Isle of Wight Observer Issue 62

Observer

25th October 2019

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Islanders on Brexit shambles

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One eagle dies, another missing

Friday 25th October 2019 Issue No.62

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A BRIDGE TOO FAR!

How much more cash is going to be wasted?

The floating bridge lost £301,293 last year which Islanders had to subsidise...

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Enough is enough!

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One eagle dies and Culver is missing

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Extra hour in bed You can have an extra dreamy hour in bed this weekend as long as you remember to put your clocks back an hour, as British Summer Time officially ends at 2am on Sunday. The weather has clearly got the message a little early, so you might as well make the most of it and stay snuggled up for the extra 60 minutes.

Recorded sexual offences against childen have reached an all time high according to the NSPCC. In the Hampshire Police Force area which includes the Island there were 1,734 recorded offences in 2014/15 which had risen to 2,748 in 2018-19.

Sales: Carole Dennett, Emma Harper Online editor: Sandy Clarke Photography: Chris Cornford, Marie Louise Business Administration: Jade Honey Regulated by IMPRESS: The Independent Monitor for the Press CIC 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-acomplaint/

Bike stolen in Binstead

Crossword Answers - P.29 Down: 1. Postwar, 2. Poser, 3. Related, 4. Shandy, 5. Cover, 6. Banquet, 7. Amend, 13. Macabre, 15. Usually, 16. Mingled, 17. Amused, 18. Budge, 19. Scout, 21. Lucky.

Across: 1. Papyrus, 5. Cobra, 8. Sisal, 9. Advance, 10. Worsted, 11. Round, 12. Remedy, 14. Custom, 18. Backs, 20. Maudlin, 22. Dubious, 23. Local, 24. Erect, 25. Dry eyed.

Find Bob somewhere in this week’s paper and one lucky person will win one family ticket to the Monkey Haven.

Tell us what page number Bob appears on (not including this). You can email the page number and your name to spotbob@iwobserver.co.uk or text 07749591550. Good luck finding Bob this week. The deadline is 5pm on Thursday. Last week he was on page 36.

On 11/10, the winners of the five pairs of tickets for Wrestling were Jim Tyler, Abbey Morris, S Elmore, Ted Barns and Sam Woodley.

News in brief

Offences on increase

Address: Suite 6, 17 Thomas House , St. Thomas Square, Newport, IW, PO30 1SL

Find Bob, our friendly squirrel!

25th October 2019

Photo: Nick Edwards - Two of the eagles playing with a stick over the Solent One of the juvenile whitetailed eagles released on the Island almost two months ago has died, and another has been missing for several weeks.

Project officer Steve Egerton-Read gave an update on the birds on Forestry England’s website.

He explained that most of the birds had remained on the Island and surrounding Solent coastline although two males had taken longer trips, one to Oxfordshire

where he had been seen feeding on a dead roe deer carcass and the other, nicknamed Culver, travelled to Essex and back. It is Culver who has disappeared.

The eagle that sadly died had been feeding on a dead porpoise on the shore for several weeks, but it was noticed from the tracking device that movement had stopped. On investigation it was found dead.

An initial post-mortem proved inconclusive on the cause of

death but further tests are underway.

Culver returned to the mainland before his tracker stopped working. Ground and aerial searches have taken place but so far his whereabouts is unknown.

The project asks anybody who sees the birds to send photos (if they can be taken without disturbing them) and information via Twitter or Instagram to @ SeaEagleEngland.

Police are investigating an alleged mugging in the Ringwood Road area of Binstead on Monday which occurred at about 6.45pm. An orange mountain bike is said to have been stolen from a teenager by two males in a black Mercedes Vito van. Anyone with any information about the incident should call 101 and quote 44190377461.

25th October 2019

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The bridge of sighs!

The Floating Bridge saga, which seems to have been running longer than the Bridge itself, has taken a new twist with losses of almost £1million revealed since it entered service in May 2017. The shock figure has led to calls from Councillor Karl Love who represents East Cowes, for Cabinet Member Ian Ward to resign.

Floating Bridge 5, which was taken out of service in January 2017, made a profit of over £120,000 in 2015-16, but its replacement has lost money ever since. In 2016-17 it lost over £36,000; nearly £550,000 in 2017-18; more than £300,000 in 2018-19, and £64,000 in the first five months of this financial year.

The figures came from the Council’s Freedom of Information unit in response to a request from a member of the public.

The controversial bridge, which has brought more ‘Sighs’ than the famous one of that name in Venice, has been the subject of a blame game between members of the previous Independent administration, and the current ruling Conservative Group. It was built by Welsh boat builders Mainstay Marine at a cost of £3.2 million.

It is unarguable that the order was placed on the watch of previous Independent Council Leader Ian Stephens, with the original intention that it would become operational

by March 2016, but in a recent statement, the current leader of the Island Independent Group, Councillor Debbie Andre, said the Councillors were not responsible because ‘the procurement, design and build of the vessel’ was overseen by a Project Board.

She blamed its members which included ‘stakeholders and senior council officers’.

By the time the vessel came into service the Conservatives had taken control of

the Council after the shock resignation of Jonathan Bacon, who had succeeded Ian Stephens as Leader.

The floating bridge has had problems since its maiden voyage on unlucky May 13, 2017, having been taken out of service the following day due to a power cut, with frequent interruptions to the service ever since.

Whoever is responsible, the costs of dealing with the problems have been eyewatering. The Council paid £149,000 to use the barge Seaclear to guide the bridge across the Medina during strong tides and more than £181,000 to provide the ‘Jenny’ boat launch service for foot passengers.

Councillor Love says the new floating bridge was meant to be ‘more efficient, greener and cost effective. It is none of these things’.

He claims that at a meeting of the East Cowes Town Council last week a discussion took place about the possibility of seeking a judicial review of the situation in partnership with other councils.

He went on to say: “This financial loss is a step far too great for Cllr Ward to escape unscathed. He has made too many promises, been questioned and challenged and counter challenged. We have received every kind of explanation but still no solutions. There are too many PR gaffs for him to remain in charge of transport and infrastructure. With some personal regret, I ask Cllr Ward to step

Shanklin braced to lose its loos again!

Shanklin Town Council were due to discuss the future of the Spa site toilets on Shanklin Esplanade last night (Thursday). The agenda says that the toilets are to close on October 31 and the Council will be asked to agree not to re-open them, to pass the responsibility of them back to the appropriate authority and to cease payment of all utilities from November 1.

Town Councillor Adrian Whittaker said in advance of the meeting that he believed strongly that closing the facilities would be detrimental to Shanklin’s tourism economy, which is already fragile enough, and that as far as he was aware no consultation had

been undertaken with local businesses. He said that he would put forward those points during the Town Council meeting and would make sure he represented the needs of those he represented.

Various toilets across the Island were transferred to parish and town councils due to budget pressures on the Isle of Wight Council who said they would otherwise be closed down, but transferring the costs onto the local precept has proved unpopular in a number of cases. Although local communities often feel strongly that they need to be kept open, it is not always accepted that the costs should fall on the local residents.

down from his governance of the transport and infrastructure cabinet portfolio.”

Cllr Stewart said: “People need to remember the vessel had been designed and built before this Administration was elected to the Council.

Since that date, guided by legal advice, we have worked diligently to resolve the challenges thrown at us by the floating bridge. Some say it would have been simpler to take it out of the water and send it back. Apart from the fact we could not do so, we would have had no service at all for many months, whilst a different bridge was designed and built, even if money had been available to fund it.”

He continued: “I could present lots of facts and figures and numbers supporting its use and reliability, and I have done so on many occasions at our scrutiny committee. We know it needs to be a regular and reliable

service and in the coming months we aim to show this to be the case. The costs associated with the operation of the bridge during the last two years have been a challenge, and remain the subject of legal process. They are a mixture of physical works to the boat, external advice and lower levels of income than might have been expected.

“Given that the Council is in a more robust financial position than it has been for many years, it seems reasonable that it should meet these costs until such time as the floating bridge is working as everyone had hoped it would do on the day it arrived in May 2017. Replacing the previous floating bridge to ensure future connectivity, particularly for the communities of Cowes and East Cowes has not been the journey many expected, but we are getting there.”

Shirley overcomes her shyness to fulfil her publishing dream A local author and illustrator has achieved her dream of becoming a children’s author by publishing her rhyming children’s books, thanks to book publisher, Beachy Books, Shirley Adams has created ‘The Hungry Fox’ and ‘Penny Feathers: A Little Penguin with Big Dreams’ for children aged three to seven years – and parents who love rhyme!

Shirley’s passion for rhyme and reading aloud came from her own children. She said: “I like books read aloud. When my children were small we all

used to tumble into a double bed and read. They used to bring their friends as well! I’d sit there and read something like 101 Dalmatians and I’d be the one sobbing!

“I started writing about 10 years ago. My daughter took my grandchild over to France, and I wanted her and my granddaughter to have something to remember me by so I started writing a story and I did the pictures to go with it.”

Quiet by nature, Shirley has overcome her shyness to perform to an audience over

the summer at various events including a very successful reading at the Freshwater Coffee House as part of the Freshwater Book Fair.

During her half-term and beyond book-reading tour, Shirley will be at the following Isle of Wight venues: Ryde Library: Saturday October 26 11am–noon.

Medina Books, Cowes: Wednesday October 30, 10am to 11am.

Lord Louis Library, Newport: Saturday November 9, 10.30am to 11.30am

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Six arrests in latest County Lines crackdown Six people were arrested, and 11 vulnerable people safeguarded on the Island during a police crackdown as part of a nationwide action on County Lines drug dealing.

County Lines is the term used to describe drug gangs from big cities expanding their operations to smaller towns, often using violence to drive out local dealers and exploiting children and vulnerable people to sell drugs, with orders being taken by phone.

Specialist officers carried out warrants at properties linked to drugs and preplanned operations disrupt and deter offenders which also led to £595 in cash being seized. As part of the week of action seven schools were visited, warning young people of the dangers of getting involved with County Lines activities and taxi firms and hotels were also contacted.

Text messages were sent to hundreds of suspected drug users, directing them to support agencies, the tactic also alerted dealers that the police knew what they were using the numbers for.

Temporary Superintendent Mark Lynch, tactical lead for drug-related harm, said: “We are committed to dismantling these networks and protect the young and vulnerable people who are exploited by criminals and are subject to violence, fear and intimidation.

“We will have been successful in disrupting the violent crime that is inherent in County Lines activity, with conflict between competing drugs supply networks and the associated violence used to control vulnerable youngsters and dealers. Our policing activity has intervened in dealers taking over properties of vulnerable people to deal drugs known as cuckooing.

“The public have the power to stop drug dealing networks causing misery in their communities by being the eyes and ears of our streets. You can speak to local police on 101 or call 999 in an emergency. If you’d rather stay anonymous you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Detective Superintendent Scott Mackechnie, who leads the response

to drug-related harm at Hampshire Constabulary, said: “Tackling County Lines and the misery it causes to our communities is an absolute priority and these results demonstrate the power of a coordinated response with our partner agencies to a complex problem that we’re seeing in every area of the UK. “Youngsters who suddenly have new and unaffordable belongings, go missing a lot, have friendships with older people or have unexplained injuries are all said to be possible victims.

“Supply networks are responsible for high levels of violence in addition to the exploitation and abuse of vulnerable adults and children. We all have a part to play in diverting children or vulnerable adults from getting involved in the first place.”

If you are a young person worried about being involved in County Lines, or knows someone who is, you can Childline on 0800 1111 – they are a private and confidential service where you can talk to counsellors about anything that is worrying you.

Warning not to burn driftwood

With summer at an end Woodsure, the not-for-profit organisation that certifies wood fuel, is warning people not to burn driftwood.

Although it may be tempting to collect driftwood as a free and convenient fuel source, there can be unintended consequences for the environment and people’s pockets.

The salt and the sand found in driftwood can cause costly damage to a woodburning stove. When heated salt can

become an acid, eating up flues and stoves. There is also no way of knowing what kind of wood it is or how it has been treated in the past.

It could contain chemicals, including carcinogens which will be released on burning, polluting the atmosphere and endangering those in the home. In addition while it can appear dry, driftwood can have a high moisture content meaning the burn quality can be poor with excessive smoke.

Island gritting fleet prepares for winter The Island’s winter maintenance gritting fleet will be out and about this weekend for the annual ‘autumn parade’.

During tomorrow (Sat), Island Roads’ team will be undertaking various activities to prepare the service for the cold weather ahead. This includes undertaking any required maintenance work to the fleet as well as drivers familiarising themselves with the new gritting routes and any changes in legislation or safety procedures.

Salt stocks have been replenished and around 1,600 tonnes is in store at Stag Lane. These reserves can be topped up during the winter in the unlikely event more gritting material is required. Last year a total of 494 tonnes was used on the network during 26 runs.

The gritting fleet comprises four frontline gritters along with back up and specialist vehicles. Please make sure you have checked the new gritting routes which can be viewed at www.islandroads.com.

25th October 2019

Mixed picture on crime rates BBC local democracy reporter Louise Hill Crime rates on the Isle of Wight have fallen overall, but stalking and harassment offences have increased dramatically.

Figures published by the Office for National Statistics reveal recorded crime rates on the Island dropped by five per cent between July, 2018, and June, 2019. There were 9,838 recorded crimes, compared with 10,369 the previous year.

Theft offences fell by 32 per cent, including a 19 per cent drop in burglaries, 20 per cent drop in vehicle thefts and a 16 per cent drop in shoplifting offences.

However, offences of stalking and harassment increased from 628 to 826, a rise of 32 per cent and there was an 18 per cent increase in possession of weapons offences. The number of sexual offences dropped slightly, from 462 to 452.

According to the figures, the Isle of Wight has a crime rate of 70 crimes per 1,000 people.

Superintendent Sarah Jackson, district commander for the Island, said: “The Isle of Wight is a safe place to live, work and visit and the reduction in reported crime supports this.

“The Community Safety Partnership Strategic Assessment, which is due to be published shortly, reflects the work across agencies and we will continue to prioritise our efforts to tackle any emerging trends in crime — particularly those which have the most impact on people’s lives and in order to protect our most vulnerable in the community.”

The birds are back in town but they do need our help for survival This time of year thousands of birds return to the Island, many of them from the Arctic regions.

Brent Geese are the ones that often get the most attention, but Sanderlings and Ringed Plovers have been seen at Ryde and elsewhere.

They arrive tired and hungry and the Island offers nutrientrich mudflats and beaches which are perfect landfalls where they can feed and rest. But their troubles are hardly over then, say Keep Newtown for the Birds (KNB) campaigners. First they have to find the food and catch it, all the time competing with other foragers, and then they need peace and quiet to enjoy it.

KNB spokesman James Allaway, said: "Since their mealtimes are mostly at low tide there is always the risk of interruptions, so we have to remember to keep our distance. Newtown is a case in point. The National Trust, which manages our only National Nature Reserve, has lately been encouraging more and more visitors - more than this wildlife sanctuary can sustain, and they don't stop coming once summer's gone.

"Major disturbance areas at Newtown are Cassies Bridge, Shalfleet Quay, Clammerkin Channel and Western Haven. All these are used by wintering wildfowl to feed and to roost at high tide - which is just when paddleboards and kayaks come out to play.

“Fortunately many of them tend to stay at home when it's cold and windy - but it would be good if the NT didn't allow them on the water at all during the winter months.”

25th October 2019

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Angry residents’ sign petition to retain their GP surgery in Brading A petition organised by the Brading Residents Association, calling for a GP and pharmacy service to be retained in Brading, attracted more than 360 signatures in days. The petition followed the news that the Beechgrove surgeries in Brading and Lake are due to be closed at the end of March next year, leaving 4,500 registered patients wondering where they will be able to access a GP. The petition has been spearheaded by resident Sue Birch and has been tirelessly supported by local mother and Irish dancing teacher Roisin Mullins (pictured), who has a 23-month-old baby, Ronan.

Roisin has personally collected 300 of the signatures and said: “There is a lot of strong feeling here in Brading about losing our GP surgery, and being farmed out to other overcrowded practices. People are deeply concerned about the inconvenience and cost of public transport, the lack of parking and patient overcrowding. It is essential that the Clinical Commissioning

Group (CCG) take note of the views being expressed by patients at Beechgrove and beyond.”

Beechgrove patients were given a deadline of Wednesday, October 23 to respond to a patient survey and express their views, despite not receiving a letter from the practice until Wednesday October 9, or even later. Many patients say they were not advised of the date of the October 4 patient meeting.

Final decisions will be made by the CCG in mid November. Roisin added “Our message is simple, Brading needs a GP and a pharmacy. As a working mother with a baby boy born with Sepsis, which we both contracted, I am concerned that we are losing our local GP's, and that the CCG are not replacing them”.

At a patient meeting, which attracted hundreds of people, it was announced by the CCG and NHS that the Island had recently recruited nine much-needed GPs, however none of them is set to be

placed in Brading or Lake. The CCG also confirmed that patient overcrowding will be solved by adding health care professionals, not necessarily by adding GPs. Anyone interested in signing the Brading GP and pharmacy petition, can find it in various locations in Brading, or contact Brading Residents Association at www. bragiow.co.uk.

Dragon Tree third in Charter House is now house best Tree the Year Brighstone’s beautiful Dragon Tree has won third place in the Woodland Trust’s English Tree of the Year. The person who nominated the ancient oak tree will receive £500 to be spent in the interests of the tree, on anything that benefits its health, or improves knowledge about the tree.

Previous winners of the grant have put signage in place to tell of the tree’s history, paid for measures to protect the tree or even thrown a community party to celebrate. The person who nominated the tree declined to be named.

John Cirrone, Chairman of Brighstone Parish Council, welcomed the news but wished the tree had won first place. He said: “The Dragon Tree is much loved by locals and many people go there to appreciate it and it’s beautiful surroundings. Children also love playing there and my wife often takes my grandson down.”

Adam Cormach of the Woodland Trust said: “Taking third place

of Nomad!

in a national competition for the nation’s favourite tree is a real achievement. The Dragon Tree is a very special tree and people of the Isle of Wight, and indeed anyone else that voted for the tree, can rightfully be proud they’ve helped to put one of the nation’s best trees on the map.”

The overall winner was the Allerton Oak in Liverpool, with Colchester’s Castle Sycamore placed second.

The historic Charter House, in St Thomas’ Square in Newport, is to re-open as a new high-quality tapas bar and restaurant with six ‘breathtaking’ hotel rooms above.

House of Nomad will take over the Grade II listed building with bookings being taken from November 8. On their Facebook page they set out their concept saying: “This stunning building is nothing short of perfection. Guests can have an ultra-luxe experience, feasting on the majestic ‘Shut up and Feed me’ Chef’s tasting menu. A short conversation with your hostess to gain dietary requirements and preferences, then let our chefs send you on a culinary journey, out of your comfort zone, but always with you in mind.

“We take the decision making away and the element of surprise ensures an exciting experience. We will have a bar menu for the control freaks.”

They promise innovative cocktails and regional and house specialities, Barista coffee, a ‘vast’ wine list to cater for all budgets and a range of alcohol-free drinks giving a perfect setting for a dinner date, business lunch or leisurely smallplate grazing.

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40 years of Grandma Gilbey celebrated at NHS tea party Young patients and staff at the Island's NHS Trust celebrated National Play in Hospital Week which ran in October.

Spiderman, Pudsey Bear, a magician and face painter all attended a children’s ward Tea Party to celebrate their new recently refurbished play room and to also celebrate the 40 years of dedication from ‘Grandma Gilbey’.

Mrs Martha Gilbey is a much-loved and valued contributor to play on the children's ward, bringing art and craft materials and toys, as well as emergency clothes for patients in need. In recognition and appreciation of all that she does she was made Children's Ward's Honorary Grandma several years ago and this year she celebrates an amazing 40 years of supporting children's wards, initially on the mainland but mostly here at St. Mary's Hospital.

Play Specialist Dionne Davies said: “I don't know what we would do without Grandma Gilbey! She seems to have a sixth sense and knows when we are running out of something! Hama beads and play dough are top of her list - and the children's too! It's like Christmas morning when she arrives on the ward with her big sacks of goodies for the children!”

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25th October 2019

Island MP slammed by Critchley over ‘more funding for Island’ Labour Parliamentary hopeful Julian Critchley has slammed Island MP Bob Seely, who spoke in the debate on the Queen’s Speech. Mr. Seely asked for more funding for the Island, despite voting in February 2018 and again in February this year for massive cuts in funding to local councils.

The Queen’s Speech allows MPs to raise any issue they wish, but votes are only taken on Government or opposition proposals following the State Opening of Parliament. Mr Seely welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment to look at an Island settlement saying: “I therefore hope that this is a discussion on content and not principle.”

However, Mr Critchley said Mr Seely’s votes in 2018 to cut core funding by 28 per cent and this year to cut it again

by 56 per cent, from almost £5 billion to less than £2.3 billion, amounted to hypocrisy. He said: “This is getting beyond a joke. Here on the Island, Mr Seely releases numerous press notices claiming he is seeking more money for the island. Yet it is a matter of public record that he has loyally voted for every Tory cut to local authority budgets.”

Last week the Isle of Wight Council announced the need for a further £4.5 million of savings next year on top of £80 million over the past eight years, with possible council tax rises next year of four per cent.

Councillor Stuart Hutchinson, Deputy Leader of the Isle of Wight Council and Cabinet Member for Resources, said the reduction in the Revenue Support Grant was one of the reasons for the need for

savings, but that it was a complex picture as 'Local Government finance is one of the most Byzantine arrangements'.

He agreed that Mr Seely supported the Government line in general on funding, but added: “He has been assiduous in presenting the Council’s case for proper funding because of the Island disconnect effect."

Mr Critchley added: “There is such a gulf between Mr Seely’s warm words for Island ears, and his actions at Westminster, that I can only assume he’s taking his lead from Boris Johnson in his approach to consistency and truth.”

Mr Seely's office was contacted for a comment several times during the week but at the time of going to press we had not received a response.

Lord Lieutenant opens new study centre The Island's Lord Lieutenant Susie Sheldon has opened a new study centre at Island Riding School. The riding school has paired up with HTP Apprenticeship College to offer a fulltime Level 1 Diploma in Riding and Horse Care.

Tories divided over plans to reopen Undercliff Drive

Car fails to stop for police in Ryde Police are investigating after a ‘fail to stop’ incident in the Ryde area on October 22.

Hampshire Constabulary is appealing for help in identifying the driver of a silver Ford Focus, with the registration ending AKO. The car was seen along East Hill Road and Marlborough Road at around 10.30am.

Officers say it failed to stop and continued along Brading Road and Beaper Shute.

If you have any information call police on 101, quoting crime reference number 44190378247.

The results of a survey carried out in the summer have been announced with almost 58 per cent of the 771 people who took part saying they were in favour of reopening Undercliff Drive, including 621 Island residents.

Undercliff Drive has been closed since 2014 due to landslips and the unstable nature of the road. Ventnor Town Council voted against reopening the road due to the absence of a risk assessment and the likelihood of further landslips.

Council leader Cllr Dave Stewart said: “We fully appreciate some local residents do have legitimate concerns of which we will be mindful. My view is it cannot be beyond our engineering capability to find a way to remedy a landslip of less than 100 metres.

“We have houses and businesses spread along the length of the Undercliff but the economic damage of the closure has spread well beyond these areas with businesses as far away as the West Wight also noticing a drop in trade and tourism following the closure.”

However fellow Tory Gary Peace (pictured) , who represents Ventnor West, was dismissive of the survey and the way it had been carried out which he described as ‘amateur’. He said the estimated cost of between £1 million and £2 million would be wasted on a ‘temporary repair’ to one ‘of the most unstable pieces of land in Western Europe’, at a time when the Council has just slashed tens of millions of pounds from its budget, and recently announced that further savings of £4.5 million will have to be made next year. He pointed to cuts in adult social care, the fire service, mental health services, education, regeneration and others.

He also criticised a report by Bournemouth University used to justify the ‘profligate expenditure’ saying: “It is not worth the paper it’s written on. The questions were leading, the survey was targeted at an unrepresentative sample of people.

Not all residents were questioned, not all businesses were questioned. And, importantly, no equivalent comparisons could be made about damage to trade or loss of business because no previous surveys had ever been done. You cannot say that there had been a loss of trade when you don’t know what the previous trade figures were.”

25th October 2019

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News in brief £150 raised for Hospice Dave Cannon from Solent City Sound raised £150 for Mountbatten, through a Charity reunion evening on October 19 at the Breeze, Island Harbour.

Black History Month

Pictured: Rob McLaren (left) and Tony Moore

Freshwater Lifeboat volunteers honoured for their sterling work Freshwater Independent Lifeboat was invited to attend the UK Honours ceremony hosted by the Royal Life Saving Society UK at the breathtaking Worcester Cathedral. The ceremony recognises the thousands of UK volunteers for their outstanding contribution to keep people safe around the coastlines, and in the water.

The lifeboat was established in 1972, with a number of the original crew still serving and on call 24/7. Being one of the longest established lifeboat stations on the Isle of Wight, the RLSS UK agreed that the volunteer crews dedication to saving lives needed to be recognised.

At the prestigious event, FILB was represented by Rob McLaren (Chairman), Tony Moore (Senior Coxswain) and Kai Hall (D-Class Helm). Rob said: “The award ceremony exceeded our expectations. It was quite humbling to be surrounded by so many selfless people with so many stories to tell, none of which are paid and are all volunteers.

We had 14 nominations for various levels of service across our crews, and with a combined service of over 200 years, this event was very special to us.”

Recognition of Service 40 years: Martin Gould, Dave Kempster, and Paddy Longmore; Service Medal 12 years: Tony Moore, Sandra Theale, Ray Scott, Rob McLaren, and Pearl Morley; Certificate of Thanks four years: Kai

The Isle of Wight NHS celebrated October’s Black History Month with reggae music by Lee Lee Reid in the Full Circle Restaurant accompanied

by Carribean food. The NHS Trust employs people from 51 different nations.

Hovercraft problems Crossings were cancelled this Monday and Hovertravel services then suspended on Tuesday due to technical issues with both of their hovercraft.

The only service that ran on Tuesday was the 10.30pm late charter.

Both craft were back to work on Wednesday.

Ventnor goat round-up

Pictured: Kai Hall Hall, Ronan McCann, Tom Stafford, Andy Dye, Tim Lee, and Sean Galloway.

The awards were presented by Robert Gofton (RLSS UK CEO) and Ian Hutchins (RLSS UK President). Pictures: Matt Pereira.

Tickled Pink in PJs at Asda

Ventnor’s annual goat round-up took place on Ventnor Down. The National Trust reported that over 100 hardy volunteers suceeded in rounding up ‘48 rather smelly goats, including 14 kids, for their heath inspection.

Become a CyberFirst Girl!

Island MP Bob Seely is encouraging girls aged 12-13 interested in a career in cyber security to enter a competition, CyberFirst Girls. The competition is free to enter and details can be found at www.ncsc.gov. uk/section/cyberfirst/ girls-competition.

Staplers night closure Asda shoppers thought they were seeing things when many staff wore their pyjamas to work. All departments across the store had people working in their pyjamas or 'onesies' for the Tickled Pink campaign, raising money and awareness for breast cancer.

Staplers Road in Newport will be closed overnight tonight (Oct 25), Saturday and Sunday for resurfacing works to be carried out. The stretch of road between Cross Lane and Mayfield Drive will be closed between 6pm and 6am each night.

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25th October 2019

Ribbon-cutting celebrates success of gym project

The extended, refurbished gym at West Wight Sports and Community Centre (WWSCC), Freshwater, has been opened. The Isle of Wight’s Lord Lieutenant, Susie Sheldon, who is a patron of the centre, cut

the ribbon with help from WWSCC member Matthew Davis, who raised £1,000 towards the Extend Our Gym project.

The opening was attended by invited guests, including Graham

Biss, representing the IW Rural Fund, which gave a £50,000 grant, supported by Natural Enterprise, the Solent LEP, and the Government’s Local Growth Fund.

The improvement of the gym

cost £150,000, of which more than £50,000 was raised by WWSCC members and supporters.

Gill Kennett, chair of WWSCC trustees, told the gathering the gym improvements meant the

centre could offer broader fitness programmes to more people.

Shannon Kilcullin, gym manager, described new classes and courses, which incudes weights for women.

Cowes Men's Shed find new members The Cowes Men's Shed have held a recruitment event, attended by Deputy Lieutenant Nick Oulton and Cowes Mayor, Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox. A hog-roast was held, and a number of new people signed taking the number of members into the 70s.

Everyone aged 18 or over is welcome to join the Shed, a Community Project by Storeroom 2010, a furniture re-use charity and supported by the National Lottery Community Fund.

The Shed is at 25-26 Somerton Industrial Park and is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm with free parking on the estate.

Facilities at the Shed include a well equipped carpentry workshop, hobby/break room and horticultural areas, some with polytunnels.

The Cowes Men's Shed also has a project leader who is on hand at all times to help members, or simply sit and have a chat and a cuppa with them.

Island nurse attends WellChild awards and meets up with Harry and Megan

Nick Oulton meets Shed project leader Adam

WellChild Nurse Paula Brooke had the privilege of not only attending the ‘Well Child Awards’ ceremony, but was also placed on The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Megan Markle’s table.

The WellChild Awards, attended by a host of celebrities and dedicated doctors, nurses, volunteers and families, recognises and celebrates the inspirational qualities of the UK’s seriously ill children and young people, along with those who go that extra mile to make a difference to their lives.

WellChild Nurses like Paula provide essential care and practical support to children and young people with exceptional health needs and their families. They play a crucial role in offering specialist support, enabling children to have the very best quality of life by leaving hospital to be cared for at home. They also help reduce the practical, emotional and financial impact for families.

Paula said: “It was such a special evening and truly inspirational. I have met many wonderful and brave children and their families in my role. Children previously did spend many months in hospital but the support I am able to provide in terms of teaching carers, liaising with professionals, and organising respite, care packages and nursing care has reduced length of stay and prevented readmissions in children with complex care needs giving them the chance to thrive and be properly supported at home with their families.”

With hundreds of nominations, the difficult job of choosing winners in the WellChild Award categories is given to an independent panel of judges of leading health professionals and others with an interest in children’s health and includes children and young people who face serious illness themselves.

25th October 2019

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Plaudits for hi-tech Shanklin company Island artificial intelligence company Innovative Physics Limited (IPL) has scooped another coveted engineering industry award.

The Shanklin-based company has been named Small Company of the Year at the British Engineering Excellence Awards (BEEAs) held in London.

Established in 2009 as a means to demonstrate the high calibre of engineering design and innovation in the UK, the annual awards recognise high quality engineering design in companies of all sizes.

The awards recognised IPL’s development of a groundbreaking product, the hotspot locator, an adaptable hand-held device that enables the user to quickly detect, identify and grade radioactivity.

Developed using expertise gained in the aftermath of the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters, the product is in use in nuclear decontamination and cleanup projects around the world.

In awarding Innovative Physics Ltd the Small Company of the Year Award, judges said they recognised IPL’s sound business plan and the development of a product that met the market’s needs and enabled the company to compete successfully with much larger organisations.

Also mentioned during the ceremony was innovation made in the wold of animatronic dinosaurs with the displays at Blackgang Chine held up as an example.

Victoria Anderson-Matthew, Business Development Officer at IPL (pictured), said: “We were absolutely delighted to see our innovation and success once again acknowledged with another industry award.

“And with the mentions of Blackgang Chine during the ceremony it really does seem that work on the Isle of Wight is gaining

Support group for sufferers A support group has been set up on Facebook for those suffering with endometriosis.

Georgia Day, who believes she has the condition, has established the online group for Isle of Wight based sufferers.

To join the group on Facebook, search: Endometriosis support IOW.

Whale body on beach The decomposing body of a pilot whale was found at Shepherd’s Chine by walkers and pictures of it were posted on the Isle of Wight Nature Group Facebook page. It was surrounded by plastic bottles.

Car fire near Yarmouth The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service tackled a car fire on the outskirts of Yarmouth last Sunday morning. Two breathing apparatus wearers extinguished the Toyota Rav4 car. One adult male attended hospital following burns to his hand.

national attention and that the Island itself is being seen as a great centre of engineering excellence.”

Innovative Physics has also been shortlisted for the Most Innovative Business Idea (tech) at the forthcoming British Business Awards 2019 to be held in London on October 30.

Better Care Fund extended BBC local democracy reporter Louise Hill Health services on the Island are set to receive nearly £59 million, as the Better Care Fund is renewed for another year.

Approved at a meeting of the Isle of Wight Health and Wellbeing Board, the Better Care fund will now run into 2020, after it was initially supposed to end this year. Jointly funded by the Isle of Wight’s NHS Care Commissioning Group (CCG) and the Isle of Wight Council, the money will provide an integrated care partnership, allowing for provisions such as assistive technology to be continued.

Called one of the most ‘ambitious programmes ever introduced across the NHS and local Government’, £6.4 billion nationally will be put forward in the Better Care Fund by local authorities and CCGs to help adult social care services.

Nearly £59 million will be pooled together,

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£38,035,448 from the CCG and £20,952,051 by the Council, from the Disabled Facilities and Winter Pressures Grant to fund residential placements (£7,019,444), communitybased programmes (£16,097,856) and carers services (£383,156) among others.

Dr Carol Tozer, Director of Adult Social Care at the council, said it is not spending money it did not have, reassuring the board that previous problems, that meant it wasn’t able to sign off on finances for 2016/17, ‘was not somewhere we need to go back on’.

She said: “We have worked on this together.

It sets out what we are seeking to do under the Island Health Care Plan. The Better Care Fund is there to do fundamentally one thing, encourage and enable integration across health and social care, most particularly for the most vulnerable people within our local authority area.”

Hand grenade found Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team were called out last Sunday morning after reports of a hand grenade found on Yaverland Beach. The navy bomb disposal team destroyed the device, a WW2 Mills Grenade.

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25th October 2019

Some of the team involved in getting the footpath reopened

Coastal footpath at Niton is re-opened One of the Isle of Wight’s network of coastal footpaths has been formally re-opened at Castlehaven in Niton.

The restoration of the Village Green and the NT46 footpath are the result of many years’ work between the Isle of Wight Council’s Rights of Way team and Niton and Whitwell Parish Council with assistance from Gift to Nature and the Niton Harbour Club.

Graham Biss, Managing Director of Natural Enterprise, said: “Castlehaven Village Green is the newest site in our

Gift to Nature portfolio and has some of the most stunning views. We realise how important it is to local people and visitors and have enjoyed working with Niton and Whitwell Parish Council to enhance its appearance”.

Former parish councillor Jon Young said: "It's taken a great deal of effort over many years to achieve this result.

In my seven years on the Council, NT46 was rarely off the agenda. We stuck with it, as did our Isle of Wight Council friends, and I'm delighted that

this right of way is at last available for everyone to enjoy.”

The recent works are part of the first phase of the restoration of the Village Green, which the Parish Council sees as a long-term project. Working in partnership with Gift to Nature and alongside the Niton Harbour Club, it aims to create a safe and functional public space that provides a natural habitat which is sympathetic to its environment.

Island towns added to Risk Register BBC local democracy reporter Louise Hill

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Ryde and Sandown have been added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, bringing the total number of ‘at risk’ Isle of Wight sites to 30.

Other sites on the register include Northwood House, Norris Castle and Newport Minster, which are at risk due to factors such as neglect, decay over time or inappropriate development.

Historic England said other towns, including Brading, Cowes and Newport, were in poor condition.

Emily Gee, Historic England’s regional director for London and the south east,

said: “Our heritage needs to be saved and investing in heritage pays. It helps transform the places where we live and work and in which we visit, creating successful and distinctive places for us and for future generations to enjoy. But there’s more work to do.

“There are buildings still on the Heritage at Risk Register, such as the Bouldnor Battery, that can be rescued and brought back to beneficial use.

These are the homes, shops, offices and cultural places of the future.

“Historic England’s experience shows

that with the right partners, imaginative thinking and robust business planning, we can be confident in finding creative solutions for these complex sites.”

Robert Lloyd-Sweet, Historic Places Adviser at Historic England said: “Whether it’s our high streets, seafront promenades or the remains of our coastal defences, the register highlights those parts of our island heritage that most need our care to be conserved, enjoyed and handed onto future generations.”

25th October 2019

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Big increase in allowances and expenses for IW Councillors Isle of Wight councillors received £474,488 in allowances and expenses last year, an increase of more than £13,000 compared with the previous year.

According to the 2018/19 figures, which have just been published, councillors received £314,160 in basic allowances, £130,725 in special responsibility allowances, awarded to councillors who hold senior roles, such as cabinet members and committee chairs, and £28,880 in expenses.

Councillors will also receive a two per cent pay rise this year. In 2018/19, they were entitled to a basic allowance of £7,854. From April 1 this year, that has risen to £8,011. The special responsibility allowance has also risen from £7,854 to £8,011.

All councillors are entitled to claim expenses for travel and subsistence.

Childcare expenses are also available, but no councillors claimed them last year.

Council leader Cllr Dave Stewart received the biggest payout last year, £1,000 more than the previous year. He received £26,406, which included his basic allowance, a £15,708

special responsibility allowance as council leader and travel expenses of almost £3,000.

Deputy leader Cllr Stuart Hutchinson received £18,835, and 11 councillors received more than £15,000, including cabinet members Cllrs Clare Mosdell and Ian Ward, who received more than £17,500 each.

Cllr Mosdell also claimed more than £400 for hotel accommodation, one of only three councillors to do so. Cllr Stewart and cabinet member Cllr Paul Brading also claimed £73 and £98 for hotel accommodation, respectively.

Cllr Vanessa Churchman, the ward member for Havenstreet, Ashey and Haylands, claimed £1,681 in travel expenses, the fourth largest amount, even though she does not hold a senior role. She attributed her expenses to attending events on behalf on Cllr Ward when he was unwell.

In 2016, when the Island Independents were in charge at County Hall, councillors agreed to take a pay cut. Since then, allowances have risen steadily.

Red Funnel seek charity nominations for 2020 Nominations to become Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year 2020 are now open. Charities from the Isle of Wight and Hampshire can apply for the chance to be crowned the ferry operator’s charity partner for the forthcoming year.

Red Funnel supports over 30 charities, but each year it focusses its fundraising initiatives on one charity, providing essential funds for the charity’s cause. Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, said: “Next year marks the sixth year we have offered the Charity of the Year scheme and in that time, we have raised over £200,000

and worked with some superb charities. I encourage charities from across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight region to apply for a chance to be considered and this year, we’re keen to hear how charities plan to use the funds that Red Funnel raises.”

To meet the criteria for Red Funnel’s 2020 Charity of the Year, organisations need to be a registered charity in operation for at least 12 months and work in support of the local community. The winning organisation must also share Red Funnel’s commitment to its long-term environmental

strategy ‘Red Funnel Goes Green’ by operating in an environmentally sustainable and sympathetic manner Charities can apply online at redfunnel.co.uk/ coty2020. The closing date for entries is November 10, and applicants should explain why their charity should be selected for Red Funnel’s Charity of the Year and how they can support Red Funnel’s fundraising efforts throughout the year. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a company presentation to staff in December 2019 with the winner announced in January.

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25th October 2019

Islanders have their say on Brexit shambles...

Just days before the UK was supposed to leave the EU on October 31, the IW Observer took to the streets of Newport to find out the views of Island residents on Brexit and how

it has been handled.

Overwhelmingly the feedback was that the reputation of MPs and Parliament has suffered as Brexiteers and Remainers have

fought over the outcome of the referendum on our membership of the EU, which took place on June 23, 2016. These are some of the views of Island residents:

What others say about Brexit...

Lucy Evans: “The older generation made the choice to leave yet it won’t be them it affects; it is all a complete mess.”

David Brigden: “It will only affect me travelling to Europe; it seems to me they are trying to force the situation back to the people to change their minds.”

A local NHS doctor: “Parliament has behaved appallingly; lots of stupidity in terms of party politics and not helping the country in any way. It will affect me being a doctor as it will affect us getting the medication.”

Terry Marjeram: “Europe’s imploding, isn’t it? It’s collapsing, to me they are all pathetic. These are all intelligent people, but what they have done for the last three months is a shambles.”

Ian Richardson: “It’s an absolute disgrace; they are all liars; it’s a disgrace, common or garden liars. It’s good for Britain long term, I’m from Ireland and I hope the Irish Republic leave as well.”

Joe Nelson: “It’s embarrassing; I don’t even know where to start, they are all like children even with such good education.”

Ken Walters: “We’ve got a crazy Government; we’ve got a crazy PM. It will affect youngsters but it won’t affect us. The EU won’t pay us back anything.”

Len Auld: “A bunch of five year olds would have handled it better. My view, and I’m not a politician, is the Labour Party aren’t doing themselves any favours. I’ve been a Labour man all my life and I’ll never vote for them again.”

Islanders join march for a final say on Brexit

Anita Morris: “It’s all very sad, as it’s from people of an intelligent level; I feel as if a lot of college children would have a better approach.”

Anne Hyde: “Everyone’s up against poor old Boris; I am furious with Labour; we voted out so now we must go.”

Sarah James: “Their behaviour hasn’t really been acceptable, has it? I unfortunately voted to leave but I regret it now.”

More than 50 Islanders travelled by coach to join the London march in support of a further referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU. They joined a crowd described as ‘hundreds of thousands’ by the BBC and other media organisations, with the organisers claiming a million people marched through the capital demanding a final say on Brexit.

The march finished in Parliament Square where they were addressed by MPs from across the political spectrum. The group posted pictures on their Islanders for Europe Facebook page, describing it as an ‘Incredible day!’

Island needs a Brexit coalition claims candidate Wiltshire Peter Wiltshire, who will be the Island Brexit Party candidate in any forthcoming election, has said he will build a Brexit coalition for democracy amidst the Westminster chaos. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said MPs had 'willed the end but not the means' as they voted to support his deal, but rejected a timetable that would have seen Brexit delivered on October 31.

Mr Wiltshire said: “I understand that some issues need a relatively left-wing stance, and some a right of centre approach. I also believe that a sensible Green agenda is crucial for any Government. I will represent people who feel they have lost their political home through all these Brexit Shenanigans.

“I will stand on a platform of a Clean Break Brexit first, or support a position as far from EU control as possible, if Parliament has already passed a form of Brexit or legislates for a second referendum.”

Commenting on the current MP for the Island, Peter added: “The worry is that Bob Seely, our ineffective MP, slavishly follows everything that he’s told to do by the party whips and Boris, his second choice as leader, would be able to go in any direction he chooses to unite his party.

“On local issues I will listen and take notice of the wishes of Islanders.

I’ve lost count of the number of Conservatives who tell me they are fed up with him and his jaunts across the

world on his foreign affairs agenda, instead of being here working for the Island.

“The heart of my message is clear.

Many in Parliament have derided the little people who voted them into power. They have ignored and belittled the referendum in 2016. That must be challenged.

“Bob Seely has been slavish to his party, voting three times for Theresa May’s hated deal and ineffective as a representative, so for the Island it is time for a Brexit Party coalition for democracy. It’s time for this message to get through to the weak, wandering minds of Westminster”.

Peter Wiltshire

25th October 2019

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Number of adult social care complaints on decrease BBC local democracy reporter Louise Hill Complaints about adult social care services on the Isle of Wight have fallen compared with last year, but one Councillor has criticised the complaints process.

A report published by the Isle of Wight Council revealed the number of complaints has decreased by four, 73 new complaints were made between April 1, 2018, and March 31, 2019.

Including cases carried over from the previous year, 77 complaints were dealt with last year by the dedicated complaints officer for adult social care. The Council resolved 35 complaints in an early resolution period, before a formal process was required.

A total of 18 complaints were not upheld by the Council, including a failure to complete social care assessments and the provision of advice and information.

Upheld complaints included failures in communication relating to arranging care and supporting hospital discharge, as well as failing to deliver expected standards of care.

Speaking about the report at a meeting of the health and social care policy and

scrutiny committee, director of adult social care Dr Carol Tozer said the figures were below national average in cases where the Government ombudsman found the Council at fault.

She said: “We need to take complaints seriously and learn from them but we also need to note the compliments, our frontline colleagues and workers get things right.

“I commend the work done by our complaints officer.”

However, committee member Cllr Michael Lilley suggested having a separate complaints team was confusing to people when they most needed help. He said: “People are often coming into the service from all different paths and it is difficult to know who directly to make their complaints to. The complaints go to the wrong people and, when they are sent back, they are not followed up because the families say they are just too tired. Is there a need for an integrated complaints system, so that you can learn together and a pathway can be followed with joined up thinking? There is a duty of care there.”

Several schools pick up Anti-Bullying Awards

Island businesses pick up coveted Rose Awards Five Isle of Wight businesses have received a Visit England’s Rose Award for going above and beyond in their customer service.

Grange Bank House, Shanklin; Studio Annexe, Seaview; The ArtDeco House, Shanklin; The Hambledon Hotel, Shanklin and Tom’s Eco Lodge, Yarmouth, picked up the covered accolade at a ceremony in Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf and Spa, Bedfordshire, following a nomination by the Visit England’s quality scheme assessors.

The awards showcase England’s variety of high quality accommodation where owners and employees go the extra mile to make their customers’ visits extra special and cover all types of accommodation from hostels to hotels, self-catering to parks and campsites and from glamping sites to Bed & Breakfast and guest houses, irrespective of star rating.

Tom’s Eco Lodger is at Tapnell Farm, and Chloe Baker, Accommodation Manager at

Tapnell Farm said: “Absolutely delighted to receive this Award and recognition for Tom’s Eco Lodge. We have a wonderful team whose sole purpose is to ensure that our visitors receive only the best experience and are happy to ‘go the extra mile’ to ensure this.”

Will Myles, MD at Visit Isle of Wight said: “Isn’t it great that the Visit England Rose Awards have been awarded to five Island businesses, a few more than last year. It continues to show that we’ve got great customer service, great people on the Island and a great tourism product for people to come and enjoy.”

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes added: “England has an outstanding range of accommodation options, from an eco-lodge on the Isle of Wight to bustling metropolitan hotels; there really is something for everyone.”

Auction of Island postal history A collection of the postal history of the Isle of Wight, including unique maritime and royal memorabilia, is to be auctioned at the Grosvenor Auction Rooms in the Strand in London on Tuesday (Oct 29) along with collections of the postal history of Cornwall and Queen Elizabeth II stamps.

The Isle of Wight collection is the work of former President of the Isle of Wight Philatelic Society, John Minns of Cowes who died earlier this year. See the catalogue with full descriptions of the items and many illustrations at grosvenorauctions. com/grosvenor/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/GPA-131complete.pdf

More foster parents needed The Isle of Wight Council is seeking more foster carers, to ensure children can stay in their local area. Debbie Price, the Island Council’s new service manager for children in care said: “The best foster carers are the ones that are enthusiastic, caring and fun. They need to build relationships with children who don’t easily trust adults.

People interested in fostering should call (01983) 823160.

Red Funnel’s Anti-Bullying Awards have been presented, with several Island schools being celebrated. For School Initiative, Christ the King College and Newchurch Primary School picked up awards, while Ryde Academy and Ryde School with Upper Chine were recognised

for Pupil Initiative. Staff Initiative awards went to Broadlea Primary School and Christ the King College.

Held as part of the annual Isle of Wight Safeguarding Children Partnership Conference, which welcomed more than 200 attendees, it is the first year the Awards

have been presented as part of the event.

The Awards, hosted by Local Safeguarding Children Partnership, were primarily focused on the work that schools and school children are doing, to encourage and celebrate their work to tackle bullying.

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Tempers flare at St Mary’s roundabout public meeting

Sam Smith sups a pint at the Spyglass Ventnor Superstar Sam Smith stopped for a pint in the Spyglass Inn in Ventnor on Tuesday. He posted a picture of himself enjoying the sunshine to his 13.7 million Instagram followers. The 27-year-old English singer and performer has found international fame with seven UK No1 hits including Promises (performed with Calvin Harris), Writings on the Wall and Too Good at Goodbyes.

Weekly Papers

BBC local democracy reporter Louise Hill Angry residents confronted the Isle of Wight Council leader at a public meeting to discuss the St Mary’s Roundabout works. Around 40 people attended the meeting, hosted by the Council at Medina Theatre, which included a presentation on the project followed by a question and answer session.

Council leader Cllr Dave Stewart had previously advised people to ‘add 15 minutes’ to their journey time. In response to people complaining about delays, he described the roadworks as ‘managed disruption.’

Kevin Burton, Island Roads’ network manager, said: “We cannot possibly build and design a scheme like this without causing disruption.”

Residents directed questions at the panel, which included transport cabinet member Cllr Ian Ward, about a lack of pedestrian routes, school fines for lateness, and a potential criminal record, for parents stuck in traffic and a lack of public consultation.

One resident said she was ‘insulted’ the Council had not communicated with more people prior to the work starting.

In an exchange between the pair, Cllr Stewart said he could not change the past. He said he had attended the meeting to respond to questions, but told the woman she was not obliged to stay and listen to the answers.

Colin Rowland, the Council’s director of neighbourhoods, reiterated the £6.5 million project was part of a wider £9.6 million scheme to improve the traffic flow through Newport.

He said: “As every Islander knows, all roads lead to Newport.

There is no silver bullet for Coppins Bridge. There isn’t really a design to fix it unless you spend millions of pounds. This work will be to get people away from Coppins Bridge and improve the overall experience of getting to Newport.”

Cllr Matthew Price, ward councillor for Newport North and a vocal critic of the scheme, said the ‘elephant in the room’ had been overlooked once again, arguing most of the town’s traffic problems could be fixed if Coppins Bridge was remodelled.

He said: “From the start, I have been against this scheme.

There is no cure for it unless you switch the lights off at Coppins Bridge but keep the pedestrian crossings on. People know how to drive; it would work.”

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Stewart responded to complaints the Council had failed to communicate with Islanders about the project. He said: “The communication plan that was set out to deal with all of this, be it social media, a letter, or the website, was more than has been done on a lot of things. I don’t think we have got it wrong; I have nothing to hide. We made a decision to do something; not everyone is going to agree. We are engaging with our community and getting some feedback because, at the end of the day, we work for the community.”

The St Mary’s scheme, to rip up the roundabout and replace it with traffic light-controlled junctions, started at the end of September. The project is expected to take 15 months to complete.

Donation to Boat Museum Island-based charity, Medina Mariners Association has donated £500 to the Classic Boat Museum. The money will help to display an important collection of some 4,000 picture-postcards of ships and small craft.

At a ceremony at the Classic Boat Museum Gallery, MMA secretary Mary Phillips, with committee members Colin Gilbert and Philippe Wines, handed the cheque to Mark McNeil, chairman of the Classic Boat Museum Trust.

25th October 2019

Flu jab shortage as Boots running out of vital vaccine!

BBC local democracy reporter Louise Hill Pharmacists Boots ran out of the flu jab last week, with one staff member blaming it on Brexit shortages.

An Isle of Wight resident, who booked his flu jab more than four weeks ago at Boots, Newport, arrived for his appointment, only to be told he could not have it as he was not a priority case.

Although everyone has been encouraged to have a flu jab, some groups of people are prioritised, and entitled

to a free jab, as they are more at risk, including pregnant women, people over the age of 65 and people with certain medical conditions.

When the man, who asked not to be named, asked staff why he could not have his flu jab, he was told the pharmacy had run out due to Brexit shortages. He was advised to come back the next day, when more vaccinations might be available.

A Boots UK spokesperson

said: “We’re very sorry for the inconvenience this must have caused and would like to reassure you we are very shortly receiving more vaccines into our warehouses so we can continue to support customers.

“Our stores are getting stock of the vaccine on a daily basis. However, in cases where stock of the vaccine is temporarily running low in store due to higher than anticipated levels of local

demand, we will prioritise offering the vaccine to our more vulnerable patients such as those over 65s or pregnant.

“We always advise customers to book an appointment in advance through our website at Boots. com/flu for a vaccination in one of our 2,000 pharmacies.

The availability of this service is dependent on the stock level in each store.”

Completion of major scheme to help prevent Ryde houses from flooding A £5.2million scheme to protect more than 300 homes from flooding in Ryde has been completed and officially handed over to the Environment Agency’s (EA) Hampshire team.

The EA have been working in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council, Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, to significantly reduce the flood risk in the Simeon Street and Monktonmead Brook area of Ryde, an area which is protected by the Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

They had looked at possibilities of reducing the flooding risk from Monktonmead Brook dating back to 2014. The area has been prone to flooding for years, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to homes and businesses during the winter months.

Although the 329 homes have been

protected since December last year, the project has only just been completely finished and signed off, after permission was given in March.

As part of the scheme, a new outfall pipe has been created from the pumping station at Cornwall Slip to the sea wall at Ryde Harbour. This means a clear outfall is maintained allowing more water to be discharged to the sea in heavy rainfall events. It will also lead to a significant reduction in the frequency of river flows overtopping the bank and flooding land and properties surrounding Monktonmead.

The pipe is made up of 92 separate concrete sections and a deflection wall has been installed at the harbour where thousands of litres of water will now exit the culver.

A flood wall has also been installed

around Simeon Street Recreation Ground, Marymead Close and the river boundary of the BT depot, after previous problems in which 14 homes were flooded between December 2013 and January 2014. Not only does it now protect homes but allows the Rec to be used as a large open holding tank.

In addition, an underground tank has been installed by Southern Water under the Royal George Memorial Garden at the end of Simeon Street. This will allow water to be held and released back into the system in a controlled manner.

Environment Agency manager John O'Flynn said: “We are delighted to be launching this multi-million pound scheme on the Island, which includes over £1 million of partner contributions that will benefit so many local homes and businesses.”

25th October 2019

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Foraging with Shane An Isle of Wight forager based in Ventnor will be starring in an episode of Channel 5’s Caravanning with Shane on Friday, November 8.

The series stars former Eastenders star Shane Richie who takes his family to a different UK campsite each week.

Paul Noakes forages food from the wild to feed himself

and also runs foraging walks teaching others to eat free from what nature has to offer.

He said: “I really enjoyed the filming process, luckily the Isle of Wight Council let us use Ventnor beach, as it was proving quite hard to find somewhere suitable.

We found bladderwrack, rock samphire and sea purslane among other things. Shane

was a really nice guy, a proper Jack the Lad. He’s just like you would expect him to be, as he appears on TV is pretty much him.”

Filming took place in May with Shane and his family staying in a luxury ‘Rockstar’ holiday home with its own hot tub at Whitecliff Bay in Bembridge.

‘Rat run’ to avoid roadworks endangering children - claim BBC local democracy reporter Louise Hill Angry residents say their estate has become a ‘rat run’ due to the St Mary’s Roundabout works, putting children’s lives at risk.

Standen Avenue residents have formed the Camp Hill Community Action Group (CHCAG) and asked the Isle of Wight Council to provide ‘basic safety measures’ in the area.

The road, and others in the Camp Hill estate, are privately owned by the Ministry of Justice. Typically, they are just used by residents.

However, due to the one-way restrictions on Forest Road, introduced earlier this month while St Mary’s Roundabout works are carried out, drivers have been using the estate to avoid diversions to Carisbrooke and Yarmouth. Parkhurst ward councillor Andrew Garratt said the Council should ‘at least’ erect a sign advising drivers it was a private road.

Cllr Garratt said: “The way I see it is the Council are causing an issue with the work they are doing. These roads may be not in the Council’s legal ownership, but they have a moral responsibility to the residents of this lovely, quiet village area.

“They are the Council for the community so they should act on behalf of the community, talking to the MoJ and asking what they can do to at least make the roads safer.”

Cllr Garratt said problems in the estate that have been overlooked, including poorly lit streets, poor road surfaces and a lack of road markings and signage, were made worse when extra vehicles used the roads.

He continued: “This road is connected by two council roads with real traffic management issues; this is a conflict of traffic with a risk of accident. The council could at least show

some leadership and say the residents should not put up with it.”

Some CHCAG members said they had been ‘nearly killed’ while walking through the estate and using its zebra crossings. “This is a real safety issue,” said one resident.

“Nobody actually knows there are crossings there; they are not stopping at all.”

Another added: “We want some consideration; we want it to be made safe and for someone to acknowledge there is a problem; this is not an alternative route.

The worst bit is children play in front of their houses but cars are becoming impatient and actually coming up on the pavement to get past as they don’t give way. One of my neighbours won’t let her little boy out to play because of the traffic.”

The CHCAG has held traffic counts on their usually quiet streets to draw attention to the number of vehicles cutting through the estate.

On the day of a public meeting to discuss the roadworks, more than 150 cars used the road while children walked to school. On Tuesday (Oct 22), between 4.15pm and 5pm, 110 vehicles, including an Island Roads van and subcontractors involved in the roadworks, used the roads.

Forest Road is set to reopen to two-way traffic at the start of November but, with roadworks set to continue for the next 14 months, residents are concerned the traffic problems will continue.

An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said the authority would consider the data from the counts. In the meantime any complaints could be reported to Island Roads.

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Learning Saves Lives with Air Ambulance Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) is calling on schools, clubs and youth groups to help keep their paramedics ‘life-saving ready’ by taking part in their new education campaign, Learning Saves Lives.

It costs the charity £6 per day to fund the training of one critical care paramedic over the course of a year. With the help of fourto-16-year-olds across the region, HIOWAA aims to raise £30,000, enough to train 15 of their paramedics. The charity is encouraging schools and youth groups to raise funds by hosting non-uniform days and dress up days.

HIOWAA Director of Fundraising, Rachel Leaman, said: “Every day is a school day for our critical care paramedics, and they need

your help to allow them to keep learning. If a class of 30 pupils each donated £1, imagine what a difference that would make!”

The launch of Learning Saves Lives follows the success of Save Up to Suit Up, which recently funded over 30 new flight suits for the charity. Over the past five years HIOWAA has been running education programmes which have reached over 80,000 three-to18-year-olds across the region.

Schools and clubs interested in getting involved in Learning Saves Lives should visit the charity’s ‘Get Involved’ website page, where they can find fundraising packs with interactive resources to help young people with their fundraising: www.hiowaa.org

Recycling - in a Nutshell!

Ventnor resident Lesley Genge has created a cleaning refill programme that gives the local community the chance to reuse bottles for other purposes, in a bid to increase recycling of waste.

Lesley’s Nutshell has been open for over 12 years, selling organic whole foods and cleaning products, alongside wooden and traditional toys, fair trade and handmade

gifts.

Keen to make a difference, Lesley initially reached out to Ventor locals to see if reusing Bio-D refill bottles would be of interest. Now people across Ventnor are making use of Bio-D 15L bottles, from farmers and builders to avid gardeners in their allotments. They use the containers for various purposes including storing

water for watering plants and carrying water to animal troughs.

Lesley said: “Ever since setting up the programme I’ve had the support from both my town and my suppliers, which is really wonderful. It’s going from strength to strength, and working with Bio-D has enabled me to make this happen.”

25th October 2019

Mark takes on Great South Run weeks after surgery Seven runners lined up on Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth at the start of the 2019 Great South Run, raising money for The Wight Brainy Bunch, who provide emotional support and financial assistance to Isle of Wight families affected by the devastating effects of brain tumours.

The charity was founded by Ryde firefighter Mark Grimes in 2015 following his own diagnosis of a brain tumour.

Despite recently undergoing a second operation to remove the tumour and six gruelling weeks of radiotherapy that finished just two weeks ago, Mark was on the start line with fellow runners Rachel Grimes, Colin Richardson, Deb Joy, Gareth Driscoll, Sarah Maher and Jolene Hayward for the epic 10-mile course.

Also running for The Wight Brainy Bunch were Trisha Dabell and James Chapman who entered the 5km race, Savannah Smith in the 2.5km Junior Race, and Mark and Kathryn’s children Harry (5) and Oskar (9) who ran the Mini 1.5km Race, as they wanted to raise money for the charity themselves, in case Dad Mark wasn’t up to taking part this year.

Mark’s wife, Kathryn Grimes said: “The Great South Run is always really important to us as this is where all our fundraising started in 2015, so we are always overwhelmed when people want to run with us.

Our boys were desperate to be involved this year and set out to raise £100. They loved the race and doing their bit for the charity, and we couldn’t be prouder of them.”

To find out more visit www. thewightbrainybunch.org.uk

Pictured: 1: Rachel, Mark and Sarah 2: Harry Grimes 3: Oskar Grimes

25th October 2019

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Restart A Heart Day prompts response Following the success of the Restart a Heart Day last October, when over 1,000 people were trained in life-saving skills, the team behind the initiative has already smashed their 1,500 target for this year.

Over the past few months Island schools have been visited by their ‘CPR Guardian’, a skilled IW NHS Trust

ambulance tutor, who has provided free Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training sessions helping to make every Island child a lifesaver. Together the four tutors, Helena, Duncan, Connel and Sally have trained a staggering 2,855 children.

Louise Walker, Head of Ambulance Training and Community Response

Services (ATCoRS) who organise the sessions, said: “We know only too well how important it is for people to learn life-saving skills and it has been wonderful to give school children this opportunity. To celebrate Restart a Heart Day this year we are offering the public free CPR training and defibrillator awareness sessions.”

New free mental health service for Island youth A Southampton youth charity will be offering a new out-of-hours mental health support service for Island youngsters with funding from the Clinical Commissioning Group, who plan and commission health services for the Island.

Aimed at young people aged 11 to 17, it will run two free weekly open-access sessions on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Offering activities to help those who are feeling low, stressed or overwhelmed such as art and crafts, mindfulness and games, and will also provide coping techniques as well as

access to one-to-one support. Those who attend will be able to talk to someone in confidence about issues affecting them, with help to make positive changes to their mental health and well-being and give help to access other sources of support.

Natalie Pettifer, leader of the project, said, “We feel really privileged to have the opportunity to deliver this incredibly important pilot project to the young people of the Isle of Wight.

Just being there for someone when they really need someone to turn to can make such a positive difference.

“We are looking forward to welcoming and working with young people to help them navigate the path back to more positive mental health and wellbeing.”

There is no need to book, just turn up – sessions run from 6pm to 8.30pm.

Monday sessions will be held at East Newport Family Centre in Furrlongs and Wednesday session at the Sandown Family Centre at 98 The Fairway. You can find out more by calling 07741 665182 during Space 4U opening hours or 02380 224 224 at other times or you can email enquiries@nolimitshelp.org.uk.

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25th October 2019

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IW NHS recognises work of their unsung heroes The NHS on the Isle of Wight held a week of events to celebrate the contribution of some of its staff who work behind the scenes as part of its annual Unsung Hero Awards.

The Trust received 273 nominations from staff, volunteers and members of the public after launching the 2019 Awards programme in August. After a difficult judging process the

record number of nominees were whittled down to 42 shortlisted individuals and teams from across the organisation.

The winners were announced by the Trust’s Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals, Alice Webster, at a ceremony at Lakeside Park Hotel in Wootton. A highlight of the ceremony was the Lifetime

Achievement Award, given to Sheelagh Holme, a member of the Trust’s switchboard team for an astonishing 52 years' work.

Trophies, certificates and gift bags sponsored by Unison, were handed to the winners by Trust Chair Vaughan Thomas and the Chief Executive of the Institute of Healthcare Management, Loretta Outhwaite.

Maggie Oldham, Chief Executive at Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said: “Huge congratulations to everyone who was shortlisted, and to our winners. Their contribution to the NHS is phenomenal and they are such an important part of the support that we are able to provide to our community. I would just like to add a personal thank you to each and every person who took the time

to nominate a colleague.

“Pausing for just a moment to let someone know that you value their work and support can have such a powerful and positive impact.”

The awards were part of a series of events where members of the Executive Team and senior leaders at the Trust visited teams of people working behind the scenes to keep NHS services running.

Seabirds covered in unidentified substance found on Island beaches

Driver caught second time A number of seabirds have been washed up onto Island shores covered in an as yet unidentified very sticky substance. Some have been found dead while others still alive have been rescued by West Wight Pet Lifeline and Kay Ounsworth of IW Wild Bird Rehabilitation. The birds found include gannets, razorbills and guillemots.

It is believed the substance may be some kind of palm oil derivative, although it is not oily. They have been discovered along the south and east coast of the Island with reports of other birds being found on the mainland.

If you find an affected bird and are able to secure it then be sure to use a coat or towel to protect yourself as the birds have very sharp beaks (they’re not called razorbills for nothing), Kay Ounsworth posted on Facebook: ‘Any grounded bird is at high risk of hypothermia, starvation and/or predation and we ask the

public to not try to take care of these birds themselves. Their rehab will be extensive and formulatory care is needed over many days to remove the substance. Once done they are specialised feeders and cannot be rehabbed in a bathtub or sink or bog standard aviary.

‘We are both asking politely that if a bird is secured by a member of public, and if they are able to transport, call me 07765 564478 and bring the bird to Cowes (we may be able to arrange volunteer help). If a bird has been spotted but cannot be secured then call Edward on (01983) 717740.”

Any birds found by the public, even if taken into care, should be reported to the National Maritime Coastguard on 02392 552100. Dead birds should also be reported as the rescuers can remove them from the beach and use them to find the best way to remove the substance without causing further stress to those still alive.

An uninsured and unlicensed driver has been caught out for the second time in four weeks, this time driving a different vehicle from the first.

On September 20, officers stopped a Kia Sportage on Briddlesford Road near Wootton and the driver was found without a license,

any insurance or valid MOT for the vehicle.

The same officers seized a Nissan Micra less than four weeks later, which was occupied by the same person in Brading. Police checks were made on the vehicle and driver shortly before 3.00pm where it was found he still didn’t hold a license or insurance.

Brexit awareness boot camps Brexit Awareness boot camps will be held on Monday to address the many questions businesses have about Brexit.

Business Brexit Awareness boot camp events are open to all businesses and free to attend. These events will be a collaborative approach with other business organisations,

local professional firms and experts.

The Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, working closely with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), is your first point of contact to understand how Brexit is going to impact your business.

They are running a workshop on October 28 which will focus on People & Immigration, Regulations & Data, and Legal, Tax & VAT at Lakeside Park Hotel in Wootton, with industry experts on hand to answer any questions you may have.

25th October 2019

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Annual law service takes place at Newport Minster

The annual law service has taken place in St Thomas’ Minster in Newport. Senior members of the legal profession joined the Isle of Wight Lord Lieutenant, Susie Sheldon, High Sheriff Geoff Underwood and Council Chairman George Cameron, police officers and other invited guests as they processed from the court building to the church.

Speaking after the service Geoff Underwood said: “It was an honour to process through Newport with many local dignitaries, including visiting High Court judges. The service was arranged by the courts in Newport and was incredibly well attended by many friends and by many past High Sheriffs. The Venerable Peter Leonard, Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight, read a moving and inspiring address and Annalisa Vaughn perfomed a beautiful solo.”

Health and Safety concerns raised at St Mary's Hospital following assault by patient Two health and safety incidents at St Mary’s Hospital in Newport were so serious they had to be reported to Government watchdogs. One, in which a patient assaulted a staff member, resulted in the patient appearing in court.

In a health, safety and security report, presented to the Isle of Wight NHS Trust’s October board meeting, it was revealed two incidents were reported to the Health and Safety Executive during August and September, the latest figures available.

In the first incident, a porter was pushing a full linen trolley through the Emergency Department when it hit a ward sister. It struck her left shoulder, causing her to fall into a doorway.

Her injuries meant she was unable to work for more than a week. Staff were advised after the incident to be vigilant when moving equipment through the hospital building.

In September, a second incident saw a patient attack a staff member in the early hours of the morning. A patient, described in the report as aggressive,

was being treated at the Emergency Department when they lashed out, punching a ward sister in the shoulder and stomach so forcefully she vomited.

A manager confirmed the patient was fit for arrest and the police were called. The patient was subsequently prosecuted and appeared in court.

The members of staff involved in the incident were sent home following their ordeal, suffering from shock, and were unable to work for more than seven days.

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Spooky monkey tricks set to be spectacular...

Monkey Haven have tons of seriously spooky shenanigans going on this half term, including their ‘Spooks & Spiders Spectacular’ which will be running every day from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, November 3.

Taking place in the brand new Reptile Lodge, visitors will get the chance to meet many creepy crawlies including some scary stick-insects and mad-eyed millipedes.

Jordan, Monkey Haven’s Keeper, will even be getting up close and personal with the giant snakes and tarantulas.

Over the Hallowe’en weekend on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27, there will be Hallowe’en themed crafts including face painting, badge making and glitter tattoos to liven up the spooky mood. Fancy dress is encouraged!

The Isle of Wight Bat Hospital will also be flying by on Saturday, October 26 and Thursday, October 31 for the ultimate Hallowe’en feel.

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Petition to save historic bridge A petition to persuade Island Roads not to install railings along an historic footpath has attracted over 400 signatures.

The Gully Road footbridge which links Solent View Road and Seagrove Bay has apparently been used for 100 years, without any dangerous incident. But Island Roads have identified the lack of railings as a health and safety risk and are planning to insert railings into the brickwork. The parish council set up the petition to test public opinion. A spokesman said: “It seems to be receiving a lot of support for such a little bridge.”

A spokesman for Island Roads said: “As part of its work, Island Roads surveys all bridges on the highway network to ensure they meet the required safety standards. One such survey has identified that, because of its low parapet, Gully Road bridge currently poses a safety risk.

“There are several options as to how this can be addressed.

No final decisions have been made and we continue to talk to the local community to try to agree a solution which will ensure safety requirements are met in a way that is in keeping with the local character.”

You can find the petition at change.org/p/island-roadssave-our-beautiful-bridge-from-being-defaced

Sheep rescued from fence A sheep was rescued on Monday from Downs Road, Arreton after becoming trapped in fencing.

Firefighters from Newport Pumps, Newport Rescue Unit, Ryde Land Rover and Ryde Pump were called following initial reports of the animal just after 8.45am.

A statement from the Isle of Wight Fire Service said: “Several calls to police were made by members of the public and passed onto the Fire Service.”

A member of the public saved the sheep, firefighters standing down at around 9.30am.

25th October 2019

Heritage of Cowes on show in Regatta House

Male Voice Choir cheque for charity A very surprised Thea Grace Callaghan received a bursary cheque from Rod Riddell, Chairman of the Newchurch Male Voice Choir last Saturday, after Thea, a soprano, sang several pieces at the ‘Wight Night for Singing’ concert organised by the ladies of Cantobelle in aid of the Wight Brainy Bunch.

Over £700 was raised.

The Choir prides itself on providing a platform for young Island musicians and singers to develop their talents and to perform in public. A long standing member of the choir, who was also Musical Director and Conductor, Bassett Stevens left a bequest providing the funds for this bursary to be presented every year.

Ian Lallow, whose family have been building and maintaining boats in Cowes for several generations, came face-to-face with photographs of his old boatyard when he officially opened a ‘Made in Cowes’ exhibition.

Staged by Cowes Heritage in Regatta House, the home of Cowes Combined Clubs, the event sets out to illustrate the diverse ways the town has a truly proud past when it comes to ingenuity, skills and output.

Among other historical accomplishments depicted are Britain’s first production electric car, built at Somerton, other boat-builders including W A Souter, once-famous shipbuilders J Samuel White, the Redfern fashion house, and the old-established yacht chandlers Pascall Atkey.

The local Classic Boat Museum loaned a scale-model of the highly successful Souter-built powerboat Surfury. Probably the most unusual item illustrated was a flea trap invented by a local man.

In welcoming Ian, Cowes Heritage chairman George Chastney referred to how he had been sailing since the age of eight, eventually progressing to take the helm of ocean racers including Edward Heath’s Lallow-built Morning Cloud. His service to yachting has been formally recognised by a number of Cowes clubs, including the Royal Yacht Squadron. Ian sold the boatyard in the late 1990s. The exhibition is open daily 10 am – 4 pm until November 10. Admission is free.

Island farmer’s success at British Awards event

During the British Farming Awards at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham, one Island resident won first place. and another was shortlisted for an award.

Paul Griffin, of Briddlesford Farm, won the first placed Gold Award for the ‘Dairy Innovator of the Year’, and Robert Chapman, of Westover Farm, was shortlisted for the ‘Contractor Innovator of the Year’ award.

Paul said: “I am thrilled to receive this award, which recognises the fantastic

support of the whole team at Briddlesford.

We pull together to make this business what is is today.”

The main sponsors of the event were the Farmers Guardian and Morrisons. Ben Briggs, editor of Farmers Guardian said: “These awards reflect the breadth of the farming industry, celebrating the diversity and innovation present in an industry which faces continuing change and challenges.”

25th October 2019

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Chamber of Commerce award winners night The biggest night of the year for Island businesses took place when companies won awards for their achievements in 17 categories. There were three further awards presented for outstanding contributions to the business community on the Island.

The 2019 Isle of Wight Chamber Business Awards night was a glamorous, black tie event hosted by comedian Colin Carmichael, one half of the 118 118 duo of moustachioed runners with ’70s mullets who star in the multi-million pound TV campaign adverts. Colin grew up on the Island and clearly enjoyed celebrating the achievements of our business community.

As well as the serious business of the awards, the 400 attending the sell-out event enjoyed a three-course meal, and live music and bid generously at an auction in support of Island charity WightAid. The Island’s Chamber of Commerce supports Island businesses and also runs the Isle of Wight Lottery. For £1 a week you can support Island jobs and be in with a chance to scoop up to £10,000 in cash. Find out more and sign up at https://www.iwchamber.co.uk/lottery/.

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2019 Winners Start Up Business of the Year - Sponsored by PC Consultants WINNER: Island VetCare The Morris Barton Apprenticeship Award Sponsored by Christopher Scott

Island Vet Care

WINNER: The Seaview Hotel Retailer Award Sponsored by NFU Mutual WINNER: The Garlic Farm

Cafe Isola

WINNER: WRS Systems Marketing & PR Award Sponsored by IW County Press WINNER: The Garlic Farm

WINNER: Caffe Isola

WINNER: Mountbatten

Manufacturing Business of the Year Award Sponsored by WightFibre

International Business Award Sponsored by Red Funnel

WINNER: MHI Vestas

WINNER: IFPL

Technology and Innovation Award Sponsored by Lifeline Alarms

Micro Business of the Year Award Sponsored by Gurit WINNER Island Echo Small Business Award Sponsored by Liz Earle WINNER: The Tomato Stall

WINNER: Hillbans Pest Control

IW Chamber Member of the Year Wight Computers

Business in the Community Award Sponsored by Glanvilles Damant

IW Chamber President’s Cup for Outstanding Contribution WRS Systems

WINNER: UKSA

IW Chamber Business of the Year MHI Vestas

Tourism Business Award Sponsored by Visit Isle of Wight WINNER: The Garlic Farm

MHI Vestas

Growth Business Award Sponsored by Brightbulb Design

Employer of the Year Award Sponsored by GKN Aerospace Cowes

Excellence in Customer Service Award – Micro Business - Sponsored by Hovertravel

Photos by Robin Crossley

WINNER: Gurit

Hospitality Business Award - Sponsored by Wightlink

WINNER: Gurit

WRS Systems

Green Initiative Award Sponsored by IFPL

Excellence in Customer Service Award – Small Business - Sponsored by Hillbans Pest Control WINNER: The Royal Hotel

See the full list of nominees on our website: www. iwobserver. co.uk

Seaview Hotel

Some Island roads are cut from gritting maps A fleet of gritting machines will return to the Island’s main routes this winter, but a number of key roads will be left out of the programme. The Isle of Wight Council has published a gritting route map to help people identify the areas which will be treated in freezing conditions as part of its winter maintenance service.

Around 35 per cent of the Island’s total road network will be treated as necessary this winter, but as part

of the Council’s 2019-20 budget savings, and following a full risk assessment, a number of roads have been removed, including the Military Road, Thorley and Wellow Main Roads, East Ashey Lane and Yaverland Road.

However, the route between Northwood and Shalfleet via Porchfield, including Whitehouse Road to Vittlefields Cross, will be treated in the expectation of higher than normal traffic volumes using

this route during the St Mary’s junction improvement works.

Cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, Councillor Ian Ward, said: “The Council’s focus has to be on the Island’s primary routes, those carrying the highest volumes including key commuter routes, as it is not practical or economical to salt every road.

“Despite the need to make savings to set a balanced budget, we have ensured our arterial routes are

covered to keep the Island moving in times of snow and ice. We will continue to monitor the situation and, should the need arise, carry out bespoke gritting where necessary.

We will also continue to treat pavements in town centre locations in snowy conditions.”

Island Roads, which deliver the winter service on behalf of the Council, typically run the service from November until the end of March, but they began its

close monitoring of the network conditions at the start of October to ensure that any abnormally cold spell could be responded to if required.

They have also taken delivery of around 1,600 tonnes of salt, a comparable amount to previous years, in readiness for the winter season.

You can find details of which roads will be gritted at islandroads. com/27-winter-service-.html

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25th October 2019

Wolverton raises £25,000 for Age UK Isle of Wight Wolverton Manor’s 2019 Garden Fair saw over 9,500 visitors helping to raise a record-breaking £25,000 for Age UK Isle of Wight. The cheque was presented by the Wolverton Committee at a 'thank you' coffee morning for all of their hard-working volunteers who enabled the weekend to happen.

Every penny of the funds raised stay on the Island, helping the charity to meet the ever-growing demand on their services to support older Island

residents. Elisha Leachman, charity Fundraising Manager said: “We are delighted with the amount raised this year. The money will be put to great use, providing older Islanders who have no one else to turn to, with vital help and support. Thank you so much to all of our volunteers and to everyone that attended making this our most successful show to date”.

Next year’s show is on Saturday and Sunday, September 5 and 6.

Reuben runs Petition to ban ‘super trawlers' for the planet Reuben Flood, aged seven, who lives in Godshill, took part in the Mini Great South run on Saturday, covering the 1.5km course to raise over £300 for WWF UK (formerly the World Wildlife Fund). Reuben said he wanted to raise money to help save the planet. WWF sent him a message of support saying, “Thank you Reuben and welcome to Team Panda! Everyone at WWF UK is wishing you a big GOOD LUCK for this weekend!

We hope you are excited for the big day.

“We’re so grateful for your support and all the funds you raise really help make a difference to our planet. Thank you for being part of our vital conservation work.”

An Isle of Wight man’s petition to ban super trawlers from fishing in UK waters has been signed by more than 21,700 people since it was started just over a week ago. The support means Alistair Chisholm, along with anybody who signs the petition, is guaranteed to get a response from Government as it has more than 10,000 supporters.

Any petition that reaches 100,000 signatures is considered for a debate in Parliament by the Petitions Committee.

The Lithuanian flagged ‘Margiris’ in Dutch ownership is the second largest trawler on the planet and was seen in late September near Ventnor. The Marine Management Organisation said the ship was guilty of no infringements

of rules or regulations, and is subject to ongoing monitoring. It is believed to be catching horse mackerel. It is the length of 14 normal fishing trawlers and drags a net which covers the area of six football pitches.

The petition asks that the UK Government should work internationally to ban these trawlers from UK waters and goes on to say: “Weighing close to 9,500 tonnes, the mammoth commercial fishing vessel is designed to operate fishing trawls, which involves pulling a fishing net through a large body of water. It is thought to process 250 tonnes of fish a day.

“Heavily regulated in some nations,

trawling is widely criticised for its lack of selectivity, and the physical damage the trawl inflicts on the seabed. Australia has banned Margiris from operating in its waters.’

A Defra Spokesperson said: ““While we are still part of the Common Fisheries Policy, EU registered vessels such as the Margiris are legally entitled to fish in our waters.

“When we get Brexit done, the UK will become an independent coastal state under international law and we will have the right to decide on who fishes in our waters and on what terms.”

The petition can be signed at petition. parliament.uk/petitions/276308

25th October 2019

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Twenty Five Awards for Five Fab-u-lous Dancers Five lively dancers from the Roisin Mullins Dance Academy, took home 25 awards from the Ceim Oir Dance Feis competition, in High Wycombe The incredible Irish Dancers, who train in Brading, cleared the dance floor, taking five first place cups, among a host of other top prizes.

Seven awards were won by tiny dancer Elsie Butler, aged six, of Ryde. A further five awards each, were taken home by school girl sisters Pheobe and Lydia Greenhalgh, 10 and 11, both of Ryde.

Teen dancing queen Mackenzie Davis, 15, of Ashey took five awards, and ambitious Annabelle Acutt, 10, of Brading, took a further three.

The National Dance contest was a huge success attracting thousands of competitors. Some travelled from as far afield as Australia and New Zealand to compete, but it was Island dancing girls who took home the trophies.

Troupe Coach UK dance champ Roisin Mullins who attended the contest, said: “I am so proud of our dance team who have again proven themselves at national competition level. Our Irish dancers are constantly training, and continue to reach new levels of success.

They are competing in the best Irish dancing organisation in the world, and taking top positions. Our Island girls are up there showing the judges how it is done. All thanks goes to our dance families without whom this would all be impossible.”

Interested jiggers can take to the floor themselves by joining Autumn School at the Roisin Mullins Dance Academy on Monday October 28 in Brading, a day of dancing fun suitable for 3-18 year olds for further information visit roisinmullins. co.uk/irish-dance-academy

Scouts earn badges at County Hall Sixth Newport (St. John's) Scouts group have been learning all about democracy on visits to County Hall. The group visited the council chamber and heard from mace bearer Steve Hammond as part of their ‘local knowledge’ scouting activity badge.

The Isle of Wight Council mace is hallmarked 'London 1696'. It is a base-metal of silver, dipped in a gilt of silver and gold.

In a tradition dating back to Roman times, a mace was carried at the front of a procession of authority figures. This is why it enters the council chamber in advance of Full Council meetings. Queen Elizabeth I decreed that the role of the mace was for ceremonial use.

Steve is the Council's mace-bearer. He also took his scouting promise during the visit, a first for the council chamber. He said: "I've been involved with scouting since I was

eight-years-old, having previously been a scout leader on the mainland.

"Scouting has supported me during difficult times in my life, so I am proud to now be scout leader for Sixth Newport (St. John's).

My leader name is 'Mace', so it was really nice to be able to share this part of my life with the scouts."

In their efforts to learn more about people with roles within our community, the scouts also met the chairman of the council, Councillor George Cameron, who said: “Their enthusiasm for learning about local democracy and the role of the council in the community was really great to see.

“It was a pleasure to meet such an engaged group of young people, who I hope will be inspired to get involved in the Youth Council in the future.”

Football fundraiser kicking off!

Victoria of Wights travel across Solent Wightlink’s hybrid flagship Victoria of Wight has welcomed a smaller version on board.

Ryde modelmaker Martin Stock has spent the last nine months building a detailed model of the Portsmouth-Fishbourne car ferry that joined Wightlink’s fleet in 2018.

He has used more than 15,000 Lego bricks and tiles to recreate the ship, together with interior lounges and car decks after poring over photographs and online resources.

Wightlink’s Island Port Operations Manager Martin Gulliver said: “We were impressed with the accuracy of Martin’s model. You can see the Captain on the Bridge, customers sitting in the lounges and even the lane marking on the car decks. We were pleased that Martin allowed us to bring it onboard to delight our customers.”

Martin accompanied his model on a roundtrip from Fishbourne, and said: “Everyone made me feel very welcome onboard and I thoroughly enjoyed my time mingling with fellow Lego fans. As this was the first time I had travelled on Victoria of Wight, I was interested to see how the real thing matched up to my vision of the ship. My version of the children’s play area wasn’t quite right but the rest was pretty good.”

The model is 160 cm long and 40cm wide.

The real Victoria of Wight is 8,933 cm long and 1,941cm wide. Martin’s ship has been on display at this summer’s Ryde URC Horticultural Show. Last year he built a model of Wightlink’s St Clare ferry then dismantled it to build Victoria of Wight.

The Isle of Wight’s NHS Trust and Fire Brigade will be taking part in a charity football match to raise funds for the Wight Brainy Bunch on Sunday (Oct 27).

The charity was set up by firefighter Mark Grimes and his wife Kat when Mark was diagnosed with a brain tumour. The funds raised go to provide a support network and financial assistance to Island families affected

by brain tumours after they found out first hand that there was little support available.

There will be a charity raffle including a 55inch TV as first prize as well as face painting, refreshments, pumpkin competition and a half time penalty shoot-out.

The match will kick off at East Cowes Vics ground, Beatrice Avenue, on Sunday at 1pm; entry is £3 for adults and £1 for under-16s.

Dismay at fly-tipping near Bowling Club An old door, carpet, a chair and a quantity of plastic packaging were fly-tipped at Ryde Marina Bowling Club over the weekend of October 19 and 20. Ken Whitter, a Binstead resident and a member of the club for many years, said: "It's disgusting. There's too much fly-tipping by people. They're just leaving others to clear up their mess and pick up the cost of doing so."

24 Entertainment

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LOCAL EVENTS ACROSS THE ISLAND .

SHANKLIN THEATRE

Christopher Cross Take Me As I Am 2019 Tour

Christopher Cross made history with his 1980 self-titled debut album, whic acheived Record of the Year (for the single “Sailing”), Album of the Year, Song of the Year (also for “Sailing”), and Best New Artist.

November 1 @ 7.30pm

Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders

Andy Fairweather Low came to prominence as the lead singer in Amen Corner. The 60s saw them clock up hit after pop hit. Songs such as ‘Bend Me Shape Me’, ‘Hello Suzy’, ‘( If Paradise is ) Half As Nice’ are internationally remembered to this day.

November 3 @ 7.30pm

By

25th October 2019

Jade Honey

Geno’s coming to Strings for a night to remember!

Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band are coming to Strings on Saturday, November 23 for a night the audience won’t forget!

Geno, from Evansville in Indiana, first came to England in the 1960s as part of the US Air Force. His love of Blues and Soul music soon found him jamming with local bands in and around Ipswich and eventually led him to London where he caused a sensation singing with top R&B acts Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames and Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band at the legendary Flamingo Club in Soho.

Geno teamed up with some of London’s hottest musicians and Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band very quickly became established as the most exciting live band in Britain, regularly topping the bill over World famous artistes, as nobody in their right mind wanted to go on stage after a Geno show!

His live shows were immortalised in two of the biggest selling albums of the 60s - “Hand Clappin’ Foot Stompin’ Funky Butt Live” and “Hipsters

Flipsters and Finger Poppin’ Daddies”.

His status as the undisputed “King of Soul” was cemented forever by Kevin Rowland and Dexy’s Midnight Runners in the 1980’s with the Worldwide No.1 smash hit single “Geno”, which paid homage to the great man himself and is still played regularly today on national radio and at Geno’s live gigs both before and after shows.

Geno’s life-long love of Blues and R&B has led to yet another chapter in his illustrious career with the formation of “Geno and the Yo Yo’s” which features the long standing rhythm section of the Ram Jam Band which is a hard-hitting, fast-moving show of R&B / Blues / Soul classics that has audiences on their feet.

Whether it’s Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band or Geno Washington and the Yo Yo’s you can be sure of a barnstorming live show that never lets up in intensity or excitement and delivers the goods every time!

Advance Tickets £16 and on sale now Doors 7.30pm // 16+

Bang Bang Romeo returning to the Island After supporting P!NK across Europe on her Stadium Tour in 2018, hugely promising band ‘Bang Bang Romeo’ will play Strings Bar & Venue on Friday, November 1 as part of their Sell Out Star Crossed Species Tour across the UK, presented by Chalkpit Records.

Bang Bang Romeo who starred at this year’s Isle of Wight Festival, are fronted by vocal powerhouse Star Walker, an inspirational voice for the LGBTQ+ Community & drive audiences wild all over Europe.

The band released their brand new

single ‘Love Yourself’ featuring Example on October 4 and release their debut album on Friday, November 1.

Founder of Chalkpit Records, Silas Gregory said: “Bang Bang Romeo are a band you will be hearing and seeing a lot more in years to come.

Their show on the Island will be one of those ‘I wish I was there moments!’”

Tickets will be available at the box office at Strings Bar & Venue or you can purchase them online at seetickets.com.

Spooky monkey tricks set to be spectacular...

Dave Gorman - With Great PowerPoint Comes Great ResponsibilityPoint

Dave Gorman, the man behind Dave TV’s hit show Modern Life Is Goodish as well as Are You Dave Gorman? and Googlewhack Adventure, is back on the road with a brand new live show.

November 7 @ 8pm

BOOKINGS & INFO

01983 868000 www.shanklintheatre.com

Monkey Haven have tons of seriously spooky shenanigans going on this half term, including their ‘Spooks & Spiders Spectacular’ which will be running every day from Saturday, October 19 to Sunday, November 3.

Taking place in the brand new Reptile Lodge, visitors will get the chance to meet many creepy crawlies including some scary stickinsects and mad-eyed millipedes.

Jordan, Monkey Haven’s Keeper, will even be getting up close and personal with the giant snakes and tarantulas.

Over the Hallowe’en weekend on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27, there will be Hallowe’en themed crafts including face painting, badge making and glitter tattoos to liven up the spooky mood. Fancy dress is encouraged!

The Isle of Wight Bat Hospital will also be flying by on Saturday, October 26 and Thursday, October 31 for the ultimate Hallowe’en feel.

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

25th October 2019

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Entertainment 25

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THEATRE, LOCAL EVENTS & CINEMA SHANKLIN THEATRE

A Ripper of a night!

Trevor Marriot, the retired murder squad detective and leading Ripper expert, is appearing at Quay Arts on Friday, November 1. Trevor Marriot has spent the last 15 years carrying out a cold case investigation into the Whitechapel Murders of 1888, which were attributable to Jack the Ripper.

New facts and evidence have been

gathered which might now shatter the myth that surrounds Jack the Ripper. Will the real truth finally let rip?

November 1 @ 8pm Quay Arts Centre Sea St, Newport, PO30 5BD £15 - £17

Fireworks at Haylands!

The ‘Fireworks Extravaganza’ at Haylands School in Ryde is taking place on Saturday, November 2. Gates will be open at 5.30pm and there will be lots of BBQ food, ice cream, hot and soft drinks and entertainment for all to enjoy.

At approximately 7pm, the spectacular firework display will begin. The cost is £4 per head or £14 for a family of two adults

and two children. Tickets are available at the gate on the night. All proceeds will be split between the school and their charities.

November 2 @ 5.30pm Haylands Primary School, Ryde PO33 3HA

SIMPLY reRED

With more than thirty Top 40 singles and several of the best-selling albums to choose from, seven piece band recreates every perfect melody from Mick Hucknall’s remarkable global career in an unparalleled display of authenticity and style, guaranteed to keep the audience singing and dancing all night.

November 9 @ 7.30pm

Salvation Army Christmas Appeal To start November off right, there will be an Island Showcase in aid of the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal, providing a warm bed and other services to the homeless and the vulnerable. Last year, almost £800 was raised and this year there are two different evenings to enjoy performances by acts such as Cajundaze, Men in Sheds, Norfolk & Goode and lots more! A suggested

donation of £5 is appreciated and doors open at 6.30pm! For more information, please contact Anita Morris on 07986 583714.

November 1 - 2 @ 6.30pm Salvation Army Hall, 72 Pyle St, Newport, PO30 1UJ

Carisbrooke Castle Christmas Market Carisbrooke Castle are holding their first ever Christmas Market for Islanders to go and enjoy. Open on Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18, visitors are invited to spread the Christmas joy and check out what Christmassy things are in store! Entertainment includes Hannah Pereira, Boogie Woogie Sisters and more!

There is so much to see and do, including

seeing the Christmas donkeys. Usual prices to the castle apply and free entry is available for English Heritage membership card holders.

November 17 - 18 @ 10am Carisbrooke Castle Castle Hill, Newport PO30 1XY

Oh Goody! An Audience with Tim Brooke-Taylor

A true master of comedy shares a wealth of great stories and anecdotes from his career on stage, screen and radio with writer and broadcaster Chris Serle. Tales from, of course, “The Goodies”and “I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue” abound along with a few surprises too.

November 10 @ 3pm

WHAT’S ON AT THE CINEMA? NEWPORT SCREENING Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil

Maleficent is back. Get ready for a whole new adventure with Maleficent and Aurora as they face new threats to the magical land of the Moors.

The Addams Family

Get ready to click your fingers! The Addams Family is back on the big screen in the first animated comedy about the kookiest family on the block. Funny, outlandish, and completely iconic, the Addams Family redefines what it means to be a good neighbour.

Abominable

After a teenager who dreams of travelling discovers a young yeti on the roof of her apartment, she and her friends embark on an ambitious quest to reunite him with his family.

Terminator: Dark Fate

Dani Ramos’ life is under threat from a new terminator sent by Skynet. Grace, a cyborg soldier-assassin, and Sarah Connor, a veteran fighter against Skynet’s terminators, try to save her and the future of humanity.

Joker

Before he became the Joker, Arthur Fleck was an ambitious stand-up comedian in Gotham. But failure took its toll, and eventually drove him into insanity and a life of anarchy…

Shaun the Sheep Movie

After a teenager who dreams of travelling discovers a young yeti on the roof of her apartment, she and her friends embark on an ambitious quest to reunite him with his family.

The Horne Section 2019 That’s How I Like My Tour

Following their hit BBC Radio 4 series, and many years of sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and London’s West End, don’t miss everyone’s favourite Dictionary Corner regulars on 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and the first band to ever host Never Mind The Buzzcocks (BBC Two).

November 12 @ 8pm

BOOKINGS & INFO

01983 868000 www.shanklintheatre.com

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

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Feature Puzzles

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25th October 2019

Don’t cook go eat out!

There are lots of reasons why it’s a great idea to book at least some of your Christmas festivities away from home, whether on the day itself, or to give yourself a breather in the run-up to it. The best one has got to be the sheer bliss of somebody else taking the strain. You don’t have to plan for weeks a meal that will leave a mountain of washing up in its wake.

Another great benefit is there are no left-overs that you feel you simply must use up. After all that Norfolk Bronze turkey you could barely fit in the oven costs a fortune.

Do you really want to survive on turkey curry or eat sandwiches with cranberry, stuffing and solidified gravy? If you don’t cook the meal then you don’t have left-overs to deal with.

And restaurants can be so - well, Christmassy! They put you in the mood for fun, laughter and enjoying the company of your loved ones.

That can sometimes be a bit of a strain at home!

25th October 2019

iwobserver

@iwobserver

Time to plan for a party!

It’s hard to believe that today (Fri) there are only 61 days until Christmas. The years seem to pass ever more quickly, but perhaps that’s just a symptom of getting older! But even though the years advance, we all still love to celebrate the festive season, whether it’s with family, friends or workmates.

But if we want to get into some of the best places then we really need to be getting on with the planning and booking for somewhere that will make sure your party goes with a bang.

Whether it’s an overnight stay, a festive feast or just a Christmas shindig, you can be sure of a great time with all of our advertisers on these pages. They will all take your particular requirements into account as long as you let them know early enough.

Places like the Waterfront in Totland can accommodate an intimate supper, for two or if you want to get together with all your family and friends can cater for parties of up to 100.

The Three Buoys at Appley can provide free transport from Ryde by arrangement and the Castle in Newport has a separate function room with its own bar so you can party away in private.

Wherever you choose to get together, the IW Observer team hopes that you have an amazing time.

Feature Puzzles

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Feature Puzzles

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Tinsel and twinkle time!

Christmas decorations at home can be lovely, bringing treasured family memories and nobody can deny the appeal of children’s homemade baubles hanging messily on the Christmas tree. But let’s be honest, most of us can’t aspire to the sophisticated and tasteful luxury of many bars, restaurants and hotels.

Many of them spend a small fortune on making sure they look their best for the Christmas season, as they are in competition with each other to attract guests.

Their staff, or even the owners, put them up carefully to show off their premises to the best advantage. The table settings look just so, with colour co-ordinated linen and tableware and cutlery that shines until it reflects the light from the roaring fire. And you can just appreciate the warmth it throws out without having to worry about whether the sparks will ruin your lounge carpet.

We all enjoy our homes lovingly decorated for Christmas, but it’s also lovely to sit back and appreciate somebody else’s taste in tinsel and twinkling fairy lights. You can pick up tips for next year as well!

25th October 2019

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Crossword 11

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Down

1. Pre-paper material (7)

1. Period following WWII (7)

5. Poisonous snake (5)

2. Query that stumps you (5)

8. Mexican plant used in twine (5)

3. Family ties (7)

9. Paid early (7)

4. Beer and non-alcoholic drink mix (6)

11. Circular (5)

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Across

10. Fine smooth yarn (7) 12. Solution (6)

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14. The traditional way (6)

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18. Shows support for (5) 20. Sadly sentimental (5) 22

22. Not likely (7)

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23. Someone from around here (5) 24. To build (5) 24

25. Not crying (3,4)

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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.

5. Protection (5) 6. Medieval feast (7) 7. Change, modify (5) 13. Associated with death (7) 15. Typically (7) 16. Mixed in with (7) 17. Queen Victoria was not (6) 18. Move slightly (5) 19. Military vanguard specialist (5) 21. Four leaf clover (5)

Spot the winning move? White to play & mate in three moves. Puzzle kindly supplied by John Wrench. To join a club email: chessplay@mail.com. Last weeks solution: 1. Qxh5+ gxh5, 2. g6+ fxg6 3. fxg6++

Wordsearch Find the following names of cakes from all over the world, horizontally, vertically, diagonally, backwards and forwards ANGEL CAKE ARANYGALUSKA BABKA BARA BRITH DATE SQUARE FINANCIER FRUIT CAKE

HEDGEHOG SLICE HEVVA CAKE KHANOM BODIN MEDOVIK MERVEILLEUX TIRAMISU TOMPOUCE

For the answers to the crossword, see page 2.

Spot the differences

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Chess puzzle

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Puzzles

@iwobserver

Can you find all eight differences between the two pictures of the Hurricanes running riot at rugby below?

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Feature Puzzles

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25th October 2019

Make sure you’ve heard of Isle of Wight Lottery!

Have you heard of the Isle of Wight Lottery? Ask this question to most Islanders nowadays and the answer will probably be ‘no’!

Yet despite falling off the radar the Isle of Wight Lottery is still very much alive and kicking, and continues to give away £2,000 in winnings to Islanders each week.

With monster £5k and £10k draws throughout the year, the Lottery pays out over £100,000 in prize money annually, and since 2001 has given out over £2.3million to lucky Island winners.

Formed 18 years ago by the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, the Isle of Wight Lottery is specifically designed to help create and support jobs and businesses on the Island, and over the years the lottery has helped a number of businesses,

with many of them now household names.

Companies such as Rapanui, Bright Bulb, Nosy Design, Crossfit, Wight Karting, Wyatt & Jack, 4D Sports and many more have all benefitted from lottery loans over the years, enabling them to grow their businesses into the great brands and venues we see today.

At just £1 per week, with a number of ways to pay, the Isle of Wight lottery couldn’t be simpler. Sign up now, invite your friends and spread the word so that the next time anyone asks if you’ve heard of the Isle of Wight Lottery the answer will be Yes! You can sign up at isleofwightlottery.com.

Businesses on this page were helped by the IW Lottery.

4D Sports moves to new premises thanks to the support from Lottery 4D Sports is an exciting company that aims to bring a safe, dynamic & competitive target shooting sports to the Isle of Wight. Having grown year on year and needing larger premises, 4D Sports applied for and received a lottery loan and has now moved to its own site in Newport - opening the largest First Person Shooter (FPS) arena in Europe!

Recently hosting the World FPS championships 4D Sports is going from strength to strength. Find out more at www.4dsportsclubs.co.uk.

Boost for Karting thanks to lottery

The Isle of Wight Lottery has helped provide adrenalinefuelled fun for 65,000 drivers since Wight Karting opened its doors five years ago. Almost £500,000 invested by owners Andy, Cathy & David Foulkes, topped up by a £25,000 lottery loan, has created 30 jobs at the Ryde attraction and the business has gone from strength to strength as more people discover how much they enjoy the sport. The fleet of karts has expanded and they are able to include toddlers in the fun – as well as the kids up to the age of 100 who speed fearlessly around the 520m floodlit track.

The family are keen supporters of the IW Lottery and play every week. Cathy says: “The lottery has helped our business grow and so many of our customers become winners – we look forward to hitting the jackpot again one day.”

25th October 2019

I’m away for a couple of weeks!

iwobserver

Letters

@iwobserver

Holmesy!

The David Holmes Column

The burdens of growing old - but not very gracefully

31

Island Soapbox

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

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

Place X with care Dear Editor, Three long years of Tory dithering have culminated with the bitterly disappointing spectacle of Johnson fiddling like Nero. A dodgy deal, the Remainer Parliament’s boot on the throat of democracy, and anti-Brexit MPs murmuring around the EU like zombie starlings! Meanwhile, a few thousand losers

campaigning for a ‘People’s Vote’ are lauded by the mass media, ignoring the 17.4 million people that voted Leave.

If I may borrow from David Bowie, this ain’t Brexit it’s Boriscide: a future unfit for purpose and not as advertised. Everyone who cares whether the UK is a free country should place their X with care at the next General Election. It will likely be the last chance to empower MPs who work for the people, not against them. Adam Webb, Ryde

Double yellow lines needed Dear Editor, As a long term visitor to the Old Mill Caravan Park in St Helens, I was pleased and amazed that Vine Road on The Green had been resurfaced. However, my joy was short lived as it has already become an extension to the

car park.

Double yellow lines should be extended to cover all of its length thus giving Health and Safety to all, especially pedestrians. Come on IW Council, complete the job!

DS Goodchild, Sussex

Survey falls short

Getting older can be a struggle, although it can be funny sometimes. Memory is a tricky issue. It is said the older one gets, the better the recall of events which occurred 50 or more years ago. That doesn’t help with everyday living when you can’t quite remember where you left your spectacles.

As Bob Hope said: “I don’t feel old. I don’t feel anything until noon. Then it’s time for my nap.”

But as the memory fades it seems that even those with a photographic memory struggle. They seem to just run out of film.

It’s a different world as one ages. One becomes either invisible, tolerated or pitied.

George Burns once said; “If I’d known that I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.”

So, what’s the best way to take care of oneself? You could make sure you keep in with the children - they’ll be choosing your nursing home. But children get lives and children of their own, so like me, you could have a younger partner and hope that she’ll either look after you at home or find a jolly nice place without too much worry about the cost.

Many of us feel that we are at that awkward age between desirability and complete senility.

But the truth dawns as we become victims of our health problems.

I’m amazed by how many elderly people - by that I mean older than me - who have replacement hips, knees, or even hearts.

It makes me wonder what ambitions they have for physical prowess as they get towards their century. And we take so many pills for blood pressure, cholesterol, heart problems and anything else you can think of. A friend of mine admitted that he used to be a man of vision before his medication cleared it up.

But the Island presents special problems.

Our children and grandchildren pay a heavy price on the ferries to come and see us.

Some couples have a special IW ferry fund for when they want to see Mum and Dad or Grandpa and Grandma. Some of us are fortunate and can help out, but others just don’t see family as often as they would like.

That’s very sad.

Health care is a major worry. The Treasury is determined to screw every last penny out of us should we dare to require special care.

In the UK, we oldies still find ourselves robbed and pillaged by the establishment.

It might even be better to be poor, at least your children won’t be arguing that you ‘lack capacity’ to gain control of your estate.

The thing is, we all want to grow old gracefully and with dignity. My good friend David Holmes, whose column I am privileged to cover occasionally, is in real life, an undertaker, so he understands very well the ‘beyond life’ expectations of grieving relatives.

I was once asked to give a eulogy to a grieving audience on the occasion of the death of a friend. I had assumed that he was Church of England and so I prepared my peroration on conventional Christian grounds.

But 15 minutes before the service began, I was told by his dearest friend that she had just discovered he had become a humanist.

Fortunately, he was also an ardent nature lover, so some fast re-writing of the valedictory address covered up the lack of religious credentials.

C’est la vie. May we all reach our final resting place in peace and harmony.

By Nicholas Finney OBE

“Our children and grandchildren pay a heavy price on the ferries”

DAVID HOLMES IS BACK NEXT WEEK

Dear Editor, I thought it very kind of South Coast Leisure and Mr Wakes to do an assessment on the effect that their retail park will have on Newport and the Island, as it would always be in their favour. Surely the council should have conducted their own survey before

granting this. To think only 5o per cent of the planning committee passed this plan on only the assessment done, by the very people who want it. I suppose it is their figures about the number of jobs it might create. Also some of the people employed by SCL used to work for the council I believe. A Blackburn, Cowes

Worst road on Island?

Dear Editor, With reference to Holmsey's article on Island road surfaces, I would like to challenge him to find a worse ‘A’ road than the A3055 running through Ventnor to Wroxall. It is so potholed and cracked going through town, it is lethal in places.

I believe that there is a law that ‘A’ roads have to be of a certain standard. I got Ian Ward, the Isle of Wight councillor for roads to come and have a look. I never heard from him again. Apparently Island Roads can’t cope with any road that has a concrete base.

Jonathan Fitzgerald, Ventnor

St George’s Park site should have been used for homes Dear Editor, I refer to your lead story of October 18 concerning the proposed development at St George's Park, Newport. I agree wholeheartedly with Cllr Jones-Evans that the scheme is 'absolutely terrible'.

Here we have three colossal conglomerates and an indeterminate garden centre moving into one (almost) peripheral town location; Aldi has 10,000+ stores in 20 countries (do they really need another in Newport?) and whose owner is worth £53.5 billion according to the Forbes Rich List.

Wickes is only one arm of the enormous Travis Perkins group which controls more than 20 companies across the land and whose recently-appointed CEO has an annual salary of £630,000 plus a bonus of up to 180 percent.

McDonalds run nearly 40,000 outlets in 120 countries and their CEO was paid $21.7m in 2017. Yet another Macky Dee? As for the garden centre; is it to be another branch of an already established garden

centre or another Newport branch of a large national chain, all of which appear to be in a state of takeover flux.

What is left of St George's Park will, as usual, be covered in concrete to make way for a huge car park.

The usual justification is trotted out for this development - '200 new jobs.' OK, this may be true, but the effect on small businesses, not only in Newport but for miles around will be that possibly as many - maybe even more - jobs will be lost.

What about the nature of these 200 new jobs? How many will be minimum wage affairs that will attract part-timers such as students? Furthermore, how many staff will be on zero hours contracts?

What these corporations are achieving mostly is to turn such 'trading estates' into faceless concrete monstrosities. How many decent, low-cost homes could have been built on this site? Allan Neil, Shanklin

Send your letters into us newsdesk@iwobserver.co.uk

32

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SERVICES

To advertise here call 01983 214264

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HOUSE CLEARANCE & RUBBISH REMOVAL FULLY LICENSED Reliable friendly service with competitive prices, items recycled whenever possible.

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25th October 2019

Companionship is key to a healthy life

People on the Isle of Wight will have a new way to express their views on environmental issues with the launch of a series of workshops entitled My Planet My Voice next month. The workshops will enable people to explore ways they can voice their environmental concerns and help influence policy makers and inspire others to take action. Organised by Solent social enterprise Planet Aware the workshops have been made possible due to a successful bid to the Lush Community Fund.

At the workshops people of all ages will have the opportunity to use song, poetry, art, traditional letter writing, video and other creative means to express how they feel about the challenges we and our planet face -

and to call for change.

The first event will be a two-part song writing workshop led by award-winning songwriter and performer Glenn Koppany at Bar 74 Ryde on November 23. The follow-up workshop will be on December 12.

Sarah Marshall from Planet Aware said, “We are excited to have received this funding from Lush which will enable us to work with people in creative ways so they can realise the power of the individual in creating change.

Environmental problems can often seem overwhelming, but we need to voice our concerns for the future.�

Further details of My Planet My Voice can be found at planetaware.co.uk.

Great advertising rates available.

T: 01983 214264

25th October 2019

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Sport

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Sport

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Observer

By Peter White

Fixtures & match officials for tomorrow (Sat) (Kick-off 2pm unless stated) Harwoods Renault League Division One Cowes Sports Reserves v Pan Sports - Brian Hayward East Cowes Sports v Bembridge - Ian Gordon Ryde Saints v West Wight - Andy Jones Sandown v Binstead & COB - Dave Jukes Shanklin v Carisbrooke United - Matt Sainsbury Ventnor v Northwood St John’s - Keyson Colebrook Whitecroft & Barton Sports v Brading Town - John Hopkinson Division Two Adgestone v Seaview - Andy King Newchurch v Osborne Coburg - Chris Cass Niton Community v Vectis - Richard Mcfarlane Newport Reserves v AFC Wootton - Chris Beard Yarmouth & Calbourne v East Cowes Vics Reserves - Jamie Saltzer Combination One Binstead & COB v Whitecroft & Barton Sports - Stephen Todd Brading Town v Northwood St Johns - No Referee Carisbrooke United v Oakfield - No Referee Ryde Saints v Shanklin - No Referee Seaview v East Cowes Sports - No Referee West Wight v Sandown - No Referee

Immediate past lady captain Judi Hume, winner Carol Pointer and Ann Delf

Carol winner of Ann Dell Cup Ryde Golf Club past lady captains joined together to play for the Ann Delf Cup. After being lady captain, herself, Ann donated the cup 14 years ago. The competition was arranged

by immediate past lady captain Judi Hume, who also organised the luncheon in the clubhouse afterwards which was enjoyed by 23 past lady captains when Ann

Newport Golf Club Nine-hole Stableford: 1, Adam Ridett (13) 18 points.

Saturday Stableford: 1, George Ringer (7) 35 points; 2, Yolande Farrer (6) 35; 3, Oliver Wilson (4) 34.

Sunday Stableford: 1, Paul Rassmussen (8) 38 points; 2, Adam Wilson (17) 38; 3, George Ringer (7) 35.

Combination Two AFC Wootton v Niton Community - No Referee Bembridge v Newchurch - No Referee Osborne Coburg v Ventnor- No Referee Pan Sports v Ryde Saints A- No Referee Vectis v Yarmouth & Calbourne - No Referee

Island Vecta Billiard and Snooker League Arreton 3, Chillerton 12. Jim Marsden (75) 131 (0), Jamie Sparke (81) 200 (5); Phil Kennerly (32) 172 (1), Andy Potts (4) 200 (4); Kevin Rose (75) 187 (2), Roger Packer (81) 200 (3).

Ryde B.L. 8, Newbridge 7. John Barnes (68) 192 (2), Trevor Rider (107) 200 (3); Tony Worsfold (62) 166 (1), Trevor Whillier (-6) 200 (4); Tian Sleight (87) 200 (5), Kev Whillier (-44) 141 (0).

Highest break: Dave Cox, 45.

P Chillerton

4 4 Newport Con. Arreton 4 4 Ryde B.L. Newbridge 4

W 4 3 1 2 0

L 0 1 3 2 4

Pts 45 40 26* 25 13

*Arreton deducted 1 point for 2 man rule

Cowes & District Snooker League Week three

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

P W L F

Con C 3 12 9 1143 Con A 3 12 9 1080 Lib C 3 11 10 1203 Lib A 3 10 11 1117 Con B 3 10 11 1074 WC Con 3 8 13 1099

A 1090 1041 1136 1095 1098 1256

Diff 53 39 67 22 -24 -157

Pts 12 12 11 10 10 8

Game-week highest break: J. Jones (Lib C), 47.

Season’s highest break: R. Green (WC Con), 61.

presented the trophy to winner Carol Pointer. Trish Ball finished second and Lesley Whitter third.

Westridge Golf Club

Frustration for Island hockey teams in mainland matches Despite all the Isle of Wight Hockey Club’s home games being cancelled due to water on the pitch at Smallbrook, the men’s first team and and women’s second team completed their mainland matches.

The men visited Hamble Seconds looking to emulate their win from the previous week. With Hamble getting an early lead, the Island hit back immediately with a short corner drilled home by young debutant Chris Stokes. Hamble restored their lead but again the Island rallied, and Chris Stokes found the corner with a reverse stick strike.

However, when the Island went behind a third time there was no such reprieve. The game ended 4-2 after a mistake in defence by veteran Stuart Allen and a late penalty flick for Hamble. Highlights included a head-height goal line clearance

by Wightlink Man of the Match Lewis Heaven-Gandy and some delightful solo runs by England youth hopeful Tomaz Turjanicová.

Meanwhile, due to late ferries and crashes in Southampton, the Ladies second team arrived for their fixture against Southampton 4th XI 10 minutes after the game should have started. The disruption unsettled the Island and Southampton took full advantage to snatch a 3-2 win.

They took an early lead from a short corner, and grabbed another goal, again from a short corner, to go into the break 2-0 up. The Island then began to gain the upper hand, and a breakthrough came from a great run by Wightlink Man of the Match Emmeline Breach, whose shot on goal was deflected by a Southampton defender for Gracie Boyd to slot home.

Emmeline destroyed the Southampton defence time and time again, and was rewarded when she fired the ball into the net after good advantage play by umpire Neil Harris.

This again spurred the Island, but they could not find the elusive winner. The game looked to be heading for a draw but in the last minute the home side were awarded a short corner, which they converted for the winning goal.

The Battle of the Sexes tournament at Westridge Golf Club ended in victory for the men. Gents Team Captain Gordon Debenham is seen receiving the trophy from Ladies Team Captain Rose Budd.

Other results: 18-hole Stableford; Division 1: 1, Bob Sing-Bansi 37 points; 2, Geoff Budd 34; 3, Grenville Shipley 33. Division 2: 1, Reg Miller; 2, Alan Harnett 34; 3, Clive Martin 30.

Junior 18-hole, Stableford: 1, Austin Dyer 37; 2, Harrison Lake 36 ocb; 3, William Lakin 36.

18-hole, Stableford, Division 1: 1, Geoff Budd 36; 2, Gareth Jones 35; 3, Jason Clabon 29. Division 2: 1, Roger Merrifield 33; 2, Christine Hodgkinson 32; 3, Alan Paddick 30.

Junior 18-hole, Medal: 1, Harrison Lake 58; 2, Joel Tarry 64; 3, Harrison Knights 65.

Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club Ladies Daily Mail foursomes: 1, Chris Gould and Anna Garriock 35; 2, Debbie Berry and Dawn Hodge 31.

Open Stableford: 1, Campbell Laird 41 points; 2, Keith Taylor 39; 3, Gary Meszynski 38.

Monthly Stableford, Division 1: 1, David Bell 38 points; 2, John Liddelow 38; 3, Ben Guy 37.

Division 2: 1, Ian Hatcher 38; 2, Tony Valvona 35.

Captains’ Drive In AM-AM: Ladies: 1, Debbie Berry, Mandy Gould, Lorrie Hawkins and Bev Carroll 104; 2, Christine O’Brien, Fran Cole, Jan Easlea and Anna Garriock 94.

Mixed: 1, Jonathon Darke, Pam Darke, Terry Harris and Penny Last 109; 2, Barrie Domoney, Jenny Domoney, Steve Clifton and Ronnie Hirst 105.

Men’s: 1, Steve Compton, Nigel Bishop, Paul Lassey and Paul Cock 118; 2, Sean Millward, Roy Truman, Stef Brochocki and Mike Ward 111.

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25th October 2019

Island indoor bowlers progress in two National competitions

Bruce sails to victory in Trafalgar Trophy event Bembridge Sailing Club held their two-day Trafalgar Trophy event with 13 Illusion sailors competing, and with five wins, the Trophy was won by Bruce Huber. Ed Peel was second and father and son Mark and Alec Downer were third.

With the course set outside the harbour, Class Captain Mark Downer rounded the windward mark first and extended his lead with second and third being played out between Bruce and Ed, who was out in his new boat for the first time.

In the second race, Mark had the best start, but Bruce’s green spinnaker was the first to fly on the run from the spreader to the leeward gate. Mark was initially in second but Ed moved up on the second round, leaving Mark and newcomer Simon Birchenough to battle it out for third and fourth.

Bruce quickly established himself as the boat to beat in the third race. Despite best efforts by those behind, he crossed the finish line well ahead of Andy Christie, Jo

Downer and David Peerless.

The following day 15 Illusions were confined to the inner harbour. In the first race, Raymond Simmonds managed to stay ahead of Bruce Huber until the final run, when calls of ‘proper course’ reverberated around the harbour, and Bruce took over the lead and finished a boat length ahead.

Jo Downer was third and, after a very close race, David Peerless just managed to hold Robin Ebsworth off to finish in fourth. Bruce’s was again the boat to beat in the second race and despite pressure from Ed Peel and Raymond he held on to take his second win of the day.

After a good start by all in the final race, a similar pattern developed with Bruce showing no mercy and making it another win ahead of Ed and Raymond. Alec Downer, helming his father’s boat as Mark was chairing an EWCC Committee meeting, was fourth just ahead of his mother Jo. This weekend sees the Picnic Hamper 2019 event.

Ladies team, left to right: Val Addison, Moira Steven, Carol Jones, Shirley Searle, Ann Hoath, Phyl Fredericks, Sue Green, Pauline Proud (Captain) The Isle of Wight Indoor Bowls Club were involved in two National Competition first round matches, the Men in the Denny Cup and the Ladies in the Yetton Trophy.

The Men took on Worthing Pavilion and reached the next round thanks to fine performances by the two rinks playing away. The quartet of Ryan Trigg, Ian Ball, Peter Furmidge and Ron Leleux led for most of the match to record a convincing 28-12 win. The four of Steve Crockett, Mark Morris, Brian Taplin and Alan Cawdell scored an equally good win by 24-9.

The two home rinks fared much less well. John Pearce, Richard Jeffery, Ian Morey and Bob Mortlock led at the halfway stage but lost 22-

11, while Paul Dickenson, Simon New, Darren Griffith and Jack Berry trailed throughout and went down 24-16.

The Ladies played Banister Park from Southampton. The Islanders led throughout the match to win on three of the four rinks. Playing at home Val Addison, Shirley Searle, Moira Steven and Pauline Proud produced a good performance to win 24-9. The other home four of Phyl Fredericks, Carol Jones, Ann Hoath and Sue Green recovered from a seven shot deficit to record a 17-16 victory. Playing away the rink of Annie Morris, Wendy Thipthorp, Steff Ball and Maggie Lawley ran out very impressive 31-11 winners, while Margaret Carrett, Jane Kilby,

Barbara Sleap and Gay Allen only went down by 21-18.

Both the Mens and Ladies next round matches will be played on the morning of Saturday, November 2. The Men taken on Arun and the Ladies play Bournemouth.

This Sunday at 10am the Egham Trophy match takes place against the Dolphin Club on a two rinks home and away basis. The home team is Phyl Frederick, Barbara Sleap, John Pearce, Alan Cawdell, Pauline Proud, Steff Ball, Ian Morey and Bob Mortlock. The away team is Trish McMurray, Maggie Lawley, Brian Taplin, Jack Berry, Margaret Carrett, Jane Kilby, Peter Furmidge and Ron Leleux.

Brading sailors complete Autumn Series of races Brading Haven Yacht Club sailors competed in the last two races in the Autumn Series. The wind direction meant that the sea was ‘lumpy’ so they opted for a harbour start.

The Scow sailors decided not to participate so the handicap fleet consisted of six dinghies that were able to cut through the waves and make the most of the conditions.

The cadets excelled themselves

in taking part. Millie Wilson, the youngest sailor by far, and who only completed RYA Stage 2 at Sail Training Week this summer, was crew for her father, Tom Wilson in his new RS200. They managed to maintain their speed and finished a credible fourth on handicap.

Meanwhile, Cadet Abi Metcalfe, who is becoming a very competent Laser sailor, took out a Feva with F. Mackay Blair. They rose to the

challenge especially as they had to make running repairs during the race. Cadet Sam Steward opted to use his Laser 4.7 rig which given that the wind was dropping and backing to the west, and still expertly managed to keep up with the Wayfarer, sailed by Roger and Gill Herbert. Sam eventually came through to win the race on handicap.

The Fireball sailed by Peter

Hayward with Matt Yorke as crew, flew around the course and they demonstrated excellent sailing throughout. Stuart Gummer in his Devoitte D Zero, used his local knowledge to his advantage and chose a very different route to get to the windward mark thereby avoiding the tide. That allowed him to get there ahead of the fleet but he was not fast enough to catch the Fireball.

The result for race 11: 1,Sam Steward - Laser 4.7; 2, Peter Hayward and Matt Yorke - Fireball; 3, Stuart Gummer - Devoitte D Zero The overall results for the Autumn Series: Handicap Fleet: 1, Peter Hayward; 2, Sam Steward (Cadet); 3, Kristian Schafer (Cadet).

Scow Fleet: 1, Paul Gould; 2, Kate Oppenheim; 3, Estelle Rayment.

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Narrow defeat for IW in lastgasp nail-biter Isle of Wight RFC 30 Tottonians II 32

Hurricanes run riot with amazing 15-try spree!

Sandown & Shanklin 91 Eastleigh 2ndXV 0 Sandown and Shanklin RFC ran riot against Eastleigh RFC 2nd XV to the Fairway, scoring no fewer than 15 tries without reply.

The Hurricanes were 12 - 0 up in the space of five minutes, the first score coming from Man of the Match Matt Miselbach, and the second from fly-half Owen Williams. Then the hosts notched in a further eight unanswered tries in the first half. A quick tap penalty from Sam Tyson saw him exploit the space in defence, and there was a second for Owen.

Harry Hopper grabbed an impressive score, and this was followed by the Sandown backs again cutting through the Eastleigh defence with prop Sam Dawson going over for his first Sandown try. Scrum-half Tom Borrer, taking

over the kicking duties, converted both tries.

The final four tries of the half were scored

by Zak Chiverton, Jack Wedderkop, Miselbach and Michael Barrett try, leaving the Hurricanes up 60 - 0 at the interval.

In the second half, the frenetic pace of scoring decreased, as the visitors searched and battled for a consolation score, using their big forward pack to barge their way to the Sandown 22. But fly-half Williams completed his hat-trick with the first score of the second half, and soon afterwards Miselbach also completed his hat-trick.

Barrett completed his brace, and young winger Rob Newton Jnr got his third try in as many games, collecting a crossfield chip from Tyson and doing very well to score under pressure.

The final try came from the Miselbach, who

notched up four tries in total. A well-worked break with fine offloading and support lines was finished off, and converted by Williams.

Director of Rugby Damien Marriott said: “Yet, again we stood tall in defence, and over the last two games conceding nothing and scoring 141 points, we are just starting to fire up nicely for the next few games, which will be a real challenge and settle out the league.

“But full credit to Eastleigh, who kept going in the last 10 minutes and throwing everything at us, perhaps should have deservedly got something for all their efforts.”

The Hurricanes are back on the road tomorrow (Sat) when they make the trip to play Fareham Heathens. The 2nd XV welcome Alton RFC 2nd XV to the Fairway.

IW RFC just failed to secure their third successive win when they hosted Tottonians II, after being forced into a number of changes from their previous outing.

IW put good, early pressure on the visitors, and quick and efficient hands allowed the home side to take an early lead with Biffa Man of the Match Callum Pudney getting the first of his two tries.

Some varied passages of play resulted not only in Tottonians getting back into the game, but IW losing Tom Marriott to the sin bin, though Pudney’s second score and a Lewis Murray penalty gave the hosts a 17-12 lead at half-time.

Possession went back and forth through the second period, with promising signs of securing victory from both teams, with a further Murray penalty plus a Marriott try giving IW a 25-20 lead. However, Totts fought back to score two tries, the second with little more than five minutes remaining. The successful angled conversion left IW with a difficult job, trailing 32-25 and perhaps feasibly only being able to salvage a draw.

They worked through their phases and after several penalties deep in the opposition half, a series of quickly taken penalties were converted into a try by Alex Smith. With the score 30-32, the weight of the game rested on the shoulders of Murray to get the draw. Controversially, an early charge was not penalised by the referee, and the kick drifted narrowly wide.

The IW Rangers travel to bottom of the league Southampton tomorrow (Sat), hoping to find the winning form they have shown in recent weeks.

Second half fight fails to save IW Seconds!

IW RFC II 0 Tottonians III 40 In their first game for four weeks, Isle of Wight seconds were comprehensively defeated, and remain third from bottom of Hampshire Two. The spoils were effectively decided in the first half when an experienced and well-drilled Totts side dictated terms and built up an unassailable lead 33-0 at the break.

With a number of tactical switches and IW’s resolve to do better in the second half, the next 40 minutes were very different as IW were much more competitive and matched their opponents. Jake Puckett, son of club president Nick, impressed on debut with a great defensive shift, while Biffa Man of the Match Tom Groves was effective on his return from injury and Rouse Man of the Match Ned Guy played with determination. Also making seasonal debuts were Owain Hooper, Matt Hallam and Dan Tennant, while Henry Edwards showed great pace from full-back, almost opening IW’s account.

With 10 minutes remaining, Totts made their sole incursion of the half into the IW 22, and left with a converted try. IW were disappointed with the final scoreline, but take heart from a strong second 40 as they welcome Havant III to Wootton Rec tomorrow (Sat) 3pm kick-off.

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25th October 2019

Caretaker Simpkins sees Vics squander chances East Cowes Vics 0 Hythe and Dibden 2

Pictured: Ewan Cranwell scored from the spot

Below-par Yachtsmen hit for six by Horndean

There were midweek frustrations for Vics caretaker manager John Simpkins and his players when they entertained a Hythe and Dibden side pushing for top spot in the Wessex League, First Division.

Simpkins saw his side perform well, and were unlucky not to pick up at least a point. Vics are now going through the process of finding a permanent successor to Steve Brougham, who resigned recently. Although Simpkins will be in charge again tomorrow, Vics hope to have their new man in place by next weekend.

Vics created enough opportunities against Hythe to put the game beyond the visitors’ reach in the first half, only to be beaten by two goals in the last quarter of the contest.

The win took Hythe up to

second place in the table, only two points behind leaders US Portsmouth, with a game in hand. But Simpkins reckoned: “After they started brightly we made a couple of little changes to the way we were playing, and from then until half time we dominated. We had what looked to be a good goal by Ryan Gregory disallowed for half time, and then went on to squander several absolute clear chances. We could easily have been 4-0 up going in at the break “Overall we played really well, but you can’t afford to do that against a side like Hythe and Dibden, and they stepped it up in the second period, although there were lots of positives. I hope we can take them into Saturday’s game at New Milton, which is a really big, must-win one for us.”

Vics are currently just two points behind New Milton, and a win would move them out of the bottom two and a big step nearer safety.

Cowes Sports 1 Horndean 6 Cowes Sports manager Steve Rutter admitted his side simply were not good enough to compete with Wessex League, Premier Division title hopefuls Horndean.

Rutter admitted: “They are a very good side, and are always going to be at the right end of the table. But no excuses, we were poor. We gave them far too much respect in the first half, and our defending was very average. There were not enough of my players taking responsibility, although after they went ahead we began to play a bit better.

“But then a lack of concentration cost us for their second and third goals, and from then on we were on a hiding to nothing.

I had a few choice words at half time, and told the players I was embarrassed by what I was seeing. I don’t mind us losing if we have done everything we can, but this was not he case.”

Horndean, who finished runners-up in the division last season, were soon ahead, and added two more goals before the break. The Yachtsmen gave themselves brief hope when they reduced the deficit in the second half when Joe White was brought down in the area, and Ewan Cranwell scored from he penalty spot. But there was no stopping Horndean, who capitalised on a couple more defensive lapses by the Yachtsmen, who themselves created but wasted a couple more decent opportunities.

The Yachtsmen face another difficult game game tomorrow (Sat) when they travel to Portland, a side currently in midtable, but with games in hand on many of the sides above them.

Vics secure first League win to delight of caretaker Simpkins Alton 1 East Cowes Vics 3 Despite the midweek defeat, John Simpkins could hardly have asked for a more positive response from his Vics players for his first game in temporary charge, following the resignation of Steve Brougham. Vics secured their first Wessex League, Division One victory of the campaign against a side pushing for a top six place.

Simpkins (pictured), who has already told Vics he does not want the job on a permanent basis, admitted the rare luxury of having all his first team players available for the tricky trip to Alton was a real bonus, and he was delighted with their positive attitude.

He said: “It happens a lot that when a

manager leaves a club, the team goes out and wins, because in a way it’s a fresh start for everyone. But it was good to have all the players available. If we can do that regularly, I am sure we will start climbing the table, because we are not a bottom three side.”

Vics withstood some early pressure from Alton, before taking the lead after 15 minutes. Joe Butcher crossed for Jordan Chapman to finish off a well-worked goal of about a dozen passes from defence through to attack, which Simpkins described as ‘probably one of our best spells of football this season on a perfect playing surface’.

The opener clearly rocked Alton, and gave Vics the confidence to push on. They increased their lead before the break when

Chapman repaid the compliment by racing away down the wing and crossing for Butcher to tap home from inside the sixyard box.

The Island outfit increased their lead early in the second period with a fine solo goal from Butcher, who ran through from his own half, waltzed past four defenders, and slotted his shot beyond the advancing keeper. Vics then had a couple of good chances to put the game out of sight, before Alton pulled a goal back on 72 minutes, which rejuvenated them, but Vics stood firm.

Simpkins added: “It was real backs to he wall stuff from us, but for the effort the lads put in, they deserved to get the win out of it. All the players were a credit to themselves and the club.”

East Cowes Vics caretaker manager John Simpkins

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Great turnout for Dressage championship The Island Riding Centre held their Dressage championship last Sunday with a great turnout of 62 tests in all, being ridden. There where five shows within the summer series which all had strong entries, with all riders working towards the championship. Island Riding Centre

would like to thank all the riders for supporting their events and are looking forwards to the first in their winter series, which starts November 3.

Pictures by Kev Cant

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25th October 2019

Hose and Briggs taking on Hundred challenge Two Isle of Wight cricketers, Adam Hose and Danny Briggs, will be involved in The Hundred cricket tournament next summer, the latest format of the game.

Hard-hitting batsmen Hose, who is fast building a fine reputation with Warwickshire, will be starring for Birmingham Phoenix in the competition, a side skippered by England pace bowler, and Hose’s fellow Warwicks team mate, Chris Woakes.

Meanwhile, spin bowler Danny Briggs has been chosen to play for Welsh Fire, although he plays county cricket for Sussex, and was formerly with Hampshire. The city-

based franchise teams, which will field both men’s and women’s teams, are Birmingham Phoenix, London Spirit, Manchester Originals, Northern Chargers, Oval Invincibles, Southern Brave, Trent Rockets and Welsh Fire will compete when in the tournament when it starts in July 2020, and will include a host of top international star players from around the world. Each match will last just 100 deliveries, 20 fewer than the popular T20 format of the game.

Pictured: Left: Danny Briggs. Below: Adam Hose.

Marathon woman Anna coming to the Island

Whitecroft and Barton Knowles is hat-trick hero In a weekend decimated by the weather, only a handful of Island junior football matches survived. One that did saw Whitecroft and Barton beat Cowes

Sports Reserves in the Challenge Cup, thanks to a hat-trick from Fred Knowles.

Northwood St John’s also reached the next round with a 3-2 victory at Ventnor.

In the IW Junior A Cup, Osborne Coburg beat Seaview Reserves 4-3, and in a highscoring clash, Vectis pipped Oakfield 6-5.

Anna McNuff, ambassador to Girlguiding UK, and an endurance athlete, adventurer and speaker, will be visiting the Isle of Wight on November 2 and 3.

Anna (pictured) will be here as part of her latest challenge to run the distance of 100 marathons, which is 2,620 miles, barefoot through Britain. The Barefoot Britain challenge started in the Shetland Islands on Sunday, June 2 and ends in London on Sunday, November 10.

Girls are invited to join her as part of this adventure, either running with her on the route or going along to her motivational talk on Sunday, November 3, from 6pm to 7pm (TBC) at The Bay CE School, The Fairway, Sandown.

Full details of her routes/talk times will be available from IW Guide leaders and will be posted on the Girlguiding Isle of Wight Facebook Page. Please let your leader know if you are interested in taking part in this opportunity. For more information on her challenge please go to www.annamcnuff.com

Ventnor show spirit to claim fine victory Ventnor 1stXV 13 Portsmouth 2ndXV 0 A game dominated by two defences who never shirked or relented saw Ventnor win, emboldened by a new belief epitomised by Lewis Jones who grows into the captaincy as the season progresses.

Portsmouth provided the early pressure but once again Ventnor’s scrum put the home team on the front foot with Tristan Price, Jones and Adam Pratt overpowering their opponents and Ben Savill and Andy Teague making nuisances of themselves throughout.

Ventnor took their first points from a

penalty from Chris Hill after good work from Ed Blake, Teague and Colson. After another powerful forward thrust, debutant Louis Malkin got his three-quarters going with a long pass to Ross Harris who released Lewy Morton and Hill to give George Finan that inch of space to score in the corner.

Although Portsmouth camped deep in Ventnor’s 22, the thin blue line held to retain the 8 – 0 lead at the break.The second half began with Portsmouth in the ascendancy but Ventnor’s spirit shone through. Justinas Urbanos timed his run into the line to perfection to take Morton’s pass and the fullback set Finan free for his second try.

This seemed to take the wind out of Portsmouth’s spirit although they never gave up and Harris was unlucky to be yellow carded for a high tackle. But even with a man down, Ventnor’s defence never looked like buckling and the numbers were evened out when Hill was upended chasing a rare kick ahead.

Max Wheeler replaced Harris and calmed proceedings with an assured performance and it is obvious that he is a real prospect.

Incidentally his presence on the field meant that there were now five ‘second-generation’ players out there, namely Pratt, Marsh, Malkin, Morton and Wheeler. Dan Noyes, last season’s second team player of the year, came

on to replace loose-head Price and shored up a tiring defence, and the whistle blew with a final score of 13 – 0 to Ventnor.

A J Wells Man of the Match: Louis Malkin – for a brilliant debut. Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Andy Teague – for going to watch Stephen Fry on tour instead of playing a game earlier in the season, unforgivable!

Ventnor RFC match sponsors were: A J Wells and Sons, Abacus Express Logistics, Bonchurch Garage, Broadfields Park Merstone, D & S Carpets IOW Ltd, Gamson Gray Design and Media and SR & L Building Contractors Ltd.

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Lock and Idle turn in a right Royals show!

Ryde Royals met Ryder Raiders in a close and hard fought encounter in Division One of the Isle of Wight Table Tennis Association. The Royals’ Conal Howells and Ricky Lock were unlucky to gain only one win, but teenage star Hugh Idle took all three of his games comfortably. The doubles decided the match, with Idle and Lock joining up to win a four-set thriller against Raiders’ Mike Prior and Timothy Giles, as the match ended 6-4 to the Royals.

Ryde A continue their dominance in Division One with a 9-1 victory over the siblings of Newport Vics B. However, Newport’s 15-year-old Sean Joyce gained a notable scalp with a five-set victory over Roger Nevell.

In Division Two, a full complement of matches was played and match of the week was between Shanklin B and Ryde Red Kites, with almost all games going to four or five sets.

Going into the doubles the score was 5-4 to Shanklin, but the experienced pairing of Ryde’s Maggie Preston and Manfred Gelhard told against Shanklin’s Alan Dennis and Garry Thorp and the match ended in a draw.

Two newly promoted teams, the teenagers of Ryde Rookies and the rather older Ryde Raptors met in an enthralling match. The Raptors gained a 6-4 victory with an emphatic doubles win after some classic singles encounters.

Newport Vics C stay in contention for the title after a 7-3 victory over fellow contenders Shanklin B, with Newport’s Trevor Percival player of the match after three emphatic singles wins.

Ricky Lock of Ryde Royals

Indoor cricket cup showdown after last four spots decided Cowes, Northwood 1, EPP and Ryde 1 all confirmed their places in the semi-finals of the Leslies Motors Indoor Cricket Cup with comfortable victories.

Cowes began the evening by beating Brading by six wickets.

Despite 26 from Mark Hartnell, Brading were skittled out for 78, and Cowes made easy work of getting to their target without losing a wicket, thanks to openers Josh Rice (25) and Jack Summers (27).

Callum Witham was the star for Northwood 1 in their triumph over Ryde School. His tight bowling (2-

20) helped restrict the School to 107-4, and then hit an unbeaten 25 as Northwood (108-1) won by five wickets.

Current cup holders Ryde 1 were in no mood to take things easy against their club colleagues, Ryde 2, as they smashed their way to a huge win by 128 runs. Batting first, Ryde 1’s Dave Pratt 39 on not out and Josh Proctor with 26 not out, were the main contributors in their score of 157-3. Two wickets from Ash Goldsmith and a hat trick from Simon Wratten made sure Ryde 2 were never in contention as they bowled out for

just 29 in seven overs.

EPP take up the other semi finalspot as they defeated a young Ventnor side by 53 runs. Not out scores from Ali Wheble (55) and Dan Cox (36) took EPP to a total of 141-4 (Will Vincent 3-41). Despite 38 from Joby Wells, Ventnor could only muster 88 in reply.

The semi-finals will see EPP try to gain revenge over Ryde 1 for their last ball defeat at the same stage last season. The semi-finals and final will take place at Cowes Enterprise College on Sunday: Ryde 1 v EPP (6pm); Northwood 1 v Cowes (7pm); Final (8.30pm).

In Division Three, Ryde Rebels and Ryde Revellers continue to dominate as both took an 8-2 victory over Ryde Rustics and Wootton Wombles respectively. Revellers’ Alan Burch and Rebels’ Peter Dove top the players’ averages with 100 per cent each at this early stage of the season.

Results: Division One: Newport Vics 7, Havenstreet Sleepers 3; Ryde Royals 6, Ryde Raiders 4; Newport Vic

Hugh Idle of Ryde Royals B 1, Ryde A 9.

Division Two: Havenstreet Locos 8, Ryde Rascals 2; Rookley A 3 Newport Vics C 7; Shanklin B 5, Ryde Red Kites 5; Freshwater A 8, Newport Vics D 2; Ryde Rockets 4, Ryde Raptors 6.

Division Three: Ryde Revellers 8, Ryde Rustics 2; Ryde Rebels 8, Wootton Wombles 2.

Indoor cricket cup showdown after last four spots decided Nine scows, a Pico and a Feva started the latest series of races at Yarmouth Sailing Club. Chris Parsloe got the best start and led the pack for a while but was eventually passed by Roger PoerscoutEdgerton, who led around B mark with Chris and Melinda Measor in hot pursuit.

By second rounding of B mark Roger still led, but with Graeme Bowen and Chris in closest pursuit.

Roger continued to lead until Graeme forced an infringement near the final D mark rounding.

The final result was Graeme, followed by Roger, and then John Smith. A bit further back Derek Morris scuppered his chances by hitting the mud exiting Mill Creek,

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and Bill Ford, believing he saw an opportunity tacking out of Mill Creek, forget to round D mark. Joy Mowles in a Feva finished seventh on corrected time.

The following day 12 Scows took the start. The Race Officer, Tom Bignall, volunteered a proper windward start line from a committee boat. John Smith managed to squeeze round the pin end and got away first, and with clear air led the fleet to the end. But he managed to foul someone and felt he had to retire, as did Peter Giles who had also been involved.

This gave the win to Graeme Bowen who had been chasing John throughout, with Roger second and Alan Toms third.

E-mail the IW Observer at: sport@iwobserver.co.uk

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This week’s highlights...

Football

East Cowes Vics squander chances

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25th October 2019

Equestrian Great turnout for dressage

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Super Lacey kicks her way to World silver medal glory Ryde youngster Lacey MastertonDavis continued her incredible rise to prominence in the tough sport of kick boxing when she travelled to Ireland to compete in the prestigious ISKA Amateur Member Association World Championships.

Competing at the Neptune Stadium, in Cork, Lacey, who is still only 11 years of age, entered the 44+kg Muay Thai category and weighed in at 49kg. She received a bye in the quarter-finals and was drawn against Irish fighter Abbie O’Meara in the semis.

Abbie, an experienced fighter with a good record in her home country, was always going to be a tough opposition, and so it proved.

But Lacey, a pupil at Ryde School, gave the performance of her life and went through to the final by winning 30 to 28 over three rounds.

Unfortunately, she met her team mate Emilia Azarova of Watford Lions again in the final and Emilia proved to be just a bit too much for Lacey, who gave it her all, but still became a World Championship silver medallist. Team England took gold, silver and bronze in the category with Lucie Guirey of Battlefield, Essex coming joint third with Abbie O’Meara .

Lacey’s overall achievement was even more impressive by the fact no fewer than 30 countries competed in the Championships, and she helped Team England, the only representatives of Great Britain, come out on top of the medals table ahead of Ukraine, Ireland and Germany, with 54 gold, 42 silver and 23 bronze medals.

Lacey Masterton-Davis (left) and Emilia Azrova before the finals at the World Championships

Kelly and Browne snatch hat-tricks in dashing win!

Totton and Eling 2 Newport 6 Connor Kelly and Jordan Browne both grabbed midweek hat-tricks as Newport secured one of their most emphatic Wessex League, Division One victories of the season.

The win keeps Newport handily placed in eighth in the table, and they will be hoping to consolidate their position tomorrow (Sat) when they entertain Laverstock and Ford at Beatrice Avenue.

Port manager Andy Sampson was pleased

with the outcome, saying: “We played well throughout, and took our chances, so it was a good all round performance. Admittedly, we gifted them one of their goals, and they had their moments, but generally I felt we were comfortable throughout.

“We hadn’t been doing too well of late, so maybe having Saturday off did us good, because everyone came back looking fresh and ready. We were strong at the back, lively in midfield and good up front.”

Newport eased into a two-goal lead before Totton pulled one back. But the Island side were undeterred, and added

two more before the break. Then Kelly crossed for Browne to complete his hattrick early in the second period, and then in the 69th minute Kelly also rounded off his hat-trick with a delicate lob over the keeper, following a long clearance out of defence.

Although Totton scored their second from the penalty spot late on, there was no way back for them as Newport celebrated a comprehensive win before making a dash from the ground to catch the 10pm Red Jet. Connor Kelly (left) and Jordan Browne