Island Magazines April 2021 Freshwater, Totland and Yarmouth Area by Island Magazines

Your Local Community Magazine

April 2021

FREE Freshwater, Totland & Yarmouth Area

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Email: hello@maggiecurrie.co.uk

www.maggiecurrie.co.uk 01983 754 620

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Have your priorities changed recently? Are you considering changing direction in your work and/or personal life? Are your many thoughts overwhelming? Work with me to gather your scattered thoughts and pinpoint what it is you really want.

Giving your feet the care and attention they deserve

Mrs C. A. Wright Podiatrist/Chiropodist FSSCh Dip. Pod. Med. FBChA FRIPH

All aspects of foot health and care, provided in your own home. HPC Registered, with 34 years of experience. Full PPE worn. For more information call Carolyn on

Tel 01983 884467 Mobile 07815 922 160

Pain in your feet or lower limbs will not only cause a considerable amount of discomfort it can lead on to serious problems and in the long-term affect both your mental and physical health. Our feet take a pounding every day, yet they can often be neglected and problems can emerge. Corns, calluses, ingrowing toenails, athletes foot and fungus are just a few of the problems can that occur. If you suffer from diabetes it is important that you receive regular check-ups as an essential aspect of diabetes care. Although this all may sound doom and gloom, the good news is that local Podiatrist and Chiropodist Carolyn Wright can help with all aspects of foot health and care. Carolyn has over 34 years of experience and is registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC). Carolyn provides home visits which makes it a relaxing and comfortable experience. Full PPE is always worn and all Covid regulations are followed. She believes in taking the stress and worry away from all her clients and all she asks is that you sit back and relax whilst she takes care of your foot health needs. If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment call Carolyn on 01983 884467 or 07815 922160 and see her main advert. 2

Welcome to the April issue of Island Magazines and thank you for picking up a copy. The year is slowly moving ahead and at the time of writing this we are following a Government roadmap which will gradually bring us out of ‘lockdown’ and let’s hope in the months to come we can start seeing a return to normal life pre-covid. Easter is early this year with Good Friday on the second of April and Easter Sunday on the fourth. I hope we are lucky weather wise and have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors accompanied with a good dose of sunshine. It might even be a chance for either the first picnic or barbecue of the year. This is also a great time to relax and get stuck into our puzzle section on pages 14 and 15. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust have launched a new ‘Waste of Space’ public appeal and need your help to turn unloved spaces in our towns and cities into vital natural space for people and wildlife. See page 8 for more information. If you never want to miss out reading ‘your local community magazine’ you can now subscribe to either our printed or digital subscription each month and you can find more details on page 7. As usual you will find this issue packed with news and information and we have a special middle pull out section for candidates standing in the upcoming election. I hope you have a great Easter and I look forward to catching up with you again next month.

Debbie

text or call Island Magazines on 07880 587 931 islandmagazines@gmail.com www.islandmagazines.co.uk facebook.com/islandmagazines twitter.com/islandmagazines Island Magazines Mailbox No 4, Unit B1 Whitecross Business Centre Whitecross Lane Shanklin, IOW, PO37 7EJ

Tel: 01983 339755 | Mob: 07785 531285 hgimprovementsiow@yahoo.com

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Totland Parish Council News Colwell Common Car Boot Sales are looking to commence from 1st May and providing we get enough support these will run through until September. This is all subject to Government guidelines. Final Grants were given at the March meeting with the Totland Bay Bowling Club receiving a grant to host a PSA Blood Testing Event in conjunction with Wight Prostate Cancer Support Group. The event will be Saturday 24th July at the Club House by the Recreation Ground. Further details will follow closer to the time.

Recycling: Afton Marsh Recycling Centre – This is open, and you can now take household rubbish, however, you MUST book a time online. You cannot just turn up; you will be sent away.

Parking at Totland Recreation Ground: Signs have been erected informing all that no overnight parking is allowed for any vehicles and Councillors request local people stop using this as a second car parking space or for vehicles that are either SORN or do not hold a current MOT. The area is for users of the facilities only.

CONTACT DETAILS: Parish Clerk – Mrs Helen Gibbs - Telephone 756028 Totland Parish Council, Winchester House, The Broadway, Totland Bay, PO39 0AX. The parish office opening days and times are Monday – Thursday 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Councillors have been looking to upgrade Colwell Chine Public Toilets and it is hoped at the next meeting a decision will be made on what happens here.

Email: clerk@totlandparishcouncil.org. uk or follow the Clerk on Twitter @ TotlandClerk. The parish council also have a Facebook page which is updated regularly.

The Annual Parish meeting will be held this month, watch out for confirmed dates. This will be online, and you will be able to be part of this. Elections: The Isle of Wight Council have confirmed Islanders will be going to the polls on Thursday 6th May 2021 with Covid-19 restrictions. You can apply 4

for a postal vote by completing the form which can be downloaded at www. iow.gov.uk/Council/ OtherServices/ Electoral-Registration/Postal-Votes. This application is also available from the Parish Office by appointment. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on 20th April 2021.

SOS Flat Roofing All Electrical Work Undertaken Domestic and Commercial Design / Installation / Improvements Home Automation

Mind the Gap Re-build feelings of self-worth and get back your confidence. The new ‘Mind the Gap’ courses via Zoom begin on the 27th April for women and 28th April for men at 10am.

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Their Zoom based sessions have been very successful and the FREE course is able to create and deliver coaching, mentoring and support to women and men who are suffering from abuse in any form. The 10-week course is for everyone to learn how to rebuild their confidence and move forward positively in their lives. The sessions help build support networks, learn new skills and increase self-belief. They help individuals and groups to gain the courage and confidence to stand up against oppression, control, abuse etc. If you would like to book a place on an April course email hello@breakthecycle.org.uk. www.breakthecycle.org.uk

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Eco Refill Scheme - doing your bit for the environment… The West Wight Timebank is operating a delivery eco refill scheme in the Freshwater, Yarmouth, Totland, Shalfleet and Newbridge areas. To reduce the amount of single use plastic being discarded into the environment you can have your empties collected and refilled with environmentally friendly products at your door. Washing up liquid, multipurpose cleaner, liquid soap, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, laundry liquid and fabric conditioner, toilet cleaner and hand sanitiser are all available. Prices are competitive and calculated by volume. Contact Gina on 07790 329859 for more information. Payment can be made by cash or card. Government Covid guidelines will always be followed.

subscribe Never miss out on reading a copy of Island Magazines. If you can’t get out to pick up a copy from local distributors you can subscribe to either our ‘DIGITAL’ or ‘PRINTED’ edition each month. For DIGITAL subscriptions please email freshwatermagazine@gmail.com and include the words ‘subscribe digital’ in the email, then sit back, relax and wait for the next issue to drop into your email inbox. For PRINTED subscriptions there will be a small charge of £1.20 per month payable 6 months in advance. Email islandmagazines@gmail.com with your name, address and which area you would like or call us on 07880 587931.

Your Friendly Local Plumber. Call: 07814605938 or 759794

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Waste of Space Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust launch public appeal to help turn unloved spaces in our towns and cities into vital natural space for people and wildlife. Natural and wild places have provided a lifeline for people across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire over the past year, providing essential outside space to relax, exercise, play and spend time with friends and family. Access to these wild spaces and connection to nature is known to benefit people’s physical and mental health, leading to reductions in depression, anxiety and obesity and strengthening people’s immune systems. However, the pandemic has highlighted vast inequalities in access to green and natural spaces. One in eight households have no garden and rely entirely on public open spaces, particularly in urban areas. In a survey conducted by the Trust in June 2020, over 96% of people said that nature played an important role in relieving stress during lockdown and expressed a need for more natural space in our towns and cities. Urban wild spaces create healthier communities, reduce loneliness and social isolation and provide safe places for children to play. They also provide cleaner air, combat climate change, help reduce flooding and act as havens for wildlife as part of a county-wide Nature Recovery Network. The Trust is asking local people to map the ‘wasted space’ in their communities, the unloved scraps of land around our houses and streets that could, and should, do much more for people and nature. This could include tall buildings with the potential to have swift boxes on, paved over surfaces which could be filled with colourful planters or simply a space which needs a litter pick and a place to sit to transform it. The Trust want local people to help find creative ways to make space for nature within our towns and cities. Debbie Tann, CEO of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, says: “Wildlife has been squeezed into smaller and smaller spaces just at the time when people need nature more than ever for their health and wellbeing. Our Wilder 2030 campaign is calling for 30% of land and sea to be restored for nature by 2030, and for people to join us in taking action for wildlife. This must be the decade of nature’s recovery and rewilding our lives. Any area, no matter how small, will contribute to a Nature Recovery Network, and help rewild where we live. This will help transform towns and cities into places where wildlife can thrive and people are happier and healthier.” “Our Wilder Communities Officers, will provide support and advice, including how to talk to your local council, ways to identify what wildlife might already be living in your community, and how to make a space that benefits people and wildlife. We’ll also be engaging with local councils and landowners to get their support so they can work together with communities to make changes which create better urban spaces for everyone.” Together we can rewild where we live. Record your Waste of Space at www.hiwwt.org.uk/waste-space

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MEET THE CANDIDATES

Local elections are taking place on Thursday 6th May. Although Island Magazines has no political agenda, we thought it only fair to make space available to all candidates to advertise their campaigns (should they wish to). Not all candidates took up the offer but for those who did we have produced a handy section for you to pull out and keep.

If you are worried about leaving home to attend the polling station there is still time to apply for a postal vote. You have until 5pm on Tuesday 20th April to apply. Either call 01983 823380 or email electoral.services@iow.gov.uk or go online and download, print, and fill out a postal vote application form at www.iow.gov. uk/Council/OtherServices/ElectoralRegistration/Postal-Votes. 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.

Every Vote Counts

Tel: 07749466482 Email: hsgardeningiow@aol.co.uk

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The views and opinions expressed by candidates and their parties are their own and do not reflect the views of the Editor or Island Magazines. 9

Vote Daniel James 6th May In 2017 I was elected as a Parish Councillor for Freshwater North. You might have heard that boundaries are changing for the election on the 6th May, so that Bouldnor, Cranmore, Ningwood, Thorley, Wellow and Yarmouth are now included with Freshwater North. Between the 2001 and 2011 census returns, the population of Freshwater North fell, while other parts of the Island grew. It would appear that young families have been driven out by steeply-rising house prices and a lack of good jobs. I believe this is bad for all of us, as the West Wight needs people of working age to provide the services we rely on. We will find out when the 2021 census return is published if this trend has continued. This decline in the young population has left several of our primary schools without enough pupils to remain viable. We were faced with proposals to move Freshwater pupils up to St Saviour’s School in Totland, a small school which is already full. That was never going to work, and I’m glad the group of local parents which I was a member of persuaded them to look at the problem again. The issue of viability will remain until the new school in Freshwater is built and full of pupils. There is no room for complacency where the future of our children and grandchildren is concerned. We can expect that County Council finances will remain under pressure from central government cuts, which makes it all the more important that public money is spent wisely. I’m not convinced the Conservative administration’s decision to offer well above the asking price for commercial property on the mainland totalling £35 million was a good idea, especially since our industrial estate at Golden Hill was never completed. If you think our County Council has the expertise and experience to beat the market in property speculation, I have some magic beans I would like to exchange for your cow! The lack of an up-to-date strategic plan for the Island means planning decisions are being made using the permissive national framework. Yet the number of completions of affordable housing is low. Our villages are spreading out into the countryside, but many local people still can’t afford to live in them. As I said when I stood for election back in 2017, we need a housing co-op to ensure that more local people can have a stake in where they live. In the run up to this year’s election, I won’t be able to meet you in person because of the pandemic, so I hope you’ll tell me about local issues directly on 0770 922 9254 or by email to daniel.james@freshwater-parish.org.uk I hope you will vote for me to be your County and Parish councillor on the 6th May. If you haven’t registered to vote in the West Wight yet, you can do this today at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Promoted by Vix Lowthion on behalf of Daniel James and the Isle of Wight Green Party, all c/o 63 School Green Road, Freshwater, Isle of Wight PO40 9AT

WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE WEST WIGHT AREA BRIGHSTONE, CALBOURNE & SHALFLEET

FRESHWATER NORTH & YARMOUTH

FRESHWATER SOUTH

TOTLAND & COLWELL

Steve Hastings 07870 127024 cllr_hastings@ outlook.com

Peter Spink 07836 654523 peterjwspink@ mail.com

George Cameron 07701 011481 gwc2212@ gmail.com

Carol Bryan 01983 629870 carolb50@ sky.com

Please get in touch with Steve, Peter, George or Carol to raise any issues of local concern. They would be pleased to hear from you. Isle of Wight Council elections Thursday 6th May

Promoted by David Pugh of the Isle of Wight Conservative Association, 58 The Mall, Carisbrooke Road, Newport, PO30 1BW on behalf of the candidates named above for the Isle of Wight Council elections on Thursday 6th May, all at the above address.

Thursday 6th May

VOTE Chris Jarman

Candidate for Councillor for the Electoral Ward of Totland & Colwell

I have lived in Totland for 16 years and have been actively involved in local charities and voluntary work for most of my life. Many will be familiar with me through the annual Spring Wessex Cancer Trust fete held at my home Freshwater Court, through my talks to local WIs and similar groups, through the local Rotary, as walk leader with Walking for Health, through my community allotment scheme or fund raising for Mountbatten, Prostate Cancer, Daisy Buses and many other worthy causes. Others will know me through the support I provide for the Horticultural Society and Boys Brigade summer camping, neighbourhood watch or my work as a Magistrate and JP serving on the Family Bench focussed on supporting IOW children. Professionally I have worked in the public and private sectors - innovating and delivering global technical projects in the ﬁnancial and mobile industries. My work has involved solving complex problems using my deep knowledge of mathematics and IT. It has also required considerable executive, project management and negotiating skills. Having been nominated by many of those as passionate as myself about our local community and with the endorsement of the present Councillor John Howe who has served the people of Totland & Colwell with dedication and heart for many years, I am standing as Councillor for the Electoral Ward of Totland & Colwell on the IOW Council. Like John, I would not wish to be dictated to by any of the major parties or compelled to support any national party lines; rather I prefer to be free to act in the best interests of our community and will, following in his footsteps, be standing as an Independent Candidate. As we approach the elections of 6th May I would urge you all to ensure that you are registered to vote. I believe that over the coming weeks I will be able to persuade you to put your trust in me to represent Totland & Colwell with fairness and integrity. I believe that my focus on the needs of our community in Totland & Colwell, coupled with my lifetime of managing technical developments in business, will enable me to provide a practical, detailed and disciplined approach to the work of the IOW Council. I have always been a strong advocate of openness, honesty and transparency.

Chris Jarman, Working for a Better Future for Totland & Colwell • Listening carefully to issues and needs of local people and local businesses. • Supporting the Parish Council in determining priorities and driving forward programmes to improve our community and social services. • Ensuring development appropriately meets the local needs whilst not overwhelming our infrastructure and health services or detracting from the beauty and merits of the West Wight. • Securing, maintaining and enhancing our open spaces and leisure areas. • Ensuring IOW Council ﬁnancial accountability, value for money and eliminating waste. • Redirecting 100% of my IOW Councillor Allowances into a “Totland and Colwell Fund” to invest in local regeneration, businesses and young people. Chris Jarman Email: ChrisJarmanforTotland@gmail.com Telephone: 07905002834 www.facebook.com/chrisjarmanfortotland or write to me:

Promoted by Chris Jarman, Freshwater Court, Court Road, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, PO40 9NU

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www.islandmagazines.co.uk PUZZLE PAGE

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Wordsearch ‘ON THE TRAINS’ D

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Trading Standards have some more scams to warn you about. We have had reports from residents about the following but there will be others! • Phone calls from Open Reach to say they are in your area and there is a problem with your line and asking you to log into your laptop/PC and download an app – DON’T This is a scam. • Scam Texts and Calls purporting to be HMRC. Sometimes they will indicate that you are entitled to a refund, other times they can be particularly intimidating accusing you of owing money and threatening arrest if you don’t do what they say. Both are SCAMS – the HMRC will never contact you in this way. • Phone call saying that your National Insurance number has been compromised and asking you to press 1 – DON’T this is a scam, they will try to gain your personal and or banking information – Hang up. • Whatsapp message advising you that there is a scam going around called Martinelli and telling you to share this with your contacts so that nobody falls victim to it – the actual Whatsapp message is the scam and is designed to mine as much contact information as it can for future scams – DON’T share it – Delete it. Scam texts can be forwarded to 7726 and scam emails sent on to report@phishing.gov.uk where the information will be gathered and used for intelligence. If you would like to increase your knowledge please go to www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk and watch a short video aimed at raising awareness around scams and doorstep crime.

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Freshwater Parish Council Working For The Community.

At last Spring has arrived and we hope everyone has had the opportunity to walk around the village and enjoy the bulbs flowering.

Community Tree Planting Day Saturday April 3rd: With the relaxing of some Covid rules, allowing groups of 6 to meet outdoors we are finally able to put on our long-awaited tree planting event on Saturday April 3rd. 400 Woodland Trust saplings are due to be planted using four groups of six in separate locations. Cllr Murphy pre-arranged and marked the position of all the trees to be planted using bamboo canes to make planting on the day as easy as possible for everyone. This is the start of a programme of community planting around the village. The event has been supported by residents and was a nice project for Easter. If you missed being able to volunteer this time, we will be having other community planting days over the next year. Annual Parish Meeting 16th March: This was an important meeting for us that has been postponed until now. We were informed that we could have one through Zoom and were pleased with the response from local groups. It has been two years since our last Annual Meeting. Our speakers were Graham Biss from Gift for Nature and they manage Golden Hill and the Marsh for us. Graham’s report included all the recent work that his team has achieved at Golden Hill. He also informed us that there is too much willow now in the marsh that leads to Freshwater Bay. Work is going to start to take all this 18

out and it could look untidy after the work has been done before the regrowth of the marsh. Hazel Britton from West Wight Help Hub with Mel Gardiner told the meeting about how the Hub was formed just over a year ago and all the work they have done to support residents especially with getting food and prescriptions to those who were shielding. Lots of local volunteers came forward to support the Hub and to help people that had indicated that they needed help. Reports were read out not only by the Chairman Cllr Bamford, as well as a wide section of other community groups including The Memorial Hall Arts and Leisure Company, The West Wight Heritage Centre, The Robert Hooke Society, The FYT Bus and The West Wight Sports and Community Centre. It was lovely to have so many different groups attending our meeting and informing us about the work they have done over the last year. It was both an enjoyable and informative meeting and it was nice to hear the progress that the groups have made even during lockdown. All these groups the parish supports and works in partnership with them. Shelter at Freshwater Bay: We recently have had a survey done to find out the work that needs to be done as a large crack has appeared over time. We have been given advice and you will see improvements being made over the next year. The Old Fire Station: This is an important building for our Facilities Officer to use as continued over the page

Freshwater Parish Council Working For The Community

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT Testing)

a workshop and storage. Again, we have • Domestic & Commercial had a recent survey done and we now have to have work done on this building. • Competitive Rates • All Island Coverage The extension at the back does not have Call: 01983 754620 for a quote or any foundations and over time this part email: info@westwightaudio.co.uk of the building has moved and the crack, www.westwightaudio.co.uk that has appeared, has started to get larger. Again, this is a project that the parish needs to complete over the “An excellent team next year. oﬀering an invaluable service” Pump Track on Stroud: The MUGA NEW! Book online www.mobilevetsurgery.co.uk and Skatepark Stress-free Islandwide “Friendly & reliable Committee are professional yet Home Visits & working hard and very caring” Central Vet Surgery are looking at the moment for funding to help us achieve this project over the next year. I would like to Keyhole CT take this opportunity Surgery Scans to thank everyone Watergate Rd, Newport, PO30 1XP 01983 212999 who has already donated money to our GoFundMe Page. With so much community support it has really helped us to take this project forward. Freshwater Parish Council Parish Office, Memorial Hall Avenue Road, Freshwater, Isle of Wight P040 9UU The views and opinions expressed by contributors 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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Your Local Independent Minibus Service

APRIL 2021

The FYTbus Charity Shop on The Broadway, Totland, is currently CLOSED but, if Government plans to re-open such premises are not changed in the meantime, we are looking forward to welcoming our customers back on Monday 12th April. In the meantime, we are continuing to run ROUTE A and ROUTE B buses three times EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING, but there is NO AFTERNOON SERVICE on Route C. Timetables are available on our minibuses and published on our website. They can also be obtained by contacting our office on 01983 752917. Standard adult fare is £2.50 but travel is free if you have a concessionary bus pass. If you have a FYTpass your fare is just £1.00 (details of how to apply are obtainable from our office or on our website - www.fytbus.org.uk ). “MEDICAL TRIPS” are available to help you reach appointments in Newport or at Brookside Health Centre, and can be booked on the above phone number or via The Hub at West Wight Sports Centre on 01983 752168. We are also in the process of acquiring a wheelchair accessible car so that we will soon be able to convey disabled passengers on medical trips in their own wheelchairs. SATURDAY SHOPPING TRIPS to Newport are available twice per month for anyone who can’t purchase their “essentials” locally. April’s door-to-door shopping trips will be on the 10th and the 24th. The return fare is £6.00 and you can book by calling the office number (01983 752917) or visit the FYTbus website. Protecting YOU and our volunteers - We don't want the people who use or work for our service to be put off by the fear of catching the virus, so we are doing our best to keep our vehicles and our premises as clean as possible, and providing handgel for passengers, shop customers and volunteers to use. We also limit the spaces where passengers can sit on the minibuses, and ask our customers to wear a mask or facecovering when they are on the bus or in the shop, and to observe the correct social distancing.

Wight Community Access – FYTbus, Winchester House, The Broadway, Totland Bay. PO39 0AX Tel: 01983 752917 Web: www.fytbus.org.uk Email: info@fytbus.org.uk Island Magazines is printed by Beardsalls, 35a Orchard St, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1JZ