Island Magazines April 23 Cowes, Gurnard & Northwood Area

Contact Lui Tel: 520522 Mob: 07795 363 534

www.primotechnical.co.uk primotechnical@gmail.com

SUBSCRIBE

Nevermissoutonreadinga copyofIslandMagazines.

Ifyoucan’tgetouttopickup acopyfromlocaldistributors youcansubscribetoeitherour ‘PRINTED’or‘DIGITAL’edition eachmonth.

For printedsubscriptions there willbeasmallchargefor £1.20permonthpayable6 monthsinadvance.To subscribeemail islandmagazines@gmail.comwith yournameandaddressandwhich areayouwouldlikeorcallus on07880587931.

For digitalsubscriptions pleaseemail cowesmagazine@gmail.comand includethewords‘subscribe digital’intheemail,thensit back,relaxandwaitforthe nextissuetodropintoyour inbox.

Technical Services Ltd

WelcometotheAprilissue–and thankyouforpickingupacopyof yourlocalcommunitymagazine.

Inthisissuewehaveourregularnews reportssoreaderscankeepuptodate withlocalnewsforthearea.Our ‘DatesforyourDiary’sectionis packedwitheventshappeningacross theislandinAprilincludingevents happeningovertheEasterWeekend whichthisyearisfromthe7thuntil the10thApril.

Wemustkeepourfingerscrossedthat theweatherisgoodandtherainstays awayasit’stimewehadsomegood sunnydayssowecantopupour vitaminDandenjoyislandlife.

IrememberwhenIwasachild,EasterSundaywasthebestdayasbackthenEaster eggswereonlyevergivenontheSundayandwereonlyavailableintheshopsfora coupleofweeksbeforethebigday,butnowadaysyoucangototheshoponboxing dayandbuythemandbecauseofthisIhavealreadyconsumedfartoomanyof them…andI’msureI’mnottheonlyone!

IfyouareorganisinganycommunityeventsinMay,pleasesendusthedetailssowe canshareinthenextissue.

Wehavesomegreatlocalbusinessescoveringmanydifferenttradesandofferinga varietyofservicesadvertisingwithus.Pleasesupportthembyusingtheirservices andlettingthemknowyousawthemadvertisedhere.

IhopeyouenjoythisissueandhaveagreatAprilandIlookforwardtocatchingup withyouagainsoon.

Didyouknow?

Beforewehadtheluxuryofelectricity peopleused candleclocks totellthe �meand wakeupby.

Acandleclock worksby burninga candleata constantrate andmarking thecandleorholderatregularintervals,such aseveryhalf-inch,toindicatehowmuch�me haspassed.

Themostbasicdesign,whichwasusedin AncientRome,involvedplacingacandleina metalholderandinser�ngmetalnailsinto thecandleat predetermined intervals.Whenthewax reachesthedesired levelofmel�ng,thenail cla�ersintothemetal base,wakingtheperson up.Thiswasprobably thesimplestsubs�tute forroosters,streetcries, and(ofcourse)factory whistlesforthe workers. Thismethodalso allowedthemtohavea ‘snoozebu�on’orinthosedaysa‘snoozenail’

Withthepriceofelectricityatthemomentitmightbeworthbringingthisinven�onbackto moderndaylife.

What’shappeninginourareaby

‘LocalandVocal’LoraPeacey-Wilcox

EMPTY/DERELICTPROPERTIES: Thereareover800oftheseregisteredon theIsland.Doyouownone?Howcanwe helpyoubringthesebackintouse?We haveover2,800peopleonourhousing register.9childrenlivinginbedand breakfast.65singleadultsneeding accommodation.Thelistgoes on………PleasegetintouchtoseeifIW Councilcanassistinbringingthose homesbackintouse.

DEBT/HELP:Everyoneisfeelingthe effectsnow.Please,donotburyyourhead inthesand.Itwillonlygetworse.Inthe firstinstancecontactcitizensadviceon theIsland.08001448848or enquiries@iwcab.org.ukwww. citizensadviceiw.org.uk

Theyhaverecovered£207,756in backdatedpaymentssecuredbythetax team!!Theycanhelpwithmarriage/civil partnershipallowancestoo.

DROPPEDKERBS:Ihavebeenaskedto haveoneofthesefittedalongBernard Road.Iwillpushtohelptheresidents therethatdesperatelyneedthisfortheir independentliving.

PELICANCROSSING:Requestedtogo inonmainNewportRd,bythechurch. Neededbecausequiteafewdrivers FREQUENTLYignorethezebracrossing thatisthere.I’mnotholdingmybreath onthisone,thecostishuge!

DERELICTSITES:ThetisandPelham residentsarerightlyangryatthestatea derelictsitehasbecome.Purchasednot thatlongago,thelandownerhasignored requeststoclearandtidythesite.Iwill continuetoaskbuildingenforcementto chasethisappallinglackofsocial etiquettetofellowresidents.

NEWPORTROAD CONDITION:Anyone

usingthisroadcannotfail toseehowbadthesurface is;althoughIwouldalsoincludeMill HillfromCo-optocemetery.Ihave contactedIslandroads,alongwithfellow residents.

WithregardtoNewportRoad,Ican confirmthattheDistrictStewardhas inspectedthecarriagewayandraiseda jobtoregulateouttheridgecurrently existing.

IwillkeepyoupostedonMillHill.

Asalways,youaremyeyesandearson theground,inyourarea.Pleasekeepin contact:lora08@sky.com(Inolonger havealandlinesincemovingtofibre connection)

Pleasetakecareofyourself,andeach other.

Lora.x

(IsleofWightBus&RailUsersGroup)

MEMBERSMEETING Weareholdingour

NewportMethodistChurch,QuayStreet,Newport at11.15amon22ndApril2023at

Allpublictransportusersarewelcometoattend theirfirstmeetingasa“taster”withoutbeinga member

IWBRUGisavoluntarybody,establishedin1985andmeeting eachmonthinNewport.Thegroupexiststopromotethe interestsofbusandrailusersandtocampaignfor improvementsinpublictransportandencourageitswideruse toreduceCO2emissionsontheIsland.

Website https://e-voice.org.uk/iwbusrailusers/

Fromjoy’shumblecrumblekitchen

The'boilmethod'isasimpleandeasywaytocookandonewhichwehavebeenusing foryears...butbyaddingafewsimpletwistsandingredientsyoucantakeyournext mealfromordinaryintoextraordinary!!Well,moreinterestingandflavoursomebutyou getwhatwemean!

SIMPLE ASIANRICE

600mlchickenorvegstock

285gr.jasminerice

1tbsp(lowsodium)soysauce

75gfrozenpeas•

2xspringonions-thinlysliced

Serves4-6

ULTRACRISPY

POTATOESserves4-6

Thesearestraightforwardto make-boil,squish,drizzleand bake.Oven180Cdegrees.

1.Combinerice&stockinalarge saucepan

2.Coverandbringtotheboilthenreduce heattolow-simmerfor18minutes,

3.Stirthericeandcheckfortendernessand allliquidhasbeenabsorbed,

4.Drizzlewiththesoysauce-toss/stirto coatwell

5.Addthepeasandcoverforaminuteor two-addtheonion,stirandkeepcovered untilreadytoserve.

GRANDMA'SCAULIFLOWER

CHEESEserves4

1xheadofcauliflower•1�ncreamof mushroomsoup•200ggratedcheese (matureifpossible)

1.Removeanygreenleavesandstemleaveenoughofthestemtoallowthe cauliflowertostaytogetherandflat.

2.Placethecauliflowerupsidedown intoalargepotandcoverwithcold water.

3.Bringtotheboilandsimmerfor2025minutes-itshouldbecrisp-tender (tooso�anditmayfallapart).

4.Draincarefullyandplacerightsideup intoabakingdish.

5.Pourthesoupovertheen�reheadof thecauliflower-seasonandtopwith cheese.Bakeat180Cdegreesfor15 -20minutesun�lhotandbubbly.

12-14smallpotatoes6-8 mediumpotatoes-washed BOIL-boiluntilsoftanddrain inacolander(letitstandfor5 minutes)

SQUISH-placepotatoesona lightlyoiledtrayandroughly squishthem-keepingthemin onepiece.(thin=crispier, thicker=fluffierinside)

DRIZZLE-withalittlemelted butterthendrizzlesomeolive oilover-season.

BAKE-bakefor30-40 minutesuntildeepgoldenand crispy-donotflip.

SWEET COOKED CARROTS

Serves4-6

500gcarrots-youcanusebaby carrotsorwashandslicelargeones. 350mlchickenstock

1tbspsugar knobbutter

1.Bringthestockandsugartothe boilinamediumpot

2.Addthecarrotsandcookuntil crisp-tender(10-12minutes)

3.Drain,addthebutterandseason. Stirandserve.

WordLadder

Awordladderisasequenceofwords formedbychangingjustonelettereach time.Canyoufindthemissingword? Usethecluesifyougetstuck.

Sudoku

BEEHIVE BOB

FEATHERED

FRENCHBRAID PERM

TWIST

DREADLOCKS CORNROWS AFRO

FISHTAIL

UPDO

BEDHEAD CURLY

STRAIGHT PIGTAILS

PONYTAIL

FOUNTAIN PIXIE BUN BANGS

Hairstyles

Lastmonth'sanswersforWordLadder:-prune,prone,phone,shone,shove,shave,shame,shams,seams,teams,tears,pears

FORTHCOMINGACTIVITIES&EVENTSATCOWESLIBRARY

Mondays

WeeklyRhymeTimeforbabies&toddlers 11-11.30am.Afunsession ofsongsandrhymes!It'sfreeandthereisnoneedtobook.

CowesLibraryGamesClubforAdults everyfirstandthirdMondayof themonth10am-12pm.Playanassortmentofboardgamesor cardswithafriendlygroup.Refreshmentsprovided.It'sfreesojust popalong.

April4th2-4pm EFIsleofWightEasterCraftWorkshop forallages,including facepainting.EnjoyfreefuncraftsandalsofindoutwhatEFhostingisallabout.

Tuesdays

TuesdayChessatCowesLibrary 2-5pm.Forallages,ifyouareinterestedinplayingor wanttolearn,contactCowesLibraryformoreinformationon01983293341orjust comealong.Allchildrenmustbeaccompaniedbyanadult.

Wednesdays

PhiloCafé.Philosophicaldiscussiongroupheldonthe1stWednesdayofthemonth79pm.Noneedtobook,justgoalong.

Thursdays

CowesLibraryweeklyDrawingGroupwithBethanyMoore 2-4pmor7-9pm.Booking essential.Ifyouenjoydrawingorwouldliketolearnemail:bethanymooreart@gmail. com

Fridays

CowesLibraryDrop-inCafé every2ndFridayofthemonth10am-12pm.Enjoy sometea/coffeeandcakeandafriendlychat.Youdon'thavetobealibrarymember tocomealong.It'sfreeandallarewelcome.

A Multiplytutor willbeatCowesLibraryFriday21stAprilbetween10amand12pm offeringfreemathsworkshopsforadultlearnerswhowanttoimprovetheir numeracyskills.Providingfreecoursesthatareflexiblydeliveredaroundpeople’s lives,whetherattheirworkplace,intheevening,online,intensiveorthrough personalisedsupport.Youcanfindoutmoreaboutcoursesavailableatwww.iow.gov. uk/ACLcoursesorcontactAdultCommunityLearningon01983817280oremail:lisa. mcginty@iow.gov.uk

Saturdays

Children'sGamesClub:FirstSaturdayofthemonth10.30am-12pm

LegoClub: LastSaturdayofthemonth10am-12pm

JuniorColouringClub:ThirdSaturdayofthemonth2-4pmwithcolouring,drawingand beingcreative.Allmaterialsprovided.

Withallchildren'sactivities,childrenneedtobeaccompaniedbyanadultthroughout.

VectisHistoricalandHeritageWargamingGroup meetmonthlyonSaturdaysatCowes Libraryusuallybetween10amand4pmwithabreakforlunch.Thenextmeetingison 22ndApril.Anylevelofinterestorexperiencewelcome.Modelsareprovidedandit's freetoattend.Recommendedage16+.ContactCowesLibraryon01983293341or emailWillBossman:wdbossman@gmail.comformoreinformation.

SpringBook&DVDSale22ndApril10am-4.30pm.Allatbargainprices.

Sunday2ndApril SpringFlowersinPencil&WatercolourWorkshop 10am-2pmcost £40Bookingessential.Formoreinformationortobookemail: bethanymooreart@gmail.com

richard.quigley@iow.gov.uk

Justaswehopedspringhadleaptinto ac�on,acoldblastremindeduswe aren'toutofwinteryet.Thankfully, Thelandonmarkethillhasbeensubject toenforcementordertoclearitup.The �metodosohaspassed,sothecouncil willbetakingfurtherac�onagainstthe SouthernWaterheldtwodropin sessions,offeringwatersavingandcost savingadvice,theywillbeofferinga mobiledropinlatespring.Icon�nueto won'tsolvethehousingcrisis,butispartofthesolu�on.

Andareminderforanyoneneedinghelpwithbillsoranyadviceongeneral, contactci�zensadviceon03444111444

SupportandGuidanceThrough theChallengesofLife

SeekingthehelpofaProfessionalCoachis nolongerthoughtofasaluxurybecause theworldweliveintodayhasmadeit moreofanecessitytoensureyoucanbe productiveandhealthyinallareasofyour life.

MaryanHookisaqualifiedProfessional Coachandanapprovedcoachwiththe InternationalCoachingFederation.She specialisesinhelpingpeoplereachtheir potentialatanystageoflife.

Sheisexperiencedinsupportingand developingpeople'sskillstoachieveand exceedpersonalgoalsandhavehelped manyindividualsfromyouthtoadult,by providingthetoolsandtechniquesto empowerall.

Perhapsyouarethinkingofacareer changeorexperiencingareasina relationshipthatarebecomingchallenging andemotional.Areyouayoungperson whoisfindingschoolandthepressuresof youthoverwhelmingorneedguidanceto helpequipyouwithcorelifeskillssuchas confidence,communication,resilienceand self-awareness.

Areyoureachingyourfullpotentialor perhapsyou’renotsurehowto…has familylifechangedandisitbecomingone bigjugglingact?

WhateverthereasonMaryanisavailableto help.Throughguidanceandsupportshe canshowyouthetoolsyouneedtomove forwardandchangewhatneedstobe changedandlearnhowtodealwiththe challengesthatlifewillthrowatyou.

Personal Growth • Career Development

Youth Conversations

Parental Transition

Restoring balance through transformational coaching

maryan@maryanhookcoaching.com

maryanhookcoaching.com

07881 942450

FormoreinformationandageneralchatpleasegetincontactwithMaryan,younever knowwherethispathwilltakeyou.

Pleaseseemainadvertforcontactdetails.

Lookafteryourfeetand they’lllookafteryou…

Thefootisacomplexpartofthehuman anatomy,anditisimportantthatitisnot neglectedasitnotonlykeepsus independent,butitisalsoamajorfactorin ourphysicalandmentalwellbeing.

EsterCampbell-Huntermovedtothe Island3yearsagoandwithhershebrought awealthofknowledgehavingworked withintheNHSforseveralyearsbothon thehospitalwardandwithinthe community.Hermostrewarding achievementwasworkingwithMarie CurieCancerCare,andshehasalso workedwithinclinicsfortheover75s healthchecks.

SheisaqualifiedFootHealthPractitioner andherbusinessEster’sFootHealthClinic isamobileserviceandshevisitsclients acrosstheislandforarangeoftreatments intheirownhome.Sheisparticularly passionateaboutdiabeticfootcareasshe understandshowimportantitisforanyone withdiabetestolookaftertheirfeet.She canofferadviceonmanyareasandcan dealwithingrownnails,corns,thickened nailsandmuchmore.Esterhasgaineda degreeandisaqualifiedaromatherapist andreflexologistandoffersagreat reflexologymassagetototallyrelaxand realignyourmindandbody.

F t Health

Withover20years’experienceandasamemberoftheAccreditedRegisterofFoot HealthPractitionerweareveryluckythatEsterchosetomovetotheIslandandopena professionalfoothealthclinic.

Theweatheriswarmingupandit’stimeto thinkaboutfresheningupourhomesfor theseasonsaheadandgettingonwiththe yearlyspringclean.

St Mary’s Church, Church Rd, Cowes

Mon: 10am & 5.30pm (improvers/intermediate)

Wed: 5.45pm (beginners/improvers)

Fri: 10am (improvers/intermediate) 11am (beginners/improvers)

Northwood Village Hall, 364 Newport Rd, Cowes

Wed: 11am (mixed abilities)

Mixed Ability

Mondays 5.30pm

Fridays 10.30am

Althoughthismayseemlikeadaunting taskbybreakingitdownintobitesize piecesitcanbeeasilymanageable.Makea checklistforeachroomandthinkaboutthe placeswhichdon’tgettheattentionina normalclean.Thisisagoodtimetopull thefurnitureoutandvacuumorsweep behindit.Thetopofkitchencupboards andontopofthefridge/freezerareplaces thatoftengetoverlooked.Skirtingboards aregreatatcollectingdustandhaveyou gotceilinglampshadesthatcoulddowith aclean?Interiordoorsoftengetneglected andaonceoverwithawetclothcanbring themuptoaniceshine.Windows, frames,frontdoorandthesurround shouldbecleanedinsideandout.It’s surprisinghowmuchdirtandgrimecan sticktothem.

Onlytacklearoomatatimeotherwiseit willbecomeoverwhelming.Byorganising anddeclutteringeachroomasyougo, decidingwhethertokeep,donate,sellor bin.Onceyouhavedecidedthendeal witheachpileassoonasyoucan.i.e.bin

For info and to book call 07539 544865 email: dawn.e.middleton@gmail.com dawn.pilates.iow

theitemsyounolongerwant,dropthe itemsfordonationtothecharityshoporcharitybinand putawaytheitemsyouwanttokeep.

Ifyouhaveyoursummerclothesstoredawaynowisthe timetogetthemoutanddecidewhatyoureallywantto keepandwhatyoucandonateorsell.It’satimetoreally thinkaboutwhetheryouwillwearitagain,doesitfit properlyanddoyouneeditorcanyoudonateforsomeone elsetoenjoy.Whenpackingawayyourautumnandwinter wardroberememberifyouhaven’twornitthisseasonthen youdon’tneeditandnoyouaren’tgoingtofitinthose jeansnextyearsothereisnopointinkeepingthemjustin case!

AlthoughIdreadthespringclean,wellthethoughtofit morethantheactualtask,Ialwaysfeelcleansedand satisfiedafterwardsandfeellikeI’veachievedsomething.I canthensitdown,haveaglassofwineandanextralarge pieceofcakeknowingthatIhaveearntthemandmyhomeisnowspring/summer ready.

DATESFORYOURDIARY

FirstThursdayofthemonth–Coffee,Craft andCakefrom10am–12pmat NorthwoodScoutHut,WyattsLane, Northwood.Bringyourownprojectsto finish,sharehints,tipsandideasandcraft magazineswapavailabletool.Freeentry andrefreshments.Agreatwaytomake newfriends.Inassociationwith NorthwoodChurch.

FirstThursdayofeverymonth–Teen EpilepsyCaféatSounds&Grounds, BirminghamRoad,Cowesfrom4–5.30pm.It'sanopportunityforteenagers withepilepsytomeetthoseinthesame boat,tochatandlistentomusicinasafe andsupportivespace.

EverysecondThursdayofthemonth–Coffee&ChatatNorthwoodScoutHut, WyattsLaneat2pm.Thisisafreeevent, andeveryoneiswelcome.Inassociation withNorthwoodChurch

EveryThursday–MelodicChoirmeetat WhippinghamCommunityHall,2 AlverstoneRoad,EastCowesfrom6:45 pmto8:45pm.Noneedtoauditionorto readmusic.Newmemberswelcome.For moreinformationcontactKayon 07956149091.

FourthSaturdayofthemonth-TheIsleof WightBusandRailUsersGroup (IWBRUG)holdtheirmeetingsatthe MethodistChurchHall,QuaySt,Newport, at11.15am.Comealongandhelpmakea difference.Formoreinformationcheck ourwebsitehttps://e-voice.org.uk/ iwbusrailusers

Saturday1stApril–TheIsleofWight VintageMotorcycleClub5thAnnual VintageandClassicMotorcycleShow. From10amto4pmatTheWinter Gardens,Ventnor.£3entry(Cashonly).

Saturday1stApril–SpringFairatSt MarysChurch,Cowesfrom10amto2 pm.ThiswillbeintheChurchHallwith freeentry.Stallsincludetombola,raffle, books,bric-a-brac,cakes,etc. Refreshmentsavailable,andchurchopen tolookaround.

Sunday2ndApril–EasterWellbeingand CraftEventatWhippinghamCommunity Centrefrom10amto2pm.Taster treatments,crafts,refreshmentsandraffle. RaisingfundsforMountbattenHospice.

Monday3rdApril–DinosaurFunDayat SandownRailwayStationfrom10am–4pm.Comeandjointhedinosaurfunon thetrainandatSandownStation’s GaslightCafé.Followthedinosaur footprintsintheJurassicLosAltosPark anddiscoverdinosaureggs.Lotstodo andsee.SupportedbyIslandLine.

Friday7thApril–CoffeeMorningat NorthwoodCemeterybetween10:30am and12:30pm.Thismonth’sthemeis “BookLaunchandPhotographic Exhibition”.Hotandcolddrinksand biscuitsareavailablefreeofcharge. Everyonewelcome–Justcomethrough thecemeterygatesandyouwillbegivena warmwelcome.HostedbyFriendsof NorthwoodCemetery.

Saturday8thApril–YarmouthCarnival EasterDuckRaceontheriverYarat3pm. Drawticketswillbeavailablefrom Holdings,Harwoods,thePharmacy,PO41 andonthedayatYarmouthSailingClub. Forfurtherinformationpleasegoto YarmouthCarnivalCommitteeevents Facebookpage.

Saturday8thApril–EasterChickHuntat PuckpoolPark.Ages3–10.9:30am start.£4perchild.Bookingessentialat theOldBarracks.Telephone615766 Continuedoverthepage

Alleventinformationwascorrectattimeofprintbutcouldbesubjecttochangeatanytime.

DATESFOR YOURDIARY

Saturday8thApril–AnnualEasterHunt atBradingRomanVillainaidofDaisy ChainsIWfrom11amto4pm.Egg hunt,magicshow,historiesshow,Peter Rabbitmeetandgreet,balloonmodelling andmuchmoreallincludedinthehunt priceof£3.50perchild.Ticketsfrom https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ characterevents

Sunday9thApril–TheTravellingTavern EasterEggHuntfrom1to3pmat FreshwaterBayinaidofFreshwater IndependentLifeboat.Livemusicwith EmelliaFrom5to7pm.

Friday14thApril–JigsawDisplayand saleatHolyTrinityChurch,TrinityRoad, Ventnor.From10amto3pm. Refreshmentsavailable.Admission£1 peradult,ChildrenFree.

Saturday15thApril–SpringTailsDog Walk.Meet11amatTheCrownInn ShorwellCarParkforapproximately1 hour15-minutewalk.FinishingatThe CrownwhereafreeBuddyBixtreatawaits yourdog.Freeandallwelcome.Alldogs mustbekeptonalead.

Saturday22ndApril–VectisPostcard StampandEphemeraFairatMasonic Hall,JohnStreet,Ryde–From10amto 3pm.Freeadmission.BothIslandand Mainlanddealers.Everyonewelcome.

Sunday30thApril–GardeningGaloreat RookleyVillageHall,HighwoodLane, Rookleyfrom10amto3pm.Freeentry. Freeadjacentparking.Refreshments providedbyRookleyWomen’sInstitute. Forallyourgardeningneeds.All stallholdersfromtheislandandgardening related.

GurnardPines- GurnardPinesaredueto re-openpartoftheirleisurecomplexon1st April.

Inthemeantime,I’madvisedtheowner wasliaisingwithstakeholdersconcerning thepoolanditsfuture.Iknowfromthe IWCouncil’sperspectivemaintaining poolsduringthefuelcrisishasproved challenging.Inthemeantime,Iam supportingindividualswhohave approachedourMP.

SouthernWater:WaterButts- According toSouthernWater,thetakeupofwater buttshasnotbeenasextensiveaswas hoped.Thismayormaynothavehad somethingtodowithhowthecompany hasdoor-steppedmidweek!Ifyourequirea waterbuttandliveinSolentViewRoad, AlbertRoad,WorsleyRoad,ChurchRoad, BaringRoad,WoodvaleRoad,Woodvale Close,ShoreRoad,JordanClose,Hilton Road,ShoreRoad,SolentLawnsor GurnardPinespleaseletmeknow,andI’ll behappytocontactSouthernWaterdirect onyourbehalf!

Onapositivenote,toalsoreducesurface waterfloodingSouthernWaterhas commissionedplantersatGurnardPines, GurnardVillageHallandBucklersView!

WoodlandClearance- Ireceivedcallsover woodlandclearancethattookplacetothe westofGurnardHeights.

Thisworkwascarriedoutoutsidethebird nestingseasonandonprivatenonprotectedwoodland.Iwasadvisedthis workwasnecessarytocleargorseand undergrowth.

BucklersViewRedevelopment- Southern Housinghaswrittentoresidentstoadvise that‘adecisionhasbeenmadethatwewill notbeproceedingwiththeproject.They add‘thisislargelyduetochallengesfaced bytheconstructionindustrygloballythat

havestartedtoimpactlocal projects’.

MilitaryRoad- LastyearIslandRoads submittedaplanningapplicationtoprotect MilitaryRoadtopreventtheroadbeing severedbycoastalerosion.Asaresult,the Governmentobjected,duetotheimpact thiswouldhaveoncethebarrierbecomes exposedassurroundinglandfallsaway.

Atthemeetingitwasemphasisedthatland northoftheroadwasnotprotected. Becauseofthis,I’mhopefulthatthrough negotiationasolutioncanbefoundto safeguardthisiconicroad.

Lynnbottom- Anumberofdisabled residentshavecontactedmeregarding accesstotheCouncil’stips.Pleaseif you’restrugglingtobookaslot,callWaste Serviceson01983823777.

WasteServices:CollectionPlusServiceTheCollectionPlusservice(whichcosts £65)allowsyoutohaveyourdomestic wheeledbinsorreusablesackscollected fromanagreedpointonyourproperty. Thiscouldbethesideofyourhouse, insteadofbeingrequiredtoplacethemon thekerbside.ApplyonlineorcallWaste services.

CollectionPlusbenefitsresidentswho:1. workawayfromhomeduringtheweek;2. workirregularshiftpatterns;3.Aresecond homeownersorfor4.residentsthatare elderly.(Tonotethisserviceisfreefor residentsthathavemobilityissues)Apply online,orcallWasteservices.

IWCouncilBudget- Unusuallyforme,I wastoldoffformytonesuggestingthe Council’srecentbudgetwasabitrubbish. AsIWCouncillorthiswasmy20th budget, andforagoodmanyyearsCouncillorsuse FullCounciltocelebratehowbudgetswill enablethepursuitof‘excitingprojectstobe proudof’!

ThisyearhowevertheCouncilhadtomake toughdecisions.Theseincludedwhetherto supportFallPreventionMeasures,Stroke Prevention,cutstothebookfundfor librariestobalanceitsbudget.These decisionscameaboutfollowingthe AutumnStatementwhichofferedtheIWC £1.2mlessthananticipated.

SecondHomes- The Governmentis consideringallowingforlocalauthoritiesto increaseCouncilTaxcontributionsfrom SecondHomes.Proposalswerediscussed andconsideredbytheCouncil’sCabinet andFullCouncil.

Locally3.95%ofpropertiesontheIsland aresecondhomes.InCowesWestand Gurnardthisishigherat4.72%.Locallya further1.5%ofresidencesareholiday lettings,whilst1%classedasempty properties.

Asyetthisisnotlegislation.However, pleaseletmeknowyourthoughts.

ParkhurstForest- Furtherinstancesof dogpoisoninghavetakenplaceat entrancestoParkhurstForest.Ifyouare walkingyourdogintheForest,beaware, keepyourdogundercontrol,nearbyand monitoredatalltimes.Inthemeantime, pleasereportinstancestothepolice.

Alsothismonth:

� ImetwiththeChairmanofthe CowesWaterfrontTrust anddiscussedthe challenges,andtheneedforthecommunity toworkalongsidetheTrust.Themeeting cameaboutfollowingquestionsbeing raisedbytheTownCouncil.

� Furthertolastmonth’sreporton unmaderoads,Icontinuetoliaisewith officersontheimpactthiswillhaveupon residents.

� AslocalIWCouncillor,I’vebeen

askedtointerveneoncommunityaccessto theLotteryFunded WinderHall atCowes EnterpriseCollege.

� Icontinuetoreceivecomplaints over ‘nearmisses’ from cycles inCowes HighStreet.Onthis,Iamperseveringwith IslandRoadsaboutHighStreetmarkings (previouslyrejectedbythem!).Inaddition, Icontinuemakingapproachesconcerning e-scooters.

� Havingwitnessedthe deterioratingconditionof WorsleyRoad, I’verequestedimprovedmonitoring.This followstheroad(alongsideothers)being shelvedfromIslandRoads’resurfacing programme.

� Pleasevisit: https://beta.iow.gov. uk/keep-the-island-safe/cost-of-living/for detailsfromtheIWCouncilon Costof Livingsupport.Tonotesupportisnot alwaysmeanstested,andit’salwaysworth talkingtosomeonetoseewhathelpthere is.Fordetailscall:01983823134.

Dandelions:themostundervaluedwildflower.

Thecommondandelionisoneoftheeasiestplantstospotandcanbeseengrowingjust aboutanywhereincludingcracksinthepavement.Mostseethemasjustacommonweed butactuallythesebrightyellowflowersareanexcellentsourceofnectarforawidevariety ofpollinatinginsects,including bees(honeybees,bumblebeesandsolitarybees),flies, beetles(includingladybirds)andbutterflies.Becausedandelionscanflowersoearlyinthe year,theyareavitalsourceofnectarforanyearly-emergingpollinatorswhilstother flowersarestilldevelopingsoitisimportantthatweletthemgrow.

Herearejustafewdandelionfacts.

Dandelionsrepresent3differentcelestial bodiesat3differentphasesoftheirlife. Theplant’syellowflowerrepresentsthe sun.Thedispersedseedslooklikethe stars.Finally,thepuffydandelionballhas asimilarappearancetothemoon. Theseeds(thepartsoftheplantthatfly away)cantravelfor5milesafterbeing dispersed!

Everypartoftheflowerparthassomeuse –flower,roots,andleaves.Itcanbeused forfood,medicine,andcolouringdye.

Theleavesoftheplanthavetooth-like featuresattheiredges.Theycanbe2to10 inchesinlength.Theplantsthemselves canbe17inchestall.

Theflowerismadeofmultipleminiature flowers,eachoneadistinctindividual.

Theseareknownasrayflorets.Itopenswhenthesunrisesandclampsupwhenthe sunsets.

Dandelioncanbeanallergenforsomepeople.However,itspollenisnotanallergen. Theyarealsocalledruderalorpioneerplantsastheyareusuallythefirstplantsthat coloniseddisturbedlands.

Variousinsectscarryoutthepollinationoftheplant.Theyellowflowertransformsinto apuffball.Thisballhasseveralfruitswithinitcalledachenes.Theseedsfeatureadisklikeparachuteextensionthatactssimilartoaparachute.That’swhytheycanfloatfor solongandsoeasily.

Onecupofrawchoppeddandeliongreenscontains112%ofthedailyrequiredvitamin A intake.Atthesametime,itonlyhas25calories.

19thCenturyEnglishpharmacistshadmadeteausingroastedrootsoftheflowers.The tearemainspopulartothisday.

Theybelongtothedaisyfamily.

Oneheadofdandelionismadeupofasmanyas300rayflorets.Ifyoulookclosely, theywilllooksimilartotinypetals.

Thecommondandelionisthesubjectofmanymythsandgames,oneofwhichsuggests thatifyoupickit,orevenjusttouchit,youwillwetthebed-anideathatformsmanyof thelocalcommonnames,including'Wet-the-bed'and'Tiddle-beds'.

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Althoughtheweathercanbemixed,AprilisthefirstrealmonthofSpring.Woodlandscome alivewithbirdsongandthelackofleavesinthecanopyresultincarpetsofwoodanemonesand inancientwoodlandyoushouldbeabletofindthedelicatenarrow-leavedlungwort.Primroses areinabundanceindampwoodlandandalongthehedgerowswhilethefirstwildbluebells shouldappearmid-month.

ThebreedingseasonformanyspeciesofbirdisunderwaywhileearlymigrantsliketheSand Martin,WheatearandChiffchaffwillhavearrivedbythestartofthemonth.Hopefully,bymidmonththefirstCuckoo,SwallowandHouseMartinwillhavebeenseenwithSwiftsandthe summeringwarblersbytheendofthemonth.

Earlyseasoninsectsareonthewing,includingafurry-lookingbeewithalongprobosciswhich couldbemistakenforsomethingfearsomewithasting!Infact,itisnotabee,butaharmless Bee-flyandIneedyourhelppleasetorecordthemfortheNationalBee-flywatchsurvey,now initseighthyear.

TherearetwospeciesofBee-flyseeninApril:Dark-edgedBee-flyandtheDottedBee-fly. Theycanbeidentifiedbytheirdifferentwingpatternascanbeseeninthephotos.Theyusethe longproboscistonectartheearlyseasonflowers,sothechallengeistophotographthemand thenrecordthemonthesurveywebsite.

Therecordingform,andmoreinterestinginformationaboutBee-flies,canbefoundathttp:// soldierflies.brc.ac.uk/bee-fly-watch.Thesurveyalsohelpstopromoteanawarenessofthe speciesandthefactthattheyareharmlessandshouldnotbedestroyed.Iamalwayshappyto helpwithidentification.

IwillalsobeattendingtwoeventsinAprilrunningtheButterflyConservationtable.On Saturday22nd April,IwillbeattheEarthDayeventatBradingRomanVillaandonSunday30th April,IamattheSpringOpenDayattheDonkeySanctuaryatWroxall.Ihopetoseesomeof youtherewhereIwillbetalkingaboutbutterfliesandmothsandhowyoucanhelpthem.

Dark-edgedBee-fly(notedarkedgetowings)

DottedBee-fly(notespotstowingsand nodarkedgetowing)