Island Magazines Junes 23 East Cowes & Whippingham area

WelcometotheJuneissueofyourlocal communitymagazine.

Juneisoneofmyfavouritemonthswith thesummersolsticeonthe21st June markingthefirstdayofsummer.Inmy opinionthereisnobetterplacetobe duringthesummerthanhereonthe island.ThisistheseasonwhenIliketo spendmoretimeoutdoorsthanIdo inside.

I’vepreviouslymentionedinotherissues howIliketogetoutandexplorethe islandonmybicycle,enjoyingregular stopsatlocaltearoomsandonother daystakingapicnicwithmetoenjoy eitherinthecountryside,oneofthe manyparksordownontheseafront.

TheIslandisagreatplacefortravellingontwowheelsandmyfoldinge-bikemakes cyclingapleasure.Myselfandmyhusbandeventakeourlittledogwithuswholikesto travelinstyleinhisownlittledogtrailerbeingtowedbymyhusband!!Honestly,he isn’tspoilt!

Iflikeme,youhavelotsofpicnicsandwantsomethingalittlebitdifferentthenhavea lookatpage16forsomepicnicinspirationwithJoysHumbleCrumbleKitchen.

JuneisalsothemonthoftheIsleofWightFestivalandifyouaregoing,Ihopeyou haveagreattimeandenjoythemusicandatmosphere–obviouslynoteveryoneenjoys thefestivalperiodespeciallytheextratrafficbutit’sonlyforacoupleofdaysandifyou havetogoouttryandplaninadvancesoyoumissthe‘extrabusy’times.

Father’sDayisonSunday18th Juneandonpage8youwillfindour‘Datesforyour Diary’sectionwhichhasawholelistofeventshappeningacrosstheisland.

IhopeyouallhaveafantasticmonthandIlookforwardtocatchingupwithyouall againsoon.

Est.14years.RelocatedfromKent

Reliableprofessionalservice.Referencesavailable

07846715300/ rgreen0806@gmail.com

Nevermissoutonreadingacopyof IslandMagazines.

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

For digital subscriptions please email eastcowesmaga zine@gmail.comand includethewords ‘subscribedigital’in theemail,thensit back,relaxandwait forthenextissueto dropintoyourinbox.

For subscriptions willbeasmall chargefor£1.20per monthpayable6 monthsinadvance. Tosubscribeemail islandmagazines@gmail.comwithyournameandaddressandwhichareayou wouldlikeorcalluson07880587931.

‘Walkabout’withMichaelPaler

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

G'Dayhopeyouareallwellandhadanenjoyableweekendof celebrationsfortheKingCharlesIIICoronation.

Itwasalsothe25thCelebrationsofthe EastCowesTownCouncilandthis wascelebratedontheBigLunchDay, therewasagroupofformerMayors present.

Therehasbeenastoryofanew distributioncentreatWhippingham TechnologyParkwith200newjobs, thecorrectinformationisthattheIsle ofWightDistributionCompanywill berelocatedfromthepresentsiteat MerstoneandAcclaimfromCowesto onesite.GKNhasalsoplanneda solarparkbehindtheirsite.

TheEastCowesTownCrafterspulled outallthestopsforthetowndecorationsfortheKing’sCoronation-welldoneall.

VectisRadiowontheARIASGoldAwardatDruryLaneLondonCommunityStationfor alltheirgoodwork.

TheAlzheimer’sCafeisattheEastCowesTown HallonthefirstTuesdayofthemonth,alwaysa goodgatheringforeveryonejusttodropin,2-4.

IOWHighSheriff,Mrs.DawnKHaig-Thomas, Whippinghamhashadabusystarttoheryearat EastCowesBigLunchandpromotingher SchoolReadersscheme.

MedinaBookShopwillhaveitssecond-year awards.Followingtheenormoussuccessoflast year’sfirsteverIsleofWightBookAwards,this year’sawardsarenowopenforsubmissions.As lastyeartherearethreecategories,withthe award'sfounderHunterDaviesonceagain judgingthenon-fictionbooks,AlanTitchmarsh resuminghisroleoverseeingthechildren’s books,andthisyeartheyarejoinedbyfiction judgeGeorginaMoore-publicistforsomeofthe

biggestnamesinliteratureandwhoseowndebutnovel‘TheGarnettGirls’isbasedonthe Island.

Takecareandseeyouabout.

Icameacrosssome‘thingstomakeyouthink’recentlyandtheycertainlydidjustthat!! SoIthoughtIwouldsharethemwithyou…

WhatifmydogonlybringsbacktheballbecausehethinksIlikethrowingit?

Whyistheletterw,in English,calleddouble u?Shouldn’titbe calleddoublev?

Everytimeyouclean somethingyoujust makesomethingelse dirty.

Ifyoureplacethe“W” with“T”in“What, WhereandWhen”,you gettheanswertoeach ofthem.

Ifyouripaholeina net,thereareactually fewerholesinitthantherewerebefore.

Whichletterissilentintheword“Scent” theSortheC

Source:TheScienceNerds

Theviewsandopinionsexpressedby contributorsandadvertisersaretheirown anddonoreflecttheviewsoftheeditor orIslandMagazinesunlessstated otherwise.IslandMagazineshastheright torefuseoraltermaterialwhere necessary.

DATESFORYOURDIARY

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

EveryFriday–TableTennisatWootton CommunityCentre,BrannonWay, Woottonfrom9.30am–12noon. Everyonewelcome.

Friday2nd June–CoffeeMorningat NorthwoodCemeterybetween10:30am and12:30pm.Thismonth’sthemeis “PlantSale”.Hotandcolddrinksand biscuitsareavailablefreeofcharge. Everyonewelcome–Justcomethrough thecemeterygatesandyouwillbegivena warmwelcome.HostedbyFriendsof NorthwoodCemetery.

Saturday3rd andSunday4th June–Isleof WightSheepdogTrials.Afterasuccessful 2022competitiontheIsleofWight SheepdogTrialsisreturningtoRowlands Farm,Havenstreet,Ryde,PO334DEfrom 8am–5pmFreeparkingandentryto spectators.Licensedbarandrefreshments. InsupportofMountbattenHospice

Sunday4th June-WildlifeCountatSt Helen’sEcoChurch,EddingtonRoad, Seaview,PO345EFfrom2pm–4pm. Thisisafamilyeventwithchildren’s wildlifeactivities.Wildliferecordingand speciesIDwiththeIWatchWildlifeTeam. Therewillberefreshmentsavailable.

Sunday4th June–Antiquesand CollectablesFairfrom10am–3pmat RoyalVictoriaArcade,UnionStreet, Ryde.Books,jewellery,vintageitems, furniture,silverandmuchmore.Free admissionandlocatedinawonderfullocal Rydeattractionwithacaféonsite.

Monday5th June-IsleofWightFamily HistorySocietyopenmeeting,everyone welcome.AtalkbyDrRuthWalleron GoldenHillFort.ArretonCommunity Hall,MainRoad,Arreton,PO303AD. Doorsopen1:30pmtalkstarts2:15pm andlastsabout45minutes.Admission: membersoftheIsleofWightFHS-£1; non-members-£2.

Saturday10th June–BembridgeFort OpenDayfrom10am–4pm.Explore insidethefortanddiscoverthehistoryof thefascinatingbuilding.Ourguideswill beonhandtoansweranyquestions,and therewillbeinformationstandsabout localhistory,re-enactmentgroups, Palmerstonfortsandthemilitary.Meetat BembridgeFort,CulverDownRd, SandownPO368QY.Refreshmentswill beavailableandtherewillbetoilet facilitiesonsite.Thisisafreeevent. Contact01983741020formore information.

Saturday24th andSunday25th June–The FlyingFortiesatSandownAirfield.From 10am–4pmeachdaywithfree admission.Vintagevehicles,1940s displays,filmsandtalks,stalls,raffle militaryvehiclesandlivemusic.Bringa chairorblankettositontoenjoythe entertainment.Forfurtherinformation callSylviaon01983296810.

Tuesday27th June–TheEastCowes MethodistChurchLadiesGroupinvite youtojointhemfortheirAnnualCoffee EveningintheChurchfrom7pm–9pm. Therewillbevariousstalls,competitions andaraffleinaidoftheirchosencharity, theIsleofWightHearthCareClub.

Alleventinformationwascorrectattimeofprintbutcouldbesubjecttochangeatanytime.

Tel:717002

OpeningHours

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

TheIsleofWight’smostpopulargardeningcompe��onisback!

Willyourgardenbeaworthycontendertowinacategoryinthisyear’sWightInBloom?The deadlineis5pm11thJune2023–takealookatthecategoriesbelowandcelebrateyourpride andjoy!…

FindanentryformatIslandgardencentresorusetheonlineform.

Gardencentresinclude:•Honnor&Jeffery(NewportRoad,LakeandA�onRoad, Freshwater)•BusyBeeGardenCentre,BradingRoad,Ryde.•CareintheGarden,Park Road,Woo�on•ForestViewNursery,ForestRoad,Newport•JubileeGardenCentre, NewportRoad,Branstone•MedinaGardenCentre,StaplersRoad,Woo�on

Orfollowthislink:-h�ps://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7VJTDP3

ThebackboneofWightinBloomistheamateurgardenerwhoshowcasestheirworkinsmall frontgardens,windowboxesandhangingbaskets,orentersthecompe��ontohavetheir vegetableplotsorwaterfeaturesjudged.There’sevenacategoryforyoungerpeople,aswell asthemoreestablishedcommunitydisplaycategories.

Thejudgesscoreswillbedividedequallybetweenthefollowing5criteria:

OVERALLIMPRESSION–ini�alimpactofthegarden

DESIGN/LAYOUT–useofplants/features/rangeofplantsetc

HORTICULTURALPRACTICE–cul�va�on&maintenance/qualityofplants/layoutetc

INNOVATION–crea�vedesign,useofformandcolour,useoffeatures/furniture/ infrastructureetc

SUSTAINABILITY–compos�ng,wildlifefriendly,recyclinganduseofnaturalresourcesarejust someoftheelementsthatourjudgeswillbelookingoutfor.

Categories:

Bestsmallfrontgarden(under15sqmetres)

Bestlargefrontgarden(over15sqmetres)

Bestsmalltourista�rac�ongarden(free-to-enterandpaidadmissiona�rac�onsareeligible–visitorsupto75kpa)

Bestlargetourista�rac�ongarden(free-to-enterandpaidadmissiona�rac�onsareeligible–visitorsover75kpa)

Bestcommercialgarden(publichouse,restaurant,shop,cafe,business,hotel&allother visitoraccommoda�on)

PrideofPlacefloralproject(communitydisplays,shoppingareas,churchgrounds–includes townandparishcouncils)

Bestyoungpeopleini�a�ve(schools,pre-schools,youthgroupsandindividuals)

Bestediblegarden(mixofflowers,vegetables,fruitandherbs)

Bestcontainergarden(crea�veuseoftubs,baskets,ver�calplan�ngandrecycledcontainers)

Bestcaregivingcomplexgarden(residen�alhome,re�rementcomplex,nursingenvironment)

Overall‘BestofYear’winnerofthePeggyJarmanTrophy

AnawardsceremonyatAlbertCo�ageHotelatEastCoweswillbehostedbyWightinBlooms PatronAlanTitchmarshMBE,onJuly21.

FREE DIGITAL SUPPORT

Are you struggling with your smart phone or tablet?

Are you aged 50+?

Why not come along to your local free Age UK IOW Digital Support drop-in at Newport Library and speak to one of our digital support volunteers.

Every 2nd and 4th Thursday, 10.30am to 12 noon at Newport Library.

For more information, call the Age UK IOW digital team on (01983) 301693 or email digital@ageukiw.org.uk

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A J Careless Solicitors

Making or updating your Will? Arranging Power of Attorney?

Need advice on Inheritance tax? Require assistance with Probate? Then we can help.

Come and see Ian Clark at East Cowes Town Hall on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month between 2pm – 5pm

Please telephone 852626 to guarantee an appointment

www.ajcareless.co.uk enquiries@ajcareless.co.uk

THIS SIZE ADVERT COULD BE YOURS FOR JUST £14

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

Town&CountyCouncillorforEastCowes

Email:karl.love@iow.gov.uk|Facebook:CllrKarlLove

ThemonthofMayhasbeenanextremely eventfuloneinandaroundEastCowesand ourIsland.Wewereblessedwithsome amazingblueskyweatherforthe CoronationBigLunchPartyonSunday7th MayandthankfullyourCoronation screeningwasheldindoorsonthe6th May whenwehadtorrentialrainfall,attheTown Hallwherewehadaverygoodturnoutof people.

TheBigLunchisestimatedtohavehadover 1000peopledroppinginandoutofthe JubileeRecreationGroundduringtheday with500orsoatanyonetime.Wewere joinedintheafternoonbyShademakers withtheirfantasticcostumesandour Children’sKingandQueenwerecrowned. Wedancedtothesoundsoflivemusicled bythehotmovesofLorraineofEast Cowes!Everyonewhoattendedsaidwhat agreateventitwas.Ahugethankyouto everyonewhocontributedtotheweekends planning,decorations,supportingand settinguptheevents.WithoutourTowns manyvolunteersthiseventcouldnottake placeandsoitwasonMondaythatour TownCouncilwasabletosayahuge thankyoutoeveryoneforyourcommunity spiritandvolunteering.

OntheBankholidayMondayofthe Coronationitwasalsothe25yrsofthe formationoftheEastCowesTown Council.ABirthdayCakewascutby MargaretWebsterwhowasafounding memberandstillservinghercommunity today.Preparationsfortheformationof EastCowesTownCouncilbeganaround 1994withthelaunchoftheEastCowes EnterprisegroupandCommunityForum group.TheForumwasthevoiceofthe townpeople,andtheEnterprisegroups werethedoo’ers,makingthingshappenand togethertheyhelpedcreatetheTown Councilin1998.ThenewIsleofWight UnitaryCouncilheldthingsupslightly,but thecouncilwasformed,andtheTownHall becamethecentreofmeetings.Muriel Millers,PeterandMargaretLloydand

MargaretWebsterwereallapartofthe creationalongwithothersinour community.Ithankthemallfortheir servicesalongwiththeothertownvolunteer councillorsovertheyearsandcommunity leadersandvolunteersforhelpingtocreate arealcommunity.

Movingontoothernews.Wreathswerelaid attheKingstonCemeteryandinKings Squaretorememberthe81st anniversaryof thetownBlitz.Manytowns’peoplewere killedduringtheairraidsofourtownwhich wasanimportantworkingportwithitsship buildingandinnovativetechnologies.We WillRememberThem.TracyandIalsolaid wreathsinWestCowesmeetingwith OfficersofthePolishNavy.

AttheendofMaywesaygoodbyetoJane andEricaftersome14yearsofthem runningtheShoresideCafé.Theyhave createdlotsoflastingmemoriesholding magicandentertainmentshowsandplaying arealpartinthelifeofourcommunity.We wishthemwellinretirement.Wayne Whittle,aformercountycouncillorandhis Wife,alsoownersofcafésalongthe esplanadeinRydearetakingoverthe Shoresideandhavealreadyindicatedtheir supportforourcommunitiesandevents. Youmighthavealsonoticedsomeworkis beingdoneontheesplanadeslipways bringingthemuptodateandmakingthem moreaccessibletolaunchsmallboatsand watercraft.Ifyouseeboatsandjetskis closetothebeachesspeedingpleasereport themimmediatelytoCowesHarbour Commission.Thespeedlimitis6knots withintheHarbourandallourbeachesare containedwithintheHarbour.

Newparkingroadtrafficordersareaboutto beimplementedinHawthornMeadowsand Saundersway.Thisisgoingtohavean impactonhowandwherepeopleparktheir vehicles.Themeasuresarebeing implementedbecauseofhighwaysafety issuesaboutparkingintheareaandtokeep thehighwayopenforemergencyuseand largevehicledeliveriesandcollections.

Thisfollowsthecompletionofthebuilding programmeandwasalwaysanactionthat wouldbetaken.TheimpactfromtheTRO’s willbemonitoredtoseeifadditional measuresorchangestotheTRO’sare needed.Ihavepostedtheinformationofthe specificchangesonmyFacebookpage(13th May).

Therearetwosignificantplanning applicationsatWhippinghamforyour considerationandcomments.Onebeinga SolarEnergydevelopmentatGKN reference 23/00630/FUL-Proposed groundmountphotovoltaicsystemand ancillaryinfrastructureincludingsecurity fence,accesstrackandelectricsubstationon landtothesouthofGKNandwestof WhippinghamTechnologyParkoffBeatrice Avenue,EastCowes.Thesiteisconcealed fromview,andIhavechattedwiththe immediateresidentsaboutit.Thisisa matterfortheWhippinghamParishcouncil toconsiderCllrMatthewPricewhoisthe Wardcouncillor.Thesecondapplicationis foradistributioncomplex22/02293/ OUTforOutlinePlanningPermissionfor B8DistributionBuildingonlandadjacentto OsborneWorks,WhippinghamTechnology Park,WhippinghamRoad,EastCowes. Again,thisisCllrPriceswardandforthe considerationoftheWhippinghamParish Council.Pleasemakeyourcommentstothe PlanningDepartmentatSeaClose.

TheEsplanadeBeachcleantookplace organisedbyMichaelDouseandIwanted tothankhimandthevolunteerswhohelped out.I’mtoldthatourbeachesarepretty clean,andtheseagrassisingood condition.Pleasehelpkeepitclean.Dog walkersareremindedthatthebeach restrictionsarenowinforceandthatthe sectionofbeachattheendoftheesplanade adjacenttothetoiletsisrestrictedbutdogs areallowedfurtheralongthebeach,leading fromthefirstsetofsteps.Dogsneedtobe ontheleadsonthehighwaypathsandcan befinediftheyarenot.Wealsoreceivelots ofcomplaintsaboutdogmess.Ifyousee someonenotpickingup,pleasereportthem tothetownhallandprovideapicture,

ifpossible,oftheoffendingpersonsand dog.Thishelpsourenvironmentofficer trackthemdown.Thegreenadjacenttothe Tenniscourtscanbeusedfordogsoffthe leadsexercise.

It’snowbeentwoyearssinceIwasvotedto becometheDeputyMayorforEastCowes andmytermofofficeisatanendandthere isanewbeginningformeandwhoever takesoverthisoffice.Iverymuchthank everyoneforyoursupport,andIhavereally enjoyedsupportingourTownMayorinher roleandrepresentingourcommunitiesto thewiderIslandpeople.

Youwillnodoubtbewonderingwhatmy positionisinrelationtothechanging politicalalliancesoftheIsleofWight Council.Aseparategrouphasformed,the ‘EmpoweringGroup’withamixof independentCouncillorsandparty representatives.Iamanindependentwho supportsgoodpolicyandIlendmysupport totheAllianceatthistime.Iwillnotbe whippedintoanydecisionsforparty politicalreasons.Iwillworkwiththisnew groupequally,supportinggoodpolicy whereappropriate.OurIslandcouncilmust evolveandchangeifwearetocontinue withourIslandautonomyandselfgovernance.Inthiselectiontermthereisno alternativetotheAlliancecoalition,other thanareturntoaTorytakeoverandthereis noneedforthistooccurifeveryone continuestoworktogether.OurIsland fundingisstretchedtoitslimits,andweare notkeepingpacewithinflation.Wehave becomeheavilyreliantongovernment grantsandwhiletherearesmallwinsfrom timetotime,muchofwhatIwouldliketo seeachievedisjustoutofreach.Wehope thisterriblewarinUkrainecomestoanend soonandthatstabilitywillreturn.Thereis goodnewsforourcommunitiesinthatthe proposedfilmstudiostobebuiltalongthe riverbanksatKingstonMarineParkhave takenanotherstepforwardastalks continue.Iwilladviseyouwhenany planningapplicationsaresubmitted Iwishyouallaverypleasantsummer.

WordLadder

Awordladderisasequenceofwords formedbychangingjustonelettereach time.Canyoufindthemissingword? Usethecluesifyougetstuck.

SILVER RED YELLOW

BEIGE

BROWN

PURPLE

NAVY

PEACH

PEARL GOLD LAVENDER

LIGHT

DENIM ORANGE

MAHOGANY

DARK

PUCE PINK

TANGERINE BLACK MEDIUM

Lastmonth'sanswersforWordLadder:-TASTE,PASTE,PASSE,PARSE,PURSE,PURGE,SURGE,SERGE,VERGE, VERSE,TERSE,TENSE,SENSE.

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)

Fromjoyshumblecrumblekitchen Fromjoyshumblecrumblekitchen

Withthelongsummerdaysaheadwethoughtwewould'joosh-up'the picnicbasketandshareafewsimpleideas.

PICNICTORTILLAserves6

4tbsp.oliveoil•1onion(thinlysliced)•350gnewpotatoes(sliced)

4rashersbackbacon(chopped)•6largeeggs•85gmaturecheddar(grated)

1.Heattheoilinanonstickpan-addtheonionandpotatoes-cookforabout8mins -turninguntiltenderbutnotbrown-addthebacon,cookforanother2-3mins.

2.Beattheeggs,seasonandaddcheese.

3.Removethepotatomixturewithslottedspoon.Puttheexcessoilaside.

4.Putthepotatomixbackintopanandstirintheeggmixture-leavetocook undisturbedoveragentleheatforabout8minutesuntilfirmlysetunderneathbut notsetasmuchontop.

5.Placeaplateoverthetopofpanandinvertthetortillaontoit-putalittleofthe reservedoilinpanandslidethetortbackintopan,uncookedsidedown-continue tocookgentlyforaboutanother5minutesuntilsetthrough.Cutintowedges,delish hotorcold-servewithsalad.

MOZZARELLAandSALAMIPICNICBAGUETTEserves4-6nocooking

1baguette-brownorwhite•3tbspgreenpesto•1largetomato-thinlysliced 1ballmozzarella(app.200g)-thinlysliced•2handfulsbabyspinachleaves 1handfulbasilleaves•6slicessalami-cutinhalf

1.Slicebaguetteinhalflength-ways-hollowoutmuchofthecentre.

2.Spreadthebottomhalfwiththepestothenlayerupwithslicestomato,mozzarella, spinachleaves,basilleavesandsalamipieces.

3.Putthetopon,pressdownandwrapinbakingparchment/clingfilmandtiewith string.Popintofridgeweighedundersomethingheavy.Leaveforatleast1hour (overnight).Theflavourswillmingleandthe'sandwich'willflatten,andbeeasyto cut.

BBQBACONWRAPPEDCHICKENBITESserves6

oven180degrees

2-3skinlesschickenbreast(cutinto2cmcubes)

250gbacon(cutintothirds)

50gBBQsauce(moreifyoulikeastrongerflavour)

1.Prepareabakingtraywithaluminiumfoilandlightlyoil.

2.Wrapeachcubewithasmallstripofbacon,securewith toothpickandplaceonbakingtray.

3.BrusheachwithBBQsauceandbakeforabout25-30 minutes-check-eathotorcoldandenjoy!

It’sSummerTime

Thesummersolstice,alsoknownas midsummerortheJunesolstice,marksthe longestdayoftheyearandtheofficial beginningofsummerintheNorthern Hemisphere.

ThisyearitoccursonWednesdayJune 21stwhentheEarth'saxialtiltisinclined directlytowardstheSun,resultinginthe Sunreachingitshighestpositioninthesky andthedaylastingthelongest.

Thesummersolsticeholdsculturaland historicalsignificanceinmanysocieties, oftencelebratedwithfestivalsandrituals thathonourthepoweroftheSun.People gathertowitnessbreath-takingsunrisesand sunsets.Itisatimeforoutdooractivities, connectingwithnature,andrelishingthe beautyofextendeddaylighthours.

IcannotbelieveitisJunealready,wherehastheyeargone?Somanyspecieshaveemerged latethisyearbecauseofthepoorweatherinthespringbutIamhopingourJunespecieswill bearoundasnormal.

JuneseesthemainemergenceofoneofourmostspectacularinsectsintheUK,theStag Beetle.Itgetsitsnameasthemale’simpressive-lookingmandibleslookliketheantlersofa stag.Theyareusedtoattractamateandtorepelanyrivalmaleswhichcanseethemlocked incombatbeforeoneofthembacksdown.

StagBeetlesarenationallyscarce,withmostrecordscomingfromsouthernEngland.Oneof thereasonsfortheirdeclineisourgeneraltendencyto'tidyup'deadorrottingwood,timber andgreenspaces.Asplacesforthemtoshelterarelostorbecomeisolated,fewersuitable habitatsforStagBeetlesexist.

Theyspendmostoftheirlifecycle undergroundasalarva.Thiscanbe anywherefromthreetoseven yearsdependingontheweather. Oncefullygrown,thelarvaeleave therottingwoodthey’vebeen feedingontobuildalargecocoon inthesoil,aboutthesizeofa chicken’segg,wheretheypupate andmetamorphoseintoanadulta fewweekslater.Adultsspendthe winterundergroundinthesoil beforeemergingfrommid-Mayto June/July.Theyonlyhaveashort lifespanasanadult,purelyto breed.Youcanfindoutmoreabout themathttps://ptes.org/campaigns/stag-beetles-2/stag-beetle-facts/

StagBeetlesarefoundalongthenorthcoastoftheIslandfromNortontoBembridgewith long-establishedsmallcoloniesinCowes,EastCowesandRyde.Ifyouareluckyenoughto spotamaleorfemaleStagBeetleinthecomingweeks,iWatchWildlifewouldloveto receiveyoursighting.Weneedadate,locationofyourobservationalongwithapictureto helpconfirmID(femaleStagsaresimilartoaLesserStagBeetle,stillanicerecord).Please sendyoursightingtoiwatchwildlife@gmail.comortagiWatchWildlifeintoanysocialmedia posts.TheIWrecordsarethensharedwiththePeople’sTrustforEndangeredSpecies (PTES)whorunthenationalGreatStagHuntsurvey-noneedtodoittwice,we'lldothat foryou!

YoucanfindoutmoreaboutiWatchWildlifeathttps://iwnhas.org/recording/iwatch-wildlife/

StagBeetles(maleleft,femaleright)

Photo:RossBower(kindpermissionofPTES)