Island Magazines May 23 Cowes, Gurnard & Northwood area

FIND AN ALZHEIMER CAFÉ near you

An Alzheimer Café is a meeting place that give ion and advice about dementia and offers guidanc g p g to other services. We welcome people with dementia, their families, carers, professionals, and people with an interest in dementia

EAST COWES

1st Tuesday of the month

RYDE

1st Friday of the month

2pm - 4pm 11am - 1pm

All Saints’ Hall

TOTLAND

3rd Wed of the month

2pm - 4pm

Town Hall, York Avenue, East Cowes

PO32 6RU

SANDOWN

4th Wed of the month

2pm - 4pm

The Broadway Centre

1 Broadway, Sandown PO36 9GG

Queens Road

Ryde PO33 3AF

NEWPORT

Last Wed of the month 6pm - 8pm

Newport Methodist Church

Quay Street, Newport PO30 5BA

St Saviour’s, Holy Family Centre

Weston Lane

Totland, PO39 0HE

COWES

2nd Wed of the month

2pm - 4pm

Football Club

Reynolds Close (off Park Road) PO31 7NT

Newcomers very welcome No booking required

Website: www. alzheimercafeiow. org. uk

Email: info@alzheimercafeiow. org. uk

alzheimerscafeisleofwight

Tel: 01983 220200 (please leave a message)

WelcometotheMayissue–Ihope whenyouarereadingthisthatthe weatherhasimproveddrastically becauseasIsitherewritingthisit’s raining,coldandmiserableoutside.

ThismonthwehavesomemoreBank Holidaysandanextraoneforthe CoronationofKingCharlesIII.Please feelfreetosendphotosofyourstreet partiesorgrouppicnics.However,you decideordecidenottocelebrate,Ihope youhavefun.

Ifyouwouldliketogetinvolvedina coupleof‘nature’typeevents,please turntopage2andreadJim’sarticle.I amparticularlyinterestedintheGarden ButterflySurveywhichisavaluablesurveyanddoesn’ttakeupmuchtime.Itwassad toreadthatlastyearonly9householdsontheIslandtookpartinthiseventandIwould liketoappealtoallofyoutogivethisatryandcomeon,let’sdobetterthisyear.You neverknowyoumightenjoyyourself.

Maytimeisthebest(wellaslongaswehavesomesunshine),tomeit’saboutpicnics, outdooractivitiesandprobablythefirstbarbecueoftheyear.Youcan’tbeatthesmellof asausagesizzlingawayontheoldBBQ.

IfyouareorganisinganyeventsinJuneorthecomingmonths,pleasesendmethe detailsandIcanincludethemintherelevantissue.Mycontactdetailsarebelow.

Pleaseremembertokeepusingtheservicesofourlocaladvertisersandsupportthem whereyoucanandpleaseremembertotellthemyousawthemadvertisedhereandif youarealocalbusinessandwouldliketogetyourdetailsoutintothelocalcommunity thenpleasegetintouchwithme.

IhopeyouallhaveagreatMayandIlookforwardtocatchingupwithyounextmonth.

SUBSCRIBE DACK’S

Nevermissoutonreadinga copyofIslandMagazines.

Ifyoucan’tgetouttopick upacopyfromlocal distributorsyoucansubscribe toeitherour‘PRINTED’or ‘DIGITAL’editioneachmonth.

For therewillbeasmallcharge for£1.20permonthpayable6 monthsinadvance.To subscribeemail islandmagazines@gmail.comwith yournameandaddressand whichareayouwouldlikeor calluson07880587931.

Mixed Ability

NEWSAGENTS

EVERYTHING YOU WOULD EXPECT AND MORE... 4 THE ARCADE, COWES

• Newspaper delivery service in Cowes & Gurnard

• UPS access point

• Open daily for newspapers, magazines, confectionery, hot and cold drinks.

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)

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

Mondays 5.30pm

Fridays 10.30am

For pleaseemailcowesmagazine@ gmail.comand includethe words ‘subscribe digital’in theemail, thensite back,relax andwaitfor thenextissue todropinto yourinbox.

CUBICLE SHOWERS FITTED

RockMovement,GurnardBeach. Rockswerelastmonthremovedwithout authorityontheSecretBeachatGurnard.

ThiswasreportedtotheIWCouncilwho tookthisupwiththeMarineManagement Organisation(MMO)whoissueslicenses forthis.IunderstandtheMMOhavesince liaisedwithresidents

GardenWaste.

Anumberofresidentsapproachedme regardingGardenWastecollections.On this,I’vechasedupseveralcomplaints ensuringreminderswereproperlysentout. Inthemeantimeresidentscaneitherreturn tothewaitinglistoruseanalternative provider.

SouthernWater:WaterButts. SouthernWaterhascalleddoortodoorin eligibleroadswiththeir‘slowtheflow’ WaterButts.Ifyou’venotreceivedyours, andaresidentofWoodvaleRoad, WoodvaleClose,ShoreRoad,Solent Lawns,JordanClose,GurnardHeights, BaringRoad,SolentViewRoad,Albert Road,WorsleyRoad,ChurchRoad,Hilton RoadandGurnardPinespleaseletme knowsoIcanchase.

UnadoptedRoads.

Lettershavebeensenttoresidentsofmany unmaderoads(locally,HiltonRoad) advisinghouseholdersthatroadconditions aretobemonitored.Althoughsomeroads areworsethanothers,ifyoureceiveone andrequiresupportpleaseletmeknow.

IWCouncillorsAllowances. Inlinewithtradition,Ivotedagainst proposalstoindexlinkwithinflationIW Councillorallowances.Thisyear,Iwas oneof8Councillorstoopposethis.

AnnualReport2022/23. Untillastyear,IhanddeliveredAnnual ReportstoeveryhomeinCowesWestand

Gurnard,However,thisyear thishasnotbeenpossibledue megettingolderandtohowlongthistakes metodeliver.Inresponse,tothose interested,myreportwillbeattachedtothe hardcopyofmyMaynewsletter,available fromCowesLibrary.Thereportcanalsobe foundonmywebsite.Visit:https:// paulfullercc.blogspot.com

WasteBins.

LastmonthIreceivedfeedbackregarding residentsoverfillingsomeofthebinsat GurnardGreen.Pleaseifabin/binsare fulleitheruseonenearbythatisnotfullif youcannottakerubbishhome.Thereason formeaskingthisisduetobadgerand foxesemptyingfullbinsbeforerubbishis collected!

Ithasalsobeennotedthatseveralwaste binsacrossCowesandGurnardarebeing usedtodeposithouseholdwaste.In response,wherethisoccursIhave requestedthisismonitoredandaction taken.

ChildPoverty. CurrentlyonourIsland34%ofchildren liveinpoverty.Followinglastmonth’s motionatFullCounciltosupportaction beingundertakentoliftchildrenfrom poverty,I’vesignedtosupportthenational ‘Nochildleftbehind’campaign.For furtherdetails,pleasevisit: nochildleftbehind.org.uk

SecondHomes.

Plansshowingintenttoincreaseby100% CouncilTaxforsecondhomeswas surprisinglyrejectedbyFullCouncil,if Governmentlegislationisimplemented.I supportedasIreceivednoresident feedback.Onthis,mypriorityhasalways beentosupportincreaseddiscountsto thoseonlowincomes.Iflegislationdoes change,I’veaskedthatconsultation follows.Inthemeantimepleasecontinue toshareyourviews.

E-Scooters.

Forthosewhomissedit(!)TheDepartment forTransportinitsinfinitewisdomhas agreedtofurtherextendSolentE-Scooter pilotsuntilMay2024.

PhotoIDforvoting.

From4th Mayvotersinlocalelectionswill berequiredtoprovidephotoIDbefore voting.Thiscanincludepassports,driving licences,disabledand60+concessionary passesandproofofageIDpasses.Ifyou donotholdsuchverificationresidentscan applyforafreeVoterAuthorityCertificate.

Fordetailsvisit:www.electoralcommission. org.uk/i-am-a/voter.Tonotethereare no IsleofWightelectionstakingplaceuntil May2025.

GurnardParishCouncilClerk

TheParishCouncilhasappointedanew clerk,RichardShaul.TheCouncillooks forwardtoworkingalongsideRichardin hisrole.Frommyperspective,Ihavebeen verygratefultothesupportprovidedby FreshwaterPCclerk,HeatherRowellwho hasactedasalocumclerksinceJanuary.

CowesHighStreetCycles!

FollowingfeedbackfromCowesTown Council,ourPCSO,andsupportfromIW CouncilCabinetMember,Cllr.Phil Jordan,Icontinuetoperseverefor improvedsignagetopreventcyclescoming intoconflictwithpedestriansinCowes HighStreetandShootersHill.

Pre-ApplicationPlanningForums. Followingarecenttrainingsession,I learntofLancasterCityCouncils CommunityEngagementForum,where theplanningauthorityhostsmeetingswith ParishCouncils,WardCouncillorsand residentsworkingalongsidedevelopersto shapefutureplanningproposals.Thisis somethingIsupportbeingreplicated locally,particularlywherecontentious applicationsmaybeheard.Meetingsare minutedandhostedbyPlanningOfficers restoringtrustintheplanningsystem.

SolentForum:HistoricCoastal Landfills.

TheSolentForumreportedconcernson theimpactofformerlandfillsupon marinelife.ChemicalssuchasPCB’s (polychlorinatedbiphenyls)banned30 yearsago,areimpactingadverselyupon fertility.SpeciesaffectedincludeUK killerwhales.

Itwasreportedalsothatchemicalsin cleaningmaterialsper-and polyfluoroalkylsubstances(PFAS compounds),hadwidespread concentrationsinseawater,whichagain impactedonmaritimefoodchains.

TrafficOrderRequest:EgyptHill Residentshaverequesteddoubleyellow linesfollowingsightlinesbeing obstructedbyparkedvehiclesmidwayon EgyptHill.Pleaseletmeknowyour thoughts!

Fly-tipping,CrossfieldEstate. Dumpedcharitybagshavenowbeen removed.Ifyouseefly-tipping,dogpoo, potholes,bramblesetc.andhaveawizzy smartphone,reportthistomeviathe what3wordsapp.Thisenablesmeto directrecoverytoapreciselocation.

DATESFORYOURDIARY

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

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

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

Tuesday2nd May–Friday5th May.St Mary’sChurch,ChurchRoad,Cowesis holdingaJigsawFestivalfrom10a.m.to4 p.m.daily.ForSale-new,completeand usedjigsaws,booksandclothing.Free Entry.Lightrefreshmentswillbeavailable, andthechurchwillbeopentolookround. Creditanddebitcardpaymentsaccepted, andproceedshelptomaintainthis beautifuloldchurch.

Friday5thMay–CoffeeMorningat NorthwoodCemeterybetween10:30am and12:30pm.Thismonth’sthemeis “SpringTombola”.Drinksandbiscuitsare availablefreeofcharge.Everyone welcome–Justcomethroughthecemetery gatesandyouwillbegivenawarm welcome.HostedbyFriendsofNorthwood Cemetery.

Sunday7th May–CowesTownCouncil andCommunityPartnersinviteyoutoThe OfficialCowesCoronationCelebration “PicnicinthePark”from12–5pmin NorthwoodPark.AFREEcommunity eventforCowes.

Sunday7th May–FreshwaterBay CoronationBigLunch.Joininand celebrateKingCharlesIIICoronation frommiddayuntil6pm.Bringapicnic orenjoyahogroastandcreamteasand cakesfromDimbolateaRoom.Live musicalldayandchildren’sactivities.

Sunday7th May–Antiquesand CollectablesFairfrom10am–3pmat RoyalVictoriaArcade,UnionStreet, Ryde.Books,jewellery,vintageitems, furniture,silverandmuchmore.Free admissionandlocatedinawonderful localRydeattractionwithacaféonsite.

Thursday11th May-TheMusic PlayhouseatFreshwaterMethodist, BrooksideRoad.2pmto3:30pm.Live vocalsandmusicians.Lyricsheets providedforFilmMusical&1950/60’s PopCulturesongs.Tea/coffee& biscuitsinterlude.Eventdonations towardsBreatheEasyIW.

Wednesday17th May-Blokes,Bacon Butties&BanteratFreshwaterMethodist, BrooksideRoad.From10:30amto12pm. Localmenfromallwalksoflifehaving theirownmonthlychitchat.Turnupand joinin.

Saturday20th&Sunday21stMay–RydabusVintageBusesWeekend2023. Withawiderangeofvintagebuseson routesfromthe60's,70's&80's.Rydabus involvelocalattractionsandeventsand provideatimetableoffreevintageservices toservethesepartners.Mostofthe vehiclesusedarefromtheMuseum’s collection,supplementedbyasmall numberofvisitingbuses.Buya programmefromwww.rydabus.co.uk. Includestimetables,routemapandlotsof offersanddiscountsatparticipating attractions,cafesandshops!Funforthe wholefamily.

Alleventinformationwascorrectattimeofprintbutcouldbesubjecttochangeatanytime.

DATESFOR YOURDIARY

Friday26th May–Monday29th May–YarmouthSeaSongsFestival.Alongwith oneoflargestannualgatheringsofgaffriggedboatsintheUK,withupto100 boatsattending,the‘ YarmouthSeaSongs Festival’ willbetakingplaceonceagainon TheGreen,oppositeYarmouthHarbour. Someoftheactswillalsobeappearingat variousvenuesaroundYarmouthoverthe weekendinadditiontoonthemainstagein themarqueeon YarmouthGreen.

Saturday27th& Sunday28thMayCowesArtGroup SpringExhibition. GurnardVillageHall, 10amto4pm. Exhibitionandsaleof art.Watercolours,oils, pastelsetc.Varietyof stylesandsubject matter.Tea,coffeeand cakesforsale.Free entry,allwelcome.

What’shappeninginourareaby

‘LocalandVocal’LoraPeacey-Wilcox

MILLHILLROAD:Ihaveraised concernsoverthestateofMillHillroad fromtheCo-optotheCemetery. ApparentlyaccordingtoIslandroads,its ’notsevereenoughtowarrantwork’? REALLY?Letitcollapseentirelybefore theyresurface……??!!

COVIDMEMORIALSTONE: Iam finally‘settled'asthestonetomarkthose welostduringcovidhasbeeninstalled.My absolutethankstoCowesTownCouncil fortheirsupport,bothfinanciallyand arrangingandagreeingtohaveitinstalled. Also,IWCouncilandNorthwoodHouse whoselandit’son.

WechosetheRoseBedonParkRoad,asit isprotectedbyametalfenceandroses (limitedchanceofdamage).Asyoulookat thestoneyouhavethebeautifulbackdrop ofStMary’sChurchandNorthwoodPark. Itisonabusrouteforeasyaccess,and ampleparkingrightnextdoor.Seats alreadyinplaceforpeopletositand remember.Itisadignifiedandimposing memorial.WeALLknowpeoplewelost duringthepandemic;manyofuscouldnot attendfunerals,Idohopeyouwillgoand seeit,andtakecareofitforperpetuity. ThankstoWightstonemasonrywhodida remarkablejobonmakingandinstalling; noeasyfeatwiththeweightandsizeofthe stone.Sincerely,Iamverygratefulfor everyone’ssupport.Yes,IdidcrywhenI sawitandwhenitwasinstalled.AsMayor atthetimeduringCovid,Iwasproudto movethisprojectforward.

THINKINGAHEAD: Ihaveraisedthis issueanumberoftimesinthepast.Iam contactedweeklybyresidentswantingme todealwithawholehostofissuesasthey age;fromadaptations,wantingtomove.It isbecomingmoredifficulttofindhousing andhomesforpeople……indeed,some residentshavehadtobemovedtothe mainlandaswerunoutof accommodation.PLEASE,thinkahead.

At50Imadethechoiceto makethebreakfromthe familyhomeand‘prepare’ foroldage!!ThematerialsI usedinthehomeandthethoughtthatwent intoit,willmean,foralmostevery eventualityIcanremaininthishome.Even tothepointofbarelyneedinganyoneto maintaintheproperty.Pleasethinkahead. Prepareasmuchasyoucan.Iamalways happytoadvise.

HELP:www.islefindit.org.ukPlease contactthiswebsiteforhelpandsupport withalmostanyissueyoumayhave.From grieving,todebt,fromlegaladviceto housingandfinances.Andpleasesharethe websitedetailstoothers.

Asalways,thequickestwaytogetintouch isviaemail:lora08@sky.comor 07970424214

Natalie & The Team are pleased to announce that

The

Quirky Teapot

is reopening on Thursday 6th April and they can’t wait to see you there.

All Electrical Work Undertaken

Bring

this

advert with you for 10% discount (valid until 31/5/23)

Normal opening hours

Wed - Sat from 10am - 4pm

Stapleshurst Grange, Staplers Road, Newport, PO30 2LU

TheQuirkyTeapot

TheQuirkyTeapotreopenedtheirdoorsin earlyAprilfortheirsecondyearoftrading andmuchtothedelightoftheirregular customerswhohavemissedthemoverthe wintermonths.OwnerNatalie,has rechargedherbatteriesandtakenonanew cookandtogethertheyhavebeenplanning somemouth-wateringmenusandupdates totheiralreadypopularlunchesand afternoonteas.Theyarerenownedfor theircakesandthesearedefinitelystaying onthemenu.

TheQuirkyTeapotisavintagetearoom withquirkinessandalovely,relaxed feelingmakingittheperfectplacefora morningcoffee,lunchandafternoontea withcakes.Theyarelocatedonthe outskirtofNewportwithinafarmsetina beautifulcourtyardwithsurrounding countrysideviewsandinthesunshine,you reallycouldn’taskforanythingmore.

Domestic and Commercial

Design / Installation / Improvements

Home Automation

Inspection & Reports

Fault finding & Repairs

All Types of Lighting

Computer Network Cabling

Decor Perfection

Domestic Decorating Services Half room to whole house

TheyarecurrentlyopenWednesdaytoSaturdayfrom10am–4pmandtheyare definitelyworthavisitandremembertotakethisadvertwithyoufora10%discount. Theyoftenhaveeventsaccompaniedwithlivemusicandtheywillonceagainbe availableforprivatepartiesandcelebrationsandNataliewillcontinueopeningthe tearoomforpopupevents,workshopsandmuchmore.FollowTheQuirkyTeapoton Facebookformoredetailsoftheirevents.

Don’tjusttakemywordforit…headoverthereandseeforyourself.Youwillfind moredetailsonhermainadvertabove.

Sudoku WordLadder

Awordladderisasequenceofwords formedbychangingjustonelettereach time.Canyoufindthemissingword? Usethecluesifyougetstuck.

BIRDCAGE

COCKATOO

EGRET

FLAMINGO

FLOCK

HEN

NIGHTHAWK

OWL PARAKEET

REDWING

SWAN

SYRINX

TAIL

WATERTHRUSH

Birds

Lastmonth'sanswersforWordLadder:-cross,crops,coops,corps,carps,parts,party,parry,harry,harpy,happy

Thismonth’sfrontcoverphotoofalittle owlwastakenbyTrampWoodsofTWM WildlifeandNatureIsleofWight.

Thisbeautifullittleowlwasintroducedto theUKinthe19thcentury.Itcanbeseen inthedaylight,usuallyperchingonatree branch,telegraphpoleorrock.Itwillbob itsheadupanddownwhenalarmed.In flightithaslong,roundedwings,rapid wingbeatsandflieswithaslight undulation.

TWMWildlifeandNatureIsleofWightis alocalgroupformedbyTrampWoodsand WarrenMasonandtheyarecurrently workingonmanylocalprojects,from holdingwildlifephotographysessionsfor thosewhoneedhelpinunderstandingand settinguptheircameras,totipsandtricks intogettingbetterphotosofthewildlifeon theisland.Thesesessionsarepublished throughtheirFacebookgroupandhave becomeverypopularandarebeingenjoyed bymany.

TheTrampwasrecentlyaskedbythe Hampshire&IOWWildlifeTrusttodoa talkforthem,showinganarrayofhis picturesplustalkingaboutrelevantstories. TheeveningwasasuccessthatTWM WildlifeandNatureIsleofWightarenow settinguptheirowntalksabout photographyandtellingtheirstories.These eventscanbeheldinvenuesorbrought directtoyou!Asmanypeopleareunable toventureoutintothecountryside,dueto variousreasons,thisistheirwayofraising people'sspirits,soifanyoneisinterested thendocontactthemviatheirFacebook pageorforthosenotonFacebook,youcan getintouchwithmyself(Debbie,The Editor)andIwillpassonthedetails.

AbigthankyoutoTheTrampforthis fantasticfrontcover–Ican’twaittosee whattheywillshowusnext.

Theviewsandopinionsexpressedby contributorsandadvertisersaretheirown anddonoreflecttheviewsoftheeditor orIslandMagazinesunlessstated otherwise.IslandMagazineshastheright torefuseoraltermaterialwhere necessary.

TheFriendsofStMary’sHospitalCharity hascomethoroughsometurbulenttimes inthelastfewyears,butthegoodnewsis thattheyhavesurvivedtotellthetale.

Inspiteofbeingasmalleroperationwith justtheshoponthegroundfloorfoyer, theyhavemadeitto2023inahealthy stateandarecontinuingtosupportand supplementtheexcellentserviceatthe Island’sNHSTrust,withtheirmissionto raisemoneytoprovideequipmentand facilitiestohelpmaketheexperience betterfor patientsandstaff.

LesleyMyland,Chairof TrusteesofFriendsofSt Mary’sHospital,said“thank youtothosewhohelpedus withtheirkinddonationsand fundraisingefforts,anda thankyoutootothosestaff, volunteersandtrusteeswho haveworkedsohardtokeep theretailserviceandthe Charitygoingindifficulttimes.Weshouldalsothank thestaffatStMary’swhohavegoneoutoftheirwayto useourshopandkeepusprofitableenoughtochannel fundstotheCharity.

Wewereabletoprovide£49,000worthofequipment lastyearincludingnewwheelchairsatboththemainandnorthreceptiondesksfor volunteerstousewhensupportingvisitorstothetrustwhomayhavemobilityproblems.

WewereabletosupplykeyrapidresponseequipmentknownasanEMMAdeviceto therapidresponsekitthatisheldbythe on-callODPteamandfinallywewere abletosupplyresourcessuchasgames, booksandsensorytoysforthe PaediatricsOccupationalTherapy Department.Wearealsoveryexcited aboutfundingaveryspecialimmersive trainingexperienceinthenew ambulancecentre.Thisisfocusedon improvingimmediatecareontheIsland tosavelivesincriticalsituationsbothfor individualsandthoseinvolvedinamajor incident”.

PleasekeeponsupportingtheFriendsof StMary’sintheirworkforyourhospital.

Mostofmytimeoverthelastmonthhas beenspentonhousing.HelpingCllr Stephensdevelopahousingstrategy, talkingtodevelopersabouttheneedfor trulyaffordablehousingandhavingrobust conversationswithotherCouncillorsabout theneedtoprovideeveryonewiththeir ownfrontdoor.

I'vebeentryingtohelpaladyfind accommodationasherlandlordisselling thehomeshehaslivedinfor25years.It's notbeeneasy.

ThelandonMarketHill,whichhas becomeveryovergrown,isnowsubjectto anenforcementordertoclearitup.Well donetothegroupofneighboursthatgot togethertomaketheirvoicesheard.

ParkingondoubleyellowlinesonGordon Roadhasalsobecomemoreofaproblem. I'vereportedittoParkingServicesand IslandRoadsandaskanyoneelsetodothe same.

Andareminderforanyoneneedinghelp withbillsoranyadviceongeneral,contact citizensadviceon03444111444

Mondays

WeeklyRhymeTimeforbabies&toddlers 11-11.30am.Afunsessionof songsandrhymes!It'sfreeandthereisnoneedtobook.

CowesLibraryGamesClubforAdults everyfirstandthirdMondayofthe month10am-12pm.Playanassortmentofboardgamesorcards withafriendlygroup.Refreshmentsprovided.It'sfreesojustpopalong.

Tuesdays

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

Wednesdays

PhiloCafé. Philosophicaldiscussiongroupheldonthe1stWednesdayofthemonth 7-9pm.Noneedtobook,justgoalong. PleaseNote:May'smeetinghasbeen cancelled,butwillresumeinJune.

Thursdays

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

Fridays

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

AMultiplytutor willbeatCowesLibraryinMayofferingfreemathsworkshopsfor adultlearnerswhowanttoimprovetheirnumeracyskills. Providingfreecoursesthatareflexiblydeliveredaroundpeople’slives,whetherat theirworkplace,intheevening,online,intensiveorthroughpersonalisedsupport. Findoutmoreaboutcoursesavailableat www.iow.gov.uk/ACLcoursesorcontact AdultCommunityLearningon01983817280oremail:lisa.mcginty@iow.gov.ukCheckwithCowesLibraryfordateofMay'svisit.

Friday26thMay CowesFringeFestivaleventatCowesLibrary 7-8.30pm.ThePathto Publication:AWorkshopforBuddingWritersandCuriousReaderswithFelicityFair Thompson,authorofGrandpa’sDearOldGirlandJulieWatson,authorofTravel Takeaways:AroundtheWorldinFortyTales.Thisworkshopwillexplorehowtogo aboutitandwhattoexpectwhenyouarereadytopublish.Theeventisfreewith refreshmentsprovided.BookingisadvisablebycontactingCowesLibraryon01983 293341oremail: coweslibrary@iow.gov.uk

Saturdays

Children'sGamesClub: FirstSaturdayofthemonth10.30am-12pm

CasualChessforallages: FirstSaturdayofthemonth10am-2pm

LegoClub: LastSaturdayofthemonth10am-12pm

JuniorColouringClub: ThirdSaturdayofthemonth2-4pmwithcolouring,drawing andbeingcreative.Allmaterialsprovided.

Withallchildren'sactivities,childrenneedtobeaccompaniedbyanadult throughout.

VectisHistoricalandHeritageWargamingGroup meetmonthlyonSaturdaysatCowes Libraryusuallybetween10amand4pmwithabreakforlunch.Thenextmeetingis on20thMay.Anylevelofinterestorexperiencewelcome.Modelsareprovidedand it'sfreetoattend.Recommendedage16+.ContactCowesLibraryon01983293341 oremailWillBossman: wdbossman@gmail.com formoreinformation. 17

Somemorescamwarningsfrom

TradingStandards

� ActionFraudarereceivinglarge numbersofreportsrelatingtoascamthatsteals accesstoavictim’s#whatsappaccount.The scambeginswhenacriminalgetsaccessto anotherWhatsAppaccountwhichhasyoulisted asacontact.Thecriminal,posingasyourfriendorsomeonethat’samemberofa WhatsAppgroupyou’rein,willthensendyouseeminglynormalmessagestotryand startaconversationwithyou.However,aroundthesametimeyouwillreceiveatext messagefromWhatsAppwithasix-digitcode.

ThisisbecausethecriminalhasbeentryingtologintoWhatsAppusingyourmobile number.

Thecriminalwillclaimthattheysentyoutheircodebyaccidentandaskyoutohelp thembysendingittothem.Oncethecriminalhasthiscode,theycanlogintoyour WhatsAppaccountandlockyouout.

ThecriminalwillthenusethesametacticwithyourWhatsAppcontactsinaneffortto stealmoreaccountsandusethemtoperpetratefraud.

Whatcanyoudo?

Setuptwo-stepverification togiveanextralayerofprotectiontoyouraccount.Tap Settings>Account>Two-stepverification>Enable.

STOP.THINK.CALL. Ifafamilymemberorfriendmakesanunusualrequeston WhatsApp,alwayscallthepersontoconfirmtheiridentity.

Nevershareyouraccount’sactivationcode (that’sthe6-digitcodeyoureceivevia SMS)

Youcan reportspammessages orblockasenderwithinWhatsApp.Pressandholdon themessagebubble,select‘Report’andthenfollowtheinstructions

� Aresidenthasreportedreceivingaphonecallstatingthattherehadbeen2 transferrequeststhroughtheInternationalMonetaryFundfromtheirbankaccount–andtoldthemtopress1todiscuss–DON’Tthisisascamandwillinvolvealongand exhaustingconversationwithascammerwhowilltrytoconvinceyouthattheyneedto “refund”moneytoyouandobtainingyourdetailstodoso.

� ArecentreportonITV’sThisMorningshowedtheharmcausedbyfallingfora Clairvoyantscamandincludedaninterviewwithacarerwhofortunatelyrealisedthat thepersonshecaredforwassendingcashtoascammerhowevernotbeforethisperson hadsentover£48,000.Ifyoucareforanyone,whetherasacareerorasafamily memberorfriendbeawareofscamsandhowtheyoperate.GototheNationalTrading Standardsscamteam“FriendsAgainstScams”awarenesssessionandlearnhowtospot ascamandhowtosupportavictim.