Island Magazines February 23 Newport and Carisbrooke area

Dance is ageless. Forget your Age! Live your Life! Dance for Lifelong Wellbeing.

Dance-based exercise is a way to a long and healthy life. The Community of Adult Dance [COAD]’s mission, is to bring Dance and Exercise to the Island’s local communities with fun, uplifting classes for third-agers - both Seated and Active exercisers.

Dance has a lasting, positive effect on older learners: it keeps you supple, it’s an aerobic exercise; it increases your strength, balance and spatial awareness; it makes you use your brain, and it gives you plenty of social contact.

Designed for older learners, Silver Swans Ballet, seated Dance-Exercise and adult Tap Dance not only keep you fit and active, but also keep your mind in shape!

RAD Silver Swans teachers – like Suki – are trained to teach a range of abilities over the age of 55. Join a local group to help improve your life, your mobility, posture, co-ordination, and your social circle too!

Seated Exercise improves your quality of life: restoring your energy levels, helping to reduce stress, assisting weight loss – and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease while improving your immune system.

74-year-old Anna, says: “Dance is a wonderful discipline, both mentally and physically”.

60-year-old Ian says: “It’s great Exercise that doesn’t involve going to the gym!”

Jane, 63, wanted to find an adult Ballet class: she was inspired watching a woman of 70 perform “…with such grace, demonstrating

Welcome

Wow... we’ve made it past the worst month of the year! January seems to have 485 days in it so I am glad that we are now in February. I’m sure I’m not the only one that feels like this.

Weather wise there isn’t much difference between the two months - they are both usually wet, cold and windy. (sorry I tried to think of something positive to say here but I couldn’t find the words!).

This month I am looking forward to two events, the first being St Valentine’s Day, I will leave the obligatory reminders around the house for my hubby to remember. I never feel guilty eating the chocolates he buys as we all know when chocolates are a gift they are calorie free!!

The second event is on Tuesday 21st February and is of course Pancake Day... ahh pancakes, what’s not to love about them. I am a traditionalist when it comes to them, and I am very easy to keep happy with just some lemon and sugar. However, you like yours, savoury or sweet, I hope you enjoy them.

You will find this issue once again packed with information and news, local businesses advertising their services and of course the puzzle page and special features.

I hope you enjoy this issue and I look forward to catching up with you again next month when Spring will definitely be on the horizon.

I hope you all have a great February and enjoy your pancakes!

Debbie

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News report from Cllr Andrew Garratt for Parkhurst & Hunnyhill

Email: andrew.garratt@iow.gov.uk - Tel: 01983 524623

It’s unsurprising that, when I’m talking to local residents, one subject keeps coming up – the cost of living.

So I’ll start this month by repeating myself from last month (and the month before) to highlight the dedicated section on the Isle of Wight Council website set up to provide advice and guidance to residents struggling with the cost of living: www.iow.gov.uk/ costofliving

If you don’t have access to the website, please get in touch and I can print out any information that you may need. If there is any other way you think I could help as your councillor, please get in touch.

I try to walk most roads in Parkhurst & Hunnyhill ward at least once a week, looking out for issues that need reporting.

In recent weeks, this has included reporting potholes in Hunnycross Way, Parkhurst Road, Dodnor Lane, and the lane between Worsley Road and Albany Road.

I also reported to Island Roads the accumulation of rubbish along the path by the dual carriageway in Hookes Way. This was made worse by the number of dog waste bags that had been thrown over the fence. I’ve asked the council to keep an eye on this to discourage whoever did this from doing so again.

At January’s Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council meeting, we had a presentation from the Isle of Wight Council’s director of regeneration on the one-hour free parking pilot in Newport car parks. The purpose of the pilot was to aid recovery of the town centre given the massive impact of the Covid pandemic.

The community council provided £40,000 to offset some of the loss of income to Isle of Wight Council. The data we were shown suggests there has been some success in bringing more visitors to Newport town centre, and that they are staying longer. The community council will be deciding its budget on 6 February and may continue to make a contribution to free parking if Isle of Wight Council makes a similar commitment.

February will also see the IW Council set its budget. As I reported last month, the council is facing the toughest situation in my time on the council. There are bound to be cuts in services and increases in charges, along with an increase in the council tax we all have to pay. The proposals will be discussed by the council’s Cabinet on 9 February, with the final decision taken by all councillors at the full council meeting on 22 February.

I’d like to remind residents that council meetings are held in public (except for confidential business). Both the community council and IW Council provide time for questions from the public at the start of meetings. If there is an issue that matters to you this can be a great way both to bring it to the attention of councillors – and hopefully get a positive response – but also for the media to become aware of it.

Although things are very difficult, it’s not all bad news. For example, as I write, it’s hoped that work to install the new play equipment on the green area in Hookes Way will get under way – subject to the weather!

Finally, as ever, please get in touch with issues that I may be able to help with – however ‘big’ or ‘small’. My contact details are above. You can also follow my work as a councillor through my website at https://andrewgarratt. mycouncillor.org.uk/

Email: wightmoths@gmail.com

Tel: 07528 586683

Following on from last month’s article, I hope as many of you managed to take part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch at the end of January. I am continuing the bird theme in February while the majority of our insects are still in hibernation, although you are likely to see a butterfly on a sunny day towards the end of the month. I would love to hear from you if you see one, especially if you get a photo.

As the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Regional Representative, my role includes organising the national bird surveys on the Island and promoting the organisation’s events. We have a great event in February for you, the National Nest Box Week which runs from 1421 February.

Many of us are aware of how vital it is to feed our garden birds, but it’s also just as important that they have a suitable shelter and site for breeding. With natural habitats such as trees and hedgerows being lost to development and the increase in urban housing, some of our garden birds struggle to find a safe shelter to rear their young.

However, we can all do our bit to help so why not site a nest box in your garden or outdoor area, which will provide them with a clean, warm environment to lay their eggs and raise their chicks. You may find that birds use the box to roost in the winter.

There are some excellent bird boxes produced by CJ Wildlife who also have some great tips about where to install them and what type of box is best. www.nestboxweek.com

I am pleased to announce I have my first event of the year. The New Carnival Company are staging the IOW Dark Skies Festival at Isle of Wight Pearl on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th February from 3-8pm. The festival will feature, among other things, astronomy while I will be talking about moths, in my role as County Moth Recorder, and how the Island is a great place to see them with over 900 different species recorded here each year! Hope to see some of you there.

Open your doors to staycations, all year round

Isle of Wight Hideaways is looking to expand its portfolio of self-catering holiday properties.

Our portfolio is made up of properties with something a little bit ‘special’, whether it’s a breathtaking location, centuries of history or a touch of luxury. From stylish hideaways oozing with coastal chic to real-life lighthouse cottages; from pretty bungalows to stately homes, and everything in between – we pride ourselves on offering some of the very best quality holiday accommodation available.

To meet the ever-increasing demand from our guests for characterful holiday homes, we’re always looking for new properties to join our portfolio – and letting your holiday home has never been easier. As a local, friendly and enthusiastic team based on Ventnor High Street, Isle of Wight Hideaways are well placed to make the process of sharing your holiday home easy and enjoyable. We are passionate about the island and pride ourselves on the services we can offer to meet your individual needs at competitive rates, be it a Marketing or Marketing and Managed service; and we offer flexibility to our owners on the use of their properties.

With tailored services to suit your needs, you can be involved as much or as little as you like, knowing that you and your guests are well looked after. We can take care of the day-to-day things for you, or if you’d prefer to look after things yourself, that’s fine too.

Perhaps you’re starting from scratch and looking to buy, already own a property or maybe you’re with another agency and are looking for a change? Whatever the reason, with Isle of Wight Hideaways, you can relax in the knowledge that we deliver excellent occupancy levels and manage all of our properties with the same care and attention as if they were our own, so you know you’re in safe hands.

We are part of the Hideaways Holidays Group Ltd, which not only includes eight regional brands but also runs alongside Rural Retreats, a long-established luxury holiday letting agency with a nationwide portfolio. Being a part of this family means there is the potential to market your property not only through Isle of Wight Hideaways, but also to a much wider audience via our other brands.

With no joining or annual fee and competitive commission rates, we have so much to offer our valued homeowners and we delight in providing the very best service to both guests and owners. We’d love to hear from you, so, don’t miss the opportunity – find out more about letting with us today.

And, as a special offer to Island Magazines readers, we are offering a £250 M&S gift card as a thank you if you join our portfolio by 30th April 2023 for a minimum of one calendar year.

To request your Free Property Letting Guide or to talk to one of our Property Managers, please call us on 01983 897 604 or email newowners@isleofwighthideaways.co.uk

07736

I hope your start to 2023 is going well.

One of the main focuses for the entire IW council at the start of each year is budget setting and this year has been a particularly difficult process given the financial crises we face in no small part thanks to the instability and inaction of the central government.

More locally, I’m chasing the management companies that currently maintain the roads around the housing estate behind Victoria Rec, as the road markings have all but vanished. The current level of maintenance is unacceptable.

I’ve had a number of residents speak to me regarding certain hotspots of fly tipping in the ward. I’m working with council staff to try and get some action on this; firstly, to get the rubbish cleared and secondly what deterrent options we have available to us.

With regard to highways around the ward (as this comes up frequently when speaking to residents), I’ve been promised multiple times now that a review of improvements will be undertaken soon, however, the timeframe I’m given keeps slipping. However, the most recent time I’ve been given is sometime in March, so we should (hopefully) know more then.

And once again here’s some information related to the cost of living and cost of energy crises.

Isle of Wight Council Cost of Living directory for information regarding warm spaces, food, benefits, etc…www.iow.gov. uk/costofliving

‘IsleFindIt’ by Citizens Advice at www.islefindit.org.uk

An online directory for Islandbased advice, services and events. For those that aren’t online, Citizens Advice run a free advice line on 0800 144 8848.

Help Through Crisis - 01983 823959

A limited fund to provide immediate emergency help with food, gas and electricity. Bear in mind, this can only be offered to those in the most need and as a last resort.

Footprint Trust - 01983 822282 or info@footprint-trust.co.uk. Help and advice regarding the cost of energy crisis and energy saving tips.

Please, if you need help this winter, use those services listed above or reach out to support networks you may have.

News Report from Cllr Joe Lever - Carisbrooke & Gunville

Mobile -

663 657 | Email - joe.lever@iow.gov.uk | Facebook - @CllrJoeLever

Things to look forward to...

February is the last month of winter and is usually still very cold and wet but it’s not all doom and gloom as it has two special days to celebrate, Pancake Day and St Valentine’s day. Here are a few interesting facts about both these events.

Shrove Tuesday – more commonly known as Pancake Day, or Pancake Tuesday, is celebrated every year to mark the first day of Lent. This year this flippin’ tasty day is on Tuesday, 21 February 2023

The largest ever pancake was made in the UK and had to be flipped using a crane! The largest pancake was created in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, in 1994, by the Co-Operative Union, Ltd. It was 49 foot (ft) wide and one inch (in) thick. The pancake weighed three tonnes.

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

In the US, Pancake Day is commonly known as “Mardi Gras,” which is French for “Fat Tuesday.”

The second side of a pancake takes half the amount of time to cook as the first – a good tip to remember.

Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14

Ikea Australia gave away a coupon for a free crib for babies born on the 14th November, which is exactly 9 months after Valentine’s Day. The coupon & proof of birth has to be shown.

Teddy Roosevelt’s diary entry for the 14th February 1884 reads: ‘The light has gone out of my life’. His mother and wife both passed away within hours of each other on that day.

Valentine’s Day is said to be the second most popular day to send cards, after Christmas!

St. Valentine’s holy duties are not limited to interceding in loving couples and marriages. He is also the patron saint of beekeepers, epilepsy, plague, fainting and travelling.

Source thefactsite.com and historyhit.com

Report by Julie Jones-Evans. Tel 521068 or 07886 437688 E: julie.jones-evans@iow.gov.uk

T: @juliejonesevans F: Julie Jones-Evans

Newport has investment from Historic England as a High Street Heritage Action Zone and we are now entering the last 14 months of the 4 year project, it’s just flown by but by the summer we should see the High Street improvements that are at the heart of the proposal. We are finalising the technical drawings for the planting, seating and wider pavements to the middle section of the High Street, between the 2 squares and this includes paving around the Victoria Monument to improve its setting and pedestrian access. Working alongside Southern Water we will be using the planting schemes as a way of improving drainage and they are contributing to the scheme’s costs which is great. We have two applications for shop front improvements successfully through the planning system and building work will commence soon. We are hoping that once having finished this project we will be able to apply for more funding to continue the improvements across the town.

Usually by this time of the year at the IW Council we have the budget all prepared for the final stage of adoption by a meeting of the Full Council. This year because of the dire economic national situation with interest rates, rising costs, wages, energy prices, increased demand on Adult and Children’s Services, budget setting is becoming increasingly difficult. I and other colleagues will never give up fighting for fair funding for the island, having proven our need in financial terms many times to the Government, including their own studies which just came up with bigger numbers! Put this into perspective,

when Greg Clark as Secretary of State in 2016 visited and was presented with the report, the figure was (about) £6m, if we had that from 2017 = £36m we would not be making cuts but able to invest and grow our way to a more secure economic foundation and future. The lowest number from the latest Government studies shows £10m, per annum required to ameliorate the costs we face as an island community.

Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council is proposing a zero % increase in the local tax “precept” households pay. I live in a band B household, and I pay £70.67 a year, so it’s a minor amount (2.5%) of what I pay per year for local services.

At least we know that the money that is raised locally on services in our community such as parks, planting, events, donations to local charities, organisations and the very important public toilets. However, a zero % increase is actually a decrease as the costs I mentioned earlier will have to be absorbed and we will have to do less. For example, I put forward a bid to put on an event for the King’s Coronation, but this will not be going ahead now. We are looking to put more resources into our Day of Christmas so we can make it even better and provide the free entertainment people value and enjoy.

dates for your diary EVENTS AT LORD LOUIS LIBRARY

First Thursday of every month – Teen Epilepsy Café at Richmonds, Bath Road, Cowes from 6.30pm. It’s an opportunity for teenagers with epilepsy to meet those in the same boat, to chat and listen to music in a safe and supportive space.

Friday 3rd February – Coffee Morning at Northwood Cemetery between 10.30am – 12.30pm. This months theme is Books and Music. Hot and cold drinks and biscuits are available, free of charge. Everyone welcome – just come through the cemetery gates and you will be given a warm welcome.

Tuesday 7th February – CAMEO (Come and meet each other) 10am – 12 noon at Calbourne Recreation Centre. There will be a session on mindful pebble decorating/painting and tea/coffee and biscuits. All welcome. If anyone requires transport to the Recreation Centre, please call 07944031888

Friday 24th February – Fun bingo Evening with a meal. Tickets £7 to include your food at Newport golf Club, St Georges Lane, Newport at 6.30pm. £2 per card to play. Raising funds for Vectis Radio. Tickets from tickets@vectisradio.fm

Saturday 25th February - ‘Second Time Around’ sale at Newport Methodist Church Hall, Quay Street, Newport, PO30 5BA from 10am - 3pm. All proceeds to Alzheimer Cafe IOW. There will be coffe tea and cake available. Call 01983 220200 for more information.

Friends of Lord Louis Library Book SaleSaturday 4th February 9am-4pm

Reading Group – Thursday 2nd 5.15pm

Jane Austen Reading Group – Thursday 23rd 3-4pm

Tea and Chat for the Over 60s - Monday 6th and 20th 10.30am-12pm

Dying Matters Bereavement Café – Tuesday 7th 10-11.30am

Knit and Natter - Thursday 2nd at 10am12pm & Thursday 16th at 2-4pm

Digital Support Sessions with Age UK IW, drop in with your device - Thursday 9th & 23rd at 10.30-12.00pm

Children

Rhymetime – every Friday 10am and 11am

Duplo group – every Tuesday 10.30-11.30am

Lego Club – for age 5+ Tuesday 7th and 21st, 3.30-4.30pm

Home Ed Lego Club – Monday 13th 10.3011.30am

Half Term children’s craft – Tuesday 14th drop in 2.30-3.30pm

IW Story Festival event, Nicholas Allen The King’s Pants workshop/storytime – Thursday 16th 10.30am Tickets essential. Ask at the Library for details.

Please join library staff at The IW Story Festival at Quay Arts for Storytime (10am Fri 17 Feb) and Rhymetime (10am Sat 18 Feb). Free just turn up!

All event information was correct at time of print but could be subject to change at any time.

From joy’s humble crumble kitchen

Slow cookers make light work at dinner time and are energy efficient - great on the pocket as well! Assemble your dish and allow the gorgeous flavours to come together over a low heat. Here are a couple of recipes including a vegetarian stew - All recipes can be batch cooked, shared and frozen for another day.

SLOW COOKED SAUSAGE

CASSEROLE

serves 4 - 6

1lb/450g sausages • variety of vegetables 1 tsp mixed herbs and 2 garlic cloves crushed 400g tin chopped tomatoes • 400ml beef stock Method

1. Fry the sausages in a little oil - drain - add to the slow cooker.

2. Add any choice of diced vegetables, 1 onion, 3 carrots, 1 celery stick, 1 red pepper, 1 courgette, a bit of butternut or leek, plus the herbs, garlic and tin tomatoes

3. Pour over the beef stock - mix well together. Cook for 4 hours, take out sausages and slice - return to slow cooker. Add gravy granules to thicken if desired about half an hour before end of cook time. Great with mash!

SLOW COOKED CHICKEN CURRY SERVES 4

SLOW COOKED VEGETARIAN DUMPLING STEW

2 tbsp oil • 1 lge onion - diced 2 garlic cloves - crushed 2 carrots - 1cm rounds 300g mushrooms - sliced

3 tbsp plain flour

1 tbsp tomato puree

2 x 400g tins green lentils - drained 700ml veg. stock 150ml red wine thyme plus 1 tbsp marmite - opt. Method

1. Heat oil, gently fry the onion for 10 minutes. Add garlic and tomato puree

2. Add the flour to coat the onion mix - season

3. Add red wine, stir well to prevent lumps forming - transfer to slow cooker

8 skinless chicken thighs • 2 tbsp butter • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 onion - diced • 3 cloves garlic, crushed • 2 tbsp tomato puree • 2 tsp curry powder • 2 tsp tandoori masala • 1 tbsp curry paste • 400g coconut milk • 245g low fat plain yogurt. Method

1. Heat butter and olive oil over low heat. Add the chicken, onion, garlic and curry seasoning and stir fry gently for 10 mins.

2. Put mix into a slow cooker, add the tomato puree, coconut milk and yogurt and mix well together. Cook on ‘auto’ for 4 - 6 hours or on ‘low’ for 6 - 8 hours Serve with basmati rice and warmed naan bread

4. Add carrots, mushrooms, lentils, stock, thyme & seasoning. Slow cook ‘auto’ for 4 hours.

DUMPLINGS - 100g SR flour • 40g butter or vegan spread • 1 tsp thyme. In a bowl rub the flour, butter/vegan spread, until you have breadcrumbs using finger tips. Add thyme and seasoning. Sprinkle 2-3 tbsp. cold water and mix until it comes together - make 8 balls. Add dumplings 1 hour before end of cook time.