Isle of Wight Observer Issue 27

Observer

22nd February 2019

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Squirrel holds up cherry tree removal

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Friday 22nd February 2019 Issue No.27

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OUTCRY OVER HOMES PLAN 6

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Islanders have until February 25 to make their views known on building initiative

Islanders are being urged to register their objection by Monday (Feb 25) to the Island Plan building initiative which is proposing to create 10,000 new homes on the Isle of Wight.

Ryde Councillor Michael Lilley and campaigner Jenny Wade say Ryde will be particularly hard hit by the proposals. The town will lose all its green field land if the plan is approved, adding that the housing plan runs counter to Islanders’ actual housing needs.

Jenny said:“If we don’t register our objections

by February 25 this paper will be adopted and we will all have to live with the fact this flawed Island Plan will govern how we live for the next 15 years. Can we really afford to be so complacent?

“This draft Island Strategic Development Plan is, in my opinion, not fit for purpose and needs to be reworked from an Island perspective.

Where is the section dedicated to our totally outdated and now inadequate Island road network?”

The IW Council closes its consultation for the revised Island Plan Strategy on Monday. The Island branch of the Campaign for Rural England

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Answers for crossword page 26 Down: 1. Lira, 2. Bandit, 3. Cereal, 4. Eyesight, 5. Akin, 7. Braille, 11. Monotony, 12. Our, 13. Showoff, 15. Ageism, 16. Nipple, 18. Etna, 19. Reds.

Across: 6. Abdicate, 8. Yaks, 9. Salad dressing, 10. Climatologist, 14. Reincarnation, 17.

Weatherperson, 20. Anon, 21. Solidify.

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22nd February 2019

Primary Care Service ‘not fit for purpose’ The NHS Primary Care Service on the Isle of Wight is not fit for purpose according to a briefing given by an Isle of Wight Councillor in Westminster.

Speaking at a meeting in the Terrace Marquee of the House of Commons, Councillor Chris Whitehouse (Conservative, Newport, West Ward) blamed historic under-investment for the poor quality of NHS buildings on the Island.

Cllr Whitehouse said: “General Practice doesn’t have the facilities they need to deliver quality services, close to home, for an ageing and more needy population.”

Mr Whitehouse, who is Chair of the Local Improvement Finance Council (LIFT) told an audience of MPs and NHS policy makers that in the 21st Century, many local facilities were still working out of Victorian and Edwardian houses, unable to adequately provide the wider range nursing and diagnostic services that patients need.

He concluded that the facilities were ‘not fit for purpose’.

But Martin Wakely, the Managing Director for the

NHS on the Isle of Wight, responded that the condition of NHS estates facilities on the Island had to be seen in a wider context. He said: “We would recognise that, in keeping with many other parts of the country, some of the buildings that are currently used to deliver GP and Primary Service Care are not fit for purpose.”

Mr. Wakely said that ensuring that buildings are appropriate for use and in the right places to meet the changing demographic was a key part of the NHS’s primary care strategy on the Isle of Wight, adding: “The strategy sets out where we will support for GPS and others as they deliver a wide range of services in future through extended primary and continuing care.”

Mr. Wakely emphasised that infrastructure, including accommodation, is an important component of this overall strategy, for which there was no ‘quick fix’.

He continued: “We are currently working with all GP practices in undertaking a premises conduct survey.

This looks at property conditions, safety, suitability

and general environment, including how space within each building is currently used.”

The survey, once completed, would help to afford the future estate plans of the NHS on the Isle of Wight and place them in a better position to apply for and target appropriate investment in primary care.

Meanwhile, Julian Critchley, the leader of Island Labour, says that there is a crisis in the NHS nationally, as a result of the present government’s underfunding, of which the inadequate standard of buildings was an

integral part.

Mr Critchley said that the reduced number of front line staff, growing waiting lists and dilapidation of buildings and equipment amounted to a crisis in the NHS nationally that was particularly acute on the Island.

He added: “The local Tory council and MP have supported the removal of services from St Mary’s Hospital to the detriment of Islanders. We have an ageing population on the Isle of Wight who are heavily dependent on NHS services.”

Vodafone apologises for ‘upgrades’ disruption Isle of Wight residents have received an apology from mobile phone giant Vodafone after disruption to its network over the last few weeks. Vodaphone has confirmed that further work to ‘improve’ its service is ongoing. The company says the upgrades are necessary to improve data speed, streaming experience and voice calling. Planned maintenance also caused disruption for Vodafone users in the Newport area earlier this month.

A spokesperson for Vodaphone claimed the disruption would be worth it in the long-term and that no further work was planned for the Newport area.

Work has, however, also started in Cowes and in a number of other areas across the Island. This work, which is expected to last until mid-March, forms part of ambitious plans to get the Isle of Wight 5G ready in the near future, to allow for even higher data peak speed

On this occasion, Vodaphone believe Islanders can expect no more than minimal disruption, but point out that bringing down equipment from the top of the mast will cause down time for the network.

Isle of Wight Vodafone users who experience network problems are encouraged to visit the Newport branch and speak to Simon, the store manager.

22nd February 2019

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Campaigners call for new homes plan objections Continued from front page (CPRE) is campaigning strongly against the proposed strategy.

Conservative Cllr Matt Price, ViceChair of IW Council Planning Committee has broken ranks and is protesting about proposed housing in Fairlee. Independent Green Councillor Michael Lilley’s Ryde East Ward (Appley, Elmfield and Pennyfeathers) has over already 1,200 new homes with full and outline planning permission Cllr Lilley said: “Ryde within this proposed plan will have no greenfield countryside left within its boundary.

Westridge Farm will disappear with 550 houses built on it. Ryde Bowmen will have nowhere for archery and historic dormice habitat in Ryde will be gone forever. Simply there will be no dormice and green fields in Ryde left! My Ryde East ward once the beautiful historic village of Elmfield surrounded by green fields will be just a massive housing estate.

We have derelict houses rotting on Marlborough Road waiting for a new road junction to be built for 900 houses on Pennyfeathers, roads with potholes, and houses planned on Westridge Farm with no proper access with roads that are so thin they are just dirt tracks.

“A tenant farming family steadily destroyed as they see field by field sold by the landowner who lives on the mainland for housing. In reality with Brexit, there is going to be no private big house building investment on the Island for years.

Investors withdrew from Puckpool recently. We are just going to be a dreamland of waiting to build sites in limbo for years. We have to wake up now!”

A former Council Leader and Isle of Wight Councillor has endorsed objections by residents and pressure groups to the building of 10,000 new homes on the Island. Cllr Ian Stephens described the proposed Island Plan house building initiative as ‘complete overkill’ and as entirely inappropriate

to the needs of Islanders.

He said: “We have homelessness on the Island and a whole number of infrastructure problems, including inadequate roads, that this kind of building will do nothing to resolve.

We must also consider health and education as well as addressing other fundamental infrastructure issues.”

Cllr. Stephens added: “We need jobs and schools for Islanders while the kind of house building that is being proposed serves only the profits of developers. We need homes that are affordable to Island couples. I do not believe that the proposals do enough to attract or retain young people on the Island.”

He also noted how the character of current house building initiatives was changing the character of Island life, saying: “The Island I grew up in has changed and not always for the better. The reason I became a Councillor was to make a difference and serve the community.”

Meanwhile in Ryde, Jenny Wade added: “To a growing number of people it seems the current Council is determined the Isle of Wight will soon be an offshore appendage fully integrated into Hampshire. The new build house numbers (almost 10,000 over 15 years) in no way truthfully reflects what is actually needed for the Island, but if we are lumped in with Southampton & Portsmouth they then of course make perfect sense.

“We need a Council that is prepared to stand up to central government and fight for the right to be treated as a special case; allowed to set our own realistic figures. We are a County in our own right. Yes, we are surrounded by water and totally reliant on the ferries to transport us and goods to and from the mainland but we like it that way. It’s part of what makes us unique. Burying us under thousands of new build homes, most of which won’t be of the right type and will be far too costly for local people to afford, only makes sense to blinkered politicians.”

Cllr Ian Stevens

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News in brief Car crash in Shanklin A man was extracted by firefighters through the boot of a vehicle following a crash in which a vehicle overturned on Victoria Avenue in Shanklin.

The casualty was taken to St Mary’s Hospital in Newport by ambulance.

Yarmouth power cut A high voltage network fault caused a power cut, affecting homes and businesses in Yarmouth, Thorley, Shalfleet and Wellow in West Wight at around 6.30pm on February 14.

Some couples’ Valentine’s Day plans were put on hold until power was restored at around 10pm.

Missing kids found Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team and Ryde Inshore Rescue joined in the search for two missing children at Appley Beach in Ryde on Tuesday afternoon. The alarm was raised at around 2pm, and both children were found safe and well by HM Coastguard at just before 3pm.

Cllr Lilley added: “The Island does not just need a viable plan but needs an Act of Parliament that recognises it is an Island and has power over its own destination. The plan of building new 10,000 plus homes is not viable and utter madness. We need homes for Islanders, we need decent roads, we need a real environmental policy that is fit for an Island in the 21st Century. This proposed plan just kowtows to the mainland and makes Islanders subservient to the rest

of England. We need to rise up and demand legislation so we control our own housing, environmental and economic needs.”

Council leader Dave Stewart stated “Housing is going to be a very important element of the Island Plan and whatever happens we must get it right for the Island.”

Get your views heard and put comments on: https://iow-consult. objective.co.uk/portal/planning/ ipsdraft2018/ipsdraft2018.

Car hits post A Citroen Saxo collided head on into a lamp post at the Asda roundabout on St George’s Way in Newport, at around 10.30pm on Wednesday night. The hatchback sustained significant front-end damage and buckled a new lamp post, which it had crashed into.

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22nd February 2019

Red Funnel’s Kestrel about to fly to Island The latest vessel to join Red Funnel’s fleet has been launched in Birkenhead on Tuesday. The £10million vessel was built at Cammell Laird’s famous shipyard, highlighting Red Funnel’s commitment to British shipbuilding and engineering.

Red Kestrel, a new freight-only RoRo vessel, will operate between Southampton and Isle of Wight, and will enter service in May, following a trials and training period. The launch event marks the debut of Red Funnel’s first dedicated RoRo freight ship since the company’s inception almost 200 years ago.

As a freight vessel, she is limited to 12 passengers and constructed specifically to provide additional year-round freight capacity for Red Funnel’s Southampton-East Cowes route, which currently handles 53 per cent of all freight movements across the Solent.

At 74 metres in length, Red Kestrel will provide 265 lane metres of roll-on/roll-off freight capacity.

To minimise the environmental footprint, the hull shape has been designed specifically to reduce wash, and a propulsion package has been selected to make her highly fuel efficient. The use of proven azimuth thrusters, supplied by Rolls Royce, will also make the ship very manoeuvrable. The crossing time of 55 to 60 minutes will be identical to Red Funnel’s existing Raptor class ro-pax ships.

Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, said: “We are delighted by today’s launch of Red Kestrel. The addition of a new ship is always an exciting time for everyone in the company, and we look forward to taking delivery in April. We’re thrilled that not only will Red Kestrel increase our total capacity and enhance convenience for our cross-Solent customers, but we also take tremendous pride in supporting the revival of worldclass shipbuilding in this country.

It’s a very special feeling for all of us, and we’re in good hands with Cammell Laird. They have been a brilliant partner and we’re very grateful for all their tremendous work.”

Tony Graham, Cammell Laird Chief Operating Officer, said: “Cammell Laird would like to thank Red Funnel for placing its trust in us to build this wonderful state-of-the-art ferry, drawing on all our marine engineering expertise.

“We are especially proud to be working for a British ferry company, winning the contract against international competition.

It is tremendous to see more ship owners and ferry operators choosing to build in the UK. This is very much in line with the Government’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, which aims to recalibrate British shipbuilding as a major job and wealth creator now and into the future.”

22nd February 2019

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Cross contamination food warning after prosecution Businesses serving food on the Isle of Wight have been reminded that they face legal action if they continually fail to meet hygiene standards.

Cross contamination between raw and ready to eat food is the leading cause of cross contamination, say the Isle of Wight Council’s Strategic Manager for Regulatory Services and Public Safety.

Food businesses have been urged to ensure that they have proper procedures in place after the prosecution of a kebab house on Shanklin High Street.

Aden Kaya, aged 38, owner of the Yummy Tummy Kebab House on Shanklin High Street was charged with food hygiene offences in the Isle of Wight Magistrate’s Court.

His previous offences, and those of his establishment, included a failure to protect food from contamination and non compliance with a food hygiene notice.

All of the offences occurred between January 5 and September 3, 2018 and took place despite repeated advice from the Council’s Environmental Health Officers. Fines totalled £500

and the Council was also awarded £2,459 in costs.

The premises have since been reinspected and demonstrated improvements which are now rated as ‘satisfactory’.

Amanda Gregory, the Strategic Manager for Regulatory Services and Community Safety said the case emphasised the need for food businesses to have health procedures in place and control any risks, adding: “It’s not just about paperwork. The key element is about producing safe food and this included storing it correctly.”

Ms Gregory added that the Council expects all businesses to comply with the law and ensure that customers are not at risk.

She said: “We will give advice and assistance but of businesses do not comply we will take enforcement action including prosecution.”

Ms Gregory added that protecting the public was key and that the vast majority of businesses on the Island took time and effort provide safe food for customers.

More details are available from www. food.govt.uk/business-industry/food

Sandown funeral parking row resolved A funeral scheduled to take place in Sandown for Wednesday, February 27, 2018, had threatened to cause a row between the Town Council and local residents groups. But Town Clerk Tina Bailey and Councillor Ian Ward say they now have a solution to the problem.

Friends and relatives of Malcolm Butcher, 76, and known locally as Butch, had organised a scooter procession to follow the hearse to the church in Sandown, in accordance with the wishes of Mr Butcher and the executors of his estate. Mr Butcher and his dog, Guinness, were well known characters in the town.

But problems arose when the will’s executors asked for the scooters to be parked at the nearby Broadway Centre, on the site for future development of five houses at The Heights in Sandown.

The space is not presently being used.

However, a communication from the Town Clerk initially seemed to suggest that the scooter riders would be refused parking for health and safety reasons.

A row erupted between friends and supporters of Mr. Butcher and the Town Council in which local social media initiative, ‘The Hub’, became involved.

Cllr Ward, who is both a Sandown South Councillor and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport, later said that while claims of health and safety issues were incorrect, the Broadway Centre parking space was in fact double booked. He also added that

Island Labour Chair Julian Critchley has referred to a workload crisis facing teachers on the Isle of Wight.

Mr. Critchley, himself a former teacher, said there are various reasons why teachers were being forced out of the profession, including a ‘toxic accountability culture and poorly planned curriculum changes’.

But Mr. Critchley maintains the main reason for teachers’ increasing workload is a lack of Government funding and

the largest real terms cuts on pupil funding in 40 years.

He said: “Every parent is aware of schools trying desperately to fill the gaps caused by cuts. There are too few teachers trying to do too much.”

According to a survey conducted by the Varkey Foundation in November, 2018, British teachers have the fourth largest workload in the world after New Zealand, Singapore and Chile.

New Community Club

The Broadway Centre he was working with parking services to try to accommodate the scooters nearby.

An alternative parking space has now been provided in a special area of The Heights car park.

Tina Bailey, Town Clerk, said that the Broadway Centre was not available due to the Town Council’s commitment with regular hall users. She added: “Councillor Ward has arranged with Isle of Wight Council for scooters to be parked in a special area of The Heights car park for the duration of the funeral.”

Whether or not the space allocated at The Heights will be sufficient won’t be known until Wednesday when the funeral takes place.

The Scooter motorcade from Lake to

Workload crisis facing teachers

Sandown has been organised by Keith Carroll of the S.A.D. Scooter Club in Sandown of which Butch had been an active, important and colourful member. He was born in the house where he died and lived in Sandown most of his life.

The funeral, which will take place at 2.15pm and include the playing of 1960s music inside the church, is expected to attract a considerable number of people, including members of the Mod and Scooter Community.

The local vicar has been described as highly supportive of the funeral’s organisation and both the Mayor and Councillors have been invited to both the funeral and the wake.

A derelict warehouse on Newport Quay will be the venue for a new Community Club with a social conscience and burning desire to be different.

Mark Rooney of 4D Sports says the club will offer free facilities and space during the day to any support group on the Island.

Furnished by Mark’s team of enthusiastic volunteers the facilities include beautifully restored tables.

The Club took four months to restore after Mark spotted it and entered into negotiations with the Council who owned the property. He

had previously run a smaller community centre in Pan for three years until it was converted back into a school.

Mark said: “The Council were super helpful and we soon struck a deal.”

As well as Isle of Wight Council, the project received support from the Chamber of Commerce, the Big Lottery, Nigel Peach Wight Fibre, Zeta PDM, Steve Evans Plant Hire, Brewers and Ozzie’s Fish Shop The Club will open in March and anybody wanting to use the space is urged to contact Mark on info@islandrecon. co.uk

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22nd February 2019

News in brief Lake call-out A Shanklin crew from the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service was called to Lake at 4.55am on Monday (Feb 18) to assist the ambulance service gain entry to a property in Woodhall Drive.

Digger on fire Firefighters were called to Merrie Farm Park in Lake at just before 10.20am on Saturday after a digger was engulfed in flames.

The fire crews battled through a quagmire to reach the blaze, where they used breathing apparatus, an extended hose reel and foam to extinguish the fire.

Collisions in Carisbrooke Two traffic collisions on Clatterford Road in Carisbrooke, when first a van lost its wheel and then a two-vehicle collision occurred, caused traffic delays and prevented the running of the route 12 Southern Vectis bus on Friday (Feb 15).

Sheep die of shock after dog attack Country Watch have received a further report of sheep dying as a result of a dog attack. The owner of a flock, which were being grazed near Carisbrooke Castle, reported that one sheep had been mauled by a dog, and a further 10 other sheep died from shock.

The smallholding where the attack occurred is located in a very popular dog walking area. The loss of the sheep has caused a lot of distress

and financial loss to the owner.

Dog owners are reminded to keep their dogs on leads, especially when near to livestock. This is of particular importance during the lambing season. Anyone with any information with regard to this incident should contact the Island’s Country Watch team on 101, quoting 44190048324, or should call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Red squirrel holding up removal of cherry tree Plans to remove a large cherry tree from a picturesque walkway in Shanklin have been suspended due to a ‘pregnant squirrel’ taking up residence in the tree.

The tree was already blocking the footpath at Chine Hollow between Popham Road and Shanklin Old Village when the red squirrel moved in. The tree is dangerously leaning over the footpath as a result of ground movement.

Although it needs to be taken down the squirrel took up residence in the branches, refused to move and is almost certainly about to give birth.Red squirrels are a protected species and the tree can’t be moved while the squirrel remains there.

Following advice from Natural England, Island Roads installed what has been described as a ‘swanking new’ purpose built squirrel home in a nearby tree. The hope is that the squirrel will be lured from the leaning tree to a cosy and waterproof new home.

The new squirrel home was installed by local wildlife expert Paul Creer on behalf of ecological consultant, Arc, who are advising Paul Creer with a squirrel home

Island Roads on this issue. Mr. Greer was assisted by Graham Street of the Isle of Wight bat hospital in installing the new home.

Island Roads have also installed a CCTV to discover when the squirrel has left the tree, so it can be removed and the footpath reopened.

Kevin Burton, Island Roads Network Manager, said: “While we appreciate the closure of the footpath is an inconvenience, we are sure that residents, like ourselves, are keen that we take all necessary steps to look after our wildlife.We hope the squirrel will be tempted to use the new house soon and in the meantime we will remain in close contact with our experts at Natural England to ensure we continue to do all that is expected of us.”

Mr Greer said: “We are all keeping our fingers crossed that the squirrel in question is prepared to embark on a change of address so that the footpath can be reopened. The new home has already been filled with straw and nuts and so hopefully will prove too good to resist.”

22nd February 2019

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Police are warning of ‘love rat’ fraudsters Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police have informed local residents they should be aware of techniques used by romance fraudsters against people using dating sites. They have warned that some using such sites may not only steal your heart, but also your money and your identification.

A spokesperson for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary claims that sometimes those who imagine they have met the perfect partner through an online dating website or app, discover the other person is using a fake profile to form a relationship. They then use the site to gain that person’s trust and ask for money or enough personal information to steal their identity.

A dating fraudster, previously involved in deceiving people seeking romance, explained how they would create fake accounts with social media platforms,

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so that their details matched and could be searched. By appearing to be a real person, their fake persona could be corroborated by prospective partners searching their background and believe them to be genuine.

The fraudster claimed: “People like to live in fairy tales and say, ‘it won’t happen to me’. I make sure all my conversations are bespoke. I will show insecurity myself about trusting people and this helps allude to them that I’m genuine. I use various online directories to find out about the person. Once I have enough, I use it to milk everything I can using their details or sell them on to other fraudsters via the dark web.”

When asked how people could check if a person is real, the romance fraudster offered the following advice: After you have seen a picture of them, ask for another photo of them posing

with their thumbs up or waving. This is a form of two-factor authentication and is hard to do if it is not an original picture.

Police advise users of ‘lonely heart’ sites to avoid sharing too many personal details when online, and that revealing your full name, date of birth, or full home address may lead to their identity being stolen. Those searching for love online are warned never to respond to any requests to send money or have money transferred into their account by someone they don’t know and trust.

Finally, those seeking a partner online should pick a reputable dating website or app and use the built-in messaging service, as fraudsters want to quickly switch to social media or texting, so there’s no evidence of their having asked for money.

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Newport man arrested on suspicion of blackmail As part of an ongoing investigation into a report of harassment police attended an address on Godric Road in Newport at 9.10pm on Wednesday (February 19).

A 43 year old man from Newport was arrested on suspicion of blackmail and

an unauthorised act with intent to impair operation of or prevent / hinder access to a computer.

The man was taken to Newport police station for questioning. Enquiries are ongoing.

New green initiative MP meets Wightlink in Lake

over terminal plans Stephen Morgan MP with Wightlink CEO Keith Greenfield

Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, has met with Wightlink to discuss their £45 million investment in the Portsmouth to Fishbourne route. It will include port improvements and a new hybrid energy ship, The Victoria of Wight.

On a visit to the Gunwharf Road Terminal Mr Morgan was met by Keith Greenfield, CEO of Wightlink.

Mr Greenfield said: “Stephen was interested in our route to Fishbourne and learned how we have been working to increase efficiency, reduce emissions and cut congestion in Portsmouth.

As our local MP and a customer on

our FastCat Service to Ryde Pier, he supports our call for the modernisation of Portsmouth Harbour Railway Station and improved facilities for rail customers.”

Mr.Morgan said it was really useful to visit Wightlink Ferries and have the opportunity to discuss plans for the future of the port. He added: “Wightlink and its forerunners have provided ferry services to and from the Isle of Wight for more than 160 years and it was interesting to see how the vessels are keeping up with changing times.

“I have fond memories of family holidays over the years on the Island

and visiting there via the ferry services.

I was pleased to hear more of the company’s long history and how, today, the use of hybrid energy is benefiting the environment.”

Mr Morgan said he was impressed with the measures to cut noise and light pollution and with an apprenticeship initiative offering young people vital skills in the Marine Industry. Wightlink carries more than 4.5 million people a year to and from the Isle of Wight on three routes. The ferry company’s new flagship, Victoria of Wight, uses hybrid energy and can carry 178 cars and more than 1,000 passengers on each journey

Some 16 acres of wilderness in Lake is to be transformed into an environmental park thanks to the vision of local businessman Gerry White and his colleagues at the Lake Community Gardens project.

The Lake Community Gardens will be a not for profit initiative backed by the Lake and Sandown Rotary Club of which Gerry, who formerly worked in the film industry, is President elect.

Gerry has already applied for Charitable status for the initiative. A team of Four Volunteers, led by former chef and gardener Jon Stasiuk will start work transforming the site from Wednesday February 27, 2019.

Gerry, originally from Dublin, is looking for financial support for this environmental initiative that will also serve the needs of the local community.

He describes himself as ‘deeply passionate’ about Lake and ‘really excited’ about the project to be developed on land leased from local landowner Fred Coulson, on a 10-year lease.

He said: “A third of the land will be used for arable purposes, a third for a cafe and recreational space and a third will be a nature reserve,” The Isle of Wight bee keeping association will have six hives on the site, which they hope will generate public interest, and vegetables grown on the site will be donated to local food banks.

The nature reserve is already rich in bio-diversity, having red squirrels, herons, badgers, ducks, slow worms

and birds of prey, including buzzards and red kites.

He added: “The idea is to create a friendly and safe environment for people to enjoy nature and what Lake has to offer. The gardens and environmental park will be there for the whole community to enjoy but we particularly want to create a therapeutic environment for veterans and people with learning difficulties.”

The 16 acre site has been described as a hidden valley by fellow member of the initiative, Marianne Willment, who says that the site is very beautiful and tranquil. She added: “Our target is not special groups but certain issues in the community that include everybody, including those with physical and mental health issues and people experiencing social isolation.”

Marianne explains that for environmentally friendly reasons the site will not be accessible by vehicles except under specific circumstances, but both she and Gerry add that the site is particularly accessible by pedestrians and people using public transport.

The charity will have other initiatives that will eventually encompass the entire Island. This includes a ‘Garden Buddy’ initiative in which people who can no longer tend to their gardens are put in touch with people who enjoy gardening.

Anybody wanting to support this project is urged to contact Gerry at gerry@ decentrooms.com.

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22nd February 2019

Disruption ‘will be kept to a minimum’ during repairs to ferry road Island Roads have reassured Wightlink passengers that every effort will be made to keep disruption to a minimum while road works take place on the route leading into the Fishbourne terminal.

Some disruption is being anticipated due to reconstruction and resurfacing work that will continue throughout the summer and autumn, when the port is normally at its busiest.

In a statement, Island Roads said that the work was needed on one of the main gateway roads on the Isle of Wight due to the deteriorating road surface on Fishbourne Lane. They added that the upgrade was vital to give a better impression of the Island to visitors and reduce noise from traffic that includes heavy HGVs. Roughly 2.5 million tourists visit the Island every year, and many use the stretch of road that connects the junction of Elenors Grove to the Wightlink Terminal.

Reconstruction and rebuilding will take part in three phases beginning on July 15 and with more disruption from September 30 to November 1, when there will be road closures to facilitate a widening of the road.

Temporary traffic lights will be introduced during the works, and accompanying disruption.

Island Roads have confirmed that

they will continue to talk to local businesses and residents throughout the period that the upgrade takes place and have given assurances that they will give advanced notice of any disruption.

They also say that they will be doing the work at night and using shorter shifts than usual to minimise disruption. Work will take place between 9pm and 3.30am from Mondays to Thursdays and 10pm to 3.30am on Fridays. There will be no weekend disruption.

Wightlink will cancel two overnight round-trip sailings between Monday and Thursday during work, and extra sailings will be scheduled on the Lymington-Yarmouth route during closure periods.

Island Roads and Wightlink have worked closely together during the planning of the essential roadworks.

Wightlink staff have already notified customers who frequently use the overnight sailings, and moved their bookings.

Wightlink Chief Executive Keith Greenfield said: “Unfortunately, some of our customers travelling overnight will be inconvenienced by these changes to our timetable, but these roadworks on Fishbourne Lane need to be done. We are working closely with our partners at

Island Roads to minimise disruption and have scheduled extra night time sailings on our Lymington to Yarmouth route during the closure periods.”

Island Roads service director Stephen Ashman added: “We would like to thank Wightlink for their cooperation during the planning of what is a complex scheme, but one that will be of great benefit to all those who use this gateway route to the Island.

“This is a complex scheme and we have to balance many factors including the need to reduce the impact on what is one of the Island’s most significant ferry ports. We hope that any short term disruption will be more than greatly offset by having a vastly improved, and quieter, road.”

Councillor Ian Ward, IW Council Cabinet member for Infrastructure and Transport said: “Fishbourne Lane is a vital communication link between our road network and the ferry. There has been much discussion about the timing of this very important rebuild with the aim of causing the least inconvenience to residents, minimum disruption of services but still allowing Island Roads to complete the rebuild as quickly as possible.”

Prostate cancer support group offers advice

Peter Westhorpe presenting the cheque

Prostate cancer is a disease that is likely to blight the lives of between one in seven and one in eight of all men.

The IW Prostate Cancer Support Group went to St George’s Park, home of Newport FC, last Saturday, to raise awareness of the disease among spectators, many of whom are in the age group most affected. A cheque of £100 was presented by Peter Westhorpe, secretary of Newport FC Supporters’ Trust, to the group, and further cash donations were made on the day.

The IW Observer also spoke with members of the support group about their experiences of living with prostate cancer: Richard was diagnosed with prostate cancer five years ago.

After robotic surgery at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Southampton two years ago, he is now free from the disease.

Richard’s advice for those who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer is to come to a support group, because: “Whatever problem you have, someone will have an answer. You might have a brilliant doctor, but he can’t answer every question.”

For those at risk, he counsels: “If you have any suspicion about any symptoms, get a doctor to give you a PSA test. If it is caught early, there is a much better chance of survival.”

Paul has been living with prostate cancer for eight years, but is now stable. His main message is: “Don’t go into denial.

Early intervention is the key to stopping the cancer before it spreads. There is a lot of positive news about the disease, and technology is improving all the time.”

With regard to men’s problems, he says: “Men are far more unlikely to share emotions than women. This may affect their willingness to seek help.”

Roger was more specific about the symptoms of prostate cancer.

He said: “The main sign is getting up at night to go to the toilet.

The rate you go is slower and you don’t empty your bladder fully.

Don’t ever ignore it!”

Further information about the Isle of Wight Prostate Cancer Support Group may be found at their website: www.theisleofwight prostatecancersupportgroup. org.uk

22nd February 2019

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Campaigners backing Supreme Court case

Isle of Wight NHS supporters say they fully support a national campaign group’s application to the Supreme Court over further funding cuts in the NHS, claiming controversial changes to NHS funding are unlawful.

Isle of Wight Save our NHS is putting its weight behind the 999 call for the NHS’s appeal to the Supreme Court, for a review of a proposed new cost-cutting National Health Service contract that aims to ‘manage demand’ for health care.

Christine Lightbody, co-founder of the IOW Save Our NHS campaign group, said: “Our campaign is focused on stopping and reversing Isle of Wight NHS cuts and sell offs, but we recognise that this appeal to the Supreme Court is about something that affects us all and the whole of the NHS in England. The government’s plans to transfer almost all NHS services into local Integrated Care Systems are going to lead to a lot of cuts.

“On the Isle of Wight, there are already concerns over services disappearing, clinics closing or actually not functioning any more, waiting times to get GP appointments and treatment, the

continuing disappearance of previously statutory services, staffing and the increased reliance on unpaid and underqualified persons to fill the gaps left by sustained under-staffing and the removal of essential services budgets.

“The majority of the British public will be outraged when they find out what’s really going on. I can’t bear to think of our great NHS being destroyed.”

Sam Jeffries, member of IOW Save Our NHS said: “A year ago, the Isle of Wight NHS commissioners announced that under the acute services redesign, many critical care services were set to be moved from the Isle of Wight.

Patients needing high risk and complex emergency and elective surgery would have to go to Portsmouth and Southampton, despite a recent report by the Nuffield Trust, suggesting that acute services in geographically isolated locations, such as the Isle of Wight, should be retained.

“Now, the Isle of Wight Council Cabinet has proposed cutting a scheme that gives free travel to residents who have to attend mainland hospitals for radiotherapy, chemotherapy and

kidney dialysis. This time, the public have fought back with a petition saying this would amount to a death sentence for patients who can’t afford to travel.

The petition has been accepted by the Council, and Cabinet will make its final decision in March. We won’t sit back and let our access to NHS care be taken away because of cuts to funding.”

NHS England told the Judges in the Court of Appeal that the Integrated Care Provider contract would enable innovation and integration, implying this would cut costs without restricting or denying patients’ access to treatments.

The Judges did not question NHS England’s claim, but campaigners say there is no real evidence to support it.

Sharon McNamara, another member of IOW Save our NHS, added: “The judges should come and find out what’s really happening here. The Isle of Wight CCG and Council are already implementing new cost-cutting Accountable/Integrated Care models, but where’s the evidence that this is improving the quality of NHS services, despite the best efforts of NHS frontline staff? We simply can’t see any.”

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Dementia patient moved with no family knowledge

An elderly dementia patient was discharged from St Mary’s Hospital to a care home on the other side of the Island without his family’s knowledge. He was also left without clothes or vital medication.

Agency staff have been blamed by the hospital for a complete breakdown in protocol in these matters After spending two weeks at St Mary’s Hospital, Michael McLaughlin, 73, from Wootton was discharged to a care home in Newport.

But son, Ian said agency staff sent his father to a care home in Totland without his family’s knowledge It was only when Ian phoned to check how his father was that he found that he’d been moved.

Mr Mclaughlin spent two weeks in hospital before it was decided he needed 24 hour care.The family agreed that Mr McLaughlin would go to a Newport care home where specialist equipment was ordered for his room.

The room was on the

second floor, near the stairs, and staff had ordered a sensor alarm in case he got up in the night. Due to Mr McLaughlin’s dementia the family had agreed with hospital staff that he would remain in the hospital over the weekend to prevent the confusion and distress of moving him twice. However, when Ian called the hospital he was told that his father had been discharged to Totland.

Left to right: Nigel Hartley, David Foot, Liz Arnold, Tony Latter

Freemason cash for Mountbatten The Mountbatten initiative for Islanders and their families who face death, dying or bereavement is to be awarded a £1,584 grant for its important services.

The grant has been provided by the Isle of Wight Freemasons through their Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF).

Mountbatten provides expert medical, nursing and end of life care across the Isle of Wight community including spiritual support, psychological and bereavement support for people of all ages. They include art, music and complimentary therapies to help people live well until their deaths.

In any given day, Mountbatten can help support over 1,000 Islanders who face death, dying or bereavement with most support taking place in peoples’ homes.

Mountbatten also provide a 16-bed inpatient unit at Mountbatten Hospice, a self help day and rehabilitation service that includes a gym, which is based at the John

Cleverton Centre, as well as an expert team based at St. Mary’s Hospital.

Nigel Hartley, the Mountbatten CEO, said: “We’re very grateful to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons for their generous grant. It will help Mountbatten to continue caring for Islanders who are reaching the end of their lives as well as providing bereavement to those who have experienced the death of a friend or relative. It’s a distressing fact that one in three Islanders don’t currently access our care or support.”

David Foot, Assistant Provincial Grand Master for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help Mountbatten. They do an outstanding job helping people with terminal and life limiting conditions, as well as supporting their families through a difficult time.”

Financial support for South Wight Youth South Wight Area Youth partnership (SWAY) have made a successful bid for support from the Safer Communities Fund of the Police and Crime Commissioner. SWAY has been awarded £13,500 to work with young people and their families in South Wight.

Over the last three years, the charity has been transforming young people’s lives and reducing youth crime and anti-social behaviour in the community.

SWAY achieves this by providing a safe space and opportunities for young people, aged six to 18, of various abilities, some of whom experience mental

health issues, low self-image and are in danger of exclusion from school. Such young people may feel unsupported, isolated and neglected in rural communities.

SWAY aims to help improve the participation of young people in community life, raise their aspirations and foster community spirit.

The project also provides pop up youth centres in the villages of Niton and Whitwell, Chale, Shorwell and Brighstone, a young leader’s programme, oneto-one mentoring sessions, school holiday activities and several residential events throughout the year.

SWAY provides longer term

support to vulnerable young people and their families outside of the weekly youth groups through a youth and families worker. Their early intervention support has helped victims of crime and made youngsters think twice before re-offending.

Andy Dorning, Lead Youth Worker, said: “This grant is great news. It recognises the work SWAY is already doing as well as enabling us to support and help more young people and their families in the rural South Wight. The grant will go towards SWAY’s work to reach out to young people in the rural villages at the time when they most need them.”

22nd February 2019

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Councillor slams ‘bonkers’ Newport housing plans An Isle of Wight Councillor claims ‘enough is enough’, when it comes to housing development in and around his ward.

Cllr Chris Whitehouse (Conservative, Newport West) said: “I cannot believe the proposed Island Plan that calls for around 430 houses in and around the Newport West Ward. Enough is enough.”

The draft Island Plan, produced by officers of the Isle of Wight Council, looks at the land that could be released for housing and identifies the possibility of 175 houses on the parts of the Carisbrooke College site that are no longer needed. This includes land west of Sylvan Drive for 200 possible new houses and land off Gunville Road for a further 60 houses.

Cllr Whitehouse labelled such plans as

patently ridiculous, claiming: “It’s simply bonkers to propose so many houses in our area. The infrastructure of roads, sewers, schools, doctors and public transport simply could not cope with this intensity of development. Already parking is a nightmare, traffic congested, services are stretched.

“We all agree that we need affordable and social housing for our own youngsters seeking to start out on their own, but these sprawling housing estates are not the answer. We don’t want more retirees from the mainland. We need low cost, rentable premises in town centres for our own children and grandchildren.”

Cllr Whitehouse went on to urge local residents to respond to the consultation on these plans before the deadline of February 25.

Youth arrested after officer assault A 19 year old youth from Ryde has been arrested after an assault on a Police Officer in Cowes left the officer with an eye injury. The assault took place in Pollance Road, East Cowes on February 13, at 5.30pm.

The youth’s distinctive pink and black helmet, that was caught on CCTV, may have contributed to his arrest.

The officer was trying to search a second man under

the Misuse of Drugs Act when the motorcyclist assaulted him.The first man ran off while the second rode away by motorcycle. There was no arrest at the scene.

As well as the distinctive helmet, the motorcyclist was wearing a dark jacket and Nike tracksuit bottoms. He was described as white, slim, in his late teens or early 20s and had pitted skin around his beard line.

The police officer is no longer in hospital and his injuries have not been described as life threatening.

A second man, aged 20, was interviewed in relation to the incident but arrested without charge.

Police are asking anybody with information.

Concerning the attack, to contact them on 101 quoting crime reference 44190053752.

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Beware of scammers The threat posed by scammers to residents of the Island was highlighted when an 88-year-old man was asked to divulge his bank details over the phone by a bogus caller. The call was later traced to Sudan.

The man, who asked not to

be named, is one of several Islanders to be approached in this way.

Some, particularly the elderly, have been embezzled out of thousands of pounds by heartless fraudsters.

In variations of the same scam, fraudsters claim to

represent banks and other financial institutions as well as public utilities, none of whom actually contact customers in this way.

Anybody approached in this manner is urged to contact the Police.

Yacht grounded by moon and low tide The moon’s influence proved to be the undoing of a yacht early on Tuesday evening, leading to the Cowes RNLI lifeboat crossing the Solent to provide much needed assistance. The yacht, with five people on board, went hard aground at the entrance of Beaulieu River when, thanks to the gravitational pull of the moon, there was an exceptionally low tide.

Tasked by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the lifeboat was launched at 4.20 pm. After standing off the yacht for an hour to wait for the tide to turn, the lifeboat eventually towed the craft off the mud and into deeper water. Both the yacht and lifeboat then separately made their way to Cowes.

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Public records promotion The Isle of Wight County Records Office has been promoting its public records that are accessible to the general public.

The records, which span the whole period from the 12th to the 21st centuries, include records of parish churches, estates, families, businesses, schools and local government.

The archive has been described as particularly popular with people studying family history and

genealogy, trying to locate where ancestors are buried or where grandparents and great grandparents live.

County Heritage Services Manager Richard Smout said: “The most satisfying inquiries are from those where we help individuals find a valuable connection with one of their ancestors.

This includes accurately identifying a place of burial or locating the house where a grandparent was born.”

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Call us on 01983 214264 Isle of Wight

22nd February 2019

Left to right: Vix Lowthion, Beth Pitts and Kieran Wetherwick

Students taking action against climate change Pupils at Cowes Enterprise College designed their very own lesson on climate change in an engaging display of community action.

With global warming high on the national agenda after last week’s Youth Strike 4 Climate, the academy played its own part in spreading an important message of social awareness when sixth form pupils designed a lesson delivered to every single class on Friday 15 February.

The initiative gave the academy, which is sponsored by Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT), the opportunity to play its own part in the international movement of ‘Fridays For Future.’

With the sixth formers supporting the delivery of the lessons, pupils followed the class by writing their own protest letters to local politicians, including MP for Isle of Wight Bob Seely and Vix Lowthion, the Green Party’s Spokesperson for Education.

Cowes Enterprise College’s Head Boy and Head Girl, Kieran Wetherick and Beth Pitts welcomed Vix Lowthion to the academy to hand over around 1,000 letters, all addressed to the Green Party and voicing the environmental concerns of pupils.

Rachel Kitley, Principal at Cowes Enterprise College, said: “I am so proud

to see such an incredible display of democracy in action at our academy. The lessons, delivered to every single pupil across the academy, were a brilliant way for pupils to show their social awareness and learn about what is such a timely and crucial issue.

“Personally delivering hundreds of letters, written with such passion, about the environment was a great way for us to show local and national politicians our own way of making a difference.

We look forward to creating similar opportunities in the near future.”

Skateboarding classes help tackle anti-social activity This half-term holiday, teenagers, who might otherwise have been kicking their heels in the centre of Newport, were invited to sample skateboarding for free.

Veteran professional skateboarder, John Cattle, 45, owner of the Ryde skateboard shop, White Trash World, said he had been made aware of anti-social behaviour in the town and invited youngsters to take up the free sessions. John demonstrated his skills in St Thomas’ Square, Newport.

Newport Skate Project was launched as part of Newport and Carisbrooke Parish Council’s efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour. John tutored sessions to give young people the chance to take up skateboarding.

On the benefits of skateboarding, John said: “You don’t have to be the best or the fastest, it’s something you can do yourself. Once you get a teenage mind (or any mind) to do this, it progresses. It’s a rewarding, engaging activity, that improves mental health, exercises a Zen spot in the brain and releases endorphins. You have to learn to focus.”

On the benefits of skateboarding for troubled Island youth, John claimed: “There isn’t enough for young people to do. Youth clubs and youth provision generally have been cut back drastically. Young people need fun and direction.

Skateboarding offers not only fun, it can also help with confidence building, socialising, travel, appreciation of surroundings and respect. It’s a comprehensive activity.”

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Potential crisis looms over threat of schools closure Teachers on the Isle of Wight are talking of a potential crisis in the school system due to the allocation of places.

The crisis has been highlighted by the threatened closure of a Freshwater Primary School, whose numbers have dwindled from 200 to 80 over the last decade. More than 100 people have already signed a petition to keep All Saints School in Freshwater open.

And as many as five of the 16 rural schools on the Island could be under threat due to there being 230 surplus places in rural areas, according to National Education Union official Peter Shreave.

All the schools that are under threat are designated rural primary school under Department for Education designation order of December 2018.

Meanwhile, Lanesend School in Cowes has applied to increase its numbers.

Mr Shreave said: “The situation on the Isle of Wight is quite different from the national trend.”

He blamed Government policy for encouraging the transformation of Local Education Authority schools into academies and for pitting schools against each other.

The threatened closure of All Saints Anglican School has already led to a bitter row in local government circles after Councillor Chris Whitehouse first suggested the school’s closure was a ‘logical choice’. He added that he had written to Catholic Bishop of the Portsmouth Diocese Philip Egan to suggest that St Saviour’s Catholic School in Totland take the surplus pupils

as an act of Christian solidarity.

Councillor Vix Lothian responded that Mr Whitehouse had no right to make this suggestion before Isle of Wight Children’s Services Councillor Paul Brading had a chance to consider the proposals on March 1. The proposals could then be considered for up to six months.

For the teaching Union, Peter Shreeve said that any proposed closures should require a vigorous rural impact assessment including the likely impact of school closures on the local community and the practicality of transporting pupils from a closed school to other schools including likely traffic congestion.

New fencing for Newport library Special fencing, in keeping with its parkside location, is being planned for Lord Louis Library at Newport. The fencing will be designed to help counter issues of anti-social behaviour around the library, bus station and Church Litten.

This follows the installation of improved lighting in the area and is in response to more than 900 comments received in the consultation phase of the regeneration project ‘Shaping Newport’. The final design is yet to be agreed, and, in the interim, temporary fencing has been put up.

Rob Jones, library service manager, said: “We want to reassure people the fencing is just a short-term measure, while we finalise something which combines sensitivity to the location, next to Church Litten park, with an element of security. The problems with antisocial behaviour are well documented and have increased around the area in recent times. We hope this approach will help to preserve it as a peaceful location for people to enjoy into the future.”

The new permanent fencing is expected to be fitted by April, should the temporary fencing prove effective.

Local poetry book aids Comic Relief An Isle of Wight poet has launched a paperback version of a book of light hearted prose for Comic Relief.

Ruth Twyman Lockyer has produced a version of “A Little Light Relief” in time for Red Nose Day on March 15, 2019.

Illustrations are by Phil Argent who also does illustrations for The Daily Mail, and the foreword is by BBC Television personality and author Alan Titchmarsh, who lives in Hampshire, but spends much of his time in Cowes where he

does a lot of his writing.

Ruth’s book costs £7.99 plus £1.50 for postage and packaging and advanced orders can be made from poet_online@ hotmail.com. All proceeds are to Comic Relief.

After March 15 the book will be available from bookshops, and Ruth assures readers that it will bring a smile to anybody’s face. The ISBN number is 9778-0-9558881-2-0.

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Island Law Centre is under threat

Monkeying around in pure Madness!

A ribbon cutting ceremony saw Monkey Madness, the Isle of Wight’s newest and largest indoor play area, next to Amazon World in Newchurch, officially opened.

Monkey Madness will create jobs for 25 people over the season. Amazon World zoo park has now been in operation for over 20 years, employing over 50 people.

Owner Derek Curtis and his wife Sandra say they first conceived the idea for Monkey Madness in 2014, while sunning themselves on a beach in Antigua. By 2016, the concrete base had been dug out and laid, the playground, dino dig, museum and carpark had

been moved, and the couple were too financially committed to turn back.

It would be another two years of hard work, and a quick trip to the hospital after Derek fell from a ladder, before Monkey Madness was completed and opened.

Monkey Madness first welcomed members of the public in December 2018, before this week’s opening ceremony. It is hoped the new attraction will keep children of Islanders and visitors entertained as well as providing much needed employment opportunities, some of which will be permanent.

The Presiding Judge for England and Wales, the Rt Honourable Lady Justice Julia Macur, has praised the work of the threatened Law Centre on the Isle of Wight and conveyed her appreciation to the Council for having funded and enabled the facilitation of this ‘vital service’ in the past. She also conveyed her high regard for the Centre’s staff and for their work.

The Law Centre will see its core funding terminated on June 30, and could close on that date with a loss of 12 jobs. Lady Justice Macur had been invited to the Newport Combined Court Centre

by District Judge Andrew Grand, who has also praised the Centre, describing it as a great benefit both to those who use the centre and to the Courts in assisting the efficient administration of justice.

He said: “I know that many seek assistance on housing matters in the absence of any firm on the Island with a franchise to deal with legal aid work.”

Judge Grand has also brought forward a County Courts’ Users Meeting forward from May to March 19, because of concerns over the Centre’s threatened closure. As well as the usual open invitation to local solicitors, housing associations, advice centres and the local MP, invitations have been provided to representatives from the Legal Aid Authority, the leader of the Isle of Wight Council, or a representative, and a Portsmouth-based law firm, Swain and Co., that specialises in legal aid cases.

Judge Grand said: “For many years the Law Centre has supported people in possession proceedings brought by mortgage lenders, social lenders or private landlords.”

The Law Centre, which had a 98 per cent success rate in stopping eviction in 2017 also provides advice and assistance outside of hearings with regard to benefit entitlement, claims and appeals and advises on a wide range of housing related issues that might come to court.

The Rt Honourable Lady Justice Julia Macur

Judge Grand said: “The people the Law Centre assists are frequently vulnerable as a result of a multiplicity of issues, whether relating to physical or mental health issues, domestic abuse, redundancies or learning difficulties.”

There is no firm of solicitors on the Island currently dealing with a housing franchise and the Legal Aid Authority does not currently fund a Housing Desk in Newport as it does in Portsmouth and Southampton.

Judge Grand is concerned that the closure of the Law Centre would find vulnerable people having to represent themselves in complex areas of the law.

Representing the Law Centre Matt Thatcher said that the threat to the Centre and its services was a direct result of austerity that would actually cost Isle of Wight Council up to £1.9 million. He added that even when using 2012 figures the Law Centre saved the Isle of Wight Council between £1,536,000 and £1,920,000 by preventing evictions in 2017. He added that the Centre also helps to prevent homelessness at a time when

Isle of Wight Council is spending £1.4 million per annum on temporary accommodation.

A further problem, according to Mr Thatcher, is that funding to the Law Centre has been organised through Isle Help since 2014 as if it were an advice centre similar to Citizens Advice. As the Law Centre is also involved in case work and not advice he said that claims

by Isle of Wight Council that the Law Centre could put in a bid for provision under Advice Information and Guidance Services (AIG) was “actually meaningless.”

Island Labour Chair Julian Critchley, who represents the Labour Party on the Isle of Wight, has also condemned the threat posed to the Law Centre as further evidence of the impact of austerity. The group has also launched its own campaign and on-line petition to defend core funding of the Law Centre.

In a statement Isle of Wight Council said that they had no intention of cutting services but were looking at more effective ways to deliver them across the board.

Ali wins Southern Vectis Employee of Year award Southern Vectis driver Ali Valyani, has been named Employee of the Year by the Isle of Wight bus operator. He was presented with his award by managing director, Andrew Wickham, at the company’s annual ceremony.

Ali came to the Island after transferring from Southern Vectis’ sister company, Go Ahead London. It wasn’t long before he became a great asset for the company, praised for his enthusiasm and superb customer

service skills.

Southern Vectis managing director, Andrew Wickham, was full of praise for the conscientious driver, saying: We regularly receive compliments about Ali, telling us he consistently goes the extra mile. One specific example of this is when a customer collapsed while travelling on his bus. It transpired this gentleman was suffering a heart attack, and Ali made the brave decision to perform CPR while awaiting

paramedics.

“Later we learned that our passenger may well not have survived, were it not for Ali’s heroic actions. Getting customers to their destinations on time is a challenge, but saving one’s life is extraordinary. This award is richly deserved. I would like to thank Ali for a great year and wish him a very successful 2019.”

In recognition of his efforts, Ali received £500 worth of vouchers and a framed certificate.

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Life-saving kit installed – thanks to schoolgirl Katie Bullen Village near Ryde now has its own life-saving defibrillator, thanks to the fundraising efforts of 12-year-old Katie Barnicoat.

Island Roads installed the device in Hornbeam Square free of charge and donated towards the cost of the kit after being contacted

by Katie and her mum, Emma Barnicoat. Katie was inspired to fundraise after attending the Isle of Wight NHS Trusts Ambulance Service’s Restart a Heart training session, held at Ryde Fire Station last October.

She learned how the machines can dramatically increase survival rates compared to CPR alone and was concerned that the nearest publicly accessible defibrillators to her village were several minutes away at Tesco and Busy Bee Garden Centre.

The Ryde Academy student set about fundraising the £1,150 needed to purchase the equipment, writing to local residents to ask for donations and contacting local businesses. She also organised a Cinema Under the Stars event called Scare in

the Square, where she showed the film, Casper, and provided refreshments, raising £75.

Her actions have led to her receiving a special commendation from the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Ambulance Training and Community Response Services.

Katie said: “I’m thrilled to see the defibrillator installed after months of fundraising. The Restart a Heart training taught me that access to a defibrillator can make the difference between life and death, so I felt it was really important that we had one in our community.”

Louise Walker, for the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service, praised Katie, saying: “We know that defibrillators really do save lives and we are very grateful to Katie for making yet another device ready for action on the Island.”

Stephen Ashman, service director at Island Roads, was also full of praise for the youngster, saying: “Katie is a great example to others and should be very proud of her achievements.”

Left to right: Scott Burborough, Island Roads powered apparatus manager, Duncan Walker, Ambulance Service tutor and Katie Barnicoat

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Poetry reading at Quarr Abbey Quarr Abbey is hosting a Poetry Reading at 5.40pm tomorrow (Sat) in the Abbey Church. James Arthur, the distinguished North American poet, in England as a visiting fellow at Exeter College, Oxford, will be joined by three former interns of the Abbey, Blake Everitt, James Coghill and Sam Davidson, all of whom have recently had books of poetry published.

James Arthur is CanadianAmerican and lives in Baltimore, where he teaches in the Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins University. He is the author of Charms Against Lightning, Hundred Acre Wood and the forthcoming The Suicide’s Son.

His poems have also appeared in The New Yorker, Poetry, The New York Review of Books, The American Poetry Review, The New Republic, and The London Review of Books. He has received the Amy Lowell Travelling Poetry Scholarship, a Hodder Fellowship, a Stegner Fellowship, a Discovery/The Nation Prize and a Fulbright Scholarship to Northern Ireland.

Blake Everitt lives in Ventnor and teaches English at Southampton University. His research speciality is the works of Samuel Beckett. He is the author of the poetry collections Breathshapes and Lightgnawn and the play collections Goya’s

Ghost, Roads of Hunger and Forgotten Grounds. He has also had poems published in Harbinger Asylum.

James Coghill is the author of Anteater (Eyewear Publishing) and has also had poems published in Blackbox Manifold, Shearsman, Tentacular and Quarr Abbey Newsletter, as well as in a number of the Headbook anthologies from Sidekick Books.

Sam Davidson is the author of Love’s Many Names (Angelico Press). He has also had poems published in Anima, Harbinger Asylum, Dawn Treader, Jesus the Imagination and Quarr Abbey Newsletter.

James Arthur

Slimmer Jo changed her life, now wants to help others is one of the singers of a local cover band, Undercover, and regularly performs with them.

In May, she ran the Needles Cross Country Half Marathon with other members of the Slimmers World Group whom she would never have met under other circumstances.

She said: “Our battle with being a healthy weight was what brought us together.

The food optimising plan means that you are never hungry and have loads of flexibility. It is focused on filling free foods that don’t need to be measured or weighed and fits in well with busy family life.”

Jo was also an inspiration in her group in other ways.

She achieved weight loss awards at every half a stone and a number of Slimmer of the Week Awards. By July 2018 Jo had lost five stone in time for her summer holiday and it was only here that she finally realised how much her weight had held her (Left) Jo now and (right) back. before her weight loss “I loved jumping in the pool with the kids, something I would not have done previously. I noticed I had much achieving their weight loss goals.

She said: “I honestly didn’t think more room in my plane seat. I just the transformation I have achieved feel so much healthier and have so much more energy now that I know was possible. My consultants’ unfaltering belief in me and the food how to look after myself properly.”

Jo’s children and husband have optimising plan is definitely what been hugely supportive of her and helped me shed the pounds and I with their help she achieved her six really want to be able to share this stone target award in the first week with others.”

Jo is excited to begin her role as of December. a Consultant and looks forward to Eight year old daughter Jemima said: “I am so proud of my mum running a supportive and caring group and she inspires me to run and live a that will inspire others to achieve their weight loss dreams, saying: healthy life.”

Jo’s passion for slimming led “Being overweight is such a taboo her to become a Slimming World subject and brings with it a complex consultant. It will enable her to range of emotions. So many of us are support and nurture others in unhappy with our bodies. The society

News in brief New weekday radio show Two familiar voices are to host a new mid morning show on Radio Solent beginning Monday, March 4.

Hostess Louise Hannan and her new on-air partner Alun Newman will be on between 10am and 1pm every weekday.

Crash causes road block

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Island-born mother of three, Jo Rees is a woman on a mission. Having changed her own life, and inspired both her own children and other young people, Jo has opened her first Slimming World Group in St. Helens.

An untimely death in 2014 taught Jo, 40, that life is short and tomorrow never guaranteed. She then made a promise to herself and family that she would live life to the full with no regrets.

Jo took the plunge by resigning from her job in a Primary School as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator to forge her own path. In 2014, despite being six stones overweight, she decided to teach herself to run and in 2016 ran the Brighton Marathon and raised £3000 for a pancreatic charity fund.

In 2017, she was diagnosed with dyslexia and wrote and published a successful memoir book describing the impact of living with the undiagnosed condition. She also founded her own company, Another Way Around, which supports other people with dyslexia across the Island and throughout Hampshire.

Jo says that her sister inspired her to join Slimming World after she lost 6.5 stone. Jo then joined a Slimming World group herself, in January 2018, and took the challenge, losing six stone.

Although the happily married mother had been active and exercised regularly, even before the weight loss, describing it as low on her list of priorities, she now believes that losing weight has added a new dimension to her life.

Jo said that she had no expectations about what she could achieve and what was feasible when she joined the Slimming World Group. She said: “All I knew was that I wanted to be smaller. While initially I was not keen on staying in the group, I made many friends with all with the same purpose in common. It became such an important part of my week.”

As well as juggling her busy family life with running her own business Jo

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The main A3056 between the Apse Heath roundabout and Sandown Airport was blocked in both directions on Wednesday afternoon after a collision between a VW Polo and Mitsubishi Colt. An elderly male was taken to St Mary’s Hospital following the crash.

IW MP Seely reprimanded Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely was reprimanded by the Speaker of the House, John Bercow, when he stood up in Parliament during a heated BREXIT debate on Thursday, February 21, 2019.

Mr Bercow said that Mr Seely had been most discourteous when he interrupted a statement by Mel Stride, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury & Paymaster General.

Mr Bercow said: “Mr Seely, sit down young man.

It’s very discourteous. Do not sit there looking at your phone, man. I am speaking to you. Show some respect and manners in the Chamber.”

Mr Seely made no further contribution to the debate.

Burst water main A burst water main closed Cliff Road in Totland on Friday afternoon (Feb 16), from its junction with Madeira Road to its junction with Greenways. we live in is largely responsible but we can take the control back and start to make the changes needed to live a long and healthy life. I was so worried I would be hungry and feel deprived but Slimming World’s Food Optimising Plan is not a diet, it gives us choice, power and control and is maintainable long term. I feel a responsibility to share this with people in my local community and support them to making changes that enable them to lose weight and stay slim for life.”

Jo’s NEW Slimming World group opens at St Helens Primary School in Broomlands Close, St. Helens at 7:30pm on Thursday, February 28.

Hit by car in Newport Paramedics treated a woman who had been hit by a car in the centre of Newport at lunchtime on Tuesday (February 19).

The incident occurred on the corner of Lower St James’ Street and Lugley Street. The woman is understood to have sustained only minor injuries.

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Cash boost for Vectis Corps of Drums Rob Kingswell Heavy Haulage Ltd has donated £500 to the Vectis Corps of Drums to support the band with purchasing new instruments. The band, who are extremely grateful for the donation, were presented with the cheque at a band practice evening.

The Vectis Corps of Drums, now in its 27th year, take part in various events across the Island. The band are always looking for new and experienced players to join. For further information on joining or booking the drum corps, the band can be contacted through their Facebook page www.facebook. com/vectiscorpsofdrums, by email vcodmb@hotmail.com or by phoning the Bandmaster, Steve Thompson, on (01983) 822431.

Local singer in talent show competition Isle of Wight singer Jessica White has launched a social media campaign in support of her bid for the Archer’s Street Has Talent competition. The next round of the competition will be held at the popular Archers Street Cocktail Bar in Soho, London.

A short clip of Jessica’s performance has already been uploaded to the bar’s Facebook page and the video with the most ‘likes’ proceeds to the next round of the competition.

Jessica has already received accolades for her tender and tentative rendition of the song Running and for her beautiful tone.

Her interpretation of Running can be accessed on Facebook.

Nominations for Papa Owl Awards The second Papa Owl Awards is set to be the highlight of the second Papa Owl annual dinner at the Three Buoys Restaurant on March 1. The annual evening is to celebrate the life and work of the late Professor Geoff Lilley OBE, who died in Ryde in 2015.

Geoff was an inventor, innovator, scientist and engineer, who was passionate about encouraging young people to think out of the box and develop their natural talent. This year is the 100th anniversary of his birth.

The Lilley family have established the yearly event to celebrate Geoff’s work, and the Annual Awards are to acknowledge others that resonate his beliefs in the unique abilities in all human beings. The annual event is in partnership with Wight Aviation Museum and IW Youth Trust, and proceeds raised on the evening will be

divided between these two charities.

The Annual Awards celebrate invention, creativity, skill development, the recognition of creative thought and fighting against the odds of life to achieve extraordinary things on the Island.

Michael Lilley, Chair of the Papa Owl Awards Panel, said: “The 2018 Awards were very successful, and we had real inspirational winners, who established the benchmark for the awards. For the main Awards, we want to know of ordinary Islanders who have done something extraordinary in their lives, whether as an individual or in a group. We need Islanders to tell us who these amazing individuals and groups are.”

The nomination process will be through the Papa Owl social media platforms. Entries will close on Friday, February 22. Winners will all

Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, I was inspired to do something similar, albeit on a minuscule scale.

“The opportunity arose some 12 years ago, when I acquired 10 acres at Blackwater. I then set up a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The aim was to create a wildlife education filed study centre. I applied for our first of seven lottery grants and now we are at the final stage of our tenyear plan.

“The Heritage Lottery has been brilliant, offering us good advice as well as financial support over the past 11 years, and what pleases us most is their faith in our ability to

Michael Lilley and Muddie

Nominee John Ackroyd

receive a commemorative owl picture painted by local artist, Tania Wight, and £100 for each award they receive.

Grant for Naturezones Naturezones, a nature reserve in Blackwater near Newport, has been awarded £80,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Naturezones intends to spend the funds on developing their Nature Discovery Centre/ Nature Information Point. When completed, this will be the only one of its type on the Isle of Wight, providing a natural history hub for the Island community.

Founder, trustee and project manager of Naturezones, Angela Hewitt, said: “This is a dream come true. After watching a programme 30 years ago about the life of Sir Peter Scott, who created the

22nd February 2019

deliver a project.”

“Once the project is completed, Naturezones will be the place to visit to find out about nature, conservation, biodiversity and habitats. We already provide nature education to schools and the general public on specific themes. We will now be able to explain numerous aspects of nature conservation.”

Naturezones, which is located on Birchmore Lane, off the main Newport to Shanklin road, is open on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Charity helps with fuel bills A Registered Educational Charity has been out in force helping Islanders with their fuel bills over the winter.

The Isle of Wight Footprint Trust has helped save people on the Isle of Wight £73,000 on their energy and water bills.

Activities included the group being involved in Big Energy Saving Week as well as activities at Family Centres across the Island. The Trust saw 12,000 people at more than 60 events and outreach

across the Island.

Their Monergy Workshops were particularly popular, showing Islanders how to save on their energy bills.

Also popular were their Cosy Isle dropins which provided helpful advice on grant funded energy costs and grant funded insulation.

The Isle of Wight footprint Trust won the Queens Award for Voluntary Service in 2013 and arranged its events on the Island in association with Eon.

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Kent Duchaine

Kent Duchaine to play Ventnor Kent DuChaine has listened to, hung out with, opened up for, travelled and played with most of the great Blues men and women his whole adult life, and on Friday, March 8, at 8pm, he will be appearing at Ventnor Arts Club.

Kent has appeared with many of the major names of Blues, including, among others Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, Koko Taylor, BB, Albert and Freddie King. Kent has

played most of the major Blues festivals in the US and Europe and was on a Grammy nominated album recorded at the prestigious Smithsonian Institute Festival of Folk Life in Washington D.C. Now you can hang out with

Kent, who will play great Delta Blues and share some cracking inside stories from a true blues life. Tickets at www.ventnorartsclub.com or on (01983) 857060.

Start chitting as it’s nearly potato time!

There’s nothing quite like the taste of new potatoes, especially when you have prepared them in the kitchen after digging them up from your own garden just a short time earlier.

If you have never grown potatoes before, and if you have space in your garden or allotment, then perhaps this spring is the perfect time to give it a go.

It will still be regarded as a tad early by some experts, but with this somewhat unpredictable weather we have been having on the Isle of Wight this winter and spring, who knows? Potatoes can be planted towards the end of this month, but you may have to keep your fingers crossed we don’t have any late severe frosts, or monsoon downpours.

Of course, if you like chitting before planting, then now is the time, particularly when growing early season cultivars. Potato chitting is one of those things that some grow-your-own types like and others don’t. Remember the last lot of potatoes you bought, stuck in a cupboard and forgot about? Well chitting is the same kind of thing. The potato starts growing in the nice cool windowsill you’ve got, then you can transplant outside.

These are sprouted or ‘chitted’ prior

to planting, particularly when growing early season cultivars. Chitting or sprouting tubers extends the growing period and leads to earlier tuber formation and higher yields.

When planting, make sure you use an open site, that is frost free and moisture retentive. Crumbly soil rather clay also helps produce the best yield, and of course you can always improve your soil before you begin the growing process with well rotted manure or compost, perhaps helped along with a general fertiliser.

Once chitted, seed tubers can be planted in a drill or individual holes and earthed up as they grow. Draw a drill 7.515cm deep with a hoe or spade, and place tubers with the chits uppermost. Early cultivars should be spaced 30cm apart in the row and 60cm between rows.

Later cultivars should be spaced 35cm apart and have 70cm between rows.

Push the soil gently back over the tubers, ensuring that they are covered with at least 3cm of soil. Lightly rake over the soil surface to level it and mark the drill.

Don’t forget to earth-up the plants by drawing soil around the stems to form a ridge. The final height of the ridges

should be 20-30cm.

Early potatoes produce usable tubers in 100 to 110 days after planting; second earlies in 110 to 120 days; early maincrops after 120 to 125 days, and maincrop produce usable tubers after 125 to 140 days.

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Holmesy!

The David Holmes Column

Putting on a show

22nd February 2019

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

They belong to the author and the author alone - Letters must be no longer than 500 words please.

Phillip Astley was an 18th century horseman and a show-off. The excavalryman experimented and found that if you galloped around a 42-foot circle, the centrifugal force meant you could stand up on a horse’s back, even doing handstands. In 1768 he built an amphitheatre in London and put on successful shows, thereby creating the very first circus.

Fast forward a couple of hundred years, my dear old Nan lived in London, on Ealing Common. Every Easter, Gerry Cottle would bring his enormous bigtop to town.

In the 70s he enthralled huge crowds (and me) with lions, tigers, elephants and all manner of creatures.

Circus was an exciting part of my childhood, I spent every available m o m e n t backstage helping-out doing minor chores, which included popping off to the laundry with the acrobat’s costumes. For a week or two annually I was a part of their exotic world, how I never ran away with them in my teens I’ll never know.

I envied Sidney Howes, and his pride of seven lions, one male, six females. They looked upon him as their leader, twice daily they would all enter a hastily built cage, and with the aid

of a whip and stick, he would provoke the lions to jump on to a pyramid of robustly made pedestals. I watched show after show, loving the created tension, although the lions didn’t seem to enjoy it quite as much, they were always keen to leave as soon as possible when the routine ended. Upclose, lions are powerful, fearsome predators, but thankfully they’re among God’s laziest creatures.

Performing two shows daily seemed an irritation, and so they didn’t always do what Sid had in mind!

would follow, dressed as a ringmaster, carrying his whip and a chair. As soon as he was in, the whip and chair would be put down, and he’d approach the lion – who was by now astride a pedestal ferociously pawing the air - and give him a cuddle. The affection between man and beast delighted the crowds, who by then probably realised that the days of performing animals were nearing an end.

It never occurred to me that these creatures were being kept in less than ideal conditions, living and being transported in lorry trailers.

Cottle’s and Lacey’s animals always looked so well-cared for, I’m certain they were, and undoubtedly, they gave me and tens of thousands of children like me, a lifelong love of their species. I tell you all this because our very own Isle of Wight Zoo, now the Wildheart Trust, recently rescued a pride of beautiful Spanish excircus lions and are in the process of rescuing two more. Please, if you love animals, or ever saw circus animals perform, go to justgiving.com/campaign/ kumbaandvigo - if not, the zoo’s Facebook page is easy to find. These beguiling animals desperately need your help, and with it, the Island’s zoo will provide world class care for them.

“For a week or two annually I was a part of their exotic world, how I never ran away with them in my teens I’ll never know.”

The ‘Captain’ had some minor scrapes, but he adored those captive-bred lions, and they seemed to love him back. Tragically, in 1977, Sid’s son Gordon was killed while training a different pride.

In the 80’s I met another trainer, Martin Lacey, whose routine involved a male lion with the most magnificent mane. Once the cage was built, the lion would enter, roaring and looking fierce. Martin

Freedom from Europe Like many of my age I grew up living in the aftermath poverty of the First World War, only to then experience the fear and pain of living through the Second World War. I saw the tears run down adult faces as they received that letter that they were dreading telling them of the life sacrifice of their children. I saw the look of fear in my parent’s eyes as they dreaded the possible invasion and the loss of our freedom and way of life.

All this pain for what? To be FREE. Free to rebuild our proud nation. Free to make our own decisions, free to live without hindrance.

Free again to be an example to our world.

It makes me so angry that the Brexit Remainers do not recognise that there is a passionate desire of a majority to yet again be free from the intentions of the EU. Free from those same European countries who twice inflicted so much suffering on our proud

nation. A European Union whose Globalist ambition is a One World Government, One World Economy and a One World Religion.

The sacrifices that we made are simply history to the Remainers with scant understanding of the pain we endured to gain freedom. This freedom we gave them have lulled them into a selfish desire to serve their own needs. No nationalistic desire, just me and my wants.

Brexit holds lots of unknowns. But I want to stress this. What difficulties lie ahead will pale into insignificance compared to the sacrifices of our forebearers. I would like to think that our Prime Minister is aware of past sacrifices and the strong desire of Brexiteers to stand against the ambitions of this unholy European Union.

Ronald Hayles, Newport

Objecting to Island Plan Take a moment this weekend to object to the Island Plan. It’s true – our Island is under threat from overdevelopment in the proposed new Island Plan.

A huge amount of cookie-cutter development planned – and the rural destruction this would cause across our Island is massive. The council wants to build 10,000 new homes in 15 years, mostly on Greenfield sites – that is hundreds of acres of lost countryside.

The Plan claims to “reflect the needs of Islanders” and justifies the destruction of our landscapes to “deliver the housing we need”, but it is not for local people at all. The Island’s natural population is in decline, and these new houses are planned primarily to meet external demands of people wanting to move here. The Island, and Islanders, do not need and cannot cope with 10,000 new homes – we need a local plan that serves the needs of people living here and protects our much loved and valued landscape.

At the very least we deserve a real debate about the destruction that is planned across

our Island. This debate should start with the council coming clean as to where the demand is coming from and how much (in acres) greenfield development is planned.

But there is hope – we are extremely fortunate to have an outstanding Member of Parliament in Bob Seely MP, who has long championed the Island and sought its protection. But Bob and others can only fight for a more suitable housing policy on the basis of a significant groundswell of objection to what’s planned.

Objecting to specific developments is often pointless once they are allocated in the Plan – we need to object to the Plan itself.

Many hold a grudging acceptance of what’s happening as inevitable – it’s not. If we all take just 5 minutes this weekend to object to the Island Plan I’m confident those fighting for the protection of our Island will triumph.

So please, get your consultation response in by midday Monday by emailing policy. consultation@iow.gov.uk Ian Wellby

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Island Soapbox No care funding for RBA? Environmental stupidity?

Dear Editor, I share some of the concerns expressed by Cllr Chapman in his letter printed on the 15th February. However, I do not agree with Cllr Chapman, and neither did the majority of Ryde Town Councillors, that the Ryde Business Association should receive core funding from the Ryde Council Tax payers, which is precisely what was being proposed at the Ryde Town Council (RTC) meeting of the 28th January.

Ryde Town Council operates a grant support scheme which focuses on community groups that are seeking support to enable them to deliver activities and events that will be of benefit to residents. The Ryde Business Association (RBA) is one such of these groups who regularly receive funding support whenever they are organising a community event or activity – there is no reason at all

why this should not continue to be the case in future.

Supporting the delivery of activities and events, however, is very different from meeting the core costs of an organisation which has a range of purposes. It is my view, and that of other Cllrs, that the RBA should be sustained by its membership but receive our support when it seeks to enrich community life through the delivery of a rich, varied and creative programme of activities for everyone.

Both RTC and the RBA have a long-standing good record of working together on the delivery of such community activities and events, a point that was missed in the letter from Cllr Chapman.

Sincerely yours Cllr Tim Wakeley, Chair of Finance, Ryde Town Council

Congratulations to Katie Re: New life-saving kit installed thanks to local schoolgirl What a fantastic story online, and well done Katie!

As more and more life saving defibrillators are rolled out into the community many Islanders are becoming aware of where their nearest defibrillator is located, mine is Cowes fire

station.

We know speed is of the essence, the problem arises when you are away from home, perhaps in some more rural part of the Island.

What would be brilliant is if there was a smartphone app that showed locations of all the Island’s available defibrillators, and offering quick navigation using google maps.

Perhaps this is an IT challenge some clever tech savvy youngster on the Island could rise to? I am sure the IW Ambulance Service could keep such software updated as new community defibrillators locations come on stream.

Hans Bromwich, Cowes

I am a regular user of the Solent being a boat owner and keen angler.

In a period since Christmas approximately 6 to 8 scallop trawlers have been operating in the area from Ryde pier to Seaview. They are not operating illegally, but are operating environmentally stupidly, because they go over the same area constantly many, many times.

A lot of people are very

concerned about this. The area is very diverse and important to many species of sea life and the type of fishing gear these trawlers use and the intensity of their operations causes complete devastation of the sea bed.

They are fishing for scallops which most of us only eat occasionally and are not a necessary food. Is it worth all the destruction they cause?

Portsmouth University

are running a restocking program of parts of the Solent with oysters and are concerned about this overactivity. Maybe they need some help.

It is also possible that some of these vessels are operating illegally because they don’t have registration numbers on the side of the vessels, which I believe they should have.

Merv Williams.

Support Breast Cancer care Dear Editor Every 10 minutes, someone is told the devastating news they have breast cancer.

Your readers can support people living with and beyond a diagnosis by signing up for a Breast Cancer Care Pink Ribbon Walk in association with Skechers. There are three ways to get involved.

Join hundreds of people from across the UK and walk with us on our 10 and 20 mile routes at Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds on Saturday 18 May or at Chatsworth and the Peak District on Saturday 15 June.

Alternatively, walk your way and create your own walking challenge. Set the date, choose your location and come together with friends and family.

Or walk 500,000 steps during May and June - that’s one step for every woman living with breast cancer in the UK. However you take part, all money raised will help the charity provide support for today and hope for the future for the 691,000 people living with breast cancer in the UK today. As little as £30 could give someone the specialist information and support when they need it most through the Breast Cancer Care Helpline.

To sign up, visit www.breastcancercare.org. uk/ribbonwalk.

With thanks, Preena Mistry, Pink Ribbon Walk Manager at Breast Cancer Care

Former Stranglers frontman at Jack Up the Summer Hugh Cornwell, the frontman, guitarist and songwriter behind iconic British rock band The Stranglers, and author of such hits as Golden Brown, No More Heroes and Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, is set to appear at Jack Up the Summer on August 10.

The Stranglers are widely recognised as one of the most long-lived and internationally popular bands from the original wave of British punk rock and enjoyed massive UK and European success with 10 hit albums and 21 Top 40 singles. As the man who propelled them to chart success, Hugh Cornwell is universally acknowledged as one of the UK’s finest song-writing talents and accomplished live performers.

Since leaving the Stranglers in 1990, Hugh has continued to compose, record and perform as a solo artist. His latest album, Monster, was released to rave reviews on Sony Music in October of last year.

It features 10 tracks written about some of the most remarkable, and indeed infamous, people of the 20th Century. The album recalls the Stranglers’ famous hit, No More Heroes, making reference to the likes of Leon Trotsky, Lenny Bruce, William Shakespeare and Sancho Panza.

Organisers of Jack Up the Summer said: “This man is the heart, the soul, the face and the voice of the Stranglers. In a career spanning four decades, he has etched himself into our musical psyche, and we couldn’t be more honoured that he’s taking time out, following his Australian and New Zealand tour this year, to grace the Jack Up the Summer stage.”

The punk legend Hugh said: “I like the Island a lot. It’s a great location and has an interesting vibe to it. Just strap on your guitar, and we’ll play some rock and roll.”

Plant group’s spring lecture The Isle of Wight Garden Plant Group Spring Lecture is to be given by Rosy Hardy of Hardy’s Cottage. The title of her talk is Spring Flowering Perennials.

Rosy is a tremendous plantswoman with 23 Gold Medals to her credit. She grows fantastic plants and showcases them at Chelsea

each year. Last year’s star’s were Salvia, ‘Kisses and Wishes’, Gaillardia, ‘Apricot Honey’ and Polemonium Yezuense, ‘Kaleidoscope’.

Rosey has won several other awards over the years.The Spring Lecture takes place on Thursday, March 7 at 7.30pm At the Parish Rooms, Town Lane, Newport.

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22nd February 2019

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‘Teen fire fit’ helps boost confidence and well-being Island teenagers have been teaming up with firefighters to find out about the benefits of physical activity, nutrition and healthy eating.

The second group to take part in a six-week ‘Teen Fire Fit’ course had a special passing out parade at their school, Ryde Academy.

The course is for students aged 12 and 13, nominated for reasons including being disengaged with physical activity or having a long-term medical condition or low self-confidence. The initiative is run by the Island’s Fire and Rescue Service and is designed to improve the teenagers’ standard of life across their education, exercise and social environment. Each session included activities unique to the fire service, plus learning about healthy eating and practical cooking.

Tracey Webb, community safety delivery manager for the fire and rescue service, said: “The students worked really hard over the six weeks to get the maximum benefit.”

Lead instructor on the course, watch manager Kelvin Wright, said: “The difference between the students from the first week to the sixth was amazing. Their levels of engagement and self-belief in their own abilities has led to them coming together as a team, while achieving individual goals. They should be extremely proud.”

Ryde Academy principal, Joy Ballard, was impressed by the students’ commitment to the course. She said: “To see our students succeed, following such a tough course, was simply brilliant. We are grateful to the fire service for providing them with this fabulous opportunity.”

News in brief

Isle of Wight Services Your local guide

Accident lead to delay A two-vehicle collision between a Land Rover 4×4 and a Citroen C1 on the main road outside St Mary’s Hospital caused major travel delays between Newport and Cowes on Wednesday morning after the traffic flow was reduced to a single carriageway.

Shalfleet fire

Advertise your service here Call us on 01983 214264

A chimney fire was tackled at the New Inn in Shalfleet at around midday on Tuesday. A Newport fire engine was mobilised, and firefighters remained on scene for almost two hours to undertake a full inspection of the pub’s loft to ensure the fire had not spread.

Fun & games

Hugh Cornwell

The Old Fort pub in Seaview will be hosting a Bingo and Burger evening on Saturday, March 30. The evening starts at 7pm and funds raised will go to the Nettlestone and Seaview Community Partnership.

For further information, contact Vilma Barraclough on (01983) 615278.

Puzzles

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Wordsearch Find the following pubs and inns of the Island horizontally, vertically, backwards and forwards BARGEMANSREST BUGLE COASTBAR CRABANDLOBSTER HIGHDOWN HOGSHEAD PRINCEOFWALES REEF SPYGLASS VINEINN WATERFRONT WHEATSHEAF WHITELION WIGHTMOUSE

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.

22nd February 2019

Crossword

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Across 6. Relinquish a throne (8) 8. Tibetan oxen (4) 9. Mayonnaise (5,8) 10. Expert in atmospheric conditions (13) 14. Rebirth of the soul in a new body (13) 17. Meteorologist (13) 20. Unknown (4) 21. Freeze (8)

Down 1. Turkish currency (4) 2. Outlaw (6) 3. Breakfast food (6) 4. Power of vision (8) 5. Related by blood (4) 7. Blind system of writing (7) 11. Lack of variety (8) 12. Belonging to us (3) 13. Exhibitionist (4-3) 15. Prejudice against old people (6) 16. Baby’s feeding bottle cap (6) 18. Sicilian volcano (4) 19. Clarets (4)

For the answers to the crossword, see page 2.

Spot the differences

Can you find all eight differences between the two pictures of the Mountbatten cheque presentation below?

22nd February 2019

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Entertainment 25

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Coming up at Medina Theatre...

Voodoo Room

Gaelforce Dance

The Wight Strollers - Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood Join The Wight Strollers this February Half Term on an epic panto journey into the heart of Sherwood Forest with Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Witness feats of daring and friendship, of romance and villainy, and help Robin to defeat the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, win the heart of Maid Marian and rescue the Babes!

From the company that brought you Cinderella and Priscilla: Queen of the Desert - The Musical comes a fabulous family pantomime, jam-packed with laughter, live music and local talent.

Show Dates: Saturday 23rd February - 2:30 & 7:30pm

Starlight Boutique presents - Mary Poppins The Untold Story The Starlight Boutique offers a wide range of entertainment acts and services, Whether you are planning a Wedding, Party, Corporate Event, or just looking for entertainment acts for your event we have something to offer everyone.

Show Dates: Sunday 24th February - 12:00 & 5:30pm

Naturally 7 With their rich harmonies, an unbelievable ability to replicate instruments and a stage presence that can be felt in every seat of the house, Naturally 7, the first VocalPlay group ever, are amazing, charming fans where ever they perform.

Today, Naturally 7 are Roger Thomas (musical director, arranger, 1st Baritone, Rap), Warren Thomas (percussion, guitar, clarinet, 3rd tenor) Rod Eldridge (1st tenor, scratching, trumpet), Ricky Cort (4th Tenor, guitar), Dwight Stewart (2nd baritone, vocals, trumpet), Garfield Buckley (2nd Tenor, Harmonica) and “Kelz” Mitchell (Bass).

Show Dates: Wednesday 27th February - 7:30pm

Voodoo Room – A Tribute Hendrix, Clapton & Cream

Coming up at Shanklin Theatre...

Lee Memphis King

to

Be part of an incredible homage, to Three Legends in Music (Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton & Cream) in this explosive new production.

Packed with an incredible high energy & performed by some of the UK’s finest musicians. This powerhouse performance will transport you back in time to the original concerts, delivering the true spirit of these legendary superstars.

No wigs No pantomime just great music played by great musicians!! Their individual credits include: Steve Winwood, Massive Attack, Ben E. King, Fish, Thunder, Jo Harman, Thea Gilmore, Lulu etc etc.

Show Dates: Saturday 2nd March - 7:30pm

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

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

‘Superstar’ at Ventnor

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

This brand new production is dedicated entirely to the ‘Vegas Years’ when Elvis would perform in Las Vegas and tour throughout the US and Canada - the definitive record of these performances are contained in the films ‘Elvis- That’s the Way It Is’, ‘Elvis On Tour’ and the ‘Aloha from Hawaii’ concert.

The show is enhanced by an orchestra of world class musicians and backing vocalists coupled with impressive video screen projection mapping out Elvis’s life and music.

Show Dates: Saturday 19th Feb - 7:30pm

Sherlock Holmes - Sign of Four “When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”

Crammed full of adventure, romance, comedy and of course one or two rather brilliant deductions, The Sign of Four is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s epic second Sherlock Holmes tale, a breathtaking yarn brought to life in this spectacular new stage adaptation.

When Mary Morstan arrives at 221B, Baker Street to request help with the mystery of her missing father, Holmes takes the case and together with his companion Dr Watson enters a murky world of deception and trickery, unravelling a complex plot involving murder, corruption and stolen jewels.

Show Dates: Thursday 28th Feb - 7:30pm

Gaelforce Dance Produced by Michael Durkan and choreographed by Richard Griffin, Gaelforce Dance is a highly acclaimed show that expertly weaves intricate choreography, thundering rhythms, enchanting melodies and a compelling storyline into a stirring tale of Love, Passion and Tragedy.

It is due to these incredibly innovative elements that in 2010 Gaelforce Dance was the winner of IQ Magazines ‘Limelight Award’ for Best Dance Spectacular beating all other Irish dance shows in its category.

Show Dates: Friday 8th March - 7:30pm

What’s on around the Island...

Dimbola Close Up - Wet Plate Course

between 12noon - 4pm. Isle of Wight Steam Railway. From: 31 Mar to 31 Mar.

Following in the footsteps of Julia Margaret Cameron. Two-day wet plate collodion workshop with Honza Saka.

A rare opportunity to create stunning images in the very birthplace of the closeup. Dimbola Museum and Galleries, West Wight. From: 9 Mar to 10 Mar.

The Big Brick Build Off!

Mother’s Day Special at Isle of Wight Steam Railway Give mum a relaxing treat this Mothers Day and treat her to a relaxing trip through the spring countryside. Treat her to lunch with our afternoon carvery, being served

Calling all Lego brick building enthusiasts! Have you got what it takes to be our Champion Duplo Designer? Then come along and join us for our first ever Big Brick Build Off! Aimed at children between 4 and 12 years old. Tapnell Farm Park, West Wight. From: 23 Feb to 23 Feb.

Willow Weaving with Wyldwood Willow - Rope Weave Basket At Tiny Homes Holidays this spring we would again like to welcome Amanda

of Wyldwood Willow to show us how to create our very own stunning rope weave baskets. Hillis Gate Road, Cowes. From: 1 Mar to 4 Mar.

Robin McInnes: A Portrait of the Isle of Wight 1860 - 1950 A major exhibition of photographs depicting the changing face of the Isle of Wight since the 1860s. The photographs, which include countryside and coastal views, shipwrecks, transport and social scenes, are drawn from the collections of Professor Robin McInnes OBE of St Lawrence and Andy Butler of Ventnor.

Dimbola Museum and Galleries, West Wight. From: 22 Feb to 14 Apr.

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Sport

22nd February 2019

Observer

By Peter White

Latest results from Newport Golf Club Saturday Nine-Hole Stableford: 1, John Pevreall (20) 16pts.

Thursday Medal: 1, Rex Ringer (11) 69 net; 2, George Ringer (7) 70.

Saturday Medal: Division One; 1, Oliver Wilson (5) 65net; 2, Ashley Wright (8) 67; 3, Matt Brailsford (7) 68. Division Two: 1, Chris Ridett(20) 66; 2, Sean O`Brien (20) 69; 3, Richard Evans (13) 70.

Saturday Stableford: 1, George Ringer (7) 37pts; 2, Clyde Wakeling (17) 35; 3, Paul Rassmussen (9) 34.

Ladies Bowmaker: 1, Debbie Berry, Lorrie Hawkins and Aman.

Latest results from Osborne Golf Club Midweek Stableford: Division One; 1,John Oakes 37pts; 2, Andy Taylor 36; 3, Paul Woolford 35. Division Two; 1, David Ramsbottom 37; 2, Nick Hunter 36; 3, David Geddes 35. Division 3; 1, Bob Streets 39; 2, John Sharp 34; 3,Leigh Lipscombe 33.

Saturday Medal: Division One; 1, David Stephens 67 net; 2, Leigh Pragnell 68; 3, Brian Wright 69. Division Two; 1, Mark Stephens 70; 2, Richard Gutteridge 71; 3, Nick Hunter 71 (OCB). Division Three; 1,Mike Spall 70; 2, Deryck G Jones 70 (OCB); 3, Benjamin Dyer 70 (OCB) February Monthly Medal: Division One; 1,John Oakes 66 net; 2, Brian Wright 68; 3, Keith Williams 69. Division Two; 1, Trevor Maidment 67; 2, Kevin Suitor 69; 3, Richard Gutteridge 73. Division Three; 1, Tim Lewis 66; 2, Peter Steen 68; 3, Derek Paton 70.

Football fixtures & officials for Saturday February 23 (Kick-off 2.30pm) Harwoods Renault Isle of Wight League Division One: East Cowes Sports v Osborne Coburg - Steve Raybould Northwood St Johns v Brading Town - Ali Taylor Pan Sports v Cowes Sports Reserves - Brian Hayward Shanklin v Ventnor - Andy Jones West Wight v Binstead & COB - Abu Gates Whitecroft & Barton v Sandown - Ian Gordon

Bob Mortlock bowling, he is in the Men’s Pairs semi final

Darren on course for 10th singles title This season’s Isle of Wight Indoor Bowls Club’s competitions are reaching their latter stages, and in the Men’s Singles quarter-final the reigning champion and nine times previous winner Darren Griffith defeated David Carpenter. He now takes on a previous winner in Alan Cawdell who put out Ian Morey.

The other semi-finalists are Ron Leleux after beating John Carrett and Mark Morris who put out Ian Ball. Both Leleux and Morris are after their first title in the competition.

In the Ladies’ Singles, Tiger Carpenter is through to the final for the first time after defeating Moira Stephens. She will

meet Anne Bernard who won her semi final against 13-time previous champion Pauline Proud.

The Men’s Pairs is at the semi final stage in which Jeff Johnson and Geoff Clement take on Ian Morey and Bob Mortlock with David Jones and Alan Cawdell playing Darren Griffith and Jack Berry. At the same stage in the Ladies’ Pairs, Annette Halls and Sue Green are through to the final after overcoming Tiger Carpenter and Barbara Moye.

The other semi-final between Peggy Evans and Anne Bernard against Sandra Aldridge and Shirley Stubbs saw victory go to the former. In the men’s triples

quarter-final Peter Furmidge’s trio got through against Ian Ball’s threesome.

Also through are Jack Berry’s triple who put out Geoff Clements trio. Winning their way through to the Men’s Fours semi-final are Geoff Clements rink who defeated David Carpenter’s quartet.

In the Area semi-final of the Ladies’ National Fours, the quartet of Pauline Proud, Stef Ball, Gay Allen and Anne Bernard were knocked out by P. Cresswell’s rink. In the area final of the Ladies National Triples Proud, Allen and Bernard take on Cresswell’s trio.

Division Two: AFC Wootton v Bembridge - Andy Doncaster Brighstone v Ryde Saints - Chris Cass Carisbrooke United v Adgestone - Matt Sainsbury East Cowes Vics “A” v Newchurch - Keyson Colebrook Niton Community v Wroxall - Dave Jukes Seaview v- Oakfield - Keith Ruth Combination One: Binstead & COB v East Cowes Sports - John Hopkinson Brading Town v Ryde Saints - Rhys Taylor Oakfield v Northwood St Johns - Ian Smith Osborne Coburg v Whitecroft & Barton Sports- Stephen Todd Sandown v Ventnor - Richard Mcfarlane Combination Two: Yarmouth & Calbourne v AFC Wootton - Ben Orton Combination Two, League Cup: Group A: Bembridge v Niton Community - Sean Yardley Newchurch v Ryde Saints ‘A’ - Jamie Saltzer

Tuesday, February 26 IW Harwoods Dacia Senior Gold Cup Quarter-Final: East Cowes Vics v Northwood St Johns at Beatrice Avenue, East Cowes. Kick-off 7.30pm. Referee: Steve Currie

Previous Men’s Singles winner Alan Cawdell who plays Darren Griffith in the semi final.

22nd February 2019

iwobserver

Rockers edge out Vics D in thriller In the IW Table Tennis Association Division Three top of the table clash between Ryde Rockers and Newport Vics D, the Rockers came out on top 6-4 to extend their lead to 11 points, with three games to go.

The Vics Debbie Yates took Spike Hughes to five sets in a thrilling and hotly contested game but could not get the better of higher ranked Hughes. Vics went into the pairs needing a point to draw, and Chris Gordine and Roger West fought all the way to take the game against Rockers’ Hughes and Neil Blake to five sets, but the Rockers dug deep and held on to take the game and win the match.

Newcomers Wootton Wolves earned a credible draw against the experienced Ryde Rockets , with the Rockets Paul Tucker player of the match with three wins.

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Warriors’ practice date

Island Men’s Singles Championships are to be held on February 27, with an entry so far of 23, with more expected. It promises to be a night of high quality table tennis with most of the top league players entering. The four top seeds are Lee Orton, Ollie Staniforth, Don Hobbs and Alex Rorke.

Picture by Sportography

Speedway copromoters Barry Bishop and Martin Widman have announced that the club’s Press and Practice Day will take place on Thursday, April 5 at the Andrew Younie Smallbrook Stadium, Ryde.

In order to meet local planning regulations, the session will run from 11am to 3pm with the media, sponsors and supporters invited along to watch the ‘Wightlink’ Warriors and Wizards go through their paces. A full timetable for the day will be issued nearer the date.

The season proper gets underway on Thursday, April 11, with the Vince Mapley Memorial Trophy commencing at 7pm.

Romsey trip proves a ferry too far for Vics Romsey Town 4 East Cowes Vics 1

There wasn’t much that went right for Vics when they travelled across the Solent in midweek to take on a Romsey side lying second in Division One of the Wessex League.

A ferry delay meant manager Steve Brougham and his players did not arrive at Romsey’s ground until the scheduled kick off time of 7.45pm, so had to prepare as quickly as possible to avoid any further hold-ups.

However, the Island side got off to a good start as Elias Ahmed

Perfect 10th birthday present for Newclose Hampshire’s choice of Newclose County Cricket Ground, Newport, as the venue for their First XI County Championship match against Nottinghamshire in May is the ideal 10th birthday present for the Island’s premier cricket ground. The coming season marks a decade since Newclose was officially opened by former England cricket captain Mike Gatting in July, 2009.

The Ageas Bowl at Southampton will be restricted to hosting 2019 Cricket World Cup matches for most of May, June and July. In addition to the fourday County Championship match, Isle of Wight sports enthusiasts will enjoy eight more days of quality cricket. Newclose will host four days of County Second XI cricket and four Saturdays on which the Hampshire

Academy will use the ground for their home Southern Premier Cricket League fixtures.

Middlesex Second XI will provide Hampshire’s opposition for a 50-over one day game on Monday, April 29, and the following day sees the start of a three-day First Class Counties Second XI Championship match involving the same teams. Newclose will also be the home venue for four of the Academy XI’s matches, against Bashley (Rydal) on May 11, Basingstoke & North Hants on May 25, Bournemouth on June 8 and Burridge on June 22.

If anyone would like to join the team to assist with maintaining the playing area and gardens contact Hugh Griffiths by email at griffithshugh@ sky.com

shot them ahead in the opening few minutes.

Unfortunately for Vics, Romsey showed their quality and hit back to take a 4-1 lead before half time.

Brougham said: “I don’t want to make excuses because Romsey are a good side, but it was just one of those horrible nights. We regrouped at half time, and were better in the second half. But I’m not complaining because the lads have done really well over the last few weeks. But midweek away fixtures are always a nightmare for all the Island teams, because of rushing over, and then getting

back late.

“We had to leave five minutes after the end of the game, but we then got caught up in road works and didn’t get back to the ferry terminal until 10.45pm for the 10.30pm sailing. But thankfully the ferry was running late, so we managed to catch it.”

He added: “We’ve now got a decent run of fixtures coming up, and we’ve only got one of the top five sides still to play. So hopefully we can put a run together again, and start picking up some more points.”

Six of the best as Vics step up pace East Cowes Vics 6 Alton 2 East Cowes Vics’ impressive march up the Wessex League, Division One, continued last weekend with one of their most impressive showings of the season so far.

Their 10th win of the season moved them up to seventh place just above Island neighbours Newport, ahead of the midweek fixtures.

Vics manager Steve Brougham enthused: “We really did the business and it was a great win.

We played some good attacking football. We have a lot of pace in the side, and now we are playing

with much more belief. We weren’t quite right a couple of months ago, but now things have really taken shape. Results have been decent recently, and that has built a a lot of confidence and good team spirit.

“But I am not the sort to get complacent, because we all know the game can suddenly turn and kick you in the teeth. If we want to be a team in the top half of the table, we have to make sure we stay consistent.”

Despite a really bright start, Vics found themselves trailing to an Alton side who were looking for three points to leapfrog the Island outfit in the table.

The visitors also hit a post, and Brougham said: “We showed great character to go in at half time leading 2-1. A few months ago we would never have done that; we would have probably gone on to lose 4-0.”

Goals from Brendon Hayward and Jimmi Burton gave Vics the interval lead, and Elias Ahmed added the third with a super goal, curling home a shot with the outside of his right foot.

Alton cut the lead, but Vics were in no mood to surrender, and sealed the victory with further goals from Burton, Joe Butcher and impressive 16-year-old Henry West.

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Isle of Wight show spirit but lose bruising battle Locks Heath Pumas 49 points, Isle of Wight 14 After the previous week’s triumphant performance against Ventnor the Island travelled to Locks Heath full of confidence.

However, it’s never an easy place to play as they found out in a bruising encounter.

The Island had the lion’s share of possession in the first five minutes but couldn’t convert the pressure into points. Locks Heath on the other hand were clinical; every time they entered the Island’s 22 they came away with points.

The Island found themselves 27-0 down within the first half hour through conceding three tries and two penalties. IW started playing more directly through strong running from the forwards and centre pairing Luke Blackman and Angus Brown. After several phases of play and excellent ball retention, they finally crossed the whitewash with veteran Martin Newnham burrowing over for his first try in five years. Biffa Man of the Match Lewis Murray added the conversion as the half time whistle went, with the Island in the ascendancy but trailing 27-7.

The second half began in similar

fashion with the Islanders forging their way deep into the opposition territory, but a break through couldn’t be found. Handling errors and over eagerness gifted Pumas possession and a break away try to make it 32-7. Even with the score line heavily in favour of the home side, IW were playing well and not out of the game, and with a similar game plan to the first half they had their second try. It was a first club try for Rouse Ltd Man of the Match Callum Pudney, to which Murray added the conversion to make it 32-14.

If IW had managed the next score the game could have easily gone either way. But with fatigue setting in it was unfortunately the last time the IW troubled the scoreboard. A couple of late tries made the scoreline unreflective of the amount of grit and determination that the team showed. IW now have a week off before hosting Trojans II on March 2.

IW: Marriott, Hooper, L Blackman, Angus Brown, Webster, Murray, Augustus, G Smith, McQueen, Newnham, Pudney, Raunigger, Bennett, D Blackman, Andrew Brown. Replacements: Blackburn, Williams, Peckham.

Last-gasp try ends gallant IW Seconds unbeaten run Alresford II 24 points, Isle of Wight II 19 Isle of Wight RFC’s second team lost their previously unbeaten record in dramatic fashion at Alresford. An incident-packed affair appeared likely to finish honours even, until the hosts manufactured the winning score in the 79th minute to break the hearts of the gallant Islanders.

IW travelled understrength for this Hampshire Three fixture and were under no illusions about the task, but they started well with No. 8 Andy White crashing over to open the scoring. This lead was not to last long, as Alresford fought back impressively and exploited disjointed IW defence for a converted try.

Before 10 minutes had elapsed, the game was brought to a halt as a serious leg injury to a home player led to a 40-minute stoppage before the ambulance could arrive.

The first half generally saw attacks on top, as both teams’ rearguards struggled to remain intact. IW regained the lead as White again touched down and full-back Kieran Leahy

converted, but Alresford again replied. The powerful carrying of Rouse Ltd Man of the Match White continued to pay dividends, as he completed his hat-trick before the break.

Leahy again added the extras, but there was still time for Alresford to catch IW napping, levelling the scores at 19-19 at half-time.

The second half was in stark contrast to the first, as defences took over. IW had a good spell of pressure in the third quarter, but did not make it count on the scoreboard. Leahy was short with a long-range penalty attempt, while White was denied his fourth try in controversial circumstances, as the referee did not see the ball grounded.

The last 15 minutes was played in the IW half with a large home crowd urging their team on, but the IW defence remained strong until near the end, when the impressive Alresford backline created an overlap and exploited the space to score the winning try.

IW Seconds are next in action at home to Millbrook & Stoneham on March 2, their final home game of the season.

22nd February 2019

Ventnor go down fighting Ventnor 15 points Farnborough 40 Ventnor entertained high-flying Farnborough, whose revitalised side have been running riot in many games this season, and found their task just too much.

A large crowd attended the match with the visitors bringing a coach load and Ventnor hosting an 80s reunion with over 20 former players meeting to watch the game and reminisce. If they were there to be entertained, they couldn’t complain as both sides registered early scores, Ventnor’s try coming from Ed Blake, intercepting and running the length of the pitch.

Both teams played well and it was clear that neither was going to yield easily. Andy Gough was next to get his name on the score sheet, as he tapped on a penalty to crash over for his first try.

The second half saw many heroic carries in the wet, foggy conditions. AJ Wells Man of the Match Lewy Morton led the charge, aided by Cameron Griggs, Lewis Jones and captain Sam Dawson. This platform created another opportunity for Andy Gough to strike with his second try. Unfortunately it was a tricky day off the tee for Ricky Keyes, who couldn’t convert the three tries.

Strong defensive displays from Chris Dobbas, Ben Atkins and Simon Blow did well to hold back the large Farnborough team, but they managed to outscore Ventnor six tries to three.

The Ventnor team management of Dean Magnurson and Stuart Babington were very happy with the physical display the home team showed. Red Funnel Moment of the Match went to Sam Dawson.

Ventnor: Pratt, Jones, Keyes, Teague, Noyes, Griggs, Morton, Dawson, Gough, Lines, Blake, Dobbas, Cooper, Atkins, Blow. Subs - Riches, Green, Edwards.

IW Cross Country win for Grundy

Kevin and Julie take Cheverton honours Kevin Liquorish and Julie Miller are the winners of this year’s Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club Cheverton Trophy, a Mixed Foursomes competition. Kevin and Julie Miller took the honours with a score of 35 points, just beating Neil Hallett and Debbie Berry, who finished with 34.

Other recent Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club results: Ladies England Golf Medal – Winner Brenda Keyte 73, 2, Lorrie Hawkins 77.

Seniors’ Monthly Stableford – Winner Terry Jarman 33.

Open Stableford Division One: 1, Ashley Lawrence 38, points; 2, David Oldham 37; 3, Dorian Cobb 37. Division Two: 1, Ray Winter 40, 2, Trevor Mitchell 38; 3, Steve Lucy 37.

Monthly Stableford – Division One: 1, Paul Bewick 44 points; 2, Rob Turrell 41; 3, Tony Williams 38; 4, John Liddelow 38. Division Two: 1, Tony Valvona 39; 2, Paul Cock 37; 3, Kevin Stevenson 36.

Jack Grundy of TEAMSPY was the men’s winner of this year’s Isle of Wight Cross Country Championships.

He completed the course in 40 mins, 35 secs, to beat runner-up Gary Marshall of WBR who clocked 41:48 with Ross Wilks of IWRR taking third place in 42:51.

The women’s race produced an impressive run from Charlie Metcalfe of Ryde Harriers, who clocked 45:32, to finish more than six minutes ahead of second-placed Mary Norman of Wight Tri who clocked 52:20. Janet Fletcher, also of Wight Tri, took third spot in a time of 53:59.

The men’s team race was won by the IWRR trio of Ross Wilks, Michael Douglas and Sean Williams, while the women’s team champions were the Wight Tri trio of Mary Norman, Janet Fletcher and Lucy Doorly.

22nd February 2019

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High fives for Sharon and her children!

The penultimate jumping show in Lake Farm’s 2018-19 winter series was dominated by Sharon Waghorn and her children who, between them, took victory in five of the day’s eight classes.

Elizabeth Waghorn and her little grey pony, Smokey took the first win of the day in Class 1 (9 inches).

Riding Matt Legge’s pony, Bertie, Rubi Harper took the win in Class 2 (12 inches) with a very fast time.

Bella Green Riding Sarah Holmes’ super pony, Bruno, took victory in both Class 3 (18 inches) and Class 4 (2ft). Bruno had many successes with Sarah at local and national level and is still going strong!

Sharon Waghorn and Sue Eden’s lovely bay horse took victory in Classes 6 (2ft 6) and 7 (2ft 9). She then finished a successful family day with a win in Class 8 (3ft) riding her sister Karen’s horse, Spring Thyme.

This series comes to a conclusion on Sunday, March 10, where champion and reserve champion titles will be awarded in each class.

Class winners: Class 1 (9 inches) Elizabeth Waghorn and Smokey.Class 2 (12 inches) - Rubi Harper and Bertie.

Class 3 (18 inches) - Bella Green and Bruno. Class 4 (2ft) - Bella Green and Bruno. Class 5 (2ft 3) - John Waghorn and Chevvy. Class 6 (2ft 6) - Sharon Waghorn and Ramiro’s Quest. Class 7 (2ft 9) - Sharon Waghorn and Ramiro’s Quest. Class 8 (3ft) - Sharon Waghorn and Spring Thyme.

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22nd February 2019

Despair for Yachtsmen as Solent grab last-gasp win Team Solent 2 Cowes Sports 1 Cowes Sports’ hopes of moving further away from relegation danger in the Wessex League, Premier Division were dashed as Team Solent staged a late comeback.

Yachtsmen player-manager John McKie admitted the outcome was a real tough one to take after his side outplayed the opposition for about 75 minutes, only to see all their hard work bring no reward.

McKie reflected: “We completely controlled the game until the last 15 minutes. Admittedly, Team Solent created a couple of chances, but our keeper Ed Hatt made some fantastic saves, and it just looked like we were not going to be beaten. They were trying different things but it just wasn’t happening for them.”

The Island side’s first half dominance brought its reward midway through the half when Gareth Bricknell swung in a corner from the right and Callum Chase, switched from a central defensive role to midfield, stole in unmarked at the far post to tap in from six yards.

The trend continued with Aedan Coode unlucky not to extend the lead, but even so it seemed one goal would be enough to secure the points for the Yachtsmen against the side just above them in the table.

However, their hard work and effort seemed to take their toll with fatigue, and that gave Team

Solent a glimmer of hope, and in a goalmouth scramble, they levelled the scores, despite desperate defending by the Yachtsmen.

McKie said: “The lads were really putting their bodies on the line. They were throwing themselves at everything, and I couldn’t fault any of my players for effort. But then in stoppage time Team Solent snatched the winner with a speculative effort that found its way into the net, and that was a real sickener. After playing so well and coming away with nothing, it was real tough to take.”

To make matters worse, the Yachtsmen found themselves down to 10 men right at the end when substitute Connor Furmidge was sent off. But even then there was confusion between match officials Alex Rush-Fear, Gary Cash and Kai Morgan for several minutes about who had done what, with the referee even asking players who committed the foul, before Furmidge was finally shown the red card.

Cowes will be hoping for better fortune tomorrow (Sat) when they take on Bashley at Westwood Park. McKie added: “It will be another tough game, but all the lads have the belief and commitment. We have also added Havant keeper Ryan Young as our goalkeeping coach, which is fantastic with his experience, and we are still looking to bring new players in. I feel we are moving in the right direction, but it would be nice just to get the rub of the green for a change.”

Seven-up Cowes Newport edge closer after smart victory Ladies take fizz out of Flyers Newport Con closed the gap on Ryde B.L. in the Island Vecta Billiard and Snooker League with an 8-7 victory.

Dave Cox (-35) got Newport off to the best start possible with a 5-0 victory over Tony Worsfold (27). Ryde’s captain (39) then put them back in the match beating Terry Phillips (-12) 4-1, before Tian Sleight (67) won 3-2 against Vince Salter (72).

Chillerton ended the Newbridge winning run with an 11-4 success. Jamie Sprake won a close match against Kev Whillier (-70) 3-2, and Roger Packer (53) won by the same score over Trevor Rider (85). Andy Potts (-20) beat Trevor Whillier (-22) 5-0 to end Trevors’ winning streak.

Highest Break – T. Whillier 39 Table: Ryde 116pts, Newport 112pts, Chillerton 100pts, Newbridge 92pts.

Cowes Ladies were in scintillating form when they took on Winchester City Flyers A in the Hampshire County Women’s League, scoring seven goals without reply - all in the first half!

Cowes, 11th in the table, expected a much sterner test against a side two places above them in the table, but they were in charge from the first whistle to record only their second victory of the season.

Charlee Roberts led the spree by scoring an impressive four goals, with Michelle Tonks adding a brace and woman-ofthe-match Christina Cave chipping in with a single goal. Cowes then took their foot off the gas in the second half. But

there was no way back for the Flyers, who had their wings firmly clipped by the Island side. Manager Laurence Chick said: “The ladies played a very strong relentless first half and played the ball around well. Going into half time at 7-0 is something we are definitely not used to. We then sat back in the second half, and I just let them do their thing. I’m proud of the performance and a solid, much-needed result.”

Cowes Ladies: Angelika Tatchell, Amie Brown, Abi Squires (C), Chantelle Russell, Katie Morris, Hanneke Velthoven, Lauren Hamer, Malandra Reed, Charlotte Skeggs Christina Cave, Charlee Roberts, Michelle Tonks.

Late Romsey double denies Port a point Newport 1 Romsey Town 2 The fact Newport manager Andy Sampson expressed his disappointment at losing to a Romsey side up in second place in Division One of the Wessex League underlined how much progress the Island side have made in recent weeks.

Throughout the first half, and during the opening spell in the second period, Newport more than matched the opposition, who have lost only five of 26 games all season. But any hopes of taking at least a point ended as Romsey hit back with two goals in the final 10 minutes.

Sampson said: “It was disappointing, because after we took the lead, we gave them a helping hand with the equaliser.

We gave away a needless free kick which led to them scoring. That gave them the boost to push on, and then they nicked the winner.

“I thought we played really well first half, but we were not so good in the second period, and they stepped up a gear.”

Port’s first half endeavour’s were rewarded in the 38th minute, when Mark Taylor’s pass picked out Joe Craig, who turned to score in the far corner. Romsey finally began to show their credentials,

and in the 65th minute home keeper Gary Streeter produced a fine one-handed save to keep his side in front.

But the Island outfit paid for conceding a foul in the 79th minute, which led to the equaliser. Sampson said: “We were under pressure, and the last thing you want to do is give away silly free kicks.”

Port still looked on course for a point until the 87th minute when Jack Edam scored from close in to give Romsey the win. Port face anther tough game tomorrow when they visit table-toppers Amesbury, who have emerged as favourites to lift the Division One title.

22nd February 2019

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Evans hat-trick keeps Final countdown for W&B on title course indoor cricket titles Matt Evans scored a hat-trick as Whitecroft and Barton strengthened their grip at the top of Division One of the Isle of Wight Harwoods Renault League.

Freddy Knowles, John Bilton and Alex Wright also found the net as W&B beat Osborne Coburg 6-0 to move seven points clear of second-placed Brading Town with a game in hand.

So the real battle appears to be who will emerge as runners-up, with Brading and Northwood St Johns being joined in the battle

by Shanklin.

Brading took the points by putting four without reply past Binstead and COB. After a goalless first half, Brading took comand, and secured the victoy thanks to goals from Jake Keetch, Jordan Cook, Oliver Wilson and Liam Bennett.

Shanklin did even better with 6-0 success at Cowes Sports Reserves. Iain Seabrook continued his fine run of form with two of Shanklin’s goals,

and there was one apiece for Mike Brown, Sam Moseley, Harry Wade and sub Phill McDonald. E.C,S. got the better of their trip to Ventnor, running out 3-1 winers.

Northwood St Johns were in Memorial Cup action, winning their home game against West Wight 2-0, and in the same competition Sandown lost 6-2 at home to Pan Sports despite two goals from Ben Field.

In Division Two, leaders Bembridge consolidated their position with an emphatic 8-1 victory at Adgestone, but Ryde Saints have not given up hope, and were comfortable 4-1 winners at Newchurch. There were also wins for Wootton, 2-1 at Seaview; for Carisbrooke United 4-2 at Wroxall, and for Oakfield, 3-1 at Yarmouth and Calbourne, while East Cowes Vics and Niton Community shared the points in a 2-2 draw.

Shanklin Reserves followed the lead of their first team by also hitting six in their Combination One game at home

Newport’s golden touch Continued from back page senior competition. Everyone wants to be top dogs, and a match like this is like a final for the Island League teams.

“Shanklin put up a good fight. They made it hard for us and closed the game down, so all credit to them. At 0–0 we were vulnerable to the counter-attack.

We could have been more intelligent in the area, and the quality of our final ball was poor. We needed a quicker tempo in the final third.”

Shanklin boss Paul Haward said: “The game plan worked until the 93rd minute.

The idea was to stay in the game as long as we could, and we thought we could always hit them on the break.”

Shanklin were hoping veteran striker Iain Seabrook, twice a former Port player, could unlock the home side’s defence, with Haward, saying: “With Iain playing, there’s always a chance of getting a goal.

But our luck ran out in the third minute of injury time. To face a Wessex League side was the perfect draw, but you know you’re always going to be up against it.”

Port had the better of the opening half, and the trend continued in the second period, but without them being able to break down Shanklin’s stubborn defence. In the 81st minute Browne had a powerful low shot parried for a corner

by Shanklin’s formidable keeper Jack Powell, and the game looked destined to be settled by the lottery of penalties.

But with time running out Mark Taylor was fouled 10 yards outside the Shanklin penalty area, and Browne hit a low, powerful strike to the keeper’s left, which he reached, but was unable to keep out.

to Ventnor Reserves. James Turner led the spree with a hattrick, and Frank Luter, Ethan Jones and Sam Collins also got on the scoresheet.

In the same division, Brading Town Reserves and W&B Sports Reserves drew 1-1 with Danny Cantelo scoring for W&B. Oakfield entertained Sandown and ran out 3-1 winners, as Harry Brown scored a consolation goal for the visitors.

ECS Reserves are top of Combination One, but only by a point from W & B Reserves, with Shanklin Reserves in third spot.

Meanwhile, in Combination Two, only two points separate Carisbrooke United Reserves, second placed Seaview Reserves and Bembridge Reserves in third spot. Carisbrooke kept up their charge for honours by beating Niton Community Reserves 3-1, while in the only other Combination Two game, AFC Wootton Reserves accounted for Ryde Saints A, 4-2.

The winners of both Division One and Division Two of the Leslies Motors Indoor Cricket League will not be known until the final two games of the season are played at Rew Valley Sports Centre on Sunday.

Island Bakeries will be looking to secure the Second Division crown by overcoming the Cricket Board’s Disability Team. If Bakeries lose, Cowes have an outside chance of snatching the title but they will need to both win and get a high number of bonus points in their game against Shanklin & Godshill 2.

Then it will be Ryde’s turn to try to lift the Division One trophy as they hope to beat Brading and overtake long time leaders EPP. Two games were played in Division One last Sunday, with wins for Shanklin & Godshill 1 and Northwood. Shanklin & Godshill 1 overcame Brading by four wickets mainly thanks to Mackenzie Wright who took 3-15 as Brading were bowled out for 77. In reply, Joe Newnham hit 27 not out as Shanklin & Godshill 1 reached their target for the loss of two wickets.

John Jones excelled with bat and ball for Northwood who enjoyed a comfortable 73-run victory against Prison Officers.

Jones hit 25 not out and Liam Roberts 41 not out as Northwood scored 134-3. The

Officers slumped to 61 all out with Jones taking 4-18.

In Division Two, Island Bakeries retained top spot following a hard fought win over Shanklin & Godshill 2. Phil Mew (25no) took Shanklin & Godshill 2 to 118-3 but Ellis Ridett and Matt Webb made sure Bakeries got home with three wickets to spare. Cowes (109-3) enjoyed a three-wicket win against Newport (107-3).

Fixtures for Sunday: Division One: Northwood v Prison Officers (7pm), Brading v Ryde (9pm) Division Two: Newport v Ryde School (5pm), Shanklin & Godshill 2 v Cowes (6pm), Disability Team v Island Bakeries (8pm).

Meanwhile, Ryde were knocked out of the ECB National Indoor Club competition by Dorset champions Bashley (Rydal) at Rew Valley Sports Centre. Put into bat, Ryde fought hard to make 125-3 which was dominated by a brilliant 50 not out from Dave Pratt and supported by skipper Stuart Robertson (25 not out).

Despite athletic fielding from the Island side, Bashley’s Michael Porter and captain Phil Morris both struck 29 not out to take their side home for a five-wicket win to reach the regional finals in Taunton.

Sport

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This weeks highlights...

By Peter White

Despair for Shanklin as Newport find golden touch

Bowls

Equestrian

Men’s Pairs semi final

Winter jumping show at Lake Farm

26

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Newport 1 Shanklin 0 Shanklin’s hopes of creating an upset in the Isle of Wight Senior Gold Cup were dashed by a last-gasp goal from favourites Newport.

The quarter-final tie of the prestigious Island competition, at St George’s Park on Wednesday evening, looked to be heading for a penalty shoot-out when Newport snatched the only goal to move into the last four.

Port manager Andy Sampson was

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22nd February 2019

relieved and delighted by Jordan Browne’s strike from a free kick in the third minute of stoppage time that gave the Wessex League, Division One outfit victory over a Shanklin side who have made big strides up the IW League Division One table in recent weeks.

Sampson admitted: “I felt tremendous relief when we scored, because penalties can go either way.

The Gold Cup is the Isle of Wight’s Continued on page 31

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