Island Magazines May 23 Bembridge & St Helens area

WelcometotheMayissue–Ihope whenyouarereadingthisthatthe weatherhasimproveddrastically becauseasIsitherewritingthisit’s raining,coldandmiserableoutside.

ThismonthwehavesomemoreBank Holidaysandanextraoneforthe CoronationofKingCharlesIII.Please feelfreetosendphotosofyourstreet partiesorgrouppicnics.However,you decideordecidenottocelebrate,Ihope youhavefun.

Ifyouwouldliketogetinvolvedina coupleof‘nature’typeevents,please turntopage3andreadJim’sarticle.I amparticularlyinterestedintheGarden ButterflySurveywhichisavaluablesurveyanddoesn’ttakeupmuchtime.Itwassad toreadthatlastyearonly9householdsontheIslandtookpartinthiseventandIwould liketoappealtoallofyoutogivethisatryandcomeon,let’sdobetterthisyear.You neverknowyoumightenjoyyourself.

Maytimeisthebest(wellaslongaswehavesomesunshine),tomeit’saboutpicnics, outdooractivitiesandprobablythefirstbarbecueoftheyear.Youcan’tbeatthesmellof asausagesizzlingawayontheoldBBQ.

IfyouareorganisinganyeventsinJuneorthecomingmonths,pleasesendmethe detailsandIcanincludethemintherelevantissue.Mycontactdetailsarebelow.

Pleaseremembertokeepusingtheservicesofourlocaladvertisersandsupportthem whereyoucanandpleaseremembertotellthemyousawthemadvertisedhereandif youarealocalbusinessandwouldliketogetyourdetailsoutintothelocalcommunity thenpleasegetintouchwithme.

IhopeyouallhaveagreatMayandIlookforwardtocatchingupwithyounextmonth.

Thismonth’sfrontcoverphotoofalittle owlwastakenbyTrampWoodsofTWM WildlifeandNatureIsleofWight.

Thisbeautifullittleowlwasintroducedto theUKinthe19thcentury.Itcanbeseen inthedaylight,usuallyperchingonatree branch,telegraphpoleorrock.Itwillbob itsheadupanddownwhenalarmed.In flightithaslong,roundedwings,rapid wingbeatsandflieswithaslight undulation.

TWMWildlifeandNatureIsleofWightis alocalgroupformed byTrampWoodsand WarrenMasonand theyarecurrently workingonmany localprojects,from holdingwildlife photographysessions forthosewhoneed helpinunderstanding andsettinguptheir cameras,totipsand tricksintogetting betterphotosofthe wildlifeontheisland. Thesesessionsare publishedthrough theirFacebookgroup andhavebecomevery popularandarebeing enjoyedbymany.

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TheTrampwasrecentlyaskedbytheHampshire&IOWWildlifeTrusttodoatalkfor them,showinganarrayofhispicturesplustalkingaboutrelevantstories.Theevening wasasuccessthatTWMWildlifeandNatureIsleofWightarenowsettinguptheirown talksaboutphotographyandtellingtheirstories.Theseeventscanbeheldinvenuesor broughtdirecttoyou!Asmanypeopleareunabletoventureoutintothecountryside, duetovariousreasons,thisistheirwayofraisingpeople'sspirits,soifanyoneis interestedthendocontactthemviatheirFacebookpageorforthosenotonFacebook, youcangetintouchwithmyself(Debbie, TheEditor)andIwillpassonthedetails.

AbigthankyoutoTheTrampforthis fantasticfrontcover–Ican’twaittosee whattheywillshowusnext.

Theviewsandopinionsexpressedby contributorsandadvertisersaretheirown anddonoreflecttheviewsoftheeditor orIslandMagazinesunlessstated otherwise.IslandMagazineshastheright torefuseoraltermaterialwhere necessary.

StHelensVillageNews

ByParishClerkJackyMatthews

Phone:01983722575|Email:clerk@sthelensiw.org

StHelensVillage, AttheendofMarchonasunnymorning, agroupofVillageVolunteersmettotake partintheKeepBritainTidyeventbylitter pickingonthebeachfollowedbyvery welcomerefreshmentssuppliedfromthe Vine,StHelens.Theamountofrubbish collectedwasquiteconsiderable-onceone beginslookingforpiecesofplasticitis quiteamazingjusthowmuchiswashedin onthetideandleftonthebeach.Toall thoseinvolvedwiththeevent,andthose whoregularlylitterpicktheareaahuge thankyou.

AstheHolidayseasongetsgoing,then therewillbeprovisionofextrabinsdown attheDuver.Let’salldoourbitand encouragepeopletoassistinkeepingthe areaascleanaspossibleandenjoyits beauty.

Whilstcomposingthisarticletherainis lashingdown.Therehavebeenacoupleof incidentswhenpeoplehavegotstuckin themudaroundthePrioryBayarea. Pleasetakecareandkeeptopathways untilthelandhasachancetodryout. Shouldaproblemoccurdonothesitateto contacttheEmergencyservices.

CarnivalSeasonisonthehorizon-along associationwithStHelens-areyou creative,wouldliketobeinvolvedina villagetradition?Afun,socialexperience. Assistancerequiredbuildingthefloat, attendingCarnivalsinlocaltownsbothas drivingthefloatandwalkerswiththefloat.

KingsCoronationCelebrationsSaturday6thMay-Monday8thMay Saturdayevening:bypopularrequestthe BarnDanceisbookedfordancingonthe Green.

Sundaylunchtime: ”TheCoronationBig Lunch”,atwhichneighboursand communitiesareinvitedtosharefoodand

funtogether,willtakeplaceacrossthe countryonthesamedate.”AndSt Helensareencouragingpeopletobring theirpicnicsforlunchonthegreen.

FancylookingattheHistoryofStHelens -thenpopintotheCommunityCentre andseethedisplayfromStHelens HistoricalSociety.

Monday -takepartinTheBigHelpOut. “whichwillencouragepeopletotry volunteeringforthemselvesandjointhe workbeingundertakentosupporttheir localareas.”Thethoughtsaretooperate inthehubofthevillage,aroundthe greensarea.Alistisbeingcompiledof allsortsofactivities-indoorandoutdoor -canyouspare½hourormore?

RewardedbyrefreshmentsinthePavilion andofcourseaspruced-upVillage.The listwillbecirculatedanddisplayed locally.

Inordertofacilitateanyoftheabove helpwillberequired-pleaseshowan interestandgivewhateveramountof time,inspirationandencouragementyou cantomaketheseeventshappen. Contactdetailsabove.

StHelensHorticulturalSociety are holdingacoupleofeventsverysoon:TheSecretGardensofStHelensSundayJune4th.(detailswillbe displayednearerthetime)FrontGardens &FrontagesAnnualCompetition-this willbejudgedearlyJuly.Now’sthetime tomakeyourplotlookitsbest.Noneed toenter,theJudgeswilldecideasthey wanderaroundtheStHelens.

Yourvillage -ifyouseeanythingthat isn’tasitshouldbeorfeelcouldbe improved,againpleasedocontactmeso itcanberesolved.

TheQuirkyTeapot

TheQuirkyTeapotreopenedtheirdoorsin earlyAprilfortheirsecondyearoftrading andmuchtothedelightoftheirregular customerswhohavemissedthemoverthe wintermonths.OwnerNatalie,has rechargedherbatteriesandtakenonanew cookandtogethertheyhavebeenplanning somemouth-wateringmenusandupdates totheiralreadypopularlunchesand afternoonteas.Theyarerenownedfor theircakesandthesearedefinitelystaying onthemenu.

TheQuirkyTeapotisavintagetearoom withquirkinessandalovely,relaxedfeeling makingittheperfectplaceforamorning coffee,lunchand afternoonteawith cakes.Theyare locatedontheoutskirt ofNewportwithina farmsetinabeautiful courtyardwith surrounding countrysideviewsand inthesunshine,you reallycouldn’taskfor anythingmore.

Theyarecurrently openWednesdayto Saturdayfrom10am–4pmandtheyare definitelyworthavisit andremembertotake thisadvertwithyou fora10%discount.

Theyoftenhaveeventsaccompaniedwith livemusicandtheywillonceagainbe availableforprivatepartiesand celebrationsandNataliewillcontinue openingthetearoomforpopupevents, workshopsandmuchmore.FollowThe QuirkyTeapotonFacebookformore detailsoftheirevents.

Don’tjusttakemywordforit…headover thereandseeforyourself.Youwillfind moredetailsonhermainadvertabove.

Sudoku WordLadder

Awordladderisasequenceofwords formedbychangingjustonelettereach time.Canyoufindthemissingword? Usethecluesifyougetstuck.

BIRDCAGE

COCKATOO

EGRET

FLAMINGO

FLOCK

HEN

NIGHTHAWK

OWL PARAKEET REDWING

SWAN

SYRINX

TAIL

WATERTHRUSH

Birds

Lastmonth'sanswersforWordLadder:-cross,crops,coops,corps,carps,parts,party,parry,harry,harpy,happy

NewsReportfromCllr.JoeRobertson-Bembridge

Email:joe.robertson@iow.gov.uk

TherehavebeennoCouncilCommittee MeetingsduringAprilhoweverIhavebeen busyfocusingonlocalissuesandresidents’ concerns.Atthebeginningofthemonth,I attendedapublicdrop-insessionby CaptivaHomeswheretheypresentedplans todevelopthesecondfieldoffSteyneRoad witharound130homes.Thisisinaddition tothe60plushomesappliedforbyanother developerontheotherfieldbetweenSteyne RoadandHillwaymeaningnearly200 homesarebeingsoughtbytwoprivate developersoverthenextfewyears.WhileI welcometheengagementfromCaptiva,in contrasttotheseparateapplicantsonthe Hillwayfield,Idonotacceptthatthereisa localneedforbuildingonthisscale. Bembridgeisalreadydeliveringadditional homesonSteyneRoaditself.

IvisitedtheBranstoneFarmaffordable homesdevelopmentnearArretonlast month.Here,theCouncilisdelivering homesinpartnershipwithVectisHousing –anIslandbasedhousingauthority–whichisthebestwayofdeliveringhomes (includingaffordablerentalhomes)that Islandersinneedcanactuallyafford withoutexcessiveprovisionofexpensive homesbyprivatedevelopersongreenfield landtopayforthem.

ImetwiththeCouncil’sdrainsofficerin Hillwaytodiscussfloodingissuesthatwere identifiedintheS19FloodReport.That bringsthetotalsiteswherethedrains officerisactivelyengagedtothree–the junctionofStationRoadandEmbankment Road,LaneEndandHillway.Wehave readinthenationalpressthatSouthern Waterhasbeenawarded£50millionby Ofwattospendonfloodmitigation.Ihave askedthatgreaterurgencyandfocusbe giventoBembridgeincludingbringing forwardtherolloutoffreeslow-release waterbuttswhichappearstohavebeen successfulinHavenstreet.

AlsoinApril,Ivisitedthe LoveLanewoodlandwith theCouncil’sTreeOfficer JerryWillis.Heshowedme aroundthesiteandtheextensive replantingwheredecayingtreeshavebeen removed.MrWillisisunderstandably wellinformed,andIleftwithsome confidencethatthereplantingprogramme isbeingwellmonitored.Unfortunately,I wasshownalargetreethatthe landownerswishtoremoveasitis decaying.Themiddleofthetrunkis completelyrotten,andIcouldpassmy handrightthroughit.MrWillis’ professionalopinionisthatitisdangerous andneedstoberemovedbuttherewillbe replantingtocompensatefortheloss.

Lookingahead,wearenowmidway throughtheCouncilterm-twoyears sincethelastelectionandtwoyearstothe nextelectioninMay2025.Iam concernedbytheslowpaceofdecision makingattheCouncilandthatnot enoughisbeingdoneonissuesthat mattermost.Anexampleisthepainfully slowdeliveryofaffordablehomes includingsocialrentalaccommodation. Thepropertiescurrentlybeingofferedat BranstoneFarmwerefirstproposedinthe earlydaysofthepreviousConservative administration.Thesesitestakeyearsto deliverfromfirstinceptiontopeople movinginhoweverwehavenonew substantialBranstoneFarmtype developmentsinthepipeline.Iwill continuetopresstheCounciltorelease viableCouncilownedlandtoHousing Associationsforbuildinghomes affordabletoIslandersinneed.Werun theriskofseeingoutanentire4-year Counciltermwithnothingsubstantial beingplanned.Thatisnotacceptable.

Call Richard or Caroline day or night on 872598

Weaver Brothers Ltd Weavers Yard, Lane End Road, Bembridge, IW, PO35 5UE

email: info@weaverbros.co.uk www.weaverbros.co.uk

Telephone: (01983) 872598

Nevermissoutonreadingacopy ofIslandMagazines.

Ifyoucan’tgetouttopickupa copyfromlocaldistributorsyou cansubscribetoeitherour ‘PRINTED’or‘DIGITAL’edition eachmonth.

For printedsubscriptions there willbeasmallchargefor£1.20 permonthpayable6monthsin advance.Tosubscribeemail islandmagazines@gmail.comwith yournameandaddressandwhich areayouwouldlikeorcalluson 07880587931.

For digitalsubscriptions please emailbembridgemagazine@gmail.com andincludethewords‘subscribe digital’intheemail,thensit back,relaxandwaitforthenext issuetodropintoyourinbox.

Professional,

AprilisaquietmonthintheIsleofWight Council.Therearefewformalmeetingsso thereislessactivitythanusualinCounty Hall.However,thingsontheIslandare gettingbusiergenerally.Weseemtohave hadabusyEasterHolidayseasondespite theverymixedweather.

ManyofusarepreparingforCoronation celebrationsandtheextraBankHolidayon 8th May.InStHelenswewillbestaginga BarnDanceontheVillageGreenonthe eveningofCoronationDay,thiswillbe followedbyapicnicontheGreenonthe Sunday.

NationallyMonday8thMay2023isthe ‘BigHelpOut’.IntributetotheKing's publicservicethedayisaboutencouraging peopletotryvolunteeringandjoininwith andhelpworktosupporttheirlocalareas. Therewillbelotsofopportunitiestotry outvolunteeringacrosstheIsland.

AsIhavehighlightedbefore,aGreen VolunteersGrouphasrecentlybeen establishedinStHelenstoundertake particularprojectsintheVillageandalsoto provideassistanceforgeneralmaintenance work.Anumberofprojectsarealready underwayincludingtreeplantingand establishingwildflowermeadowsinthe Villageaswellastherestorationofthe HorseshoeTrail.Ifyouareinterestedin theGroup,whethertoparticipateon8th Mayortojoininmoregenerallyplease contacttheParishClerk,JackyMatthews atclerk@sthelensiw.org.ukoron07563

130185

ThroughtheVolunteerGroupweare compilingalistofactivitiesthatcantake placeon8th MayintheVillage.Thesewill includemorethanjust‘green’projectsand thereshouldbeopportunitiesforthose withdifferentskills,includingdecorating

andmaintenancework.Someactivitywill relatetothePavilionwhichtheParish Councilisnowlookingafter.

InMay,likeotherParishandTown Councils,theAnnualGeneralMeeting (AGM)ofStHelensParishCounciltakes place.Wearealsorequiredtohavean AnnualParishMeeting.Duetothe numberofMondaysthatareBank HolidaysduringthemonththeAGMwill takeplaceon15th MayandtheAnnual ParishMeetingwilltakeplaceon22nd May.Wehopethatthismeetingwill featureadiscussionandtalkabout PlanningfromaseniorIsleofWight CouncilPlanningOfficer.

IhavebeenaskedaboutCarBootSales andtheAnnualVillageFayreinSt Helens.Inbothcasestheserelyon volunteerstohelpstageandstaffthem.A numberofcallshavegoneouttofind volunteers,butpeoplehavenotcome forwardsoneitherofthesearelikelytogo aheadthisyear.Ifanyoneisinterestedin helpingout,pleasecontacteithermyself ortheParishClerkandwewilltryto bringpeopletogetherandadvisethem. Ifyouwouldliketodiscusstheseorany otherCouncilissueswithmethen,please donothesitatetogetintouch.Icanbe contactedatanytime,andIwillalways respondtomessages.Ihavesetoutmy contactdetailsabove.

Ialsoholdmonthlysurgeriesatthe PaviliononStHelensGreen.Thenext fewdates(at10aminthemorning)areas follows:-May23rd andJune20th .

DATESFORYOURDIARY

SecondTuesdayofeverymonth(except August)2pm–4pm–BembridgeBelles Women’sInstitutemeetatBembridge VillageHall,HighStreet,Bembridge. Entertainment,refreshmentsandgetto meetlocalwomen.Youarewelcometo comealongtothreemeetingsfreeof chargetoseeifyouenjoyit.Pleasecall 07856248340ifyou’dliketoknowmore orjustcomealongtoameeting.

EveryMonday,WednesdayandFriday–TableTennisatSmallbrookTableTennis Centre,AsheyRoad,Ryde.Mon&Wed 9am–12noon.Mon&Fri6.45pm–9pm. Everyonewelcome.

Monday1st May–MayStreetFayre, MadeiraRoad,Seaviewfrom10am–1pm. Lotsofstalls,plants,books,homemade goodiesandbrickabrac.Musicand Refreshments.

Thursday4thMay–ShanklinandDistrict HistorySociety-Anillustratedtalkto celebrate20yearsoftheSocietybythe ArchivistTerryNigh.FalconCrossHall, Shanklin.7.30pmtoapproximately8.45. Membersfree,visitors£1(cashonly)

Saturday6th May–SpecialCoronationof KingCharlesIIIandhisQueenConsort FriendshipCoffeeMorningatBembridge VillageHallfrom10amto2pm.Come andjoinusonthisdayforsomethingextra special.Atlunchtimethetelevisedevent ofthecoronationisbeingshownonthe screenfromthebeginning.Don’tsitat homebyyourselfcomeandenjoythe eventwithfriendsmakeaspecialhatto wearyoumaywinfirstprizeinthe competition.Variousstalls.Also150 drawmoneygoestohelpthecommunity bus.Thereisacommunitybusthatwill pickpeopleupfromtheirhomes,and return,ifneeded.

Sunday7thMay-ArretonCoronation CelebrationfromMiddayatHaseley

ManorBarn.Picniclunch,smallgames, cakeandcreamtea.Scavengerwalk startingat11amfromArretonCricket Clubfinishingatthebarn

Sunday7th May–Antiquesand CollectablesFairfrom10am–3pmat RoyalVictoriaArcade,UnionStreet, Ryde.Books,jewellery,vintageitems, furniture,silverandmuchmore.Free admissionandlocatedinawonderful localRydeattractionwithacaféonsite.

Wednesday17thMay-MeninSheds OpenDayandTableTopSale.Free entrytoall-10amto2pmattheYMCA, WinchesterHouse,ShanklinPO37 6HU.ViewtheWorkshopandGardens. BBQandrefreshmentsavailable. Limitedfreeparkingonsiteorpayat Blueberriescarpark.Formore informationphone645604oremailmis. shanklin@gmail.com

Saturday20th&Sunday21stMay–RydabusVintageBusesWeekend2023. Withawiderangeofvintagebuseson routesfromthe60's,70's&80's. Rydabusinvolvelocalattractionsand eventsandprovideatimetableoffree vintageservicestoservethesepartners. Mostofthevehiclesusedarefromthe Museum’scollection,supplementedbya smallnumberofvisitingbuses.Buya programmefromwww.rydabus.co.uk. Includestimetables,routemapandlots ofoffersanddiscountsatparticipating attractions,cafesandshops!Funforthe wholefamily.

Saturday27thMayShanklinandDistrict HistorySociety–TwentiethAnniversary OpenDayExhibition.10.00–3.00pmat theFalconCrossHall,Shanklin.Free entryandthelaunchofournewbooklet –EdwardianShanklin–whichwillbeon salefor£5.00(cashonly)

Alleventinformationwascorrectattimeofprintbutcouldbesubjecttochangeatanytime.

TheFriendsofStMary’sHospitalCharityhascomethoroughsome turbulenttimesinthelastfewyears,butthegoodnewsisthattheyhave survivedtotellthetale.

Inspiteofbeingasmalleroperationwithjusttheshoponthegroundfloor foyer,theyhavemadeitto2023inahealthystateandarecontinuingto supportandsupplementtheexcellentserviceattheIsland’sNHSTrust,with theirmissiontoraisemoneytoprovideequipmentandfacilitiestohelpmaketheexperience betterforpatientsandstaff.

LesleyMyland,ChairofTrusteesofFriendsofSt Mary’sHospital,said“thankyoutothosewho helpeduswiththeirkinddonationsandfundraising efforts,andathankyoutootothosestaff,volunteers andtrusteeswhohaveworkedsohardtokeepthe retailserviceandtheCharitygoingindifficulttimes. Weshouldalso thankthestaffatSt Mary’swhohave goneoutoftheir waytouseourshopandkeepusprofitableenoughto channelfundstotheCharity.

Wewereabletoprovide£49,000worthofequipmentlast yearincludingnewwheelchairsatboththemainand northreceptiondesksforvolunteerstousewhen supportingvisitorstothetrustwhomayhavemobility problems.Wewereabletosupplykeyrapidresponse equipmentknownasanEMMAdevicetotherapid responsekitthatisheldbytheon-callODPteamand finallywewereabletosupplyresourcessuchasgames, booksandsensorytoysforthePaediatricsOccupational TherapyDepartment.Wearealsoveryexcitedabout fundingaveryspecialimmersivetrainingexperiencein thenewambulancecentre.Thisisfocusedonimproving immediatecareontheIslandtosavelivesincriticalsituationsbothforindividualsandthose involvedinamajorincident”.

PleasekeeponsupportingtheFriendsofStMary’sintheirworkforyourhospital.

Holiday homes from one bedroom to six, some with sea views, others in the towns and villages for a great holiday on the island.