Island Magazines November 2022 Bembridge & St Helens Area

Bembridge & St Helens Area

2022

Welcome to the November issue or as I like to refer to it.... the last one before the Christmas issue!!! I feel it’s safe for me to now mention Christmas, especially as the shops already have their shelves packed with decorations and presents for the festive season.

For information on events happening across the island including details of Christmas Fairs please go to our ‘Dates for your Diary’ section on pages 8 and 9. Remember to let us know if you are holding any community events in December and we can help promote them for you.

This month’s front cover is a little different for many reasons, firstly as it was taken by myself on my phone and I’m not normally very good with photos and secondly, you might be wondering where on the Island I took this, but if you look closely you will see that the Isle of Wight is actually in the background as at the time I was visiting Hayling Island. This ideal photo opportunity appeared, and it made me think that although the planets aren’t aligned it’s always good to have your seagulls all lined up... except there is always the one that won’t do as it should.

Firework season is upon us, although in some areas on the Island this strangely seems to be something that happens more than once a year. If you are a pet owner like me, you too probably dread this time of year. Please make sure you have your pets safely indoors as soon as it turns dark in the few days leading up to and after the 5th November. If you are having your own display, please do the right thing and just drop a note through your neighbour’s doors and even share the details on social media so all animals can be secured and kept safe so the stress to our pets is kept to a minimum.

Thank you for picking up and reading this issue and I hope you all have a great November and see you next month when Christmas will be one step closer!!

Debbie

Magazines, Mailbox No 6, Store it Self Storage Ryde, Unit 1 Nicholson Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33

information is correct at time of printing

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

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For DIGITAL subscriptions please email bembridgemagazine@gmail.com and include the words ‘subscribe digital’ in the email, then sit back, relax and wait for the next issue to drop into your email inbox.

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.

One Careful Owner

It’s been that time of year where I pack away spring and summer clothes and bring out my autumn and winter wardrobe. I like having a clear out at the same time and then I donate to local charities either via the shops or recycling bins in the area. All the clothes I donate are clean and in good condition and have basically had one careful owner (me).

I recently read an article about the severe environmental impacts of the fashion industry and what is termed as ‘fast fashion’ and according to the UN Environment Programme, the fast fashion industry is the second-biggest consumer of water and is responsible for 8-10% of global carbon emissions – more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. The term refers to ‘cheaply produced and priced garments that copy the latest catwalk styles and get pumped quickly through stores in order to maximise on current trends.

The fast fashion model is so-called because it involves the rapid design, production, distribution, and marketing of clothing, which means that retailers are able to pull large quantities of greater product variety and allow consumers to get more fashion and product differentiation at a low price.

This information alone was enough to get me thinking and then I thought about how much money I spend on new clothes, and like everyone I should be looking to save money. It was time to be a recycling consumer rather than just a donator!!!

In my hunt for some pre-loved clothes, I have been visiting the many different charity shops on the island. I like the ones set up like a boutique, all the dresses together in size order, the tops all neatly in one section and coats kept together. I am not a rummager by nature, but I know some people enjoy it. I like to go to my size and see what is available and that’s me done. I have found some great items, dresses for £3 or £4 pounds, I got a new skirt for £7 which still had the original tag on at £34.99. I picked myself up a lovely Gisela Graham bag for £4.99 and last week I got myself a Per Una casual winter jacket for £4.99 saving myself at least £50. But… and I have saved the best to last, I have been wanting a faux fur gilet for a while, what I was looking for was quite specific and I have been searching online. I found one but it was £39.99, and I had held off buying it and now you probably won’t believe this, but this is a true story. I popped into my favourite charity shop and there like a shining beacon was the gilet of my dreams… I went from 0 - 60 in 2.1 seconds to get my hands on it and lo and behold it was the perfect fit and it only cost me £4.49.

What I do love about shopping like this is if you buy something for a couple of pounds and you get it home and it doesn’t look quite right you can just donate it again as you know the money has gone to a good cause. We all love a bargain and for me this is the perfect way to make a difference to the world we live in while at the same time looking forward to some new outfits.

Don’t get caught out with the many scams that are doing the rounds. Here are some tips for you.

Call Blocking

•

If you are a WightFibre, Sky or TalkTalk customer they all offer a free call blocking service – you just need to contact them to set this up.

• You can purchase phones that block scam calls and allow through calls from friends and family that are stored in the memory.

• Call Blocking Units can be purchased online or from reputable traders.

What to do with Scams

• Scam emails can be forwarded to report@phishing.gov.uk

•

If you receive a scam call purporting to be your bank you can call 159 to verify if it really was your bank or a scammer.

• If you receive a scam text this can be forwarded to 7726.

• If you receive a call and are unsure of the caller you can go to the Who Called Me website and put the number in and it will tell you if this is a trusted number or a scam.

Warning signs it might be a scam

•

If it sounds too good to be true: Beware of hype and extravagant promises. If it sounds too good to be true, it almost always is.

• You are contacted out of the blue: You may get a phone call, email or letter from someone you’ve never heard of.

• You have to make a quick decision: Scammers don’t like to give you time to think. They will try to pressure you into making a decision by saying things like ‘If you don’t act now, you’ll miss out.’

• You have to give away bank account details: Trustworthy firms will never contact you to ask for this information.

• Banks will never ask you to click on a link.

If you see any of the warning signs in a letter, phone call, text message or email, it could well be a scam.

Staying safe from scams Take Five

Stop - Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.

Challenge - Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

Protect - Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.

dates for your diary

Friday 4th November - Bembridge

Fireworks Night from 6.30pm – 8.30pm at Steyne Park. This year we have stalls in the hall, food stalls outside, DJ and the bar will be open all night with fireworks at 7:30pm. Please don’t bring any sparklers or fireworks into Steyne Park on the night and remember the car park will be closed and there will be ‘no waiting’ cones along Steyne Road. It’s free entry but we are asking if everyone would be kind enough to make a donation on the night, all monies raised will go to the BYCC and this great village event.

Saturday 5th November – Yarmouth

Fireworks are back! Join us in the town square from 6pm, where there will be food and drink outlets open. A procession will then lead to the lit beacon and display. Display to start approx. 7pm.

Saturday 5th November – Vectis Radio

Coffee Morning is from 10am to midday in the studio at the Riverside Centre. Maybe you would like to join our team of volunteers, whether that is presenting, marketing, collating news or something else. Come and have a general chat. We will have tea and coffee for you, and some biscuits, plus we have been promised homemade cakes. All we ask is for a donation in the bucket to help us keep going. Or we have a card machine if you have no cash.

19th November – 23rd December – I Love Wight Artisan Christmas Pop-Up Shop and Mini Market at The Garlic Farm, Mersley Lane, Newchuch from 9.30 – 4.30pm. Local handmade products from Isle of Wight artisans along with some great musicians and performers.

Saturday 19th November – Day of Christmas from 9am – 6pm in Newport Town Centre and The Quay. This year, the event organised by NCCC alongside Market Days CIC and SKATES promises to be even bigger than last year, which was one of the busiest days in Newport’s history. The Quay will host an ice rink as well as inflatable assault course and snow globe (weather permitting), a circus workshop and food stalls. A bustling Christmas market will bring festive sights and smells to St Thomas’s Square once again this year. Characters including the Grinch, will be walking around throughout the day and local school and community choirs will be performing. A large stage will be in St James’s Square providing a variety of entertainment throughout the day until 5.45pm when a magical circusthemed show ‘The Greatest Snowman’ will switch on the town’s Christmas lights!

Sunday 20th November - IW Donkey Sanctuary Winter Market. Again, we will have plenty of stalls to look round with a wide variety of products. There will be live music on the day to get you into the festive spirit, as well as a festive menu in GrazersCafé! Santa will also be making a special visit. This year our on-site car park is restricted to disabled badge holders only. Instead of general parking being on site, we are going to have a number of park and ride services available. There will be a park and ride service from The Old Smithy in Godshill, The Free School in Ventnor, and St. Francis school across the road in Ventnor as well. These will have regular services, and both are under 10 minutes from us. continued over the page

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

dates for your diary

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th November

– The Wildheart Trust Christmas Market from 10am – 4pm. We have lined up a beautiful, bespoke collection of stalls selling perfect gifts and decorations from local Isle of Wight designer makers and artists. With Father Christmas launching his wonderland grotto plus carols, festive food and mulled wine, the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary is the perfect place to kick off your Christmas shopping and find that perfect gift. It is a wonderful weekend to meet our animals and start feeling those first flutters of Christmas magic. Normal admission prices have been held for the weekend so either book ahead or turn up on the day.

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th November

- The Northwood House Christmas Fair from 10am – 4pm. Featuring a selection of over 40 of the best Island gift exhibitors in art, craft and produce, it’s the perfect inspiration for Christmas present buying for those seeking something unique and original for their friends and loved ones! Free entry to Fair. The Christmas tea room will be open with mince pies and seasonal fair, along with the House bar serving mulled wine. Children can have a meet and greet with Father Christmas in the snow cave and write him a letter to give to him in person, with a chance for

parents to take photos. There will also be the return of Santa Paws… the father Christmas for dogs, who’ll be delighted to wish your four-legged friends a Merry Christmas and have a photo for a charitable donation to Northwood House. This will take place in a marquee in the rotunda car park.

Decor Perfection

Decorating Services

Female painter & decorator

workmanship

Garden buildings & Furniture

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& clean

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house

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

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

As reported in the press recently, the draft Island Planning strategy did not pass through a vote at Full Council in October. A crossparty group of Councillors, including me, have spoken out about our concerns that there are too many greenfield allocations in the draft Plan and the overall housing numbers are based on 2014 data rather than 2021 census data which was published in June. I urge the Cabinet to take the comments made during the debate seriously and make the amendments necessary to receive majority Councillor support next time it is presented.

The Flood Report looking into the flood events in Bembridge in summer 2021 has now been published. I have given the following statement to the Press:

“I welcome the report, but it has taken a long time to be published. The flood events were over a year ago and I was shown a draft copy of this report back in March. The recommendations need to be implemented with greater urgency and the Council’s Cabinet need to ensure proper funding is made available, equivalent to that which has been promised to other places like Binstead.

“The report says that ‘The drainage network for Bembridge is complicated… One possible avenue to fully understand the drainage network in Bembridge would be to undertake modelling of the entire system through a Surface Water Management Plan led by the [Council].’ The Council, Island Roads, Southern Water and others must now work together to understand and resolve the unique issues with the Village infrastructure. This report cannot be left to gather dust on a shelf while additional homes are plumbed into a drainage network that is not fully understood. I note the picture of saturated fields at page

36 of the report and the description of the impermeable nature of the local geology. It is time to take this field and neighbouring field out of the Council’s proposed 15-year land supply – the Island Planning Strategy – for future building of over 150 new homes. The land is plainly not suitable, and this natural soakaway is essential to reduce the risk of damage from flood events in the future as our climate continues to change.”

I am pleased that the Parish Council have already set up a local flood group with designated flood warden volunteers. I had a meeting with some Parish Councillors and Island Roads in October, and I have set up a meeting between the Parish Council, the Isle of Wight Council, and the various agencies like Island Roads and Southern Water to make sure the recommendations of the Report will be implemented without further delay. That meeting will take place in November, and we will follow it up with a public meeting so that everyone can play a part in ensuring action is taken and the Report leads to meaningful improvements.

Finally, I am concerned that the Council is about to spend £1.3 million on a new ground source heating system, LED lighting and windows at County Hall. The building is half empty and will be subject of a report on whether to pull it down and replace it with affordable housing in the next few years. There is a risk that a lot of money is about to be spent on a building which is near the end of its life.

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From joy’s humble crumble kitchen

Now that autumn is with us there is nothing more comforting than a bowl of hot home-made soup. Here are a few suggestions to get you started. Serve with croutons, naan, crusty bread, flatbreads, a sprinkle of grated cheese, even a toasted cheese sandwich will add another level of indulgence! Use what you need and then freeze the rest for another day.

ROOT VEGETABLE SOUP serves 4

2 tbsp olive oil

800g/ 1lb 12oz of mixed root vegetables - any kind - peeled and cut into even smallish chunks

2 garlic cloves - crushed 2 chicken or veg. stock cubes. Fry the onions until soft - add the vegetable chunks - stir fry for 5 minutes.

Crumble the stock cubes and add 1 litre/1¾ pints of water to the pan - simmer for 20 minutes. Blitz until smooth, season.

LIGHTLY CURRIED CARROT SOUP

1 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp butter

serves 6

2 onions - chopped and 2 garlic cloves - crushed

500g /1lb 2oz carrots - peeled and chopped into small pieces

300ml/half pint chicken or veg stock

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp curry powder (m) thyme and seasoning.

Melt the butter - add the oil and gently sweat the onions, carrots and garlic until softened (5-6 minutes) - season.

Add the cumin and curry powder - cook for a further 2 minutes

Add the stock, thyme - Add ½ litre/1 pint water - bring to boil. Simmer for 20 - 25 minutes. Take off heat. Blitz until smooth.

LENTIL & BACON SOUP Serves 6

a little olive oil

3 - 4 good rashers of smoked back bacon - finely chop

1 red pepper and 1 onion - finely chopped

1 medium sweet potato, peeled and finely chopped

1 garlic clove - crushed

1 chicken/veg. stock pot

1½ ltr/ 2½ pt water

200g/7oz red lentils or use 2 tins lentils - well drained a little thyme and seasoning. Fry the bacon, onion, red pepper, sweet potato and garlic on a low heat until softened. Add the red lentils or the drained lentils to the pan. Pour in the stock, thyme and seasoning. Return to boil - simmer for 15 - 20 minutes. Either serve the soup with ‘bits’ or blitz if preferred.

CAULIFLOWER SOUP serves 4

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 onion - finely chopped

1 garlic clove - finely chopped

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. ground coriander 800g/ 1¾ quarters lb. cauliflower florets, roughly chopped

1 ltr./1¾ pints chicken or veg. stock 150ml/5fl. oz creme fraiche or cream. Fry the onion and garlic gently for 2-3 minutes. Add the cumin and coriander and stir fry together for a further 1-2 minutes. Add the cauliflower and chicken stock. Bring to boil then simmer for 8-12 minutes until cauliflower is tender. Take the pan off heat. Blitz until smooth. Add the cream - season. Return to pan and gently heat through.

Things are very busy at St Helens Parish Council at the moment and a number of projects are being taken forward working alongside the Isle of Wight Council.

It has been decided to take forward the proposal for the planting of an Oak Tree to commemorate the reign of the late Queen as well as a proposal for a Willow Tree to aid drainage on the lower edge of the ‘Cricket Green’ and improvements to the Horseshoe Trail. In addition, we understand that the plan to protect the West Green by the erection of further bollards to restrict parking in contravention of the local bye laws is to be completed soon, once information letters have been sent to residents in that part of the Village.

There has been discussion about how the Parish Council might support those struggling in the energy crisis and who find themselves facing increased energy bills. At the time of writing, we are looking at how a Food Bank facility might be provided in the Village as well as the potential for a ‘Warm Space’ and weekly free hot meal for those in need. In part this idea can be facilitated by the Parish Council looking to take on the running of the Cricket Pavilion. While this idea initiated so as to support the continuance of sporting activities in the Village as well as bringing back a public toilet provision, it is hoped that a wider community use of it may be possible.

The past couple of months have seen changes to the benches on the green. Firstly, the Parliament Bench which had fallen into disrepair has been revamped and is again a pleasant and safe place to sit watching life on the green.

for Brading

jonathan.bacon@iow.gov.uk

Cllr Jonathan Bacon

There was some vandalism to a number of other benches which again have been repaired and stained ready for the coming winter months.

A bench that had seen better days has been replaced by a bench brought by a local family in memory of Fred Kitching who came from a family long connected with the village and who had run the ‘Sailors Pub’ for many generations.

As those interested will be aware, at County Hall, the hope to take the new Island Planning Strategy forward has ground to a halt following it being voted against by all the Conservative members of the Council on 5th October. The document will have to be reconsidered by the Cabinet once the Full Council articulates the reasons for objecting to the Plan when it next meets in November. At the moment the reasons are unclear but seem to be based on a misunderstanding as to the statistical base that the Government will accept being used for the Plan. Unfortunately, it means that the current situation on the Island where we are subject to national rules and have no local protection against the ‘tilted balance’ in favour of development will now persist for some time.

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 or you can speak to me at one of my regular surgeries in St Helens, the next few of which take place on the following dates (all at 10am in the Cricket Pavilion): November 15th, December 6th.

help support this great cause to get filled shoe boxes to the Ukrainian Soldiers.

Watson from Sandown is going to Ukraine before Christmas and he will deliver shoe boxes to Ukrainian Soldiers, reminding them that we have not forgotten them.

can be left at All Saint Church Gurnard, Tut tons Hill, Gurnard, Cowes PO31 8JA between 10:30AM - 4PM or give to a parishioner. Closing date 25 November 22. For more information ring Joan on 298643

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