Island Magazines April 23 Newport & Carisbrooke area

houseproud !

‘solutions by Angela’ quality cleaning & ironing services

help and support that works for you

(further assistance readily available)

Call 07912 432 835

Bloom Hairdressing

Salon Style in the comfort of your own home. Fully qualified. Over 30 years experience in all areas of hairdressing.

Contact Kim on 07855 747893

Please call Kirsty for all enquiries 01983 539975 or 07773 571187

Fully Covid-19 compliant

Bloom Hairdressing www.bloomhairdressing.co.uk

Carisbrooke

St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School

Friday - 5.30pm & 7pm

Saturday - 8am, 9.30am & 11am

Call Kim on 07855 747893

‘solutions by Angela’ quality cleaning and ironing services help and support that works for you

(further assistance readily available)

Call 07912 432 835

FREE DIGITAL SUPPORT SERVICE FOR ISLAND RESIDENTS AGED 50+

Age UK Isle of Wight is providing digital support in your area. We provide help for those who are new to accessing digital services, as well as helping people get online who currently do not have any internet.

We can loan you a smart tablet or phone (with data included) and provide one to one tuition to get you started online, safely and confidently.

If you are interested in finding out more about our digital loans scheme, please contact our Digital Support Office on

(01983) 301693 or email

digital@ageukiw.org.uk

WelcometotheAprilissue–andthank youforpickingupacopyofyourlocal communitymagazine.

Inthisissuewehaveourregularnews reportssoreaderscankeepuptodate withlocalnewsforthearea.Our ‘DatesforyourDiary’sectionispacked witheventshappeningacrosstheisland inAprilincludingeventshappening overtheEasterWeekendwhichthis yearisfromthe7thuntilthe10thApril.

Wemustkeepourfingerscrossedthat theweatherisgoodandtherainstays awayasit’stimewehadsomegood sunnydayssowecantopupour vitaminDandenjoyislandlife.

IrememberwhenIwasachild,Easter

SundaywasthebestdayasbackthenEastereggswereonlyevergivenonthe Sundayandwereonlyavailableintheshopsforacoupleofweeksbeforethebig day,butnowadaysyoucangototheshoponboxingdayandbuythemandbecause ofthisIhavealreadyconsumedfartoomanyofthem…andI’msureI’mnotthe onlyone!

IfyouareorganisinganycommunityeventsinMay,pleasesendusthedetailssowe canshareinthenextissue.

Wehavesomegreatlocalbusinessescoveringmanydifferenttradesandofferinga varietyofservicesadvertisingwithus.Pleasesupportthembyusingtheirservices andlettingthemknowyousawthemadvertisedhere.

IhopeyouenjoythisissueandhaveagreatAprilandIlookforwardtocatchingup withyouagainsoon.

Painting Wall Papering Tiling

Walls & Ceilings Flattened General Repairs

Coving

Interior & Exterior Work Undertaken / Fully Insured References Available / Islandwide

CONTACT DAN FOR YOUR FREE QUOTATION

Telephone: 01983 408716 Mobile: 07816 545283

Email: td.decors@hotmail.co.uk www.tddecors.co.uk

SUBSCRIBE

Nevermissoutonreadingacopy ofIslandMagazines.

Ifyoucan’tgetouttopickupa copyfromlocaldistributorsyou cansubscribetoeitherour ‘PRINTED’or‘DIGITAL’edition eachmonth.

For printed subscriptions therewillbea smallchargefor £1.20permonth payable6months inadvance.To subscribeemail islandmagazines @gmail.comwith yournameand addressandwhich areayouwould likeorcallus on07880587931.

Monkey Music

Isle of Wight and Portsmouth

Sharing precious time together

Age specific interactive music educational classes for babies and toddlers aged 3 months- 4 years with a progressive curricula. Classes to help development and confidence whilst having lots of fun.

For more information and to book your first FREE class please visit: www.monkeymusic.co.uk/area/isle-wight-portsmouth alternatively call Katherine on 01983 240352 or email iow.portsmouth@monkeymusic.co.uk

0

For digitalsubscriptions pleaseemailislandmagazines@gmail.com andincludethewords‘subscribenewportdigital’intheemail, thensitback,relaxandwaitforthenextissuetodropintoyour inbox.

Hello,

It’sAprilandSpringis(finally)intheair!

Asmentionedinmypreviousupdate, ThompsonHouseissetfordemolition.I’m informedthiswillcommence“shortly”but havenothadanyconfirmationonadate,at thetimeofwritingthis.Assoonasadate isconfirmedI’veaskedthattheIW Councilcommunicatethisouttoresidents. Theworkswilltake“around2monthsto complete”andI’vehadassurancesthatthe “impactonthesurrounding neighbourhoodfromtheworks[willbe] minimised”.Ifyouhaveanyconcerns beforeorduringthedemolition,pleasedo contactme.

Regardinghighwaymatters,Iwastoldthat consultationontheproposedworksforour areawouldcommenceinMarch.Atthe timeofwritingthisIhadstillnotheard anythingandit’sbecomingtiresomeand frustratinghowfrequentlythetime-frames forthisconsultationslip.I’vehadmany conversationswithresidentsabout improvementsthey’dliketoseeandI’ve beenpushingforthosetomakethelistof TROs(TrafficRegulationOrders).I’dlike tocommendresidents’patiencewaitingfor thisconfirmation.

Ifyou’vebeenintoNewportrecentlyyou mayhaveseenNCCC(Newport& CarisbrookeCommunityCouncil)have beenrefurbishingapropertyonthehigh street,whichistobetheirnewoffice.Once open,itwillhouseofficespaceforstaff, information&signpostingforvisitors,and also‘shoplet’spaceforlocalbusinessesand organisations.Inmyopinion,it’savery excitingadditiontoNewportHighStreet andit’sgreattoseethecouncildirectly helpingrejuvenatethehighstreet.

NCCCarealsolookingtoconsultonuses forVictoriaRecreationGround.Since

NewportCricketClubhave movedtopasturesnew,the counciliskeentoseethatspaceutilised andwouldliketoknowresidents’thoughts onhowbesttousethatspace.We’llbe lookingatdataonsport/recreational communitiesintheareawhoareinneedof space.Oncewehaveanumberofoptions, we’lllikelybeputtingoutsomeformof surveytogetresidentfeedbackonthose options.

TheGunvilleFunDaybeingorganisedby GunvilleCommunityAssociationforthe startofJuneistakingshape.They’re lookingtohavelotsofactivities,stallsand foodtomakeitareallygreatdayfor visitorsofallages.I’lldropsomemore informationonthisclosertothetimebut I’mlookingforwardtoseeingthe communitycomingtogetherinGunville foranenjoyabledayout.

Asalways,ifyouneedtogetintouchwith me,pleaseusethecontactdetailsatthetop ofthispage.

member

IWBRUGisavoluntarybody,establishedin1985andmeeting eachmonthinNewport.Thegroupexiststopromotethe interestsofbusandrailusersandtocampaignfor improvementsinpublictransportandencourageitswideruse toreduceCO2emissionsontheIsland.

Newport, United Kingdom 01983 71

SpringCleaningMadeEasy

Theweatheriswarmingupandit’stimeto thinkaboutfresheningupourhomesfor theseasonsaheadandgettingonwiththe

Quirky Teapot is Reopening on Thursday 6th April. Bring this advert for 10% off. We can't wait to see you there, Natalie and the Team.

Normal opening hours Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. Staplehurst Grange, Staplers Road, Newport, PO30 2LU. 01983

717363. Valid until 31/05/2023

Althoughthismayseemlikeadaunting taskbybreakingitdownintobitesize piecesitcanbeeasilymanageable.Makea checklistforeachroomandthinkaboutthe placeswhichdon’tgettheattentionina normalclean.Thisisagoodtimetopull thefurnitureoutandvacuumorsweep behindit.Thetopofkitchencupboards andontopofthefridge/freezerareplaces thatoftengetoverlooked.Skirtingboards aregreatatcollectingdustandhaveyou gotceilinglampshadesthatcoulddowitha clean?Interiordoorsoftengetneglected andaonceoverwithawetclothcanbring themuptoaniceshine.Windows, frames,frontdoorandthesurroundshould becleanedinsideandout.It’ssurprising howmuchdirtandgrimecanstickto

Onlytacklearoomatatimeotherwiseit willbecomeoverwhelming.Byorganising anddeclutteringeachroomasyougo, decidingwhethertokeep,donate,sellor bin.Onceyouhavedecidedthendealwith eachpileassoonasyoucan.i.e.binthe itemsyounolongerwant,droptheitems fordonationtothecharityshoporcharity binandputawaytheitemsyouwantto

Natalie & The Team are pleased to announce that The Quirky Teapot is reopening on Thursday 6th April and they can’t wait to see you there. Bring this advert with you for 10% discount (valid until 31/5/23)

Normal opening hours

Wed - Sat from 10am - 4pm Stapleshurst Grange, Staplers Road, Newport, PO30 2LU

Ladies, Men’s and Childrens Stylist Affordable Prices

Ifyouhaveyoursummerclothesstored awaynowisthetimetogetthemoutand decidewhatyoureallywanttokeepand whatyoucandonateorsell.It’satimeto reallythinkaboutwhetheryouwillwearit again,doesitfitproperlyanddoyouneed itorcanyoudonateforsomeoneelseto enjoy.Whenpackingawayyourautumn andwinterwardroberememberifyou haven’twornitthisseasonthenyoudon’t needitandnoyouaren’tgoingtofitinthosejeansnextyearsothereisnopointin

15% off your first appointment with this advert

AlthoughIdreadthespringclean,wellthethoughtofitmorethantheactualtask,I alwaysfeelcleansedandsatisfiedafterwardsandfeellikeI’veachievedsomething.Ican thensitdown,haveaglassofwineandanextralargepieceofcakeknowingthatIhave earntthemandmyhomeisnowspring/summerready.

Lookafteryourfeetand they’lllookafteryou…

Thefootisacomplexpartofthehuman anatomy,anditisimportantthatitisnot neglectedasitnotonlykeepsus independent,butitisalsoamajorfactor inourphysicalandmentalwellbeing.

EsterCampbell-Huntermovedtothe Island3yearsagoandwithhershe broughtawealthofknowledgehaving workedwithintheNHSforseveralyears bothonthehospitalwardandwithinthe community.Hermostrewarding achievementwasworkingwithMarie CurieCancerCare,andshehasalso workedwithinclinicsfortheover75s healthchecks.

SheisaqualifiedFootHealthPractitioner andherbusinessEster’sFootHealth Clinicisamobileserviceandshevisits clientsacrosstheislandforarangeof treatmentsintheirownhome.Sheis particularlypassionateaboutdiabeticfoot careassheunderstandshowimportantit isforanyonewithdiabetestolookafter theirfeet.Shecanofferadviceonmany areasandcandealwithingrownnails, corns,thickenednailsandmuchmore. Esterhasgainedadegreeandisa qualifiedaromatherapistandreflexologist andoffersagreatreflexologymassageto totallyrelaxandrealignyourmindandbody.

Free Island delivery on all orders over £15

The Island’s largest selection of Fabrics, Wool, Haberdashery and Foam.

Shop instore at 3-5 Lugley Street, Newport. (behind Boots) or online at www.hellerslea.co.uk or by phone on 01983 526104

Ester’s F t Health Clinic

Professional foot health treatments in your home.

Nail cut and file

Cracked Heels

Thickened Nails

Ingrowing Nails

Removal of Corns and Callus

Diabetic Foot Care

Reflexology massage

Contact Ester on 07789750307 or esterchunter@gmail.com

Offering 20 years of healthcare experience

ESTER CAMPBELL-HUNTER BSc. DipCFHP, MPSPract ITEC Dip

Fully Insured. Member of the Accredited Registry of Foot Health Practitioners

Withover20years’experienceandasamemberoftheAccreditedRegisterofFoot HealthPractitionerweareveryluckythatEsterchosetomovetotheIslandandopena professionalfoothealthclinic.

Formoreinformation,pleaseseehermainadvertorcallEsteron07789750307or emailonesterchunter@gmail.com.

E:julie.jones-evans@iow.gov.uk

T:@juliejonesevans|F:JulieJones-Evans

Nowweareheadingoutofwhathas seemedalongcoldwinterandcanatlast enjoysomelongerdaysandsomewarmth fromthesun.Ourparksandfootpathsare preciouspublicassets,allowingustoaccess nature.NewportandCarisbrooke CommunityCouncilareaskingforpeople's ideasonwhattheywouldliketoseeat VictoriaRecreationGround.Newport CricketClubhavemovedtoNewclose, afterhavingbeenatVicRecfor120years whichmeanstherecouldbeactivities accommodated.Iforonefeltverysadat NCCmovingespeciallyasmygrandfather NeilShutlerlivedandbreathedcricketat theclubandcarriedonwatchingrightup towhenhereached100notout.

Ifyouhaveanyideasonwhatyou'dliketo see,forinstancearunningtrack,cycling path,skateparkoranythingelse,please droptheteamalineto clerk@newportwight.org.ukoranoteinto theofficeatTheLoftinPyleStreet oppositethedoctor'ssurgery.

ShapingNewport,thepartnershipbetween NewportandCarisbrookeCommunity Council,NewportBusinessAssociation andIWCouncilisrunningafollow-up surveytothefirstonerunin2017/18.It's onlineherehttps://www.surveymonkey. co.uk/r/D32HHP5

andpapercopieswillbedistributedaround theparishareathroughletterboxeswith NCCC'snewsletter,duringthenextfew weeks.Itwouldbegreattobeableto surpassthetotalofresponseslasttime whichwasabout2000sowecangetaclear steerfromresidentsaboutwhatour

prioritiesshouldbe.

64HighStreetiscomingonreallywelland NCCCshouldbelookingtotake occupationmid-April,bangonschedule andwithinbudget.

Wearejustfirmingupdetailswithourfirst 3occupantsoftheshopletsthatarewithin andtheheritagegrouparealsomaking progresswiththeirfirstexhibition.I managedtosecuresomefundingviathe IWCouncil’sEuropeanfundedbusiness centreproject,Building41whichopenedin January,for64HighStreettobecomeacoworkinghubwheremembersofB41can comeandworkforfree,enjoyhotdrinks andsuperfastWi-Fi.Non-memberscanuse thespaceforanominalfeeof£5asession.

ImportantdateforyourdiaryisSaturday 6thMay,TheKing'sCoronation.St James'sSquarewillbevehiclefreeforthe day,Platform1arehavingastageupall daywherestudentsandmaybepast studentswillbeperforming.Therewillbe stalls,entertainmentandhopefullyabig screentotelevisetheceremonyfrom London.Wearewaitingforthedecision fromtheNationalLotteryaboutthe fundingbidputinbyNewportBusiness Associationforthecelebration.Wewill definitelyhavePlatform1andsome entertainmentbutextraswillbedependent ontheyayornayfromtheLottery Coronationfund-fingerscrossed.St James'sSquarewasclosedoffforthe Queen'sCoronationin1953,soit'sgreatto usethespaceagainforherson'saccession celebration.

Fromjoy’shumblecrumblekitchen

The'boilmethod'isasimpleandeasywaytocookandonewhichwehavebeenusing foryears...butbyaddingafewsimpletwistsandingredientsyoucantakeyournext mealfromordinaryintoextraordinary!!Well,moreinterestingandflavoursomebutyou getwhatwemean!

SIMPLE ASIANRICE

600mlchickenorvegstock

285gr.jasminerice

1tbsp(lowsodium)soysauce

75gfrozenpeas•

2xspringonions-thinlysliced

Serves4-6

ULTRACRISPY

POTATOESserves4-6

1.Combinerice&stockinalarge saucepan

2.Coverandbringtotheboilthenreduce heattolow-simmerfor18minutes,

3.Stirthericeandcheckfortendernessand allliquidhasbeenabsorbed,

4.Drizzlewiththesoysauce-toss/stirto coatwell

5.Addthepeasandcoverforaminuteor two-addtheonion,stirandkeepcovered untilreadytoserve.

GRANDMA'SCAULIFLOWER

CHEESEserves4

1xheadofcauliflower•1�ncreamof mushroomsoup•200ggratedcheese (matureifpossible)

1.Removeanygreenleavesandstemleaveenoughofthestemtoallowthe cauliflowertostaytogetherandflat.

2.Placethecauliflowerupsidedown intoalargepotandcoverwithcold water.

3.Bringtotheboilandsimmerfor2025minutes-itshouldbecrisp-tender (tooso�anditmayfallapart).

4.Draincarefullyandplacerightsideup intoabakingdish.

5.Pourthesoupovertheen�reheadof thecauliflower-seasonandtopwith cheese.Bakeat180Cdegreesfor15 -20minutesun�lhotandbubbly.

Thesearestraightforwardto make-boil,squish,drizzleand bake.Oven180Cdegrees. 12-14smallpotatoes6-8 mediumpotatoes-washed BOIL-boiluntilsoftanddrain inacolander(letitstandfor5 minutes)

SQUISH-placepotatoesona lightlyoiledtrayandroughly squishthem-keepingthemin onepiece.(thin=crispier, thicker=fluffierinside)

DRIZZLE-withalittlemelted butterthendrizzlesomeolive oilover-season.

BAKE-bakefor30-40 minutesuntildeepgoldenand crispy-donotflip.

SWEET COOKED CARROTS

Serves4-6

500gcarrots-youcanusebaby carrotsorwashandslicelargeones. 350mlchickenstock

1tbspsugar

knobbutter

1.Bringthestockandsugartothe boilinamediumpot

2.Addthecarrotsandcookuntil crisp-tender(10-12minutes)

3.Drain,addthebutterandseason. Stirandserve.

WordLadder

Awordladderisasequenceofwords formedbychangingjustonelettereach time.Canyoufindthemissingword? Usethecluesifyougetstuck.

Sudoku

BEEHIVE BOB

FEATHERED FRENCHBRAID PERM

TWIST DREADLOCKS CORNROWS AFRO

FISHTAIL UPDO

BEDHEAD CURLY

STRAIGHT PIGTAILS

PONYTAIL

FOUNTAIN PIXIE BUN BANGS

Hairstyles

Lastmonth'sanswersforWordLadder:-prune,prone,phone,shone,shove,shave,shame,shams,seams,teams,tears,pears

DATESFORYOURDIARY

FirstThursdayofeverymonth–Teen EpilepsyCaféatSounds&Grounds, BirminghamRoad,Cowesfrom4–5.30pm.It'sanopportunityforteenagers withepilepsytomeetthoseinthesame boat,tochatandlistentomusicinasafe andsupportivespace.

FourthSaturdayofthemonth-TheIsleof WightBusandRailUsersGroup (IWBRUG)holdtheirmeetingsatthe MethodistChurchHall,QuaySt,Newport, at11.15am.Comealongandhelpmakea difference.Formoreinformationcheck ourwebsitehttps://e-voice.org.uk/ iwbusrailusers

Saturday1st April–TheIsleofWight VintageMotorcycleClub5th Annual VintageandClassicMotorcycleShow. From10amto4pmatTheWinter Gardens,Ventnor.£3entry(Cashonly).

Sunday2nd April–EasterWellbeingand CraftEventatWhippinghamCommunity Centrefrom10amto2pm.Taster treatments,crafts,refreshmentsandraffle. RaisingfundsforMountbattenHospice.

Monday3rd April–DinosaurFunDayat SandownRailwayStationfrom10am–4pm.Comeandjointhedinosaurfunon thetrainandatSandownStation’sGaslight Café.Followthedinosaurfootprintsinthe JurassicLosAltosParkanddiscover dinosaureggs.Lotstodoandsee. SupportedbyIslandLine.

Saturday8th April–YarmouthCarnival EasterDuckRaceontheriverYarat3pm. Drawticketswillbeavailablefrom Holdings,Harwoods,thePharmacy,PO41 andonthedayatYarmouthSailingClub. Forfurtherinformationpleasegoto YarmouthCarnivalCommitteeevents Facebookpage.

Saturday8th April–EasterChickHuntat PuckpoolPark.Ages3–10.9:30amstart.

£4perchild.BookingessentialattheOld Barracks.Telephone615766

Saturday8th April–AnnualEasterHunt atBradingRomanVillainaidofDaisy ChainsIWfrom11amto4pm.Egg hunt,magicshow,historiesshow,Peter Rabbitmeetandgreet,balloonmodelling andmuchmoreallincludedinthehunt priceof£3.50perchild.Ticketsfrom https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ characterevents

Sunday9th April–TheTravellingTavern EasterEggHuntfrom1to3pmat FreshwaterBayinaidofFreshwater IndependentLifeboat.Livemusicwith EmelliaFrom5to7pm.

Saturday15th April–SpringTailsDog Walk.Meet11amatTheCrownInn ShorwellCarParkforapproximately1 hour15-minutewalk.FinishingatThe CrownwhereafreeBuddyBixtreatawaits yourdog.Freeandallwelcome.Alldogs mustbekeptonalead.

Saturday22nd April–VectisPostcard StampandEphemeraFairatMasonic Hall,JohnStreet,Ryde–From10amto 3pm.Freeadmission.BothIslandand Mainlanddealers.Everyonewelcome.

Sunday30thApril–GardeningGaloreat RookleyVillageHall,HighwoodLane, Rookleyfrom10amto3pm.Freeentry. Freeadjacentparking.Refreshments providedbyRookleyWomen’sInstitute. Forallyourgardeningneeds.All stallholdersfromtheislandandgardening related.

Alleventinformationwascorrectattimeofprintbutcouldbesubjecttochangeatanytime.

NewsreportfromCllr.AndrewGarrattforParkhurst&Hunnyhill

Email:andrew.garratt@iow.gov.uk|Tel:01983524623

RegularreaderswillknowthatIama councilloronbothIsleofWightCouncil andNewportandCarisbrooke CommunityCouncil.Thecommunity councilhassevenwards,eachwithtwo councillors.

Latelastyear,theothercouncillorfor ParkhurstandHunnyhillresigned.Asnoonecalledanelection,thecommunity councilthenadvertisedapplicantsforcooption.Wehadtwoapplications,and afterinterviewingbothcandidatesthe councildecidedtoco-optRobinJordan. MycongratulationsgotoRobin.We’ve alreadyhadgooddiscussionsonworking togethertoimproveservicesandfacilities forresidentsacrosstheward.

Lastmonth,Ireportedthatthenewplay equipmentinstalledatHookesWay wouldbeavailableforusesoon.AsI write‘openingday’is27March,soif you’rereadingafterthatdateandhave youngchildren,Ihopeyouwillcheckout whatisinplace.Thisprojecthasbeena greatexampleofhowthetwocouncils haveworkedtogetherwithanother organisation(SovereignHousing Association),andwithlocalresidents.It wasverypleasingthatlocalchildrenwere involvedinthechoiceofequipment.

I’mhopingthatwecanaddtothe equipmentovertime,andalsotoidentify asuitablesiteforasimilarfacilityinthe northoftheward.

I’vebeenpressingSouthernWaterand IslandRoadsformanymonthsaboutthe waterleakingoutofthesurfaceof WorsleyRoad.Anotherholewasdug recentlybutnoleakwasfound.Itcould bethatthecauseisleakinggroundwater inthatcase.

However,other investigationshavetaken placetoseeifthereisa leakfurtheruptheroad.Iwillreportback onanyresultsinfuturereports.

Followingonfrommyreportlastmonth, Ihadaveryusefulmeetingwithoneof theIsleofWightCouncil’senvironment officersabouttheproblemsofdumping ofdog-foulingbagsandoffly-tipping alongsideHookesWay.Ifyouhaveany informationonwhomightbeleavingthis pleasecontactthecouncilorme.Wealso discussedthefly-tippingthatrecently happenedinCampHill.I’malsoliaising withForestryEnglandaboutthis.

AtIsleofWightCouncil’sMarch meeting,councillorsdebatedamotionon developingastrategytotacklechild povertyontheIsland.Weheardthat figuresshowthatinthelastfouryears therehasbeenabigincreaseinchildren eligibleforfreeschoolmeals,whichisan indicatorofchildpoverty.Everymember ofthecouncilsupportedthemotion.

Forthosewhoarestrugglingwiththecost oflivingthereisadviceandguidanceon thecouncil’swebsiteat:www.iow.gov.uk/ costofliving

Thereisalsohelpwithcounciltaxfor thoseonlowincomes.Informationon eligibilityandhowtoapplycanbegotby ringingtheCouncil’srevenueandbenefits teamon01983823950oronthecouncil’s websiteat:https://beta.iow.gov.uk/ council-tax-and-benefits/council-tax/ help-with-paying-council-tax/localcouncil-tax-support/

Cllr.AndrewGarrattfor

Parkhurst&Hunnyhill

IsleofWightCouncilhastwo environmentallyimportantconsultations currentlyunderway.Oneisonthe locationsofchargingpointsforelectric vehicles.TheotherisonthedraftNewport andRydeLocalCyclingandWalking InfrastructurePlanSupplementary PlanningDocument.Thiswillcontribute toimprovingcyclingandwalking networks.Informationonboth consultationscanbefoundatwww.iow.gov. uk/consultations

Finally,asever,pleasegetintouchwith issuesthatImaybeabletohelpwith–however‘big’or‘small’.Mycontactdetails areabove.Youcanalsofollowmyworkas acouncillorthroughmywebsiteathttps:// andrewgarratt.mycouncillor.org.uk/

Tel:07528586683

Althoughtheweathercanbemixed,AprilisthefirstrealmonthofSpring.Woodlandscome alivewithbirdsongandthelackofleavesinthecanopyresultincarpetsofwoodanemonesand inancientwoodlandyoushouldbeabletofindthedelicatenarrow-leavedlungwort.Primroses areinabundanceindampwoodlandandalongthehedgerowswhilethefirstwildbluebells shouldappearmid-month.

ThebreedingseasonformanyspeciesofbirdisunderwaywhileearlymigrantsliketheSand Martin,WheatearandChiffchaffwillhavearrivedbythestartofthemonth.Hopefully,bymidmonththefirstCuckoo,SwallowandHouseMartinwillhavebeenseenwithSwiftsandthe summeringwarblersbytheendofthemonth.

Earlyseasoninsectsareonthewing,includingafurry-lookingbeewithalongprobosciswhich couldbemistakenforsomethingfearsomewithasting!Infact,itisnotabee,butaharmless Bee-flyandIneedyourhelppleasetorecordthemfortheNationalBee-flywatchsurvey,now initseighthyear.

TherearetwospeciesofBee-flyseeninApril:Dark-edgedBee-flyandtheDottedBee-fly. Theycanbeidentifiedbytheirdifferentwingpatternascanbeseeninthephotos.Theyusethe longproboscistonectartheearlyseasonflowers,sothechallengeistophotographthemand thenrecordthemonthesurveywebsite.

Therecordingform,andmoreinterestinginformationaboutBee-flies,canbefoundathttp:// soldierflies.brc.ac.uk/bee-fly-watch.Thesurveyalsohelpstopromoteanawarenessofthe speciesandthefactthattheyareharmlessandshouldnotbedestroyed.Iamalwayshappyto helpwithidentification.

IwillalsobeattendingtwoeventsinAprilrunningtheButterflyConservationtable.On Saturday22nd April,IwillbeattheEarthDayeventatBradingRomanVillaandonSunday30th April,IamattheSpringOpenDayattheDonkeySanctuaryatWroxall.Ihopetoseesomeof youtherewhereIwillbetalkingaboutbutterfliesandmothsandhowyoucanhelpthem.

Dark-edgedBee-fly(notedarkedgetowings)

DottedBee-fly(notespotstowingsand nodarkedgetowing)