the gazette isle of wight
PPleleaassee m maakkeeaa ssm maalll ddoonnaattio ionn
Helping the local Earl Mountbatten Hospice 36,000 copies - Friday February 6 2009
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Isle of White! Snow brings fun for many, misery for some THE ISLAND was struggling to return to normal late this week after being hit by the worst weather conditions in nearly 20 years.
Isle of Wight Radio suffers listener loss LISTENING figures for the Island’s FM station, Isle of Wight Radio, have slumped to a five-year low. On January 29 statistics officially released by RAJAR show the station’s overall reach has fallen to a disappointing 29%. In the last year, long-
serving presenter and programme controller Andy Shier departed, while bosses decided not to renew Alex Dyke’s contract. This led to Dyke’s departure and the end of the phone-in, which had attracted thousands of listeners.
it appeared at one stage that the Island had witnessed the great escape. But in the early East Wight bore the brunt hours of Tuesday blizzard of the atrocious conditions, conditions arrived from the with Bembridge effectively English Channel. cut off from the rest of the Island Line train services Blizzards swept in turning Island for a short while. But between Shanklin and Ryde the whole area into the ‘Isle East Cowes also suffered Pier Head were temporarily of White’ as the majority of as snow drifted, and the suspended, as were the vast schools were forced to close road between Shanklin and majority of bus routes across and public transport suffered Ventnor was closed. the Island. major disruptions. Hundreds failed to turn up Many headteachers took Now Islanders are holding for work, and with many the decision not to open their their breath, hoping the schoolchildren also enjoyschools, and with streets virworst is over amid reports ing an unexpected day off, tually deserted, some shops that there could be more icy hills were transformed into closed early so employsnaps throughout this month. a winter wonderland of ees could make their way As council workers battled sledgers using anything from home in daylight. Council to keep the main routes on toboggans to tea trays and refuse collections were also the Island open, many side plastic sheets. suspended because of the roads became impassable, As huge amounts of snow problems on minor roads. and police had to deal with a fell in the Home Counties Continued on page 10 spate of minor accidents.
WIN Stroller tickets for the 2009 IW Jazz Festival Snow business
By Peter White
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Needles and Plans
Page 13 Sporting pair
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