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 on-line who currently do not have any internet access.

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.

Never miss out on reading a copy of Island Magazines.

If you can’t get out to pick up a copy from local distributors you can subscribe to either our ‘DIGITAL’ or ‘PRINTED’ edition each month.

For DIGITAL subscriptions please email rydemagazine@gmail.com include the words ‘subscribe digital’ in the email, then sit back, relax and wait for the next issue to drop into your email inbox.

For PRINTED subscriptions there will be a small charge of £1.20 per month payable 6 months in advance. Email com with your name, address and which area you would like or call us on 07880 587 931.

Welcome and thank you for picking up a copy of your local community magazine.

The March issue signifies that Spring is on the way and the ‘spring equinox’ and official first day of Spring is Monday 20th March.

The Island is already showing us that warmer weather is coming with the unmistakable signs of daffodils and crocus emerging on hedges, gardens and local parks.

The days will start getting longer and the clocks go forward 1 hour at 1am on the 26th March. There is a lot to look forward to as the island will slowly start emerging from it’s winter cocoon and our dates for your diary section on pages 10 and 11 will keep you updated on local events happening across the Island.

Another important date to remember is of course Mothering Sunday on the 19th March.

Inside this issue you will find your regular news updates and this month on page 15, Joy’s Humble Crumble Kitchen feature has some great air fryer recipes for you to try.

I hope you enjoy this issue and please get in touch by any means below if you have any information you would like to share or would like to advertise your business in the next issue.

Have a great month and I look forward to catching up with you again soon.

Wootton Bridge News Update

There are some very bad potholes at the moment particularly on St Edmunds Walk and at the end of Church Road. These have been reported and if you look closely you will see that they have been marked to indicate to the workers what needs doing. Island Roads are struggling as the weather during the cold snap was perfect for creating defects leading to a backlog. They have assured that they have allocated extra resources to catching up so hopefully these and others will be done soon.

WAGE the group set up to oppose gravel extraction in the village have been active recently. They are planning on contacting people soon and will have new garden boards available shortly. These boards are for anyone who wishes to display one and will also be available to replace those older boards that have started to fade. The original ones have been up some considerable time.

The Blue Lamp Trust helps protect vulnerable residents in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight from becoming victims of crime - as part of their crime prevention advisory service.

The scheme offers FREE home visits providing both general and specific crime and fire prevention advice to improve home safety.

They visit residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who are:

• Vulnerable due to age (over 65) • Disabled • A victim of crime

• A victim of burglary • A victim of domestic abuse

THE BOBBY SCHEME provides FREE home security visits, long-life smoke alarms and advice to vulnerable people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, particularly the elderly and victims of burglary and domestic abuse. Their trained, police vetted, Bobby Scheme Fitters will visit and carry out a full survey and, as appropriate fit items free of charge, such as:

• Locks • Spy Holes • Door Chains

• Smoke Alarms • Carbon Monoxide Alarms

All of the Blue Lamp Trust advisors are police vetted and carry ID cards to reassure local residents that they are genuine – and please remember, they will not be offended if you ask to see their ID to validate their identity.

Referrals

The Bobby Scheme is free to those who are vulnerable due to age (over 65), circumstance, disabled, or a victim of household crime. Anyone can make a referral including individuals, friends, family, doctors, social workers, etc. Please enquire via the Blue Lamp Trust website at www.bluelamptrust.org.uk/bobby-scheme-choice

Alternatively, you can make an enquiry by calling the Blue Lamp Trust directly on 0300 777 0157.

Award Winning Music Classes for Babies and Young Children

Monkey Music baby and toddler classes offer a safe, supportive and nurturing environment, where parents, carers and children meet in small groups to enjoy interactive musical activities. They have been running nationally for 30 years and the classes here on the Island are run by Katherine Green who recently relocated to the island and brought her classes with her ensuring all children have the opportunity to experience Monkey Music.

All classes are tailored specifically to support families with babies, toddlers and pre-school children aged between 3 months and 4 years of age. The classes are based around 4 stages - time to sing, time to move, time to play and time to sleep, and are designed to keep babies stimulated from start to end through the exploration of music, movement and instruments.

Rock ‘n’ Roll classes (from 3 months) gentle songs and lullabies for you both to share precious moments and songs are linked to rhythmic body movements. Sensory props to stimulate visual experience and friendly percussion instruments for those rock ‘n’ roll moments.

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

Heigh-Ho classes (from 12 months) they will learn action songs, catchy sounds with up beat tunes to allow them to dance freely and to practise fine motor skills using hand held percussion instruments. These classes help toddlers need for active time and quieter time for calmer activities.

Jiggety-Jig classes (2 & 3 year olds) these older toddlers have fun with their friends and develop a strong musical foundation with some songs for dressing up and telling stories to help build self-confidence. Whilst dancing and partnering with friends help the toddlers to get to know each other. Composing comes naturally to the Jiggety- Jiggers so with the use of props, images, music, stories and poems help inspire our little monkeys as they create and perform their own special music.

Ding – Dong classes (3 & 4 year olds) children are now ready to learn to read music - this is a huge milestone and paves the way for a bright musical future!

For more information, please see their main advert and don’t forget the FIRST CLASS IS FREE.

Word Ladder

A word ladder is a sequence of words formed by changing just one letter each time. Can you find the missing words? Use the clues if you get stuck.

Professional Coach specialising in:

Personal Growth • Career Development

Youth Conversations • Parental Transition

Restoring balance through transformational coaching maryan@maryanhookcoaching.com maryanhookcoaching.com

07881 942450

As Mad as a March Hare

A BIG thank you TWM Wildlife & Nature Isle of Wight for providing us with this month’s front cover picture.

TWM Wildlife & Nature Isle of Wight is the making of two well know local photographers – Tramp Woods and Warren Mason and if you’re on Facebook or Instagram you will probably have seen some of their wildlife pictures already.

Island Wide Coverage

Rewires and Rewiring Services

Fuseboxes / replacement consumer units

Designer lighting, extra sockets / lights

Garden / outside electrical points

Inspection & Testing (Domestic & Commercial)

CCTV installation & repair

Emergency lighting testing / repair

Fire alarm testing

Central heating installation / repair

TV / audio visual home cinema systems

Freeview and freesat installation & setup

Warren Mason is a very accomplished professional photographer with many years of experience! Having pictures in major magazines and publications. Tramp Woods is a very keen wildlife photographer, with published content in papers and magazines, and achieving many awards.

They have teamed up and started wildlife photography workshops, for those who struggle with this very difficult genre of photography, from complete novices and upwards. They have been giving up their time to teach others new skills in obtaining better pictures through understanding how to not only set up their equipment but understanding how to use their cameras in a better way, giving people tips ideas on how to improve their photography.

They’ve had a massive response and held a few workshops in let’s say difficult conditions. The response from those who have attended has been amazing and they have now set up a dedicated Facebook group, not only for them to give out information, but it’s there for anyone to join, and post pictures or leave comments, or just look at the fantastic pictures posted.

TWM Wildlife & Nature Isle of Wight