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March 2021
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Welcome to the March issue of Island Magazines. During these difficult times I am very grateful to advertisers, contributors, readers and distributors who have supported this local community magazine which in turn has enabled me to keep publishing it each month. We had some very cold weather during February along with the promise of snow but unfortunately or fortunately (depending how you feel about it) it did not really amount to much and the few flakes we did have only settled for a few hours. As we move into March I hope that Spring will bring some warmer weather so we can enjoy our daily exercise and look more positively to the future.
text or call Island Magazines on 07880 587 931 islandmagazines@gmail.com www.islandmagazines.co.uk facebook.com/islandmagazines twitter.com/islandmagazines Island Magazines Mailbox No 4, Unit B1 Whitecross Business Centre Whitecross Lane Shanklin, IOW, PO37 7EJ
Inside this issue will you find the regular news reports from your local councillor and parish councils, which are always informative and are a good way to keep up with local news for your area. There are also feature articles ranging from postal votes for the upcoming elections, census 2021 and what’s happening in March and I know many of you really enjoy our puzzle section and you will find this on pages 12 and 13. If you have any news or information you would like shared, please do get in contact with me and I will help you as best I can. I hope you enjoy reading this issue and look forward to catching up with you next month.
Debbie
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St Helens Parish Council
Phone: 07563 130185 | E-mail: clerk@sthelensiw.org.uk Welcome Residents
We have worked with Community Payback, on the Community Centre scheme, and other projects in the Village - again, if guidance permits, this will include a project at the Church, as well as the rolling programme of village bench renovation.
Hopefully, following the efforts of our local medical centre, and the volunteers at the Westridge Centre, the most vulnerable of residents in the Parish would have been offered, and have received, the vaccination against the Covid virus, and the programme Looking forward, the Parish Council have is being extended to the wider community. agreed to keep the Parish Precept at the same level as in 2019/20, and the previous The Parish Council would like to thank year, although we have lost grant funding all of the residents that have volunteered and the council tax base has reduced to provide support, such as collecting members recognise the pressures faced by medication and delivering shopping residents and that the Local Authority and to neighbours that have been shielding Police Commissioner have significantly and self-isolating - this has been a really increases their precepts. difficult time and the community spirit has been heartening, with local businesses Although the Parish has made significant maintaining services within the guidance. investments in its assets (Duver Toilet, Benches, Grounds Maintenance, etc), We are working with the Community we have secured grants and achieved Centre to support opening the Centre as savings by efficiencies within the limited soon as the guidance permits, and with resources available - including working in appropriate arrangements in place - we partnership with other agencies. know the volunteers that run the Centre have installed hand sanitisers, and other The budget for 2021-22 includes provision health & safety measures, and appreciate the centre, and its activities, are at the heart for the possible Local Elections in May 2021, as well as maintaining year long of the community. opening of the Duver Toilets, Seaside Award and Beach Cleaning (initiated During the pandemic, the Parish Council in 2020), ongoing maintenance of the has been able to maintain the opening of the Duver Toilets, and our thanks go to Sue greens and nearby areas (with additional provision for special conservation for all of her efforts, and we plan a refresh projects), the ongoing renovation work to the facilities before Easter, if guidance with Community Payback, funding for permits, and certainly before the Summer community projects (working with our season: this has included relocation of local school has been a major development recycling bins (NB greater capacity at reduced costs, but there are practical issues in recent years), whilst retaining adequate reserves in case of unforeseen costs. about their locations). 4
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St Helens Parish Council Council members have also continued to voice the concerns of residents over planning policies, and in respect of specific development proposals which do not accord with the wishes of residents or are supported by the current infra-structure; and we have also engaged with the National Trust on future plans for the Duver, and the IW Council on plans for Beach Huts on the Duver, with the current Covid situation frustrating the desire to have public meetings and presentations.
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Thanks again to residents for keeping in touch, and, although the recent meeting had to be virtual, we hope to be meeting again in public.
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Census day is on March 21st Have you received your census 2021 letter? Households across the Isle of Wight are being asked to take part in Census 2021. It’s important you fill in your census questionnaire because the information you share affects the life of every single person living on the Isle of Wight Charities and voluntary organisations often use it as evidence to get funding. It helps businesses to understand their customers and, for example, decide where to open new shops. Plus, those doing research, like university students and people looking into their family history, use census data. It provides important information on population diversity, allowing organisations to know whether they are meeting their responsibilities and triggering action where necessary. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) will send you a letter in the post with an access code and instructions (from March 1st). You can fill in your census questionnaire online as soon as you get yours. Paper questionnaires will be available for those who need them. Here are some Isle of Wight census facts from the last census in 2011 If you don’t get one in the next 138,265 people lived in Isle of Wight. couple of weeks, please get in 761 of you were chefs. touch with the census contact There were 299 boat/ship builders and repairers. centre - www.census.gov.uk 280 people were farmers. 14 of you worked in footwear & leather working You can also request a paper trades. questionnaire if you’d prefer 9,508 of you walked to work. to complete your census that The top language, other than English or Welsh, was way. Polish. There were 196 different ethnicities. A local census support centre, There were 2,334 families with 3 or more People Matter IW will be open dependent children. (from March 1st) while the census is happening. Staff will offer help for people not confident online, who don’t have a computer or need help completing on paper. The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941. For more information, and to find out how to get help, visit www.census.gov.uk or call Ursula Dowd, Census Engagement Manager, Isle of Wight on 07828 708405 or email ursula.dowd24@field.census.gov.uk 6
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What does the month of March offer us? March is normally the month when the Island starts coming to life again with Spring events for everyone to enjoy. Unfortunately this is not a normal year... and as we are currently living through a pandemic local events have been cancelled and put on hold. But all is not lost as there are still some yearly events to look forward to and which you can celebrate in your own unique style, indoors, in your bubble while keeping safe and not breaking any lockdown rules.
St David’s Day - Monday 1st March. St David is the patron saint of Wales and he
is celebrated on March 1st. To mark the day, Welsh people around the world wear one or both of Wales’s national emblems - a daffodil and a leek. ... Patron saints are chosen to be special protectors or guardians over all areas of life.
Meteorological Spring 2021 – Monday 1st March. In meteorology for the Northern
hemisphere, spring begins on this day. The meteorological seasons are divided according to the calendar months. Spring months are March, April and May. Spring is one of the four conventional temperate seasons following winter and preceding summer. Spring is seen as a time of growth, renewal, of new life (both plant and animal) being born. The term is also used more generally as a metaphor for the start of better times, as in the Prague Spring. Unstable weather may more often occur during spring, when warm air begins on occasions to invade from lower latitudes, while cold air is still pushing on occasions from the Polar regions.
Mothering Sunday – Sunday 14th March. Mothering Sunday always falls on the
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fourth Sunday in Lent, 21 days before Easter Sunday and is a day honouring mothers and mother churches. Celebrated in the British Isles and elsewhere in the English-speaking world. Mothering Sunday is the biggest flower buying day of the year in Britain and Carnations are the flowers typically associated with Mothering Sunday. Mothering Sunday was originally the day when in 16th Century Christian practice one would make an annual visit to one’s mother church, which meant that most mothers would be reunited with their children on this day. continued over the page
St Patrick’s Day – Wednesday 17th March.
The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, céilís, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks. St. Patrick’s Day became an official public holiday in Ireland in 1903 with the passing of the Bank Holiday (Ireland) Act 1903.
Astronomical Spring 2021 – Sunday 20th March
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News Report from Cllr Michael Murwill - Member for Brading, St Helens and Bembridge. T: 07754 463040 E: michael.murwill@iow.gov.uk Councillor Michael Murwill @cllrmurwill Garden waste subscription Just a reminder to those of you who used the very successful garden waste collection last year. If you did not pay by direct debit you will need to renew your subscription by 18th March 2021 (residents who already use direct debit are automatically renewed). You can subscribe or renew at www.iow. gov.uk/gardenwastesubscriptions/ or telephone 01983 823777.
10th March 14:00 - Isle of Wight Fire Authority Fire Fighters Pension Board 11th March 17:00 - Cabinet 15th March 10:00 - Audit Committee 16th March 16:00 - Planning Committee
I continue to be available to assist residents 17th March 14:00 - Harbour Committee so please do not hesitate to contact me if 18th March 09:30 - Health and Wellbeing required. Board Please keep safe and healthy. Meetings To ensure safety, meetings continue to be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. March 2021 IWC dates for your diary:
18th March 14:00 - Local Outbreak Engagement Board 24th March 10:00 - Local Pension Board
1st March 17:00 - Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Health and Social Care 3rd March 10:30 - Isle of Wight Pension Fund Committee 4th March 14:30 - Solent Transport Joint Committee 4th March 17:00 - Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Children’s Services, Education and Skills 9th March 17:00 - Corporate Scrutiny Committee
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ADAGIO ALKALI AMUSED APATHY BANJOS DECREE NOTICE PRISON REGARD SHAPES SUPPER
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BEMBRIDGE PARISH COUNCIL Tel: 01983 874160 E: clerk@bembridgepc.org.uk Village Hall Roof The restoration work on Bembridge Village Hall Roof is very near to completion. There have been some very positive comments on the quality of the work and the conduct of the contractors. Works on the gables are also nearly complete and quotes for restoration of the windows and doors have been requested. Hopefully, all works on the building will be finished by the time the Village comes out of lockdown. Census The next census will take place on Sunday 21 March 2021 and for the first time this will be a digital-first census, but paper will be available for those who need it. All households will receive an invitation to fill out the census questionnaire with a household access code and information to help them to take part online. Help will be available online, by phone and through tailored information nearer the time. IWASP Scams A few scam reports from Trading Standards this week. Be very wary of any unsolicited phone calls, emails and texts and remember NEVER click on links in any messages! • A resident reported a very worrying call from someone claiming to be a police officer at a London police station. They went on to say that her 14
relative – name given – had been arrested and they needed money to help them. Luckily this lady knew that she didn’t have anyone in London of that name in her family and hung up however this could be very worrying and convincing for anyone with relatives on the mainland and who might be feeling vulnerable at the minute. • Increasing reports around domestic/white goods insurances. These appear to be very prevalent at the minute and will call you to say that you need this insurance, or your insurance has expired, and you must make the payments. These companies are growing in number and the insurances are worthless. One customer who had taken the insurance out needed to use it as her washing machine had broken, she was met with a wall of silence/excuses. These are not genuine – Do Not be bullied into taking them out. • Reports of phishing emails from the banks, TV Licensing and Netflix have come through. This is a common theme in that your details are invalid, there is a problem with your account, click the link to put in the correct details – DON’T if you do the scammers will have access to your bank account. • Lastly a worrying report from a resident that she received the Amazon scam call, but it came from a local IOW number. This number will have been spoofed by the scammers, but we are far more likely to answer if we think it’s a local number – Be Careful.
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BEMBRIDGE PARISH COUNCIL Lastly if you are reading this but have a vulnerable relative friend or neighbour that you think might benefit from this information please share it with them – it could save them from falling victim to one of these, or any other, scam Bembridge Friendship Circle The 150 Club 2021 is still open if you would like to purchase a number. Choose your number/s for the draw and fill out the application form on the Bembridge Parish Council website or hard copies available in the Parish Office and monthly Coffee Mornings in the Village Hall. Return applications to the Parish Office. Pay £12 per number for 12 monthly draws. All funds raised go to the running of the Bembridge Community Bus COVID 19 Bembridge Support Line For information on Shopping Deliveries, Local Hot Meal Deliveries, Prescription Deliveries, The Phone Buddy System or anything else you are concerned about, please call on 07724 401443.
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Apply now for a postal vote for this year’s local elections At the time of publishing, local elections are still intended to go ahead on Thursday 6 May 2021 and Islanders will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them at the Isle of Wight Council, town, parish and community council and police and crime commissioner elections. If you’re thinking about voting by post, you can apply to do this now. Claire Shand, electoral registration officer at the Isle of Wight Council, said: “The elections will take place at a time when COVID-19 continues to present risks to public health. Depending on the infection rate, measures taken to control the spread of the virus may change as we approach May. “We are working hard to ensure polling stations will be safe places to vote, but you can choose to apply to vote by post or by proxy instead. If you are thinking about applying for a postal vote, then please do so as early as possible. To vote in the elections - either at a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf as your proxy - you must first be registered to vote, which can be done online in just five minutes. To then apply to vote by post you need to download, print, and fill out a postal vote application form at www.iow.gov.uk/Council/OtherServices/Electoral-Registration/PostalVotes. Once you have completed the form and signed it, you need to send it to Electoral Services, County Hall, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD. To request a postal vote application form email electoral.services@iow.gov.uk or call (01983) 823380. The deadline to apply for a postal vote and cancel or make changes to a current postal or proxy vote at this election is 5pm on 20 April 2021. Any residents who have any questions can contact the Isle of Wight Council electoral registration team on 01983 823380, via email: electoral.services@iow.gov.uk or through the website at www.iow.gov.uk/Council/Elections/ Electoral-Registration/Contact
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