Island Magazines February 23 Ryde and Wootton Area

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.

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!

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.

The works to finish the Interchange are moving along and I am told should be completed on time, around April or May this year. The ground works for the area of the bus station are quite evident and progressing well though the actual station is still awaiting commencement.

This has been a difficult part of the scheme to progress due to ownership and responsibility issues which has seen the Isle of Wight Council take on the responsibility of the station refurbishment but Southwestern Trains and Network Rail having to agree to the design and materials used. I am told that work should commence shortly which will be welcome news for the overall scheme and timescales for completion. In tandem, but as separate schemes, Network Rail are improving the rail section of the pier with upgrades to the structures there and Wightlink are providing a new walkway using the old tramway area of the pier as part of the Interchange grant funded scheme.

The hoarding at the far end of the pier has been removed and a planning application brought forward to replace and renew the essential barrier from the wind and elements. The colour scheme is to be cream and green, and I am certain it will be a huge improvement on the worn out and damaged state of the boarding previously there.

Once finished, the station will be open plan with ticket offices, café and seating areas, retail units and new toilets which, of course, will be open for public use. More open spaces are being provided and at least 1500 square metres of pedestrian areas, with landscaping and greenery, are being created leading to a much-needed refresh of this important part of Ryde seafront travel hub.

Further up in Ryde High Street the work to improve the area continues. Under the High Street Action Zone (HAZ) grant funding a number of initiatives are planned. One part of this work is to finally stop vehicles from using the High Street so that it can become a truly pedestrianised area.

There are access problems, and it has not been an easy task to legally place a barrier across the start of the High Street at Garfield Road end but talks and work is ongoing to find a permanent solution to this issue.

Resurfacing the road was always part of the plan but material costs increase since the grant funding was made back in 2019 have put enormous pressure on the scheme and may impact the extent of the re-surfacing possible. However, under the scheme, grant funding was made available to shop premises owners and there are currently around ten shop fronts that are being part grant funded in the High Street area which will see functional and visual improvements to those shops alongside improved public realm of seating and trees and shrubs being planted.

In addition to these investment improvements in Ryde, RTC are opening discussions with the IWC about a number of essential services and assets in Ryde which could be under threat due to budget pressures at the IWC. The library is one such service that is an important part of our community and provides much more than just book lending. It is important that we discuss how to protect this valuable service before drastic actions take place in the coming years.

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.

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

We meet monthly and have eight Guilds at various locations and times across the island

Wootton - Methodist Church, Station Rd, 3rd Friday at 2.00pm

Bembridge - Methodist Church Hall, 1st Tuesday at 7.30pm

Freshwater - Methodist Church Hall, 1st Wednesday at 2.00pm

Sandown - Broadway Centre, 3rd Wednesday at 2.00pm

Sandown - Broadway Centre, 2nd Tuesday at 7.00pm

Shanklin - Falcon Cross Hall, 3rd Wednesday at 10.30am

Lake - Lions Community Centre, 2nd Thursday at 10.30am

Ventnor - St Catherine’s Church, 3rd Wednesday at 2.15pm

We welcome you to come along to a no obligation meeting, to find out more. A warm and friendly welcome is guaranteed. If you would like to talk to someone before coming along, please ring 01983 759350.

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

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

RYDE LIBRARY EVENTS

In our Junior Library Rhyme Time every Monday starting at 10.30

Every Tuesday afternoon starting at 3.30 until 4.30 we will get our Lego out, be prepared to build something amazing!

We also have a fine assortment of family board games available, Saturday afternoons from 2pm.

Children’s Half Term Event - Tuesday 14th at 10.30. Local children’s author and artist Jules Mariner will read a lovely springtime story and there will be a special craft to follow. Free to attend but you must pop in for a ticket as numbers are limited. Suitable for children 5 and over.

Did you know there are many library activities available? Mostly they are free or with a small voluntary donation.

Wednesday 22nd February Knit & Natter 5pm to 7pm. Come along to this friendly group for a chat whilst you knit or crochet, light refreshments and knitting advice always available.

Colouring Club Wednesday 1st and 15th February 2.30pm – 5pm. All high-quality materials are provided. Why not come along there is no need to book - just turn up. Many people come on their own it is a great way to make new friends, so don’t sit at home on your own come to the library and join this group! All this with lovely refreshments for a suggested donation of £1.

Sewing Saturday - Saturday 25th February 10 – 4. Turn up and enjoy a day of sewing, all materials and equipment provided even the sewing machines. Don’t forget to bring your lunch! Come for good company and sewing advice if you need it.

Tuesday Crafternoons - Tuesday afternoons is ‘Crafternoon’. Turn up and craft in a friendly environment 2-4pm. 7th & 21st February.

We now have a jigsaw out in the middle room of the library come in and help us complete it!! We will even give you a cup of tea!

Book Groups - there are spaces available on most of our book groups if you see one that interests you give us a call or pop in, and we can give you more details. We also have a large collection of book groups sets available (over 270!) to borrow should you wish to form your own book group if this is something that interests you come into the library for a chat.

Other Events

Chess Club - Every Wednesday evening 5 till 7. Come along to this new group grandmaster or beginner everyone welcome, children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Friday 3rd February at 11am is our Audio Book group which is suitable for people with print disabilities and visual impairments. Please call the library for more details. Books are provided by the library on USB sticks or MP3 discs.

We will be hosting one of our regular ‘Playlist for Life’ Musical Tea events that celebrate the connection between music and memories, please call the library for date and details.

The gallery is being redecorated in February, so there will be no exhibition.

Ryde Town Councillors will be available to give advice and information on Wednesday evenings between 5.30 – 6.30 Drop in if you have issues they may be able to help you with. continued over the page

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

RYDE LIBRARY EVENTS

Isle of Wight Age UK hold regular IT

Help Sessions here at the library. If you are experiencing problems with your tablet or any other handheld device or your laptop then come along for friendly advice! The sessions in January are on Wednesday 8th and Wednesday 22nd February at 10.30 to 12.00, this is a drop-in session.

We welcome donations of books in good condition, this is the perfect way to recycle your old books, donations either go on the catalogue for others to read or we sell them at our regular book sales. All money raised goes towards making your local Library a fabulous place to visit.

We also welcome donations of jigsaw puzzles!

If you have access to a computer at home or have a tablet, Kindle or mobile phone you may find the following information useful. Did you know there you can download eComics, eAudiobooks, eBooks, eMagazines, eNewspapers and online music? All you need to access the online resources is your library membership card and a four-digit pin number (if you don’t have a pin ask for it next time you are in the library). All these things are free to use, imagine how much money a year you could save by downloading a newspaper or your favourite magazine!

If you are not a regular library user or have never visited us before why not make 2023 the year you come to Ryde Library to find out what we have to offer you. Libraries have been changing and you will be amazed at what else we do, we are not just about books.

dates for your diary

Every Monday - Scrabble at Wootton Community Centre, Brannon Way, Wootton Bridge from 2pm – 5pm. Everyone welcome. For more information call 07963529982

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.

Saturday 18th February – Indoor Car Boot Sale from 10am – 2pm at Brading Youth and Community Centre, Brading High Street.

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

If you are organising a community event please feel free to email the information to islandmagazines@ gmail.com and details will be shared in the ‘Dates for your Diary’ section

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.

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

Report from Cllr. Michael Lilley for Ryde Appley and Elmfield 07769 551 578 | Michael.lilley@iow.gov.uk www.michaellilley.uk

Pancake Day Challenge on 21st February 2023 in memory of Erica Manley

February for me every year since 2016 has been a month I have focused on the issue of food poverty in Ryde and over the years have raised over £10,000 for Ryde Foodbank and other poverty/food projects. I started this initiative with Erica Manley, who sadly died over this Christmas. Erica was a volunteer at the Ryde Foodbank which is based in my ward at Grace’s Church on Marlborough Road. The event involves sponsored councillors and local residents flipping pancakes to raise awareness and funds for initiatives that provide food for residents and families that literally often have no money for food. The majority these days of difficulty and cost of living crisis are working families that just do not earn enough to put food on the table. These food projects literally save lives and need your support. You cannot believe that this is happening in the 21st Century.

Ryde has four of the most deprived and disadvantaged wards on the Isle of Wight and within the poorest 10% of most deprived wards in England and Wales. Erica was passionate about this issue, and it is poignant to hold this year’s event in her memory. There are three food projects in the East of Ryde, Community Pantry at Oakfield School, Food Share in Oakvale and Ryde Food Bank. Funds raised will be divided between the three. Pickle and Dill on Union Street will again sponsor the Pancake Challenge as in 2022.

Future of St. John’s Church and Hall

At the time of writing a meeting is scheduled to be held at the end of January 2023 at St. John’s Hall, High Park Road with the local community. The Church of England Diocese of Portsmouth has commissioned community architects to work with local residents and the congregation on adapting the church and hall to be a community centre hub for the East of Ryde. David Rowe, the Churchwarden states:

“

St. John’s Church in High Park Road is currently closed due to safety reasons as some parts of the roof are unstable and leaky. We are currently working on getting the roof repaired but we also feel that this is a good time to get the church building reorganised to keep up with current issues. Your Church has always been, and will be again, the heart of our community ,where our families have been married, christened and buried, where we have Harvest Festival, Remembrance, Christmas and Easter, where we share good times and bad week by week. Now we have the chance to remodel its use so that we can all use this huge, safe, lovely space every day of the week. We are very aware of the needs of our community and see the Church not only symbolises, but also geographically as the centre of the community. This is where you are needed to help us decide what you would like to see in our community. Maybe a drop-in centre with a cafe, a children’s soft play area, a doctor’s surgery, advice point, school uniform swap shop and more.”

I will update you next month regarding the outcome of said meeting. continued over the page

Appley and Elmfield

St. John’s currently runs a weekly “warm space” day every Thursday (12-4pm) for those residents needing support this winter. Ryde Library has a warm space 5 days a week and Ryde Aspire runs one 4 days a week from Dover Street.

My message this February is that there are many volunteers such as Erica, David and others at St. John’s Church, Ryde Library, Ryde Aspire, Oakfield School, Oakvale Food Share and many similar projects across the Town that are there to support the most vulnerable in the Town and make Ryde such a caring and community spirited place providing the shoots of new beginnings this spring.

Tel: 07511 045 145 | daryll@planetmail.net

Party in the Park returns for 2023!

I am pleased to be able to say that the free village festival Party in the Park is returning to Wootton Rec for 2023. Following a hiatus due to Covid-19 preparations are under way to hold the event this year on the 8th of July. Volunteers are still badly needed to help man the event and keep it safe so please get in touch if you can help with this. Stall holders are also invited to apply to take part. In both instances enquiries should be directed to Wootton Bridge Parish Council on 884555 or clerk@ woottonbridge.org.uk. We are putting a lot of effort into making this a strong event so do please mark the date in your diary.

On a Rec related theme I have noted that one of the pieces of play equipment has been boarded up because it is unsafe. The Isle of Wight Council who are currently responsible for the maintenance have said that they cannot afford to repair it. I am very disappointed with this but given the news about the I.W. Council budget (below) I can understand why. Most people will be unaware of the funding situation for the recreation ground. These days it is quite complex with the I.W. Council and Wootton Bridge Parish Council covering different elements. These elements do add up to a fair amount which is unsurprising when you consider the size and various uses of the facility. As was said to me recently the Rec is probably the village’s primary community asset and we need to look after it properly. With issues such as broken play equipment and the ongoing issue of the gate things are starting to slide (no pun intended). Proper stewardship is needed to ensure facilities are maintained and

improved and I am working to see if a long-term plan can be brought together.

The I.W. Council is currently in the mid-phase of budget setting for the next financial year. Having seen the initial figures and had conversations with those in the know it does not look good. Due to a mixture of inflation at 10%+ and government cuts and freezes a substantial eight figure hole has appeared in the finances. Quite how this hole will be filled I am not yet sure but I am expecting a proposal for a 5% increase in Council Tax to be part of it. In fairness 5% does not even cover inflation let alone increased pressures caused as a result of the economic climate but it is a bitter pill when put alongside cuts to services. It is clear to me that many of these so-called discretionary services will only survive if Town and Parish Councils step in, but they also have to deal with inflation before they take on anything new. If you have views on the I.W. Council budget do please get in touch with me.

I have been chasing Island Roads with regards to potholes, particularly in Park View, New Road, Footways, Lushington Hill and St Edmunds Walk. I think the recent weather has caused a lot of the problems including the occasional flooding. In fairness Island Roads are working on the issues I have raised and they are very busy at the moment.

I am awaiting news on the relocation of the Doctors Surgery and will update you next time when I have more information.

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