Island Magazines February 23 Bembridge and St Helens area

From joy’s humble crumble kitchen

Slow cookers make light work at dinner time and are energy efficient - great on the pocket as well! Assemble your dish and allow the gorgeous flavours to come together over a low heat. Here are a couple of recipes including a vegetarian stew - All recipes can be batch cooked, shared and frozen for another day.

SLOW COOKED SAUSAGE

CASSEROLE

serves 4 - 6

1lb/450g sausages • variety of vegetables 1 tsp mixed herbs and 2 garlic cloves crushed 400g tin chopped tomatoes • 400ml beef stock Method

1. Fry the sausages in a little oil - drain - add to the slow cooker.

2. Add any choice of diced vegetables, 1 onion, 3 carrots, 1 celery stick, 1 red pepper, 1 courgette, a bit of butternut or leek, plus the herbs, garlic and tin tomatoes

3. Pour over the beef stock - mix well together. Cook for 4 hours, take out sausages and slice - return to slow cooker. Add gravy granules to thicken if desired about half an hour before end of cook time. Great with mash!

SLOW COOKED CHICKEN CURRY SERVES 4

SLOW COOKED VEGETARIAN DUMPLING STEW

2 tbsp oil • 1 lge onion - diced

2 garlic cloves - crushed 2 carrots - 1cm rounds 300g mushrooms - sliced

3 tbsp plain flour

1 tbsp tomato puree

2 x 400g tins green lentils - drained 700ml veg. stock 150ml red wine thyme plus 1 tbsp marmite - opt. Method

1. Heat oil, gently fry the onion for 10 minutes. Add garlic and tomato puree

2. Add the flour to coat the onion mix - season

3. Add red wine, stir well to prevent lumps forming - transfer to slow cooker

8 skinless chicken thighs • 2 tbsp butter • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 onion - diced • 3 cloves garlic, crushed • 2 tbsp tomato puree • 2 tsp curry powder • 2 tsp tandoori masala • 1 tbsp curry paste • 400g coconut milk • 245g low fat plain yogurt. Method

1. Heat butter and olive oil over low heat. Add the chicken, onion, garlic and curry seasoning and stir fry gently for 10 mins.

2. Put mix into a slow cooker, add the tomato puree, coconut milk and yogurt and mix well together. Cook on ‘auto’ for 4 - 6 hours or on ‘low’ for 6 - 8 hours Serve with basmati rice and warmed naan bread

4. Add carrots, mushrooms, lentils, stock, thyme & seasoning. Slow cook ‘auto’ for 4 hours.

DUMPLINGS - 100g SR flour • 40g butter or vegan spread • 1 tsp thyme. In a bowl rub the flour, butter/vegan spread, until you have breadcrumbs using finger tips. Add thyme and seasoning. Sprinkle 2-3 tbsp. cold water and mix until it comes together - make 8 balls. Add dumplings 1 hour before end of cook time.

Dance is ageless. Forget your Age! Live your Life! Dance for Lifelong Wellbeing.

Dance-based exercise is a way to a long and healthy life. The Community of Adult Dance [COAD]’s mission, is to bring Dance and Exercise to the Island’s local communities with fun, uplifting classes for third-agers - both Seated and Active exercisers.

Dance has a lasting, positive effect on older learners: it keeps you supple, it’s an aerobic exercise; it increases your strength, balance and spatial awareness; it makes you use your brain, and it gives you plenty of social contact.

Methodist Church Hall, Foreland Rd Bembridge PO35 5UD

Every Wednesday 11:00-12:00

Seated Exercise improves your quality of life: restoring your energy levels, helping to reduce stress, assisting weight loss – and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease while improving your immune system.

74-year-old Anna, says: “Dance is a wonderful discipline, both mentally and physically”.

60-year-old Ian says: “It’s great Exercise that doesn’t involve going to the gym!”

Jane, 63, wanted to find an adult Ballet class: she was inspired watching a woman of 70 perform “…with such grace, demonstrating how beautiful older age can be.”

Four Benefits of Chair Exercises

• Improve your Posture and Balance.

• Strengthen your Shoulders.

• Lubricate Knee Joints.

• Increase your Upper Body Flexibility.

Silversands, Church Road, Bembridge PO35 5AA

- 15:00

Designed for older learners, Silver Swans Ballet, seated Dance-Exercise and adult Tap Dance not only keep you fit and active, but also keep your mind in shape!

RAD Silver Swans teachers – like Suki – are trained to teach a range of abilities over the age of 55. Join a local group to help improve your life, your mobility, posture, co-ordination, and your social circle too!

See main advert above for more details. Suki Turner ARAD. LISTD Dip. www.coad.dance

Wow... we’ve made it past the worst month of the year! January seems to have 485 days in it so I am glad that we are now in February. I’m sure I’m not the only one that feels like this.

Weather wise there isn’t much difference between the two months - they are both usually wet, cold and windy. (sorry I tried to think of something positive to say here but I couldn’t find the words!).

This month I am looking forward to two events, the first being St Valentine’s Day, I will leave the obligatory reminders around the house for my hubby to remember. I never feel guilty eating the chocolates he buys as we all know when chocolates are a gift they are calorie free!!

The second event is on Tuesday 21st February and is of course Pancake Day... ahh pancakes, what’s not to love about them. I am a traditionalist when it comes to them, and I am very easy to keep happy with just some lemon and sugar. However, you like yours, savoury or sweet, I hope you enjoy them.

You will find this issue once again packed with information and news, local businesses advertising their services and of course the puzzle page and special features.

I hope you enjoy this issue and I look forward to catching up with you again next month when Spring will definitely be on the horizon.

I hope you all have a great February and enjoy your pancakes!

Vivien’s Curtains and Blinds

From her home-based studio and workshop in Bembridge, local resident Vivien Bromilow, who has years of experience in the highly specialised area of quality curtains, blinds and upholstery offers a bespoke service for window dressings and soft furnishings and loves the challenge of coming up with solutions for every room.

Having previously been employed by major companies, such as Debenhams and Laura Ashley, as well as having run shops of her own, Vivien says she much prefers working independently one-to-one with clients.

With an intricate knowledge of everything from fabrics to curtain poles and fitting she has a trained eye for design, she can offer expert advice on selecting suitable fabrics and poles for every setting. She has plenty of samples to show customers or will happily work with their own pieces.

Vivien specialises in hand-made curtains, roman blinds, cushions and duvet covers, as well as doing alterations, and is able to give advice on all aspects of window dressings as well as offering an installation service.

Vivien can also order venetians and roller blinds direct from the factory.

For more information and contact details see Vivien’s main advert above.

The views and opinions expressed by contributors and advertisers are their own and do not reflect the views of the Editor or Island Magazines unless stated otherwise. Island Magazines reserves the right to refuse or alter material where necessary.

St Helens Village News

by Parish Clerk Jacky Matthews

Phone: 01983 722575 | E-mail: clerk@sthelensiw.org.uk

There has been an issue with the defibrillator, situated at the toilet on the Duver. Due to the vigilance of one of St Helens Councillors the defibrillator has been sent for checking and a loan one now in place.

We are in the process of organising some CPR training sessions over the next month or two, and hopefully looking to do first aid training too. You may have completed these previously but refreshing your knowledge is always a good thing. Each session will have about 10 places. Once we have dates they will be advertised locally, St Helens Facebook page and on the PC Website. If you would be interested in attending then please let me know.

As a Village we are lucky to have The Community Centre for larger gatherings, and also The Sports Pavilion - a space for the smaller get togethers. Trying to expand the use of this building but also, to offer St Helens residents some extra clubs and interests for residents of all ages. In order to do this we need to know your suggestions… e.g., Chess, Bridge, Knitting, Sewing, etc. Please submit these via email.

St Helens Horticultural Society holds two shows each year - along with talks on various horticultural subjects most months. Recently there was a talk about Nunwell House Gardens. The next St Helens Horticultural Spring Show is on Saturday March 18th, at St Helens Primary School - doors open 2:30pm. Staging is in the

morning. Many categories, including Cut Daffodils, Flowers, Fruit & Veg, Pot Plants, Flower arranging, Craft, Photography, Domestic Science and a Children’s Class. The full schedule & regulations will be available from February 20th, but this note is to give you time to prepare ready for entering. For other information re the Horticultural Society go to sthelens-horticultural-society.org

Last month the mention of a Community Fridge was rumoured this is something that is still being explored and will hopefully be up and running soon. A Community Fridge idea is basically a way for food that would go into the waste from supermarkets being delivered and free for the people of St Helens to use rather than go into rubbish.

Ideas, improvements, work to be done…. It’s your Village and now we have a great number of Volunteers then please forward any suggestions, and if you see anything that isn’t as it should be or feel could be improved, again please do contact me so it can be resolved.

07880 587931

February is the last month of winter and is usually still very cold and wet but it’s not all doom and gloom as it has two special days to celebrate, Pancake Day and St Valentine’s day. Here are a few interesting facts about both these events.

Shrove Tuesday – more commonly known as Pancake Day, or Pancake Tuesday, is celebrated every year to mark the first day of Lent. This year this flippin’ tasty day is on Tuesday, 21 February 2023

The largest ever pancake was made in the UK and had to be flipped using a crane! The largest pancake was created in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, in 1994, by the Co-Operative Union, Ltd. It was 49 foot (ft) wide and one inch (in) thick. The pancake weighed three tonnes.

In the US, Pancake Day is commonly known as “Mardi Gras,” which is French for “Fat Tuesday.”

The second side of a pancake takes half the amount of time to cook as the first – a good tip to remember.

Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14

Ikea Australia gave away a coupon for a free crib for babies born on the 14th November, which is exactly 9 months after Valentine’s Day. The coupon & proof of birth has to be shown.

Teddy Roosevelt’s diary entry for the 14th February 1884 reads: ‘The light has gone out of my life’. His mother and wife both passed away within hours of each other on that day.

Valentine’s Day is said to be the second most popular day to send cards, after Christmas! St. Valentine’s holy duties are not limited to interceding in loving couples and marriages. He is also the patron saint of beekeepers, epilepsy, plague, fainting and travelling.

Source thefactsite.com and historyhit.com

Open your doors to staycations, all year round

Isle of Wight Hideaways is looking to expand its portfolio of self-catering holiday properties.

Our portfolio is made up of properties with something a little bit ‘special’, whether it’s a breathtaking location, centuries of history or a touch of luxury. From stylish hideaways oozing with coastal chic to real-life lighthouse cottages; from pretty bungalows to stately homes, and everything in between – we pride ourselves on offering some of the very best quality holiday accommodation available.

To meet the ever-increasing demand from our guests for characterful holiday homes, we’re always looking for new properties to join our portfolio – and letting your holiday home has never been easier. As a local, friendly and enthusiastic team based on Ventnor High Street, Isle of Wight Hideaways are well placed to make the process of sharing your holiday home easy and enjoyable. We are passionate about the island and pride ourselves on the services we can offer to meet your individual needs at competitive rates, be it a Marketing or Marketing and Managed service; and we offer flexibility to our owners on the use of their properties.

With tailored services to suit your needs, you can be involved as much or as little as you like, knowing that you and your guests are well looked after. We can take care of the day-to-day things for you, or if you’d prefer to look after things yourself, that’s fine too.

Perhaps you’re starting from scratch and looking to buy, already own a property or maybe you’re with another agency and are looking for a change? Whatever the reason, with Isle of Wight Hideaways, you can relax in the knowledge that we deliver excellent occupancy levels and manage all of our properties with the same care and attention as if they were our own, so you know you’re in safe hands.

We are part of the Hideaways Holidays Group Ltd, which not only includes eight regional brands but also runs alongside Rural Retreats, a long-established luxury holiday letting agency with a nationwide portfolio. Being a part of this family means there is the potential to market your property not only through Isle of Wight Hideaways, but also to a much wider audience via our other brands.

With no joining or annual fee and competitive commission rates, we have so much to offer our valued homeowners and we delight in providing the very best service to both guests and owners. We’d love to hear from you, so, don’t miss the opportunity – find out more about letting with us today.

And, as a special offer to Island Magazines readers, we are offering a £250 M&S gift card as a thank you if you join our portfolio by 30th April 2023 for a minimum of one calendar year.

To request your Free Property Letting Guide or to talk to one of our Property Managers, please call us on 01983 897 604 or email newowners@isleofwighthideaways.co.uk

News Report from Cllr Joe Robertson - Bembridge joe.robertson@iow.gov.uk

The planning application on the land between Steyne Road and Hillway Road has received some revisions (which seem to be minor) and has therefore been relisted for public comment. The deadline for commenting is 21 days from 20th January, however all existing comments will be taken into consideration. If the planning officers recommend the application for approval, then the application will be decided by the Isle of Wight Council’s Planning Committee which could be as early as March.

I have had an on-site meeting with the Council’s new flood officer to discuss flooding in Station Road and the junction with Embankment Road and Pump Lane. The focus was on finding practical solutions to alleviate the worst effects of the flooding and remove any unnecessary barriers to getting work done. I hope to have some good news in the coming weeks. We will be looking at other key sites in the Village using evidence of the Flood Report as we go.

I am also pleased to have secured an onsite meeting with Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council to discuss the terrible road surface on Howgate Road and a section of the High Street. Island Roads have so far been reluctant to do any road resurfacing because they say the roads are not “dangerous.” My position is that they are dangerous, particularly to cyclists and those who have difficulty walking when crossing the road, but they are also well below a reasonable standard the public would expect a road to be kept in. The deteriorating surface means there is often loose grit on the road increasing

the chances of skidding which is in itself dangerous. That meeting should be happening very soon.

I receive a considerable amount of correspondence on the state of the unfinished building by the Lifeboat station. I have been in regular contact with the Isle of Wight Council about this for nearly 2 years. Their advice is that planning law does not provide for enforcement to complete unfinished building works. They have previously written to the owner to ask that the site be made secure and loose building materials be secured. More recently the Council have agreed to look again more creatively to see if there are other powers to ensure the issue of the unsightly building can be better dealt with.

February is the month for budget setting at the Isle of Wight Council. From figures published so far there is a black hole in the Council’s budget of £20 million and only £2 million left from available reserves. Several Council departments have gone over budget in the last year. I am concerned that the administration that leads the Council has allowed its finances to spiral out of control. The gap in the Budget will have to be filled and I have reached out to the Cabinet Member for Strategic Finance to offer to work with him to achieve a balanced Budget for 2023/24. By the time of going to print I will have met with him in person. I will also be asking why none of the £40 million allocated for affordable house building in the last Budget has been spent and there are still no plans for spending any of it.

Dementia Afternoon Tea Club

Right at Home are based in Bembridge and provide domiciliary care and support to people who wish to live independently in their own homes.

In July they introduced Dementia Afternoon Tea Club, everyone is welcome with or without a diagnosis! The Afternoon Tea Club is a non-profit event held every second Thursday of the month at Bembridge Methodist Hall. The aim of the club is to provide a safe and welcoming place for people living with dementia, their loved ones and their support network.

During the club some light entertainment is provided through music groups, talks, crafts and wellness and more. By teaming up with Graces Bakery there is a selection of cakes, sandwiches, hot and cold drinks. A private space is also available should anyone want advice and support regarding a dementia diagnosis.

Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive conditions that affect the brain. Each type of dementia stops a person’s brain cells (neurones) working properly in specific areas, affecting their ability to remember, think and speak.

If you would like to have a chat about the services that Right at Home offer, please ring their office on 01983 218318 or email iow.info@rightathome.co.uk

Dementia Afternoon Tea Club: Every Second Thursday of the month 2-4pm. £5 per person (carers go free) Bembridge Methodist Hall, 73 Forelands Road, Bembridge

Contact Lui Tel: 520522 Mob: 07795 363 534 www.primotechnical.co.uk primotechnical@gmail.com

Isle of Wight PO35 5SD

dates for your diary

Dementia Afternoon Club at Bembridge Methodist Hall, 73 Forelands Road, Bembridge from 2pm – 4pm. £5 per person (carers go free), this includes a selection of sandwiches, cakes, and tea and coffee. To confirm your attendance please call on 01983 218318 or email: iow@rightathome.co.uk (so we can ensure we order plenty of cake!)

Second Tuesday of every month (except August) 2pm – 4pm – Bembridge Belles Women’s Institute at Bembridge Village Hall, High Street, Bembridge PO35 5SN. Entertainment, refreshments and get to meet local women. You are welcome to come along to three meetings free of charge to see if you enjoy it. Please call 07856 248340 if you’d like to know more or just come along to a meeting!

Saturday 4th February - Friendship Coffee morning at Bembridge Village Hall from 10am – 12 noon. Come and meet others for coffee/tea and good company. Various stalls. Also 150 draw money goes to help Community Bus. There is a community bus that will pick people up from their homes and return if needed

Saturday 18th February – Indoor Car Boot Sale from 10am – 2pm at Brading Youth and Community Centre, Brading High Street.

Friday 24th February – Fun bingo Evening with a meal. Tickets £7 to include your food at Newport golf Club, St Georges Lane, Newport at 6.30pm. £2 per card to play. Raising funds for Vectis Radio. Tickets from tickets@vectisradio.fm

All event information was correct at time of print but could be subject to change at any time.

News Report from Jonathan Bacon - IW Councillor for Brading & St Helens. Tel 07973 872150 | Email: jonathan.bacon@iow.gov.uk sthelenscouncillor@gmail.com Cllr Jonathan Bacon

In my last report I commented on the aim to establish a Local Green Volunteers Group in St Helens, both to undertake particular projects but also to provide assistance for general maintenance work.

I am pleased to report that the group is now up and running and has already undertaken work in St Helens Churchyard. As mentioned before, the idea arose out of the ongoing project to undertake tree planting and establish wildflower meadows in the Village as well as looking at restoration of the Horseshoe Trail, however the potential for the group is much wider than this. It would be interesting to know what further ideas residents have for projects. Further it seems that there is no need why these projects need to be limited to ‘gardening’ type work and need only be limited by the skill set of the volunteers in the group.

One potential source of work and projects arises from the fact that St Helens Parish Council has now taken on the running of the Pavilion on the Green. The main aim in doing so is to ensure that the Pavilion will be able to continue to provide a resource and a base for sporting activity in the Village, however there is scope for a much wider use for the building. As such work needs to be undertaken to ensure the Pavilion is ready for the widest possible use and that may be something Volunteers can be involved in.

If you are interested in being a volunteer or if you have any ideas for projects, please contact me using the details above.

One question that is currently being asked a lot in the Village is about whether the Car Boot Sales that used to take place regularly through the summer months in the Village might be able to recommence. These were previously organised by the Sports Association, but they will be able to continue that role. As such this is something that will depend on new volunteers coming forward. At the moment we do not have people to organise sales for this year.

Lastly, I am sad to report that we have had a number of instances of vandalism in St Helens over the New Year period including the cutting of the Christmas tree lights. Such behaviour is fortunately rare in the Village, and it is unfortunate that it seems to have been directed at things such as the Tree and some of the elements of the Village of Angels. I hope it will not impact on whether people participate in such activities in the future. Through the Parish Council steps are being taken to contact appropriate Agencies so as to catch the culprits and prevent further instances of damage.

As both your Isle of Wight Councillor and a Parish Councillor I can be contacted at any time, and I will always respond to messages. I have set out my contact details above.

I have fixed dates for Surgeries for the new year in St Helens. These will continue to take place in the Pavilion. The next sessions will take place on the following dates (all starting at 10am) February 28th, March 28th and April 25th.

Tel: 07528 586683

Following on from last month’s article, I hope as many of you managed to take part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch at the end of January. I am continuing the bird theme in February while the majority of our insects are still in hibernation, although you are likely to see a butterfly on a sunny day towards the end of the month. I would love to hear from you if you see one, especially if you get a photo.

As the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Regional Representative, my role includes organising the national bird surveys on the Island and promoting the organisation’s events. We have a great event in February for you, the National Nest Box Week which runs from 1421 February.

Many of us are aware of how vital it is to feed our garden birds, but it’s also just as important that they have a suitable shelter and site for breeding. With natural habitats such as trees and hedgerows being lost to development and the increase in urban housing, some of our garden birds struggle to find a safe shelter to rear their young.

However, we can all do our bit to help so why not site a nest box in your garden or outdoor area, which will provide them with a clean, warm environment to lay their eggs and raise their chicks. You may find that birds use the box to roost in the winter.

There are some excellent bird boxes produced by CJ Wildlife who also have some great tips about where to install them and what type of box is best. www.nestboxweek.com

I am pleased to announce I have my first event of the year. The New Carnival Company are staging the IOW Dark Skies Festival at Isle of Wight Pearl on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th February from 3-8pm. The festival will feature, among other things, astronomy while I will be talking about moths, in my role as County Moth Recorder, and how the Island is a great place to see them with over 900 different species recorded here each year! Hope to see some of you there.

Never miss out on reading a copy of Island Magazines.

If you can’t get out to pick up a copy from local distributors you can subscribe to either our ‘DIGITAL’ or ‘PRINTED’ edition each month.

For PRINTED subscriptions there will be a small charge of £1.20 per month payable 6 months in advance. Email islandmagazines@gmail.com with your name, address and which area you would like or call us on 07880587931.

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We meet monthly and have eight Guilds at various locations and times across the island

Bembridge - Methodist Church Hall, 1st Tuesday at 7.30pm

Freshwater - Methodist Church Hall, 1st Wednesday at 2.00pm

Wootton - Methodist Church, Station Rd, 3rd Friday at 2.00pm

Sandown - Broadway Centre, 3rd Wednesday at 2.00pm

Sandown - Broadway Centre, 2nd Tuesday at 7.00pm

Shanklin - Falcon Cross Hall, 3rd Wednesday at 10.30am

Lake - Lions Community Centre, 2nd Thursday at 10.30am

Ventnor - St Catherine’s Church, 3rd Wednesday at 2.15pm

We welcome you to come along to a no obligation meeting, to find out more. A warm and friendly welcome is guaranteed. If you would like to talk to someone before coming along, please ring 01983 759350.

The Townswomen’s Guild could well be for you and is a great opportunity to meet new friends and like-minded ladies in your area.