mortlock’s threesome got off to the best possible start and led 10 shots to nil after the first five ends. The visitors looked to be on their way back into the match as they reduced the deficit to six shots with plenty of ends left to play. From that point the Islanders upped their game, scoring eight shots without reply to run out victors by 20 shots to six. In the area final they take on Barry Starks’ triple from the Victory Club.

The club took on two home friendly fixtures against Cotswold Bowling Club. Taking full advantage of their home advantage

resulted in conclusive victories in both encounters.

The first match resulted in a 121 shots to 53 win with the visitors winning on only one of the five rinks. Malcolm Addison, Sandra Aldridge, John Hutchinson and Barry Rodwell were the top rink recording a 34-4 success. Other rinks won by 23, 19 and three shots respectively. The away team’s winning rink came home seven shots to the good.

The follow up game resulted in a win by 120-58, with the visitors defeated on all five rinks. Best win for the home side was a 31-11 success for Angela West, Barbara Moye, Alan Davis and Roy Jemson. Carol Jones’ rink won by 15 shots and there were 10-shot victories for the rinks skipped by Barry Rodwell and by John Carrett. Shirley Stubbs quartet came home seven shots to the good.

Youth speedway training camp at Smallbrook proves success Despite stormy weather doing its best to disrupt some carefully laid plans, the speedway training camp for 20 up-andcoming youth group riders went ahead after a superb effort from the Wightlink Warriors’ track team who worked wonders readying and maintaining the Smallbrook Stadium circuit.

Neil Vatcher, the speedway manager of the GB Youth set-up, was delighted with his group’s time on the Island. He said: “We’ve had three great days of intense training at the home of the Wightlink Warriors. The weekend weather was totally unhelpful but, thanks to the magnificent efforts of the Warriors’ staff and volunteers, we enjoyed a thoroughly beneficial camp.

“All the riders and their helpers gelled together brilliantly and we have seen lots of progress both on and off track. We’ve also been able to map out some key milestones

for the riders to aim for over the new season and we’ll be monitoring their development closely.

“My thanks go to our coaches namely Steve Worrall, Matt Read, Chris Neville and Andy Hague. Their expert input and encouragement was terrific and I can’t wait to see all the good advice put into action when racing gets under way.”

The draw for the qualifying rounds of the British Under 21 Championship took place during the training camp and both Chad Wirtzfeld and Macauley Leek will ride in the Island round on Thursday, April 9. The top three riders from each qualifier go to the Final at Redcar on May 15, where they will be joined by six seeded riders the winner of a pre-final race off contested by the fourth placed rider in the three rounds will also take part in the final.

Chad Wirtzfeld / Photos by Sportography (Ian Groves)

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SailGP set sights on ‘Winning the Race’!

The finish of the second fun race back at the club.

Stratton Trophy called off but Jo top of hardy souls Another very windy weekend which saw no formal racing for Bembridge Sailing Club’s Stratton Trophy, even for the hardy Illusionists. Although annoyingly the strong winds abated on both days as the day wore on, the tides ruled out postponing until the afternoon.

After a half hour postponement on Saturday morning to see whether the F6 wind might die down a bit earlier than forecast, it was decided that it was just too windy for formal racing to go ahead. However, five hardy souls decided they wanted to at least go out for a sail.

With two safety boats on the water keeping on eye on them, they actually had great fun and proved that once they had made it up the

Just ahead of the start of its second season, SailGP have launched ‘Winning the Race’, an ambitious plan to reach zero carbon by 2025.

The bold target puts the global league at the forefront of the industry in reaching the critical milestone.

The SailGP series includes a spectacular event off Egypt Point during Cowes Week, and proved a massive success last year, with hundreds of spectators lining the shore to watch the yachts skim over the water at speeds of up to 50 knots per hour. It will be back in the Solent again this summer.

SailGP will focus on three core pillars – process, people and tech – going beyond best practices, inspiring communities, and driving disruptive innovations both within the sport and across the industry.

Sustainability has been embedded in the fabric of the organization, which is powered by nature, since its inception 16 months ago.

With an increased sense of urgency in Season Two, SailGP will build on the foundations from year one, including via a technical project with Tesla.

harbour to the protection of Embankment Road, conditions were actually not that bad.

Indeed although Ed Peel had returned back to the Club, the other four, Mark and Jo Downer, Rory Morrison and Monty Irwin, had two fun, non-scoring races with the finish of the second at the entrance to the Illusion Quay.

Jo came out on top winning both races. Mark was the only one to risk a spinnaker, although goose winging was just as fast and less risky!

With conditions mid-harbour on Sunday morning even rougher than the previous day, the decision to cancel racing was not a difficult one to make. The Stratton Trophy will be rescheduled to one of the two ‘normal racing’ weekend’s left before the end of the season.

Island underwater hockey status continues to grow

Warriors looking to expand volunteers The Isle of Wight ‘Wightlink’ Warriors speedway team based at the Smallbrook Stadium in Ryde are looking to expand their network of volunteers ahead of the 2020 season that starts in April with a variety of positions available to people with a few spare hours each week.

An open meeting for existing volunteers and those interested in becoming involved is set to take place in the Premier Lounge at the stadium on Saturday, March 14 at 7pm.

Volunteer co-ordinator Sandra Hinchliffe said: “Our Island speedway side have built up an award winning reputation for offering spectators first class service, facilities and presentation and much of the success is built on the hard work and dedication of our volunteer helpers. We are determined to maintain our reputation and it would be an

enormous help if we could recruit a few new faces to join up with our existing crew.

“Activity at Smallbrook Stadium is growing all the time and, whilst primarily we are looking for more help on speedway race night, other opportunities do present themselves for those who can help.

“Our open evening will allow our regular volunteers and possible new recruits to go through the various roles on offer and do some ‘skills matching’. Everybody has a talent to share so whether that is front of house, carpentry, DIY or gardening I’m sure we will be able to find a fit. We truly are a very friendly bunch so please do come along and join us for a chat and some refreshments.”

If you aren’t able to go along on the night but would like more information, email sandrahinchliffe@me.com

Grace Cockayne, Charlie Cockayne, Nicola Schofield, Bianka Anszczak and Jess Wright The Isle of Wight Underwater Hockey club has now become recognised in the sport nationally as a club with strong support for the sport, and the ability to provide talented players at a regional and national level - an amazing achievement considering the junior club was only formed seven years ago.

Five girls from the club played in 'Team South East Girls' with four others from the region at under-16 level.

There were 11 teams from across England and Wales taking part. It was a close

tournament with first and second place being down to goals scored as they each won the same amount of matches.

Team South East came second, one of the best results in the last few years at the the tournament, which was held at Newport International Sports Village, Newport, Wales The mixed tournament, also at under-16 level, included the same girls plus Chris Iordache, Jeremy Hayden and Aaron Edmunds-Lamb. They finished seventh, again an improvement on previous years.

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Trials riders master tricky conditions to show class Hurricanes skipper Sam Flux

Gritty Hurricanes just fail to hold leaders Petersfield 27 points Sandown and Shanklin RFC 10 Sandown and Shanklin RFC travelled to league leaders Petersfield for a league and cup double header and, although beaten, they turned in a much-improved performance than of late. The Hurricanes were facing a tough and unenviable task of trying to cause a Hampshire Premier upset, but the outcome was still in the balance until around 60 minutes into the tie.

The Island side went ahead when winger Rob Newton went around the opposition winger to sprint in from the 22 to score.

The tricky wind conditions pushed Sam Flux's conversion wide, but his team led the league leaders 0 - 5.

The Hurricanes pushed to extend their lead and again Man of the Match Newton got the better of his opponent and broke down the five-metre line, but this time he was brought down just short. A period of sustained pressure from the Petersfield attack was countered by the reinvigorated Sandown defence, which consistently frustrated the home side, but in the final seconds of the first half the hosts finally breached the Sandown defence to make it 5-5.

After the interval, Petersfield started strongly and soon moved into the lead with two unconverted tries. With both sides starting to feel the toll of the physical efforts from both defences, the Hurricanes brought on Sam Dawson into the front row and Alex Cole, to provide fresh impetus, and it took the home side until the final few minutes before they could breach the Sandown defences, with two more tries.

The final word went to the Hurricanes, who cut loose from inside their own half, and a break by Michael Barrett saw him sprint away to the Petersfield 22. Fine support by young Cole, saw him touch down in the final play of the game, with the drop kick conversion missed.

Hurricanes Director of Rugby, Damien Marriott, said: "It was a very, very tough game, and I thought the lads put in an incredible performance and did enough to come home with some points.”

Sandown and Shanklin welcome second placed Alton to the Fairway tomorrow, looking to avenge the defeat to the visitors earlier in the season. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Sandown Seconds hit top form at Tottonians Tottonians 4thXV 14 points Sandown & Shanklin 2nd XV 43 Sandown and Shanklin Second XV chalked up a convincing victory over Tottonians 4th XV in a game they totally dominated for the opening 55 minutes.

They took the lead inside nine minutes through a Dave Steele try, with Mitch Farrant adding the conversion. It was not long before they extended their advantage, with Jack Winter going over and Farrant again adding the extra two points.

With the Island side continuing to call the shots, the next try came from Harry Fyffe, with Farrant again spot on with his conversion for a 21-0 lead, which was extended before the break by Greg Dean’s touchdown, and Farrant’s trusty boot.

The start of the second period followed a similar pattern, with first Darren Carew and then Ryan Keary breaching the Tottonians’ defence to add further tries. But with the score at 38-0, the home side finally rallied, and two converted tries cut the Hurricanes advantage to 38-14. However, not to be outdone, the Island side had the last word, as Jack Sothcott added his name to the list of try scorers.

The Hurricanes 2nd XV are on the road again tomorrow (Sat) when they travel to Alresford RFC, to play their 2nd XV in a top of the table clash, which will surely go some way towards deciding how Sandown will finish the season and if they remain in contention for promotion.

Alfie Gaskin

Jack Ayres The fourth round of the IOW Motor Cycle Club 's 2020 Winter Series Trials Championship took place at Newbarn Farm in Calbourne, with eight sections well set out by experienced riders Rob Howard, James Stay and Alan Stay, making use of a small quarry and other features including steep banks and tree roots.

The saturated ground made for some tricky sections, most of which were set on grass. Riding in such conditions is quite a skill, and it was not uncommon to see a rider on the floor part way through a section.

Lone Expert rider, Jack Ayres completed the four laps of eight sections on 67. The A route that Jack was presented with was tough, but he made light work of section two, only losing three marks over the four laps.

Four riders battled it out in the Intermediate class on B route, but it was the experienced Alan Stay who came out on top with a very impressive score of just 20. Alan lost most of his marks on section seven, which proved a real challenge for most riders. Despite a spectacular crash at the first section,

Aflie Haydon Scout Gregory managed to compose himself to post a respectable total of 49 for the second place. Scout's closest rival, Sonny Gaskin's determination was put to the test, after a mistake on section seven left him with a sore leg Nevertheless he battled on to finish third on 63.

The competitive Clubman class saw five riders taking on a 50/50 split of both B and C route sections. Phil Chase put in another good performance on board his TRS to finish on top with a score of 48.

Colin Brodie wasn't far behind on 54, and John Coombes rounded out the top three on 64.

In the Novice class Paul Kent put in a brilliant ride to finish in first place, some 21 marks clear of Joe Taylor in second. Jos Wright was back out riding, competing in the Twin Shock class alongside his dad, Calvin Wright. Calvin narrowly took the victory this time around, finishing on 91, just two ahead of Jos. In the Adult Beginner class three riders navigated the D route sections.

Tristan Osborne continued to impress and finished on 23, ahead of Mike True

and Sam Jurich who both tied on 77.

Mike was awarded second place as he had fewer fives than Sam.

The future certainly looks bright for Island trials, with three young riders now competing in the Youth Expert class. Alfie Haydon took the win on 55, 14 marks ahead of Dan Locke in second.

Josh Morris was forced into third place with 97.

Alfie Gaskin competed in the Youth Intermediate class, and found section six particularly tricky, but he kept at it and finished the trial with a total of 89. Freddie Death's confidence will certainly be boosted as he put in his best performance since taking up the sport, losing just 22 marks.

The Club meet tomorrow (Sat) at The Pavilion, Newclose County Cricket Ground to celebrate the 2019 award winners. The presentations will be made by The 2019 ACU British Expert Solo Trials Champion and Club member, Chris Stay. The club's next trial will be on March 15 at 12 noon, the venue to be confirmed.

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28th February 2020

More frustrations as Yachtsmen go down

Cowes Sports 2 Hamworthy Utd 3 Cowes manager Max Draper is remaining upbeat even though his side are in desperate need of a couple of wins in their bid to stay in the Sydenhams Wessex League, Premier Division.

Their home game against Hamworthy was again full of frustration as a late goal by the visitors sealed all three points. But Draper insists: “We have played some good sides recently and done well against them, so despite the poor run of results, the confidence is still there.

“I love my job, but this was another tough afternoon at the office. Losing becomes a habit, and it has been a habit at this club for a few years. I still believe we are a good side, but we never seem to get the rub of the green.

“Also, as soon as we go a goal ahead in a game and then don’t take the next chance, you can see the dread that we are going to lose again. If we can just build a good lead in a game and hold onto it I am sure everything will change.”

Picture: Paul Wyeth He added: “We still have 10 games left, and I have total faith in lads. We have a few winnable games at home, and that is when

we need to pick up the points. Some people are calling me deluded, but if they come and watch our games they will realise just how close we are to turning things round.”

Cowes took the lead against Hamworthy when Ji Nash chased a long through ball from Connor Kelly, skipped round the advancing keeper, and slotted home from a tight angle.

They then had the chance to extend their lead when they were awarded a spot kick, but on this very rare occasion Ewan Cranwell’s shot from 12 yards was beaten away by the keeper. They were made to pay for that miss when the visitors drew level in stoppage time

of the first half, but only after the referee showed a Hamworthy player a red card, and then changed his mind in favour of a yellow.

The Yachtsmen also missed a couple more good opportunities, and soon after the interval the visitors edged in front. But the Island side refused to buckle, and when they were awarded a second penalty, Cranwell did not hesitate in stepping up, and this time tucked his effort it into the net.

That looked to be enough to secure a valuable point, but virtually straight from the restart, Hamworthy capitalised of a defensive error and raced upfield to grab the late winner.

Bembridge and Binstead battle way into Challenge Cup semis Bembridge secured their place in the semifinals of the IWCP Challenge Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brading, which also avenged the defeat they suffered in the league the previous week.

The tie was switched to Bembridge as Brading were unable to use their own ground or the one at Cowes Enterprise College, and home advantage on a smaller pitch seemed to suit the hosts.

Brading struggled to get into their normal rhythm, and found themselves trailing after 10 minutes when Anthony Kettle broke away to score. Bembridge continued to dominate, and as Brading began to chase the game they left gaps at the back, which the home side failed to exploit despite a number of opportunities.

Brading finally got back on terms 10 minutes from time when George Colson netted from the penalty spot, but Bembridge hit back with the winner from Liam Harper, to earn themselves a semi-final tie against ECS. Binstead and COB also reached the last four with a 1-0 victory at Shanklin.

Meanwhile, Whitecroft and Barton strengthened their position at the top of the Harwoods Renault League, Division One with an emphatic 4-0 victory at Ventnor.

Matt Evans scored twice for W&B, with Aidan Sainsbury and Jack East hitting one each.

Northwood St Johns won the mid-table battle at Sandown, scoring four without reply.

W&B now have a 12-point led at the top of the table from Shanklin, who have a game in hand. But the real threat can still come from Brading, if they can shake off their Cup setback. Although they are 13 points adrift of W&B, they can make it a very interesting end to the season if they can win all four games they have in hand.

In the IW Memorial Cup, the headlinegrabbers were Yarmouth and Calbourne, who ended their long run of defeats by winning 2-1 away to Newport Reserves. Vectis narrowed the gap to leaders Oakfield in Divisin Two to nine points with a 5-3 success at home to AFC Wootton, and also have one game in hand. In the other Division Two match, third-placed Seaview drew 1-1 at Osborne Coburg.

In Combination One, both W&B Sports and Ryde Saints reserves knocked in eight goals without reply. Second-placed W&B beat Sandown Reserves with goals from Kieran Lewis 3, Lee Cotton 2, Matt Grace, Jamie Anstey and Damien Cassford. Saints’ big win came against Carisbrooke United Reserves.

Leaders ECS Reserves beat Shanklin Reserves 4-1 and in the Ken Morris IOW Junior Cup Northwood St Johns Reserves accounted for Binstead and COB Reserves 4-2.

Meanwhile, Bembridge Reserves booked their place in the next round of the UNISON IOW Junior B Cup with a 4-0 win over Ryde Saints A.

28th February 2020

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Port keep up pressure in quest for promotion Newport 2 Whitchurch Utd 0 Newport consolidated their promotionpush placing in the Sydenhams Wessex League, Division One with a fine victory over one of their main rivals.

The win kept Newport handily placed in seventh spot in the table, but now nine points ahead of Whitchurch, and more importantly just six adrift of third-placed Hythe and Dibden.

Port manager Andy Sampson admitted: “It wasn’t the greatest of games with the strong winds and wet conditions underfoot, but I felt we controlled it, and I was pleased with the performance. We know we can do better, but overall it was important that we got three more points.”

Port were quicker out of the blocks,

and after Jared Cousins squandered an early chance, they took the lead in only the seventh minute. Joe Craig, who has played a vital role in Newport’s successful campaign, met Connor Kelly’s cross to power home a header.

Jordan Browne went close to adding a second, before Whitchurch carved out a couple of half chances. However, Newport’s defence stood firm, even though keeper Gary Streeter had to make one fine save to spare Scott Baron the embarrassment of an own goal.

The hosts had to wait until the 75th minute before making the game safe with their second score. Kelly hit a powerful shot that rebounded off the Whitchurch bar, but as the ball broke kindly for him, he was able to lob his second effort over the Whitchurch keeper and into the net.

Sampson said: “Joe Craig has done very well for us, and he is getting the goals with everything else he does, so he’s a big asset. And although Connor Kelly had a fairly quiet game by his standards, his shot that led to the goal was a real screamer, and his finish was excellent. We also kept another clean sheet which is always a bonus.”

Newport visit Verwood tomorrow (Sat), the team who beat the Island outfit at Beatrice Avenue on the opening day of the season. Sampson added: “They have been picking up some good results recently, but we need to go there looking for three more points to maintain our push. A lot of the teams above us have still got to play each other, so we have got to try to reel a few in and aim for that fourth spot.”

Vics hope to return to action

Richie Woodburn

East Cowes Vics are hoping they will finally be back in action tomorrow (Sat) when, weather permitting, they will take on Laverstock and Ford at Beatrice Avenue (3pm).

The opposition are tucked comfortably in the middle of the Sydenhams Wessex League, Division One, with little more than pride to play for. On the other hand Vics manager Richie Woodburn will be eager to see his troops pick up maximum points. Although they are third bottom, they are within touching distance of the three teams immediately above them,

and with games in hand.

Vics have had no game for the past two weekends, but that has given Woodburn (pictured) the opportunity to put his players through what he described as ‘belated pre-season training’.

He said: “Not playing has been frustrating, but I have used the time hopefully to our advantage. We have been doing some ‘pre-season work’, and in the past I have got teams promoted after a wet winter, because it has given us time to put in some extra work on the training ground at an

important stage of the season.

“Hopefully it will enable us to finish the campaign strongly, starting against Laverstock and Ford. I don’t know much about them apart from the fact they have a big man up front, who we will have to try to contain. But we are at home, so I just want to concentrate on what we need to do to win the game. We haven’t been scoring as many as I would have liked, so we have to put that right, which is never easy.”

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28th February 2020

This week’s highlights...

Underwater Hockey

Newport keep up the pressure

Island status continues to grow

By Peter White

Football

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Hants Trophy hunters!

Brading and Shanklin looking to reach final

Paul Hawood Brading Town and Shanklin will be hoping to create their own pieces of football history this weekend when they attempt to reach the final of the prestigious Hampshire FA Trophy.

Both clubs play in Division One of the IW League, and face tough opposition from the mainland in their quest for glory. Brading will make the trip to Portsmouth to take on Moneyfields Reserves, while Shanklin entertain Fareham Town Reserves at the County Ground, with both ties kicking off at 2pm tomorrow (Sat). Both mainland sides play in the Wyvern League Combination.

Although both Island clubs have reached the semi-finals before, neither has progressed to the final. Now Romans manager Steve Lawton and Shanklin boss Paul Hawood are both hoping that hoodoo can be broken,

Steve Lawton and they can meet in an all-Island final showdown later in the season.

Lawton said: “We got to the semi-final about six years ago, and lost to Colden Common from near Winchester, 2-0 away, and we’ve been to the quarter-final a couple of times recently. We know it's going to be tough because Moneyfields are doing well in their league. But we have already knocked out Whitecroft and Barton, who have been in the final for the last two years. Our injury situation hasn’t helped our preparations though. Keeper Will Hunt hurt his shoulder at Cowes three weeks ago, and although he is slowly improving, being a keeper, the shoulder is important, so he again looks doubtful.

“Oliver Wilson and Dan Vale both suffered

pulled muscles during our defeat at Bembridge last weekend and are also doubtful, but it just depends how quickly they recover. On the plus side, we’ve got Aaron Burford and Josh Younie back, and Macaulay Barnes returns from university this weekend, so we have a few options.”

Lawton added: “It would be nice to get to the final, and even better if we met Shanklin there, because that would be brilliant for Island football.”

Shanklin manager Hawood said: “We reached the semi-finals three years ago and lost 2-1 away to Locksheath, but as far as I know Shanklin have never reached the final.

This is a good opportunity for us, and of course we have home advantage.

“Fareham Reserves knocked out Northwood

St Johns two rounds ago, and I have a friend who plays for Northwood so he has given me as much information about them as he can.

But because both Fareham and Moneyfields first teams play at a decent level, I image both reserve sides will be full of good youngsters.

“To be honest I don’t look too much into the opposition; it’s all about how we perform on the day. We’re ok injury-wise, but we have Kyle Drew suspended, and Pete Wilson and Ryan Hill are both away on holiday. It would make a great day for the Island if both teams managed to get through to the final, but all we can do is focus on what we need to do, and if we get there it will be a great achievement for the club.”

Super Ryde book ticket for South West semi

David Pratt

Ryde have been the dominant force in indoor cricket on the Island over the past three years but at Rew Valley Sports Centre they produced arguably their best performance so far as they defeated reigning Southern Premier League champions Bashley (Rydal) from Dorset in the County playoff for the ECB Indoor National Club Championship.

Playing against a Bashley side who beat Ryde at the same stage of the competition last year, skipper Stuart Robertson chose to bat first but saw his batsmen struggle against tight bowling. It was left to Mark Oatley who top scored with 30 not out to help Ryde reach 94-4, a total that Bashley felt was well within their grasp.

Their openers started well and reached 48 without loss, but it was young Ollie Morgan who turned the game by removing the dangerous Michael Porter for 18. Josh Proctor and Stuart Robertson then each took a wicket in quick succession as Bashley found runs hard to come by and it was left to Ash Goldsmith (2-14) to wrap up the remaining batsmen and take Ryde to victory by 17 runs.

Ryde now progress to take on Wiltshire side Swindon in

the South West regional semi-final at Taunton in two weeks’ time with the winners of the regional final making a trip to Lords for the National Finals at the end of March.

Ryde’s winning team (l-r): Dave Pratt, Ollie Morgan, Stuart Robertson, Josh Proctor, Ash Goldsmith and Mark Oatley.