Your Local Community Magazine
March 2021
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Freshwater, Totland & Yarmouth Area
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 2
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.
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
Inside this issue will you find the regular news reports from local parish councils, which are always informative and are 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
3
Freshwater Parish Council
Working For The Community. Cllr Anne Bamford
The Causeway Bridge Freshwater - This item was on our February parish agenda as we are getting more frustrated as a Parish Council that although we have asked both Highways and Island Roads, we are unable to get any support from either agency about the replacement of the old fence. It has been Here is a report from Cllr. Fleury Chairman agreed that it will be ‘like for like’. of the Skate Park and MUGA Committee: The fence became very unsafe and initially Exciting news! The newly constituted Skate Island Roads put sandbags under the fencing which we did object to as we were park and MUGA Committee has hit the ground running with a plan to upgrade the worried about the safety of these. Then Skate Park facility for the use of residents of came the orange fencing. We thought this all ages, not only in Freshwater but the whole was a temporary measure, but nothing has changed for many months. Both the clerk of the West Wight and further afield. and myself have met with Island Roads and also individual councillors as well as The result of the public consultation this our County Councillor. We are all getting year has overwhelmingly supported the project. The Committee has taken the advice the same message that although this is an important conservation area, they are unable of experts in the field, users, and in-house knowledge. A large local business has shown to complete the work. As we feel that the an interest in supporting the project as have orange fencing will do little to stop people many residents. The Committee will also be falling into the river. applying for grants to off-set the cost of what This month, the clerk again wrote to both is planned. Highways and Island Roads and we still have Phase One is investigating the development not received a reply. We of a Pump Track on the Stroud. (A Pump are going to Track is a circuit of raised bumps and make our troughs that pose a challenge to all users concerns no matter what their choice of wheeled equipment.) An area has been identified by now more public as we the Committee and professional advice is care about being sought as to practicality. the health and safety Freshwater Parish Council authorised the of everyone above project to go forward at the Parish that uses meeting on the 12th January 2021. this area especially The committee has started a GoFundMe families with the attraction of the swans. Freshwater Skatepark & Pumptrack On behalf of Freshwater Parish Council, I would like to thank all local residents for responding to our consultation and supplying us with so much useful information. It was wonderful to see so much positivity shown towards our two large projects this year.
Established in 2017, From Hoof to Paw; Pet Care & Nutrition was created “In pursuit of the best life for our four-legged best friends.” It is owned and operated by Jess, born here on the Island, who spent much of her childhood surrounded by animals and grew up with aspirations of having a career helping them. Jess provides the following services: Solo or companion dog walking (West and South Wight), providing a personalised service (with no long van drive) that caters uniquely for each dog’s needs. This includes collection and drop off (key retention service available), an energetic walk on or off the lead, solo or companion matched, in a variety of local locations and towel dry and/or brush off if required (any routine your dog is used to after their walk).
Do you need somebody to walk your dog whilst you are at work? Are you looking for somebody who can feed and watch your cats whilst you are on holiday?
From Hoof to Paw; Pet Care & Nutrition is here to help! • Solo or Companion Dog Walking • Drop In Day & Holiday Care - All Animals • Free Independent Nutritional Advice • WildWash Distributor - Natural Skin & Goat Care for Pets Please call or message today to discuss your requirements.
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Drop-in day and holiday care for all animals. Free independent nutritional advice from many years of study and training. I can help with your dogs, cats and horses. As a WildWash distributor, Jess stocks the multi award winning, British, truly natural, chemical and cruelty free range of natural skin and coat care for pets made with 100% essential oils. WildWash does not contain parabens, phthalates, phosphates, petrochemicals, sulphates, palm oils, or PEGs and is made using a diverse and holistic mixture of plants, botanicals, and essential oils to create complex and beautifully fragranced natural products that truly work. For further information on any of the services provided or to order WildWash products, call or message Jess today and see her main advert above. 5
Apply now for a postal vote for this year’s local elections At the time of publishing, local elections are still intended to go ahead on Thursday 6 May 2021 and Islanders will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them at the Isle of Wight Council, town, parish and community council and police and crime commissioner elections. 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 “An excellent team April 2021. offering an invaluable service” Any residents who NEW! Book online www.mobilevetsurgery.co.uk have any questions can contact the Isle Stress-free Islandwide “Friendly & reliable of Wight Council professional yet Home Visits & electoral registration very caring” Central Vet Surgery team on 01983 823380, via email: electoral. services@iow.gov.uk or through the website at www.iow.gov. Keyhole CT uk/Council/Elections/ Surgery Scans Electoral-Registration/ Watergate Rd, Newport, PO30 1XP Contact 01983 212999
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It’s time to delegate… Running your own business, whether as a sole trader or in a partnership is extremely rewarding but also hard work and if you are looking for ways to ease some of the stress, perhaps now is the time to consider using GLM Accounting Service. Owner Gina started her business back in 2000 when she lived in Devon and in 2015 she came back to her roots and made the move to the Island with her family and although she has kept most of her ‘Devon’ clients she is now looking to help and support local businesses and build on her local client base. She says forget about the image of Gina Marshall, MAAT a stuffy accountant as she clearly broke • Book-Keeping the mould and is a regular, down to earth, • VAT Returns friendly but professional person who is • Accounts Preparation also the mother of 4 children.
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GLM Accounting Service can help Gina is your local friendly accountant with book-keeping, VAT returns, working with individuals and self accounts preparation, tax returns and employed sole traders and payroll. Many of her existing clients are partnerships across the Island. tradespeople but also vary from foster carers to entertainers. Whether you need the full package of help or just a particular Tel: 01983 531857 Mob: 07788 596714 glm.accounting@btopenworld.com area Gina will be able to help. She works Trading for over 20 years with each client individually offering a service that will best help their needs and their business. For more information and an informal chat please see Gina’s main advert for contact details. 7
Totland Parish Council News The Chairman was sad to receive the Beach Safety: resignation of Councillor David Filby who Councillors are currently has decided it is time to retire. Many of working with other you will know David from Totland Bay Post agencies to ensure our Office as well and aware that he has worked beaches are safe for this endlessly to keep this running in Totland. summer. This will involve new buoys and He has given Totland many years of hard Councillors are pushing for these to be put work and this has been much appreciated out in the appropriate places in Colwell and by many residents as well. We all wish him Totland along with necessary signage. a happy retirement. Elections: The Isle of Wight Council Budget: As reported last month Councillors have confirmed Islanders will be going wanted zero increase on the Precept for to the polls on Thursday 6th May 2021 2021/2022 and they are pleased to report with Covid-19 restrictions. You can apply that this has been agreed by all Councillors for a postal vote by completing the form at their meeting in February. Financial which can be downloaded via www.iow. support will remain to all the local groups gov.uk/Council/OtherServices/Electoralsuch as the West Wight Nursery and West Registration/Postal-Votes. This application Wight Sports & Community Centre. In is also available from the Parish Office by addition, the Post Office will also be appointment. The deadline to apply for a supported in order that it remains open. postal vote is 5pm on 20th April 2021. Summers Lane: We are working with Councillor John Howe regarding Summers Lane. John has been speaking with both Island Roads and Isle of Wight Council regarding the problem that had arose since being resurfaced and has committed fully to this until the road is properly resurfaced which will allow the surface water to drain away. Parking: Totland Recreation Ground car parking area should not be used by local people 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 and signage has been ordered and will be installed shortly informing all that no overnight parking is allowed for any vehicles. 8
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. 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. Email: clerk@totlandparishcouncil.org. uk or follow the Clerk on Twitter @ TotlandClerk. The parish council also have a Facebook page which is updated regularly.
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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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.
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F A N G S 10
ADDRESS ANSWER APOLOGY ASK BANTER CHAT COMMENT DIALOGUE GOSSIP JEST LECTURE LIE NATTER ORATION OUTBURST RANT REMARK REPARTEE RETORT RHETORIC
RIPOSTE SAY SERMON SPEECH STORY TALE TALK TELL
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Last month’s answer for Word Ladder - Pear, Sear, Seam, Slam, Slum, Plum.
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3 LETTERS AGE END FOG FRO IVY JUG RHO SIX YET YOU 4 LETTERS ACRE AFAR CATS CYST FLAT OPEN OURS POEM PORK SPUR
Last month’s Kriss Kross answer A C T F A T L T E R I F L L E I C V I A Y R
O D I D E N S E E P V T R E S H R S A H E E R C H
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ADAGIO ALKALI AMUSED APATHY BANJOS DECREE NOTICE PRISON REGARD SHAPES SUPPER
AMONG BEGUN DRAMA DUTCH REALM SHRUB STAIR TACKS USING 11
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A few scam reports from Trading Standards this week. Be very wary of any unsolicited phone calls, emails and texts and remember NEVER click on links in any messages! • Increasing reports around domestic/white goods insurances. These appear to be very prevalent at the minute and will call you to say that you need this insurance, or your insurance has expired, and you must make the payments. These companies are growing in number and the insurances are worthless. One customer who had taken the insurance out needed to use it as her washing machine had broken, she was met with a wall of silence/excuses. These are not genuine – Do Not be bullied into taking them out.
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• Reports of phishing emails from the banks, TV Licensing and Netflix have come through. This is a common theme in that your details are invalid, there is a problem with your account, click the link to put in the correct details – DON’T if you do the scammers will have access to your bank account. • Lastly a worrying report from a resident that she received the Amazon scam call, but it came from a local IOW number. This number will have been spoofed by the scammers, but we are far more likely to answer if we think it’s a local number – Be Careful. 12
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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.
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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.
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Clocks go forward – Sunday 28th March. Clocks go forward one hour at
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Your Local Independent Minibus Service
MARCH 2021
FYTbus is continuing to run its “Covid” service, as below:ROUTE A and ROUTE B buses will be running 3 times EVERY WEEKDAY
MORNING, but there is NO AFTERNOON SERVICE on Route C. Timetables are available on our minibuses and published on our website, and 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.
SATURDAY SHOPPING TRIPS to Newport are available twice per month for anyone who can’t purchase their “essentials” locally. March’s door-to-door shopping trips will be on the 6th and the 20th. The return fare is £6.00 and you can book by calling the office number (01983 752917) or visit the FYTbus website. Our Charity Shop on The Broadway, Totland, is currently CLOSED but we hope to resume our normal opening times as soon as the Covid restrictions allow it. 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