Island Magazines February 23 East Cowes & Whippingham area

Email: wightmoths@gmail.com

Tel: 07528 586683

Following on from last month’s article, I hope as many of you managed to take part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch at the end of January. I am continuing the bird theme in February while the majority of our insects are still in hibernation, although you are likely to see a butterfly on a sunny day towards the end of the month. I would love to hear from you if you see one, especially if you get a photo.

As the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Regional Representative, my role includes organising the national bird surveys on the Island and promoting the organisation’s events. We have a great event in February for you, the National Nest Box Week which runs from 1421 February.

Many of us are aware of how vital it is to feed our garden birds, but it’s also just as important that they have a suitable shelter and site for breeding. With natural habitats such as trees and hedgerows being lost to development and the increase in urban housing, some of our garden birds struggle to find a safe shelter to rear their young.

However, we can all do our bit to help so why not site a nest box in your garden or outdoor area, which will provide them with a clean, warm environment to lay their eggs and raise their chicks. You may find that birds use the box to roost in the winter.

There are some excellent bird boxes produced by CJ Wildlife who also have some great tips about where to install them and what type of box is best. www.nestboxweek.com

I am pleased to announce I have my first event of the year. The New Carnival Company are staging the IOW Dark Skies Festival at Isle of Wight Pearl on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th February from 3-8pm. The festival will feature, among other things, astronomy while I will be talking about moths, in my role as County Moth Recorder, and how the Island is a great place to see them with over 900 different species recorded here each year! Hope to see some of you there.

Wow... we’ve made it past the worst month of the year! January seems to have 485 days in it so I am glad that we are now in February. I’m sure I’m not the only one that feels like this.

Weather wise there isn’t much difference between the two months - they are both usually wet, cold and windy. (sorry I tried to think of something positive to say here but I couldn’t find the words!).

This month I am looking forward to two events, the first being St Valentine’s Day, I will leave the obligatory reminders around the house for my hubby to remember. I never feel guilty eating the chocolates he buys as we all know when chocolates are a gift they are calorie free!!

The second event is on Tuesday 21st February and is of course Pancake Day... ahh pancakes, what’s not to love about them. I am a traditionalist when it comes to them, and I am very easy to keep happy with just some lemon and sugar. However, you like yours, savoury or sweet, I hope you enjoy them.

You will find this issue once again packed with information and news, local businesses advertising their services and of course the puzzle page and special features.

I hope you enjoy this issue and I look forward to catching up with you again next month when Spring will definitely be on the horizon.

I hope you all have a great February and enjoy your pancakes!

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News Report from Town & County Cllr Karl Love - East Cowes.

Email: karl.love@iow.gov.uk Facebook: Cllr Karl

It only seems like moments ago since I wrote the last update and January has turned out to be a month of extreme weather with lots of rain. I have been out and about looking for blocked drains. I have highlighted a few to Island roads and if you observe any, can you please help prevent flooding by reporting them to the Isle of Wight council call centre on 01983 82100. Sewage pipes and manhole covers on the highway are usually controlled by Southern Water and can be contacted on 01983 526611. The Environment Agency, Isle of Wight Council, Southern Water, Island Roads and East Cowes Town Council and myself, are working together to reduce the risk of flooding to the residents of East Cowes. Improvements and upgrades are being made to assets including the sea wall, pumping station and main river flap valve; with further improvements planned. A Community Flood Plan is also being developed and we will need our communities support in this, I will keep you informed of any changes and developments For more information please contact Kim Smith or Vicky Spencer at EastCowesFRMS@environment-agency.gov. uk

It’s also a time of setting our Town Council budgets and the Isle of Wight Councils Budgets. Setting this year’s budgets have been extremely testing especially for the Isle of Wight Council. We are all faced with increasing costs that none of us could have forecast and in my position, as portfolio member for Adult Social Care, there are huge impacts for a multimillion-pound care system with 10% inflation pressures. Our council only has at its disposal to raise funds, the council tax and limited-service revenue income. These additional costs have taken us well above our projected spending calculations in 2022 and added many millions to the cost of running our council in 2023. A 5% council tax rise is inevitable and

Love

even the government has indicated it expects it to be implemented. 1% of Council tax on the IOW is equivalent to around 850k. I have been granted from the government a 2% rise for Adult Social Care, which is equivalent to £1.7m. In order to operate the service at anything close to the current level of service provision I would require additional funding in the region of £7.7 million because of inflation, wages and rising costs. Despite highlighting our funding pressures to the government, very little has been brought forward to bridge the gap in the care market which our council must and will have to continue to deliver these statutory and legally governed services. The only way that this can be achieved, without more government funding, is by cutting and redistributing funding from other council service areas to ASC. I can assure the residents of our community that there have been some very testing discussions and exchanges during the process of trying to find the money to balance the books. If we do not balance the books ourselves, then it could result in the government stepping in, and they will, in a very authoritarian manner, slash services to the bare bones. So, it’s best we as a council take the actions ourselves in order to try and avoid some of those actions, by others, who do not have the interests of our community at the centre of making decisions.

In more positive news the Town Council is able to set its budget in order to bring some improvements to our town’s Esplanade and other facilities. They too have taken account of the economic crisis and are determined that the progress being made should not be halted. Where an increase in Council tax has been made, it will directly benefit our community and you will see further improvements to our town facilities during

2023, especially along the esplanade. The long-awaited planning application for Victoria Barracks in Albany Rd has finally been submitted for planning consent. The funding for this project is ring fenced and can only be used for this purpose or it would have to be returned to the government. The application is for remedial works to the building internally and externally. The guard house and for landscaping. The building’s heritage will be saved for future generations while bringing it back into a practical use. It will be used for education and training by UKSA. The planning application reference is 22/02168/FUL and can be seen online. Please make your comments as you feel appropriate to the planning authority by writing to them at Planning Services, Seaclose Office, Fairlee Road, Newport, PO30 2QS or by using the online facility.

The Town Market, held in the town Hall has changed its time of operations in order to improve its foot fall. The next market will take place on 11th February at 10 am. There are already a number of stalls booked and I do hope you will be able to pop along and support it. Despite the wet weather there have been reports of cold calling at people’s homes on Island. Most recently somebody has been leafleting areas and then knocking on doors to try to buy gold, silver and valuables. Trading Standards strongly advises against engaging with anyone who operates like this and particularly allowing them access to your property. If you wish to sell any valuables, we recommend contacting

reputable auction houses or antique shops.

MAD- Aid, located in Lower York Ave, continues to collect items of donation to support those fleeing the tyranny of hatred and war in Ukraine. If you’re also looking to hire a small space for a party or event you will find this an excellent venue with its fitted kitchen and facilities. It adds to our town’s community resource while supporting a worthwhile charity of international standing which is putting our town and Island on the world map.

Finally, we are planning some events for the coronation and we will be screening the ceremony on our large screen in the Town Hall. Other events are being planned and I know you will all be looking forward to dressing your homes in bunting as will our town. Once again, our town crafters are hard at work preparing and we are so lucky to have this wonderful group of volunteers. Please do let me have any items you would want me to share in my monthly town report and I will include then wherever I can. Please send to lovehilluk@gmail.com

Take care all and let’s hope for brighter, warmer weather.

For a caring and compassionate service 40 Place Road, Cowes. Tel: 292932 www.geoffleather.co.uk

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From joy’s humble crumble kitchen

Slow cookers make light work at dinner time and are energy efficient - great on the pocket as well! Assemble your dish and allow the gorgeous flavours to come together over a low heat. Here are a couple of recipes including a vegetarian stew - All recipes can be batch cooked, shared and frozen for another day.

SLOW COOKED SAUSAGE

CASSEROLE

serves 4 - 6

1lb/450g sausages • variety of vegetables

1 tsp mixed herbs and 2 garlic cloves crushed 400g tin chopped tomatoes • 400ml beef stock Method

1. Fry the sausages in a little oil - drain - add to the slow cooker.

2. Add any choice of diced vegetables, 1 onion, 3 carrots, 1 celery stick, 1 red pepper, 1 courgette, a bit of butternut or leek, plus the herbs, garlic and tin tomatoes

3. Pour over the beef stock - mix well together. Cook for 4 hours, take out sausages and slice - return to slow cooker. Add gravy granules to thicken if desired about half an hour before end of cook time. Great with mash!

SLOW COOKED CHICKEN CURRY SERVES 4

SLOW COOKED VEGETARIAN DUMPLING STEW

2 tbsp oil • 1 lge onion - diced

2 garlic cloves - crushed

2 carrots - 1cm rounds

300g mushrooms - sliced

3 tbsp plain flour

1 tbsp tomato puree

2 x 400g tins green lentils - drained 700ml veg. stock

150ml red wine thyme plus 1 tbsp marmite - opt. Method

1. Heat oil, gently fry the onion for 10 minutes. Add garlic and tomato puree

2. Add the flour to coat the onion mix - season

3. Add red wine, stir well to prevent lumps forming - transfer to slow cooker

8 skinless chicken thighs • 2 tbsp butter • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 onion - diced • 3 cloves garlic, crushed • 2 tbsp tomato puree • 2 tsp curry powder • 2 tsp tandoori masala • 1 tbsp curry paste • 400g coconut milk • 245g low fat plain yogurt. Method

1. Heat butter and olive oil over low heat. Add the chicken, onion, garlic and curry seasoning and stir fry gently for 10 mins.

2. Put mix into a slow cooker, add the tomato puree, coconut milk and yogurt and mix well together. Cook on ‘auto’ for 4 - 6 hours or on ‘low’ for 6 - 8 hours Serve with basmati rice and warmed naan bread

4. Add carrots, mushrooms, lentils, stock, thyme & seasoning. Slow cook ‘auto’ for 4 hours.

DUMPLINGS - 100g SR flour • 40g butter or vegan spread • 1 tsp thyme. In a bowl rub the flour, butter/vegan spread, until you have breadcrumbs using finger tips. Add thyme and seasoning. Sprinkle 2-3 tbsp. cold water and mix until it comes together - make 8 balls. Add dumplings 1 hour before end of cook time.

Word

dates for your diary

Every Tuesday until the end of March 2023 – Warm Hub at Whippingham Community Centre from 11am – 3.30pm. If you are an ‘over 60’ and living locally drop in for a light lunch of homemade soup and roll followed by tea/coffee and biscuits for just £2. After lunch you can either just sit and chat, play cards or other board games. You’ll be in a warm place with like-minded people. Call Dawn on 07717018131 for more information.

Friday 3rd February – Movie Night at the Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes. Join in for an evening of singing and dancing with the blockbuster hit Grease being shown on the club’s large screen. Doors open 7pm for a 7.30pm start. All ages – family event. This is a free entry event. Bar and snacks available.

Friday 24th February - Quiz Night in aid of Alzheimer Cafe IOW at the East Cowes Conservative Club, 11 Clarence Road, East Cowes. 7.30pm start. Team of up to 4 people. £5 per person. Raffle and a bar. Booking essential. Call 01983 220200. Everyone welcome.

Friday 24th February – Fun bingo Evening with a meal. Tickets £7 to include your food at Newport golf Club, St Georges Lane, Newport at 6.30pm. £2 per card to play. Raising funds for Vectis Radio. Tickets from tickets@vectisradio.fm

All event information was correct at time of print but could be subject to change at any time.

‘Walkabout’ with Michael Paler

Contact Details:- 07483251960 or email michaelpaler@btinternet.com

G’day it has been a quiet January but I have attended meetings that will be of benefit to East Cowes and the Medina Valley. Cowes Harbour Commission is taking part in a new joint venture with UKSA to start a small test nursery for native oysters in the harbour. The reported benefits to the harbour, including improvements to water quality and biodiversity, are well documented and CHC has agreed to fund the nursery cages. The Ministry of Fisheries will be inspecting the site later this month to hopefully agree to the viability of the project and award an aquaculture licence to proceed.

Cowes Harbour Commission recently secured outline planning permission for phase one; the proposed improvement of Kingston Wharf East Cowes. Now the hard work commences creating detailed plans for final approval of the first phase prior to work commencing later in 2023.

Last month to celebrate the start of their 125th anniversary they launched a set of bursaries and a new Workboat Apprenticeship.

The bursaries are open to residents of East and West Cowes aged 15 to 19 who are in financial need, interested in a marinebased career and who may not have the funds available to discover if working on the water is for them. A number of bursaries are available for five-day UKSA’s Sea.Change Fund courses and these can include travel and lunch. Other Sea. Change Fund courses may also be suitable for bursarial support.

Cowes Harbour Commission are also looking for applicants for a new Workboat Apprenticeship scheme starting later this year. Aged 16 to 19, the successful applicant will work with CHC, supported by training through UKSA for this twoyear course.

The Island Volunteer Fair held at the Riverside Centre, Newport in January was a great success with so many opportunities for volunteering around all areas of the Island.

Optio needs more volunteer drivers! They are particularly looking for people in East Cowes and Wootton. Find out how you can help, by phoning 01983 822 226 or email optiovolunteer@ actioniw.org.uk.

The East Cowes Classic Boat Museum is also looking for new volunteers so drop by to the Columbine Building for more information.

Don’t forget to keep warm and safe as a cold few weeks ahead, take care.

If you are organising a community event please feel free to email the information to islandmagazines@ gmail.com and details will be shared in the ‘Dates for your Diary’ section

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Most commonly, a Trust is set up in the wills of couples (usually married couples or in a civil partnership) concerned about care home fees or their partner remarrying, co-habiting, or entering a civil partnership after they have died. Without a trust, there is a risk if your share in the family home is left outright to a surviving partner. The property could then end up in the hands of any future spouse or civil partner or its value depleted by care home fees required for the surviving spouse. By including a Trust in your Will, it ensures that the surviving partner has the security of having a home to live in during their lifetime, whilst ring-fencing the family home (or at least your share) for those named in your Will such as your children.

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