December 2021 Freshwater, Totland & Yarmouth Area
Merry Christmas
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elcome and can you believe this is the December issue and Christmas is very nearly upon us.
I can feel the excitement in the air in the build up to the big day and our ‘Dates for your Diary’ section is brimming with events happening both locally and across the island. There is a Christmas Fayre or event for everyone, whether you’re a Christmas fanatic or best friends with the Grinch! Although we still have a long road ahead of us regarding Covid, at least we are in a better place than we were this time last year and we can get to spend time with family and friends over the festive period. December is the start of winter and I remember back when we had that week-long heat wave in summer, I was wishing for the colder weather... as they say, be careful what you wish for!! With the weather set to turn cold please remember to check on others, especially if you have elderly neighbours or anyone on their own. Winter is a lonely time for many and just 30 minutes of company can be the difference between a good day and a bad day. On another note... who spotted the typo in last month’s sudoku puzzle? Thanks to Nathan for letting me know and my apologies to everyone for this oversight and I hope it didn’t puzzle you too much. I hope you all have a great December and I wish you A Very Merry Christmas and I look forward to catching up with you again in the New Year.
Debbie 07880 587 931 islandmagazines@gmail.com www.islandmagazines.co.uk
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Local and Vocal in Freshwater By George Cameron What a lovely autumn we’ve had, the weather was absolutely gorgeous, and I am sure this reflects on people’s mood because wherever I went locally everyone was in good spirits. Let’s hope for a kind winter to follow this year. I represented Freshwater Parish council at the planning meeting in county Hall when the Birch Close application was considered by the planning committee. Unfortunately, the application was approved on the third vote by seven to five, despite several objections including strong representation from the ward member. Having considered the issues raised, planning officers found no problem that could lead to the rejec-tion of planning permission and said the proposed development would not have unacceptable impacts on the amenities of neighbouring properties, ecology, trees, archaeology or result in additional flood-ing. They also said the development would appear to be an extension of the already largely residential area. I am very disappointed by some of the comments by the planners, especially the fact that the sewer leakage at Colwell Common or in the sea at Colwell Bay was not considered to be a planning issue (What?). Southern Water did not object to the application, meaning that there is enough capacity for the major 44-unit development on a green field site. Do they actually know where Freshwater is? 4
I will do my very best to get Southern Water to come to a Freshwater Parish Council meeting to explain how the system works, our community deserves that at least. Whilst I am on a rant, I would like to apologise to residents that Freshwater Parish Council was not rep-resented at this year’s Remembrance Sunday Memorial Service on the 14th November. In previous years the system works like this: As the annual service alternate between Freshwater, Yarmouth and Totland, the Parish Council Chairman always lay the wreath at the main service on behalf of the resi-dents of Freshwater, wherever that is. The Vice Chair is responsible to lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Freshwater at All Saints memorial if the main service is not taking place there. With this sys-tem Freshwater is represented at both services, this makes sense. Well, this year I took the wreath to All Saints thinking that the Chairman would be at Totland to lay the wreath there. I was amazed when the Chairman approached me at All Saints and asked me to hand him my wreath so that he could lay it, I asked about our representation at Totland but apparently this was in hand. Little did I know that our wreath was not laid at the main service in Totland and was only placed on the memorial after the service. This was a big let-down for Freshwater, and I hope this will not happen again, it is not about who lay the wreath, it is about honouring our bravest and we represent those who cannot attend the service. continued over the page
Local and Vocal in Freshwater By George Cameron The Memorial Hall is having their annual Christmas lunch for our older residents on the 8th December, tickets are £5.00, and they normally sell out very quickly. This lunch is kindly donated by The Waterfront and catered for 100 people. Diners arrive at 12:00 noon for a 12:30 start, Freshwater and Totland Parish Councillors volunteer to serve the diners and help out on the day. I think this is a fantastic event locally and I know it is much appreciated by all.
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A Few December Facts... December used to be the tenth month of the Roman year, and it gets its name from the word ‘decem’, which means ten. December originally had just 30 days according to the ancient Roman calendar. When the calendar was changed for the Julian calendar, December gained a day, making it the seventh and last month in the year with 31 days. In the northern hemisphere winter begins on either December 1st (if you follow the meteorological seasons), or after the winter solstice on the 20th or 21st of December (if you follow the astronomical seasons). There are fewer daylight hours in December in the northern hemisphere than in any other month. More than 80,000 people a year are rushed to hospital due to festive falls, Christmas crashes and decoration disasters! About 1,000 people a year are hurt by decorations alone, so be careful with the tinsel this year. The tradition of putting tangerines in stockings comes from the 12th-century French nuns who left socks full of fruit, nuts and tangerines at the houses of the poor. December 12th is Poinsettia Day. December’s flower is the narcissus or holly. December’s birthstones are turquoise, lapis lazuli, zircon, topaz (blue), or tanzanite. December 28th is considered by some to be the unluckiest day of the year. An ancient legend states that forest animals can speak in human language on Christmas Eve. However, it is bad luck to test this superstition. In 1647 Oliver Cromwell, English Puritan leader, banned the festivities of Christmas for being seen as immoral on such a holy day. Anyone who was seen celebrating was arrested! The ban was lifted in 1660. Father Christmas is a magical man of mystery, delivering presents to all the children in the world in just a single night! Researchers have found that his super sleigh would need to travel at 650 miles per second, and stop off at 822 homes every second, in order to successfully deliver every single present! No wonder he needs a whole year to recuperate! 6
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Totland Parish Council News It has again been an overwhelming year with Covid-19 still part of our daily lives and our community has bonded more and helped others who have been less fortunate. Parish Councillors wish all residents a Merry Christmas and implore for a better 2022. The Remembrance Parade went ahead on Sunday 14th November, and this gave us all a chance to pay our respects at Totland War Memorial. Thank you to the West Wight Royal British Legion who arranged this year’s event and of course all who attended. The 2022 parade will be held in Yarmouth and full details will be share 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. You cannot just turn up, you will be sent away.
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 & Tuesday 10am -1pm and Wednesday & Thursday 9.00am to 12.00noon. Email: clerk@totlandparishcouncil.org. Councillors have supplied the school uk or follow the Clerk on Twitter @ children at St Saviours Christmas baubles TotlandClerk. The parish council also again this year for them to decorate for our have a Facebook page which is updated tree on Cokes Green. Once finished we will regularly. ask them to display on the tree before the lights are switched on. Your Parish Councillors’ are: Chairman Jan Cave, Vince Fennell, John Howe, As part of the Welcome Back Fund the Steve Blamire, Helen Wood, Gareth Wyre Parish Council has been successful in and Hilary Benns. obtaining picnic seats and benches. These will be installed as soon as possible in the Ward Councillor Chris Jarman – email: New Year for all to enjoy. chris.jarman@iow.gov.uk Telephone 0790 500 2834 We will be running some defibrillator Ward Councillor Surgeries are held in the training and if you are interested in coming office on a Thursday between 9am and along, please let the Clerk know, contact 10am. Please check in advance to ensure details below. this is going ahead should you wish to talk with Councillor Jarman. Defibrillator Locations: The Waterfront Bar, Needles Battery, Memorial Hall and Colwell Public toilet block, Totland Parish Office. All are easily accessible 24/7.
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Rearrange the letters to make a Christmas related word
1. dnorewadnl 2. asnat lacsu 3. uhrdplo 4. bwos 5. rwehta 6. nirghc 7. tooeicadrsn 8. ngtsoikc 9. ngppirwa 10. ftgis 11. smrhciast ndugipd 12. escrogo 13. slnite
Wordsearch “CHRISTMAS”
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BAUBLES BELLS BRUSSEL SPROUT CANDLES CANDY CANE CARDS CELEBRATE CHIMNEY CHOCOLATE CHRISTMAS ELVES FAMILY FROSTY GIFT GREETINGS JOY MERRY MISTLETOE NOEL NORTH POLE REINDEER RUDOLPH SANTA SLEIGH STOCKING TREE TURKEY WRAPPING PAPER WREATH
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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 AGO DIG EKE ELF FAR FRY HOW HUM OAK OFF PAR POI TEA TOR TRY YOU
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5 LETTERS
6 LETTERS
ALTER APRON COUNT OLDER OPERA PRIOR ROUGH TEMPI VODKA
BRINGS OPENLY ORANGE RUSTIC SELDOM SOUGHT
LAST MONTHS ANSWER
Last month’s answer - Missing Link - ‘POMEGRANATE’ proof, over, moon, easy, green, race, apple, nose, arch, test, ear.
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News Report from Cllr Chris Jarman - Totland & Colwell Tel: 07905 002834/Email ChrisJarmanforTotland@gmail.com The first lesson to learn when becoming a Councillor is that you become part of an organisation that has the most confusing reporting and relationship structures that you have probably ever encountered, and certainly contrary to commercial business life. As a Councillor and member of the administrating Cabinet one is given a ‘portfolio’ or responsibility. The position is quite different to a business in that the Council administration has its own structure that doesn’t include you. Hence you have no staff reporting to you or to manage. The role of a Councillor is to establish policy and direction but not to affect day to day administration, projects or tasks. My own ‘portfolio’ includes finances, people, buildings and ‘transformational change’. It also includes the pension fund and a member of the planning and harbour committees. Very broad indeed as it encompasses everything from Council Tax to Audit to Legal to HR and a multiverse of key functions that enable the Council machine to tick. My aim with these articles in the months to come will be to provide local news updates and information for our area.
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News Report from Cllr Peter Spink Freshwater North & Yarmouth Peter.Spink@iow.gov.uk Dear Residents, In my last report to you I mentioned that I had been working with ‘Sustainable Freshwater’ (a recently formed resident’s association) regarding planning applications for a substantial number of houses in Birch Close and Camp Road. The Birch Close application was granted at last night’s meeting of the Planning Committee. Planning staff advised the committee that the development was sustainable and could not be refused. How can this be when it will connect to Colwell sewage plant which is already at capacity. Another 44 houses will result in even more sewage on Colwell beach, common and sea, threatening our health, environment, and tourist industry. If the Committee allows Camp Road, and an expected application for housing on the nearby camping site, the situation will become even worse. These spaces are important to our community; they provide an oasis for us and for wildlife and make a contribution to stopping climate change. A survey should be carried out locally to establish what is the need of Freshwater Residents/key workers on or below the average income for housing at a properly affordable rent. Once this is established, we should use Council funding to build them. I suspect the number required will be far lower than the 255 that developers want to build and that they can be accommodated on a brownfield. We should carry-out a similar assessment for the needs of Freshwater senior citizens. 20
If you would like to help ‘the cause’ please write to your Parish Council and join ‘Sustainable Freshwater’ I recently attended a meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee. One of the matters on the agenda was the Holidays Activity and Food Grant, which enables eligible children to receive meals and attend activities during, in this case, the Christmas school holidays. Of concern to me was that none of the providers in the West Wight were able to provide a service this Christmas. The report of the Director for Child Services states: “It is recognised that this leaves gaps in provision and staff will discuss with the providers their transport options to enable them to extend their reach to all eligible families interested in booking places”. I intend to liaise with the Director to see if deliveries can be made to the West Wight. It is now 6 months since the dreadful felling of a large number of mature oaks took place at Silver Glades in the AONB at Cranmore/Hamstead. I appreciate that it is not in your Parish but it is part of our beautiful West Wight. The Forestry Commission has approved passing the file to DEFRA for consideration of prosecution. I am amazed, to be frank, that this matter is taking so long but I am determined to see it to the end, with I hope a successful conviction of the land owner, a replanting order and the maximum fine. continued over the page
News Report from Cllr Peter Spink Freshwater North & Yarmouth I have pledged my support for an electric FYT bus service. Rather unusually for me I am undecided about the Greenway link between Newport to the West Wight. It is to be a combined walking, riding and cycling route and will follow where possible the existing railway line. The part that I know best is from Thorley to Freshwater. In my view it is at present delightful and unspoilt. To encourage cyclists the surface is to be ‘improved’ and it may require widening. Presumably rubbish bins will have to be provided and possibly toilets as well. Car parks will be required to allow people to walk part of the route. The effect of this will be to urbanise further the West Wight. What effect will this have on biodiversity and climate change? Is not the charm of the West Wight, for residents and tourists alike, the fact that it is relatively wild and untamed? Presumably this is called progress, but I am not so sure! I wish you all A Very Happy Christmas and New Year.
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Dates for your Diary Thursday 2nd December - Christmas in Cowes – Late Night Opening and Thursday 23rd December, Carols Around the Tree
of your own home. Find out more about the event here: www.mountbatten.org.uk
Friday 3rd December – Totland’s Christmas Fair in the marquee on Colwell Common from 2pm – 6pm. Music, gifts, crafts, seasonal food and drinks, cakes, gifts, Carols around the firepit, big Christmas tree lights switch on.
Sunday 5th December - Winter Market at Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary. 10am – 4.30pm. There will be lots of stalls selling a variety of items and gifts plus plenty of Christmas themed things going on at the same time too. Free entry and parking – donations to the sanctuary gratefully accepted.
Saturday 4th December – The Tritone Singers Christmas Concert at Ryde Methodist Church, Garfield Road, Ryde, PO33 2PT at 7pm. A varied concert of Christmas music for everyone. Free entry – Donations to Earl Mountbatten Hospice.
Sunday 5th December – Briddlesford Christmas Market from 3-7pm at Briddlesford Lodge Farm, live music, Christmas gift ideas, local stalls, mulled wine, farm shop and delicious food.
Saturday 4th December – The Wight Brainy Bunch Christmas Market at Ryde Fire Station from 10am – 4pm. Magical Grotto, kids craft corner, inflatable snow globe. Live entertainment, seasonal stalls and festive refreshments. Station Christmas lights turn on at 4pm. Sunday 5th December - Christmas Market at Newclose County Cricket Ground, Blackwater Road, Newport. From 10am – 4pm. Handmade crafts, face painting, refreshments and more. Sunday 5th December - Light Up a Life with Mountbatten at 4pm. Join us to Light Up a Life and take time to remember and celebrate the life of someone who won’t be with you this year. This year, you can dedicate a light on our online remembrance tree, and also join us for the Light up a Life service. If you can’t make the service in person, we will be live streaming the service so that you can join us from the comfort 22
Saturday 11th – Wednesday 22nd December – Yarmouth on Ice. Yarmouth Town will come alive with Christmas Tradition and Festive Cheer… Have fun on their allweather ice-skating rink in the Square with free skate hire included in the booking price. Enjoy the music, lights and snow, discover hidden treasures in the local independent shops and enjoy late night shopping on the 18th and 22nd December. Christmas lights and decorations throughout the town and meet Mother and Father Christmas in their secret weekend hideaway. Carols in the Square with the Salvation Army on Saturday 18th December at 6pm. Fun for the whole family and all profits go towards local island charities. To book and for more information visit www.yarmouthonice.com Saturday 11th December – Ventnor Carnival Lantern Parade and Fancy Dress at 5pm. Route Dudley Rd, Pier St, High St, Victoria St, Albert St, Pier St, Church St, Alpine Rd, Park Av followed by Carols in Ventnor Park.
All event information was correct at time of print but could be subject to change at any time.
Dates for your Diary Sunday 12th December - Santa Dash with Mountbatten is now at their new venue with their very own Christmas Village for everyone to enjoy. Run, jog, or walk the 5km route around the grounds of Ventnor Botanic Garden. Village opens from 10-3 and the race from 11am. To help you get in the festive spirit, every registration comes with a free Santa Suit and a medal. Registration now open: www.mountbatten.org.uk/Event/ santa-dash-2021 Sunday 12th and 19th December – Father Christmas Pony Rides at the Island Riding Centre from 10am – 1pm - £10. Ride their magical ponies and meet Santa Claus. A real Xmas treat for under 12’s. Booking essential – call 01983 214000 or go to www. islandriding.com/booking. Monday 13th December – Worried about your heating bills? Talk to the Footprint Trust at Pan Together, Downside Community Centre, Furrlongs, Newport from 10am 12pm. Tuesday 14th December – Gurnard Community Choir & The NHS Nightingales along with special guests, present ‘Jingle all the Way’ at All Saints’ Church, Gurnard at 7pm. In association with Rotary Club of Cowes. Tickets £6, available by phoning 01983 297473 with a limited number available on the door. Wednesday 15th December – Newchurch Male Voice Choir Christmas themed concert at All Saints Church, Newchurch. Start 7.30pm. Free entry with retiring collection. N.B. The Choir are looking for new members to join them. If interested come to Newchurch Village Hall on a Friday evening at 7.15pm.
Saturday 18th December – Christmas Craft Fair at Freshwater Memorial Hall from 11am – 3pm. A mixture of crafts including handmade sewing, knitting, woodwork, cards and more. For more information call 07973834595. Saturday 1st January – Sandown News Years Day Celebrations . The Esplanade will be shut to traffic and a spectacular firework display will be fired from the end of Sandown Pier starting at 6pm. Every Tuesday. Badminton at Yarmouth Sports Hall. From 2pm to 4pm. Beginner’s welcome. A fun, social place for noncompetitive games. £1-50 per session. Please contact Den 07539 066672 for further details. Every Wednesday. Mahjong at Freshwater Library. From 10am to 12pm. Turn up and give it a whirl. Participants are beginners and intermediate players who ultimately have fun together. Know the card game Rummy or played something similar? You are ready to start! Every Wednesday. Bridge at West Wight Sports & Community Centre. From 2pm to 4pm. Turn up and play for £2. Participants are learners, intermediate and experienced players who enjoy socialising around friendly folks. Wednesday 15th December. Blokes, Bacon Butties & Banter at Freshwater Methodist on Brookside Road. From 10:30am to 12pm. Local men having their own monthly chit chat. Turn up and join in.
All event information was correct at time of print but could be subject to change at any time.
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Our journey continues…
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OPEN 7 DAYS for THE NEWEST GIFT IDEAS wax melts and LED warmer socks and slippers ECOBAGSsb ath & body
DISCOVER AN ALADDINS CAVE steampunk jewellery stormtrooper beet a metre of sweets
A most curious shopping experience
countdown to Christmas 14 amazing shops You’re worth it ideal choice gifts
COWES TOWN CENTRAL SHOPPING ARCADE
104 High St, Cowes OPEN 10 am til 5:15 pm Monday to Saturday (10 til 4pm on Sundays) or SHOP ONLINE at
WWW.COWESTOWNCENTRAL.CO.UK