Your Local Community Magazine
December 2020
Sandown & Shanklin Area
FREE
Merry Christmas
Letters to Santa Christmas is coming and Royal Mail are working extra hard delivering letters to Father Christmas at his Grotto while he prepares for the big day. Father Christmas promises that, between wrapping presents and keeping an eye on the elves, he will reply to everyone who writes in as long as you include your full name and address in your letter and post it by the deadline of Friday 11th December. Remember to:• Write Santa’s address on the envelope • Put a stamp on the envelope • Include your full name and address in your letter Please send your letters to: Santa/Father Christmas Santa’s Grotto Reindeerland XM4 5HQ Santa has also been in contact and has sent this message.
Dear Boys and Girls,
Tuesday Falcon Cross Hall, Shanklin Group Meetings are back. Social distancing in place and BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL. Call/email Julie for more info on 07813 635202 or joolsmarj@btinternet.com
Firbank
Residential Carehome
22 well furnished comfortable rooms in a detached stone building villa which stands in a prominent position overlooking Sandown Bay 8 Crescent Road, Shanklin PO37 6DH Tel: 01983 862522 Email: info@firbankresidential.co.uk www.firbankresidential.co.uk
Christmas is a very exciting but busy time for me. The elves are making toys and the reindeer are practising their sleigh run. I’m busy preparing my list of who’s been good this year. I will be getting my sleigh ready for the long journey on Christmas Eve and in between I will reply to as many of you as possible. I’m looking forward to delivering your presents on Christmas Eve. Make sure you remember my mince pie and Rudolph’s carrot! 2
Welcome to the December issue. Christmas is just around the corner and we are fast approaching the end of one year and moving steadily into the next. This year has been a year with a difference, which I don’t think any of us saw coming, even Mystic Meg didn’t see this in her crystal ball! It’s been a challenging year for us all and one way or another Covid-19 has had an impact on our lives, but we must remain positive. On a cheerier note and as I have already mentioned Christmas is imminent and I hope it’s going to be a magical time for everyone. If you have children, grandchildren, nephews or nieces you can find information on page 2 for your little ones to send a letter and get a reply from Santa. Inside you will also find our puzzle section which will keep you busy and you can find details on page 5 on how to subscribe to both digital and printed copies of Island Magazines, should you not be able to get out and pick up a copy.
text or call Island Magazines on 07880 587 931 islandmagazines@gmail.com www.islandmagazines.co.uk facebook.com/islandmagazines twitter.com/islandmagazines Island Magazines Mailbox No 4, Unit B1 Whitecross Business Centre Whitecross Lane Shanklin, IOW, PO37 7EJ
We have some great advertisers offering their services and wares and now even more than ever they need your support. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all readers, advertisers, contributors and Councillors/parish councils for their continued support and I look forward to continuing to deliver ‘your local community magazine’ throughout 2021. Lastly, I hope you enjoy this issue and a Merry Christmas to you all. Best wishes Debbie 3
Monthly News Report for Shanklin. Richard 07471 471960 Jon 07973 860086 Email. priest.gilbey@live.co.uk We’d like to thank, again, all residents and visitors for continuing to follow the changing Covid 19 guidance, and for the efforts of local businesses and organisations to maintain services under increasingly difficult conditions – we remain grateful for all of the work of the NHS, Social Care and key workers, and we will continue to do all we can in the coming months to contribute to the Island’s response to the pandemic: the increase in numbers, on and off the Island, reflect the serious challenges facing us all and that we can all contribute to the way forward. Our thanks also go to all involved in local schools, and providing child care, and their efforts ensuring the education of all of our children whilst ensuring the teaching and learning environments are as Covid safe as possible – a task that is not easily achieved. We have been able keep the community library open, thanks to Maria and the dedicated team of volunteers – the new Town Office has been completed and, subject to Covid, will be fully operational at the start of 2021 (thanks to Ben, Tim and all involved in the project) – and the Town Council’s commitment to regenerate Falcon Cross Hall, Town Office and State of the Art public toilets has been achieved. Public Toilets at Falcon Cross, Tower Cottage and the Esplanade have also been kept open with Covid Guidance in place, and the pay parks have also remained open. Thanks to Mayoress Esther Knight and Men In Sheds for the special flower trough 4
outside of the Library, and this community effort has also won a national award from South East England in Bloom, to reflect the neighbourhood response during the pandemic. There are plans to ensure all of the Christmas Trees are decorated and located across the Town, although we are unable to hold a special carol concert, and know the Town Band will try and hold concerts over Christmas, but these will be subject to Covid guidance. Local churches are also seeking to hold services directly, or remotely, and again will be doing all that they can to be open to the community during the festive period. We also look forward to the annual Panto (this year Rapunzel), planned from 19th December, from Jayne and all at Spotlight, is part of the traditional Shanklin Christmas, and thanks to all at the Theatre for ensuring Covid arrangements are in place.. Thanks again to everyone that were able to share in the Commemorations of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, local churches and the Royal British Legion arranged Covid Safe events,; Terry Carpenter, our Curator, and Green Town Volunteers ensured the Memorial and surrounding garden were a fitting location for wreath laying; the High Sheriff and Town Mayor led special events; and a commemorative film detailing the Centenary of the memorial was also produced and is available to watch at https://youtu.be/0onrS9iZ16M . continued over the page
Monthly News Report for Shanklin
We are also really grateful to local residents for getting touch regarding plans for 2021 – we appreciate the recent Covid 19 guidance highlights that we need to continue to work together, including maintaining the support network and volunteer hub (on 01983 823600), over the coming months and follow the guidance that is being provided. Our thanks also goes to all those that provide postal services, waste collection, public transport services, and so many other activities that make such a difference to our lives on a daily basis. Thanks again to all those volunteers and key workers for all of their work at this challenging time, have as an enjoyable Christmas as can be and we wish you well for the New Year. Take care and stay safe Jon Gilbey & Richard Priest
subscribe 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 shanklinmagazine@gmail.com and 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 islandmagazines@gmail.com with your name, address and which area you would like or call us on 07880 587931.
Get in touch today Email: hello@maggiecurrie.co.uk 01983 754 666
maggie
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Winter Solstice With just a few weeks left before 2021 dawns, we’re not very far from the shortest day of the year – when you have the shortest amount of daylight and the longest amount of night-time – which falls just before Christmas. This day also marks the start of the Winter solstice. Here’s what you need to know… This year the shortest day of the year – in the northern hemisphere that is – will be on Monday 21st December. The day occurs when the Earth’s axis rotates leaving the North Pole at its furthest possible tilt from the sun – resulting in the reduced hours of daylight. While it marks the start of the astronomical winter in this part of the world, the southern hemisphere will get to experience summer, with longer days and shorter nights. The shortest day will see us getting just seven hours, 49 minutes and 42 seconds of daylight in London – although this will vary depending on where you are in the country (only by a matter of minutes though!) However, it’s not all bad news – as the days do start getting a little longer and the nights a little shorter from then on, not that you will notice much difference for a good few months. The astronomical winter lasts until the Spring Equinox, which next year will be on Saturday 20th March 2021
Deacon’s Nursery INES TAR NEC ES CH PEA ES RI ER CH
What Deacon’s Nursery don’t know about fruit trees... just isn’t worth knowing. Having been established on the Island for 44 years, since 1976, owner Grahame Deacon has grown the family business to be one of the largest mail order fruit tree nurseries in the UK and in Europe.
OPEN FOR BUSINESS
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Grahame wants to let islanders know that Deacon’s Nursery, located in Moor View in Godshill is open for business and he can personally assist everyone with what they require. They have hundreds of varieties of trees on offer; apples, pears, peach, nectarine, apricot, cherry to name just a few… Deacon’s Nursery is your one stop shop. Although it might seem an unusual gift for Christmas, and let’s be honest it’s been an unusual year… a fruit tree is the gift that keeps giving year after year and if you have that one person who is difficult to buy for then this could be the answer!!! You can call into the nursery in Moor View, Godshill, PO38 3HW to pick up a catalogue and price list or if you prefer call 840750 or 522243 and leave a message with your name and address and Grahame will post them to you. Please see the main advert for further information.
APRICOTS M ED L AR RA S SPB ERR ST RA WB I E S ER RIE S
Home Grown and Open for Business
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20% off Apple Trees Moor View•Godshill•PO38 3HW
Pop in or call us for a catalogue & price list Tel 01983 840750 / 522243 Fax: 01983 523575
E A F Residential & Commercial grounds maintenance contracts, including turfing, hedge and grass cutting. Timber Fencing Specialists Over 30 years experience and fully insured Covering the whole of the Isle of Wight
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WENDY DEBENHAM Soft Furnishings curtains- pelmets - blinds loose covers - cushions and all types of home furnishings. Made to order measuring service & free quotes call 07870 915 824 or 401411 email: wendydebenham@gmail.com
Come and see us at our showroom in Brading for all your soft furnishing needs.
Report from IW Councillor Ian Ward for Sandown South & Cabinet Member for Infrastructure & Transport Email: ian.ward@iow.gov.uk Telephone: 01983 403193 Mobile: 07772559093 WISHING YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR I am certain we will all look back on 2020 and wonder what on earth happened! Covid 19, lockdown 1 and then lockdown 2, that will hopefully be over by the time you read this! Businesses have suffered, families have suffered, and this is not helped by people thinking they know how to deal with Covid 19 better than the Government and their scientific advisors. Hopefully, the new vaccine will help us to get back to some sort of normality. Anyway, I sincerely wish that you all have a better year ahead of you. UPDATE ON PROGRESS WITH DERELICT BUILDINGS High Street Kebab Shop – Work to Start in Spring. I have discussed a likely start date for the refurbishment of the old Kebab shop with the owner. He told me that he had planned to start in Spring 2020, unfortunately Covid and the lockdown disrupted his plans, but he does now intend to start in Spring of 2021. White Corner Building - 66 Station Avenue & 52 Fitzroy Street There are several actions taking place in regard of the white building on the corner of Station Avenue and Fitzroy Street. The compulsory purchase order is progressing on this building and three others owned by the same person. In the meantime, the IW Council Planning Enforcement team have issued a Section 215 order instructing the owner to address the condition of the building. While the IW Council are taking action, ultimately the Secretary of State has to authorise the purchase. ISLAND LINE CLOSED COMPLETELY FOR REFURBISHMENT 4 JAN–1 APR 2021 The £26 million investment into the Island starts very soon. All the stations and the track will be refurbished, and we will get nearly brand-new trains. To achieve this the whole of Island Line will be closed completely from Monday 4 January 2021 until 1st April 2021. Southern Vectis will run a replacement bus service in lieu of the train. When the service restarts with the new trains it will be the normal 20min/40min service, but from 16th May the service will become a regular 30min service in each direction. 8
Get your gutters, driveways & windows Dazzling again! This is the time of year when gutters need some extra care. There may be a build-up of leaves, moss and other debris that has collected over the summer and autumn months. Keeping your gutters clear of debris guarantees free flowing drainage during these wet winter months. Dazzle External Cleaning has the knowledge and the machinery to tackle any hard to reach problem areas. In a relatively short time, Rhys can have your gutters free flowing ensuring no long-term problems.
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It is also that time Keyhole CT of year when algae Surgery Scans and moss can invade driveways and patios Watergate Rd, Newport, PO30 1XP 01983 212999 making them slippery and dangerous. With Call a range of techniques, almost any surface 01983 216121 can be made safe and regain its appeal. Dazzle External Cleaning can cater for all your external cleaning needs, whether it be driveways, patios, gutters, cladding, windows, render or roofing. They offer a reliable, friendly 5-star service. For a free quote give Rhys a call on 216121 or 07590 277298 or email him at info@dazzleexternalcleaning.com
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Delivering twice a day to Ventnor, Wroxall, Shanklin and Sandown. Call us today on 863677 if you would like us to deliver to you.
Anyone for a Cuppa? The teabag… this little pocket of flavour, always there for us in a crisis and our time of need then dumped in the food waste caddy or compost heap without a second thought… but wait, there is still life after the first brew! Here are some great ways to reuse them: •
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Protect house plants from fungal disease by re-brewing a used tea bag and using the weak tea (cooled) to Merry Christmas to all my water your plants. customers, old and new. Neutralise odours naturally. Spread DENYER PLUMBING dried tea leaves in stinky spots like the SERVICES cat litter box or in the bottom of your Normal service with garbage bags. social distancing Make cleaning the fireplace safer and easier. Dump the damp contents of tea Qualified, Professional, Reliable & Friendly bags onto the ash to weigh it down Service. Free Quotes - No Job Too Small before sweeping out the fireplace. DISCOUNT SCHEME for Ex-Forces, De-grease pots and pans. Soak hardNHS and OAP’s to-clean dishes in water with a used tea bag tossed in. The tea will help loosen stuck-on food and break up grease. denyerplumbingservices@hotmail.com Add them to your bath. The antioxidants in tea are good for your The views and opinions expressed by contributors and skin and the gentle scent will add some advertisers are their own and do not reflect the views of the Editor or Island Magazines unless stated otherwise. aromatherapy to your soak. Island Magazines reserves the right to refuse or alter Make a hair rinse. Remove product material where necessary. build-up without using another product. Soak 3-4 used tea bags in warm water and pour it over your head after shampooing and conditioning as usual. Don’t rinse. Pro tip: Chamomile brightens blondes and black tea adds a coppery shimmer to brunettes, according to Housewife How-Tos. Deodorise carpets. Scatter the dried contents of several teabags over your rugs before you vacuum. Revive tired eyes. Place cool tea bags over your eyes, cucumber style. The tannins in the tea leaves may reduce bags and dark circles. Clean leather shoes by buffing with a damp tea bag. Wash stinky hands - using a tea bag as you would a bar of soap to help eradicate garlic, onion, or fish odours.
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Report from Sandown Town & County Councillor Debbie Andre. Tel 07948 757977 Email:- debbieandre4sandown@gmail.com Facebook:- debbieandre4sandown As I write this, Christmas is fast approaching and I feel that this is a time when the island community really shines. When buying Christmas presents, shop locally. We have some small businesses in Sandown who serve our local community faithfully and offer a personal service that can’t be matched by the bigger national chains. Let’s support our local businesses and keep our High Street alive. Also, at the time of writing, restrictions permitting, a Christmas Market is being planned for the 20th December in the lower High Street, Sandown. Sandown Football Club have launched their Christmas Appeal and are looking for donations to be able to provide 500 food parcels into the Sandown and Lake Communities. I fully support this great initiative. There are several hotels up for sale in Sandown currently and we are hopeful that new owners will breathe new life into these much loved buildings. On a positive note, the news that Premier Inn have delayed their opening until the end of January came as no surprise, but you can register your interest in working there at www.whitbreadcareers.com. We look forward to the grand opening of this much awaited hotel. Work is progressing well with the clearance of the former Esplanade Hotel. There was some concern at the clearance being 14
left in piles outside, but it is being cleared promptly and kept to a minimum and I’m monitoring this frequently. I think we need to be understanding that the building has been left to deteriorate and any improvement will involve some disruption. There has been much concern, and rightly so, about the future of Brown’s Golf Course. There is a history here which must be protected. I have wanted to promote the concept of an “Eden Project” for some time and I see an opportunity for Brown’s to be at the centre of this, as a gateway to a much wider project encompassing Dinosaur Isle and even incorporating the Zoo. I am promoting this idea with council officers and am grateful for the positive response and engagement that I have received from residents so far. This project, if developed in the right way, could preserve our Sandown heritage for the future in an environmentally sustainable way that would be sensitive to the natural landscape and benefit both residents and visitors as an attractive tourism offer. I will keep you all updated and there will be plenty of opportunity for you to have your say on how this project is developed. continued over the page
Adrian Kensit
Report from Councillor Debbie Andre
South Coast Tree Surgeons
I have taken the decision to suspend my monthly Councillor Surgery, but very much hope to be able to start again in the New Year. I’m still available on the contact details above and am also happy to arrange a “virtual meeting” if you have a particular issue that you would like to discuss. Cllr Heather Humby will resume her weekly Councillor Surgery every Saturday from 11am until midday when the restrictions are lifted. She is still available on 402024 or at heatherhumby@sandowntowncouncil.gov. uk However you are planning to spend the festive season, I wish you a very happy and memorable time. Stay safe everyone.
Garden Maintenance
• Maintenance & pruning of shrubs • Cultivation & cleaning of borders • Grass & Hedge cutting • Plants, shrubs & trees supplied & planted
Tree Surgery
• Crown lifting & thinning, reduction & shaping • Dead wooding and tree felling
General
• Fencing erected, repaired and painted/stained • Sheds painted/stained and bases installed • Pressue washing patios and drives • Overgrown gardens cleared
Tree Stump Removal
• Hydraulic Powered Stump Grinder • 36 inch access required • All waste removed • Awkward stumps can be chemically treated
Full Island Coverage
For further info call 07850 489754 or 404720, or email adrian.kensit@btinternet.com
Sunnybrow, Winford Rd, Newchurch, Sandown, IW, PO36 0JX
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