Isle of Wight Observer Issues 29

Observer

8th March 2019

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Council tax set to rise despite cuts 5

Anger over closure plans for school 7

Friday 8th March 2019 Issue No.29

Serving the local community

SIMPLY THE BEST! Sandown Bay and the village of Bembridge have been crowned the Best of British by Countryfile Magazine with the help of IW Observer readers.

The online poll, run by the popular magazine in conjunction with the BBC TV’s Countryfile programme, placed the two popular Isle of Wight destinations at the top, ‘by a very wide margin’.

Bembridge was voted Village of the Year in the UK for ‘wonderful coastal setting with a pier and lifeboat station, plus a busy village community with independent shops, cafés and restaurants. With three great beaches and the white cliffs of Culver Down on the doorstep, the village is a perfect base for exploring.’

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Address: Suite 4, 17 Thomas House, St. Thomas Square, Newport, IW, PO30 1SL Publisher: Isle of Wight Observer Ltd. Sales: Carole Dennett, Emma Harper, Matt Reed Online editor: Sandy Clarke Production: email: productioniw@icloud.com The IW Observer is a member of IMPRESS: The Independent Monitor of the Press. For more information on the IW Observer complaints policy and how to make a complaint visit: iwobserver.co.uk/make-a-complaint/

Answers for crossword page 26 Down: 1. Duodenal ulcer, 2. Dorset, 3. Tends, 4. Yellows, 5. Circus, 6. Contemplation, 13. Imagine, 15. Thrust, 17. Doodad, 18. Stash.

Across: 7. Europe, 8. Edison, 9. Odds, 10. Delicate, 11. Unite, 12. Twosome, 14. Old-time, 16. Adult, 19. All right, 20. Oath, 21. Lessen, 22. Shadow.

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8th March 2019

Island star Millie is among Six of the best!

By Peter White Isle of Wight stage star Millie O’Connell admits it’s ‘a dream come true’ to be in the smash-hit West End musical ‘Six’ which has been nominated for five prestigious Olivier awards, which celebrate the world-class status of London theatre.

Millie, from Shanklin, says she was chosen last year to perform in Six, which is a musical about the Six Wives of Henry VIII, with a superbly witty dialogue. The 22-year-old talented singer and dancer plays the role of Anne Boleyn in a modern day Tudor take-off of the wives of Henry VIII – Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr – whose fates were divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived!

Millie attended Christ the King College, and began dancing at the Gillian Cartwright School of Dance in Shanklin, and with the Spotlight Company at Shanklin Theatre, before attending the ‘Laine Theatre Arts’ for three years, graduating with a diploma in musical theatre.

Her first big break came when she was chosen as a cast member and understudy in the American musical 42nd Street, first in Paris and then with a different cast at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in the heart of London’s West End. Then her chance to take on the Anne Boleyn role came up. She said: “I had a call in May last year from my agents one Monday morning saying they had cast the whole of the ‘Six’ show, but couldn’t find an Anne Boleyn, and it was the last week of auditions.

“That was on the Monday, and I was invited in on the Friday, did a dance routine, a song, and read part of the script, and the next day I was offered the job. It came right out of the blue, and we had only three weeks of rehearsals before we went on tour.”

She continued: “I took the role because I wanted to be a part of something original and new, and something so creative. But I don’t think we perhaps realised just how successful it was

Millie O’Connell (bottom middle) on stage going to be. I sometimes have to pinch myself, because it’s a dream come true, to be honest.”

Indeed, when the cast appeared, and did a routine, on the ITV ‘This Morning’ programme, presenter Phillip Schofield described ‘Six’ as his favourite musical, and has watched the show at the Edinburgh Fringe and in the West End. The super ‘Six’ wives, accompanied by four female musicians, performed at Norwich and Cambridge, as well as at the Edinburgh Fringe, before heading to the West End for a short spell. They then went on a bigger UK tour, ending up in Glasgow, before taking a short break and then returning to the Arts Theatre in the West End, where the show will run until next January.

Millie, who still returns to the Island as often as possible, said: “It has been amazing, and people really love the show. Every kind of audience can seem to relate to it. It is a musical, with a lot of witty, funny dialogue. The writers, Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow are brilliant.

And the other five girls in the six are such lovely people, and amazing to work with; I feel like we are all sisters.

It is so great to be on stage with five such strong women, and sharing these moments with them.”

Six the musical runs for just 90 minutes with no interval, and Millie says: “That suits me. It is really intense, but it’s like when you get on the train and just go, which is what I love.”

Now she and her fellow ‘wives’ are anxiously awaiting the Olivier Awards Ceremony, which will take place on April 7 at the Albert Hall, London, which they will all attend.

‘Six’ is nominated for Best New Musical and Best Actress in a Supporting Role, with Millie joined by fellow cast members Aimie Atkinson, Alexia McIntosh, Jarneia Richard-Noel, Maiya Quanash-Breed and Natalie Paris.

The musical is also nominated in the Outstanding Achievement in Music; The Best Theatre Choreography and the Best Costume Design categories.

8th March 2019

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Improvements demanded at St Mary’s Hospital as Island NHS Trust is rated as ‘inadequate’ The Isle of Wight NHS Trust has been told that services provided in the emergency department at St Mary’s Hospital, Newport must improve as a matter of urgency. The Trust is currently rated as ‘inadequate’ and is in special measures.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) issued the stark warning after carrying out a focused inspection in the emergency department at the hospital in January, as part of a programme to assess safety during the winter period. The Trust has also come under fire for ‘a worsening financial deficit’.

It claims this is because ‘we have invested in necessary improvements, and have cared for an increased numbers of patients’.

After the inspection CQC issued a Warning Notice requiring the Trust to take immediate action to address concerns about the safety and quality of patients’ care in surgery. At times care and treatment was not always provided in a way that reduced risks to patients. The warning notice highlighted patients were cared for and treated in non-designated areas for care in the emergency department, which increased the risk of them not having the right assessments, care and treatment.

It also said patients were not always assessed in a timely or safe manner, or assessed by staff who were suitably qualified, and there were not enough staff on duty to deliver safe care and treatment to patients.

Dr Nigel Acheson, CQC’s Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals for the South, said: “While we can acknowledge winter is a busy time for hospitals this should never impede on patient care. Our inspectors visited the emergency department of St Marys Hospital at the end of January and were not assured that patients were not being treated promptly enough and in areas which were not designated as care areas.

Picture by Andrew Harper teams “Handovers from ambulance

to the hospital were done in a timely manner but there was again concern that the initial assessment for patient treatment was not always seen by a nurse in the first instance. This is unacceptable and we have warned the trust that we want immediate improvements within the emergency department to ensure people receive the high-quality care they deserve.

We will continue to monitor the trust extremely closely and will return to inspect services again on an unannounced basis in the near future.”

Inspectors found that despite recent recruitment there remained a noticeable shortage of qualified nurses. In the month prior to the inspection there was heavy reliance on agency nurses. Although agency nurses are fully qualified they do not always have the specialist experience of working in that particular emergency department before.

There were also periods during the inspection when there were no nurses in the major treatment area, the minor treatment area or the rapid assessment area. Furthermore, the first assessment of ambulance patients did not take place according to national guidance. Although a handover generally took place within 15 minutes of arrival, there was no face-to-face assessment of these patients by an experienced nurse. Subsequent observations and assessments were often undertaken by a healthcare assistant.

Maggie Oldham Chief Executive of the Trust said: “The CQC inspection of the emergency department at St Mary’s hospital, in January, during the winter pressures period has been really helpful in acknowledging how services have improved, but also where we still need to provide better services to patients. The report vividly captures the dedication and professionalism of staff, but also the significant pressure they can be

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News in brief Passenger dies on bus Police and paramedics were called to Ryde Bus Station after a 34-yearold man suffered a medical episode on board a bus from Shanklin. He was taken to St Mary’s Hospital by ambulance, where, sadly, he later died. The cause of his death has not yet been established.

Shide Road crash Emergency crews were called to a car crash at Shide Road, Newport, at 3.37 pm on Tuesday afternoon (March 5).

Firefighters were called to remove the roof of the car, and three people, a female pedestrian, male driver and female passenger, were taken to hospital.

working under. Staff spoke positively with the inspectors about working in the ED and the inspectors also commented on the improvements to patient flow through the department.

All critically ill patients were seen quickly and treated properly. Junior doctors also spoke well of the quality of the training they received.”

The Trust invested £1.5 million in this financial year to increase staffing numbers and £1.3 million on improvements to the department.

A further £250,000 will be spent next to improve the layout of the department. There will be further investment of £200,000 to refurbish and modernise Shackleton Ward, designed for the needs, comfort, dignity, care and safety of patients.

Maggie Oldham continued: “Like many NHS organisations the IOW NHS Trust has for some time had a worsening financial deficit. This is because we have invested in necessary improvements, and have cared for an increased numbers of patients.

“Our costs have risen significantly, and we have not been able to deliver all the efficiency savings that we hoped to. Some of this is due to the specific costs related to our Island situation. Particularly the difficulty of recruiting enough permanent staff, which has resulted in us spending more on temporary staffing fees.

“We also recognise that we need to continue to develop alternatives to treating people in hospital. Our Community and Mental Health services need more development.

This will ensure that patients and service users are supported with a range of suitable care options tailored to their needs.

“We are working in partnership as a Health and Social Care System to plan and deliver improvements together, that will provide us with clinically sustainable services. Working with NHS Improvement Financial Special Measures team, will provide us with additional focus and support to ensure that our clinical services are also financially sustainable.”

Torpedo boat broken up An 80-year-old motor torpedo boat, which served in World War II, has been broken up at Bembridge Harbour. Built in 1939 at Thornycroft Hampton, it was the first coastal defence vessel to shoot down an enemy aircraft during the war.

New County Press editor Emily Pearce is to become the new editor of the IW County Press at the beginning of April. Emily, 35, will be the paper’s first female editor, succeeding Alan Marriott, who will move to the commercial side of the business.

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8th March 2019

James Martin’s Great British Adventure features local shops A number of Isle of Wight shops and food producers featured on ITV’s celebrity chef James Martin’s Great British Adventure.

After arriving in Cowes via Red Funnel, James, together with his chef companion, Lenny CarrRoberts, visited the eastern and western extremities of the Island, Colwell Bay and Bembridge, stopping off in Briddlesford Lodge Farm, near Wootton, on the way.

He described the Island as a hidden gem with its own special micro-climate, an abundance of seafood and great meats, particularly lamb. He added that the Island’s landscape was ideal for growing crops, rearing sheep and dairy farming, with proper green countryside, comparable with driving through Provence.

James stopped off in Briddlesford Lodge Farm, to see how butter was produced, and sample the homemade jam, scones and clotted cream. Meanwhile, Lenny stopped off at Bembridge, where he visited local speciality butcher, WW Woodford and Son, to try the famed sausage rolls. He then went on to visit fishmonger’s, Captain Stan’s, where he bought some white crab meat, before eating at Bembridge fish restaurant, Best Dressed Crab.

Paul Griffin, whose family have been farming at Briddlesford

Bembridge Lifeboat Station by Sienna Anderson

WW Woodford and Son Lodge Farm since 1923, said: “James Martin was impressed by our range of cheeses, which will feature on his forthcoming programme, on April 6. The milk we use to make the cheese is better because of the breed of cow, Guernsey, the traditional breed on the Isle of Wight. Guernseys produce particularly creamy milk with a distinctive, golden colour.”

Graham Henley of the Best Dressed Crab, a retired fisherman, whose family have been fishermen and lifeboatmen for generations, said: “Lenny Carr-Roberts had dressed crab landed and cooked that very morning. He could sense the difference in taste as it

had been cooked as soon as it had landed. You can’t get any fresher than that.”

The fishmonger at Captain Stan’s said: “It’s good to see a chef appreciating what fresh fish really is. We produce fantastic fish from rich fishing grounds, but there are only three of us independent fishmonger’s left on the Island.

If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it, so it’s important to promote local shops.”

Graham Hawkins, of butchers, W.W. Woodford and Sons, said: “I love the way Lenny Carr-Roberts promoted Bembridge and the Isle of Wight. It feels nice to be recognised.”

Sandown & Bembridge take ‘Best of British’ Continued from front page Sandown Bay was voted the best British beach in the UK for ‘traditional bucket and spade beach on the east coast of the Island with miles of golden sand, pier and eclectic seafront – and just a short walk to peaceful, fossil-rich cliffs and stunning coastal wildlife.’

Will Myles, MD of Visit Isle of Wight said: “This is clearly fantastic news for the Isle of Wight. We’re very grateful to the thousands who voted for Bembridge and Sandown Bay. To win not just one, but both of these awards is a testament to what this Island has to offer.

“It’s just two more reasons for visitors to come and discover the Isle of Wight – for the best beach in the UK at Sandown Bay and the best village in the UK!” Ian Boyd of Arc Consulting said: “This is absolutely wonderful news!

It’s a spectacular result for the Island particularly for Bembridge winning as well what a fantastic celebration of everything that is great about the Island.

“For us, it acknowledges the incredible quality of the Bay’s environment of this extraordinary beach. It’s a reminder just how much we have to be thankful for and how lucky we are.”

8th March 2019

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Save Newtown for the nightingales

Shanklin seafront roads upgrade Shanklin Esplanade and Hope Hill are to be upgraded by Island Roads after the Easter Holiday. The work will be undertaken over nine weekdays from April 23.

The resurfacing will be undertaken in four phases, to keep as many of the Esplanade’s three car parks open for as long as possible during the project.

Pedestrian access to Hope Hill and the Esplanade will be maintained at all times and there will be no working on Saturday and Sundays. The road will be re-opened outside of working times and businesses will be open as usual throughout the work.

The Spring date and daytime work have been chosen, because weather at this time of year, on what is an exposed location, can reasonably be expected to be favourable, thereby reducing the risk of delays. The dates mean the work will be undertaken after the busy Easter season, with the aim of completion before the May Bank Holidays.

Businesses and residents have been informed of the work, and Island Roads is continuing to talk to those

most affected to discuss ways of minimising inconvenience.

Next month, Island Roads’ mobile visitor centre will visit the Esplanade, to enable residents and businesses to speak to staff.

Keith Gourlay, Island Roads construction manager, said: “Experience has shown us that in exposed coastal areas it is best to work when we can reasonably expect good weather, enabling us to finish on time and with the least overall disruption.

“Our aim here is to pick a window outside of the main holiday period but when the weather is more likely to be kind to us. As we saw late last year on Culver Parade, attempting to do the work when the weather is inclement can lead to significant and unwanted delays in completing the work.

“We have personally spoken to businesses that are open and we will continue to communicate with the community in the coming weeks.

We would like to thank everyone we have spoken to so far for their understanding and co-operation.”

resilience and capacity we would be driven to more reductions in services, or ceasing some services all together.”

Council leader, Cllr Dave Stewart, claimed the budget would see investment of £43 million. He added that the key focus would be housing and infrastructure, as well as investment in schools, adult social care and regeneration.

Cllr Paul Brading, cabinet member for children’s services, claimed that any reorganisation of the disabled children’s intervention team would not lead to hardship for those affected. He said: “I care about the children of the Island. I would not cut any services that will affect the services for children on the Island.”

The IW Council budget was

News in brief Taser used in Ryde Town A 34-year-old man from Ryde was tasered and arrested after being seen carrying knives and damaging a fire engine, following a basement flat fire in Melville Street, Ryde. A 50-year-old Ryde woman was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer in the same incident.

Steam leads to fire call out

Campaign group Keep Newtown for the Birds has accused the National Trust of arrogance in ignoring criticism over its management of the Island’s premier nature reserve.

The former volunteers say this is nowhere more apparent than in the loss of Newtown’s nightingales.

They claim that ‘tidying up’ of thickets and scrub and the destruction of other places where nightingales used to nest, including woods, has had a negative effect on the population.

Keep Newtown for the Birds spokesman, James Allaway, said: “Last year, just two nightingales were heard on the NT estate at Clammerkin, but they didn’t stay.

Yet, on the other side of the lake on MOD land, which is largely undisturbed, they managed to breed.

“Nightingales used to be recorded at Cassey Bridge in Newtown. No longer. Disturbance by launching of paddleboards and canoes and people picnicking on the marsh has pushed them out.”

Keep Newtown for the birds would like to reduce the number of visitors threatening to overwhelm the wildlife sanctuary. The group cites an Easter Egg Hunt on April 21 and 22, which calls for “the whole family to hunt high and low through the meadows and woods to find the clues”, as an example of an inappropriate activity in a nature reserve.

James Allaway complained that such human interference meant there would be no chance of peace for birds prospecting for a nest site and that the National Trust was stealthily changing Newtown Nature Reserve to a playground by adding human activities.

Mr Allaway said: “Newtown is practically the last unspoilt estuary on the South Coast, but waterborne visitors alone have increased fivefold since the 1970s.

“At this rate, the time will soon arrive when there will be no birds left for them to come to see. And no amount of ‘bird walks’ will bring them back.”

IW Council tax increase despite £5.5 million cuts A council tax increase of almost three per cent and £5.5 million in cuts have been approved by the Isle of Wight Council. At a meeting of the full Council, the Councillors approved next year’s budget proposals by a vote of 25 to 14.

All care packages are to be reviewed, crematorium charges are to be increased, there will be a reduction in the home to school bus contract, and a review and reorganisation of the disabled children’s intervention team (DCIT). Close to £150,000 will be saved by the closure of the mental health day services.

IW Council reserves will, however, grow to £12.2 million, close to double the minimum required. Cabinet member for finance, Cllr Stuart Hutchinson, said: “Without that

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vigorously opposed by the largest opposition group on the council, the Island Independents, who unanimously voted against the Conservative administration’s budget cuts and backed call for the continuation of the fully-staffed Disabled Children’s Intervention Team.

Speaking after the Budget was set, leader of the IW Independents, Cllr Stephens, said: “If we want investment into this Island perhaps when we borrow money we should invest in jobs and opportunity for Islanders. We talk many times about giving our children a future, however we fail to invest in making their dreams and aspirations a reality.”

The IW Labour party was also highly critical of the IW Council

budget. Island Labour Chair, Julian Critchley, said: “This is a punitive budget, which will hit the Island’s most vulnerable families hard.

With cuts to the disabled children’s intervention team and care packages, the Conservative councillors are targeting those Islanders most in need of support.”

“Those cuts seem even more unnecessarily callous when put alongside the increase in council reserves to twice the minimum size. In other words, the cuts being imposed on vulnerable Islanders aren’t being imposed against the will of the council by central government.

They are a deliberate choice to place unspent reserves ahead of the welfare of disabled children.”

Two appliances from Newport and Shanklin were mobilised to a suspected fire in the laundry room of a housing complex at Knights Court on Ventnor High Street.

It is understood a hose disconnected from a machine, leading to steam filling the room, and there was no fire present.

Laptop theft Police have issued an appeal for information following reports a laptop was stolen from Pete’s Computing Services in Regent Street, Shanklin, at around 2.30 pm on Friday afternoon (March 2). Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting 44190073443.

Ryde rescue call out The Ryde Inshore Rescue lifeboat raced across the Solent shortly after 11am on Saturday morning, March 2, to tow a brokendown RIB (rigid inflatable boat) to safety after it had broken down at the entrance to Langstone Harbour. No injuries were reported to the occupants of the vessel.

RNLI fundraiser A Yarmouth RNLI fundraiser at the town’s Bugle Coaching Inn raised more than £1,082 for the charity.

Nearly 100 tickets were sold for meals with £5 from each donated to the lifeboat. A raffle was held with a Bestival ticket, £75 voucher from Character Inns and a micro light flight by Sandown Airport as prizes.

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8th March 2019

Ryde Councillors flip pancakes for charity

Distillery scales up with new gin bottle The new Mermaid Gin bottle from the Isle of Wight Distillery, the result of a year-long redesign project by Distillery founders Xavier Baker and Conrad Gauntlett, is now available to purchase.

The pair have aimed to create a stunning, environmentally friendly bottle, using 100 per cent plastic-free materials. The new bottle has been created exclusively from sustainable, recyclable materials, with brilliant colours and a striking shape.

Although the bottle design has changed dramatically, Mermaid Gin will still be made using the same distinct recipe. The small batch gin is hand-crafted, distilled and bottled at the Isle of Wight Distillery, using 10 ethicallysourced botanical products, including rock samphire foraged from Island cliffs, Boadicea hops from Ventnor Botanic Garden and locally grown elderflower.

All other Isle of Wight Distillery spirits, Mermaid Vodka, HMS Victory Rum and HMS Victory Gin, will continue to be sold in the original Nocturne bottle.

The Distillery will soon be piloting a refill scheme, enabling Island customers to have bottles refilled on site. In doing so, they hope to provide their Island customers with both economic and ecological benefits.

Cllr Michael Lilley hosted the third Pancake Challenge event at Ryde Foodbank in Grace Church, Ryde, on Shrove Tuesday. This year’s event was hosted by Cllr Lilley to raise awareness of poverty on the Isle of Wight and raise funds for IW Foodbank and IW Red Box Project.

The previous year’s Ryde Pancake Challenge was won

by Cllr Wayne Whittle, who managed 330 flips in five minutes.

This year, although Cllr Lilley increased his score to 282, Cllr Whittle beat stiff competition to win with a total of 393 flips. Cllrs Debbie Andre and Vanessa Churchman, along with local residents, also took part.

This year’s fundraising target of £2,000 is to be split between the IW Foodbank and Red Box period poverty project.

Cllr Lilley gave £50 to each

project’s representatives at the event itself. By the end of the Pancake Challenge, £950 had been raised, and all challengers are now contacting sponsors to hit the £2,000 target.

Cllr Wayne Whittle, who attended the event despite a Cabinet meeting being held at the same time, said: “I couldn’t not be here. I have been training and am delighted my unbeaten record has increased. This is a bit of fun with a serious message, and Michael’s and my ward in Ryde has some of the highest poverty on the Island. The Ryde Foodbank is a real lifeline and needs all our support. I will continue to support Michael’s annual event”.

Town Cllr Phil Jordan, attending the pancake challenge event at Ryde food bank on Tuesday, said: “What a great event and great fun with the competition,

which was enjoyed by a huge crowd. Out of it comes some very welcome funding to sustain and support both the Food bank and the Red Box initiative. Both great charities. Well done to Cllr Lilley for organising this successful event once again, the fight to relieve poverty in all forms continues with these important initiatives.”

Cllr Debbie Andre, who took part for the first time, said: “Taking part in the Ryde Foodbank Pancake Tossing Challenge this morning was a lot of fun, but carries with it a very serious message.

Too many people across our island are having to make impossible choices, whether to have heat or whether to eat. Please support your local Foodbank, while those of us who are in a position to effect change, work towards a fairer, more sustainable society where Foodbanks are no longer needed.”

Registration now open for ‘Hope to Seaview’ walk Retina UK’s annual sponsored walk for research into inherited blindness will take place on Sunday, June 9, and will again start at The Salix at Hope Beach, Shanklin, and finish at The Old Fort, Seaview, approximately 12 miles along the coastal path of the eastern Isle of Wight.

Organisers of the Hope to Seaview walk raised £15,000 last year for research into inherited progressive blindness, when 75 people took part in the sponsored walk.

Anyone wishing to take part should go to www.RetinaUK.org.uk/HopetoSeaview to register. If anyone wishes to sponsor the team or an individual, they should go to www. justgiving.com/HopetoSeaview2019.

The Isle of Wight group of Retina UK is determined to do as much as it can to restore sight for those who have lost or are losing their sight due to inherited progressive blindness, so that one day in the near future we can say ‘Hope to Seaview’ again.

Prestigious award won Councillor’s thanks for help to end by inspirational teacher squatter problem An Isle of Wight school teacher has won the University of Oxford Inspirational Teacher Award after being nominated by a former pupil.

Former student, Sam Lapham, who is studying at Oxford University, nominated his old English teacher, Richard Dunsterville, from The Bay CE School, Sandown.

The award allows talented students, who have come from schools that do not have a track record of having students attend the prestigious university, to nominate a teacher who inspired or supported them. Mr. Dunsterville, who is head of the English department at the school, will now attend a formal awards ceremony and dinner at Oxford in May. Teresa Westcott-Hayes, Associate Headteacher at The Bay CE school,

said: “Richard Dunsterville is an inspirational teacher on a daily basis.

Having won the Oxford University Inspirational Teacher Award, the first thing that Richard made clear was that it was about everybody at the school and that everybody had played their part.

“In the words of Sam Lapham who nominated Richard: ‘His sheer passion for English is rivalled only by his sincerity in wanting his students to do well, not for any form of public appraisal, but because he believes in them.’

“All of us at The Bay are extremely proud of Richard and although he doesn’t ever want any public recognition, we are delighted that he is getting it.”

Oxford University student, Sam Lapham, said the following about

his former teacher: “When we think of our favourite teachers, there is always something distinct about them: it might be a quirky fashion sense, a good rapport with the students, a unique sense of humour. Mr Dunsterville wasn’t distinct like that: he wasn’t the most outgoing teacher, he wasn’t boisterous or noticeably loud, but he had a manner about him which was at once sympathetic, wise, funny and inspiring, a combination I haven’t seen anywhere else, not even at Oxford.

“I only had Mr Dunsterville as my English teacher for year thirteen, and to look back on that is truly incomprehensible, because what I learned from him both academically and professionally will stay with me forever.”

Jon Gilbey, Shanklin Town Councillor and former Mayor, has thanked the IW Observer for our part in having a squatter moved from a beauty spot in the town. It is understood the man, who had lived rough in Rylstone Gardens for five months, will now be offered proper accommodation by IW Council, who also own Rylstone Gardens.

We highlighted in last week’s edition that the man, known as Chris, set up a temporary home in a shelter partly covered with tarpaulin, in the Gardens just off Shanklin Old Village, and often had other trespassers joining him.

Cllr. Gilbey said: “The man’s belongings and shelter were being packed away last Friday, within a few hours of the IW Observer running the story, and by the end of

the weekend everything had been removed, and he had gone, but I’m not sure where. Hopefully he is now somewhere safe, for his own good.

“The publicity given by your newspaper certainly helped, as I had contacted the IW Council a number of times, and it had been going on for too long. I feel the story was the final kick up the backside for the Council to do something about the issue.”

An IW Council spokesperson confirmed: “He (Chris) has voluntarily moved out of the property and as such, is continuing to be managed through the homeless MARM (multi agency risk management) task force, with the aim of supporting the gentleman out of his current homeless situation.”

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Proposed Freshwater school closure provokes angry response It was standing room only in Freshwater on Tuesday night, as the Parish Council met to decide upon their response to the IW Council’s proposals to close All Saints Primary School. Over 60 parents, Councillors, villagers, teachers and supporters packed the Council meeting room, to have their say on the possibility that the largest village on the Isle of Wight could be left without a primary school within months. More than 808 people have signed a petition to save the school.

Residents were outspoken in their views, with concerns about the impact on the children, the extra traffic and the increased numbers in surrounding schools. The entire basis of the closure was queried, and questions were voiced about the quality of the documentation, the research and accuracy of statistics used in the Council report. The meeting was unanimous in its commitment to retain a primary school for the children of Freshwater. There has been a school in the village since 1715.

IW Council recently published a report setting out its preferred option, which is to close All Saints CE Primary School.

The school has capacity for 210 pupils but currently has only 81. Following any potential closure, the council favours expanding St Saviour’s Catholic Primary School for the start of the 2019/20 academic year.

All Saints has been judged to require improvement by Ofsted following inspections in 2013, 2015 and 2017. In the latest monitoring visit in July of

last year, inspectors said the school was ‘not taking effective action to improve’.

The closure is opposed by both the IW Labour party and the Isle of Wight Independents group on IW Council.

Island Labour Chair, Julian Critchley, a former teacher, said “One of the worst characteristics of this government is that it always tries to run public services as if those services are just numbers on a spreadsheet.

“But this school isn’t just a number, and nor are the children who attend it, or the wider community it serves.

When we start viewing vital and much-loved public services as simply inconvenient numbers in the wrong column, we lose far more than we gain. The school should be kept open for future generations of West Wight children.”

The IW Independent group issued the following statement: “The closure of All Saints School at Freshwater is an act of short-termism. The West Wight is now starting to attract new companies to the area, such as Rapanui, and with these companies will be the requirement of a workforce, and younger people with a family will require local schooling.

Already the West Wight has seen cuts in education, and this type of decision defies the rebalancing of age

demographics in the coming decades.

Island Independent Councillors John Medland and John Howe are questioning and campaigning against this closure.”

Carly Wyre-Nock, single parent to two girls of All Saints CE, said: “The detrimental effect of this decision to close, should it happen, will be felt by the community for years to come. Our future generation of parishioners will have lost an amazing educational site with huge potential. It was wonderful to see the full backing and support of all the parish councillors present at the meeting. Our community, our school.”

Another parent at the school, Kerryann Ring, said: “I have already moved my daughter from St Saviour’s (In Totland) due to travelling issues. I also have another two children to start at All Saints in the near future.

“Our school is ranked second out of the five West Wight schools for performance.

Reading, writing, maths and English are where the kids need to be.

“My child thrives at that school. If we were to have to move her, I would be expected to pay £200 a month just on buses taking her to and from school. There is no safe route, and in all honestly, I don’t want my children being raised in a Catholic setting.”

Lifeboat launch to aid injured crewman The Bembridge RNLI lifeboat evacuated an injured crew member from a large RORO cargo ship anchored off Sandown Bay on Monday morning.

Lifeboat crews were tasked to launch by Solent Coastguard at around 9.40am, following reports from the vessel ‘Eddystone’ that a crew member had been injured in an overnight accident, and required immediate hospital

treatment.

RNLI Volunteers from the Tamar class lifeboat arrived on scene at around 10am and worked quickly to transfer the patient from the cargo ship to their vessel. The individual in question was then taken to Portsmouth Harbour, where he was transferred to a waiting ambulance, which conveyed him to Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham.

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8th March 2019

UKIP candidate slates IW Council Budget UKIP PPC, Daryll Pitcher, has called the Isle of Wight Council Budget for 2019/2020, as ‘yet another slap in the face for the people of the Island’.

Mr. Pitcher felt the main failure of the Isle of Wight Councils Budget is not so much in the detail but in the big picture.

He claimed that we do not have enough control over our own policies and finances to fix the problems, and, until we do, taking the radical action needed will be very difficult.

According to Mr. Pitcher, the budget delivers a massive increase in tax and higher charges along with a reduction in services and reduced provision. The UKIP candidate regards the reductions to the Adult Social Care budget and the home support package as being of particular concern, stating that this demonstrates the contempt that Westminster holds for us in mandating these cuts.

A further issue for Mr. Pitcher is the proposed reduction in careers advice provision. He said: “While I understand that this is a school issue, given that we need to provide the best possible start for our children, the proposed saving of £25,000 seems like fool’s gold. We should invest in our future and not just hope for the best.”

The UKIP candidate was highly critical of the council’s parking policies, claiming: “Introducing charges for evening parking is just a slap in the face for very many Islanders. It seems that this introduction is because the

Daryll Pitcher

current system is not economically viable. Could I suggest that a reduction in current parking charges may actually bring in greater revenue and that costs could be saved by removing equipment and enforcement from those rural areas where it was introduced a few years ago?

Mr. Pitcher concluded: “It is clear from the budget paper that the Isle of Wight Council is still in very poor shape

Consultant £96,000 – to save money!

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The architect of the Isle of Wight’s controversial highways PFI (Public Finance Initiative) was paid a total of £95,000 for six months’ work, including a monthly payment of £750 to rent a house, it has been revealed.

Between July and December last year, Jay Jayasundara, of Jasmine Consulting, was paid £95,761 by the IW Council to look for savings in their contract with Island Roads, an average of between £10,000 and £18,000 a month.

A spokesperson for the Council said they were confident the services offered by Jasmine Consultancy were valuable in the ongoing work with the Island Roads contact arrangements, as a part of the wider project to save an estimated £40 million through changes to the contract with Island Roads.

However, leader of the IW Independent Group, Cllr Ian Stephens, (Ryde West), was not so sure payment to the consultant represented value for money for the Council. He said: “I think it very questionable that the Isle of Wight Council should utilise the services of Mr Jayasundara on contracts which he assisted in drawing together in the first place. The Island Independents, with the IWC contracts team, had already identified areas of saving, and for the previous two years had called for a refinancing of the PFI.” Cllr Michael Lilley (Independent Green, Ryde East) was more forthright in his criticism of the payment. He said: “The Isle of Wight has suffered from consultants for many years. We’ve had consultants in health that have cost us millions. Now, we have a consultant for a PFI contract. We’re often left with reports that look nice and glossy but don’t tell us anything. It’s a disgrace.

“Two or three years ago, we spent £1.5 million on a report from the consultants KPMG on health, called ‘My Life, Full Life’, which is now no more. That £1.5 million would have provided the money we needed. Why are we throwing money down the drain?

“Why are we paying money to people with no affinity to the Island to tell us what we already know?”

financially and that, at present, central government are deaf to our concerns.

We have a unique set of circumstances here such as an elderly population, an underachieving education sector and an economy that needs support and investment that, at present, the Council cannot provide. The UKIP devolution proposal would alleviate many of these problems.”

Priory Bay coastal woodland saved Plans to develop the Isle of Wight’s Priory Bay Hotel site have been approved by IW Councillors, but controversial proposals to build tree houses in the woodland along the coast were refused. Over 50 holiday lodges and 12 woodland retreats are now to be built on the land on the eastern edge of Nettlestone village.

Developers, Aria Resorts, claimed the woodland tree houses would not destroy wildlife, and only 20 trees in total would be cut down.

Only Cllr Barry Abraham (Conservative, Wootton Bridge) spoke in favour of the proposal, claiming this would be a massive investment for the Island and an endorsement of local regeneration policies.

Those opposing the proposed 10 tree houses raised concerns about their ruining an undeveloped and natural coastline

and creating light and noise pollution at night. In a series of passionate speeches, local residents warned that cutting down trees to make way for these additions would amount to the irreversible destruction of ancient woodland.

Speaking after the meeting, local Councillor Reg Barry (Lib Dem, Seaview and Nettlestone) stated that he was pleased permission had not been granted for the tree houses.

He said: “Priory Bay has remained unspoilt since the beginning of the Isle of Wight.

It’s the last unspoilt beach in the north-east corner of the Island, worth preserving for future generations of Islanders.

I’d like to see the woodland flora and fauna remain undisturbed. The viability of the hotel development is not dependent on the tree houses.”

Eastern Channel dredging complete The dredging works to construct a new Eastern Channel for Cowes have been completed by Cowes Harbour Commission’s contractor Jenkins Marine.

Bed levelling has been carried out to flatten the base of the trench, and the Channel is now due to be surveyed, although

the exact timing of this is weather dependent.

Following the survey, the new navigation buoys will be laid. Once all the buoys have been installed, the new Eastern Channel will be declared open for harbour users and a Local Notice to Mariners issued.

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Doctor recommended to receive the Freedom of the Isle of Wight

Newport to Sandown cycleway upgraded Island Roads have completed the upgrading of the Newport to Sandown cycleway, by replacing 100 metres of old timber boardwalk at Horringford with a wider and more durable stone causeway.

It will now be more suitable for shared use by cyclists and horse riders.

Island Roads structures manager, Ian Hodson, said: “The new causeway was built using wire gabion baskets, filled with a lightweight material that also allows flood water to pass through if needed. This was necessary because the path is located over seven metres depth of very soft soil, and a causeway built of traditional stone is likely to settle over time.

“It will also be more durable and not prone to rotting, compared to the wooden structure it replaces. The new causeway was also made wider than the original boardwalk to make it more suitable for shared use, including equestrians, and a contribution towards the cost of this additional work was made by the Isle of Wight Council through the Local Transport Plan.”

Cllr. Mosdell said: “I am delighted

that this well-used section of our rights of way network has been upgraded by Island Roads, so it can be better accessed by cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians at all times of year. This part of the route has been inaccessible to horse riders in the past due to the narrow boardwalk, so as a keen rider myself, I am looking forward to exploring the route with my horse.

“I would encourage Islanders to get out in the fresh air this spring and make use of this wonderful off-road route.”

Darrel Clarke, Rights of Way Manager for the Isle of Wight Council, said: “The Rights of Way department is delighted with the works at Horringford which is another big step in achieving a continuous, multi-use path between Newport and Sandown. The Council was pleased to work with Island Roads and contribute to this scheme, which has fulfilled a long-term aspiration of the IW Bridleways Group and also provides an improved path for all users. We will be installing new ‘share the path; signage in the coming weeks.”

Tricia Merrifield, from the Isle of Wight

Bridleway Group, said: “We are all very pleased to see the early completion of this improvement scheme, which was instigated from a detailed survey of the Newport to Sandown Shared Use Route, carried out by two dedicated Bridleways Group Members.

“In the Autumn of 2016 Sheila Weedall and Janie Feakes walked and photographed the route to identify areas not yet available for safe equestrian use.

“We very much appreciate that the focused work of our Isle of Wight Council Public Rights of Way Team together with the innovative construction work carried out by Island Roads, plus available additional Council funding, have facilitated our aspiration for the now safe and equestrian-friendly section of this route at Horringford.”

Tim Thorne, from CycleWight, said: “CycleWight are pleased that the boardwalk has been upgraded and made more robust. We always welcome the opportunity to be involved with projects from the very outset.”

Volunteer open days at Donkey Sanctuary More than 30 applications were processed at two volunteer open days held at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary on Wednesday and Saturday of last week.

Derek Needham, of the Island Donkey Sanctuary, said: “Charities such as ours can only survive with volunteers. We need as much help and support as we can get.

“Volunteers give us the most important thing they have: their time. We need volunteers to meet

and greet visitors, and for therapy visits to schools and residential homes.

“Anyone can volunteer, from the age of 16 upwards. Those under 16 are able to volunteer as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme.

“People, however, have to understand that the care of 97 donkeys can be hard work.

Someone has to muck out the stables and pick up poo from the

fields. Many of our donkeys are old, and 40 require medication.

“Youngsters can make a career out of animal care management if they feel so inclined. We usually have two or three apprentices working with us. There are opportunities available for a career on the Island, not only with us, but also with other organisations and businesses that take care of animals, such as Amazon World and the Alpaca Farm.”

Dr Desmond Murphy A doctor who played a leading role in setting up and developing Mountbatten Hospice at Newport is being recommended to receive the Freedom of the Isle of Wight.

The IW Council is holding an extraordinary meeting on March 13 to confer the honour on Dr Desmond Murphy, for his dedication to improving end of life care for Island residents.

Dr. Murphy, a respiratory consultant physician, who moved to the Island in 1981, was at the forefront of the creation and development of the hospice and helped lead its expansion into the much valued and praised facility that it is today.

Dr. Murphy will join an elite group of individuals to receive the Island’s freedom, including: Oscar-winning film director, Antony Minghella; record-breaking yachtswoman, Dame Ellen MacArthur; Hovertravel founder, Christopher Bland; and aviator, Mary Ellis. The Isle of Wight Rifles also received the freedom in 2015.

Council leader, Dave Stewart, said: “We are privileged and delighted to be recommending Dr Murphy for the freedom of the Island. His contribution

to the care of Island residents and their families at such a sensitive time in their lives has been immeasurable. We are honoured to be able to recognise his dedication and work on behalf of the people of the Island over many years.”

Dr. Murphy, a respiratory consultant physician, who moved to the Island in 1981, was at the forefront of the creation and development of the hospice and helped lead its expansion into the much valued and praised facility that it is today.

Nigel Hartley, Mountbatten Isle of Wight chief executive, said: “We cannot underestimate the importance of Dr. Murphy’s work for people on the Isle of Wight. He, along with others, worked so hard to set up the hospice during the 1980s.

“His values and his determination to provide the best possible end of life care on the Island is something we still carry with us today as we support the community around death, dying and bereavement.

“This is a fitting honour for Dr. Murphy and, on behalf of everyone at Mountbatten, I’d like to say a huge congratulations to him.”

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News in brief Witness appeal after assault Officers investigating an assault on a 21-yearold man at Newport bus station have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

The incident happened at around 9.30 pm on Monday, February 11.

Fortunately, the young man was not seriously hurt.

Anyone with information should call the police on 101, quoting reference number 44190051304.

Arrest after attack A 22-year-old man was arrested and taken into custody on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, assault and criminal damage after a Salvation Army staff member was assaulted in an incident at the Salvation Army building in Pyle Street, Newport.

No serious injury was reported.

Fairlee Road crash Motorists faced delays heading in and out of Newport on Thursday night (February 28) as a result of a road traffic collision involving a cyclist and an ASDA delivery van on Fairlee Road at Binfield. The cyclist was tended to by paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service at the scene.

New system for Cowes Harbour Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC) will be launching a new customer accounts system within the next few days. The new Cloud-based harbour and marina management software, Harbour Assist, will bring substantial benefits to both customers and staff by streamlining the running of their business.

In switching to a new system, Cowes Harbour Commission expect there may be a few initial problems, but has asked customers to be patient.

One of the biggest changes for customers is the introduction of a new online payment system. This means that customers will have the facility to make payments for invoices online with a debit or credit card.

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Improvements for busy Sandown and Ryde roads Island motorists can expect delays as busy roads in Ryde and Sandown are soon to be upgraded by Island Roads.

Fitzroy Street, Sandown, and Star Street and Park Road in Ryde will see the carriageway reconstructed and resurfaced to address the problems of weak foundations, which have caused deterioration of the road surfaces.

Undertaking reconstruction work means projects take longer to complete and require total road closures given the depths of excavation. Residents in these roads have been written to, explaining more about the works and how they will be affected.

Information boards will be displayed at the locations, while businesses affected have been visited in person.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works, which have been scheduled for a period outside of the main summer season, but at a time when favourable weather conditions can reasonably be expected. There will be no work at weekends, but the road will remain closed apart from the bank holiday weekends.

Keith Gourlay, Island Roads construction manager, said: “Residents will be well aware that these roads are in need of an upgrade.

However, it is impossible to undertake projects of this scale and nature without some localised disruption, and we hope that residents feel the short-term inconvenience will be outweighed by the long-term benefits of this upgrade. We would like to thank them in advance for their understanding and cooperation.”

Fitzroy Street, between Melville Street and Station Avenue, will be resurfaced during two day-shifts, from May 17. The excavation and reconstruction works will be undertaken from Monday, April 8, and will take approximately 25 day-shifts (from Mon to Fri).

At Park Road and Star Street, Ryde, the reconstruction work is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, March 19, and will take approximately 13 day-shifts (from Mon to Fri). This will be followed by resurfacing works from Monday, April 8, for four days.

Council to review advertising spend Isle of Wight Council is to review the manner in which it advertises in local and national media.

Speaking to a technical Motion at Full Council, Cllr Chris Whitehouse (Conservative, Newport West), who leads on communications in his role as Cabinet Secretary, told the meeting that over the last five years nearly £600,000 had been spent on publicity in the County Press alone, mostly by the previous Independent Administration. It was, he said, time to review the way in which publicity is commissioned.

After the meeting, Councillor Whitehouse said: “In these challenging times it is vital that we scrutinise every penny that we spend, so that Islanders can be confident they are getting value for money. I’m not convinced that is the case at present.”

The Councillor is working with the Assistant Chief Executive to review every aspect of the Council’s approach to communications on behalf of the current Conservative Administration. He added: “The way in which Islanders use the media has changed dramatically since the last review. We now have two Island-wide printed papers,

the County Press and the IW Observer, we have a fantastic local radio station, Isle of Wight Radio, which has an informative website used by thousands of local people, and the popular Island Echo.

We are also served by the BBC website and Radio Solent, along with Wave105FM, the Beacon and a host of excellent magazines. It’s only right that we look at what works best for Islanders in terms of accessing public service information.”

Some public notices must

be printed by law, such as planning notices and road closures, but, Councillor Whitehouse said: “These laws are half-a-century old and completely out of step with how most people consume media, so I will also be making representations to the Island’s energetic, effective and digitalsavvy MP, Bob Seely, and Government Ministers to support the many Councils which have already done so, to ask that the cost burden of this approach be lifted.”

100 jobs created in Freshwater

by T-shirt manufacturer A Freshwater-based sustainable T-shirt manufacturer is increasing its capacity 10-fold and plans to create 100 jobs, to bring its workforce to 175, after purchasing a 15,000 sq. ft site to build a new facility next to its current base.

Teemill Tech Limited, which can boast international supermodel Kate Moss and comedian Russell Howard as clients, makes T-shirts in their renewable energy-powered Freshwater factory. Their current manufacturing site is powered entirely by such energy and utilises robotics and AI to modernise the T-shirt manufacturing process, aiming to create efficiencies to make sustainability affordable.

The company has developed a plastic-free circular supply chain. Every product is designed to be returned and exchanged for store credit when it is worn out. In turn, new products are made entirely from recovered material.

Rob Drake-Knight, co-founder at Teemill Tech, said: “Teemill technology enables people to participate in the fashion economy who want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. We expect to see the sustainable fashion trend continue to grow as people make ever more mindful day-today decisions, and as technology and access improves.”

Ben Mackett, relationship manager at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, which financed the new investment, said: “Teemill Tech is an ambitious firm, which operates with sustainability at its core. The rapid growth of its customer base speaks for itself, with customers across the UK valuing the quality of the products.”

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Council support for Love Food Hate Waste Isle of Wight Council has signed up to Love Food Hate Waste’s new ‘Compleating’ campaign.

The main aim of the campaign is about eating the whole ingredient or food and letting no edible parts go to waste. Over the next few weeks, the Council will be sharing top tips, facts and advice from Love Food Hate Waste on making sure you get the best value from your food.

Love Food Hate Waste research has found that a typical family of four could be saving as much as £70 each month, simply by saving more of the food we buy from going in the bin, or buying less in the first place.

The best thing we can all do is to make sure the food that makes it to our plates is enjoyed. Anything that we can’t ‘compleat’, such as egg shells, tea bags and banana skins, can be composted or recycled using the food waste recycling service at home.

When food that is grown and produced for us to eat goes uneaten or into landfill, such as stalks, peelings and bread ends, all the resources that have gone into bringing that food to our plates, such as land, water and energy, also go to waste. This has a huge effect on our environment, as those resources could be used for something else, or saved entirely, to reduce our impact on the planet.

Cllr Michael Murwill, Cabinet member

for waste services, said: “We’re supporting this campaign because it’s all about getting the best value from the food we buy and makes the most of those nutrients. Saving food saves money and helps to slow down global warming and deforestation. Reducing the amount of food that ends up in the bin also means cutting down on unnecessary packaging waste. If we all make a few small changes and start using up the food we buy, together we can make a big difference.”

Waste services manager, Natasha Dix, said: “We are already doing our bit here on the Island by recycling more food in our food caddies than ever before, but we could do better. Love Food Hate Waste research has found that the UK is saving £3.4 billion a year compared with 2007, not to mention saving five million tonnes of CO2, simply by recycling and cutting down on food waste: the equivalent of taking 2.2 million cars off the road. Keeping good food out of the bin really does make a difference.”

The Council will be running the campaign daily across its social media channels (Twitter: @iwight and Facebook: @isleofwightcouncil ) during March.

For further information on the Love Food Hate Waste Compleating campaign, visit: http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/ compleating.

Roof destroyed in Porchfield blaze Fire crews from across the Island were called to a property fire at Bunts Hill, off Corf Road, Porchfield, shortly after 7pm, on Saturday evening. Four fire engines and a water carrier were summoned to the scene to tackle the blaze.

The roof of the property, a single storey holiday let, was destroyed, but firefighters, some in breathing apparatus, managed to prevent the fire from spreading to neighbouring holiday accommodation properties. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains unknown.

The property was empty at the time the fire broke out, and investigators are anxious to discover the cause of the blaze.

Photo supplied by Friends of Freshwater Fire Station

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8th March 2019

New application Scout Group auction helps pupils track raises record amount their trip to school Island pupils are tracking their journeys to school with a new free touch screen travel mode application.

Students are being asked to log their journeys to and from school on an interactive screen at their school, to help encourage sustainable travel. This allows pupils to log the mode in which they travelled, whether by car, bike, scooter or on foot as well as tracking what the weather was like on the day.

Schools that have signed up to the app will be able to track the volume of sustainable journeys and if the weather has a bearing on what travel modes are used.

The simple, interactive application has been developed by Wight Cycle Training, as part of the Shift-It Project being delivered to schools on behalf of Isle of Wight Council, to promote active sustainable travel to and from school.

Ross Edmunds, Shift-It project manager, said: “Children’s health is at the top of our list, and this app will help engage children in persuading their parents to choose a more sustainable way to get to school. Of course, we also know that exercise can also help improve emotional well-being, so I really hope more schools join up to use the app we have developed and see the benefits.”

Lindsey Stapeley, teacher at Bembridge Primary School, said: “Bembridge Primary have been working with the Shift-It project

for nearly two years now, and we have been using their touchscreen app to record journeys. Since using the app, we have found that the children are more engaged with their journey to school and really want to travel more actively.

“This has seen our numbers of children and parents travelling actively increase significantly. Bembridge Primary strongly believe in the Healthy Body, Healthy Mind philosophy. We would recommend getting involved with the Shift-It project to help you promote the benefits of travelling sustainably and actively.”

Cabinet member for infrastructure and public transport, Councillor Ian Ward, said: “I would encourage schools to join the others that are already benefitting from using this app. Positive actions, like simply walking to school with your children, can really have an effect on attention levels and energy at school and of course, getting out of the car and on foot or cycle is a much more enjoyable way of travelling with their children.”

More information about the ‘Shift It’ project can be found at https://wightcycletraining. co.uk/shift-it-sustainable-travel Schools interested in using the application should contact Ross Edmunds, Shift It Schools Project Manager, at ross@wightcycle.co.uk.

The 1st Brighstone Scout Group has raised nearly £2,000, following its annual fundraising auction at the village’s Wilberforce Hall.

Lots at the auction included settees, chinaware, chairs, jigsaws, bikes and even a grandfather clock. The total amount raised came to £1,822, and all the money will go towards the running costs of the scout hall, which amounts to over £5,000 a year.

Organiser, Terry Eastaff, said: “We have been doing this for 19 years, and I’m very pleased to announce that we made a record amount this year.

We have to raise £5,000 every year to cover the running costs of the scout hall, which includes insurance, heat and light and cleaning, and this goes a long way towards meeting the cost. I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the auction, whether they donated an item to be auctioned or took part in the bidding itself.”

The one that didn’t get away is record for Lee It looks like Carisbrooke angler Lee Frampton will be eating nothing but fish suppers for the next couple of months.

The 41-year-old welder caught a 31lb. colossal cod a few miles off the Bembridge coast. The monster fish, one of the biggest to be caught in Britain this winter, was 4lb. off the Island record. The largest cod ever to be caught in British waters was at Whitby in 1992, and weighed in at a massive 58lb 6oz.

Lee used squid for bait to catch the giant cod, which was more than 4ft in length. It was not the biggest fish he has ever caught, but the biggest cod, his previous best being 24lb. The fish was filleted and put in his freezer and then given to friends and family to enjoy.

Lee said: “I caught the cod a few miles off Bembridge, while fishing aboard my mate Carl Gaylor’s boat, ‘Something Fishy’. It was caught about four hours into the trip and weighed 31lb.

“I was over the moon to get a cod of this size. It’s the biggest cod I’ve caught. The fish of a lifetime.”

Hotels raise £500,000 for charity Over the past two years, the Bembridge Coast Hotel has raised £37,310 and Norton Grange, Yarmouth, has raised £36,505, a sum of £73,815 in total, for an Island charity.

Both are part of the Warner Leisure Group, which has teamed up with Macmillan, to raise money for the charity and reached its £500,000 target a year ahead of schedule. The hotels both held coffee mornings and fundraising events in their respective restaurants.

The amount raised will fund 3,691 hours of support from a Macmillan healthcare

professional, which is sufficient to help 222 people living with cancer on the Isle of Wight.

Bembridge Coast Hotel manager, Matthew Weston, said: “Our wonderful guests and team have pulled out all of the stops to help fund the vital work Macmillan does to help people suffering from cancer and their families. Our results are a testament to the passion and commitment shown by everyone involved.”

Norton Grange manager, Ken Younie, said: “We’re really proud and pleased to have contributed to the substantial

amount of money raised for Macmillan Cancer Support.”

Natasha Parker, head of corporate partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to the team and guests at Bembridge Coast and Norton Grange for their ongoing support, and for raising this significant sum. By 2030, the number of people living with cancer in Britain will have increased to four million, so we will need to help and support more people, making Warner’s support more valuable than ever.”

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Sunny day brings out the climate change protestors Climate change campaigners took to the streets of Newport again, to repeat their demand that the IW Council declare a state of ‘climate emergency.’

It was a beautiful, sunny early Spring day, which no doubt upset the protestors, who appear convinced that man-made global warming will overheat our planet in the not-too-distant future.

The March 4 Life, which was organised by Extinction Rebellion Isle of Wight, set out from St Thomas’s Square, before making its way to County Hall, in a valiant attempt to compel IW Council to halt climate change.

On the way, protesters held

a one-minute silent protest, stopping traffic in the High Street.

Organisers claim up to 300 people attended the march, including families, children and young people. Speeches were made by a variety of campaigners, including some of school age.

The next green protest in Newport, will be Youth Strike 4 Climate, Global Day of Action, on Saturday, March 15, in which Isle of Wight children will rise up to demand that the adults and leaders take mass extinctions and the climate emergency seriously, by holding a rally between 3pm and 5pm.

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Easter holidays at Robin Hill & Blackgang Chine Fishy theft from Sandown A brazen thief has taken a painting of a fish from a new community art wall in Sandown, and local Community Association members want it returned.

Artwork has been on display at the former Sandown Chef restaurant and takeaway chip shop on the High Street since late January, and new additions were planned for this year as part of a project to improve the town for both residents and visitors alike.

The painting was last seen on Saturday (March 2) and was

stolen just weeks after being weatherproofed. It is likely that CCTV in the High Street caught the culprit red-handed.

Sandown Community Association Chair, Alan Jones, said: “How low can someone in this town stoop? If the person concerned would like to return it, please take it to 33 St Johns Road.”

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the painting should contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101, quoting crime reference number 44190077632.

Chocolate lovers are likely to be heading to Blackgang Chine this Easter holiday, from April 6 to 27, as it launches Chocofrolica, a brand-new event based on the UK’s favourite confectionary.

Visitors to Chocofrolica can enrol as a chocolatier, dive into a giant Chocolate Bubble Bath, race around on Bouncy Milk Cow Hoppers and take on the Honey Bee Quest to win a prize.

Children young and old will also get the chance to meet resident dragon Cedric, and the Easter Bunny may also put in an appearance.

An alternative family activity for the Easter holidays is a visit to Farm Fest at Robin Hill, a new event running from April 6 to 27.

Farm Fest will give visitors the chance to meet Shaun, the world’s most famous sheep and his entire flock, as they venture away from Mossy Bottom Farm. Other visitor attractions at Farm Fest include a touring petting farm and a tractor display by Massey Fergusson with an opportunity for children to race mini tractors.

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8th March 2019

Child of Wight Awards: make your nomination Nominations are now being invited to Isle of Wight Radio’s annual Child Of Wight Awards. Do you know an inspirational young Island person who deserves recognition for their efforts?

The Isle of Wight is blessed with an abundance of exceptional youngsters, and now it’s your chance to give them the credit they deserve.

Do you know a young person who has made a positive difference to the lives of others, or shown bravery beyond their years? Perhaps your son or daughter has helped you through difficult times and a simple thank you just won’t do. Or maybe they have achieved something they didn’t think they could?

The 2019 Child of Wight Awards provide the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation to that special someone by nominating them for an award. This year’s categories include The Asa Singleton Most Courageous Child Award, Young Carer, Young Performer and Sporting Star.

John Irvine, CEO of headline sponsor WightFibre, said: “The Isle of Wight has a great community spirit and many of our incredible young people deserve special recognition.

As a local company, we care about giving back to the Island community

where we can - and our sponsorship of the Child of Wight Awards is a great way for us to do that.

“It is an honour and privilege for WightFibre to sponsor these awards for the fourth year running and support Isle of Wight Radio in making these awards special.”

Claire Willis, Managing Director at Isle of Wight Radio, added: “The team at isle of Wight Radio believe it is important to acknowledge these amazing young people and we would

encourage people to make their nomination sooner rather than later.

“We are so proud to host this incredible event and we wish all the nominees the very best of luck.” You can see a full list of categories and nominate a young person at iwradio. co.uk or by letter to Isle of Wight Radio in Newport.”

Nominations must be made by April 19, ahead of the awards ceremony at Cowes Yacht Haven on May 17.

IW social care service aim for beacon of excellence

Badger rescued from a hole lot of trouble!

A badger found himself in a hole lot of trouble after getting stuck under the foundations of a construction site in Ryde and unable to escape.

Fortunately, the RSPCA were on hand to help free the hapless animal. RSPCA Animal Collection Officer, Kane Goodyear, who rescued the badger from his tricky predicament, said: “The builder was surprised to come across this fella in a hole next to the foundations of a building on a construction site.

“He was a tad resistant to being rescued and was quite a big lad but, thankfully, he was uninjured and I managed to help him out and

release him back into the wild nearby.

“I’d advise anyone who spots an animal in a similar situation to always get in touch with us and not try to rescue the animal themselves as they could end up hurting themselves, or cause the animal more stress or injury.

“Anyone who spots an animal in distress can report it to the RSPCA’s 24-hour emergency line by calling 0300 1234 999.”

If anyone wishes to help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in need of care, they should visit: www.rspca. org.uk/give.

The Isle of Wight Council is delivering rapid and significant improvement in both children’s services and adult social care, a leading Councillor has claimed, adding that he wants it to be a ‘beacon of excellence’ in future care provision.

The claim was made by Cllr Chris Whitehouse (Conservative, Newport West) following a meeting of the full Council, after receiving a detailed response from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Dave Stewart.

Cllr Stewart cited the recent Ofsted inspection report, which praised Council provision in this area. He highlighted the fact that adult social care is the largest single employment sector on the Island, with 5,300 employed to care for vulnerable adults.

The Council Leader listed a range of successes in social care provision.

There have been large reductions in permanent admissions into residential care among both elderly and working age adults. There has also been a big decrease in DTOCS (delays in transferring patients from hospital to appropriate care facilities), which has been used as an example of best practice by the Local Government Association. Other improvements include the 203 personal assistants registered with the IW Council PA Hub, and the fact that over 66% of

all people going through its reablement services needed no ongoing care and support.

Cllr Stewart welcomed the work of the Living Well Service, provided by Age UK, People Matter and Carers IOW, which has helped 1,700 adults who would not otherwise have been eligible for the council’s services.

Cabinet Secretary, Cllr Whitehouse, said: “This Administration has been able to make rapid and significant improvements in turning around what were previously poor services for vulnerable children and adults, raising standards and improving the quality of life for many thousands of Islanders. This progress is now widely acknowledged at national level, and I take the opportunity to congratulate all our hard-working officers and our voluntary sector partners on establishing the Island as a sector leader in these services.

“I would particularly single out and personally salute Councillor Paul Brading, who leads on children’s services for the Council, and Councillor Clare Mosdell.

They have done a truly remarkable job so far, though we still have further to travel down the road of improvement. Indeed, we want the Island to be seen as a beacon of excellence in the care it provides to the most vulnerable Islanders of all ages.”

8th March 2019

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Girl Guides celebrate World Thinking Day with High Sheriff

IW nail technician at London Fashion Week An Isle of Wight nail technician was selected to work behind the scenes at London Fashion Week, with top names such as Pierre Garoudi, less than a year after embarking on her career.

Former Cowes High School student, Maria Slade-Coombs, 28, runs a home-based salon, Rose Nails by Maria Slade-Coombs, in Ryde.

Maria qualified as a nail technician in August last year, and specialises in natural nails and freehand artwork.

She said: “I have come a long distance in a short time. I was asked to be a part of the Souz&Co nail technician team and created 550 extreme stiletto nail tips for the Pierre Garroudi show. Pierre is well-known for pushing boundaries of fashion outside its comfort zone.

“It was incredibly exciting to be part of the teams working at London Fashion Week, overwhelming but fabulous. I did four shows altogether. It was brilliant, fast-paced and really pushed the boat out. You’ve got to be quick and not be afraid to jump into any work that’s required. You couldn’t do all this just by sitting behind a desk. All in all, it was a wonderful experience.”

Girl Guiding IW members came together for World Thinking Day, the annual celebration of the birthdays of the first World Chief Guide, Lady Olave Baden-Powell, born on February 22, 1889, and her husband, Lord Robert Baden-Powell, born on Februray 22, 1857.

On World Thinking Day, Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers speak out about issues which affect them and their local community, fundraise for causes they care about and learn about other countries.

Leadership was the theme of this year’s World Thinking Day, inspired by the girls who kick-started the Girl Guides when they took action 110 years ago. Frustrated by the lack of a girl-only organisation, a group of girls visited a Boy Scout Rally at Crystal Palace in London and asked Lord Baden-Powell to create a girl-led space for them.

To celebrate World Thinking Day (WTD), several Island units held special meetings, filled with activities and remembering Girlguiding around the world, but for the 10th Newport Brownies there was a special treat with a visit from the Island’s High Sheriff, Gioia Minghella-Giddens.

Not only was WTD celebrated, but two of their leaders were presented with Chief Guide Awards by Girlguiding IW Commissioners,

Shirley Saunders and Lesley Clifford. Also receiving her Chief Guide Award on the evening was Harriet Townsend, former Ranger and now leader of 11th Newport Guides.

Charlotte and Sarah Harris achieved the Chief Guide Award. Charlotte and Sarah have set up their own performing and singing business as ‘Double Take’. After finding their voices when they took part in a SW England Girlguiding Region singing competition, they joined Wight Strollers, competing in the IW Music, Dance and Drama Festival and gaining a grade 4 singing exam. Charlotte said: “The singing has been the most rewarding thing, giving us self-confidence and a passion for entertaining.”

All the Brownies were pleased to welcome the Island’s High Sheriff to their meeting, but friends of 10th Newport, including the unit’s first member, were welcomed too.

Gioia congratulated the Chief Guide Award achievers and others receiving awards, saying that all the Brownies were the citizens of tomorrow and by having their Brownie leaders as role models, they too could be leaders in the Island’s community. The High Sheriff emphasised that leadership plays a big role in good communities and is something for younger people to aspire for.

Knit-a-chick to help tackle isolation IW WASPI group to Mountbatten is hoping an Easter project will bring together the Island’s knitting community and help tackle isolation, while raising funds at the same time.

Anyone can get involved by knitting a chick, which can be filled with a small chocolate egg, and then sold as an ideal Easter gift in Mountbatten’s 10 charity shops across the Island.

Two sessions will also be held in Mountbatten’s Shanklin and Ventnor shops, encouraging people who may be isolated through long-term health conditions to come together and enjoy knitting or socialising.

Free wool and knitting needles will be supplied, and you don’t even need to know how to knit as help will be on hand. The event can also be used to have a good chat and meet new friends in a safe and supported environment.

The sessions are being held to raise awareness of Mountbatten Neighbours, a free community-led project which

aims to offer time and support to people living near them who have serious illnesses, or who are older. The pilot project, which is running in six areas of the Isle of Wight, allows people to make connections and reciprocal friendships are built through shared activities and interests.

Sally List, Mountbatten Neighbours project lead, said: “Our project is now underway and we are starting to pair up our neighbour volunteers with people who would benefit from their kindness and companionship.

The idea behind the project 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.

“Our knitting sessions are an ideal way for more people to hear about the project and to encourage more people to think about either becoming a Mountbatten Neighbour, or perhaps

putting themselves forward as someone who would benefit from their support.

I hope that as many people as possible join us for a knitting session and enjoy the friendship, good company and Easter treats that will be on offer!”

The Knit-a-Chick Easter Teas are being held at 2pm, on Tuesday, March 19, at Mountbatten Shanklin, 63 Regent Street, Shanklin and at 2pm, on Thursday, March 21 at Mountbatten Ventnor, 16 Pier Street, Ventnor.

Anyone is welcome to knit a chick from the pattern which can be downloaded from www.mountbatten.org.uk/knit-achick-with-mountbatten-neighbours Donations of creme eggs to fill the knitted chicks are also very welcome and they can be delivered to Mountbatten’s donation and delivery centre at Riverway Industrial Estate, 16a Riverway, Newport PO30 5UZ. The last day for donations of either knitted chicks or creme eggs is Friday, March 22.

mark Women’s Day Isle of Wight WASPI Supporters Group will be holding a meet and greet to mark International Women’s Day, at the top of Union Street, Ryde, on Friday March 8, from around 11.30am to 1.30pm.

IW WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality) is the Island-based branch of a national organisation campaigning against the speeding up of the state pension age equalisation.

As a result, some 3.9 million women nationwide have experienced three state pension increases, pushing their retirement age to 66, at a cost of over £40,000

to each woman affected, meaning some are being forced to sell their homes with no visible means of support.

At 10,400 individuals, the Isle of Wight has one of the largest groups affected nationally. With a high proportion of carers in this group, the wider implications for community care on the Isle of Wight has yet to be quantified.

To find out more about the Island based WASPI group, visit their Facebook page at Isle of Wight WASPI Supporters Group or visit the main website at www.waspi. co.uk

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8th March 2019

Celebration of special Islanders sees £1,600 raised for charities The Second Papa Owl Annual Dinner was held at the Three Buoys Restaurant in Ryde and the highlight of the evening was the Second Papa Owl Awards.

The event was in partnership with Wight Aviation Museum and IW Youth Trust. The evening raised over £1,600 which will be divided between these two charities. The Annual Awards are to celebrate invention, creativity and skill development, and the recognition of creative thought and fighting against the odds of life to achieve extraordinary things on the Island.

Independent Green Councillor Michael Lilley (Chair of the Papa Owl Awards Panel) said: “This year we decided to use technology and through social media promote the Papa Owl Awards across the Island and ask Island residents who they thought deserved the Awards.

“We had a number of exceptional nominations and it was very difficult to decide. In the Wise Owl Awards we had four exceptional women who in their own ways had ‘Thought Out of the Box’. They were Carol Court, founder of Ability Dogs, Abby Lines and Vicky Paris who founded Isle of Wight’s Women’s Rugby Team, the Wight Wolves, and Kay Ounsworth who runs IOW Wild Bird Rehabilitation.

In the Little Owl Award there was a clear front runner in Katie Barnicoat for her concern for Islanders who are at risk of cardiac arrest in her community. She independently set about raising funds for a defibrillator. This year we also had two other special awards nominated

by Wight Aviation Museum and Wight Aviation Museum. We awarded Henry Nobbs for his life time promotion of Aviation Heritage on the Isle of Wight and the young people of IW Youth Trust’s Mental Health Taskforce for fighting mental health stigma across the Island.

All these Islanders are voluntarily and unselfishly helping others. They are the

Cllr Lilley and his sister, Grete Steen (left), presenting an award to Carol Court of Ability Dogs. heart of the community. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for what they have done and do. Everything that is celebrated in Papa Owl books! ” Carol Court of Ability Dogs (Sandown) and Katie Barnicoat both received this year’s awards for very different extraordinary achievements. Winners were presented with Papa Owl Certificates, and a commissioned Owl picture painted by local artist Tania Woolford. Both received a cheque to further their charitable work.

The Wise Owl Award for Life Time Achievement went to Carol Court.

The Award panel gave the award in recognition of Carol’s life time achievement in working with and training dogs that enable those with young people with disabilities to have greater freedom and opportunities.

Carol has shown great courage, determination, imagination, vision, fortitude, creativity, resourcefulness and social entrepreneurship in founding Ability Dogs on the Isle of Wight.

She has inspired many people and established an important charity that links humans with animals to improve lives. She has truly ‘thought out of the box’ and deserves much praise.

Carol said: “I am really moved to get this award. I can talk about Ability Dogs all the time but when it comes to talking about me, I find it very difficult.

In 2012, I saw the need and started with two puppies and now over 26 young people have dogs. I am overjoyed to see how their lives radically change. Thank you for recognising this work.” Carol donated her award to the work of Ability Dogs.

Lion brothers settle into new zoo home Five-year-old lion brothers, Kumba and Vigo, have been settling into their new home on the Isle of Wight, after last week’s arduous journey across the continent from Spain.

The former circus lions, who up to now had been confined to a cramped cage, are apparently enjoying life in their more spacious enclosure at the zoo, where they have been stimulated by enrichment activities provided by their carers.

The zoo reported their day by saying: “The boys haven’t been put off by the weather today, they were eager to get outside, and they have been very cheeky and playful today, chasing each other around, jumping on each other, and enjoying their toys. This is exactly what we want to hear at this stage. They are just so relaxed and we are so pleased all has gone so well.

“It was great to see so many people at the zoo saying ‘Hello’. I wonder if they realise what a big fan base they have?”

Kumba and Vigo. Picture by Andy Harper

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Hanseatic Nature will be calling into Cowes on April 17

Seven cruise ships to visit Cowes Harbour, with four maiden calls Cowes has seven cruise ship calls booked for this year, including four inaugural calls from some of the world’s premium luxury cruise lines.

Cowes Harbour Commission has announced that the Cowes cruise season starts just ahead of Easter with a maiden call on April 17 from Hanseatic Nature, one of Hapag Lloyd’s new expedition class ships. Then from May to July, another six cruise ships are scheduled to come to the Island, including Europa, a regular visitor to Cowes. July will mark an exciting point in the development of the harbour’s cruise business; the inaugural visits to Cowes of ultra-luxury cruise ships The World, Seabourn Quest, and Silver Wind.

The World, the largest private residential ship on the planet, will be the first cruise ship to pay an overnight visit to Cowes on July 12-13. Seabourn Quest will visit Cowes on July 15 and is the third iteration of the vessel design that has been called a ‘game-changer for the luxury segment’. Silversea’s

intimate cruise ship Silver Wind, which had a major upgrade in December 2018, will call on July 18.

Cowes Harbour Commission has a strategic policy to contribute with stakeholders to the promotion of Cowes as a destination, including attracting increased cruise calls to Cowes.

Harbour Master at Cowes, Capt. Stuart McIntosh said: “Working with local partners, the Commission aims to deliver annual growth in cruise visits to Cowes. We believe that the Isle of Wight offers an ideal destination for luxury cruise operators looking to cater to current demand for experiential and personalised travel. By bringing additional international attention to the Island, we hope to see a continual development in cruise tourism.”

New for this year, Cowes Harbour Commission has facilitated the development by shoreside tour operators of several new land and waterbased excursions to further enhance the range of unique experiences available

to cruise passengers, including for the first time tours based in and around the vibrant Cowes town.

Jack Brooke, Senior Account Manager Shore Excursions UK & Ireland for Intercruises, said: “Cowes is a fascinating coastal town with a long, prestigious maritime history.

It is with great pleasure that we have started working with Cowes Harbour Commission and local stakeholders in recent years as the Island grows in recognition and reputation as an upand-coming UK cruise destination.

With the support of local business and the port authority, Intercruises has been able to develop a varied portfolio of tour excursions from Cowes with several new tours debuting this year for cruise passengers.”

The Isle of Wight is ready to provide itinerary planners with a host of tour options for cruise passengers wanting high quality and authentic experiences at destinations.

Solent to embrace Brexit opportunities A conference to discuss the future vision for the Solent’s economy, of which the Isle of Wight is an integral part, has been embraced by the region’s business community, with around 250 delegates pledging to attend and the event attracting backing from big-name organisations.

The Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) conference, ‘Countdown to Brexit – Solent LEP Annual Conference 2019’, takes place on Tuesday, March 12. The event, to be held at the Hilton Ageas, will see Solent business leaders meet to discuss future economic opportunities as the UK’s withdrawal from the EU draws closer.

The UK’s largest housebuilder, Barratt Homes, cyber security firm Beyond Encryption, law firm Irwin Mitchell and PR agency Lee Peck Media have all been

named as sponsors of the event.

Paul Holland, CEO of Beyond Encryption, said: “Collaboration is key, particularly in times of uncertainty, and we’re thrilled that the Solent LEP is bringing businesses together to discuss both the challenges and opportunities ahead.

We’re looking forward to giving our insight into how cyber security will change in coming years and hope sharing our knowledge will help businesses in the Solent put themselves in pole position for the postBrexit opportunities on the horizon.”

Jon Green, managing director of Barratt Homes in the region, added: “As a significant local employer and contributor to the local economy we’re thrilled to be a part of the Solent LEP’s Annual Conference.

Our developments in the region

brought around £45million to local communities last year; proof of the importance of housebuilding to regional economies.”

Hannah Clipston, from Irwin Mitchell, added: “Irwin Mitchell continues to support and advise our clients with their Brexit preparation.

We are delighted to support the Solent LEP Annual Conference, where we look forward to contributing to the discussion on how the Solent region is dealing with the countdown to Brexit and putting in place its plans for long term growth.”

Business South, which promotes and champions the south-central economy, has also expressed its support for the event.

John Mitchell, Group CEO, said: “Business South is pleased to be supporting Solent LEP’s Annual Conference. The challenges that Brexit brings will likely

require businesses to be more collaborative and resilient than ever before. There will also be opportunities during this transitionary period, and the Solent region as a whole needs to be in a position to act with confidence and agility to capitalise on them.

We are working with our Champions and Partners to ensure the region continues to thrive and events like this are critical to ensure we are prepared and engaged in a post-Brexit era.”

‘Countdown to Brexit – Solent LEP Annual Conference 2019’ will be hosted by BBC business editor Simon Jack. He will give his unique insight into reporting on Brexit and chair a question time-style panel where delegates can pose their questions to the day’s speakers.

Further information may be found at www.solentlep. org.uk.

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Prize giving celebrates Design Competition winners A prize-giving ceremony was held at the Sir Max Aitken Museum, Cowes, to recognise, celebrate and reward the creativity of Island secondary school students, who took part in Cowes Harbour Commission’s Landmark Design Competition.

The event was attended by teachers and students from four Island schools, their families and friends, who were joined by representatives of the Board of Cowes Harbour Commissioners and the Harbour Advisory Committee. Special guests included Alan Titchmarsh MBE and sculptor Louise Giblin, who judged the competition entries.

Cowes Harbour Master, Capt Stuart McIntosh, thanked the Trustees of the

Museum and gave a brief insight to the work of the Harbour Commission, the history behind and reasons for building the Cowes Breakwater, and the aims of the Landmark Design Competition.

TV and gardening personality Alan Titchmarsh congratulated all the participants and said he looked forward with excitement to the possible outcomes of the competition.

Louise Giblin praised the extraordinary creativity and problem-solving skills of the Island’s young people, as demonstrated through the students’ impressive work in their competition entries, and inspired those present to understand they can utilise these valuable skills in whatever career path they take up in life.

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Holmesy!

The David Holmes Column

Meating standards

8th March 2019

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 500 words please.

The NHS in a mess?

‘We can’t possibly eat American chicken, they wash it in bleach’ so say the National Farmers Union.

But surely, they must know that our over-packaged supermarket vegetables, are often washed in a weak chlorine solution too?

Washing chicken, the US way, makes it safer to eat, and our own is commonly contaminated with salmonella. EU poultry is the most dangerous food in your kitchen if you fear food poisoning.

Additionally, the presence of hormones in US beef, is also offered as an excuse for the UK not to do trade deals with our transatlantic cousins.

It’s said that EU animals are reared to a higher welfare standard, which suggests they’ve never seen indoor Danish pig units, or Dutch veal calves.

And while turning a blindeye, what about all that horse-meat found in our burgers? I think intensive farming of animals is gross wherever it’s done, but the EU never cared enough to act against any member state being cruel to animals, farmed or chased!

Water, the key ingredient for a great British cuppa, or your daily store-bought coffee on-the-go, is chlorinated too, and to ensure our safety, has all kinds of other stuff added.

This includes phosphates,

aluminium sulphate, calcium hydroxide, and of course, fluoride – because HM Government worry that some of us don’t clean our teeth properly, if at all.

I love British farms, and almost became a farmer myself, but the land I wanted to buy, had been placed into ‘stewardship’ by the vendor. ‘Set-aside’ means getting regular cheques from the EU,

but also scratching my head, wondering how they manage to have so many lambs in Wales.

Adam on ‘Countryfile’ keeps rare-breed sheep, but I never heard him mention a breed that doesn’t fart? A few farmer pals have told me that no-one wants wool anymore, ‘it costs more to shear than it’s worth’ they say. Is this because artificial fabrics are cheaper to make? I wish I knew, but when I last bought a decent jumper, it cost me over £100, and women’s woollies cost double that.

Whoever keeps telling farmers ‘wool is worthless’ is err, pulling the wool over their eyes.

As a kid, I helped out on farms. In those days, they milked cows, kept chickens, a few pigs, (reared on what are now illegal scraps) and grazed sheep. They grew spuds, wheat or barley, and grass of course, as well as hay, to feed the cows in winter. It was a tough life, but farmers made a living. Thanks to the EU, this idyllic cottage industry ended, replaced by easier subsidy harvesting.

Encouraged by the EU, our NFU seem to be putting the special relationship under stress. They argue for the status quo, but frankly the last steak I ate was in America, and whatever they’d done to the poor cow, theirs tasted a lot better than ours.

“I love British farms, and almost became a farmer myself, but the land I wanted to buy, had been placed into ‘stewardship’ by the vendor.” for doing nothing other than ‘protecting’ whatever was on the farm, grass, trees and hedges mostly. I had in mind a growing world population that needed feeding, so it seemed crazy that so much money is used to prevent that happening.

Even sheep were a problem. From memory, you’re only allowed 0.6 of a sheep per acre, I think because like cows, they’re flatulent, and the EU Green lobby hate that. At the time, all this news left me crushed and disappointed,

The very large, but largely invisible administration part of the NHS at St Mary’s Hospital, is now inviting patients to submit for ‘Quality Account Priorities for 2019-20’, ideas aimed at achieving improvements in patient safety, clinical outcomes and the patient experience.

The last of those is especially surprising because the last CQC Report seemed pretty much satisfied with the care and consideration shown to patients at St Mary’s. The best way to real improvements both in patient safety and clinical outcomes must be glaringly obvious to all except NHS administrators.

Nationally, the NHS must up its game so that it gets the funds required adequately to staff and equip its hospitals at the levels. This would help ensure that both patient safety and clinical outcomes are always the very best possible and continue to be delivered onIsland, even when, by mainland standards, the cost per patient treated would be higher.

Unfortunately, the biggest obstacle to that way forward is the failure of the NHS to have ensured when timely the continuing production of sufficient front-line staff in the UK. Because of that, through the ever-worsening understaffing and the simultaneous imposition of tedious amounts

of data recording onto clinical staff, the NHS has created a working environment incompatible with the recruitment and retention of other than administrative staff.

Nowadays, many medical graduates, based on their negative experiences within the NHS while still students, have decided before graduation that they will not make their careers within the NHS and often not within the UK. Instead, they are left free to use their heavily tax-payer subsidized education elsewhere. Already fewer youngsters apply to study medicine. The NHS response is to employ yet more managers and to put more non-medically qualified staff into frontline positions.

Wake up St Mary’s! Your ‘Quality Account Priorities’ campaign is an NHS equivalent to Nero’s fiddling while Rome burnt!

Use Bob Seely to get the funds, generously incentivise the recruitment of front-line professionals, improve their working conditions and retain the staff you have by recognizing with something substantial their heroic efforts to keep afloat their ship so badly holed by past and continuing major NHS failures.

Michael Pugh, Shanklin

Chuckle Brothers spin doesn’t fool anyone With regard to your article ‘rapid & significant improvement’ in children’s services, IW Observer 1/3/19.

Is anyone really duped by the political gameplay of having first driven services into the ground, to then resurrect them in the hope of being seen as some kind of miraculous saviour?

I find Councillor Chris Whitehouse, and fellow playmate Councillor Dave Stewart’s attempt to ride on the coattails of dedicated

Council Staff who have managed to turn around Children’s Services, frankly a little distasteful.

But let’s not be too haste to be disingenuous. How have our Conservative Council chosen to reward the Children Services Team?

With apparently a cut of up to a £150,000 in funding.

Quite apart from the callous disregard for the negative impact this will have on the Team’s morale, the likely detrimental affect

on Children Services early intervention will probably see any budgetary saving swallowed up and reversed.

I seem to recall the IW Council saying some months back, when it went on a spending spree appointing new senior staff, ‘you need to invest to make savings’.

Well might I suggest the same applies with essential Council Services.

Hans Bromwich, Cowes

Supporting Bob Seely We wish to support MP Bob Seely regarding the article in the Observer dated March 1, saying that there are too many and the wrong type of houses being built on our lovely Island. The Council should only be approving new builds for the local Island population. We note that the Isle of Wight Campaign to protect Rural England is also against the destruction of the countryside and the urbanisation of large tracks of rural Isle of Wight.

Just because the Isle of Wight Council wants more income they should not be allowed to approve planning to let the big house builders build and build to the detriment of our green spaces.

The Government should put the targets for building houses in the areas where there is a population need.

Regards, Clive and Carole Adkins, Ryde

8th March 2019

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Entertainment 21

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Coming up at Medina Theatre...

Coming up at Shanklin Theatre...

Cirque du Starlight

Oh! What A Feeling Mark Steel - Every Music of Lionel Richie & Little Thing’s Gonna Be The Commodores Alright

Be sure to book early to avoid disappointment, last years show was a sell out. This show will feature all Mary’s Dance, acrobatic and Glee club students.

‘Oh! What A Feeling!’ – Winner Of ‘Best Newcomer’ In 2018 at the ‘National Tribute Music Awards’ And voted ‘Official Uk No.1’ by ‘The Agents Association of Great Britain’ is back in 2019 with a stellar line-up of world class musicians.

This includes Talon’s own Jonny Miller and the awesome talent of Malcolm Pitt in this high octane show celebrating the music of Lionel Richie and the Commodores, including ‘Dancing On The Ceiling’, ‘Easy’, ‘Say You Say Me’, ‘Stuck On You’,

Show Dates: Sunday 10th March - 12:30pm and 4:30pm

Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra The IW Symphony Orchestra will be playing several pieces including: An Outdoor Overture

by Copland, Ritual Fire Dance by de Falla, Symphony for Trombone and Orchestra by Bloch and Symphony No. 1 in A flat by Elgar.

Soloist: Peter Moore Show Dates: Saturday 16th March - 7.15pm

An evening with Dire Straits’ John Illsley The evening will feature classics from the Dire Straits history and include a Q & A with a/v led by Paul Cummins (ex-Dire Straits management). Paul will be asking questions, during which John will reveal the story and development of the band from its humble beginnings in a council flat in South London, where songs like Sultans of Swing and Wild West End were created.

Then continuing on their journey to playing all over the world to millions of fans, making albums in London, New York, Montserrat and Nassau; performing and and working with some of the world’s most influential and

creative musicians and producers.

Show Dates: Monday 18th March - 7.30pm

Seven Drunken Nights Following its sold out smash hit debut tour, Seven Drunken Nights – The Story of The Dubliners returns to theatres in 2019 with an even bigger production.

Direct from the West End, the show brings to life the music of Ireland’s favourite sons ‘The Dubliners’.

Telling the story of a career spanning 50 years and evoking the spirit of Ronnie Drew, Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna, Jim McCann, Ciaran Bourke and John Sheahan. This talented cast of musicians and singers bring the music of this iconic group to life.

Show Dates: Wednesday 20th March - 7.30pm

Music Hall Tavern The UK’s premier comedy drag show is back for its 6th year with a brand new hilarious fabulous glamorous show for 2019 !

Whatever your age, come along and join Mrs T and the “girls” from MHT this Spring for a truly magnificent night of dazzling costumes, side splitting laughter and a cast of unique characters singing and dancing all night long.

Starring the sensational Paul Carroll as Mrs T, Lee Sanderson as Peggy Lee and featuring the Showcase International Dancers.

Show Dates: Thursday 21st March - 7.30pm

‘Superstar’ at Ventnor

Show Dates: Thursday 28th March - 8:00pm

Show Dates: Saturday March 9, 7.30pm

The Magnificent Music Hall experience Let us take you back in time to the glorious and glamourous heyday of Music Hall, a truly golden era.

Helming this splendid afternoon of rich entertainment of song dance, magic & laughter will be your eloquent & elegantly waistcoated Chairman complete with gavel and sharp wit together with an ‘august’ line up of artistes who have all appeared on BBC TV’s ‘THE GOOD OLD DAYS’now being rerun on BBC 4.

This two hour performance will delight and entertain with all the songs you love to sing and the jokes you love to hear.

Show Dates: Sunday March 10, 4.00pm

Collabro - Plus support from ‘Georgia & the Vintage Youth’ Collabro, the world’s most successful musical theatre group, met in 2014 for their first rehearsal at a London pub, just a month later went on to rouse the whole of Hammersmith Apollo into a standing ovation during their first ever public performance of ‘Stars’ for the Britain’s Got Talent judges.

Show Dates: Monday 25th March - 7:30pm

Elkie Brooks live Long before the end of a live show and the frequent standing ovations that accompany it, there comes a point where Elkie does something so amazing that it leaves her audience almost spellbound. It could be a particularly emotional rendition of one of her ballads, a powerhouse blues vocal or one of her trademark impossibly long notes that leaves the audience mesmerised.

Elkie will be performing her biggest hits including “Pearl’s A Singer”, “Lilac Wine”, “Fool (If You think It’s Over)”, Don’t Cry Out Loud” & “No More The Fool” as well as many more featured on her recent hit album “Elkie Brooks – Pearls – The Very Best Of”.

Show Dates: Saturday 30th March - 8:00pm

What’s on around the Island...

Dimbola Close Up - Wet Plate Course Following in the footsteps of Julia Margaret Cameron. Two-day wet plate collodion workshop with Honza Saka. A rare opportunity to create stunning images in the very birthplace of the close-up. Dimbola Museum and Galleries, West Wight. From: 9 - 10 March.

Following their sell out success with Cats, last year, the Ventnor Theatre Group will continue with the Andrew Lloyd Webber theme by performing the iconic Jesus Christ Superstar on April 26 and 27 and May 3-5, at the Ventnor Winter Gardens.

A few years ago, it seemed unlikely that the UK would vote to leave the EU; we had a reasonable opposition to the Tory Government; Donald Trump was a buffoon who surely wasn’t going to beat Hillary Clinton and Mark was living the married suburban ideal. Since then it’s all gone to hell! But don’t worry as Mark thinks Every Little Thing’s Gonna Be Alright.

beat that on their 400th run. They are trying to encourage all parkrunners (active and lapsed) to come back and run on March 16.

Parkrun is completely free, and relies on volunteers to put on a 5k timed run each Saturday. It is a run, not a race. Everyone can take part, either runners or walkers. It is an inclusive, welcoming event and it is a fantastic way to get fit, and stay fit. Date: 16th March

400th Parkrun

Own a Pony Day at Hill Farm, Freshwater

Parkrun takes place each week so 400 represents almost 8 years of Parkrun on the Isle of Wight!

The current record for the number of runners taking part is 400. They want to

Have your very own pony for a day. Groom, go on a ride, have a lesson, cuddle, feed and of course, muck out your very own pony.

Just bring your lunch and a drink. Taking

place at Hill Farm Stables, Freshwater. www.hillfarmstables.com. Date: From Wednesday 17th March - 24th March

Wolverton Manor Folk & Blues Fair The ninth annual Wolverton Folk & Blues Fair will take place in the stunning grounds of Wolverton Manor, Shorwell, Isle of Wight on Saturday 11th May 2019. 11.30am to 8pm.

After a sell-out successful launch in 2011, the family friendly festival has been gaining momentum with fantastic bands/ artists each year along with locally produced food, children’s activities, tea tent and not forgetting the Real Ale tent! Date: Saturday 11th May 11.30am to 8.00pm.

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8th March 2019

Feeding time - but not for the weeds!

Many of the plants in your garden are now beginning to grow, and to continue that growth they need to be fed. If you want to feed roses, then do so with a balanced fertiliser, and top-dress containers by scraping off an inch or so of old compost and replacing it with fresh.

Get rid of any weeds by hoeing before applying a thick layer of compost as a mulch, making sure the soil is moist first. This will help suppress weeds, keep in soil moisture, add nutrients and improve drainage. But make sure you mulch only on to clean ground. If you don’t you are risking improving the quality of perennial weeds.

Perennials, roses and soft fruit will benefit from a good mulch of up to five centimetres to help hold in summer moisture and improve soil quality.

Spread evenly over soil and up to the necks of the plants to keep weed seeds in darkness and inactive.

The bare-root planting season is drawing to a close and, although you can push it into early April, it is best to get plants in by the end of this month. It is the perfect time for planting bare-root strawberries and other soft fruit, and for dividing perennials that may need splitting.

When you see a bald spot in the centre of the clump, lift the whole clump and tease apart with two forks placed back to back for leverage. Take only the strongest and healthiest divisions and consign the weakest to the compost heap. Containerised plants can go in any time, but they too will appreciate a grip on their position before top growth starts to accelerate.

If you haven’t been tempted to do so already, or you’ve been held back by the weather, now really is the time to get stuck into the beds and give them a big clear-up. With the recent rain giving gardens another soaking, it is a good idea to work from boards to prevent compaction on heavy soil. Cut perennials close to the base to avoid jagged stems that will snare you later while weeding, and use this chance of getting in close to check for weeds.

Finally, this is quite a good time to have a close look at your lawn. If it needs a cut, then do so, provided it’s a dry day, and you set your blades higher than usual. This is also as good time to lay new turf, provided the ground is not frozen or too waterlogged. You can also re-cut any lawn edges if necessary.

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Making your garden great Gardens need a general tidy up at this time of year and companies on this page can give you a hand to make sure that your garden will look its best as spring comes along and the days get longer. The Inclusive Gardener is fully trained and whether you are looking for a regular hand in the garden or an expert oneoff tidy up he will be able to assist.

You could also think about giving your garden a complete renovation or new landscaping treatment. The cost could be much lower than you think, and you could look forward to sitting and enjoying your brand new garden this summer, whilst somebody else has done all the hard work for you. You can call EAF or JM Harris landscaping to discuss your own ideas – or why not ask them for theirs? They have many years of experience, so why not pick their brains?

Now is the best time to make sure you attend to the fences, patio and decking that are looking rather tatty after the bad weather and storms of the winter. Some time spent now making sure that your fences are in good order will ensure your borders look bloomin’ lovely a little later on. It stands to reason that having a new fence installed will cause some disruption, and if you get it all over with early in the season your flowers and shrubs will have plenty of time to recover. Again EAF or JM Harris will be happy to help, or if you fancy a fence that doesn’t need any maintenance beyond hosing down with water give Colourfence a call, they also supply railings for front gardens which can be installed freestanding or between brick pillars.

If you are looking for high quality compost or topsoil then make sure to get in touch straight away with Isle of Wight Compost. We’ve all seen people struggling with big bags of compost at national chains, but Isle of Wight Compost are a local company who deliver in

bulk which can work out cheaper and even better, delivery is free across the Island.

One of the highlights of planning your garden each year is getting new plants and the Palmers Brook Nursery annual plug plant weekend is always a hit, with plants from as little as 10p each. It is a community nursery, so as well as making your garden look good, you’ll be supporting the good work they do.

Like pretty much any nursery Ager Farm sell bedding plants, but they specialise in supplying bespoke planters or hanging baskets to personal and retail premises great if you have a particular colour scheme in mind. Check out their Trip Advisor page – they have rave reviews.

If it’s fruit trees or soft fruit that you are looking for, then Deacon’s Nursery is an unexpected find in Godshill. Mr Deacon is a mine of information and the range of fruit is amazing, including more unusual plants such as medlars, a talking point in any garden. You can get half price apple and pear trees and grape vines with the advert on this page. Those that know of this specialist nursery swear by the quality of the plants he produces.

At this time of year pond algae can start to appear which turns pond water green.

You can use a net or an electric pond vac to scoop out debris from the water – but it’s a messy job. Hunnyhill Aquatics are well known for supplying aquarium and pond fish and supplies, but you may not realise that they provide a complete pond maintenance service. Let the specialists take care of your pond – so that it is a feature you can be proud of and not a sludgy embarrassment you want to hide.

So Observer readers, enjoy your gardening – but make sure you have a little bit of expert help where and when you need it.

Call Matt to find about our Food & Drink feature on 01983 214264

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8th March 2019

Walk your way to jail, or maybe you prefer the East Downs!

For those who love walking, your jaunts don’t necessarily have to be along coastal paths or across rolling hills on the Isle of Wight. There will be ample time for that if you have signed up for this year’s Walk the Wight on May 12, to raise funds for Mountbatten.

So how about a walk in and around Newport? In conjunction with visitisleofwight.co.uk we bring you a walk that takes you past some of the Island’s historic jails.

Newport hosts a variety of deep connections to the justice system, from the old courthouse to the infamous Parkhurst Prison. Start at the Visitor Information Centre on Newport High Street; this was once a town hall, but for many years was a courthouse, where people were brought before a judge for sentencing.

Ask to see the jail cells out the back, one of which was occupied by the Yorkshire Ripper when he was witness to a crime committed in Parkhurst Prison.

From here make your way out

towards Parkhurst Forest, which is just on the edge of the grounds of the prison. Made famous by notorious prisoners such as the Kray Twins and the Moors Murderer Ian Brady. Parkhurst started its days as a military hospital and children’s asylum in 1778.

Rambling onto Carisbrooke Castle, this walk will bring you face- toface with the prison of King Charles I before he was sentenced to death by parliament.

The King made several attempts to escape and evade capture, but all were thwarted by unusual circumstances.

Pop into the museum at the castle for more information. Now make your way back to Newport, all the wiser about the mysterious tales of the Isle of Wight jails.

For the more adventurous, the East Downs Explorer Walk, a round trip from Brading, can be either three or nine miles, with the longer one taking up to five hours.

Starting from the Brading Bull Ring, cross West Street and walk

Brading Church

Parkhurst wing of IW Prison South, past the Post Box towards The Mall. Continue up the hill past Beechgrove and look for Bridleway 39 to your right. This takes you past Little Janes Quarry, Kelly’s Copse and through to Nunwell Hangar, a small copse filled with large Beech trees. The path will split as you near the end of Nunwell Hangar, take the right path, Bridleway 59 to Nunwell. This will bring you out onto a farm track. Continue along the track until just past Nunwell Farm. Here is a crossroad of footpaths. For the short walk take Footpath 23 towards Brading. This

OBITUARY

path will bring you out on West Lane in Brading. From here it is a short amble along Doctors lane and West Street back to the Bull Ring.

For the longer walk take the Footpath 24 (opposite Footpath 23) to Bloodstone Copse and Eaglehead Copse. This will bring you out on to the Downs Road.

Take care as you cross the Downs Road and continue on Byway 33 to Kern Farm. Take a right through the farm grounds onto Byway 35 this will join Bridleway 45 to Knighton.

At the end of the Bridleway there is a short walk along Knighton Shute to

Bridleway 4 on the right hand side.

Cross the Downs road and continue along the verge until you reach Bridleway 26. Continue on Bridleway 26 until you reach the farm track which will take you past Nunwell Farm.

Continue along the track as before, but this time take Footpath 23 towards Brading. This path will bring you out on West Lane in Brading. From here it is a short amble along Doctors Lane and West Street back to the Bull Ring.

To find more walking ideas go to visitisleofwight.co.uk

Bruce Laker/Phaedra Kelly The funeral of celebrated Ryde gender activist, artist, musician, journalist, poet and published author, Bruce Laker/Phaedra Kelly, was held at the Isle of Wight Crematorium on Friday, March 1.

Bruce David Laker, was born in 1955 and raised on the Island. He died at St Mary’s Hospital on February 7, aged 65.

Bruce/Phaedra developed his/ her gender fluidity after an early marriage and divorce, then went on to pioneer the concept of Gender Transiency. She went to drag balls in the guise of Phaedra and kept up a correspondence with transvestites and transsexuals all over the globe.

It was Phaedra who founded the International Gender Transient Affinity (IGTA), an organisation which aided Amnesty International when it took on a sexual minorities case for the first time.

Bruce met his second wife, Vanda, in 1983. They hit the headlines when Bruce (Phaedra) wore a

wedding dress to their wedding at the IW Registry Office.

In opposition to the recent fad for invasive surgical procedures, Bruce/Phaedra would appear to have been a proponent of gender fluidity of the mind, rather than the body. He/she said: “It’s about a discipline of duality with an open mind, without changing sex with hormones, with pills, with injections or surgery, living one’s dualism as much as possible.”

Bruce/Phaedra was the published author of twelve books and wrote The Naked Transient, several works of fiction, two autobiographies and three poetry anthologies. He/ she reported on the Balkans wars, where he/she worked to protect vulnerable sexual minorities.

Bruce/Phaedra also mounted several exhibitions of paintings, one of which was closed down in the eighties on the grounds of “obscenity”. He/she was one of the Islanders featured in an Arts

Council-funded Hidden Heroes of the IW exhibition.

In recent years, Bruce/Phaedra was best known for his/her provocative stage appearances at Bestival with transgender poetry band Ecurbrekel, whose motto was “band not bland”.

In tribute, fellow band member, Stuart Wilmott, described Bruce/ Phaedra as: “One of my best friends and probably the biggest bane of my life.

“He was peculiar, brilliant, often misunderstood, generous, brutally provocative, extremely generous and frustrating to those who knew him closely. He impressed me with how masculine he could be and how feminine she could be.”

Bruce/Phaedra’s mother, Niki Laker, paid tribute to her pioneering son/daughter. She said: “He was fighting for equality 40/50 years ago, when you would have been classed as some sort of ‘pervert’.

He would not compromise.”

8th March 2019

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IW JOB FINDER Visit iwjobfinder.co.uk to find jobs, create trackable CVs and enrich your applications

Services

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A smarter way to find work

Isle of Wight Services Your local guide

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Puzzles

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Wordsearch Find the following Isle of Wight villages horizontally, vertically, backwards and forwards BRIGHSTONE BROOK CHALE GATCOMBE GURNARD HAVENSTREET NETTLESTONE NEWCHURCH NEWTOWN NITON SEAVIEW ST LAWRENCE WHITWELL WINFORD

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.

8th March 2019

Crossword

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Across 7. 2nd smallest continent (6) 8. Microphone inventor (6) 9. Probability (4) 10. Fragile (8) 11. Join (5) 12. Couple (7) 14. Long established (3-4) 16. Mature (5) 19. Yes (3,5) 20. Profane expression (4) 21. Reduce (6) 22. Vestige (6)

Down 1. Painful abdominal complaint (8,5) 2. Maiden Castle county (6) 3. Is inclined (5) 4. Colours developing in Autumn (7) 5. Performing animal show (6) 6. Reflection (13) 13. Conceive (7) 15. Shove (6) 17. Gadget (6) 18. Hiding place (5)

For the answers to the crossword, see page 2.

Spot the differences

Can you find all eight differences between the two pictures of the Newport to Sandown cycleway upgrade below?

8th March 2019

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Sport Observer

By Peter White

Latest results from Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club Ladies Stableford: Silver Division: 1, Christine Smith 39 points; 2, Sarah Hammond 35; 3, Lorrie Hawkins 30.

Bronze Division: 1, Lesley Ismail 36; 2, Philippa Warren 35; 3, Viv Williams 33.

Nine Hole Stableford: 1, Margaret McClelland 14; 2, Jan Easlea 10.

Open Stableford: 1, Chris Beard 42; 2, Andy Buxton 41; 3, Bill Foss 40, 4.

Seniors Monthly Stableford: 1, Hugh Riches 36; 2, Noel Dobbs 35.

Monthly Medal Scratch: 1, Dave McToldridge 72; 2, Jonathan West 75. Division 1: 1, Dave McToldridge 67; 2, Jonathan West 68; 3, Sean Millward 68. Division 2: 1, Paul Cock 68; 2, Doug Watkins 71; 3, Andy Quayle 73.

Latest results from Newport Golf Club Nine Hole Stableford: 1, Robert Groom (17) 16points.

Thurs Stableford: 1, Kevin Thompson (22) 42pts; 2, Terry Hopkins (10) 39; 3, Terry Phillips (11) 38.

Saturday Stableford: Division One: 1, Oliver Wilson (5) 42pts; 2, Nick Matthews (3) 38; 3, James Cheek (7) 37. Division Two: 1, Trever Wharton (20) 33pts; 2, Sean O` Brien (20) 32; 3, Wayne Matthews (14) 32.

Sunday Stableford: 1, Oliver Wilson (4) 38pts; 2, Simon O` Brien (18)38; 3, Steve Gilbert (22) 36.

Latest results from Osborne Golf Club Stableford: Division 1; 1, Andy Taylor 43pts; 2, Brian Wright 39; 3, Paul Haward 38. Division 2; 1, Richard Couse 42; 2, Tim Eldridge 36; 3, John Cooper 34. Division 3; 1, Mike Spall 36; 2, Sean Thrippleton 36 (ocb); 3, Roy Johnson 34.

March Stableford: Division 1; 1, Spencer Simpson 37pts; 2, Andy Partridge 37(ocb); 3, David Cotton 37(ocb). Division 2; 1, Richard Gutteridge 37; 2, Lee Danson 37(ocb); 3, Richard Couse 36. Division 3; 1, Mike Spall 36; 2, Deryck G Jones 34; 3, Brian Grace 33.

Stableford All Men: 1, Glynn Taylor 39pts; 2, Spencer Simpson 33; 3, Peter Wright 32.

Football fixtures for Saturday March 9 (Kick-off 2.30pm unless shown) IWCP Challenge Cup semi-finals: Shanklin v Cowes Sports Reserves.

Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Pan Sports.

Isle of Wight Memorial Cup third round: Adgestone v Binstead & COB. Bembridge v East Cowes Sports. Osborne Coburg v Ryde Saints.

Harwoods Renault Isle of Wight League Division 1:Northwood St Johns v West Wight.

Division 2: Brighstone v Oakfield. Carisbrooke Utd v Seaview. East Cowes Vics A v Wroxall. Newchurch v AFC Wootton. Yarmouth & Calbourne v Niton Community.

Combination 1: East Cowes Sports v Brading Town. Oakfield v Ventnor. Sandown v Shanklin (kick-off 2pm). West Wight v Osborne Coburg.

Combination 2: Ryde Saints A v Bembridge Division 2 League Cup, Group B: AFC Wootton v Carisbrooke United.

Chance for ladies to try hand at golf Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club are holding two ‘Women and Girls Try Golf’ sessions at their superb 18-hole course at The Fairway, Lake, Sandown.

It provides the opportunity for would-be female golfers to try their hand at the game for free, and it doesn’t matter if you are a

Whitecroft and Barton’s relentless march towards the Renault Harwoods IW Division One title continued as they eased past Binstead COB. Josh Appell (2), Matt Evans and Freddy Knowles scored the goals in the 4-0 victory that leaves W&B eight points clear at the top with a game in hand.

Shanklin’s excellent league run continued with a close-fought victory over Pan Sports. Sam Moseley and Phil McDonald were on target in the 2-1 success for the home side, who hold on to second place. Brading have dropped to third, but can still move back into second place above Shanklin,

75 68 59 57 51 47

44 51 60 62 68 72

958 452 -95 -124 -422 -769

The sessions are being held on Tuesday, April 16 at 2.30pm and on Sunday, May 5 at 10.30am.

It promises to be well attended so don’t miss out. To book or for more details, call Lucy on: (01983) 403217 or 404424 or email lucy@ ssgolfclub.com

if they win their game in hand.

Northwood St Johns scored four without reply at Osborne Coburg, while E.C.S. were 2-0 winners at West Wight.

In the third round of the IW Memorial Cup, Ventnor progressed 2-1 at the expense of Oakfield.

Division Two leaders Bembridge were in Ken Morris IW Junior A Cup action against Adgestone, and continued their good form with a 3-0 victory. The top game in the division saw a nine-goal thriller between hosts Niton Community and Seaview, which the visitors won 5-4. A single goal was enough for East Cowes Vics A to take the points from AFC Wootton,

and it was the same scoreline at Carisbrooke United who were successful against Wroxall.

In Combination One East Cowes Sports Reserves managed to extend their lead at the top of the table, but could manage only a point from their 1-1 draw with Oakfield reserves. Binstead & COB Reserves beat Sandown Reserves 3-0 while W&B Sports Reserves were in Ken Morris Junior A Cup third round action, going down 4-1 to Ryde Saints 4, with Danny Cantelo scoring heir lone goal. There was only one game in Combination Two where next to bottom Ryde Saints A beat bottom club Yarmouth and Calbourne Reserves 4-0.

Yachtsmen confident they can stay afloat after another victory Cowes Sports 1 Shaftesbury 0 Cowes Sports made it a sevenpoint haul from their last four Wessex League, Premier Division games, prompting player-manager John McKie to declare: “Relegation is not in our vocabulary anymore.”

Results: Lib A 5, Con A 2; Lib C 1, Con C 6; Con B 4, WC Con 3.

17 17 17 17 17 17

granddaughter, a daughter, a mum or a grandmother.

Everyone is welcome, from complete beginners, to those looking to get back into the game.

There will be free professional tuition, with all equipment provided. All you need is suitable footwear, such as trainers.

W&B hit four to keep up their title charge

Cowes & District Snooker League Week 17

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

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75 68 59 57 51 47

Highest Break: R. Green (WC Con), 51.

Player-manager John Mckie

The Yachtsmen’s victory took them to third from bottom of the table, and only three points behind Christchurch, the side immediately above them, and have two games in hand.

McKie said: “Winning is a good habit to get into, and these were three more points towards what we are building. We discussed before the game the target we had in mind, and we agreed that we would like four wins and two draws to put us on 41 points overall this season.

“We are not thinking about relegation anymore, we are only looking to see how high we can climb, and then the table will take care of itself. We just go into every game thinking we will do whatever we can to get three points.”

The only goal of the game came just after the midway point of the first half, when a cross from Michael Mcenery was slotted home

by Finley Phillips. Shaftesbury had their keeper sent off just before the final whistle to end any hopes of a late fightback.

McKie continued: “I felt we were in control, and although there were a few moments when the

game went quiet, there was no stage when I felt we were being threatened. We were able to contain them quite well, but just had to make sure that we didn’t make unnecessary mistakes which is what we were doing earlier in the season. We are starting to cut out those errors that have cost us dearly, and overall it was an assured victory.”

The Yachtsmen face arguably one of their sternest tests of the season tomorrow (Sat) when they entertain table-toppers Sholing, who have won 23 and drawn one of their 24 games this season, having scored 78 goals while conceding just 15.

McKie said: “There is no denying Sholing are doing absolutely fantastic, and they have also had some great cup runs. But they have been playing a high volume of games, sometimes three a week, so there might be an element of fatigue. We have got to be at our very best game to get something from it, but it is nothing we don’t feel is achievable. We are 100 per cent sure we can get something from the game, and that will be our mindset going into it.”

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8th March 2019

Olly West shoots just wide as Vics threaten

Butcher strike helps Vics secure a draw East Cowes Vics 1 Verwood Town 1 Under-strength Vics picked up another point in their quest for a top-half finish in the Wessex League, First Division thanks to a find strike by Joe Butcher.

The Island side were missing two regular players through illness, another couple because of injuries, and two more through suspension and unavailability, including key front man Eli Ahmed.

Vics boss Steve Brougham said: “Because of the shortage of players we only had two substitutes, so it was difficult to change things around. But if

we could have just scored that second goal I am sure we would have gone on to win the game. We had a few chances, but then after they got the equaliser, overall a draw was probably a fair result.”

Butcher’s strike separated the teams until after the break, and early in the second period Vics still looked the bigger threat. But Brougham said: “When you are in the ascendency, that is the time you need to push on and try to make the game safe. But we have played a lot of matches in a short space of time recently, and I think there were a few tired legs towards the end.

“But I am still really happy with where we are in the table, and there is no doubt in my mind that in a similar game last season we would have definitely lost.

One bonus for us was that young Coner Lyon, who has been in the reserves all season, stepped in at left back and played really well. I was very pleased with his performance.”

Vics are at home to Laverstock tomorrow (Sat) with Brougham hoping to have a full squad to choose from. He said: “We are just above them in the table, so with home advantage it would be good to consolidate our position.”

Kelly double as Newport Ventnor Seconds are push for a top six finish pipped by late score Petersfield Town 0 Newport 3 Newport eased to a comfortable victory at Petersfield to keep alive their very real hopes of a top six finish in the Wessex League, Division One. Despite having to make several changes because of players not being available, Port survived an early bombardment from the hosts to run out worthy winners.

Petersfield could have taken the lead when awarded a fifth minute penalty, after Darren Powell misjudged his tackle, but keeper Gary Streeter made a brilliant save to keep the scores level.

On 31 minutes Newport went

ahead when Neo Lamb let fly from 30 yards. Manager Andy Sampson said: “The shot went like an arrow, and moved slightly in the wind. Although the keeper got his hands to the shot, it still went in for Neo’s first goal for the club.

“In the second half we were the better team. They had a few attacks, but they never really came to anything, and overall I think we turned in a really good display.”

Connor Kelly scored twice, in the 70th and 78th minutes, and could easily have had a hat-trick, but overall Sampson was pleased with his side’s performance.

Port entertain Follands tomorrow, and will be looking for revenge after a 4-0 defeat earlier in the season. Sampson said: “We were shocking at their place, and they were due to play us in the return the following week, but the referee called the game off because of a waterlogged pitch. Fingers crossed I will have a full squad to pick from of those who are fit, and hopefully we can get our revenge.”

Newport were due to play Alton at St George’s Park last Tuesday, but the mainland side asked for the game to be called off because they could not raise a team. It has yet to be rearranged.

Southampton 2nd XV 34 points, Ventnor 2ndXV 26 Ventnor’s Mighty Lions travelled to Southampton and going from 11 to eight players three hours before kick off, they knew it would be a tough day.

However, they managed to beg borrow and steal a few players from other clubs to eventually arrive with 13. Southampton used the wind to their advantage as they went two tries up in the first 10 minutes. The Lions hit back when debutant Grant Edwards managed to finish a great move. Warren Riches converted for 10-7. Southampton went over for their third try, this one converted. The Lions earned a penalty

try, but Southampton managed to score again twice before the break for 27-14.

In the second half the Lions found their feet and after some great play Mark Tucker managed to roll off the back of a maul for his first of the day. The Lions kept up the pressure and after some great kicking from Matt Cripps and Warren Riches, Tucker headed in for his second try, making the score 27-26 with 12 minutes to go. The Lions went close a few times, but Southampton managed to turn the ball over and ran in for another converted try.

AJ Wells Man of the Match - Grant Edwards.

Red Funnel Moment of the Match Mark Tucker.

8th March 2019

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Jumping clinic helps improve ‘team work’ The latest jumping clinic held by Tian Hughes at the Island Equine Services proved popular with riders ranging in age from just four up to mid-60s attending.

Riders of all abilities were able to work on their warm-ups, course training and confidence building, all important facets of improving their jumping skills over a course of fences with a variety of distances, ranging from a one-stride double and twostride double to two three or four stride distance.

Tian said: “Practice makes perfect, and these clinics make the riders think how they are riding their horses round the course, rather than let the horse take them round. It is important for horse and rider to work as a team to get round a course.”

Tian’s next clinic takes place on March 15 at the Island Equine Services.

Pictures by Kev Cant

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Sport

www.iwobserver.co.uk

8th March 2019

Premier League table tennis is about to begin The Isle of Wight Table Tennis Premier League, 2019. gets underway on Wednesday March 20 at 7.30pm, with matches played at The Isle of Wight Table Tennis Centre in Smallbrook, Ryde.

Successfully trialled in 2018, The Premier League is the brainchild of 12-times Island Champion Danny Burns, and has been supported by The Isle of Wight Table Tennis Association.

Comprising six teams of two

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players per team, The Premier League is a competition enabling the Island’s elite players to play each other in a combination of singles and doubles matches.

Island estate agents Trigg & Co are the proud sponsors of the competition.

Trigg & Co said: “We are delighted to support The Island Table Tennis Premier League and its provision of a competitive environment where the Island’s top players are fully tested.”

IW Gold Cup tie called off The IW Gold Cup quarterfinal between Cowes Sports and Pan Sports, scheduled for Wednesday evening, was postponed because of as waterlogged pitch.

Yachtsmen manager John

McKie said: “The pitch was vey wet when we trained on Monday evening, and unfortunately, it then got worse.” The tie has yet to be re-arranged, with the winners facing either

Ventnor or Whitecroft and Barton for a place in the final. In the other semifinal, Newport take on East Cowes Vics in an all-Wessex League, Division One clash.

Shanklin looking to grab Vics Ladies in double defeat title with last-gasp win With the league almost over, Ryde A head the IW Table Tennis Association, Division One by nine points from Shanklin Piranhas. The final match is between Shanklin and Newport Vics A and promises to be a thriller as Shanklin will need to be on top form to gain the necessary points to become League champions.

Division Three had a full complement of matches and Ryde Rockers lead the table by 12 points, despite their 6-4 defeat

by Ryde Rebels. The Rebels’ 12 year old twins Joe and Ethan Millward continuing their improved play, both gaining a win each, plus a doubles victory for Joe

who teamed with sub David Batten in a thrilling five-set game.

In the battle for second place, Newport Vics D came out on top against the youngsters of Ryde Rookies, but 13 year old Joe Chapman from the Rookies was player of the match winning all his games. Vics won the doubles to give them a 6-4 victory.

Newcomer Neil Hedges, recently drafted into Ryde Rapscallions, showed his skill with a 100 per cent win average against Ryde Rockets, giving the Raps an 8-2 victory, and Ryde Revellers and Ryde Rustics played an exciting match, with the Revellers winning 6-4, although the

Rustics Alan Hopkins won all his games.

Meanwhile, the Men’s Singles Championship was played to the semifinal stages. John Cornforth played particularly well to overcome Para Champion Tom Johnson in five sets to make it into the quarter finals, but was then beaten in three sets by Alex Rorke. Martin Johnstone made it to the quarter-finals after another thrilling five setter against Conal Howells, but then lost out to Don Hobbs.

The semi-finalists are: Alex Rorke v Hugh Idle; Don Hobbs v Lee Orton. The semis will be played on Finals Night on April 29.

Newport go top Walkover for of Vecta League first team A big 13-2 win for Newport over Chillerton put them top of the Island Vecta Billiard and Snooker League. Terry Phillips (-12) got Newport of to a great start, winning 4-1 against Andy Potts (-20).

Dave Cox (-35) continued the form by beating Roger Packer (53) by the same score. Rob Smallman (63) completed the emphatic victory, by winning 5-0 against Jamie Sprake (45).

Ryde B.L. dropped to second

despite winning 8-7 against Newbridge.

Tian Sleight (67) carried on his good form beating Kev Whillier (-70) 4-1. Trevor Whillier (-22) put Newbridge in front winning 5-0 over John Barnes (39) before Tony Worsfold (27) saw Ryde to victory with a 4-1 win over Trevor Rider (85).

Highest Break: Trevor Whillier 40.

Table :- Newport 131pts, Ryde 129pts, Chillerton 112pts, Newbridge 108pts.

IW 1st XV w/o Trojans 2nd XV

IW RFC first team received a walkover from Trojans Seconds in their scheduled Hampshire One match. The news was not wholly unexpected, but the late nature of the cancellation was disappointing to many.

Captain Lewis Murray said: “I’m fuming, it’s the fourth time they’ve failed to fulfil a fixture this season, and along with the debacle of Winchester seconds earlier in the year, some of our fears about the introduction of several second teams to the Hampshire leagues have come to pass. I’m pleased though that almost the entire first team squad turned up to cheer on the second team instead.”

IW receive five match points for the win, but would have much preferred to play the game.

East Cowes Vics Ladies played a double-header on the same day against Bedhampton, but mental and physical exhaustion got to many of the players as they suffered two defeats.

Vics Ladies had already worked hard on the pitch to get the game on, and in the first game they were not up

to par in the first half, they improved in the second period, but still lost 4-0.

There were a few changes for the second game, and although there was more cohesion and communication, with a solid defence and midfield, chances were missed, and they went down 2-0.

Five-try Ventnor go down after battle Southampton 1st XV 45 points Ventnor 1st XV 30 Despite scoring five tries away from home, Ventnor were unable to seal the victory at Southampton. The Island outfit scored an early try with Dominic Marsh crashing over for his debut first-team try.

Southampton began to use the wind advantage, which paid dividends and another converted try was the reward. Ventnor picked up a gear following, and scored two quick tries through Ben Cooper and Ed Blake. Todd Riches also kicked a penalty to put Ventnor four points ahead. But Southampton had the last say of the half though with a breakaway try.

Into the second half it was clear that running into the wind all half had taken its toll on Ventnor, as Southampton looked fresher for the first part of the second half and scored three tries in quick succession. However, they were feeling the full force of the wind and Ventnor capitalised with a try from Todd Riches.

Ventnor then dominated possession for the rest of the match, but despite camping in the oppositions half, only managed to score one other try with Ed Blake picking up his second of the game.

AJ Wells Man of the Match Ben Cooper Red Funnel Moment of the Match - James Pemberton

8th March 2019

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31

Hurricanes fly to victory again Sandown & Shanklin RFC 55 points, New Milton & District 20

Damian Seder leaps highest for Hurricanes at a line-out. Picture

by Paul Blackley.

Sandown & Shanklin’s impressive points spree continued when they welcomed New Milton & District RFC to the Fairway. The Hurricanes’ 50plus point haul took their season’s grand total to a majestic 700 so far, and there’s still time for plenty more! The opening exchanges were physical and intense before the ball was spun wide and Man of the Match, Jack Wedderkop, who crashed through the defensive line for the opening score.

Some excellent pressure from the Hurricanes forwards and in particular Ben Shannon, then allowed Wedderkop to sprint in unopposed for his second score.

Shortly afterwards a third score came the way of the home side, with the visitors defence stretched the ball came to Luke Hunter to sprint in and score to give Sandown a 19-0 lead.

The visitors responded with a score out of the blue, and soon after crashed over for their second

score, for 19-10. But Sandown & Shanklin were soon at it again as Ben Sanderson scored the fourth try for a 26-10 lead at the break.

The home side extended the lead with a clever move between Shannon and Chiverton, allowing Shannon to sprint in under the posts. Following the restart the Hurricanes broke free and Tom Borrer went over in the corner, becoming the 25th different try scorer for the Hurricanes this season.

New Milton scored their third, and despite being in the ascendency, Wedderkop’s counter and third try edged Hurricanes further ahead Although New Milton made it 4520 Hurricanes ended with a flourish as Owen Williams touched down, and then Borrer went over for Sandown & Shanklin’s 700th point of the season.

Sandown & Shanklin travel to the New Forest tomorrow (Sat) to play rivals Fordingbridge RFC. The 2nd XV are at home to Locksheath Pumas RFC 2nd XV, kick-off 3pm.

Ben Shannon trying to make ground.

Picture by Paul Blackley.

Margham hat-trick keeps IW Seconds in top spot IW RFC 2nd XV 50 points, Millbrook & Stoneham 2nd XV 7 IW Second XV scored a convincing win over the combined Millbrook/ Stoneham second team in their final home game of the season. Though competitive, the match was a far cry from the 42-39 win at Millbrook earlier in the season, IW ensuring they remain top of Hampshire Three with four games remaining.

IW took some time to get going, despite a dream start as the returning Luke Margham fielded the kickoff and found a narrow gap which he scorched through to open the scoring. The lead did not last long, as the mainlanders forced a penalty try. A second try from deep by the rapid Margham eased the tension, and IW led 14-7.

The remaining minutes before half-time effectively settled the contest, as IW established their game plan, carrying purposefully and using their superior pace and support play, making notable inroads through Dan Bishop and Rouse Ltd Man of the Match Tom Groves, who was imperious in the line-out.

A penalty on the 22, which flyhalf Gary Warvill tapped quickly to catch the opposition unaware, led to Joss Spence plunging over.

Margham then completed his hattrick, for a 24-7 lead.

IW had an extensive bench, which freshened up the Islanders but also served to bolster Millbrook/ Stoneham when they ran out of players. The experienced Warvill

scorded a try , and replacement and Biffa Man of the Day Alex Cole made an impact at centre, scoring twice.

A further line break by captain Matt Hallam ended as he unselfishly

parted to Adam Peckham to touch down, while Margham added conversions to five of the tries to round off the scoring.

There were debuts to celebrate

for wingers Xavier Spence and Cameron Browne, lining out alongside his father Stuart, and returns after long absences for Luke Chandler and Chris Ormerod. IW

now face into a run of four away games which will define their season and whether they can land the league title, starting tomorrow (Sat) at Portsmouth III.

Sport

32

Sport

Observer

By Peter White

www.iwobserver.co.uk

This weeks highlights...

Football E. Cowes Vics secures draw

8th March 2019

Equestrian Jumping clinic proves popular

28

29

It’s a Hurricane Force 700!

Sandown and Shanklin Rugby Club are enjoying an amazingly successful season in the Hampshire Premier League, as the campaign begins to draw to a close.

Jack Wedderkop scoring one of his three tries. Picture by Paul Blackley.

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The Hurricanes blew away New Milton & District in their latest game, winning 55-20, to take their points tally for the season to a highly impressive 700!

The club are currently in second place in the table, just behind Basingstoke, with four matches remaining. They take on Fordingbridge tomorrow, then play Gosport and Fareham II, Alresford and Portsmouth II, hoping to keep their great run going, and hopefully snatch the Premier League title.

See the report of the latest success Page 31.

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