Island Magazines October 22 Bembridge & St Helens Area

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Welcome to the October issue and thank you for picking up a copy.

What a month it’s been... it started with some heavy rain, flooding and then a couple of nights of thunder and lightning. The gardens definitely needed the rain and now the water butts are full again.

More recently the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II and of course we now have a new King.

A BIG apology to fans of the puzzle page. I am sure you noticed that last month’s puzzles were a little confusing... I myself was puzzled to work out how mistakes had appeared in them! Maybe it was the hot weather? Whatever the reason I wish to reassure you that I have given myself a strong talking to and I promise no more impossible puzzles will appear in the Autumnmagazine.is

Contact Lui Tel: 520522 Mob: 07795 363 primotechnical@gmail.comwww.primotechnical.co.uk534

definitely on the way now and this is one of my favourite seasons, as well as the days and nights being cooler, the island is also a lovely place to be this time of year. With so much countryside around us and lovely walks we are very lucky to have this on our doorsteps.

The clocks go back on the 30th October and we get an extra hour of sleep and the 31st is Halloween so it’s time to think about getting your pumpkin ready to carve.

I hope you enjoy this issue and have a great October and I look forward to catching up with you again next month.

All information is correct at time of printing

Hello, my name is John Lines, and my business is Island Décor. I have been in the decorating business for 30 plus years and I am very fortunate to have recently moved to the beautiful Isle of Wight where I bring my knowledge for all aspects of decorating along with my five-star service. I am dependable and professional and work to a tidy manner.

I am happy to discuss with any potential new customers any work that they wish to have completed. I work on residential and commercial properties and can decorate holiday lets and Airbnb’s.

Because I offer such a high standard of work and believe in complete customer satisfaction, I do not accept payment in advance – only once the work is completed and the customer is 100% happy with the service. References are available upon Sincerequest.moving to the Island, I have enjoyed meeting some lovely Island people and if you are considering having completed,workplease do not hesitate to contact me, let me help you achieve your plans for your home, as after all “home is where the heart Pleaseis”.see my main advert for contact details and I look forward to meeting many more island residents.

With the autumn upon us and the warmth of the summer receding, thoughts are turning to the cost of heating homes this winter. While much of the assistance that can be given falls under the responsibility and powers of the Government, I am working with Councillor colleagues to see what more the Council can do to help.

I am also working with other Councillors to ensure that the Isle of Wight Council does more to tackle the housing waiting list and deliver more affordable homes. The national definition of “affordable” is 80 per cent of market price which, in the current climate, is still not affordable for many trying to get on the housing ladder. The Council cannot require a developer to sell houses for less than the national definition of affordable and even then, only a small proportion of the homes in any one development. On a site owned by the Council it can market the houses at a lower price, or even better, rent them out at genuinely affordable rents to those in most need. Furthermore, it can make an entire development affordable if it so chooses. That is why, back in June, I published a paper calling for the draft Island Planning Strategy to include a plan for redeveloping Council owned brownfield land in Newport to deliver affordable homes. I am pleased that the proposal has been adopted by the Council’s Cabinet and the draft IPS now includes a study to deliver housing in and around the site currently occupied by the Council

amendment meaning that the two fields either side of Steyne Road remain in the draft Plan, but it has not been approved by all Councillors yet. I will not be supporting the Plan in its current form.

Turning to schools, I am concerned by the announcement to reduce pupil numbers across a number of the Island’s Primary Schools including Bembridge Primary. This appears to be a consequence of the Cabinet Member’s U-turn on the future of Chillerton and Rookley School earlier this year. If the consequence of keeping open a small rural school with less than 20 pupils is reducing pupil allocations at good schools like Bembridge then that is a retrograde step and one that I will be resisting vigorously. I have met with the Chair of Governors and Headteacher of Bembridge Primary School and will be seeking a meeting with the Cabinet Member to ask her to explain the policy and point out the impact it will have if followed through.

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by the two Green Councillors, the Cabinet rejected a move to keep Bembridge’s current settlement boundary in place. They blocked a proposed

Finally, by the time this article is published we will have had our follow up public Flood Meeting at the Village Hall where the Environment Agency, the Council’s Planning Department and Southern Water will be in attendance. Together with Parish Councillors I will have met directly with Island Roads in advance. We continue to make the case for better flood mitigation in the Village, particularly in hotspot areas like Steyne Road, the High Street and the intersecting roads by the Pilot Boat Inn. I have been assured there is money in the Council’s budget.

Vectis Radio Outside Broadcasts

– The Story of OB-1

Even before Vectis Radio went on FM in 2017 they were doing outside broadcasts (OBs) using whatever equipment was available. Over the years technology has moved on and it became even easier as long as there was a reasonable WiFi signal or mobile broadband. The exact method of doing these broadcasts from remote sites was honed to a fine skill when lockdown struck, and it became necessary to broadcast from presenters’ homes.

Just before the pandemic there had been conversations about getting some kind of mobile studio and just prior to lockdown Vectis Radio was donated an old caravan to re-purpose as a mobile studio. Sadly, it sat around during lockdown and when the team started work on it, the floor had rotted through.

The impetus was there though, and the team was raring to go. Money was found to purchase another caravan and work started to convert it from a mobile holiday home to a mobile radio studio. Stripping out one bench seat and replacing it with a broadcast mixing desk, microphone and a computer and router for linking back to the main studio in Newport, the first trials of OB-1 began. These proved the value of the idea and helped the team make the necessary adjustments both technically & physically based on the experiences of the presenters and how it all went from an engineering point of

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OB-1, as it has been named, has been “wrapped” in Vectis Radio logos and colours which has transformed it from a tired caravan to a real beacon of Vectis Radio. Now the station has a self-contained unit, the cooker, fridge & toilet were retained from the original caravan. Setting up an OB is now a matter of arriving on site, securing OB-1 and plugging in. No more tables and connecting up wires and gazebos for shelter, the studio can be up and running in 20 minutes or less.

OB-1 will be officially “opened” by the High Sheriff at a short ceremony on 1st October.

dates for your diary

Every 2nd Thursday of each month – A volunteer from Citizen’s Advice will be available for confidential advice to assist with help on any legal matters, debt, consumer, housing & any other problems from 10.30 –12.30 in the back office of Bembridge Parish Council, 5 Forelands Road. Drop in or call for an appointment on 01983 874160.

Saturday 1st October –Vectis Radio Coffee Morning is from 10am to midday in the studio at the Riverside Centre. Plus, we shall have the official ‘Opening’ ceremony of our brand-new outside broadcast unit - OB-1by the High Sheriff Kay Marriott at 11am. Come and see OB-1 and meet some of the presenters and other listeners. 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 Saturdaygoing.1stOctober

– Craft Fayre at Brading Youth & Community Centre, High Street, Brading from 10am – 2pm. Come and support crafters in the run up to Christmas - raffle, games, lucky dip and crafters. Refreshments available from the old school café.

Thursday 6th – Sunday 9th October. Isle of Wight Literary Festival at Northwood House, Ward Avenue, Cowes, PO31 8AZ. The festival will be celebrating its 10th anniversary and will once again be providing a varied and exciting programme with something for everyone - from politics and history to science, fiction and current affairs. Everyone will find something to enjoy in the festival’s varied programme covering history, politics, science, psychology and a raft of other subjects. The café, bar, bookshop, and book signings will be available to enjoy too. For more info and ticket prices go to isleofwightliteraryfestival. com

Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th October – Wightrider at Isle of Wight Bus & Coach Museum, Park Road, Ryde, Brand new for autumn 2022 - Wightrider will feature classic buses and coaches operating local routes linking into various attractions. There will be numerous visiting vehicles as well as the bus museum collection. Travel on all numbered bus services shown in the programme is free of charge and offered on a first come, first served basis. You do not have to be in possession of an event Programme to travel on any of these services, but all proceeds from the sale of programmes go towards both maintaining the buses in our museum and the fabric of the building itself. For more information go to Fridaywightrider.co.uk14thOctober

– The Vectis Radio’s Great Big Massive Enormous Variety Night at Strings Bar & Venue. After being postponed from its original date of the 10th September, this event is now back on. There will be a revised list of performers as some of the originally booked acts are not available on the revised date. Doors open 7pm – Show begins 7.30pm Tickets are £10 each from tickets@ vectisradio.fm. All profits will go to the 4Ps

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15th October - Isle of Wight Vegan Lifestyle Show at Cowes Yacht Haven Events Centre, Vectis Yard, Cowes, PO31 7BD from 10am – 4pm. Featuring over 50 stands showcasing plant-based hot and cold foods, eco-friendly home and lifestyle products, wellness treatments, bodycare, bags, crafts and much more! With a fantastic programme of speakers – including Chris Packham CBE – cookery demonstrations and yoga classes, there will be plenty to enjoy whether you’re vegan, vegan-curious or just trying to be more environmentally-minded. Free goody bag for the first 50 people. Entry £4 (free for under 16s)

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

Dementia Afternoon tea Club

As well as offering quality and trusted care in your own home, Right At Home are continuing their care in the community by running a ‘Dementia Afternoon Tea

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of the club is to provide a safe place for people living with dementia and their support network and for anyone who wishes to socialise in the community regardless of their health diagnosis.

The ‘Dementia Afternoon Tea Club’ provides a selection of sandwiches and cakes plus hot and cold drinks and there is also entertainment provided for each session.

They have already had a couple of events to date and the sessions included games, a talk from Bembridge Heritage Centre and a SingAbout taster session and they have the following events lined up for the next couple of months.

• Thursday 13th October – Harvest Festival Theme. A class from Bembridge Primary School will join us to sing some Harvest Festival songs followed by a craft session

• Thursday 10th November – Remembrance Theme with a choir.

• Thursday 8th December – Christmas Theme with carols and mince pies.

The ‘Dementia Afternoon Tea Club’ is run from Bembridge Methodist Church, 73 Foreland Road, PO35 5UD (parking available) on the second Thursday of every from 2 – 4pm and each session is £5 per person. The club is a non-profit event and any remaining proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Staff will be on hand and event.oforderordertotowishingdementia.requiredforleafletsinformationwillbeavailableanysupportrelatingtoAnyonetoattendneedsphone01983218318confirmaplaceintohelpuspre-therightamountfoodtocoverthe

Following the recent sad demise of Queen Elizabeth II there has been something of a hiatus in the business of both the Isle of Wight Council and our Parish and Town Councils. Nevertheless, as we move from Summer to Autumn there is much going on.

In County Hall we approach a final decision on the Island Plan. At the time of writing, we anticipate a vote upon it taking place in early October, following the cancellation of the meeting where it was due to be considered on 21st September. The Plan is obviously important. Contrary to what some seem to think it is about so much more than just housing numbers. It is about supporting our environment, our businesses and our population for a significant time to come. It is also a Plan for the whole Island and not something that should be sought to be overridden by narrow parochial standpoints. The other thing to bear in mind is that as the Plan, hopefully, passes into the hands of the Government Inspector it will change and there are plenty of opportunities under his oversight for further representation and

Green and restoring the Horseshoe Trail. A proposal will now be before us in October.

Lastly, we are taking steps to bring back a public toilet provision in the centre of the Village. Much work has been done and it will also involve ensuring the future of the Pavilion and making it more of a resource for the Village. We also hope to see the old toilet block on Station Road brought back into active use, although what this might be is still to be decided.

As both your Isle of Wight Councillor and a Town 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 October 18th and November 15th, both at 10am in the Cricket Pavilion.

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there are several big issues to be tackled. Following a public meeting earlier in the year the Parish Council and myself have been looking into what we can do about the various issues concerning traffic and parking in the Village. Information has been sought and we will be looking to further meetings soon to feed this back and discuss what particular measures can be taken.

Our Parish Council Meeting for September had to be cancelled. We were due to discuss the consultation that has been taking place about the potential for trees on the Village

Multi award

From joy’s humble crumble kitchen

With many more people living on their own, many on tight budgets and now in these stressful economic times, we are suggesting ideas for SINGLE serve batch pasta cooking ideas with four different sauces to choose from, which can all be individually frozen. Defrost both the pasta and chosen mix the night before. Mix pasta with your chosen mix, heat gently until piping hot adding extra grated cheese where needed before serving. All meals can be served with vegetables.

PASTA Allow 100g of short pasta per person per serving. (e.g. macaroni, penne, fusilli etc) 500g pkt. pasta will give you 5 servings METHOD. Cook according to pkt. Instructions but remove/drain in a colander 2 minutes before end of cooking time (al dente). Run boiled water from kettle though the pasta. Allow to cool, bag 5 portions and freeze. EACH SAUCE RECIPE BELOW IS ENOUGH FOR 5 SERVINGS

PASTA Mac & CHEESE - 25g/1oz butter, 25g/1oz flour, 400-500ml/14-18fl oz milk, 80g/3oz grated cheddar cheese any cooked bacon bits or thinly sliced cooked sausage or a few peas can also be added - METHOD: In a pan stir together the butter + flour and cook gently for a few minutes adding the milk slowly, mixing all the time until it thickens. Cook for a few minutes. Add the cheese, seasoning & extras. Allow to cool, bag 5 portions and freeze.

PASTA with MUSHROOM sauce - METHOD: Same as above but omit cheese add approx. 6oz/170g of thinly sliced mushrooms. One teaspoon of curry powder will add another layer of flavour. (omit if not a fan) Allow to cool, bag 5 portions and freeze.

PASTA with TUNA - 1 onion – chopped, 2 tins chopped tomatoes, 2 garlic cloves – chopped, 2 tsp. dried oregano, 3 tins (110g) of tuna in olive oil – drained, splash of white wine. METHOD: Fry the onion and garlic gently for 3 mins, add the tins of chopped tomatoes + splash of white wine, mix adding the oregano, cook for 20 mins, stirring from time to time, add the drained tuna, mix well and season. Allow to cool, bag 5 portions and freeze.

PASTA with COURGETTE/BROCOLLI & SAUSAGE - 8 sausages, 2 courgettes – thinly sliced, head of broccoli – florets thinly sliced, 2 tins chopped tomatoes, 1 large onion – chopped, 2 garlic cloves – chopped, 1tsp chilli flakes optional. METHOD: Heat a little oil in the frying pan and squeeze the sausage meat out of the skins – break up and fry gently for 8 mins with the chopped onion until golden. Add broccoli, courgettes, garlic + chilli flakes. Cook together for a few minutes then add the tins of chopped tomato. (add a splash of water if mix is looking too thick) Cook gently together for 10 mins and season. Allow to cool, bag 5 portions and freeze.

BEMBRIDGECOUNCILPARISH

Beach Clean

The next beach cleaning events will take place on the 15th October 2022. If you are interested in taking part, please make your way to the meeting points at Lane End and The Point at 10 am on the day of the event. Please contact the Parish Council Office (01983 874160) if you require further information.

Friendship Circle Coffee Mornings

Coffee mornings are held in the Village Hall on the first Saturday of every month except for August. All proceeds are donated to the running of the Community Minibus. The next coffee morning will take place on 1st October 2022.

The coffee morning on 12th November will be shared between the Friendship Circle and Bembridge Historical Society. The Coffee morning on 10th December will be shared between the Friendship Circle and RNLI.

Bembridge in Bloom Competition 2022

The was a small awards ceremony held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 23rd August 2022. This year’s winners were Mrs P Harding (1st Prize), Mr P Myatt (2nd Prize) and a special award was presented to the Community Gardeners. The winners received Busy Bee Garden vouchers and gardening tools.

Mrs Harding was awarded the Barbara Clough Trophy and Mr Myatt was awarded the Best Front Garden Trophy.

Parish Meetings

Planning Meeting - 5th October 2022 at 5.30 pm Village Hall Staffing and Finance - 11th October 2022 at 5.30 pm Village Hall

Planning - 19th October 2022 at 5.30 pm Village Hall

Full Council - 19th October 2022 at 7.00 pm Village Hal

Bembridge Fire Station

Are you over 18? Relatively fit and live locally? Want some excitement while earning extra money? Hampshire IOW Fire and Rescue Service are looking for part-time on call Firefighters to join the team and crew the new first response vehicle at Bembridge

For more information visit www.oncallfire. uk, or contact Chris Adams via the Parish Council Office (01983 874160).

A word ladder is a sequence of words formed by changing just one letter each time eg CAT - COT - DOT - DOG.

Can you find the missing words? Use the clues if you get stuck.

October Facts & Historical Events

October is seen by many to be a time of real seasonal change.

The meaning behind October’s name is far from accurate these days. The ancient Roman calendar was based on the lunar cycles, as opposed to our current calendar which is based on the solar cycles. This meant that there were originally 10 months in their calendar, and October was the eighth month. Its name literally translated into “the eighth month” in Latin. In 451 BC the two months of Lanuarius and Februarius were added to the beginning of the calendar, making October the 10th month.

The Saxons name for October was Wyn Monath, which translated into “wine month” because it was the time of the year for making wine!

The Twyford church in Hampshire, UK has a tradition of ringing its bells every year on October 7th. The origin of this tradition goes back to the 18th Century when a local resident called William David became lost in heavy fog while riding home at night. Much to his luck, he heard the church bells toll and from this, he managed to find his way home. As a form of thanks, he left some money to the church when he died so that the church could continue to ring their bells on October 7th every year, just in case there were any other lost travellers.

The world-famous Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869. His worldwide renown is attributed to the nonviolent way in which he resisted the colonial British rule of India.

It wouldn’t be October without Halloween. The celebration’s origins go all the way back to the Gaelic people of modern-day England, Scotland, and Ireland, who celebrated the festival of Samhain. Among other activities, the original celebrants of Samhain would dress in costumes or disguises and go door-to-door receiving gifts of food.

Keep your eyes to the skies in October, as the Draconid Meteor Shower will peak around 8-9 October.

An even more impressive meteor shower is the Orionid meteor shower, which runs from October 2nd until early November. In 2022 the Orionid meteor shower will peak on the night of 21-22 October between midnight and dawn. At the peak of the meteor shower, as many as 20 meteors are visible every hour.

October’s birthstone is the Opal, which was valued by the Ancient Romans as the most priceless of all. The opal comes in a myriad of striking colours that often seem to swirl together and is a symbol of both faithfulness, purity, and hope.

October has two strikingly different birth flowers, the pastel-hued cosmos, and the radiant marigold flowers. The cosmos flower is representative of the joy one finds in peace and love, as well as representing peace. The marigold, otherwise known as the calendula, is said to be a symbol of tranquillity, grace, and grief.

If you’re born before October 23rd, then you have the sign of Libra. Those born on October 23rd or later have the sign of Scorpio. Libras are said to value harmony and diplomacy and are said to be both intelligent and kind. Scorpios are quite different, valuing trust and honesty above other things, as well as being quite intense yet imaginative people.

The very first McDonald’s restaurant in the UK opened its doors on October 1, 1974. The restaurant is still operational today and is located in Woolwich, in the south of London.

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

Call us on 01983 873163 or visit our website; wightcoastholidays.com or visit us at our Bembridge office on the corner of High Street and Foreland Road, opposite the Mulberry B&B.