Jim Baldwin

from Island Magazines March 23 - Cowes, Gurnard & Northwood Area

From joy’s humble crumble kitchen

Tel: 07528 586683

The warm spell in mid-February was a great tonic to us all, with the first signs of spring accompanying it. Crucially, for me, it coincided with the first appearance of my beloved butterflies from hibernation. Four species of butterfly hibernate during the winter as an adult: Brimstone, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Comma. Red Admiral also overwinters as an adult but does not enter a dormant state and can be seen on sunny days throughout the winter. Of all the butterflies, it is the Brimstone which is synonymous with early spring. Keen butterfly observers note the date of their first Brimstone sighting and this year on the Island, it coincided with Valentine’s Day.

The male Brimstone matches the colour of sulphur perfectly and emerges from its slumbers dashing off in search of females. However, the paler female emerges later so its early pursuit is in vain. They can survive until the end of May, having the longest adult stage of the UK’s butterflies. Brimstone is among the oldest butterfly names, being established in the 17th century. Because of its colour, there is even the suggestion that the Brimstone was the original butterfly but this has yet to be proven.

Brimstone can be seen anywhere although the early records come predominantly from woodlands. Firestone Copse and Parkhurst Forest are two sites where you are likely to see one. If there is a cold spell in March, Brimstone will return to its wintering quarters and hibernate until the warm weather returns.

With butterflies starting to appear, now is a good time to register with Butterfly Conservation’s Garden Butterfly Survey. If you do not have a garden, you can still take part at an allotment or community space. You can survey your site throughout the year recording the species you see and enter your sightings online. You can find out how to take part at www. gardenbutterflysurvey.org

Recording butterflies is so important. The recent State of the UK’s Butterflies 2022 report has just been published and revealed the alarming news that 80% of butterflies in the UK have declined since the 1970s.

Don’t forget to record the butterflies you see out on your walks. There is an excellent iRecord free app which you can download to your phone. Enjoy your butterflies and let me know what you have seen.

What’s happening in our area by ‘Local and Vocal’ Lora Peacey-Wilcox

NHS HELP AND SUPPORT and much more:

Mr Rudi Hendon-John is a Social Prescriber, which is a free service provided through Cowes Medical Centre, where he is based. His role is to support patients over the age of 18 with non-medical needs affecting their health and wellbeing i.e. lonely or isolated; bereavement support; lifestyle changes; anxiety and stress; improve confidence; debt / money worries; to support independence; any mobility or equipment needs; how to access support; carer support; getting out and about. Patients are referred by the GP to Rudi who has been given the time to help patients and listen to what is important to them and what their needs are. He liaises closely with Social Services, the Police, the Fire Service and the hospital teams on behalf of the patients. He can also help those patients who are terminally ill by liaising with the Hospice. Patients can make self-referrals to Rudi if they have a need to see him and discuss any problems. I think you would agree that this is a VERY important role, so thanks Rudi! X

PERMITS: Following on from last month’s update; I can confirm that not enough people responded (or not enough support) and so the areas of Arctic, Bernard and parts of Belle Vue will NOT be installing resident parking permits.

RECYCLING: I know I’m an anorak about recycling, but seriously the waste we create is enormous for our small Island. Over Christmas a massive 712,880kg of mixed recycling, glass, metals plastics was recycled (that the same weight as 450 family cars!!) Can you believe this used to go into our soil!!!

Food waste 222,230kg the same as two blue whales! It’s scandalous that 40% of the food we purchase we THROW away!

All that paper wrapping, and cards weighed in at 171,430kg - 30 elephants!! It’s so scary to think for years this sort of waste has gone to landfill.

BLACK BAG WASTE:PLEASE, please do not put FOOD waste in your black bag. This costs the council a lot of money to dispose of. PLEASE use your small caddy for ALL food waste, no matter how small.

And sincere thanks to our superb bin men and girls, and the team up at the plant that have to ‘hand pick’ through our rubbish if its contaminated. Please recycle carefully.

Lots of info on the council’s website. Cut back your hedges and brambles, fill in potholes, all dangerous on dark mornings trying to empty the homes on the island, every week!!

GARDEN GREEN WASTE: If you’re not already subscribed, they opened on 23rd Feb. I have renewed mine. One of the best things I did! No more struggling at tip; no more thorns sticking out of bags……superb service for about £8.00 a month!

This month has seen a number of losses in Cowes Medina, I am deeply saddened by the death of 3 very incredible men in my ward. I am hoping to attend their funerals. Thinking of you, David, Ken and Bob. XX much love and strength to your families.

As always you are my extra eyes and ears, keep me posted: lora08@sky.com (no longer have land line as gone fibre)

The Blue Lamp Trust helps protect vulnerable residents in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from becoming victims of crime - as part of their crime prevention advisory service.

The scheme offers FREE home visits providing both general and specific crime and fire prevention advice to improve home safety.

They visit residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who are:

• Vulnerable due to age (over 65) • Disabled • A victim of crime

• A victim of burglary • A victim of domestic abuse

THE BOBBY SCHEME provides FREE home security visits, long-life smoke alarms and advice to vulnerable people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, particularly the elderly and victims of burglary and domestic abuse. Their trained, police vetted, Bobby Scheme Fitters will visit and carry out a full survey and, as appropriate fit items free of charge, such as:

• Locks • Spy Holes • Door Chains • Smoke Alarms • Carbon Monoxide Alarms

All of the Blue Lamp Trust advisors are police vetted and carry ID cards to reassure local residents that they are genuine – and please remember, they will not be offended if you ask to see their ID to validate their identity.

Referrals

The Bobby Scheme is free to those who are vulnerable due to age (over 65), circumstance, disabled, or a victim of household crime. Anyone can make a referral including individuals, friends, family, doctors, social workers, etc. Please enquire via the Blue Lamp Trust website at www. bluelamptrust.org.uk/ bobby-scheme-choice

Alternatively, you can make an enquiry by calling the Blue Lamp Trust directly on 0300 777 0157.