Island Magazines April 23 East Cowes & Whippingham area

Tel:07528586683

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)

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?

Beforewe hadthe luxuryof electricity peopleused candleclocks totellthe timeand wakeupby.

Acandle clockworks

byburninga candleata constantrate andmarking thecandleorholderatregularintervals, suchaseveryhalf-inch,toindicatehow muchtimehaspassed.

Themostbasicdesign,whichwasusedin AncientRome,involvedplacingacandlein ametalholderandinsertingmetalnails intothecandleatpredeterminedintervals. Whenthewaxreachesthedesiredlevelof melting,thenail clattersintothemetal base,wakingthe personup.Thiswas probablythesimplest substituteforroosters, streetcries,and(of course)factory whistlesforthe workers.

Thismethodalso allowedthemtohave a‘snoozebutton’orin thosedaysa‘snooze nail’

Withthepriceof electricityatthe momentitmightbe

worthbringingthisinventionbacktomoderndaylife.

Monday8.30am—6.00pm

Tuesday8.30am—6.00pm

Wednesday8.30am—6.00pm

Thursday8.30am—6.00pm

Friday8.30am—6.00pm

Saturday9.00am—5.30pm

SundayClosed

Pleasenotethatweareclosedeveryday between1pm-2pm

THIS SIZE ADVERT COULD BE YOURS FOR JUST £17

For more information email islandmagazines@gmail.com or call 07880 587 931

SUBSCRIBE

Nevermissoutonreadingacopyof IslandMagazines.

Ifyoucan’tgetouttopickupacopy fromlocaldistributorsyoucan subscribetoeitherour‘PRINTED’or ‘DIGITAL’editioneachmonth.

For digitalsubscriptions pleaseemail eastcowesmagazine@gmail.comand includethewords‘subscribedigital’in theemail,thensitback,relaxandwait forthenextissuetodropintoyour inbox.

For printedsubscriptions therewillbea smallchargefor£1.20permonth payable6monthsinadvance.To subscribeemail islandmagazines@gmail.comwith yournameandaddressandwhich areayouwouldlikeorcalluson 07880587931.

OnApril5th ifyouventureoutsideyouwill seeaPinkMoon,subjecttotherebeinga clearsky.APinkMoonisthefirstMoonof Spring,it’saPaschalFullMoon.Thename cameforwardinthe1930’sandreferstothe AprilFullMoon.EasterSundaythisyearis onthe9th April,oneweeksoonerthan2022. Thefirstthingtounderstandisthatthe Moonhasadifferentcalendaryeartothe Earth.WhileEarthtakes364.25daysto orbittheSun,theMoontakes29.5daysto orbittheEarth.So,thelunaryearis354.3 days.There’sa10or11-daylagbetweenthe two.EasteriscelebratedonthefirstSunday afterthePaschalMoon. I’mafraidIhave alreadyeatenseveralEasterEggsasIlove themsomuch.I’mluckytohavethemallto myselfasDavidonlylikeswhitechocolate eggs.IhopeyouallenjoyyourEaster whateverthismeansandrepresentstoyou.

EastCowesTownCouncilnews.The CouncilhasbeenJoinedbyDavePiddleas newTownCouncilloraftertheresignation ofSimonWalker.Simonhasbeena councilloronanoffformanyyearsandwe wishhimwellinhisretirementandalso wishDavidwellinhisnewrole.TheAnnual TownMeetingwilltakeplaceonThursday 27th Aprilat6pmintheTownHall.Thisis adedicatedtimeforyoutocomealongand askquestionsofyourcouncillors.TheEast CowesCurveholdsa‘RhymeTime’session foryoungtoddlersandchildrenon WednesdayMorning’sat10.15.Thereis coffeeandteaavailableandit’sfreeto attendandthereisnoneedtobook.The aimistosupportchildren’slearningand developmentinawarmwelcoming environment.TheCurve,attachedtothe TownHall,alsooffersawarmspacetodrop inandhaveacoffee.

OurtownPCSOalsovisitstheCurve regularlytoreceiveanyquestionsand concernsyouhave.Moreinformationon thiscanbeobtainedfromtheCurveStaff. OurTownCouncilwillalsobeaddinganew facilitytotheVictoriaRecreationGround withaFootballPitchandpermanentGoal Postsforalltoenjoy.Wewillmarkoutthe pitchforouryoungpeopletolearnnew

skills,teamworkandcompetitivesports.The NextCommunityTheatreattheTownHall ison8th Aprilat6.45andpresenting,The GrandBudapestHotel(Cert15).Bringalong yourpopcornandmeetnewfriends.

PlanningfortheCoronationeventsarewell underwayandEastCowesneverfailstolive uptoitsRoyalheritage.TheCoronationof TheKingand TheQueenConsort willtake placeat WestminsterAbbey on Saturday6th May2023 andthiswillbescreenedinthe TownHall.Let’smakeitapartycelebration. Allarewelcometoattendandwaveflagsand wearyoursparklyjewels,bethempreciousor not.Theservicewillbeconductedbythe ArchbishopofCanterburyandwillreflect theMonarch'sroletodayandlooktowards thefuture.OurTownCraftersarehardat workpreparingdecorationsandtheyhave somespecialthingsplannedforit.On Sunday,7thMay2023,aspecial CoronationConcertwillbestagedand broadcastlivefromWindsorCastlebythe BBCandthiswillbescreenedliveinthe JubileeRecreationGround,YorkAve,on abigdigitalscreen.Wrapupwarmand bringhotwaterbottlesandsomethingto warmthecockles.It’sgoingtobeanight toremembersopleasecomealongand enjoythespiritofourcommunityand RoyalHeritage,wearbrightclothingand bringlotsofflagstohelpmakethisevent standoutandsparkle.Moreinformationto follow.On8th May,it’stheCoronationBig Lunchwhichalsocomplimentsthe25th anniversaryoftheEastCowesTownCouncil andtherewillbeaneventheldintheTown Hallincluding‘TheBigHelpOut’,which willencouragepeopletotryvolunteering forthemselvesandjointheworkbeing undertakentosupporttheirlocal areas.Moreinformationtofollow.

EastCowesEsplanadeisaquitewonderful place,todaywewatchedthecormorants fishinganddivingdowndeep.Mrorperhaps MrsSealisaregularvisitortotheesplanade alongwiththevisitingbrentgeeseandmy favourites,theturnstones.Thisyearwehave alsoseen4PurplePipers.Theesplanadehas

muchtooffertoeveryoneanditisyourtown council’sintention,laterintheyear,to upgradethetoiletfacilities.Onethingisfor certain,it’sdowntoourlocalpeopletotake actiontoimproveourtownfacilitiesbecause thereisverylittleleftinthecountypotfor eventhemostbasicofthings.Wewelcome peoplefishingfromtheseawallbutplease don’tblockthepaths.It’sgoodtoseepeople enjoyingtheesplanadeinallitsformsand wewillbemakingfurtherimprovementsin thecomingmonthsandyears.

Wehavemanyresidentsinourtownwho requireaccessibilityparkingbaysadjacentto theirhomesandproperties.Thesebaysare assessedandthenplacedbyIslandroadsfor manyreasons.Ifaparkingbayisnolonger neededtheycanberemoved.Ifyouno longerrequireabay,canyouinformIsland roads,pleaseortheIsleofWightCouncil. PleasecanIrequestthatpeopledon’tparkin thesebaysunlessitisessentialandthento vacatethemassoonaspossible.Thebaysare placedbecausesomeonelivingtherehasa veryspecificneedlikereducedmobility.I knowitmightbefrustratingwhenparkingis solimitedinsomestreetsbutthepainor issuesforthepeoplewhoneedthebayscan begreat.

TheCommunityPantryatEastCowes Pavilion,runbyCommunitySpirited,has continuedtogrowandnowhasmorethan 275members.Theywelcomeandthankall whomakedonationsoffoodgifts.The Pavilionalsooffersasafespacetopopinand thereareanumberofcommunityactivities operatingfromthere.Pleasefeelfreetodrop byforacoffeeandchat.

DawnHaig-Thomas,oneofourownTowns peoplewillbecomethenextHighSheriff takingoverfromKayMarriottwhowasalso aformerresidentofourtown.Kayhasdone anamazingJoboverthelastyearand appearedintheTVprogramme‘Isleof Wight–JeweloftheSouth.WethankKay forherservicesandwishDawnallthevery bestinhernewrole.Dawnisworkingto addresstheissuesofLiteracyforIsleof WightPrimarySchoolchildren,tosupport thegoodworkoftheteachers.Theconcept issimple,butvolunteersareneededtolisten tochildrenreadinginschools,helpingthem

withvocabularyandunderstanding.More volunteersareneededforEastCowesand Dawnwouldbehappyforyoutocontact heratdhaigthomas@gmail.comifyouare abletohelpsupportthisschemeandlearn moreaboutit.Literacylevelsdropped significantlyduetothepandemic. AccordingtotheLiteracyTrust,just68% ofpupilsontheIslandareattheir chronologicalreadingage.Thisis6%lower thanthenationalaverageandDawnwants tohelpaddressthisandI’mverysupportive soifyoucansparesometime,pleasegetin touchwithDawn.

Finally,Iwantedtosaythankyoutoall thosewhohavecontactedDavidandI aboutourappearanceinthefinalepisode ofIsleofWight-JeweloftheSouth.We hadalotoffunparticipatingasI’msure everyoneelsedid.Wewereapproached earlylastsummertoparticipateinour businesscontextasasmallB&Bonthe Islandandfollowingourlivesinour community.Wewantedtopromoteour townandthehiddencommunitieswhich existhereonourIsland.Theylikedour TucTucandthefactthatIamalsoalocal politician,multitaskingandworkingwith David,volunteeringforourcommunity. Wewantedthefocustobeonlocalpeople andthefunthingsasopposedtothecounty councilroleIalsofulfil.Wehadsuchalot offunfilmingandhopeitexpresses somethingofthereasonthatwefeelEast Cowesisaspecialplace.Itfollowsonfrom theStoryofOsborneHouseandthe Gardeningtwinsandourtownissovery steepedinhistory.Therearemanylocal storiesofnationalinterestyettobetold. Ourtownhasreceivedgoodcoveragein thisTVseries.DavidandIknowhow muchlocalpeoplematterincreatinga strongwelcomingcommunityandthisis therealstoryofEastCowes.

Wearealllookingforwardtoasummerof loveandfun.Iknowmanypeopleare strugglingfinanciallyandourtowncouncil isprogressiveanddeterminedtosupport youwhereverwecan.

Iwishyouall,averyHappyEasterand muchfamilyfun.

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

SpringCleaningMadeEasy

Theweatheriswarmingupandit’stimetothinkabout fresheningupourhomesfortheseasonsaheadandgetting onwiththeyearlyspringclean.

Althoughthismayseemlikeadauntingtaskbybreaking itdownintobitesizepiecesitcanbeeasilymanageable. Makeachecklistforeachroomandthinkabouttheplaces whichdon’tgettheattentioninanormalclean.

Thisisagoodtimetopullthefurnitureoutandvacuum orsweepbehindit.Thetopofkitchencupboardsandon topofthefridge/freezerareplacesthatoftenget overlooked.Skirtingboardsaregreatatcollectingdust andhaveyougotceilinglampshadesthatcoulddowitha clean?

Interiordoorsoftengetneglectedandaonceoverwitha wetclothcanbringthemuptoaniceshine.Windows,frames,frontdoorandthe surroundshouldbecleanedinsideandout.It’ssurprisinghowmuchdirtandgrime cansticktothem.

Onlytacklearoomatatimeotherwiseitwillbecome overwhelming.Byorganisinganddeclutteringeachroomasyou go,decidingwhethertokeep,donate,sellorbin.Onceyouhave decidedthendealwitheachpileassoonasyoucan.i.e.binthe itemsyounolongerwant,droptheitemsfordonationtothe charityshoporcharitybinandputawaytheitemsyouwantto keep.

Ifyouhaveyoursummerclothesstored awaynowisthetimetogetthemoutand decidewhatyoureallywanttokeepand whatyoucandonateorsell.It’satimeto reallythinkaboutwhetheryouwillwearit again,doesitfitproperlyanddoyouneed itorcanyoudonateforsomeoneelseto enjoy.Whenpackingawayyourautumn andwinterwardroberememberifyouhaven’twornitthis seasonthenyoudon’tneeditandnoyouaren’tgoingtofitin thosejeansnextyearsothereisnopointinkeepingthemjust incase!

AlthoughIdreadthespringclean,wellthethoughtofitmore thantheactualtask,Ialwaysfeelcleansedandsatisfied afterwardsandfeellikeI’veachievedsomething.Icanthensitdown,haveaglassof wineandanextralargepieceofcakeknowingthatIhaveearntthemandmyhome isnowspring/summerready.

Age

We can loan you a smart tablet or phone (with data included) and provide one to one tuition to get you started online, safely and confidently.

DATESFORYOURDIARY

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

EveryThursday–MelodicChoirmeetat WhippinghamCommunityHall,2 AlverstoneRoad,EastCowesfrom6:45pm to8:45pm.Noneedtoauditionortoread music.Newmemberswelcome.Formore informationcontactKayon07956149091.

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

Saturday1st April–TheIsleofWight VintageMotorcycleClub5th Annual VintageandClassicMotorcycleShow. From10amto4pmatTheWinter Gardens,Ventnor.£3entry(Cashonly).

Sunday2nd April–EasterWell-beingand CraftEventatWhippinghamCommunity Centrefrom10amto2pm.Taster treatments,crafts,refreshmentsandraffle. RaisingfundsforMountbattenHospice.

Monday3rd April–DinosaurFunDayat SandownRailwayStationfrom10am–4pm.Comeandjointhedinosaurfunon thetrainandatSandownStation’sGaslight Café.Followthedinosaurfootprintsinthe JurassicLosAltosParkanddiscover dinosaureggs.Lotstodoandsee. SupportedbyIslandLine.

Saturday8th April–EasterChickHuntat PuckpoolPark.Ages3–10.9:30amstart. £4perchild.BookingessentialattheOld Barracks.Telephone615766

Saturday8th April–AnnualEasterHunt atBradingRomanVillainaidofDaisy ChainsIWfrom11amto4pm.Egg hunt,magicshow,historiesshow,Peter Rabbitmeetandgreet,balloonmodelling andmuchmoreallincludedinthehunt priceof£3.50perchild.Tickets www. tickettailor.com/events/characterevents

Sunday9th April–EasterBonnetParade andEggThrowingCompetitionat SeaviewYachtClub/Esplanade.Prizes andFunRaffle.2pm.

Saturday15th April–SpringTailsDog Walk.Meet11amatTheCrownInn ShorwellCarParkforapproximately1 hour15-minutewalk.FinishingatThe CrownwhereafreeBuddyBixtreatawaits yourdog.Freeandallwelcome.Alldogs mustbekeptonalead.

Monday17th April–EastCowes MethodistChurchLadiesGroupinvite youtoaconcertinthechurchbythe CowesConcertBandat7:45pm.Raffle andcollectionforthebandandtheladies charityTheIsleofWightHeartCare Club.

Saturday22nd April–VectisPostcard StampandEphemeraFairatMasonic Hall,JohnStreet,Ryde–From10amto3 pm.Freeadmission.BothIslandand Mainlanddealers.Everyonewelcome.

Friday28th April–FlowerFestivalandSt PetersChurch,Seaview.Churchopenall weekendforvisitorstoview.

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

Alleventinformationwascorrectattimeofprintbutcouldbesubjecttochangeatanytime.

Bloom Hairdressing

Salon Style in the comfort of your own home. Fully qualified. Over 30 years experience in all areas of hairdressing.

Please call Kirsty for all enquiries 01983 539975 or 07773 571187

Fully Covid-19 compliant

Bloom Hairdressing

www.bloomhairdressing.co.uk

WENDY DEBENHAM Soft Furnishings

WENDY DEBENHAM

curtains- pelmets - blinds loose covers - cushions and all types of home furnishings. Made to order measuring service & free quotes

call 07870 915 824 or 401411

email: wendydebenham@gmail.com

Come and see us at our showroom in Brading for all your soft furnishing needs.

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

ContactDetails:-07483251960oremail:-michaelpaler@btinternet.com

G'Dayeveryone,herewegointoAprilwiththeweathergettingbetterwithEaster weekendlookinggood.

OnmytravelsthismonthIhavecomeacrosssomegoodfood,namelyBlackgangBakes whohadastallattheEastCowesMarketintheTownHall.

TheBrickHackwasofficiallyopenedby TheHighSheriffoftheIsleofWight KayMarriottwhoalsopresenteda communityawardtoSarahBurdettfor herservicetotheEastCowesHeritage societyandtheIsleofWightSociety. Theeventwaswellattendedat WhippinghamChurchHall.

TheChurchcafewillopenfortheseason MondaytoThursdayfrom10-4PM.

Therehasbeenwidecoverageinthe mediaaboutBetty'sDoorwhoapplied foranalcohollicensefrom11amto4pm withafewdaystill8.30pm.TheEast CowesTownCouncilgotthemselvesinapickleastheonlyobjectionandlostonthe appealandBetty'sisalwaysfulleverydayasyougobyandgoodlucktothem.

TheEastCowesHeritageCentreandClassicBoatMuseumbothattendedtheHeritage Fairheldatthe‘Department’inRyde.TheeventhadbeenorganisedbyCommunity Action,withgroupsfromallpartsoftheIsland.Ifyouwouldliketovolunteerlocally, popintoseethem, everyoneiswelcomeand it’sagreatwaytomake newfriends.

Theplanshavenowbeen seenastowhatwillbeon AlbanyGreen,thisshould starttobeworkedonsoon aswellastheBarracks whowillhouseUKSA’s newcentrewith renovationsstartinginthe nextfewmonths.

IhavebeenattendinggigsattheMedina BookshopinCoweswhichhas internationalsingersappearingtofull housesonMondayevenings.

(IsleofWightBus&RailUsersGroup)

Weareholdingour

MEMBERSMEETING

NewportMethodistChurch,QuayStreet,Newport at11.15amon22ndApril2023at

Allpublictransportusersarewelcometoattend theirfirstmeetingasa“taster”withoutbeinga member

IWBRUGisavoluntarybody,establishedin1985andmeeting eachmonthinNewport.Thegroupexiststopromotethe interestsofbusandrailusersandtocampaignfor improvementsinpublictransportandencourageitswideruse toreduceCO2emissionsontheIsland.

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

Therehasalsobeen movementontheFilm StudioatKingston MarineParkthatwill beannouncedatthe endofnextmonth. HaveagoodEaster, takecareandseeyou around.

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

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.

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

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

Herearejustafewdandelionfacts.

Dandelionsrepresent3different celestialbodiesat3differentphasesof theirlife.Theplant’syellowflower representsthesun.Thedispersedseeds looklikethestars.Finally,thepuffy dandelionballhasasimilarappearance tothemoon.

Theseeds(thepartsoftheplantthatfly away)cantravelfor5milesafterbeing dispersed!

Everypartoftheflowerparthassome use–flower,roots,andleaves.Itcanbe usedforfood,medicine,andcolouring dye.

Theleavesoftheplanthavetooth-like featuresattheiredges.Theycanbe2to 10inchesinlength.Theplants themselvescanbe17inchestall.

Theflowerismadeofmultipleminiatureflowers,eachoneadistinctindividual.These areknownasrayflorets.Itopenswhenthesunrisesandclampsupwhenthesunsets. 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'.

Community Spirited Care & Support Hub

based at the Parkside Pavilion, Vectis Road, East Cowes, PO32 6HN Community Spirited

We are keen to hear from dedicated carers & volunteers to help us serve our local community.

Giving you the warmth and care of a family, with the trust and support of a friend...

We are the only care agency based in East Cowes. We offer support packages which are designed to be flexible to keep you independent in your own home.

Please call or email for a comprehensive information pack

Our Groups... where everyone is welcome

Mental Wellness

What’s on your mind?

Tuesday 1.30-3.30 - FREE (1:1 sessions available by appointment)

Crafty Knit & Natter bring a project or start something new or just

come along for the company - £2.

Wednesday 10.30-12.30

Are you struggling with the rising costs of living?

Join

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE EAST COWES PANTRY

For £5 a week you will receive £15 in food. Please call in and find out more. Open Tue 1.30 - 3.30, Wed & Thur 10.30 -12.30

Games - (enjoy a bacon sandwich for just £1)

Thursday 10.30-12.30 - £2

Refreshments, laughter & good company are included in all groups!