Island Magazines March 2022, Freshwater, Totland & Yarmouth area by Island Magazines

FREE March 2022 Freshwater, Totland & Yarmouth Area

Your Local Community Magazine

At some stage in our lives someone we know will die. Grief can be overwhelming, and we may be surprised by our reaction to grief. There are no time limits on grief and how we react. If you want to support someone who has been bereaved there are simple things you can do. If you are worried about saying the wrong thing, then say that rather than not saying anything. You can offer to do shopping, take something to eat, suggest taking a gentle walk to get some fresh air or just sit with them. You can also put them in contact with Cruse Bereavement Support. Cruse is here to support anyone, no matter who has died or when they died. On the Island Cruse supports adults, children, and young people. Trained bereavement volunteers work one to one, mainly by phone and video conference. We provide a confidential and non-judgemental service, giving grieving people time to talk to someone outside their circle of family and friends. There are a number of ways you can get support; you can self-refer by calling 01983 523030 (24/7hrs) or by emailing isleofwight@cruse.org.uk in either case you will need to leave your name and telephone number. If you prefer you can complete a referral form online www.cruse.org. uk/get-support/contact-your-local-branch and whichever method you chose a trained bereavement assessor will contact you from a withheld number. If you want to find out more about Cruse Bereavement Support and how you could support the charity, please use the contact details above. This can be by training as a volunteer or helping with our fundraising activities.

Grief is overwhelming. Let us help. If you’re struggling after someone close to you has died, there’s lots we can do to support adults and children. We can provide information, advice or simply listen. Find out how we can help you by: Visiting - www.cruse.org.uk Calling us on 01983 523030 Email us at isleofwight@cruse.org.uk

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pring is almost here, the evenings are getting lighter and the clocks spring forward on the 27th March. There are daffodils and crocuses appearing on hedges and in gardens, showing us that the weather is warming, and good times are just ahead, and the island is waking from its winter snooze. Although I mustn’t forget that we have had snow in March before!!!! It’s now just a waiting game. This month I have gotten together with the Isle of Wight Cats Protection to work on a feature for the Senior Kitizens. They have some real beauties in the centre at the moment, just waiting for their forever homes. They often get overlooked for the kittens and younger cats, but these mature felines have great personalities and many more years of love to give. See our feature on page 14 and let this be the month that you adopt and make a difference to one of these senior kitizens. There is a lot of talk about the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June and on page 16 you will find our handy guide to organising a street party to celebrate this occasion with neighbours, family, and friends. Although it’s not happening until June it’s time to start organising now. If you fancy doing some puzzles go to pages 12 and 13 for this month’s sudoku, wordsearch, anagrams and kriss kross. Hope I haven’t made them too easy this month! I hope you have a great March and I look forward to catching up with you again next month.

Tel: 01983 339755 | Mob: 07785 531285 hgimprovementsiow@yahoo.com Local, professional & reliable with over 30 years experience

Debbie 07880 587 931 islandmagazines@gmail.com www.islandmagazines.co.uk facebook.com/islandmagazines twitter.com/islandmagazines Island Magazines Mailbox No 6 Store it Self Storage Ryde Unit 1 Nicholson Road Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 1BE All information is correct at time of printing

Painting & Decorating

Interior & Exterior painting Plastering • Wallpapering

Carpentry

Door hanging • Flooring Kitchen fitting • General repairs • Bespoke built-in furniture & garden buildings

Landscaping Decking, patios & paths Bespoke trellising & pergolas

Totland Parish Council News The promise of spring’s arrival is enough to get us through the cold winter and spring is certainly on its way with the snowdrops and daffodils flowering. Outside the Parish Office we have four planters and if you can help to look after one, please speak with the Parish Clerk. Totland Recreation Parking: It has been a year since the signs were installed and I am pleased to say most residents abide by these rules, but sadly not all. The Totland Recreation Ground car parking area should not be used by local people as a parking space or even 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 and no overnight parking is allowed for any vehicles. Defibrillator Locations: The Waterfront Bar, Needles Battery, Memorial Hall and Colwell Public toilet block, Totland Parish Office. All are easily accessible 24/7. Recycling: Afton Marsh Recycling Centre – This is open, and you can now take household rubbish, however, you MUST book a time online or over the telephone. 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. 4

Painting Wall Papering Tiling

Walls & Ceilings Flattened General Repairs Coving

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dates for your diary Every Tuesday. Badminton at Yarmouth Sports Hall. From 2pm to 4pm. Beginners welcome. A fun, social place for non-competitive 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!

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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. Every Friday - Freshwater Market from 8.30am-12noon at the Memorial Hall. Friday 4th March - Join your fellow Islanders and wear your favourite hat to support Mountbatten. Whether you are at work, school, or meeting friends – whatever you are doing and wherever you are, wear a hat and donate £2 – it’s as simple as that! To find out more about how to get involved, please visit www.mountbatten.org.uk/appeal/hats Wednesday 16th March. 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. Thursday 17th March. The Music Playhouse at Freshwater Methodist, Brookside Road. 2pm to 3:30pm. Live vocals and musicians. Song sheets provided for film musical hits & popular Irish folk numbers. Tea/coffee and biscuits interlude. 5

Let’s march into March with some dates of upcoming events, facts and historical events. Saint David’s Day, or the Feast of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales, falls on March 1st, the date of Saint David’s death in 589 AD Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday falls on March 1st. Shrove Tuesday was the last opportunity to use up eggs and fats before embarking on the Lenten fast. This year, Lent officially begins on March 2nd. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and will end on April 14th - three days before Easter Sunday. Mother’s Day, or Mothering Sunday falls on March 27th this year and is a day to honour mothers and other mother figures, such as grandmothers, stepmothers, and mothers-in-law. The “Ides of March” was a day in the Roman calendar equivalent to March 15th. It was considered a deadline for settling debts. It was also the day Julius Caesar was assassinated. If you were born in March, your birth flower is a daffodil! March babies are spoiled with two birthstones: aquamarine, and bloodstone which symbolize courage and there are two zodiac signs in March. Pisces, which is until March 20, and Aries which is from the 21st. Every year, March and June finish on the same day of the week. The name for March comes from Mars, the Roman god of war. It was named as such in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. This year the Spring Equinox occurs on March 20th. This is when the sun is directly above the equator, making the day and night equal length. The Anglo-Saxons called March “Hlyd monath” meaning “Stormy month” or “Hraed monath” meaning “Rugged month.” The popular social media outlet Twitter was launched on March 21, 2006, with the first tweet going out the same day. It was posted by the founder, Jack Dorsey, which read “just setting up my twttr.” Saint Patrick’s Day occurs every March 17th, celebrated in many countries to commemorate the day Saint Patrick died. The Eiffel Tower was ascended for the first time on March 31st, 1889. Gustave Eiffel, led a group of government officials and members of the press to the top. The elevators were not in operation yet, so the journey was made on foot and took over an hour.

Alzheimer Alzheimer Cafés Cafés

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Ryde Alzheimer Cowes AlzheimerCafé Café

East Cowes Town Hall York Ave, East Cowes PO32 6RU First Tuesday of the month 2pm—4pm 2pm 4pm

Football Club, Church Reynolds Close All Saints’ Hall Queens’s Road,Cowes Ryde, PO31 PO33 7NT 3AF off Park Road, First Friday of the Second Wednesday of month the month

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The Close StFootball SavioursClub, HolyReynolds Family Centre off Park Road, Cowes PO31 Weston Lane, Totland PO397NT 0HE Second Wednesdayof of the the month month Third Wednesday

2pm 4pm 2pm—4pm

Ventnor NewportAlzheimer Alzheimer Café Café IOW College, Medina Gardens, Way The Green Room, Salisbury (Conference Rm, PINK Building) Dudley Rd, Ventnor PO38 1EJ Newport PO30 5TA Third Wednesday of the month

Last Thursday of the month 6pm 8pm 6pm—8pm

Newport Alzheimer Café Newport Methodist All Saints’ Church Church Hall Quay Street, Newport, PO30 5BA Queen’s Road, Ryde PO33 3AF Last Wednesday of the month First Friday of the month 6pm 8pm 11.30am—2pm

2pm—4pm 11am 1pm

St Saviours Holy Family Centre The Broadway Centre Weston Lane, Totland PO39 1 Broadway, Sandown PO360HE 9GG Third Wednesday month Fourth Wednesdayofofthe the month

2pm 4pm 2pm 4pm 2pm—4pm

Sandown Alzheimer Café ACE7 Alzheimer Café

The Broadway Centre Carers IW, Riverside Centre 1 Broadway, Sandown PO36 Newport PO30 2QR 9GG Fourth of of thethe month 2nd and Wednesday 4th Tuesdays month

2pm 4pm o’clock 10.30am—12.00

ACE7 Alzheimer Café Newcomers very welcome

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Riverside Centre Booking only necessary Newport PO30 2QR when Covid-19 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month restrictions apply 10.30am 12.00 o’clock

verygiving welcome An Alzheimer Café Newcomers is a meeting place informal education about Booking only necessary when Covid-19 restrictions apply dementia, guidance and signposting to other services. An Alzheimer Café is a meeting place giving informal education about dementia, We welcome people with dementia, their families, carers, guidance and signposting to other services. We welcome people with dementia, professionals and anyone with an interest in dementia. their families, carers, professionals and anyone with an interest in dementia.

News Report from Cllr Peter Spink Freshwater North & Yarmouth Peter.Spink@iow.gov.uk As usual I have been busy with planning issues and have now joined the Planning Committee (adding to my list of Corporate Scrutiny, Licensing and Appeals Committees). The Draft Island Planning Strategy has been amended to take into account representations made in the last public consultation that ended in October. I have yet to see a copy of the new draft and very much hope that it will be available shortly. I have heard mutterings that a further public consultation might not now take place. I am very much opposed to this and will object in the strongest possible terms if this is indeed the proposed course.

The report of the recent desecration of the field in Totland filled me with horror. The land is now devoid of the rich biodiversity and wildlife that previously flourished. I understand that the destruction was carried out (presumably with the consent of the landowner) in response to the rejection of planning permission, and no doubt to facilitate a future application. The land is within Cllr Jarman’s Ward, and I know that he is already ‘on the case’ with a view to prosecution.

The incident reminded me of a similar act of destruction in the AONB at Cranmore, (part of my ward) in May I continue to be active within the residents’ of last year, which involved the felling groups ‘Sustainable Freshwater’ and the of circa 30 mature oaks. That matter is West Wight Villages Residents’ Association being investigated by DEFRA with a (of which I am vice-chair) which have view to prosecution of the landowner. joined together with ‘Build a Better It is frustrating that the procedure takes Bembridge’. We united in the belief that the so long, but I am determined to see it Isle of Wight Council should be prioritising through to a successful conviction and the housing that Islanders can afford, where making of a re-planting order. possible on brownfield sites. I have also been looking into reducing the I am aware that some Freshwater residents speed limit on Halletts Shute to 30mph. miss the leisure facilities at the West Bay There is currently an Island-wide review Club which is currently closed. A recent of speed-limits. I will continue to press for planning application sought to vary the Halletts Shute to be a priority. existing permission to allow the building of circa 20 houses without providing the I was very pleased to be invited to join consented leisure facilities. I opposed ‘Bird Aware’ together with our M.P. Bob this variation in my capacity as Ward Seely on a walk along the Yar. ‘Bird aware’ Councillor and am pleased to say that it has does much to mitigate the damage that been dismissed. can be caused inadvertently to habitats by an increasing number of visitors to the A number of councillors, myself included, ‘wilder’ parts of the Island’s coastline. intend to review the council’s planning protocols and procedures and to amend the Well, I think that’s about it for this month. constitution where required. It is important that planning on the Island is more ‘open Best wishes, and transparent’. Peter Spink,

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Gus Jonsson is one of the Isle of Wight’s most sensitive and descriptive storytellers. ‘Measuring the Moments’ is his bewitching and charismatic new poetry collection available from www.brandicat.com. Gus’s two volumes of memoirs, ‘Vectis Voices’ and ‘Vectis Days’, are essential reading for islanders and available from Ryde Bookshop - 135 High St, Ryde, W.J. Nigh & Sons - Shanklin, Medina Bookshop - 50 High St, Cowes and direct from www.brandicat.com

News Report from Cllr Chris Jarman - Totland & Colwell Tel: 07905 002834/Email ChrisJarmanforTotland@gmail.com It’s all too easy to be consumed by one’s own passions and I am very mindful that many feel the activities and politics of IW Council have little if anything to do with their day to day lives. For those many, a brief glance and a ‘tut’ at their annual council tax statement may be their only interaction. The past couple of weeks have given me cause to believe that the situation is changing and that residents and businesses are becoming more aware of the multitude of everyday impacts the council has on their lives. Over time I would like to build on these first few small steps and ensure that many more engage with their local town and parish councillors and with their elected ward councillors. The positive signs of engagement became evident from the islandwide consultation into the next council 2022/2023 budget. Previous online consultations have had a very poor response and so this year I took a different approach. The questionnaire itself was simplified to key issues with each identifying the impact of each option, the consultation included many online sessions with town and parish councils / business sector / voluntary sector / unions / residents, and local discussions both face to face and by email further extended the process. In all over 1,000 attended one of the sessions, emailed in questions, attended local ward surgeries or simply telephoned to talk about the options. Double or even triple the previous number took part and provided significant help in understanding the concerns and priorities of Islanders. This was not simply paper

exercise - it provided meaningful input to the budgeting process and amplified many of the components of that budget regarding adult social care, education and housing. Local planning development, our environment and wildlife are clearly key elements in all of our quality of life considerations and for many they are key components that either brought us to our beautiful island or keep us here. There can be no doubt that we live in a special place in the West Wight nestling between Tennyson Down and Headon Warren, embraced by the English Channel to the South and the Solent to the North. For many years I often felt isolated and alone when commenting on local plans, road changes and the ongoing creep of housing over our green fields. That feeling is being quickly displaced by a growing more organised, more forceful, more determined number of residents to do something about it. Groups like Sustainable Freshwater, West Wight Residents Association have emerged, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England are becoming more active, residents are becoming more informed regarding sewage and drainage regulations, all leading to greater awareness and a growing willingness to take part in protecting our environment and natural resources. Last week various groups galvanised into immediate action when a local field in Totland - noted by many for its wildlife of slow worms, butterflies, orchids and continued over the page

News Report from Cllr Chris Jarman - Totland & Colwell newt pond - was suddenly decimated by the arrival of diggers that gouged the meadow to the bare earth over a couple of days. News of the works spread like a wildfire around the West Wight, then over the Island and even managed to cause consternation and reaction from national bodies and media. 10,000 people were reached by the videos and news stories on Facebook alone, over 4,000 people engaged with the reports, shared and commented on them, calls were made by local people to the police, council enforcement officers, environment agency and others. Sadly by the time these bodies reacted the site was changed forever. We must reflect on how we value our environment and our wildlife and ensure in future that they have the protection they deserve.

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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. 11

www.islandmagazines.co.uk PUZZLE PAGE

www.islandmagazines.co.uk ANAGRAMS

Can you work out the name of each country from the following anagrams? Name lengths are shown in brackets. 1. ULTRA ASIA (9) 2. BIG MULE (7) 3. COLD ANTS (8) 4. NEAR GYM (7) 5. NICE LAD (7) 6. SLENDER THAN (11) 7. ANY ROW (6) 8. A SNIP (5) 9. NEAR GIANT (9) 10. LIZARDS WENT (11)

Wordsearch ‘Dogs’

Sudoku

PUZZLE PAGE

www.islandmagazines.co.uk

Kriss Kross - Can you work out where each word goes in the grid to complete a crossword style puzzle? 3 LETTERS ERR FRO MEN SET SHE 4 LETTERS AGED DOES LADY LIES ONLY YARD 5 LETTERS AWFUL CLOUD 6 LETTERS ERSATZ IBEXES 7 LETTERS AFRICAN GRATING IMAGINE NEGLECT

9 LETTERS ALARMISTS NEGLECTED UNIVERSAL

LAST MONTHS ANSWER

10 LETTERS CONFERENCE CONTINUING

Last months anagrams answers:- 1. ALIEN 2. GOODFELLAS 3. HAIRSPRAY 4. PSYCHO 5. ROCKY 6. NETWORK 7. GHOSTBUSTERS 8. DELIVERANCE 9. SEABISCUIT 10. COLLATERAL 11. ALEXANDER 12. FLIGHTPLAN 13. POSEIDON

We are working with the Isle of Wight Cats Protection Adoption Centre to let you know about some of the wonderful SENIOR KITIZENS who are waiting for their forever home. You will definitely fall in love with these older cats and please don’t let their age put you off. These seniors have many years of love to give. Older cats are usually more homely and have great personalities making them wonderful companions.

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Lizzie is a dear ole girl and being 18 years she wants to find a loving home to spend her golden years. She is an indoor cat and is affectionate, loving and doesn’t want for much... just a snuggly bed, fuss and food. Because she is older she is often over looked but she has so much to give and just wants a place to call home. She is a short hair domestic tabby.

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The Isle of Wight Adoption Centre, 122 Marlborough Road, Ryde. t:- 03000 120 251 | www.isleofwightcats.org.uk | e:- isleofwight@cats.org.uk ----------------------Lulu is 11 years old but is very young at heart. Her owner was terminally ill and could no longer look after her. She want’s to be the centre of attention so no other animals in the house. She is inquisitive and loving and would suit a mature family. She is a short hair black and white domestic cat.

Minnie Moo desperately wants a calm, quite forever home. She is 16 years old and is set in her ways and needs to be accepted for who she is and her own quirky ways. She is a very special cat that deserves love and compassion. She is a short hair white and black domestic cat. -----------------------

Leslie is a beautiful long-hair black domestic cat who is 10 years old. He is a very affectionate and gentle cat and is not vocal and has a very quiet meow. He likes the outdoors as well as a house to explore. He would like to be the only pet in the family and a nice loving home to call his own. Meet Suzie and Lexi - this loving duo come as a pair and are 13 and 15 years old. They will make great companions and they enjoy their home comforts and a garden on sunny days. They need the security of a loving home after their owner passed away. They are domestic short hair cats and Suzie is black and white and Lexi a dark tortie.

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Covering the Island… AMP Hire Ltd are a local business based at Forest Road, Newport on the Island. They provide the island with a dependable, professional, and competitive hire service and are one of the leading suppliers of portable toilets, showers and temporary fencing for the construction industry.

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We specialise in all aspects of external cleaning. But this month, our focus is on roof cleaning. Why? To remove moss, prevent blocked gutters and even restore the colour of the roof. Contact us with any questions or for a free quote.

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They have recently invested in some new For all your external cleaning needs:equipment including ‘POSH VIP’ toilet Driveways, gutters, cladding, render, patios trailers and shower blocks, ensuring high and awnings. end events, weddings and festivals can adequately cater to the needs of all their guests. Also a new ten bay ergonomic toilet trailer which is space saving and facilitates a quick clean and empty. Their restock of new event and construction toilets make them the biggest stock holding company on the Island. AMP are the one stop shop that caters for all your hire requirements and offer daily, weekly, and long-term hire to both the domestic and commercial sector. They have many other products available to hire, including ped barriers, chapter 8’s, heras panels, protective ground mats and have just bought a new tanker for emptying cesspits, septic tanks, drain clearance, pressure washing and camera surveys, this joins the existing fleet including two smaller tankers which service the smaller island roads where the big tankers can’t reach. If you would like more information, a free quote, discuss your next project or event please call us on 01983 524 413 or email info@amphireltd.com

This year Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. There will be activities throughout the year to celebrate this anniversary with a four-day UK bank holiday from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June. On Sunday 5th June people are encouraged to share friendship, food, and fun with neighbours as part of the Platinum Jubilee Big Lunch celebration. Information on hosting such events can be found online at www. edenprojectcommunities.com/blog/the-bigjubilee-lunch Organising a street party just for residents and neighbours is simple and does not need a licence but think about planning one now. The number one tip for holding a party is to plan early. If you encounter any difficulties speak to your local councillor who will be happy to help. There are myths about running a street party: Myth 1: It’s too difficult You should not need a risk assessment – as long as consideration is given to the safety needs of all those attending, common sense precautions should be enough. Myth 2: You need a licence You do not require a music licence at a street party unless amplified music is one of the main purposes of the event. You may need a Temporary Events Notice if you plan to sell alcohol, but this is not required if participants are going to bring their own. A Temporary Events Notice currently costs £21 and covers up to five hundred people. Myth 3: The law requires complex forms for a road closure and councils need to sign off every detail. For most small parties in quiet streets where you need to close a road, all your council needs to know is where and when. They will need at least 6 weeks’ advance notice as they will need to put in place a temporary traffic regulation order. 16

Challenge jobsworth attitudes. Alternatively, you can keep the road open and organise a gathering on private land, such as a driveway or garden, without any requirement to fill in council forms. Myth 4: The law requires a fee to be charged for a road closure. The law allows councils to charge for the cost of arranging a traffic regulation order although they are not required to do this and are encouraged not to. If your council is making a charge, you have every right to question why. Myth 5: It’s too late to ask for a road closure. Some councils set deadlines to help them manage their work, but there are no deadlines in law, so if they seem unreasonable ask then to be flexible. Myth 6: You need to buy expensive road signs. Island Roads may be able to provide signs, but you can hire them. Myth 7: You need expensive insurance. There is no requirement from central government to have public liability insurance. The Big Lunch website have negotiated special rates for street party insurance starting at just £28. Myth 8: You need a food licence. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed that you don’t, however you must ensure that any food provided is safe to eat. Myth 9: You need a licence to run a raffle or lottery. You do not have to register a lottery if it is ‘incidental’ to the event, but tickets must be sold at the event. Anyone at the event (including children) can take part in this sort of lottery. No more than £100 can be deducted for expenses and no more than £500 on prizes (excludes donated prizes). (Thank you to Cllr Chris Quirk, Mayor of Shanklin for collating and sharing this information)

Say Care Ltd Do you need assistance to have the quality of life that you deserve? When you are finding any part of your life troublesome and you need assistance to have the quality of life that you deserve, then we can assist you to remain in control of your life by giving you some security. We have genuine caring people who will give you a standard of care and support that can really make a difference to your life. You may be recovering from an operation or illness, or if you are a couple one of you may be struggling to care for the other. You may just be finding it hard to manage and need a little help. Whether you require short or long term help, or just want to call us as and when you need help, we can tailor your needs to suit you. Services we offer include: Personal care, Medication/prescriptions, help around the house, shopping, going in/out of hospital, specialised needs, companionship, holiday/mainland assistance, 24/7 care/assistance. We can visit you to discuss your requirements and plan a no obligation way forward suits your requirements.

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Report from George Cameron Freshwater Now, I have been thinking about all the traffic on the roads and wondered why so many of us have to drive to St. Mary’s hospital for X-rays, blood tests and treatment that can be done locally at our surgeries. I went to St. Mary’s for a blood test last week. I did not have to wait too long like we usually do, and I know the staff at St. Mary’s are doing a fantastic job. While I was waiting for my turn, I read the notice on the wall and it stated that they’d done 136 blood tests the day before plus 76 in patient tests, this is brilliant I thought. But then I wondered if I, like some others that travelled the 25-mile round trip on my own in the car to get to the hospital, could that mean that the day before 136 individual trips to the hospital were made from all over the island? That is absurd. Surely the island could do better than that. Our local surgeries should be able to do blood tests locally to get the traffic off the roads, why doesn’t our council challenge this? I went on holiday a few years ago and the local surgery even had X-ray facilities on site, why can’t we do the same? Where are their green credentials?

flowers growing, it normally looks excellent, and one should feel proud that residents look after their area. Then, next came the bomb! Of course, Wightfibre damaged the bank and left in an unrecognisable condition. When they were approached by the residents about the damage, all they could say was “put in a claim”. Well, I am eager to see the outcome of this. The Parish Council has finally started their meetings with the view to update the Freshwater Neighbourhood plan, this is good news and I wish them good luck, the community will be consulted in this long process, but it is vital to have it done because at the planning meeting in County hall when the Birch Close application was discussed we were told that Freshwater neighbourhood plan is out of date and in as many words, not fit for purpose. I was disappointed with this because a lot of work and money has gone into delivering the plan and for the planners to ignore it goes against the grain, especially as the plan is only five years old. Your Friendly Local Plumber.

I like to think if there is a will there’s a way, but maybe there is a good reason for it. Hands up all those who had a problem with Wightfibre running amok on our roads and pavements. The work that they are contracted to do is important and will be beneficial for our village, but boy, they certainly done some damage to the banks next to the roads in some places. I think of Middleton especially where local residents kept the verge and the bank neatly cut with 18

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Your Local Independent Minibus Service

MARCH 2022

FYTbus continues to run ROUTE A and ROUTE B buses three times EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING.. 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 will be just £1.00 (details of how to apply for the FYTpass are obtainable from our office or on our website - www.fytbus.org.uk ). Our “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 also have our wheelchair accessible car available to convey a disabled passenger, and their carer if required, on medical trips to doctors, dentists, opticians or hospital, in their own wheelchair. SATURDAY SHOPPING TRIPS to Newport are available at two-weekly intervals for those who are unable to purchase their “essentials” locally. March’s door-to-door shopping trips will be on March 12th and 26th . The return fare is £6.00 and you can book by calling the office number (01983 752917) or visit the FYTbus website.

The FYTbus Charity Shop on The Broadway, Totland, has something to suit every pocket. If you’d like to come and look around, the shop is open from 10.00 to 16.00 every weekday, and 10.00 to 13.00 on Saturdays – and the staff will be very pleased to help you. Protecting YOU and our volunteers - Many people in West Wight are now vaccinated against the virus, but we still don't want the people who use or work for our service to be put off by the fear of catching it, so we are continuing to keep our vehicles and our premises as clean as possible, and providing handgel for passengers, shop customers and volunteers to use. We urge our passengers to be sensible with regard to distancing and, though masks may no longer be mandatory, we hope passengers will continue to use them if the bus is busy, as long as they are confortable in doing so. Please help us to keep you safe! 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