Island Magazines February 2021 Cowes, Gurnard & Northwood area by Island Magazines

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February 2021

Cowes, Gurnard & Northwood Area

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As I put pen to paper or rather fingers to keyboard, I feel a great sense of relief that we are moving into February and coming out of January which is always a difficult month and made even worse by being in lockdown. I have no crystal ball to see what is ahead (and maybe that is a good thing) but I think we will be in battle with this virus for a while longer. Although lockdown is difficult and frustrating itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important that we follow the rules in an attempt to try and get our lives back on track.

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Here at Island Magazines, we are animal lovers, so we just had to reach out and help a local attraction that is suffering during these troubling times. You can read all about how we can all help the animals on page 4. We have also been working with a local Community Interest Company which is dedicated to supporting victims of domestic abuse and you can read more about this on page 16.

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I hope you enjoy this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue which is For all your external packed with news and information. A big cleaning needs... thank you to all our wonderful advertisers and contributors who make it possible to Soft Washing & Pressure Washing of publish each month. Render, Roofs, Driveways, Gutters, Please tell your family and friends that we are a free local community magazine packed with news and information. If you are a local business, please consider advertising with us. I hope you all have a great February and I look forward to catching up with you again next month.

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info@dazzleexternalcleaning.com The views and opinions expressed by contributors and advertisers are their own and do not reflect the views of the Editor or Island Magazines unless stated otherwise. Island Magazines reserves the right to refuse or alter material where necessary.

Do you like this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s front cover star? This is Bert the Red Panda and he is a resident of Amazon World Zoo Park and Bert and all the other residents and keepers are sending out a plea for your help. Amazon World Zoo Park are continuing the daily fight for survival, the pandemic and Avian flu has hit them really hard and once again their doors have had to remain closed to the public. The work continues to carry on behind closed doors as the animals still need to be fed, tended to and looked after and on average running costs per day amount to approximately ÂŁ1,000. Heating, lighting, medication, feed and keeper wages are just some of the daily running costs. We as an island are known for our love of animals and Amazon World Zoo Park and the animals really need our help. They have a varied diet of vegetables and fruit and they are running low on many of the following items:Mixed Herbs - (Basil, Spinach, parsley, coriander), cabbage, chicory, collards, peppers, carrots, broccoli, courgettes, kale, spring greens, spinach, brussel sprouts, asparagus, okra, radishes, artichoke, swede, squash, pumpkin, sweet potato, turnips, beetroot, celeriac, aubergine, corn on the cob or mini corn or frozen sweet corn and frozen peas. Fine beans and runner beans, cucumber, cauliflower, celery, fennel, leek, mixed salad leaves romaine lettuce, parsnip, fruit, nuts and seeds. When you are next doing your weekly shop please pop a few extra items into your trolley for the animals. Although the park is closed you can deliver and leave your donations in the container by the main gates. This is manned throughout the day and will be picked up by the keepers. If you are a Tree Surgeon or know of one and are able to donate fresh woodchip for their Sloth and Tamandua enclosures in the Twilight area. They can accept any of the following types of woodchip; Alder, Birch, Hazel, Pine, Poplar and Willow. If you can help please leave a message on 01983 867122 or message them via Facebook. You can also help them by gifting items on the Amazon Wish List. The link can be found on their Facebook page. 4

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Under the national lockdown there are rolling payments and top up grants for eligible ratepaying businesses in certain categories. Some businesses may also qualify for grant support relating to the brief period around Christmas when the Island was under Tier 3 and then Tier 4 restrictions. There is also support for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; led pubs for late December.

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What’s happening in our area by ‘Local and Vocal’ Lora Peacey-Wilcox ELECTIONS due to be held Thursday May 6th. PLEASE apply for a postal vote if you have concerns with attending a polling station. Over 85% of my residents who contact me to help them have NOT voted. I can’t help if I don’t get elected! Contact IW Council for applications or me via email.

COWES WEEK: Fingers crossed it will happen this year - but a bit different from the past. As yet, decisions need to be thought through. As soon as I get the go ahead, I will let you know. It begins Saturday 31st July - 6th August 21. Date for diary!

FLOATING BRIDGE: I am informed the design, build and performance is in legal action which they hope to solve via mediation. I don’t give up. I ask questions of the ruling group who have now had the issue for over 4 years under their watch. I am fearful they are going to fit side thrusters without correct testing… let’s hope I’m proved wrong.

SPEEDWATCH: Are hoping to be operational as soon as permitted. If you are concerned about speed in your area; have you ever thought of volunteering. Training given. What people perceive as speeding and what speed people are travelling are quite different. Contact me if you are interested.

HELP FOR ALL: As Mayor I have produced a newsletter to help residents. You should have received this through your door. Here is the link. There is HELP for everyone. www. cowestowncouncil.org.uk/wp/wpcontent/uploads/2020/11/NewsletterChristmas-2020-FINAL.pdf

BERYL ELECTRIC SCOOTERS: Are heading into Cowes. View the map at this address https://tinyurl.com/y5u48lq6 The town council were not contacted but were informed this would go ahead. Just received news that we are attending a questions and answer session next week! Will keep you posted.

COVID: 50% of fatalities are in the over 80’s. Nine out of ten are in the top 4 risk groups that are being vaccinated first. This will enable our hospitals to manage - and hopefully get back to essential appointments for very sick people. Keep yourself safe people. There are MANY selfish individuals who are continuing to spread the virus.

Meanwhile, anything you would like answers to, or comments, quickest way for a response is via email: lora08@sky. com

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subscribe Never miss out on reading a copy of Island Magazines. If you can’t get out to pick up a copy from local distributors you can subscribe to either our ‘DIGITAL’ or ‘PRINTED’ edition each month. For DIGITAL subscriptions please email cowesmagazine@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 07880 587931. 8

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We have managed to crawl our way through to February and have survived January which is (in my opinion) the worst month of the year. But what is February about, is there anything to look forward to? I have been looking into what is happening across the globe during this extra short month. Some events can be celebrated without breaking lockdown rules and others can be attended remotely. Some are traditional and some I have never heard of.

National Sickie Day 2021 - Monday 1st February - Under normal

circumstances and certainly not through a lockdown pandemic, statistics have shown that the first Monday in February is the day when people are most likely to pull a sickie. One of the factors attributed to this is the first payday since Christmas, meaning people have been out celebrating all weekend with a particularly heavy one. Another theory is that people tend to reevaluate their career path in January, meaning that a lot of these sickies are actually to attend interviews.

Candlemas Day - Tuesday 2nd February – The Christian Festival of

lights. The day marks the midpoint of Winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox. Candlemas also commemorates the ritual purification of Mary, 40 days after the birth of her son. It is also the day when all the candles, that are used in the church during the coming year, are brought into the church and a blessing is said over them. On Candlemas night, many people place lighted candles in their windows at home. While in many countries Christmas decorations are 10

traditionally removed on the twelfth night (January 5) for other countries it is customary to remove them on Candlemas.

Send a Card to a Friend Day Sunday 7th February - Everyone loves and appreciates their friends, and we all just assume that they know how much we care and that we are always thinking about them. Sadly, many of our friends will experience loneliness and feel under appreciated from time to time. That’s just how life goes. That’s why Send a Card to a Friend Day exists, and why year after year it is so popular!

A small gesture that we may not think makes any difference could actually make our friends’ day. All it takes is a cute little card with a nice personal message in it to put a smile on their face. This could be an e-card that you send to them online, a store-bought card, or better yet, a home made one that oozes thoughtfulness, ideal for your extra special besties. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on celebrating your friendships on this special day!

St Valentine’s Day – Sunday 14th February - also called the Feast of

Saint Valentine, and is recognised as a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world. It’s the day when people show their affection for another person or people by sending cards, flowers or chocolates with messages of love. continued over the page

Pancake Day – Tuesday 16th February – also known as Shrove Tuesday, is a

day in February or March preceding Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), which is celebrated in some countries by consuming pancakes, and also the last day of fat eating or gorging before the fasting period of Lent. This moveable festival is determined by Easter. Whether you are a savoury or sweet pancake lover or a traditionalist with just lemon and sugar, enjoy it and have that extra one or two. Life’s too short not to.

Random Acts of Kindness Day - Wednesday 17th February - This international

celebration has grown in popularity each year. It is celebrated by individuals, groups and organisations, nationwide, to encourage acts of kindness. It is a favourite day to many, as people everywhere are enjoying doing these acts of kindness.

National Love Your Pet Day - Saturday 20th February

- Love Your Pet Day is a great day to show your love for our little furry friends. Whether you’re a cat lover, a dog lover or you’ve got a family of chimpanzees sharing your home with you, today’s the day to spoil them even more than you normally do and show them how much they mean to your family. If you love pets but don’t have any you could still get involved by calling by your local Cats Protection, Feline Welfare, RSPCA or pet rescue centres and make a donation of food or treats. You could also look into how to volunteer to spend a little time at your local pet rescue centre, maybe walking “An excellent team one of the dogs there oﬀering an or giving a little bit of invaluable service” your time to the cats at NEW! Book online www.mobilevetsurgery.co.uk the cattery. Stress-free Islandwide “Friendly & reliable professional yet Home Visits & very caring” Central Vet Surgery

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News Report from Cllr Paul Fuller - 45 Oxford Street, Northwood, PO31 8PT. Telephone: 01983 289595 - Email: paulfulleriw@gmail.com Planning Matters: • Proposed Lower Church Road development for 7 dwellings. Refused. • Proposed Baring Road development for 6 dwellings. Call-In made, should approval be recommended. • Proposed Place Road development for 14 dwellings. Call-In made, should approval be recommended. • Proposed Woodvale Road (Drive) dwelling. Application under consideration with Planning Officers. • Planning Enforcement are satisfied that the containers stored off Rew Street are now ‘mobile’.

Cowes Traffic Orders. I was advised that proposals were due to be consulted upon in December. Although this did not happen, it allowed a further opportunity for engagement with Town Councillors. Following this, I was advised this may be in January. However, with the current lockdown again this may again not occur. Once I know more, I will share information regarding proposals, that will include further safety measures close to Gurnard School.

I received support from the MP at a Meeting concerning the Government’s Housing and Planning and Development Bill. At the Planning Committee I led objections in refusing an application to develop on a green field site in Apse Heath.

A full update will be provided on my website.

Seafront Parking Proposals IW Councillors last month agreed to impose charges on Cowes/ Gurnard Following a lack of feedback from the Planning Department on several matters by seafront. Northwood Parish Council, I support the Parish Council’s motion of no confidence This was despite 449 objections and a further 3060+ objections through the in the IW Planning Department. It is petition. From my perspective, I am ever noted that pressures upon Northwood may increase due to the fact that the Island grateful for the support throughout this fight. Despite optimism over credible Plan is now considered to be out of date. grounds and alternatives put to the Unlike Gurnard, Northwood does not Cabinet, it was sad our efforts fell on deaf have a Parish Plan to safeguard its local ears. environment.

E-Scooters. Last month Beryl in partnership with the IW Council agreed locations for E-Scooters in Cowes.I am aware the two locations identified are on the junctions of Ward Avenue in Crossfield Avenue and Reynolds Close.

Phishing Scams. Councillors continue to have identities used as part of a phishing scam. Please note, if an email doesn’t originate from paulfulleriw@gmail.com it will not be from Following letters circulated to residents by the operator Beryl, I have confirmed that I me! do not support this roll-out until assurance 12

continued over the page

News report from Cllr Paul Fuller continued can be provided that the e-scooters will be used safely, lawfully and will be rigorously enforced in Cowes. Covid-19 Vaccines. Vaccinations for Covid-19 are being provided to those with greatest need and prioritised as such by government (Details can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/ priority-groups-for-coronavirus-covid19-vaccination-advice-from-the-jcvi-30december-2020

if you wish to volunteer to support this initiative. Also This month. • I am continuing to chase up repairs to a damaged retaining wall in Crossfield Action. Following the lack of action over the past 12 months, I have notified the IW Council for their support to resolve this long standing matter.

• Advice was provided to Church Road residents concerning dropped kerbs, where planning consent applies and what 1. residents in a care home for older adults constitutes formal carriageways (a,b & c roads), where planning consent is and their carers required. 2. all those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers • I continue to receive complaints 3. all those 75 years of age and over concerning walkers, dogs and vehicles 4. all those 70 years of age and over and being targeted in car parks around clinically extremely vulnerable Parkhurst Forest. If you have witnessed individuals any suspicious/ anti-social behaviour, (These residents are timetabled to be please report incidents to: olivia. immunised by mid February- if all goes to peachey@hampshire. pnn.police.uk plan! 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

all those 65 years of age and over all those 16-64 years with underlying health conditions at higher risk of serious disease and mortality. all those 60 years of age and over all those 55 years of age and over all those 50 years of age and over

Updates are being supplied by Cowes Medical Centre via: www.cowesmedicalcentre.co.uk

• I am offering my support to Cllr John Nicholson, whose Scrutiny Committee are investigating local health care provision for Cowes residents. • A request has been made for Island Roads to clarify the position with respect to Cowes bound vehicles leaving St Mary’s Hospital being permitted to avoid the B&Q roundabout.

• A big thank you to volunteers who have joined Cowes and Gurnard Beach Debris. Speedwatch. With new volunteers we are Steps are underway to clear beach debris on now up to the minimum requirement of the foreshore between Hamstead Ledge and 6. Please let me know if you would like to Gurnard Sailing Club. Please let me know join us. 13

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It’s time to stop being a victim and start living. It can happen to both men and women, there is no preference to age or nationality. It is no longer just physical! Just because a person doesn’t put their hands on you, that doesn’t mean they aren’t abusive. ABUSE is control, blatant disrespect and hurtful words. Domestic Abuse has dramatically increased during the coronavirus crisis and lockdown. Abusers feel they are stronger than ever, they make their victims believe they have taken away all safety nets and any chances of getting help... but this just isn’t the case, there is support and help for all victims, whether you have already escaped or want to escape then help is here in the form of Break the Cycle (CIC). Their FREE ‘Mind the Gap’ course is able to create and deliver courses, coaching, mentoring and support to women and men who are suffering from abuse in any form. The 10-week course is for everyone to learn how to rebuild their confidence and move forward positively in their lives. The sessions help build support networks, learn new skills and increase self-belief. They help individuals and groups to gain the courage and confidence to stand up against oppression, control, abuse etc. They have changed the thinking of some people in such a way as they have made the decision not to commit suicide. Others have discovered they are valuable members of society after continuously being told how worthless they were and some have gone on to start their own businesses, gone back into education or, just as importantly, escaped from their abusive relationship and now live confidently on their own terms. The ‘Mind the Gap’ course is versatile in its approach to each client, and they can adapt to the needs of any client. Having written this course specifically to help people who have suffered domestic abuse, whether that is recently or historically, the results achieved by those who have attended have been truly remarkable. Break the Cycle CIC has been running since 2016 and was founded by Maggie Currie after she realised there was a gap in the support needed by people who had suffered domestic abuse. The new courses are beginning again this February, for women on 1st at 10am and for men on 3rd at 10am via Zoom. Their pilot Zoom based course was very successful so they are sure you will learn more about yourself, how you think and how you can move forward in your life more confidently. To book your place on this course please email hello@breakthecycle.org.uk or call/text 07779 189 305 www.breakthecycle.org.uk