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March 2021
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Welcome to the March issue of Island Magazines. During these difficult times I am very grateful to advertisers, contributors, readers and distributors who have supported this local community magazine which in turn has enabled me to keep publishing it each month. We had some very cold weather during February along with the promise of snow but unfortunately or fortunately (depending how you feel about it) it did not really amount to much and the few flakes we did have only settled for a few hours. As we move into March I hope that Spring will bring some warmer weather so we can enjoy our daily exercise and look more positively to the future. Inside this issue will you find the regular news reports from your local councillor and town council, which are always informative and a good way to keep up with local news for your area. There are also feature articles ranging from postal votes for the upcoming elections, census 2021 and what’s happening in March and I know many of you really enjoy our puzzle section and you will find this on pages 10 and 11. If you have any news or information you would like shared, please do get in contact with me and I will help you as best I can. I hope you enjoy reading this issue and look forward to catching up with you next month.
Debbie
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East Cowes Town Council - Clerks Report Please feel free to join the Facilities, Projects, and Events Committee meeting on Thursday 4th March at 6pm. Please see the Town Council notice boards and our website before the meetings for the agenda which includes joining instructions. At the time of writing, Town Council staff who are able to, continue to work from home and meetings are being conducted remotely via Zoom. The public toilets and play areas are still open and are being inspected, cleaned, and sanitised regularly. Sadly, the tennis court and outdoor gym have had to be closed. As soon as restrictions ease and it is safe to do so the Town Hall will be reopened, the Library Drop off and Collect service will resume and the tennis court and outdoor gym will be available for use. Please bear with us during these challenging times. It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that our Facilities Officer, Mick Collis, suddenly passed away in January. Mick worked for the Town Council for the last six years, and the Town Council sincerely appreciated his commitment and loyalty to the job. He loved his work here in East Cowes and made many friends whilst going about Town Council business. He will be very much missed by us all. Have you been furloughed, had your wage reduced and are struggling to keep your head above water? East Cowes Town council has been successful in bidding for a small pot of funding from the Connect4Communities grant, which is intended to help those in most need. Whilst this is not a huge pot, it 4
is nevertheless there to help support individuals and families. If you feel that this might be able to help you, please contact Cllr Jane Rann, Mayor Cllr.J.Rann@eastcowestowncouncil. co.uk Cllr Karl Love, Deputy Mayor - lovehilluk@gmail.com or Mr Michael Paler, East Cowes Voluntary Hub Coordinator - michaelpaler@btinternet. com. Please note that you cannot access this fund if you are already receiving a state benefit of any kind. The government has confirmed that Town and Parish Council and Police and Crime Commissioner elections will take place on Thursday 6th May. The last date to register to vote is Monday 19th April. If you wish to apply for a postal vote you have until 5pm on Tuesday 20th April and if you want to apply for a new proxy vote, the deadline is 5pm on Tuesday 27th April. If you choose to vote in person, please be assured that all the appropriate safeguarding measures will be in place to ensure you can do so safely. An update on the landslip project. Sharon Lake has now secured pledges of £10,700 towards the gabion baskets required for the project, in addition to the £5000 donated by the Town Council. A construction company has also offered support to build and install the baskets. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered or donated to this very worthwhile project. It will be a huge improvement making the Esplanade more accessible for residents and visitors to enjoy.
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East Cowes Town Council - Clerks Report continued The Town Council is currently reviewing what other improvements can be made to the amenities and green spaces on the Esplanade, having recently taken a lease from the Isle of Wight Council for the landward side from the public toilets to Bells Green. The Community Hub and Library extension to the town hall is progressing with the building contract going out to tender this month. It has taken a great deal of work to get to this point so it is wonderful to think that work should be able to commence on site in May. Watch this space….
Project Geranium 2020/21 Good Health & Friendship Geraniums grown by Care in the Garden have been delivered to elderly residents by Age UK IOW Steve Double, a local NHS worker has made a difference in a world where nothing is normal and plans to continue growing this project this year. The geranium is a simple plant that symbolises good health & friendship.
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If you’re thinking about voting by post, you can apply to do this now. Claire Shand, electoral registration officer at the Isle of Wight Council, said: “The elections will take place at a time when COVID-19 continues to present risks to public health. Depending on the infection rate, measures taken to control the spread of the virus may change as we approach May. “We are working hard to ensure polling stations will be safe places to vote, but you can choose to apply to vote by post or by proxy instead. If you are thinking about applying for a postal vote, then please do so as early as possible. To vote in the elections - either at a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf as your proxy - you must first be registered to vote, which can be done online in just five minutes. To then apply to vote by post you need to download, print, and fill out a postal vote application form at www.iow.gov.uk/Council/OtherServices/Electoral-Registration/PostalVotes. Once you have completed the form and signed it, you need to send it to Electoral Services, County Hall, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD. To request a postal vote application form email electoral.services@iow.gov.uk or call (01983) 823380. The deadline to apply for a postal vote and cancel or make changes to a current postal or proxy vote at this election is 5pm on 20 April 2021. Any residents who have any questions can contact the Isle of Wight Council electoral registration team on 01983 823380, via email: electoral.services@iow.gov.uk or through the website at www.iow.gov.uk/Council/Elections/Electoral-Registration/Contact 7
Census day is on March 21st Have you received your census 2021 letter? Households across the Isle of Wight are being asked to take part in Census 2021. It’s important you fill in your census questionnaire because the information you share affects the life of every single person living on the Isle of Wight Charities and voluntary organisations often use it as evidence to get funding. It helps businesses to understand their customers and, for example, decide where to open new shops. Plus, those doing research, like university students and people looking into their family history, use census data. It provides important information on population diversity, allowing organisations to know whether they are meeting their responsibilities and triggering action where necessary. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) will send you a letter in the post with an access code and instructions (from March 1st). You can fill in your census questionnaire online as soon as you get yours. Paper questionnaires will be available for those who need them. Here are some Isle of Wight census facts from the last census in 2011 If you don’t get one in the next 138,265 people lived in Isle of Wight. couple of weeks, please get in 761 of you were chefs. touch with the census contact There were 299 boat/ship builders and repairers. centre - www.census.gov.uk 280 people were farmers. 14 of you worked in footwear & leather working You can also request a paper trades. questionnaire if you’d prefer 9,508 of you walked to work. to complete your census that The top language, other than English or Welsh, was way. Polish. There were 196 different ethnicities. A local census support centre, There were 2,334 families with 3 or more People Matter IW will be open dependent children. (from March 1st) while the census is happening. Staff will offer help for people not confident online, who don’t have a computer or need help completing on paper. The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941. For more information, and to find out how to get help, visit www.census.gov.uk or call Ursula Dowd, Census Engagement Manager, Isle of Wight on 07828 708405 or email ursula.dowd24@field.census.gov.uk 8
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News Report from Town & County Cllr Karl Love - East Cowes. Email: karl.love@iow.gov.uk Facebook: Cllr Karl Love use including the tattoo studio, CARRIAGEWAY RECONSTRUCTION hair barbers and a depot of & RESURFACING WORKS IN YORK CERTAS energy. The council AVENUE, EAST COWES - You may now officers have written to the owner and be aware of the major highway networks a representative of CERTAS energy reconstruction and resurfacing which could establishing this breach and requesting take as long as 64 days starting on the contact to seek a resolution. I certainly 1st of March. The timings of the works believe that placing a mixed-use building are: Reconstruction works start Monday containing a fuel storage company so close 1st March 2021 for approximately 64 to residential homes it’s not appropriate working days. Resurfacing works start or safe. I have received complaints from Wednesday 2nd June 2021 for 6 working adjoining neighbours who are concerned nights. They intend to reopen the road about a number of things including the over bank holidays; however, this may not value of their own property being reduced, be possible if unforeseen circumstances insurance issues and public safety in such as leaks, or ground conditions dictate general. I also have real concerns about its that it is unsafe to do so. During the proximity and location directly next to the reconstruction 24-hour road closures will fire station and radio mast should there be be in place along sections of York Avenue and traffic diversion routes in place. During an incident resulting in fire or explosion. It might be important for residents in that these periods no on-street parking and no location to ascertain a property valuation vehicle access will be permitted. In order to against which any change of use can minimise disruption, they will be working be measured. Residents also need to in phases. I have been communicating with register their concerns with IWC planning Island Roads and Cllr Ward. There are enforcement. going to be significant areas where parking restrictions will be implemented but not all The East Cowes Landslip Community at the same time. I have asked Councillor Regeneration Project raised approximately Ward to communicate with a number of £10,000 in pledges and in less than 48 hours people/businesses to open their premises. of announcing the sale of its gabions and At the time of writing this I’m not able benches to be placed along the Esplanade to say what they have agreed. The works effectively to have all the unsightly fencing to be carried out I’m told will provide a removed. The project led by Sharon Lake long-term solution to the decaying road and a small team of volunteers have been situation. This scheme is split into 4 working on plans for the last 18 months. separate elements. I will try to provide you with information about each of those East Cowes Town Council have recently elements as they progress. taken over responsibility for all of the greens leading along the Esplanade on a York Avenue Garage - CERTAS tanker use significant lease basis from Isle of Wight and change of premises use. By way of Council. This gives greater local control update, the local authorities have stated to to the people in our efforts to refurbish the me that a breach of planning control has occurred at the above site. A material change Esplanade. of use of the land has occurred to a mixed 12
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News Report from Cllr Karl Love East Cowes Town Council have committed £5000 to support the landslip project and the East Cowes Shrape Swimmers have started a round the island virtual swim challenge to raise funds. If you would like to make a donation you can make your cheques out to ‘East Cowes Community Partnership’ place it in an envelope marked Shrape Swimmers and hand them to Tracey Reardon at House Crafts DIY, Clarence Rd or you can visit the Gofund.me/0633952c and make an online donation. For those of you who would like to purchase a bench or gabion basket there will be further opportunities in the future. In other news a number of emails have been going backwards and forwards in recent weeks and months between the owners of Norris Castle, East Cowes town council myself and others. The developers do intend to bring forward an application and until that is done, I’m not really able to make much of a comment on their plans. Once their plans are brought forward everybody will have an opportunity to comment and this should be done on the official Isle of Wight councils planning application portal. Cllr Stephen Hendry has been working with Isle of Wight Council, the developers and Island Roads to bring the long running saga of the Saunders Way road connection to Kingston Road to a conclusion. There are some complex discussions taking place about how the hand over of this road is to be funded and maintained. I think it’s disappointing that all of these discussions have been left until the last minute when they have had 14 years in which to agree to it. One or two people have asked me what might be developed at the former Island fuels site on Kingston Road. The answer is I’ve not received any information about that whatsoever and so we just have to watch
with interest. The site has now been completely cleared. Finally, I want to say something about the local elections in May as we continue to receive changing guidelines and more information about it. Constituents, yourselves, are being encouraged to register for a postal vote however the local polling offices will be open as usual on the day. There are some difficulties when it comes to candidates campaigning because we are not allowed to go from door-to-door in the usual way of posting leaflets and canvassing. We can pay for a postal service delivery of leaflets but that of course is costly to people like myself and other independent who effectively fund our own campaigns. Many of us have been hit in the same way that other families have been with reduced income. We are still waiting for some further clarification about electioneering but if the current status quo remains it will give advantage to the mainstream parties whose funds are drawn from donations and membership fees. I think it’s only fair to report in the next edition, if possible, the names of those who might want to stand for election of the East Cowes Town Council. I really want to encourage new people to stand to get involved and create change which only comes when people stand up to be counted and bring new ideas and suggestions to the forefront. There’s an old saying that your town needs you and it really does otherwise we will continue as we have. If you’re interested in standing to be a town councillor and would you like to know more then please get in touch with me or our town clerk. Take care out there and we look forward to a much brighter, safer and happier spring and summer.
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What does the month of March offer us? March is normally the month when the Island starts coming to life again with Spring events for everyone to enjoy. Unfortunately this is not a normal year... and as we are currently living through a pandemic local events have been cancelled and put on hold. But all is not lost as there are still some yearly events to look forward to and which you can celebrate in your own unique style, indoors, in your bubble while keeping safe and not breaking any lockdown rules.
St David’s Day - Monday 1st March. St David is the patron saint of Wales and he
is celebrated on March 1st. To mark the day, Welsh people around the world wear one or both of Wales’s national emblems - a daffodil and a leek. ... Patron saints are chosen to be special protectors or guardians over all areas of life.
Meteorological Spring 2021 – Monday 1st March. In meteorology for the Northern
hemisphere, spring begins on this day. The meteorological seasons are divided according to the calendar months. Spring months are March, April and May. Spring is one of the four conventional temperate seasons following winter and preceding summer. Spring is seen as a time of growth, renewal, of new life (both plant and animal) being born. The term is also used more generally as a metaphor for the start of better times, as in the Prague Spring. Unstable weather may more often occur during spring, when warm air begins on occasions to invade from lower latitudes, while cold air is still pushing on occasions from the Polar regions.
Mothering Sunday – Sunday 14th March. Mothering Sunday always falls on the
fourth Sunday in Lent, 21 days before Easter Sunday and is a day honouring mothers and mother churches. Celebrated in the British Isles and elsewhere in the English-speaking world. Mothering Sunday is the biggest flower buying day of the year in Britain and Carnations are the flowers typically associated with Mothering Sunday. Mothering Sunday was originally the day when in 16th Century Christian practice one would make an annual visit to one’s mother church, which meant that most mothers would be reunited with their children on this day. 14
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St Patrick’s Day – Wednesday 17th March. The day commemorates Saint
Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, céilís, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks. St. Patrick’s Day became an official public holiday in Ireland in 1903 with the passing of the Bank Holiday (Ireland) Act 1903.
Astronomical Spring 2021 – Sunday 20th March - In the Northern
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Hemisphere, the March equinox (aka spring equinox or vernal equinox) occurs when the Sun crosses the equator line, heading north in the sky. This event marks the start of spring in the northern half of the globe. After this “An excellent team date, the Northern offering an Hemisphere begins to invaluable service” be tilted more toward NEW! Book online www.mobilevetsurgery.co.uk the Sun, resulting in increasing daylight Stress-free Islandwide “Friendly & reliable hours and warming professional yet Home Visits & very caring” temperatures. With Central Vet Surgery the equinox, enjoy the increasing sunlight hours, with earlier dawns and later Keyhole CT sunsets. Surgery
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Clocks go forward Watergate Rd, Newport, PO30 1XP 01983 212999 – Sunday 28th The views and opinions expressed by contributors March. Clocks go forward one hour at 1.00am on the last Sunday of March. It starts the period of British Summer Times (BST), or Daylight-Saving Time (DST) so that mornings have one hour less daylight, and evenings one hour more.
and advertisers are their own and do not reflect the views of the Editor or Island Magazines unless stated otherwise. Island Magazines reserves the right to refuse or alter material where necessary.
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