IW Gazette 40

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NEWS Chief Chat

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NEWS Carnival Time A SANDOWN man has died after the car he was driving crashed head-on in to an ambulance.

A red Toyota Corolla being driven by Robert John Hammond, was travelling from Newport towards the Racecourse roundabout, Whippingham, when it collided with the ambulance.

See page 3 for full story.

Sandown Illuminated carnival lights up the South Wight

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

RIDE ACROSS THE ISLAND

TWO FRIENDS raised money for the IW Hospice on a two day sponsored pony ride. Robyn Sillwood and Sophie Szydlowski, both aged 15, rode their ponies for six hours each day – Robyn on ‘Lizzi’ and Sophie on ‘Georgie’.

As part of her coursework in citizenship, Year 11 student at Sandown High School, Robyn Sillwood was asked to raise funds by sponsorship and she nominated the IW Hospice as her charity of choice. As she has been riding for eight years she decided this would be an ideal way to raise funds.

Her best friend Sophie Szydlowski, who is also a Year 11 student at Sandown High, and has been riding for about the same amount of time, opted to keep her company for the two day-ride across the Island.

On the first day the girls rode from Arreton, over to Ventnor Downs, coming out near to Shanklin and then back to Arreton. On the second day the girls rode along the beach from Shanklin to Sandown and Culver, timing their ride with the tides. They then rode back across Brading and home to Arreton.

Robyn’s mother Tracy Sillwood told the Gazette that the girls had raised between £40 and £60. “The horses were a bit tired but they loved it,” she said. “It would have been better if they’d done it over three days.” Last year the two friends staged a carriage drive – again for the IW Hospice.

Robyn Sillwood with Lizzie and Sophie Szydlowski with Georgie

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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MAN DIES IN CRASH

AT AROUND 1pm on last Sunday, (November 1), a Toyota Corolla being driven by 53-year-old Robert John Hammond, from Esplanade, Sandown crashed in to a specialist paediatric ambulance that was on blue lights, transferring a sick two-day-old baby girl to St Mary’s Hospital, Newport.

Mr Hammond’s front seat passenger, a 40-yearold Newport man, received serious head injuries and was airlifted to the Intensive Treatment Unit of Southampton General Hospital.

The rear seat car passenger was a six-year-old Newport boy and was the son of the front seat passenger. He suffered cuts and bruises and was kept in at St Mary’s Hospital overnight for observation.

“We couldn’t have found a better friend than you. You will be dearly missed.”

The two-day-old baby, who was being transferred from Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton in an incubator in the back of the ambulance, survived the ordeal unharmed.

A 51-year-old nurse from

the tragic death of our son, Robert John Hammond, killed in a road traffic incident.

“He was much loved and will be greatly missed by his son, mother and father, sister and brother and all his Waterlooville who was close family. Our thoughts travelling in the rear of the go out to the other casualties ambulance operated by south involved in the incident.” central ambulance with the baby, received serious facial injuries and a broken leg.

The ambulance driver, a 42-year-old Portsmouth man, was discharged from St Mary’s Hospital after treatment for bruising to his chest.

The road was closed for 10 hours while police and accident scene investigators Mr Hammond’s parents, collected evidence and Sybil and Denis left a happy tried to piece together what memories card at the scene happened. with other tributes, including A spokesperson for South ‘A friend with a golden heart Central Ambulance service, taken so tragically, we will Ngozi Fakeye, said: “We miss you’ and ‘We couldn’t would like to pass on our have found a better friend deepest condolences to Mr than you. You will be dearly Hammond’s family and we missed.’ are working with the police Police are continuing their and co-operating fully with appeal for witnesses to the their investigation.” collision and want to hear An IW Fire Service from anyone who saw the red spokesperson said: “We Toyota Corolla collide or who received a call shortly after saw the vehicles being driven 1pm on Sunday. Fifteen prior to the crash. firefighters and an officer Anyone with information attended the scene of the is asked to contact accident.” the Operation Dame In a statement, Mr investigation team at Hammond’s family said: “It Eastleigh police station on is with great sadness that 101 or call the anonymous Sybil and Denis Hammond Crimestoppers charity line and family wish to announce on 0800 555 111.

BY JASON KAY

“A friend with a golden heart taken so tragically, we will miss you”

The late Mr Robert Hammond. Flowers left by his mother and father Sybil and Denis

The view looking towards Ryde

The view looking towards Newport

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

NO PLACE FOR GRAFFITI OVERBOARD ON SAFETY

POLICE are appealing for information after a report of racially aggravated criminal damage in Shanklin.

Officers attended the scene on a path between Shanklin Esplanade and Eastcliff Promenade near the junction with Osborne Road on Sunday, November 1.

It is believed racially offensive graffiti was written on a wall next to the path sometime between 9am on Friday, October 30, 2009 and 9am on Saturday, October 31.

The IW Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) has invested funding to tackle graffiti. On behalf of the Partnership, the IW Council was informed of this incident. The contractors acted swiftly to remove the offensive graffiti after police had examined the area for evidence.

Inspector Owen Kenny of Hampshire Constabulary’s Isle of Wight Public Protection Unit (PPU) said: “Crimes like this are very rare on the Island, but we have a zero tolerance attitude when they happen. I would like to thank the community

for reporting this appalling graffiti to the police.

“Officers work regularly with community groups to support mutual understanding and respect between people of different generations and backgrounds. I’m now calling on members of the public to continue supporting our efforts to bring those responsible to justice, and demonstrate that this kind of despicable act has criminal consequences.”

“The Public Protection Unit (PPU) contains a dedicated team of officers with specialist expertise and experience in dealing with hate crimes.

“In 2008, police charged a 14-year-old youth with racially aggravated criminal damage following an investigation into the discovery of racist

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REPORTING ISLAND NEWS

YOUR NEWS Address: Unit B18, Spithead Business Centre, Newport Road, Isle of Wight, PO36 9PH Tel: (01983) 409928 Fax: (01983) 404189 Email: newsdesk@ iwgazette.co.uk

YOUR WEBSITE Visit www.iwgazette. co.uk to view past Gazettes. A new website will be coming soon.

THE NEWS EDITOR Write to: Jason Kay, Unit B18, Spithead Business Centre, Newport Road, IW, PO36 9PH. Tel: (01983) 409928. Email: jason@ iwgazette.co.uk

THE FEATURES EDITOR Write to: Jo Macaulay, Unit B18, Spithead Business Centre, Newport

graffiti on a wall next to an Eastern European shop in East Cowes.”

Anyone with information, or who may have noticed people acting suspiciously in the area on Friday or Saturday, is asked to contact Shanklin Police Station by phoning 101. Information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Isle of Wight Council operates a phone line people can call to report graffiti. The number is (01983) 823515 and the council has a policy of sending out cleaning contractors within 24 hours to remove any graffiti.

Anyone wishing to report graffiti can also do so online and upload photos via IW Council’s website. This can be done via www.iwight. com/graffiti

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OUR NEWS TEAM Jamie White. Tel: (01983) 409928. Email: jamie@ iwgazette.co.uk Richard Collins. Tel: (01983) 409928. Email: richard@iwgazette.co.uk Peter White. Tel: (01983) 409928. Email: newsdesk@ iwgazette.co.uk Penny Newnham. Tel: (01983) 409928. Email: penny@iwgazette.co.uk

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WIGHTLINK’S ferry service between Yarmouth and Lymington ran into more problems earlier this week.

Wightlink were forced to briefly suspend the three-ferry service after being told by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency they were not meeting safety standards during a man-overboard drill.

Although a two-vessel timetable was soon back in operation, the boats had to be escorted by pleasure craft Wight Scene, being used as a rescue craft, in accordance

with the MCA ruling.

MCA spokesman Fred Caygill explained: “Wightlink failed to demonstrate an acceptable standard of safety during a man overboard safety drill, in respect of the deployment and operation of rescue boats.

“We will allow the vessels to operate for a limited period with a condition they have a suitable rescue craft shadowing the ferries during the crossings.”

A spokesperson for Wightlink said: “The rescue

boats are approved and have passed numerous drills in the past. The drills that were done on Wednesday were in particularly inclement weather conditions, which we had previously not encountered.

“Following consultation with the MCA a suitable resolution was to ensure that the service can continue as normal to the advertised timetables. Wightlink would like to apologise for any inconvenience that this delay may have caused to our passengers.”

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PUBLISHER The Isle of Wight Gazette Ltd. Supporting the Earl Mountbatten Hospice through your generous donations when you pick up a copy

OLD friendships were renewed and new ones made, as 21 people from Sandown returned from a twinning visit to Tonnay-Charente in France.

The language barrier never seems to be a problem despite some fears by members.

And the friendships forged with the dancers who visited Sandown last year are thriving.

The group were treated to an evening of dancing by the Les Echardrits, the local dance group who aim to keep the folk lore and history of the Tonnay-Charente area alive and there is now a permanent museum display of the elaborate costumes which local ladies have made

since the 1700s.

A visit was also made to a local cognac and pineau distillery, where the method was explained by the owner, followed by a very enjoyable tasting and an exquisite meal, including a spit roasted pig. Two of the English male visitors were persuaded to join two of the French men to parade the pig before it was carved. Subsequently the two English men found that they were expected to don wigs and skirts as waitresses much to everyone’s amusement.

With some slight hesitation, they entered in to the spirit and followed on with an impromptu can-can.

The Mayor of Tonnay-

Charente M, Guillaume greeted the party warmly and commented on how happy he was that the friendship between the two towns had grown so strongly since the inaugural twinning agreement. He also added that next year, 25 years of twinning will be celebrated in Sandown.

As a number of additional French people wish to be involved and visit another year, the association is in great need of finding additional hosts for the visit of three/four days. If you think that you would be interested in getting involved, then you can call John Howell on 405621 or Paul Drayton on 406978.

The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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Martin Poynter, Sharon O’Keefe and baby Shanelle

CLOSE ESCAPE FOR MUM AND BABY A YOUNG mother has spoken exclusively to The Gazette about the terrifying moment when she feared for her and her baby’s life after her house filled with thick black smoke when her oven caught fire.

Teenager Shannon O’Keefe put some food in the oven and went to lie down, but she fell asleep and was woken by the beeping of her smoke alarm and a room full of smoke.

Just a week before, Shannon attended a fire safety workshop by the IW fire community fire safety about the dangers of fire. Little did she know she would have to put the skills she learned into practice so soon.

Cradling her six-week-old baby girl, Shannon recalled the scary moment. “I woke up about 11pm to feed my little girl and I felt hungry. So I put some chicken nuggets in the oven for me and my friend who was staying. But I fell back to sleep leaving the food cooking. I woke up to a room that was dark and full of black smoke and I was coughing and was struggling to breathe.

“I was panicking and I couldn’t see anything. I just grabbed my baby who was sleeping in the cot and ran

out in to the street just in my knickers. I just needed to get out as quickly as possible. I ran out and gave my baby to someone else, because my friend Ruby was still on the sofa. She was fast asleep and I had to go back in to help her.

“The smoke was very thick as soon as the door opened the smoke alarms were sounding. I managed to wake my friend and get her out.

The firemen arrived and they also called an ambulance to check us over because of the smoke.”

Shannon has urged people to be aware of the dangers of cooking when tired and to take extra care.

“I have been very lucky and it has really scared me.

I don’t normally cook at night because I get very tired because of my baby. I would say to anyone not to cook if you are tired or if your sleep pattern is messed up, it’s just not worth it. I was lucky this time but I’m not going to risk it again.

“I have never done anything like this. I never thought it would happen to me. There was lot of melted plastics from where the food had burnt and the tiles were all black.

BY JASON KAY “The whole room and all my stuff just stunk of smoke.

I have had to wash all my clothes and baby’s clothes to try and get rid of the smell,” said Shannon.

Martin Poynter from IW Fire and Rescue, said: “The community fire safety and the technical fire safety have been working very closely with the managers of South Wight Housing to make sure there premises are safe from fire and smoke.

The managers asked us to come in and talk to the residents about the dangers.

The talk seems to have paid with the way that Shannon has done things. She woke up, found she had a fire in her property and she got herself and the baby out. She then had the sense to let other people in the building know there was a fire. We wouldn’t recommend cooking at night especially if your sleep pattern is affected.

“Shannon has been very lucky with the early warning from the detectors fitted.

The community fire safety unit offers a free fire safety talk to anyone. All it involves is a visit from a firefighter who will come round to your property talk about escape plan if you were involved and will fit a free smoke alarm if you don’t have any.”

Anyone interested in having a free home fire safety visit can call the fire service on 01983 823194.

A spokesperson from South Wight Housing said: “South Wight Housing Association is upgrading the Fire Safety in their communal blocks of flats throughout the Isle of Wight. SWHA has undergone a review of all fire risk assessments, fire equipment

and detection, staff training, upgrading of fire doors to and fire equipment and detection. This upgrade work commenced early this year and will be ongoing.

“SWHA has arranged an informal evening of Fire Safety talks and demonstrations at its hostels in Ryde, Newport and Sandown. The evenings are coordinated in partnership with the IW Fire & Rescue community team and SWHA’s fire equipment consultants Wightfire Ltd. The evenings are designed to educate people about fires safety in a fun environment – and even a take away is provided”

Neville Tomblin, SWHA Property Services Manager, added: “All fire safety initiatives undertaken are designed with our residents in mind. These evenings are part of an ongoing fire safety programme working with IW Fire & Rescue.

“The programme combines the Fire Safety upgrade work to our buildings with the residents involvement initiatives. It has been immensely beneficial and we’ve had very positive feedback from our residents.

We plan to continue this work on an ongoing basis to ensure our residents have the highest level of Fire safety that we can provide.”

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

DOGS GET THEIR CHIPS Left to right: Barbara Green, Judy Cooper, Rob Reed, Sonya Wright, Donna Henderson, Maureen Davies, Colin Schoolery, Sue Morris and Margaret Goyn

Left to right: Mike Rowlands, Claire McDowell and Rob Reed

A DAY of community safety related activities in Ventnor has proved very popular with residents in the town.

On Saturday October 31 at Ventnor Winter Gardens, Isle of Wight Council dog wardens offered reducedrate micro-chipping for dogs at a cost of just £5.

During the day, 20 dogs were micro-chipped which made the event one of the most popular the council’s dog wardens have ever hosted. In addition the IOW Dog Training Society offered free Pet Obedience Training demonstrations.

Donna Henderson of the Isle of Wight Dog Training Society said: “We were there to help out the public with their dogs and dog training – letting people know that dog training is available. It only costs £2 per session of about half and hour,” said Donna.

Venues are at Carisbrooke, Brickfields, East Cowes and Shanklin and anyone with a dog can attend – just call 241043 to book a place. All trainers

work on a voluntary basis and you can follow stages through the kennel club, getting various rosettes and certificates as you work your way through the classes.

The Isle of Wight Dog Training Society has been going for at least 30 years.

“Nothing goes to us. We basically do it for the love of the dogs. We do talks on how important it is to clean up after your dog, responsible dog ownership and we can help with behaviour problems,” said Donna.

“We’ve picked up some new people for our classes as a result of last Saturday.”

Also during the day, IW Council Environment and Neighbourhoods officers (ENOs) offered free security marking of bicycles, as part of the Bike Safe project.

Six owners had their bikes ‘wrapped’ during the day, while the ENOs also handed out free shed alarms, bicycle lights and energy efficient light bulbs to visitors.

The day of activities were organised by the Isle of Wight Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, of which IW Council, IOW NHS and Hampshire Constabulary are lead partners.

Isle of Wight Council is currently holding a public consultation until December 18 for its proposed new Dog Exclusion Order. This proposes to amend the

areas of beaches that dogs are prohibited from entering during the period of May 1 to September 30 each year and would replace the existing order.

If anyone would like to view the consultation document and make any comments, they can do so at any library or help centre, at County Hall in Newport, or online at www. iwight.com/dogorders/

Colin Schooling and Sally Isted with Ty the dog

The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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A GOOD YEAR

CHIEF Constable of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Police Alex Marshall, has just completed his first year in the job and spoke exclusively to The Gazette about his impressions of the Island since taking over his new role: “I came to look at the Bestival and I was really impressed with the anti drugs operation there. I’ve been out on patrol on the Isle of Wight. I came over to look at Cowes and I came over during the Vestas dispute. So I have been over as much as I can. I’ve now been looking at local neighbourhoods and how policing is working over here and I have to say that I’m very impressed with how my staff work as one.”

Are there any things you have introduced?

“Well I had a big campaign around last Christmas about alcohol related violence and the Isle of Wight had great response to that and used various powers to try to reduce alcohol related violence. And we had a big push on burglary in the earlier part of the year from January to May and again the Isle of Wight stepped up to the plate and my officers were very good at catching burglars. In the summer we were dealing with anti-social behaviour and it’s been a difficult summer for the Isle of Wight because of the dispute and the festivals and at times we have sent extra officers over from the mainland.”

Was it a learning curve for Island police?

“The most important part of the policy was local knowledge and they’re quite good at that. It was understood that this is an important local issue and yet on the other hand we can’t allow people to break the law. It’s a fine balance to be struck and on the whole I think we got it right. We were understanding of local issues and yet we upheld the law.”

What are you concentrating on at the moment?

“We put a lot into Halloween and the fireworks and also the Christmas run up. We know that we’ve got the dilemma that there are lots of people who want to go out and have perfectly reasonable fun, but unfortunately

BY JO MACAULAY

there are some people who will go out and behave unreasonably and stupidly and sometimes violently. We have a lot of local residents who fear this time of year, which is a great shame because it’s a time for having fun and yet some people are put in fear by bad behaviour.

We’ve got a lot of people out and we will be very firm if necessary. We will arrest people and get them fined. But

We’ve had campaigns in the schools and brought in victims of that sort of driving. It has really impacted and people have left in tears. I’m all for driver education. I don’t just want drivers to be constantly be given tickets but I want people to stay alive.

But if people break the law they’ll get three points on their licence. But that’s not the objective – it’s to change behaviour, to educate people.”

And how have you been getting involved in life on the Island?

“I led the legal procession last week.

It was a fine tradition – one I’ve not come across before so it was my first involvement in such a thing but I think it was good to show the legal profession in all its forms, for a few minutes out in the open, and to have a service. And another thing it allowed me to do was to speak to some of the local PCSO (Police Community Support Officers) and again find out what they’re up to and what’s going on in Newport and how they were getting on. We are recruiting volunteer special constables at the moment. The Isle of Wight is a very good place to be a special constable so please get in touch.”

And what do you think about your award in the Queen’s birthday honours earlier this year.

“It was a great surprise and I’m off to Windsor Castle next month to be awarded my Queen’s Award Medal so I’m really looking forward to it and I feel very privileged to be awarded it but I know that it is for the work of all my staff – it’s just that I get to wear it. Windsor was part of the county where I was deputy Chief constable (of Thames Valley Police Force).” In fact Chief Constable Alex Marshall helped to police the wedding of the Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles.”

And what would your message be in the run up to Christmas?

“My message is that we’re not killjoys – we’re not against fun and people are perfectly entitled to go and enjoy themselves, they’ve worked all year and they want to have a Christmas party, that’s great. But don’t end up in cell three or a cubicle in A & E.”

“Driving is a concern and we work with the local authority to ensure that the roads are as safe as possible.”

Chief Constable Alex Marshall

we don’t want to ruin people’s ability to have fun. There is a fine line that shouldn’t be crossed and if it is crossed we will intervene.”

What are the particular problems on the IW? “We’ve had a few nasty collisions on the Island this year and driving is a concern and we work with the local authority to ensure that the roads are as safe as possible. But the real problem is that during the summer there is a massive demand and that does tail away in the winter. I don’t think there’s anywhere else in my force area that does have that variation of demand.

What do you think about the problems with ‘boy racers’ and irresponsible driving and what are you doing to combat it?

“We constantly look for new ways.

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

SWINE FLU VACCINATION STARTS VACCINATIONS for Swine Flu have started amongst front line NHS staff and GPs have started to receive their first deliveries of vaccine. GPs are contacting patients who fall within the priority groups and inviting them to attend a vaccination clinic. Patients should wait to be called for vaccination as the programme will take some weeks to complete. Frontline health and social care workers are also being vaccinated because they are at increased risk of infection and of transmitting that infection to susceptible patients or their colleagues.

Protecting these people will help the NHS workforce to remain resilient and able to treat sick patients.

Islanders are advised that anyone who suspects they have swine flu should not go to their GP or A&E - they should stay indoors and visit www.direct.gov.uk/ pandemicflu or call 0800 1 513 100. Textphone is available on 0800 1 513 200.

You’ll be taken through a list of simple questions about your symptoms and medical history, and asked to confirm your date of birth, name and address including your postcode. If you have

symptoms that indicate that you are likely to have swine flu, you will be given an authorisation number which will allow your ‘flu friend’ (a family member, friend or neighbour) to collect a course of antivirals on your behalf from a local collection point in your area. You will also be given advice on how to treat your symptoms at home.

It must be stressed that, for the vast majority of people, swine flu has been mild. Some people find that they get better by staying in bed, drinking plenty of water and taking over the

counter flu medication. Dr Jenifer Smith, the Island’s Chief Medical Adviser and Director of Public Health comments: “Islanders can prepare for flu by ensuring that they have some over the counter cold remedies available at home including Paracetamol of Ibuprofen. It is also important to arrange for someone to act as your ‘flu friend’ who can collect antivirals for you and any essential shopping. There is no time like now for Islanders to be good neighbours, especially to the elderly or housebound.”

STUDENTS REMEMBER School captains Cal Russell-Thompson, Peter Trevaskis and Tegan Moran

PUPILS at Sandown High School have paid tribute to soldiers that died in battle during the First World War, writes Jamie White As part of the Remembrance celebrations, school captains Cal Russell-Thompson, Peter Trevaskis, Tegan Moran laid a wreath to pay their respects to soldiers who lost their lives.

Around 75 students have been studying the impact that World War One has had on Britain, as part of an extended A-level research project.

As part of her research, Tegan looked into names on the plaque of former Sandown High School pupils and managed to locate 38 of their graves.

Two of those names are John Charles and Vincent Radford, who were brothers that attended Sandown High School in 1911. The eldest, John, was born at Brisbane on March 19, 1892 and Vincent was born on February 2, 1899, at

Rockhampton.

The two boys were educated at Sandown, before John signed up for the AIF (Australian Imperial Force) 31st Battalion, which was raised on the outskirts of Brisbane in 1915. The Battalion set sail in 1915, before going on to Egypt and then France in June 1916.

The first major battle involving the troops came after just three days in front line trenches at Fromelles on July 19, 1916. The battle was supposed to be a distraction to relieve the forces fighting at the Somme, but quickly turned into ‘the worst 24 hours in Australia’s entire history.’

John died at Fleurbaix on July 20, along with over half of the 31st Battalion.

His body lies at the V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery Memorial, although he is also commemorated in Sandown Christ Church.

Vincent Radford’s story was slightly different. He

actually survived the war and worked in the Royal Navy.

A note in his school records explains how a ship he was serving on, The Moorlands, was torpedoed in June 1917 off the coast of Bridlington, Yorkshire. Whilst 18 of the crew onboard drowned, Vincent spent 35 minutes in the water and was eventually picked up by a German submarine.

He was then in action aboard the Mountshaven, off the Cornish coast, before being transferred to ‘Florentino’. This ship was mined off Brindisi, Italy, and ran aground. He transferred to Polglass Castle, and then to the shore station at Southampton. Vincent was chief officer on the S.S. Ipu, but fell ill and died on March 5, 1922 at Portsmouth.

The gravestone he shares with his father and brother notes ‘his death was hastened by enemy action’ and is located at Christ Church, Sandown.

CARISBROOKE CAR DAMAGE

POLICE are appealing for information after reports of criminal damage in Carisbrooke.

The wing mirrors on a number of vehicles parked in Alvington Road near Carisbrooke High Street were smashed or knocked off sometime between 10pm on Friday, October 30 and 8am on Saturday, October 31.

Investigating officer, PC

Simon Crew of Hampshire Constabulary’s Isle of Wight Targeted Patrol Teams (TPT) said: “This was an act of mindless damage that occurred on what is usually a quiet residential road in Carisbrooke. The damage caused may appear insignificant to some, but the cost of repairing the vehicles could be expensive for each victim. I would urge anyone

with information to contact Newport Police Station.”

People with information, or who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the Carisbrooke area during Friday night or the early hours of Saturday morning, can phone Newport Police Station on 101. Information can also be given anonymously by phoning Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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LEGAL HIGHS NOT IN RYDE RYDE Pubwatch has declared a zero tolerance policy on ‘legal highs’ in all of their licensed premises. At the Pubwatch Monday meeting it was agreed that all drugs including ‘legal highs’ are to be banned.

“We’re getting a lot of people using these drugs in our pubs up and down Union Street,” said chair of Pubwatch Sharon Longley, who is also pub manager of Wetherspoons. “It’s come

up in the last two or three meetings – people have been searched and drugs found on them. But it could be anything in the packets.

“All the members of Ryde Pubwatch have agreed to ban ‘legal highs’ as well as all other drugs in their premises in the interests of public safety during the Christmas

period.

“You mix them with alcohol and it’s a dangerous combination,” said Sharon.

“People seem to get quite aggressive on it and we have a zero tolerance policy on aggression anyway. We need to stop these youngsters taking it. People tend to take it in the toilets but we check them every hour – more often if it’s a busy weekend.

“We need a short sharp message – don’t take it or you’ll be out.”

A LOCAL mum spoke to The Gazette about the effect that legal highs known as Space E, MCat, Meow and MDMC have had on her daughter.

“She’s awful if she’s had it – she’s moody and totally lethargic and neurotic. It’s the worst high I’ve seen someone come down from.

“She was on Space E at the Bestival and she was on a high, but she didn’t know where she was or what she wanted. She was like a

headless chicken.

“My daughter has never hid anything from me. She had some Space E a couple of weekends ago and on Monday she was vile – she couldn’t look me in the eye. She was a zombie. She’s usually quite a gentle person but she was aggressive in her manner.

“A friend I was with was particularly concerned.

I know they say that it’s natural but you could say that about anything. And the

dosage isn’t regulated – it’s very dangerous.”

Researching Space E, MCat or MDMC online will frequently bring up stories about the terrible ‘come down’ after the high it produces. One person said: “I was terrified of every car that came past. Each one of them sounded like it was a bunch of people who would tell me about all the bad things I’d done in my life; or kill me or something.”

BY JO MACAULAY

‘SHE WAS A ZOMBIE’

Front: Angie Monghan of the Crown and Sharon Langley of Wetherspoons.

Back: Matt Reed (Black Sheep), Nick Woodward (Kasbah), Emma Johnson (Stanleys) and Rory Keeley (Liquid Lounge

POLICE RESPONSE

A HAMPSHIRE Constabulary spokesman said: “The effects of taking so-called ‘legal highs’ are unpredictable. Some people wrongly assume these drugs are harmless just because it’s lawful to buy them.

Home Office advice says the chemicals in legal highs have, in many cases, never before been used as drugs, so have had no tests performed on them to show that they are safe.

“Police are aware of reports that certain legal highs, such as GBL, have been implicated in some cases of death.

Government advice warns that people increase the risk of death if they combine alcohol with any substance that causes a ‘high’.

“Officers are preparing for when several chemicals, used on herbal smoking products and other so called ‘legal highs’, are banned towards the end of this year.

In the meantime, police are continuing to work closely with the community to act on suspicions about harmful uses and sales of drugs. Substances can be seized by officers for expert analysis to determine whether their contents are illegal. Police will take action wherever we can to reduce the risks of drugs misuse in the community. If substances seized are later found to be legal, but have caused harm to a person, police are committed to working with partner agencies to give education and advice about

health effects and product advertising.

“Police support the right of licensees to prevent entry onto their premises to anyone they wish within the law. Officers also welcome responsible efforts by licensees to make their premises safer for all customers, including the Isle of Wight Pubwatch scheme. All decisions to ban people are made by members of Pubwatch themselves.

The police do not have any voting rights at meetings, nor are recommendations made by officers. The police are referred to only for factual information, which is then only disclosed when relevant to the issue under discussion.”

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

Left to right: Penny Bettes (Ventnor Enhancement Fund), Cllr Barry Abraham (IW Council Cabinet member responsible for Community Safety), Sgt Richard Stapleton (Hampshire Constabulary), Dave Canning (Ventnor Mosiac Group), Jan Pargeter (Ventnor Enhancement Fund), Rose Grimaldi (Ventnor Mosiac Group) and Evelyn Knowles (Ventnor Enhancement Fund)

PARK MARK FOR CAR PARK

VENTNOR’S Central Car Park has become the latest IW council facility to be awarded the prestigious ‘Park Mark Award’.

Ventnor joins Coppins Bridge car park in Newport and St Thomas Street (Upper) car park in Ryde, in becoming Park Mark accredited.

The award, which is managed by the British

Parking Association and supported by the Home Office, recognises the council’s commitment to reducing the fear of crime and criminal activity in the car park.

The council’s parking services and community safety services worked with local police, under the umbrella of the IW Crime and Disorder Reduction

Partnership, to make improvements to the car park in order to create a safer environment for users.

The facility was assessed by the police who checked to see that the area is properly managed, maintained and has appropriate levels of lighting, signage and cleanliness – all of which contribute to reducing the opportunity for crime.

Cllr Barry Abraham, IW council cabinet member responsible for community safety said: “The council is committed to reducing the fear of crime and crime levels on the Island and this initiative is just one example of how we are making a difference.

“Our parking services and community safety teams have worked together to

make worthwhile changes to Ventnor’s central car park which has resulted in a safer environment for those using the facility.”

Hampshire Constabulary’s IW Chief Inspector Mark Bell said: “We are keen to work alongside partner agencies to further reduce the risks of becoming a victim of crime.

“Park Mark is another

good example of how closer co-operation between the police and Council produces projects that can make people feel safer and more confident in their communities.

“The amount of recorded crime in the whole Ventnor area is down by 10 per cent since April this year. The Park Mark scheme will reinforce our efforts to maintain this trend.”

CRASH LEAVES MAN SHAKEN A NEWPORT man has escaped serious injury after his car skidded and flipped, before ending up in a hedge, writes Jamie White.

Eddy Taylor, 20, was travelling along Whitcombe Road on the outskirts of Newport, when he approached a tight bend, forcing him to hit the brakes and slow down.

But rather than coming to a standstill, his Citroen C2 car skidded on some wet leaves on the road, before hitting an embankment and rolling several times.

“I was travelling on my own and I noticed a car parked in the road.

Another car was coming towards me on the other side of the road in the opposite direction, so I slowed down. I put my foot on the brake, but I didn’t seem to be slowing down and started to skid.

“There were leaves on the road and I must of have hit them and kept sliding before my car hit the hedge and flipped over. I have never had anything like this happen before, it

was very scary,” said Eddy.

Luckily for Eddy, he walked away from the accident with just a few cuts and bruises.

The Gazette contacted the Council about the potential dangers of wet leaves on the roads.

IW Council Head of Highways and Transport Peter Hayward, said: “We have a year round programme of

road sweeping and for the 10 weeks between September and December, the roads which are particularly affected with fallen leaves are swept every week. At this time of year there will inevitably be more leaves on our roads. This year is no different to normal and drivers should slow down and take greater account of the conditions.”

The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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WHO’D HAVE ‘FORT’ IT’S WORTH £1M! A VICTORIAN sea fort just off the Island has been sold privately for around £1million just five years after it was valued at a staggering £14.25million.

The Spitbank Fort, a Solent focal point standing between Ryde and Portsmouth, was due to go to auction this week, but a buyer was found at the last minute.

The new owners are Clarenco Properties LLP, of Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire, a business established by successful entrepreneur Mike Clare.

Amazing Retreats is a division of Clarenco which has established a multi-million pound fund to buy a number of unique and spectacular properties in Britain and Europe.

It is believed the company are hoping to use the fort for weddings, private parties, a celebrity retreat, weekend

GUITARS COME HOME

THERE was a happy ending to the story of Denzil McNeelance and his missing guitars this week when both of his prized instruments were found in the pub he had formerly run and were safely returned to him.

Mr. McNeelance had recently vacated the Hyde Park Tavern in Ryde where he had been licensee, but thought that he had removed all of his possessions. “It’d been a mad couple of weeks.

Most of our stuff was out of the pub but the guitars may have been left behind when the new people moved in,”

said Denzil.

“But my partner and my sister swore blind that they’d moved them into our flat,” he added.

“It would be nice to think that someone might have had a change of heart and brought them back,”

“One way or another they were found at the pub and it would be nice to think that someone might have had a change of heart and brought them back,” he said.

‘Everyone has been really helpful. Ian at Strings in Ryde and people on the mainland and I rang all of the musicians I know from jam nights and gigs at the pub.

“And the police really went all out – I was well impressed with them. They were so helpful. Andy Cooper invited me over to Newport to pull up similar guitars on

the internet. They’ve been massively helpful.”

The Acoustic EKO guitar from the late 60s/early 70s and the black and white Fender Telecaster were found at the Hyde Park Tavern after the new licensees read about their disappearance in the press.

“It may well be that they were misplaced but my partner is convinced that we didn’t leave them behind,” said Mr. McNeelance.

“Thanks to everyone. To the police and the other musicians who helped to find them.”

sporting events and even a film location.

Plans for the fort’s refurbishment are currently being worked on, so it is likely to be several months before the venue is available to guests.

The fort, which has 50 rooms and permission for a casino, was built during the Napoleonic wars at as reported cost of £120,000 and took 17 years to construct.

During World War II it was installed with antiaircraft guns to defend nearby Portsmouth harbour against Nazi attack. It was decommissioned in the 1960s and turned into a museum.

Described by its owners as the “ultimate entertainment centre” for functions, it had a guide price of between £600,000 and £700,000, but was then withdrawn from the auction, due to be

held in Southampton.

Auctioneer Rob Marchant said an ‘exceptional offer’ had been accepted. He added: “The interest we had was enormous, with inquiries as far away as Hong Kong and the United States. It was a pity the fort didn’t go under the gavel, but the important thing is that it has been sold.

“It’s not every day you get to buy a man-made island with privacy, security and space, with 50 rooms steeped in military history and some of the finest views in the UK.” The fort was sold by entrepreneurs Neale Brickwood, Paul Holland and Ian Price who bought it for an undisclosed sum in July 2005. They had been holding functions at the 148-year-old venue, which is licensed for up to 500 visitors.

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THE GAZETTE Probably the cheapest newspaper advertising on the Island

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

101 LIFEBOAT CHALLENGES

James Matthewman gets towed along SANDOWN and Shanklin Inshore Lifeboat have been presented with a cheque for £1,000 after Fairway Holiday Park entertainer Holiday Park entertainer James Matthewman completed 101 fundraising challenges.

James, was asked by his boss Chris Williams to take on 101 different challenges in the space of just seven days to help raise money for the Inshore Lifeboat, as featured in last week’s Gazette.

Some of James’ challenges included a trolley dash around Morrisons, eating a chocolate bar

with a knife and fork and a ride out on the back of a lifeboat in a rubber ring.

SSIL coxswain, Mark Birch, said: “We are really lucky to have such fantastic support from the Fairway Holiday Park and their customers. It’s the sixth year in a row that they have raised money for us.

“It was a fantastic effort by James and we are really grateful for the donation from Chris Williams. It makes a huge difference to us knowing that we have got the support to keep the station going.”

Left to right: Chris Williams, Ron Teesdale, James Matthewman and Mark Birch

The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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NEW HAIR FOR TREVOR INTERNATIONAL hairdresser to the stars, Trevor Sorbie MBE, was on the Island this week to raise awareness for his charity My New Hair, writes Jo Macaulay.

Following a recent cash injection from the government of £86,500 towards training and education, Trevor is on a tour of Britain speaking about the particular problems of those who lose their hair and how My New Hair aims to help them.

Meeting patients who are undergoing chemotherapy at St Mary’s, many of whom are losing or will lose their hair, Trevor spoke about how he got into hairdressing and why he has chosen to now concentrate on

helping people who lose their hair for medical and other reasons.

“I started off being a barber with my father 43 years ago, although I had wanted to be an artist,” said Trevor.

“But I was bullied at school and found hairdressing easy. I tried to get a job with Gillette blades because you got a car but I ended up going to hairdressing college.”

Doing very well at college, the principal said he should g o to a good salon and Trevor went to V i d a l Sassoon.

“In 1974 I invented

Lauren Ford and Trevor Sorbie

the Wedge and then went on to introduce scrunge drying and then textured haircuts.

I worked for L’Oreal and got £65,000 just for being on stage all over the world.

And then I did a big show for their 50th anniversary,” he continued.

“But I’ve always been quite a nervous person, my back was seizing and I had to have acupuncture. And then my sister in law got cancer.”

It was this that became the turning point in Trevor’s career. He realised that for some women losing their hair during chemotherapy cancer treatment was the most traumatic thing they had ever experienced. “I’ve had clients say “I’d rather lose my breasts than my hair,” said Trevor.

He then realised that cutting a wig to suit the person who was wearing it was the answer to many women’s fears – they needed a hairstyle that suited their face and their lifestyles.

“There’s too much hair in a lot of the wigs. The thing about wigs is that they’re so wiggy looking,” said Trevor.

Trevor is now in the process of training hairdressers around the country to cut wigs and to be sensitive to the needs of those who are losing their hair. Lauren Ford of Level Hair and Beauty in Ryde who has already been trained in this specialist area, invited him to the Island.

It was losing her own hair when she had cancer that led

Lauren Ford, Trevor Sorbie and Debbie Malcolm Lauren to get in touch with My New Hair.

In the past three years 184 hairdressers have been trained by My New Hair and the aim is to increase that number to 400. L’Oreal, who are supporting in partner to the charity are also hoping to take the work of My New Hair to other countries.

In a short film Trevor was shown cutting a wig for a girl who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She was then

‘glammed up’ for her evening out with friends. “Would you feel happy to walk out on the street,” Trevor asked her and she dissolved into tears of joy. “That’s my payment,” said Trevor.

“I’ve stopped cutting people’s hair now and I’ve got stacks of thank you letters. But the only tears I go from regular clients was when I got their hair cut wrong,” he laughed.

“This gives me far more

satisfaction than cutting the hair of the stars.

“I say to clients, “You know you’re wearing a wig and you think other people will…but the only way you spot wigs today is if they’re really bad ones.“ It’s really powerful what we do and it helps a lot of people,” he added. “I never realised that the gift God gave me would be so meaningful.”

Trevor gets his wigs from Browns, suppliers of wigs.

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

LOOK WHO WENT PINK!

Hospice News

Hospice Fundraising: Telephone - 528989 Shorwell Village Supports the Hospice

THE VILLAGE of Shorwell is always very supportive towards the Island’s Hospice and their support continues with the Shorwell Village Christmas Market on Saturday November 7. It will run from 2pm until 5pm in the village hall.

Visitors can expect homemade Christmas puddings, cakes, jams – all produced in Shorwell as well as traditional favourites and a champagne raffle. All proceeds from the day will go towards patient care at Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

Huge Hospice Quiz THE ANNUAL Huge Hospice Quiz is almost here! On Thursday November 12 teams will compete against each other at Lower Hyde Holiday Village in Shanklin. The Hospice is still taking registrations from teams so if you are thinking of taking part the quickest way to register is to give the Hospice Fundraising Team a call on 528989. They will be able to take your team entry fee of £20 over the telephone and make a note of your team name. Have fun on the night and good luck!

Wight Hot Pipes at Medina Theatre ON SUNDAY November 15 The Piping Hot Doc & Friends bring their own contemporary mix of bagpipe music with everything you can think of as they bring Wight Hot Pipes to Medina Theatre... There will be a selection of old and new favourites each given the Wight Hot Pipes twist giving everyone a show to remember!

Tickets are £7 and are available

from Medina Theatre. Money raised from the concert and the sale of CDs will go towards “Cassie’s Wheels Appeal” which is raising £12,000 to buy the Hospice at Home team a customised Renault Kangoo.

Hospice Christmas Cards Going Fast THIS YEARS Hospice Christmas cards are now available to purchase. They can be bought at any of the Hospice shops in Newport, Ryde or Ventnor as well as from the Hospice Fundraising office.

Orders from the fundraising office can be taken over the telephone or customers can call into the office in person.

Time to Say Thank You THE HOSPICE is always grateful for the enormous efforts that people go to in order to raise money for the Hospice. The Hospice would like to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all 22 runners from the Island that took part in this years Great South Run raising thousands of pounds for patient care. Also this month wheelchair user Chris Roullier from Brighstone took part in a tandem parachute jump at Salisbury Airfield raising over £2,000 – a big thank you to Chris.

Finally this years “Make a Will” campaign has been the biggest yet with over 170 people taking up the opportunity to make or adjust their will and donate to the Hospice at the same time. The Hospice would like to thank all those that took part and a special thank you to the many solicitors that supported this fundraising event.

Loco crew and staff ‘wear it pink’. Left to right: ‘Crackers the Clown (Gina Morgan from Binstead), shop assistant Mary Layfield (from Havenstreet), shop manager Ted Green (from Shanklin), events officer Liz Tagart (from Shanklin), duty officer Roger Silsbury (from St. Lawrence), fireman Alan Brindley (from Portsmouth) and driver Tony French (from Newport).

PINK ribbons for the locomotive and pink overalls for the footplate crew was the dress-code for Friday October 30 at The IW Steam Railway, as they went pink in support of the Island-wide ‘Isle of Pink’ initiative to help raise funds for the national Breast Cancer Campaign charity.

Locomotive driver Tony French (from Newport) and his fireman Alan Brindley (from Portsmouth) both

donned pink ‘bib & braces’ overalls, wearing them throughout the day as they took charge of the day’s busy half-term and ‘Wizard Week’ train service. To complement the loco crew’s unusual attire, the duty steam locomotive (Hunslet Austerity saddle tank locomotive No.92 ‘Waggoner’) was suitably adorned with plenty of pink ribbons and bows, plus special pink ‘head-code’

discs.

Elsewhere around the Railway, the ticket clerk, signalman, guard, platform staff, catering team, office and shop staff all joined in and wore something pink for the day.

A fundraising tombola during the Steam Railway’s half-term Wizard Week had kicked-off the Railway’s fund-raising effort, and throughout the day visitors were encouraged to make

donations to Breast Cancer Campaign.

“The Isle of Wight Steam Railway was keen to support the ‘Isle of Pink’ initiative here on the Island, so it seemed appropriate to do something a bit different and help boost the profile of this very important campaign,” said Railway Chairman, Steve Oates. “Having our loco crew dressed in pink fitted the bill perfectly!”

LALLOWS KEEPS ABREAST OF THINGS

STAFF at Clare Lallows (incorporating Lawrence Boarer Timber) showed their support for Breast Cancer Research by

wearing it pink on Friday October 30.

The Lallows staff made donations to “wear it pink” and also for the pink “tea break”

sweets and cakes. They have avowed to keep supporting the breast cancer campaign and make it an annual event.

Wetherspoons in Union St, Ryde raised £315 for the breast cancer appeal by dressing down and wearing something pink on Friday October 30

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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PLEASE PERMIT WEEKEND TRAFFIC BUSINESSES along Ventnor seafront were hoping for a compromise over the IW Council’s highways department’s plans to close Ventnor seafront. They were served a notice yesterday (November 5) informing them that the seafront was to be closed next Monday November 9 – for seven weeks.

The road will then be open for ten days and then close again – until the middle or end of January. During this time planters and pinch points will be removed and a pavement will be built to the northern side of the road.

We’re worried that they’re restricting access along the seafront,” said Meg Mortimer, licensee of the Met Bar. “It’s upset local traders down here at a time when it matters desperately. People aren’t going to park right down the other end of the seafront and then walk along.

“And even the Highways Department does not want to recognize Bath Road (at the Southerly end of the seafront) as an access road,” he continued. “On a Friday morning we can get up to ten lorries delivering to the Spyglass.

“We’ve had various

Ventnor seafront as it will look after the planned changes

conversations and they’ve said they’ll allow delivery access,” he continued, “but they seem to have done this without any regard for us.

“All they’re doing is replacing the planters and some pavements. The Town Council has voted to have the planters removed and it’s costing £80k. Why are they spending money on non essential projects when the Winter Gardens roof needs repairing?”

Jan Moram, manager of the Mill Bay pub, was equally worried. “Everyone has the same gripe,” she said. “If they close the road nobody will come down here. It wouldn’t be so bad if they opened the road at weekends.

‘The owners along the seafront went to the consultation but we feel we weren’t listened to – we just don’t know what to do.

We’re worried that people won’t know that the car park at the Northern end of the esplanade is open. When the weather’s bad no-one’s going to come.”

Geoff Blake, owner of the Ventnor Haven Fishery, agreed that it would be good if the road could be

Left to right: Geoff Blake, Allan Best, Chris Mortimer, Neil Gibbs and Jan Morann open at weekends. “We do at least half of our trade at weekends,” he explained.

“And at least if car parking were made free it would help – up until two years ago the car parks were free in the winter. If they shut the road and charge for the car parks we may as well shut the doors.

“We don’t know why they’re putting in the pavement on the Northern side of the road as it will bottleneck the traffic. It’s not like there’s any danger as nobody’s been hurt for at least 30 years.

Lucy Strevens, partner in Cheetah Marine and Goodman’s seafood restaurant at the bottom

of the Cascade stressed the need for adequate signage.

“We need free car parking to offer incentive and encourage passing trade but we also need signs at the top of the Cascade to clarify the situation including the free parking. People need to know that we’re still open for business,” she said.

WORLD’S LARGEST SHIP CRUISES BY

THE WORLD’S largest cruise liner, Oasis of the Seas, sailed sedately past the Island this week as it made her international debut.

Weighing in at 220,000 tons, and capable of carrying 6,300 passengers and 2,000 crew, Oasis of the Seas is a real record breaker.

The Royal Caribbean vessel will be based in Florida and cruise the Caribbean, and is so large she is divided up into seven separate “neighbourhoods” including one called Central Park which is open to the sky and features trees, grass lawns and flower-beds.

Other attractions include a

water theme park, a full-size fairground carousel, an ice rink, a cocktail bar that rises up and down the decks, and a shopping area with bars, restaurants and cafes.

Oasis of the Seas was en route from the shipyard in Finland, where she was built, to America, and made the trip into the Solent to disembark workers who had been putting the finishing touches to the vessel before she crossed the Atlantic.

But watch out, another one will soon be about. Oasis of the Seas will be joined by an identical sister-ship, Allure of the Seas, which is now being built in Finland.

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

Left to right: SC Laura Cade, PC Martin Rogers, Amber McEachren, Alissa Jones and Tia Watkins

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FOR ALL POLICE have praised Halloween revellers after no major incidents were reported last Saturday night (October 31). There were extra police patrols across the Island, as Halloween fell on a Saturday this year.

Hampshire Constabulary’s IW police commander, Chief Superintendent Dave Thomas, said: “I would like to thank the vast majority of Islanders who behaved safely and

responsibly during Halloween this year. There were extra police patrols across the Isle of Wight, as October 31 fell on a Saturday this year. Officers on duty reported no major incidents during the evening.

“We are grateful for the support of residents, shops and the media in distributing our ‘No Trick or Treat’ posters, which help to reinforce mutual respect and understanding between

different generations.

Provisional police figures indicate there were ten calls about rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour with suspected links to Halloween revellers this year.

“Police remain committed to being active in every neighbourhood on the Island, maintaining low levels of anti-social behaviour, and ensuring people continue to feel safe in their community.”

Left to right: Joel Spence, Sam Staples, Adam Pangbourne, Jasmine Chandler, Lou Hendy and Sam Carpenter. With Jess Morris at back.

Halloween revellers in Newport

Minnie Mouse (Marianna), It’s a secret (Stephanie Jarvis), Mulituv (dog), Mrs Deidre, Mother of Seven different fathers (Justin Moody), Ghost of Vesta workers past, naughty little schoolgirls from City Girls school, Portsmouth, Lois Lane and Itag

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

NO TAGS HERE PLEASE

FOLLOWING a brief TV appearance on the BBC Crimewatch Road Show, The Gazette spent seeing what all the hype was about. Although the Isle of Wight does not have a major problem with graffiti, the council and its partners are keen to remove any graffiti and keep areas clean.

The Isle of Wight Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, of which Isle of Wight Council is a member, has allocated £30,000 this year to tackle graffiti removal, following successful campaigns during Not in My Neighbourhood Week in 2007 and 2008. The Gazette spent the day with and the graffiti removal contractor (Community Clean) who has been touring the Island in a bid to get rid of graffiti.

Much of the graffiti and tags that the Community Clean team remove as part of their everyday work have been reported by residents to Isle of Wight Council via a special graffiti hotline or web form, where pictures of the tags can be uploaded.

Since March 1 there have been 361 tags reported by frontline staff, including Environment and Neighbourhoods Officers, PCSOs and Police Officers from safer neighbourhood teams, as well as members of the public. Graffiti is removed from all types of property, including public and private properties.

Andy House from Community Clean said: “The project so far has been an unprecedented success and a tribute to the staff involved.

However, this is just the first stage of the clean up and we are not complacent and expect our work to continue for some time to come.

The sooner perpetrators realise that we are serious about keeping our Island graffiti free and stop wasting everyone’s time and money

Brian Oliphant and Andy House from Commercial Clean the better. It’s really good to see the public who have supported us in this initiative and encourage them to report fresh outbreaks when they occur.”

Last year the IW Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership announced an ongoing purge on the illegal and unsightly graffiti that blight the island.

The four key elements of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership’s project to tackle graffiti are: - Improved process for reporting graffiti to a single point of contact (which saw the introduction of the graffiti hotline 823515 and the web form www.iwight.com/graffiti - Improved information sharing between partner agencies so that persistent perpetrators can be identified and action taken.

- The appointment of a dedicated graffiti removal team, clamping

down on long standing graffiti which has spoiled the look of neighborhoods for a long time. This is a particular problem because it becomes part of the landscape and people don’t bother to report it.

It is hoped that removal of long standing graffiti will produce a ‘clean sheet’ in neighborhoods and deter further graffiti tagging. It would also make it easier to identify and report fresh tags and this, coupled with education and enforcement, should send a tough message to graffiti vandals.

The IW Council is encouraging residents and traders to report graffiti as part of the project. The hotline is 01983 823515 and the council will record all new graffiti that is reported and share that information with Hampshire and IW Police. Alternatively, residents can report graffiti and upload photos at www.iwight.com/graffiti

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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APOLOGIES

CATS OFF TO WALES FORMER Wightlink catamarans Fastcat Shanklin and Fastcat Ryde will soon be back in service on a new route - between England and South

Wales!

The vessels have been bought by ferry operator Severn Link to create a passenger service between Swansea and

Ilfracombe, which is due to go into operation early next year.

The service will be the first time a modern ferry route has joined the shores of the Bristol

ANNIVERSARY FOR MUSIC FESTIVAL

THE Isle of Wight Musical Competition Festival celebrates 80 annual competitions this coming year. Entrants from the Island’s schools, clubs, institutions and private competitors, plus many participants from the mainland who support this much-respected competition.

Founded in 1923 the festival has had many dignitaries amongst its patrons, including Princess Beatrice, from 1924-1939, The Duke of Wellington 1957-1971, and currently Mrs Gloria Minghella. The competition is

open to anybody and has many music, speech and drama and dance categories.

A celebration Grand Gala will be held on the March 21, next year immediately after the competition, which commences on March 1. All entries for the 2010 competition must be received by December 1 this year.

The IWMCF has a comprehensive website that contains all the relevant information as to classes, syllabus, dates, entry forms and timings, this can be found at www.iwmcf.co.uk

UNPROVOKED ASSAULT

POLICE are investigating a report of an unprovoked assault on a pregnant woman in Newport.

The 29-year-old woman was walking past ‘Stead and Simpson’ shoe shop in the High Street, when it’s alleged she was struck by a man she did not know.

The woman was found to have no injuries after attending hospital as a precaution.

The suspect is described as: white, 5ft 9 inches tall, aged in

his 30s, short cut dark hair, with a rounded face.

He was described as wearing a green / beige coloured T-shirt with some kind of large pattern.

Anyone with information or who saw a man matching this description in Newport High Street at approximately 11.30am on Friday, October 16, is asked to phone PC Tony Power at Newport Police Station on 101.

Information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Channel, creating a unique and vital link between two popular tourist areas.

The crossing will take around 50 minutes on the vessels which

became surplus to requirement here when Wightlink introduced their new ‘cats’ Wight Ryder I and II on their route between Ryde and Portsmouth.

LAST week, The Gazette printed a story entitled ‘I almost lost my home’. Due to an incorrect printing plate, an error occurred and the wrong story was published.

We asked the IW council for a reaction to the story last week, which they duly replied to, but down to a printing error, the council’s reply was not printed.

The Gazette would like to apologise for any embarrassment caused.

Here is the statement from George Brown, IW Council Cabinet member responsible for planning, in response to the story: “The simple fact is that the house on this site has been built significantly differently to that on the plans approved by the council’s planning committee.

“Furthermore the current design as built incorrectly was to the

detriment of neighbours who reported the matter to the planning department.

The planning committee agreed that what had been built illegally was unacceptable – a decision also upheld by an independent planning inspector.

“It should also be noted that a condition requiring the materials to be approved prior to building started were also ignored.

This week however the committee approved a new plan that takes on board the views of the inspector and provides a house more in keeping with the area.

Dealing with this issue has required a great deal of officer time.

“The planning process is there for a number of good reasons and had Mr Scoble followed this process from the outset like the vast majority of developers, then all this would have been avoided.”

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

COASTWATCH CHEQUE

Toby Brading, Paul Holbrook and John Marr, Area Manager of National Coastal Watch Institute RIVIERA PARKS in Bonchurch presented a cheque to the National Coastwatch Institution for £2,000 yesterday (November 5).

Town councillor Chris DuPree was instrumental in getting this funding and the money will go towards essential equipment.

Run totally by volunteers the NCI is particularly essential here, as the coastguard in Leigh on Sea cannot see across the Island.

Until now they have been operating from mobile watch

stations and working with Inshore rescue, rescue 104, the coastguard helicopter, HM Customs and the police launch.

The NCI set up a temporary control room at the Carlton Hotel for Sandown’s illuminated carnival this week and are looking for more volunteers, as 23 are needed to run each station.

They are looking to set up five new lookout posts on the Island.

At the Needles the NCI are hoping to take over the old MCA (Maritime Coastguard

Agency) station, and other possible sites are earmarked in Sandown, Cowes, Ryde and Bembridge. The aim is to restore a visual watch over the UK Coastline and they are working very closely with the MCA. The NCI was set up in 1994 because two fishermen lost their lives in Cornwall. The Isle of Wight NCI Team will be happy to answer questions from anyone wishing to learn more about the Charity and how to train as a watch keeper. Check www.nci.org.uk

POLICE are hunting callous thieves who stole Poppy Appeal charity boxes in Ryde and Ventnor.

One box was reported stolen from the counter of the ‘Just Homes’ store in Ryde High Street on Wednesday, and a second box was reported stolen on the same day from the counter of ‘Lloyds Pharmacy’ in the High Street

in Ventnor.

East Wight Safer Neighbourhoods Inspector Bill Pinnell said: “Police believe this was disgraceful behaviour that showed a lack of respect for the valuable s u p p o r t provided by the Poppy Appeal to service personnel and their families.

“I would call on those responsible to think about the consequences of these

thefts, and contact police to admit to their actions. I’m appealing to members of the public to give officers any information about what happened to demonstrate that our communities will not tolerate crimes against service personnel and their families, who make sacrifices for the freedoms we enjoy today.”

Anyone with information is asked to phone Ryde Police Station on 101. Information can be given anonymously by phoning Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

HEARTLESS THIEVES

The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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PROPERTY

• Five Bedrooms • Three Reception Rooms • Five Bathrooms • 3.5 Acres Of Land • Outbuildings • Fantastic Views

HILLTOP DAIRY, NEWPORT £675,000 Hill Top Dairy enjoys an enviable position with superb 360 degree Panoramic views over the beautiful Island landscape with views to The Solent and distant Hampshire coast to the North and to the West, The Solent and on a clear day the Cliffs at Portland. This 5 Bedroom family home was constructed in 2006 with the balance of an NHBC warranty with Oak joinery throughout including floors, staircases, doors, skirting etc. Built of rendered elevations beneath a tiled roof the house briefly comprises 40 feet Living Room, Family Room, Study, Fully Fitted Kitchen with ‘Redfyre’ (Aga style cooker) 5 Double Bedrooms all En-suite, Utility Room, Verandah, 2 Outbuildings with Shower Rooms, which could provide over spill accommodation. Garages and over 3.5 acres of gently sloping grassland with secondary access to private lane. located on the outskirts of Newport

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PROPERTY

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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TWENTY CYCLING YEARS

November 1989: Berlin Wall comes down, Scrapping of the Separate Amenities Act in South Africa, premier of the first full Simpsons animation and Autovogue the bike and motor shop opened in Ryde High Street.Time flies doesn’t it?

The name Team AutoVogue was abbreviated about six years ago to TAV cycles and the same ideals that made TAV’s first 20 years so successful are just as important today - quality products at the right price coupled with customer care.

“We work hard to get the right cycle for our customers’ needs so that they will really enjoy their cycling and not just store their new bike in the shed,” said Jason Joshua.

The cycle world has changed beyond all recognition from the early days of mountain bikes but TAV cycles aim to bring the latest innovations and styles to their customers from companies such as Specialized, Trek and Mongoose. Of course not everything has changed; TAV’s range of Pashley bikes are still traditionally handbuilt in Stratfordupon-Avon.

Since Steve Joshua died 10 years ago his son Jason has been continuing to turn the wheels of success in the cycle trade. With two busy workshops and a large range of accessories and spares for all makes and models of bikes, along with a small area still dedicated to motor parts, there’s plenty of choice for everyone. The visitors to our Island can also benefit from the fleet of specialized hire bikes available to rent.

What of the future? Well the next twenty years will be interesting.

The cost of motoring, the frustration of congested traffic and the health benefits of cycling are all contributing to more and more people turning to pedal power as an alternative to the car. TAV cycles feel the future of cycling is a bright one and they aim to continue to be a part of it with great customer service and the right products for those customers.

WONDERFUL WENDY HOUSES

Solve the problem of what to do with noisy children in wet weather by giving them their own Wendy House for the garden this Christmas. They are the ideal solution to rainy days – a little home from home where they can play house safe and dry.

A Wendy house is the ideal gift.

These all weather facilities have a 6’ by 4” base and are 5’ 6” high. They are built with WPB ply on a treated frame under a felt roof to give long lasting life. Perspex ‘glass’ is used for safety and internal furnishing and solar lighting can be optional extras.

As the houses are built individually

customer’s requirements can be incorporated including colours and features from the parents’ house if required. Any size can be built and all units are designed a pre packed for ease of transport and customer assembly or erection can be arranged.

Having built many and varied houses for family and friends Peter Foster is now offering these unique ‘houses’ for sale. He made his first Wendy houses between 30 and 40 years ago and they’re still going strong. Phone 523386 and you can view samples in Carisbrooke. Orders are now being taken for Christmas.

To have your business featured in the Isle of Wight Gazette call Sam Smith now on 01983 402599

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NEWS

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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BOYS EMBARK ON NEW ARMY CAREERS There are 140 trades in the Army and over 10,000 jobs on offer. Joshua, from Ryde, is joining to become a Royal Logistic Corps driver, while Luke, from Sandown, is joining to become a Royal Signals Driver Linesman.

Newport pair Norman and Shaun completed the ceremony and will both be joining the Royal Logisitics Corps.

Jorjia, from Sandown, will be joining the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and Thomas, from Newport, will be joining the Grenadier Infantry Guards.

Thomas, who used to attend Carisbrooke High School is looking forward to the challenge. He said: “Ever since I was young I Thomas Harry with his Dad at the had always wanted to be Oath of Alligiance ceremony in the Army. I am setting off to do a 28-week Combat Infantry Men’s Six youngsters from the Island are about to take on new life-changing careers by joining Course, where I will learn all the basic skills to become a soldier. I will then be based at the British Army.

Joshua Miller, Thomas Harry, Luke Peasey, the Wellington Barracks in London.”

Major Charles Grieve, Army Careers Jorjia Poole, Norman Moon and Shaun Van-Tonder all swore an Oath of Allegience Officer said; “The Oath of Allegiance at a ceremony at the IW Territorial Army in ceremony is the first official step in their Drill Hall Road, Newport to take the first Army careers, and is a really significant day for them and their friends and family. step in their Army careers.

We wish the lads every success with their chosen Regiments.

“The Army is a great career choice with so many job opportunities currently on offer, from catering, medicine and combat to engineering and IT. There are also some great incentives available to every soldier, such as subsidised accommodation and food, free medical and dental care and discounted rail travel.

For further information about career opportunities available in the Army call 0845 7300 111 or visit www.armyjobs.mod. uk/south.

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

SANDOWN SPECTACULAR There were all kinds of floats in this year’s slightly delayed Sandown illuminated carnival and lantern procession.

The annual event, which was supposed to take place back in September, was cancelled due to horrendous weather and re-scheduled for last night (Thursday, November 5) to coincide with Bonfire Night.

And there was plenty for everyone to see as the procession made it’s way through Sandown and culminated with a fireworks display off Sandown Pier.

The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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FEATURE

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FEATURE

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

LATE NIGHT SHOPPING IN BEMBRIDGE

CAPTAIN STAN’S FISH FOR ALL

Since moving up from the harbour to their High Street location in Bembridge, Captain Stan has become your one stop shop for fish.

“The new late night shopping is an opportunity to shop after work all year round,” said Ruth Curtis who runs the business with husband Mike.

“I think people have a perception that Bembridge is an expensive place to shop,” she added. “But we have ready made fish pie mix for about £5 for four people which is cheaper than the supermarket and fresher. Crab meat is only £3.95 for £200g and is local Bembridge crab.

“Bembridge has good quality foods at a reasonable price and this time of year is

particularly good for fish and crab,” she added.

“If our fish is not caught on the Island it’s from Cornwall and caught on day boats,” added Mike.

The shop now sells paella kits and all of the items you’ll need to add to your dish for fantastic paella such as the special rice in little sacks, chorizo sausage that is full of oil to flavour your dish, pimentos, paprika and saffron. All you need to buy is the fish, squid and prawns.

Recipes and cookery books are available for reference. ”People can be frightened of fish and it helps to give them ideas,” said Ruth. ‘If we get a lot of a certain fish we’ll print off menus and then people can go off to the other shops to buy the herbs and vegetables.”

ELEGANCE AT CHI CHI

A new hairdressers and beauty salon opens this weekend in Foreland’s Road in Bembridge. Chi Chi is a fusion of the period features and very modern furnishings in this old beamed property.

Jo Williamson is bringing her considerable expertise as a beauty therapist to the new salon – she has previously worked at the five star spa in the Royal Garden Hotel in London and cruise ships such as the P&O Princess.

Jo’s parents live in Bembridge and she grew up here and she met her new business partner, Sam Young in the village. Sam runs the hairdressing side of the business and has worked in Bembridge for the past six years, completing her initial training at Jaks of Ryde.

The salon also offers new soak-off nails – a new thing that is kinder to your nails - and Minx nails that come in an amazing variety of styles. This means that the salon can offer a whole bridal package of beauty, hair and nails.

This space is the perfect place for us,” said Jo. “We talked about doing hair and beauty and then this shop came up and we loved the beams and the space.”

The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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LATE NIGHT SHOPPING IN BEMBRIDGE

DELICIOUS DELI FAYRE

Thursday evenings are the time to stock up on your provisions in Bembridge as many of the shops will be open until 7.30pm in the run up to Christmas. And if the new scheme proves popular it will be run throughout the year as well.

Bembridge deli has a new range of home made pates to add to the lovely cheeses,

meats, quiches and other delicious goodies Owner Jo Davies was selling a lot of her home made pates in the deli so decided to market them separately.

Choose from: chicken liver and brandy; chicken liver, tequila and cranberry; smoked mackerel and horseradish or smoked salmon and tarragon.

They will be available at other outlets shortly.

With one of the largest selection of cheeses on the Island, the deli knows the provenance of all of them and also has lovely pickles and chutneys to complement.

Order your cheeses ready for Christmas.

Ready-made top quality home made meals are another favourite at the deli for people who don’t want to cook at home. All dishes are made on the premises using as much locally sourced

ALMOST TIME FOR A CHRISTMAS CHANGE

Looking for something special to wear for the festive season? Then Bembridge’s Changing Room and Dress Agency could have the answer.

In these lean times you might like to rent an outfit for that special event this Christmas rather than pay a lot of money for something you may not wear very often.

The shop is just up the High Street, past the Old Village Inn and is full of good quality clothing –and many beautiful wedding dresses in sister shop The Bridal Room. Both the agency and the shop will be staying open late on Thursdays.

produce as possible.

If you drop in on a Thursday evening you could have a hot soup and crusty bread and the deli is also open for coffees and cakes. “Don’t do a big shop in a supermarket but choose from superior produce at your village stores,” said Jo Davies. “We’re trying to make the village chopping experience more accessible by opening later on Thursday evenings.”

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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FEATURE

SPOOKTACULAR SAILOR

Photos: Ian Moody of The Jolly Sailor

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

BALCONY GOES GHOULISH

The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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FEATURE

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JOB SEARCH

The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

FIND YOUR WAY BACK TO WORK WITH JOBCENTRE PLUS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR WORK AND PENSIONS Job title Location Description

Wages Duration

Jobcentre Plus Reference Number.

How to Apply:

Cleaner

Cowes

Duties include cleaning of retail floor, sweep, mop and buff, cleaning of canteen and toilets, sweep and mop back area and empty bins.

£6 per hour. 10 hours per week. 6 am- 8:30am 4 days per week.

Permanent

NIW/9581- Visit www.jobcentreplus.gov. uk or call 01983 276803 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

Cleaner

Cowes

Cleaning of retail floor, sweep, mop and buff. Cleaning of canteen, toilets and sweep and mop back area. Empty bins.

£6 per hour. 12 hours per week. 6am -8am 6 days per week.

Permanent

NIW/9580 - Visit www.jobcentreplus.gov. uk or call 01983 276803 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

Personal Carer

Cowes

Duties to include putting on socks, basic leg/ankle splints and shoes on, weekly food shop, dusting, vacuuming, changing the beds and tidying. Some light gardening

£7 to £8 per hour. 15 hrs a week over 7 days, split between 2 people

Permanent

NIW/9614 - Visit www.jobcentreplus.gov. uk or call 01983 276803 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

Care Assistant

Isle of Wight

Must be committed and reliable. An NVQ level 2 or equivalent is preferred. Must be over 18 as intimate personal care is involved. A driving licence is also preferred.

£5.80 per hour. 37 per week, 5 shifts from 7, between 7am – 10pm

Permanent

RFM/5941- Visit www.jobcentreplus.gov. uk or call 01983 276803 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

Carer

Sandown

Must have experience of working with elderly clients with advanced dementia.

NVQ preferable but not essential as training can be provided.

Wage dependent on experience. 12 hrs Sat 8pm-8am plus extra shifts to cover hols etc

Permanent

RFM/5939 - Visit www.jobcentreplus.gov. uk or call 01983 276803 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

Casual Nursery Nurse

Newport

Enthusiastic about making children’s play experiences exciting, passionate about developing the best possible outcomes for children? Do you love being outside whatever the weather?

£5.80 per hour. 1 hour per day. You will cover staff sickness and holiday periods.

Permanent

NIW/9637- Visit www.jobcentreplus.gov. uk or call 01983 276803 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

Nursery Nurses

Newport

A minimum of a relevant level 2 qualification is essential and experience with 0 - 2 yrs would be desirable. Maternity cover.

£8,000 to £8,640 per annum.

24 hours over 4 days

Permanent

NIW/9636 - Visit www.jobcentreplus.gov. uk or call 01983 276803 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

Telesales Person

Ryde

Previous experience is preferred however full training will be provided. Must be computer literate.

£6.50 per hour 40 per week 9am -5pm

Temporary initially, may lead to a permanent contract

RFM/5973 - Visit www.jobcentreplus.gov. uk or call 01983 276803 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number

Team Member

Ryde

Previous customer experience would be an advantage. Duties will include serving customers, operating the till, keeping restaurant and all areas clean and tidy.

Wage meets national minimum wage. 16-40 per week, 2/5 over 7 days, evenings, weekends

Permanent

RFM/5990 - Visit www.jobcentreplus.gov. uk or call 01983 276803 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number

Cleaner

Newport

No experience needed as training provided.

Driving licence and transport essential.

Duties are cleaning private homes, dusting, vacuuming, polishing, cleaning bathrooms and all other duties as required.

Exceeds National Minimum Wage

Temporary

NIW/9645 - Visit www.jobcentreplus.gov. uk or call 01983 276803 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number

Bar/Waiting Staff

Freshwater

Must be 18+ due to licensing laws. Looking for someone with experience and good with customers. Main duties are working behind the bar serving drinks, serving food to customers and taking orders.

£5.80 per hour 20 hours per week Must be flexible

Permanent

NIW/9644 - Visit www.jobcentreplus.gov. uk or call 01983 276803 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number

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TRANSCENDENTAL MEDIATION Simple, Natural, Effortless find out more about the “ Maharishi Effect “ between 7.30 -9.00 Wed 11th Nov at Charter House, St Thomas Square, Newport. for more details & information pack Tel: 404560 or 07972478673 Nissan Sunny 1.4 Petrol, manual, M reg, 3 door hatchback, 5 gears, regular service, electric sunroof, low tow millage, tax & MOT, ideal first car £649 ono Tel: 07942 824151 or 562525

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MOTORING

The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

NEW POLO IS MINT

On first glance, the new Volkswagen polo could easily be mistaken for a Golf. The new sleek front design is very reminiscent of its bigger brother.

The new Polo is very attractive to the eye and the new front grille and stylish halogen headlights are new distinctive characteristics of the sporty looking hatchback.

The model I took out was the

BY JAMIE WHITE

1.2 SE 5-door, with a top speed of 119mph and a 0-62mph time of around 10 seconds.

The new Polo has good road holding, stability and responsive steering and handled the road comfortably without any problems.

Safety equipment is high and Volkswagen have very sensibly given the new Polo ESP stability and traction control as standard.

Anti-lock brakes are standard, as is a full range of airbags giving it a five-star safety rating and very low insurance grouping.

The understated elegance and classic styling is present inside and outside, with high quality materials and attention to detail

providing the perfect mix of style and comfort- commonly associated with the Golf. You will even find front and rear reading lights, illuminated vanity mirrors, drawers under the front seats and a useful split folding rear seat.

The SE specification also includes active head restraints, central door locking, air conditioning, front and rear electric windows, electrically operated and heated door mirrors,

SUCCESSFUL SCHEME

New car sales soared last month as buyers continued to take advantage of the Government’s “cash for bangers” car scrappage scheme.

New registrations in October rose 31 per cent compared with October 2008, with a total of 168,942 new cars being sold last month, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: “October has seen this year’s biggest monthly increase in registrations, with

the successful scrappage scheme accounting for over 20 per cent of them.”

The scheme, co-funded by the car industry, has proved popular and the government agreed last month to boost funding for the venture to include an additional 100,000 vehicles.

The scrappage scheme had looked likely to run out as soon as this month, but it should now last through to the start of 2010 after the Government extended it by a further £100 million to £400 million.

a good sound system, plenty of storage space and alloy wheels.

The easy to use climatic air conditioning system ensures a pleasant temperature throughout the vehicle.

The two main competitors for the new Polo are likely to be the Vauxhall Corsa and the Ford Fiesta, but I have to say that I think that Volkswagen are certainly on to a winner with the new Polo.

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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SPORT

GREAT SHOW BY RUNNERS THE FOURTH Hampshire League race of the season was held last weekend, in a very wet and windswept Lordshill, just outside Southampton.

With the 10-mile course being flooded in parts and the long finish on a very soggy grass area, the event was more challenging than usual. Nevertheless the field of 376 runners included 11 IOW Road Runners who were rewarded with four personal best times

and a host of excellent performances.

The ladies were led home by Sara Kalcher, who finished in a time of 82 minutes 32 seconds, which was some 10 minutes quicker than the previous week’s Great South Run. Clare Jones and Julie Ray both ran terrific personal best times, with Clare finishing in 85 minutes 38 seconds and Julie in 91 minutes 57 seconds. Their combined efforts brought the team

home in seventh place on the day, leaving them eighth in the division.

Nev Watson’s journey down from Kidderminster proved a worthwhile one when he recorded another personal best in 60 minutes nine seconds, giving him a wonderful fourteenth place.

Pete Wilmott was making his league debut and ran a strong race in 64 minutes nine seconds giving him a top 50 finish.

Richard Bruce journeyed

down from Sheffield, and was rewarded with another strong performance with his time of 69 minutes 35 seconds. Phil Mannall enjoyed one of his best runs for the club, finishing in 70 minutes five seconds. These performances gave the team a respectable third place on the day, leaving them in fifth place in their division.

The men’s B team excelled & achieved first place on the day, & are currently third in their division. The team

were led home by Dave Khan, who’s return to form continues with an impressive 72 minutes 16 seconds.

Steve Hickman fresh from a marathon only a week earlier, put in another strong run with 79 minutes eight seconds. Close behind was Kevin Fry with another good performance of 82 minutes 31 seconds. Tom Martin brought the team home with a wonderful personal best of 82 minutes 54 seconds.

The annual running of

the Beachy Head marathon also took place recently.

Described by many as the most challenging off road marathon in the country, the course takes in the South Downs, with the last seven miles run over the tops of all seven sisters. With muddy, slippery conditions as well as poor visibility the challenges were enormous. However, Steve Hickman just seems to excel on such courses, and finished in a time of 4 hours 50 minutes.

RAIDERS LEFT DEFLATED

The Wightlink Raiders were handed their third loss of the season as they travelled to Chelmsford to take on old English Premier League rivals, the Chieftains.

The game ended with a disappointing 8-1 score line, despite the Raiders firing 32 shots on experienced net-minder Andrew Moffet in the Chelmsford goal.

The Raiders suffered a major blow only minutes into the game when Damon Larter left the ice injured and was unable to return to the game,

leaving the team with only four defenceman against an in form and highly skilled Chelmsford side.

It was man of the match Kent Johnson who finally got the Island side on the board with his fourth goal of the season in the dying moments of the long fought match up. The assists came from hard working Stewart Tait and defenceman Alex Murray.

A Raiders spokesperson said afterwards: “To lose to Chelmsford is nothing to be ashamed of they are a good outfit and will continue to be one of our biggest rivals

as we go forward. It’s disappointing however that the score was not closer. The team is still new to the league and each other, there is a lot to learn from games like this.

“We have made a good solid start to the season, and with only one home loss so far there have been plenty of thrilling games, the team will work hard this week to ensure they are back on top.”

The Raiders are in action tomorrow (Saturday) as they do battle with the Bracknell Hornets at Ryde Arena, 6pm face off.

GIRLS FOOTBALL BOOST SECONDS BOGGED DOWN

The Isle of Wight Council sports unit has secured £8000 from Sport England to support the development of girls football across the Island.

The sports unit is now looking to form partnerships with up to eight football clubs or community organisations on the Island to establish girls only football sessions for girls aged between eight and 11.

Small grants will be made available to clubs to assist them in setting up regular sessions as well as any additional support they may need.

Brighstone Girls Football Club was successfully established during the summer and is backed by both Brighstone Football

Club and the village primary school. It is hoped its success can be repeated across the Island thanks to the new funding for the sport’s development.

The council is looking to increase the number of girls that play football on a regular basis with a view to establishing a competitive structure in early 2010.

This will be in the form of a series of regular football tournaments at various locations to be called the Super Series.

As well as looking for clubs and organisations, the council is interested to hear from coaches, officials and volunteers interested in supporting the development of girls football on the Island.

Cllr George Brown, IW

Council cabinet member for the economy, tourism, leisure and planning said: “Once established, these new clubs will provide girls on the Island with a great opportunity to develop their football skill and for some, to try a sport they have never played before.

“The council is keen to encourage young people to take part in healthy activities and I hope this funding made available from Sport England will open up the sport to more people.”

Meanwhile, Shanklin Ladies have made it through to the first-round proper of the FA Women’s Cup. The Ladies beat Oxford united 1-0 and will now face havant and Waterlooville at the County Ground on November 8.

SANDOWN and Shanklin’s second team suffered a defeat at the hands of Bognor seconds, going down 18-5.

Despite turning out a strong side on the day, the visitors were beaten by an organised side that recorded their first win of the season.

Sandown played in to the strong wind in the first half and competed well, but

mistakes in important areas cost them dear.

Sandown scored their only points in the first half after Greg Dean picked up and fed young scrum half Joel Carey and he popped the ball to Kiwi Troy who raced over in the corner.

Kicking with the wind second half the home side failed to take advantage

and just failed to score on a number of occasions. The away side then kicked a penalty and scored a late try to put the game out of reach. They were some positives from the game, with good performances from Wightlink man of the match Paul Laidler and BJ meats man of the match Todd Eldridge.

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SPORT

The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

HURRIES VETERANS SHOW THEY STILL HAVE THE DRIVE

SANDOWN & Shanklin’s Gentlemen veteran players showed they still have what it takes to compete with the best, as they thumped Millbrook Vets 56-12.

The Hurries vets squad found themselves up against a suspiciously young looking Millbrook Vets side, but fortunately the visitors had a handful of young

blades travelling as supporters and skipper Drake-Knight chose to even the odds.

Sandown took time to settle in the scrum with Steve Perfect and Johnny Buck both playing out of position. A few adjustments and Sandown’s power pack began to dominate in tight phases, and it was from simple first phase ball that Steve Crookes opened

the scoring with a try despite an over-enthusiastic late tackle by the Millbrook full back.

The Gents kept the scoreboard ticking over with penalty goals from Lawrence Edmonston, before further tries by Colin Potter, Crookes, Matt Heelan and Terry Bilsbury stretched the lead.

After the break the Hurries relaxed temporarily and allowed

Hurries vets drive towards the Millbrook line

Millbrook back in with two soft tries. Sandown’s pack got back on the gas and began to boss the forward exchanges, with Perfect, Buckingham, McLauglin, Bob Simpson, Ross Forbes and Jonathan Coleman at the heart of driving mauls.

The final try, set up from a smart pivot move by Colin Bond, took the Hurries over the fifty points mark

and a resounding victory.

Spa Systems man of the match was Matt Heelan for his powerful and elusive running with ball in hand and rock steady defence.

Wightlink man of the match was Steve Perfect for his impressive leadership in driving mauls.

Sandown & Shanklin Gentlemen’s XV next play on 28th November away to Trojans RFC.

Sandown and Shanklin veterans team

BOSS HAPPY WITH START TO SEASON

By Jamie White

When the Wightlink Raiders signed new head coach Jeremy Cornish to take the team into their first season of English National League hockey, it was a signing that turned more than a few heads.

Jeremy Cornish had played all of his previous five years in British Ice Hockey in the country’s top flight Elite League. Having made a name for himself as the tough guy in all his previous teams he was sure to make a big impact for the Raiders both on and off the ice.

Two months into the new campaign and with the Raiders enjoying their best start to a season in many years Jeremy gave his views on the season so far.

“I think the season has started well for us, it’s a new league and I think the guys have all adjusted really well.

We have a great group of guys and they have all brought into what we are trying to accomplish. We were beaten

by Invicta last week, but we

have taken several positives from that game and will use them against Chelmsford this weekend.”

Jeremy commented on his clear objectives for the team as the season continues and reflected on his first months as a Raider.

“My goal for the team this season is to be in the top four, to compete in every game and get some wins against the teams like Invicta that have been at the top of the league for a while.

We just need to win as many games as possible and get better as a team each and every week. I think we have made some good progress so far.

“Playing on the Island has been a blessing for me, we have met so many great people around the rink and the fans are very supportive.

It’s a small rink and it suits my game perfectly,” said Jeremy.

With a hat trick in both of the last two games the coach commented on how he felt

about his game personally, and how he was finding ENL hockey.

“My personal play doesn’t matter to me as much as the wins we have so far.

It’s nice to be scoring but at the same time we want everyone contributing and helping towards our goals.

I’m enjoying the game more than I have over the last couple of years and I think that is reflected in my on-ice performance.

“We have an entertaining team this season, and Ryde Arena is a great place to watch hockey with a great atmosphere.

For those returning fans we hope to have a team that reminds you of the ‘good old days’ when the Raiders were a tough and skilful team.

“We don’t have a home game every weekend, and it is important that everyone comes along to support us and packs the building when we are in town, it’s a great place to play when the crowd get behind the team!”

The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009

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Sport

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SPORT

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BLIGH PROUD AS A PEACOCK

SIMON BLIGH is the new holder of Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club’s Peacock Cup. He was one of eight players who progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition following the initial qualifier which attracted 97 entrants.

Simon then progressed to the last four, and playing off 21 he beat 11-handiacapper Christian Zanti, while in the other semi-final Mike Baker (18) accounted for Steve Hargreaves (22). Simon then got the better of Mike in the final to lift the trophy.

David Ames scored a nett 63 to win the club’s Open Medal Division One from Peter Brooke (67) and George Beardsmore (67).

By Peter White

The Division Two winner was Barry Groves, followed in by Dennis Hoyle (66) and John Salter (66).

Paul Lassey scored 43 points to win Division One of the Open stableford on countback from Conner Knight with Steve Collins (42) third. Alan HughesThomas (43) won Division Two from Peter White (40) and Mike Cooper (40).

Matt Mew scored 40 points to win the junior stableford from Michael Mitchell (39) and Joe Roberts (39).

Freshwater Bay Gold Club’s Sunday Stableford saw Keith Wright return to his winning ways taking the Division 1 with 41 points.

Rick Penn (10) took second place with 37 while Ian Ball (13) managed to hold off Steve Ryan (12) on count back to finish third with 36.

In Division Two Dennis Smith (19) collected first place with 38 points followed

by Geoff Smith (17) in second on 35 and Chris Tansley (18) on 33.

Keith Wright also picked up the Millway Cup for the best medal rounds played throughout summer with a consistent return of 358 for the five rounds.

Father and son Gary and Steven Cooke fought out for second place with experience giving way to youth, Steve finished second on 367, seven shots ahead of his father Gary on 374.

The first of the junior qualifiers saw Steven Cooke (11) in first place with 39 points, ahead of David Hartley (16) on 37. On the second day Ryan Harmer (9) scored 38, Steve Cooke (10) finishing second on 37 whilst the Medal saw Steve take the honours with a 68 ahead of Conor White (21) with a 69.

The last competition of October, a three-ball scramble was won by father and son Les and Stephen Mew joined by Steve Sargeant with a nett 57.65, a mere 0.35 shot ahead of Miles Oldershaw, Barry Hunter and Geoff Smith in second with Graham Wells, Chris Tansley and John Burke third with 58.15.

Simon Bligh with the Peacock Cup

HARD FOUGHT DRAW FOR LIGHTNING

The U14 Isle of Wight Lightning played host to Slough U14s in the first league game between the two teams for several seasons.

The first period of the match was quite a scrappy affair, with neither team causing the netminders many problems. The teams went into the period break with no goals on the scoreboard, but it didn’t stay like that for long.

Both teams knew that the middle period could be the crucial one of the game. The forwards of Paedar Ives, Jacob Pelletier and Brandon

Wright were starting to cause problems and forced the Slough netminder into some good saves.

Likewise Lightning netminder Jake Bontoft was also being kept busier than in the first period.

On 22 minutes the deadlock was broken, when Slough scored a well worked goal, and within a minute they had doubled their lead. The second goal should not of stood, but the referee allowed it, enabling Slough to take a foothold in the game.

Almost immediately Eden Holton forced a fine save and Jake Bontoft

pulled off a fine double save to hold the deficit to just two.

The defence were having to work hard on both teams and it was felt amongst the players that the next goal would be the crucial one of the game. On 28 minutes the Lightnings won a face off in the Slough end, the puck fell to Rory Julian who fired a slapshot into the roof of the net to close the period with just a slender one goal advantage to Slough.

The third period was the best of the three with both teams forcing the pace and looking for a win.

Unfortunately for the Lightning the next goal was scored by the visitors.

Slough were short-handed but found the Islanders team napping and slotted home from close range.

The visitors were gaining in confidence and the body language of their players gave the impression that they felt they had won the game.

However, as is often the case in junior ice hockey there is usually a twist. On 41 minutes, with just four minutes of the game remaining Captain Sean Molloy scored the Lightning’s second goal which

immediately rattled the nerves of the Slough team.

Within just one minute the hosts scored the crucial equalising goal.

Once again Julian broke free and scored a good unassisted pressure goal into the top corner.

The visitors were now all over the place and with just two minutes to go received a penalty, which meant the home side had a man advantage until the end of the game.

Unfortunately they could not make the most of this and the game finished with a very hard fought 3-3 draw.

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The Gazette, Friday, November 6, 2009