Your Local Community Magazine
FREE November 2020
East Cowes & Whippingham Area
He’s small but he is mighty… I had no trouble thinking of this month’s front cover. All I had to do was look out my window for inspiration as I have been befriended by a little robin who lives in the hawthorn at the bottom of the garden. I decided to name him and to be honest I decided to keep it simple and he is now known as Mr Robin… he is here all day, every day and has been for the last 5 weeks or so. Most mornings you can hear his high pitched singing and some particular mornings if he has got out of bed on the wrong side (which happens to us all) he can be very vocal and almost aggressive in his tune. This also happens if I have been a bit slack and not filled the feeders to the standard he likes. The hawthorn bush is home to at least 20+ little sparrows and a blackbird but it is clear to see that Mr Robin is the leader and has no trouble keeping everyone in line. The robin is officially Britain’s national bird and they have been associated with Christmas as postmen in Victorian Britain were nicknamed “robins” because of their red-breasted coloured uniforms. So, the robin on the Christmas card came to represent the postman who delivered the card. Robins are known to have spiritual and symbolic meanings and signifies loved ones are still with us after they pass away, bringing us a sign from heaven, encouraging us to move forward with acceptance and determination. Above all, the robin red breast symbolises passion, a new beginning, and re-birth. Therefore, if the bird flies into your life you will be blessed with happiness and joy. I take a lot of pleasure from feeding the birds, and this small task means so much to them as the winter weather can have a severe impact on them and they can use up to 10% of their body weight during one cold night, and unless able to feed well every day to replenish its reserves, a prolonged cold spell can be fatal. Once they know food is available, they will be back time and time again.
JONES
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Welcome to the November issue. The clocks have gone back an hour and that extra time in bed was gratefully received. Autumn is in full swing and Winter is just around the corner. There has been a definite drop in the temperature but there have still been some lovely sunny days. For me it’s the simple things in life like still getting the washing dry outside!
text or call Island Magazines on 07880 587 931 islandmagazines@gmail.com www.islandmagazines.co.uk
This month’s issue is packed with news, information and a range of interesting articles which I hope you will all enjoy reading. As usual we have some great advertisers offering a range of services including Christmas gifts and ideas. Our puzzles on pages 12 and 13 will keep you busy and if you see yourself as a budding writer there is a great competition being run by Sight for Wight and you can find more details on page 6. It’s been a very difficult year for everyone, and many local businesses have been and still are struggling, so please use their services whenever you can. I hope you enjoy this issue and please let any business owners know about us and how they can advertise and promote themselves in this monthly community magazine. If you have any news or information you would like to share, please get in touch with me and I will always help in any way that I can. Enjoy your November and I look forward to catching up with you again soon. Best wishes
Debbie
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East Cowes Town Council - Clerks Report The Full Council meeting for November will be held remotely by Zoom on Thursday 19th November at 6pm. There is also a Facilities, Projects and Events Committee on 5th November at 11am. As usual the agenda, including joining instructions will be published on the Town Council notice boards, on the website and the Facebook page on the Friday before. At the October Full Council meeting the Town Council welcomed the Medicines Manager for East Cowes Medical Centre who came to provide an update about how they are dealing with the impact of the Covid-19 situation and share information about improvements at the practice. Members of the public are encouraged to use the e-consult service as much as possible to free up the phone lines for those unable to access the internet. It can be found by using this link: www.eastcoweshealthcentre.co.uk/ doitonline.aspx. There are 4 members of staff dedicated to answering phone calls. Several new members of staff have been appointed including 2 mental health practitioners, a Muscular/Skeletal Practitioner, a GP and a Nurse Prescribing Specialist. Despite the national picture the practice is in a good position moving forward. Chris Ashman (IWC Director of Regeneration) also attended to provide an update about Venture Quays. Four parcels of land were acquired by the Isle of Wight Council in August. In the short term the aim of the council is to generate some revenue to reduce the cost of holding the buildings. A short-term lease has been agreed for the Albany Building and a steering group is to be formed to refresh and update the Masterplan for the 4
Waterfront. The Town Council will be represented on this body. The Town Council continues to engage as much as possible with various organisations which are key to the future of East Cowes as well as taking an active role in responding to national consultations about Government housing allocations for the island and changes to the planning system. The Council discussed the formation of a Community Speed watch initiative for East Cowes. If you or anyone you know is concerned about the speed of traffic in East Cowes and are interested in volunteering for this project, please contact the Clerk’s Office. Volunteers work in teams of 3 and are given full training and support by Hampshire Police for the first few sessions. Please support East Cowes Library which continues to offer a collection and drop off service from the Town Hall main entrance every Monday from 10am-1pm. Books, talking books and DVD orders can be placed by phone 01983 718662, email eastcoweslibrary@gmail.com or by post to the Town Hall, York Avenue, East Cowes, PO32 6RU. Use it or Lose it! Some activities and groups that can operate within the current guidelines are beginning to return to the Town Hall. This is an ever-changing situation. Please check the website for the latest information. If you are considering coming along to any of the activities, please contact the group directly as they are operating with limited numbers to ensure government guidelines are followed and you may need to book. Stay safe and well.
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Are you a budding writer? If there is an author inside you that is just waiting to be noticed... then now is the time to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and enter the Sight for Wight Short Story Writing Competition 2020.
Entry forms are available from Dress for Less, 114 St James’ Street, Newport, Sight for Wight, Millbrooke House, 137 Carisbrooke Road, Newport or you can download at: www.sightforwight.org.uk or email your request to enquiries@iwsb.org.uk The entry fee is £6.00 for adults per story (1500—2000 words) and £3.00 for under 18s per story (up to 750 words).
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News Report from Town & County Cllr Karl Love - East Cowes. Email: karl.love@iow.gov.uk Facebook: Cllr Karl Love This month we’ve had quite a lot of things of buildings and there are some going on again in and around East Cowes. conditions placed upon the sale to IWC in purchasing this estate. Firstly, let me turn my attention to the IWC is required to build houses upon most wartime contribution of those who lived probably the car park adjoining Maresfield in around East Cowes and the many who Road and Albany building. If this is not lost their lives in conflicts. We will be laying achieved, then it is a condition of the sale wreaths in remembrance, as our town has that the land is to be returned to Homes always done to remember those injured and England for the price of just £1. Therefore, those who lost their lives. If you intend to it is a reality that that administration has attend the Cenotaph, I ask that you please committed us to building yet more houses keep to your own small bubbles of no more in East Cowes. These houses are likely to be than six and well apart from one another. I starter homes with one and two bedrooms. will try to make sure there is a small video One thing is for certain nothing is going made so that people can watch from home to happen in the short term as Isle of the events rather than attending in person. Wight Council remains cash-strapped and the Albany building has been let out on a NORRIS CASTLE made a presentation temporary contract for two years to a local to East Cowes town council about their business. I anticipate parking charges will latest proposals for a planning application be introduced to the Maresfield carpark for the castle’s development. They intend in order to recover some of the council’s to launch a website with all the information expenditure. We will watch, wait and and details. I’m not able to make much respond once we know more about the longof a comment about the plans at this time term future of this development. until after the application is submitted. I will say that while there are changes, it is FLOATING BRIDGE. The Isle of Wight similar in its ambitions to create a highCouncil have finally admitted that the bridge quality hotel. There are additional second is not fit for purpose, but they continue to and third home properties and retirement pour money into solutions which do not apartments contained in it. There is still a address the fundamental design flaws. In plan to use our Esplanade as their entrance the latest proposal twist one of the solutions for construction and to access some of their suggested is to fit bow thrusters to the vessel properties. The developers have stated that which is nothing more than a sticking plaster they will submit a full planning application exercise to solve the problem of the chains for Norris Castle and an outline planning and the fact that this vessel, which is 99 tons application for Spring Hill. Once this has heavier than its predecessor, cannot operate occurred, I will make sure that everyone in effectively on the chains designed for the our town has an opportunity to comment. floating bridge 5. The only solution is to I believe in transparency and community replace this vessel and of course that will voice therefore it is important that everyone come at a high cost but to do nothing will put is heard. our island and town business investment at risk. I can confirm that I’ve been in positive VENTURE QUAYS has now been forward-thinking discussions with the purchased from Homes England for a price administration alongside Cllr Lora Peaceyin excess of £1 million. This is a cluster Wilcox from West Cowes. I have put the
News Report from Town & County Cllr Karl Love - East Cowes. Email: karl.love@iow.gov.uk Facebook: Cllr Karl Love IWC in communication with some of the local people and their commitment. country’s best and leading construction of transportation, power transmission systems A wonderful community effort has been Consultants. These consultants approached made in raising funds to help the umbrella me as they have boats moored on the river tree continue long into the future. Terrific and wanted to help if they could in finding spirit of community togetherness has come solutions for the current situation. We out of the umbrella tree efforts to save it hope that their involvement might be able and I wanted to thank everybody for their to produce some form of viable working wonderful efforts in supporting the umbrella solution and carry us forward into the future. tree support group. They have done a terrific job and we all wish them well and feel sure ESPLANADE LANDSLIP. There has been that the funding target of £5000 will be some progress made by the East Cowes achieved. Regeneration Subgroup in trying to address some the landslip issues. The group has Sadly, I have run out of room in this issue so formed a Facebook page which you can wish you all good health and happiness follow at East Cowes Esplanade & Landslip Community Project. Having spent the last few years trying to find some solutions Traditional Painter & Decorator and encouraging IWC to take action it has become evident that there is no intention “a professional, reliable & high to place any significant resources into quality tradesman” reopening the East Cowes Esplanade. Specialist in painting/staining kitchen doors, However, at the October Cabinet meeting a much cheaper alternative to replacing. I asked the question “when will the Isle of Wight Council grant permission for our Fully Insured | References | Free Estimates community project to be able to proceed in addressing the landslip issues and helping Tel: 294020 or 07769 967 140 to improve the area.” Cllr Wayne Whittle Email: si.mcm@hotmail.co.uk responded stating that in principle they Call would agree to a community project to take 01983 216121 place subject to plans being presented of the proposed schemes. The proposed schemes or are ambitious but within what is currently 07590 277298 achievable. This will be a long-term project that seeks to address the re-connection of For all your external the walkways along the Esplanade. Whilst cleaning needs... I understand that many of you will be Soft Washing & Pressure Washing of dismayed that the Esplanade will not be reopened as a highway, we can at least Render, Roofs, Driveways, Gutters, strive to get it opened and as a community Cladding, Awnings, Patios and asset. Unless we as a community take virtually any other external surface. action ourselves, nobody else is going to info@dazzleexternalcleaning.com and so I am delighted with all the efforts of
SIMON MAC
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Sudoku
Place a number from 1 to 9 in each empty square so that each row, column and 3 x 3 block contains the numbers 1 to 9 with no repeats.
6
1
4 9 2 8 5 7 3 1 2 7 6 9 7 8 6 9 2 7 4 8 1 2 5 3 3 5 2 6 12
BASH BURST CHOP CRUMBLE CRUNCH CRUSH CUT DEMOLISH DESTROY DICE DIVIDE EXPLODE FLAKE FRACTURE GRATE GRIND JUMBLE MINCE PIERCE
PULVERISE REND RUIN SEVER SHATTER SMASH SNAP SPLIT TEAR WRECK
Word Ladder Change one letter at a time to make a new word on each rung, move from the top word to the bottom using the exact number of letters and rungs provided.
F O O L
S A G E
Last month’s answers – Wordladder:- Tears, Sears, Stars, Stare, Stale, Stile, Smile
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Kriss Kross Can you work out where each word goes in the grid to complete a crossword style puzzle?
3 LETTERS CAP CHI COW INN JOY LEE TIE WAX
4 LETTERS 5 LETTERS ALOFT FINE DWELL LACK FROCK OOZE INFER SCAR KNOWS TASK MOODS UPON NIECE URIC STICK YESES
6 LETTERS BAMBOO EASIER EMPIRE JERKED MYSELF NEATLY REELED STARVE SUFFIX
8 LETTERS ABRUPTLY RESERVED
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EAST COWES SLIMMERS COME BACK TOGETHER AFTER MONTHS OF VIRTUAL SLIMMING Slimmers from East Cowes are making a ‘comeback’ as their Slimming World group reopened, with local Consultant Julie Benson saying she’s excited to be back helping members to lose weight and improve their health in person. Slimming World has been supporting members virtually in online weekly groups since March, when lockdown closed all of the organisation’s community groups. Now, following the current easing of restrictions in many areas, real-life groups are beginning to reopen step-by-step. Julie has put measures in place to ensure her groups in East Cowes comply fully with government and local guidance and that members can return safely to their muchloved Slimming World. Julie says: “I’m delighted to finally be back together with my members! Our virtual groups have been a vital lifeline of support and I’m so, so proud of‘virtual’ how mygroup members have been there for each other through these difficult months and continued to lose continued support. weight and get more active. There’s nothing quite like the magic of our real-life groups though, and research of our members during lockdown has shown that while our members have loved attending their virtual groups they’ve missed the motivational power and accountability of meeting in person each week.”
Wednesday
East Cowes Town Hall
Group Meetings are back. Social distancing in place and BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL. Call/email Julie for more info on 07813 635202 or joolsmarj@btinternet.com
There are a few changes in our groups to ensure that everyone feels as safe, confident and comfortable as they possibly can. This includes appropriate social distancing, hygiene measures and shorter sessions, which we’ll be asking members to book in to before attending. What hasn’t changed is the gorgeous warm welcome, feeling of togetherness and the joy of being ‘in it together’ week on week. We can’t wait to welcome new members in East Cowes to our groups too. Obesity is a huge issue in the news at the moment with evidence showing that carrying extra weight makes it harder for the body to fight COVID-19. We know many people’s routines were turned upside down by lockdown and lots of us have been feeling more worried or anxious than usual, all of which can have an impact on making healthy choices.” Julie’s Slimming World group in East Cowes is open now. For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or contact Julie on 07813 635202 to book your place.
‘Bits & Blogs’ As the nights draw in nothing beats sitting down with a good book, but one better than that is a book written by a fellow Isle of Wighter… ‘Bits and Blogs’ is the work of Poppy Fields who moved to the Island permanently after being made redundant from her job of 25 years. Before that she lived between the Island and the mainland and her book follows the ups and downs of life, many of which we will all be able to relate to. Written as a collection of blogs her funny, light-hearted, emotive, and touching anecdotes about her life can be enjoyed and they also make it easy for the reader to dip in and out of this entertaining book. Poppy is just a typical wife and grandmother who now works part time in Morrisons. She shares colourful stories about several weird and wonderful episodes in her life – from the day-to“An excellent team day quandaries of a offering an middle-aged, bingoinvaluable service” loving, accident-prone, hot-tub-dipping, NEW! Book online www.mobilevetsurgery.co.uk sweet-fanatic mother, Stress-free Islandwide “Friendly & reliable her continuous battle professional yet Home Visits & with her weight (and very caring” Central Vet Surgery frustrations with Fat Clubs!), and a very Sober October to raise money for Macmillan in memory of her dear Keyhole CT late friend. Along with Surgery Scans her love and pride for Watergate Rd, Newport, PO30 1XP 01983 212999 her close-knit family, and an abundance of hilarious moments that will literally have you laughing out loud, the author also reflects on some poignant and sad times in Portable Appliance Testing her life that will resonate with anyone who (PAT Testing) has ever been in a similar position. • Domestic & Commercial This book is the perfect gift for yourself or • Competitive Rates • All Island Coverage as a Christmas present that will just keep Call: 01983 754666 for a quote or giving and giving. Available to buy from email: info@westwightaudio.co.uk Amazon as a paperback or kindle edition.
www.westwightaudio.co.uk
Community Spirited Care Agency
Please call or email and ask for a comprehensive information pack.
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 and we are celebrating our 13th year in business. We offer support packages to suit your needs and designed to be flexible to keep you independent in your own home.
Following the latest Goverment guidelines there is a delay in our groups recommencing. We hope to start again soon and look forward to seeing you there. Tuesday 1.30-3.30 Mental Wellness (1:1 sessions available by appointment) Wednesday 10.30-12.30 Crafty Knit & Natter
Thursday 10.30-12.30 Games (with a bacon sandwich for ÂŁ1)
All groups are FREE the first time and ÂŁ2 thereafter. Refreshments, laughter and good company are included in all groups! For more info call us or turn up on the day. We are based at the newly renovated and recently decorated Parkside Pavilion, Vectis Road, East Cowes, PO32 6HN. On the number 5 bus route.
01983 296592 or 07747046202
E: communityspirited@hotmail.co.uk www.communityspirited.com