gazette the isle of wight
REPORTING ISLAND NEWS
COUNCIL PARKING PERMIT RIP-OFF! GAZETTE COMMENT THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL today stands BY JASON accused KAY of ripping off Island motorists by suspending the sale of resident parking permits BEFORE a meeting was held this week to discuss massive price hikes. Five days before the Council’s cabinet met on Tuesday night to agree massive price rises from £75 to £200, they took the decision not to issue any more permits. It meant any resident whose permit ran out over the last few days, or anyone moving to the Island, or already living here and wishing to buy a permit, was unable to do so – even though price rises had not been officially discussed at the time. Yet fortunate Islanders who renewed their permits for £75 just over a week ago will now have the benefit of using them at no extra charge for the next 12 months. The Gazette therefore accuses the IW council of pre-judging the vulgar price hikes, knowing if they suspended sales of permits they could cash in by selling them at the new price of £200 from April – an increase of more than 150 per cent! Continued on page 7
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FREE! Friday February 12, 2010 Issue 52
NEWS Laura is a Special
Read about Laura’s role as a Island Special Constable
Page 6
NEWS Puppy Power
Puppy parents on training their canine friends to help people with disabilities
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
SYRINGE CLAMPDOWN
WOMAN TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AFTER FIRE A 90-YEAR-OLD OAP was taken to hospital after a fire took hold in her kitchen in Totland. Crews from Freshwater and Yarmouth attended the blaze in Worseley Road, Totland just after 12.15pm on Friday (February 5) The OAP at first refused to leave her property after a pan had caught light from her hob in the kitchen. Her carer first spotted thick smoke billowing from the kitchen window when she arrived and alerted the fire service. Fire fighters entered the property in breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire using one hose reel. Paramedics attended and took the woman away to St Mary’s hospital for treatment after breathing in thick smoke.
COWES MAN HOME FROM HOSPITAL
28-YEAR-OLD Wayne Child spent three weeks in hospital after his car hit a crash barrier and ended up wedged between two trees on Smallbrook Lane near Ryde on January 18. Wayne, a well-known amateur thespian from Cowes, was transferred over to Southampton General Hospital after fire crew cut him from his vehicle. He sustained life-threatening injuries, but has since made a good recovery. Wayne was discharged from hospital on Monday.
THE RYDE Safer Neighbourhoods team have promised ‘act effectively’ on residents’ concerns over drug syringes left discarded in Sherbourne Avenue, Binstead. The Gazette highlighted the worries of residents in Sherbourne Avenue in last week’s edition, and the response has been immediate. East Wight Safer Neighbourhoods Inspector Bill Pinnell said: “Each area of the Isle of Wight has its own local Safer Neighbourhoods team. They are dedicated to providing an excellent service and an active presence in every neighbourhood to catch criminals and protect communities. “There have been 232 fewer victims of crime in the Ryde area between April last year and February this year compared to the same ten month period a year earlier. Police are determined to keep crime levels low and maintain the Isle of Wight as a safe place to live. Officers and police staff are carrying out extra patrols in the Sherbourne Avenue area of Binstead and this month will gather more information from the community and establish evidence of any criminal activity that may be linked to discarded syringes. “The Ryde Safer Neighbourhoods team has arranged for the safe disposal of syringes on previous occasions, and is working with Isle of Wight Council to encourage people to report any future incidents swiftly so they can be dealt with
properly to remove the possible risk to residents.” Anyone with information or concerns is asked to phone Ryde Police Station on 101 or Isle of Wight Council on 01983 821000. People who wish to remain anonymous can phone the Crime stoppers charity on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, phone 999. Ryde Safer Neighbourhoods team and Isle of Wight Council are part of the Isle of Wight Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP).
Below, left to right: Bill Pinnell, Caroline Woodgate, ENO Harry Dea, Katy Berry, Neil Harris and Darren Fennell
HUSKIES HAVE SNOW FUN SHARON and Martin Bradley and their Snostopin Huskies have arrived back on the Island after a very successful time away competing in the Arden Grange Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain Aviemore sled dog rally in Scotland. For the first time in 15 years the event was held on snow with nearly 250 mushers and 1000 dogs taking part. “It was fantastic to be able to compete on snow and to race on sleds instead of our usual three wheel rigs and the dogs absolutely loved running on the s now. This is what it’s all about,” said Sharon. The race is a two-day event and is run over a four mile course, each day, that winds
through Glenmore Forest, Skirting the beautiful frozen Loch Morlich. This year Martin was competing in the two-dog class that had an entry of nearly 50 mushers. Martin was running Tiva and Akela, who are both just over a year and a half old. “They did exceptionally well to finish in 10th place, considering this is only the girl’s 4th rally and they have never run on snow before,” said Sharon. Sharon completed in the three-dog class with Tehya, Zora and Magick. Many of you will know these dogs from the various events they took part in over Christmas on the Island. Sharon and her team also successfully completed
the demanding course on both days and finished in the top 30. “We are both extremely proud of our dogs – they give one hundred per cent,” she said. “We are looking forward to our next rally in a couple of weeks at Pembery Forest in South Wales. We would like to say a big thank you to anyone who has supported us and our dogs.”
Martin Bradley with dogs Tiva and Akela
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NEWS
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PATROL VESSEL COMES TO DRAMATIC RESCUE The £50 million vessel ‘The Port of Spain’ who plucked Adrian Dann from his liferaft A FISHERMAN was rescued from a life raft by a £50m offshore patrol vessel that spotted a red distress flare after his boat sank in the Solent. The small fishing vessel “Seaquest” sank two miles south west of St Catherine’s Point just after 2.30pm on Sunday. Retired naval bomb disposal officer Adrian Dann, 49, spoke to The Gazette about his dramatic rescue from his home in Lee on Solent. He said: “I had planned to go out for a quiet day’s fishing. The weather was fine and I was just passing St Catherine Point. “Suddenly the boat was hit by a wave that rocked it, then an even bigger wave hit me from the left and the boat was totally swamped. I put down the anchor to get rid of some weight and started the bilge pumps. At first I thought that the two pumps that I had fitted would be able to handle it. “But a few minutes later the alarms started sounding on the pumps, just as I was talking to the coastguard on the radio explaining what had happened. “I was in a state of shock so I called the coastguard to say that I was in trouble and I needed help. I looked down at the amount of water there was and thought it time to launch the life raft. There was just too much water in the boat for me to stay there.” He continued: “The Coastguard were brilliant and said they were going to scramble the rescue helicopter from
BY JASON KAY Lee on Solent. They also said they had launched a lifeboat. “As I jumped into the life raft I fired off a red flare hoping that another passing boat would spot it.” The flare was spotted by The Port Of Spain - designed by BAE systems for use in Trinidad and Tobago – as a Coastguard rescue who were on trials at the time. The Captain launched a fast rescue craft from the ship to pick up Mr. Dann. He was rescued from the life raft and taken back to the ‘Port of Spain’ suffering from shock and hyperthermia as his 25ft boat sank. Crew of the rescue craft from the ‘Port of Spain’ then went back to recover the life raft they had just plucked Adrian from. Adrian said: “One of my old shipmates was an officer on board so he called my wife for me to inform her. I spoke to her afterwards and she was shocked as well. However, a nice cup of tea did the trick. “I was in shock and the team did a wonderful job in treating that. I now feel fine after several cups of tea!” Mr. Dann was dropped off by the crew at Gunwharf
Quays where his wife met him later that night. A spokesman for Solent Coastguard, watch manager Dave Williams said: “We took a radio call from a fisherman who explained that his boat was filling with water. We scrambled the helicopter from Lee-on-Solent and the Yarmouth RNLI all-weather lifeboat was also launched. Coastguard auxiliaries from the Ventnor coastguard
Adrian Dann rescue team were also called out to keep a look out for the vessel.” He went on to say “It’s very fortunate the ship was in the vicinity. “I’m sure he is very grateful to them, but this man helped to bring about his own speedy rescue by being well prepared for his trip. “He had a VHF radio, the correct kit including a life raft and emergency flares and he was able to give the coastguard an accurate position.”
RNLI Yarmouth lifeboat recovers debri from sunken vessel
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
Cllr Ian Stevens
RIVERSIDE LETS GO Steve Beynon, David Pugh and Mike Bulpitt
Cllr Geoff Lumley
Cllr Morris Barton
Mark Chiverton
AT A PACKED meeting in the Riverside Centre last Friday service providers and users from across the public and voluntary sectors gathered to air their grievances at possible council cuts. Prospective cuts by the council amount to over £11m with nearly £3 of this being taken from the ‘Supporting People’ programme who help vulnerable Islanders keep their independence. Other cuts include ‘reducing client numbers’, which will account for £1m in savings, Medina Centre is earmarked to be cut by £250k, the Riverside Centre will lose £86k, the ‘Work
training Project’ will lose £48k, Stonham Housing who supply accommodation to vulnerable people will lose their contract (worth £25k) and Haylands Farm will lose £21k. Steve Beynon, Chief Executive of the Council, admitted that not everyone currently receiving support would continue to receive it in the future. But he added that spending on adult social care, encompassing learning difficulties, will be going up by £2m. “We are going to employ less people as a local authority. We’re entering a period of public sector
decision-making. Whoever wins the general election, the investment in the public sector will fall and I’m expecting a fall of between ten and 15 per cent,” he added. Labour councillor Geoff Lumley said: “What concerns me is that we have a range of cuts to vulnerable people. Does this council think that the communications budget is justified?” and received a resounding ovation from the audience. David Pugh pointed out that a considerable amount of the communications budget was spent on Tourism and Marketing and it had been decided that no more
overseas conferences would be attended. Steve Beynon said: “I would like to keep this debate out of the ‘why are you spending so much on this and why don’t you spend it on that’ area,” and received numerous loud calls of “Why? Why? Why?”
from the floor. A full recording of the meeting can be heard at www. iwradio.com and a list of the proposed cuts can be viewed at www.iwight.com/council/ committees/cabinet/9-210/PAPER%20B%20-%20 APPENDIX%204.pdf.
Paddy Noctor
Nichola Goom
A GREYHOUND came sprinting back to the Island this week after Cowes resident Annette Nutman reckoned she had missed the coach. Alex Warner, managing director of Greyhound Coaches in the UK, responded to an email from Annette who said she was disappointed at not seeing the impressive vehicle the first time it was here. Annette said: “I wanted to get some tickets when Greyhound were down before and were supposed to go to Red Jet to pick them up, but they didn’t turn up. “We waited in the freezing and cold and were really disappointed so we went and home and emailed Greyhound to say we had missed them.” Alex said: “I was really sorry. There was a mix up about us giving away free
tickets when it was actually a deal with Red Funnel we were promoting for discounted travel. When we got down to Red Funnel Terminal we were completely swamped with people who had turned up. We did give away some free tickets, but our time at Cowes
GREYHOUND DELIVERY FOR COWES COUPLE
Greyhound MD Alex Warner, driver Sean Sadler with Annette and Terry Nutman and their grandaughter Phoenix Ingram
was shortened as we had to move on. Annette waded in: “I thought the response we would get would be receiving something through the letter box, so I was completely surprised when Alex turned up in a Greyhound coach outside my house.”
The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
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DOMESTIC ABUSE WORRIES AT THE RIVERSIDE Meeting last Friday, Fiona Gwinnett, Chief Executive of the Island’s Women’s Refuge and Domestic Abuse services stood up and asked: “There were 522 victims of abuse in 2009. How do you propose to explain to them that their safety is a luxury we can no longer afford?” The Island’s Women’s Refuge and Domestic Abuse Service stand to lose £180k from a current budget of £278k in the proposed council cuts in Supporting People. “We have a refuge, but that is the smallest part of what we do,” said Fiona Gwinnett. “The outreach work we do supports people who don’t go into the
refuge and we have 5 ½ outreach workers and all of these will be cut. Under these cuts the organisation is at severe risk of no longer being financially viable.” The organisation has an IDVA (an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor) who supports work in the domestic abuse court. They also run a MARAC (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference), which considers the cases of the 20 highest at risk victims on the Island. “These can be at risk of death or murder,” said Ms Gwinnett. “Statistically looking at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight figures we are overdue for a death. “Our work often takes referrals
NEWS
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ROBBERY ATTEMPT - POLICE APPEAL
Fiona Gwinnett, Chief Executive of the Island’s Women’s Refuge and Domestic Abuse services from Children’s Services in which children are subject to a Child Protection Plan and we are asked to work with the mothers to minimise the risk of domestic abuse to children and to themselves. Sixty per cent of the children subject to Child Protection Plans were there because of domestic abuse in October 2009. We also use a group programme called the Freedom Programme – a 12-week programme where we examine the beliefs of abusive men with the abused parties. This is all part of the same team
and all these services are at risk. “We are to lose £140k from a budget of £278k from our outreach team which includes floating support. The refuge has a separate budget. “But from an outreach point of view we had 60 women referred in 2005 and in 2008 that had risen to 260 and for the first six months of 2009 it was 173, so demand has increased and continues to increase. The services likely to be cut are Floating Support, IDVA, Outreach Work and the Freedom Programme.
NEW BISHOP FOR ISLAND THE RIGHT Reverend Christopher Foster has been named as the new Church of England Bishop for Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. Mr Christopher, 56, has arrived in the area after being Bishop of Hertford, in St Albans diocese, for the past eight years. Speaking to The Gazette he said: ‘I am honoured and excited to be invited to be Bishop of Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. There will be much to discover as I get to know this part of Hampshire and the Island, the people, villages and towns.” Rev. Christopher paid a visit to the Minster Church of St Thomas in Newport this week, after initially being introduced to his new flock at the top of Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower. Mr Christopher said he was looking forward to taking up his duties here, having been to the Island only twice before in his life. Left: The Right Reverend Christopher Foster looks over Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight from the Spinnaker Tower
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after an attempted robbery on Thursday. A 27-yearold man and a 50-year-old woman were walking along Connaught Road in East Cowes at approximately 11.20pm on February 4. They were approached by a man who threatened them and demanded money. When the couple refused his demand, the man ran off and was seen to get inside a car parked nearby. A dark coloured Ford Fiesta, was seen being driven away in the direction of York Avenue. The man and woman were not injured. The suspect was described as male, white, 5ft 8ins to 6ft tall with a skinny build. He was wearing a dark hooded top with the hood up. His face was covered by some kind of clothing. Police were later informed of a Ford Fiesta that had been reported on fire outside a house on Alverstone Road, Queen Bower near Sandown during the early hours of Friday morning (February 5). The green Ford Fiesta had been stolen from a public car park in Dudley Road in Ventnor sometime after 4.30pm on Thursday, February 4. Detective Sergeant Will Burns of Isle of Wight CID said: “I would like to thank everyone who has given the police information already. We are pursuing several lines of enquiry, particularly the movements of the Ford Fiesta after it was stolen. I would appeal to anyone who thinks they may have seen this car or who knows the identity of those travelling inside the Fiesta on Thursday night to contact the police.” Anyone with information is asked to phone the Isle of Wight CID office at Newport Police Station on 101. Mini-Com users can call 01962 875000. Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
BOND BIG NIGHT OUT
CUSTOMERS at a pub in Shanklin Old Village plan to be shaken but not stirred at a James Bond Casino Night to raise money for the Sandown and Shanklin Inshore Lifeboat. The event will take place at King Harry’s Bar, part of the King Henry VIII restaurant complex. It has been organised for “Go Orange Day” on Friday February 26, to raise awareness and funds for independent lifeboats both on the Island and mainland. Sandown and Shanklin Lifeboat coxswain Mark Birch has been known to appear in King Harry’s Bar just occasionally, so regulars thought it would be the perfect opportunity to thank him and his crew for their sterling efforts in waters around the Island. A fun night at the casino tables is on the cards, with Bond music and film clips providing a backdrop to the event which begins at (00)7.30pm. Organisers have promised a few extra treats, one of which should be quite magical in the form of a guest appearance by top Island illusionist Aaron Isted. An Orange Day Bucks Fizz reception and canapés are included in the £6 price for tickets, which are limited, and are now on sale to the general public at King Harry’s Bar.
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
LAURA IS FEELING SPECIAL
THE vitally important work carried out by Special Constables to help keep the Island streets safe has been recognised. National Specials Week 2010, held from February 5 to 8 saw a number of operations which helped demonstrate the role that these volunteers play. Special Constables come from all walks of life and volunteer to undertake policing duties alongside regular officers. They develop skills that are transferable and are highly valued by employers. The Gazette met up with Specials Sector Officer Laura Cade, 23 who explained what goes on behind the uniform. Laura became a Special on the Island four years ago, having previously worked as a ‘checkout’ assistant in supermarket – a job she felt wasn’t taking her anywhere. “I joined the Specials because I felt that I was too young and inexperienced in life to join the regulars so I decided to gain some experience volunteering to see what the role entailed. “I have dealt with road traffic accidents, domestic disputes, public order, helped with the investigation
BY JASON KAY of burglaries by taking part in door-to-door enquiries and taking statements. I have also undertaken traffic control work and high profile policing at community events,” explained Laura. “I really enjoy being a
SEO Laura Cade Special Constable on the Island. It is a great feeling to be able to make the community I live in a safer place. It is very rewarding because the police train you well and then give you the opportunity to put that training into use and therefore make a difference to the community you serve.
“I choose to work eight hours a week but you only have to commit to four hours a week, and I am able to fit it in around my full time job as an enquiry officer at Shanklin Police station. “Where I work is good because it enables you to fit your police work around your home and work life and not the other way around.” There are currently five Special Police Constables working from Shanklin police station and a further 21 serving across the rest of the Island. Special Constables have exactly the same powers as regular officers and are issued with the same equipment. Laura is enjoying her job, and the promotion that has come with it. She said: “I have now started to help new specials develop their roles within the constabulary, giving them guidance and advice, no matter what their length of service is. This is due to having been promoted to Sector officer for Newport. “I feel proud to work alongside regular police officers and make a contribution to policing and making the Island an even safer place.”
TESCO - EVERY LITTLE HELPS!
SO Laura Cade with PC Bob Hammersley
TALK about doorstep delivery. This was more a kerbside delivery. When a Tesco van left the superstore at Westridge it was expecting to get a bit further than the roundabout at the bottom of the road. Then again the unexpected and unscheduled delivery wasn’t really what the driver had intended. Rush hour traffic was held up after goods destined to be delivered to on-line shoppers slid out of the racking after a faulty shutter opened up and spilled them into the busy road. The red-faced driver jumped out and got on the phone to summon help from store colleagues to help recover goods that had scattered over the roundabout. As traffic built up behind the delivery vehicle, one motorist stopped to help pick up the green baskets full of groceries. He could not resist muttering the store’s well known slogan: “Every little helps!”
The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
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ROW OVER PARKING HIKES
Continued from front Isle of Wight Council con trick. I heard that parking page permits were available It’s a bit like a filling and thought it was a very station suspending the good idea. But how can the sale of petrol knowing council decide to suspend a price increase is them knowing a big price imminent, or going into rise was imminent? “To my your local pub only to be told you cannot have m i n d any beer until the prices t h e y increases come into force. had no The Council have tried r i g h t to wriggle out of their ‘con to take trick’ by suggesting the t h a t price of parking permits, a c t i o n introduced in 2005, were until the far too low. So whose c a b i n e t fault was that? Island had first motorists didn’t hold the a g r e e d the council to ransom over to the price, even though the increases, then council appear to be doing and exactly that to motorists the decision had been now. at One man, who gave us ratified next his details but did not want the council to be named, said he had full on recently moved to Ryde, meeting and had produced all February 24. “It is just another way the necessary paperwork to prove he was now an of battering the Island Island resident. But when motorists to help fill he went to buy a permit he the council’s financial was refused point-blank. black hole. I think He said: “To me it was it is disgusting, and nothing more than an the council should be
ashamed of their actions.” The council have tried to soften the blow by putting permits back on sale at the old rate from today – but they will only be valid up until April 1,
when the new price is set to be introduced. Stuart Love, IW Council director of economy and environment, said: “It has become evident since it was launched in 2005, that the price of the
Island Residents’ Permit (IRP) is unrealistically low. This has undermined our ability to promote green travel options. It has also impacted on parking income, thereby affecting the council’s ability to raise revenue for green transport schemes, such as student rider, and for road improvement schemes. “Even at the proposed charging l e v e l , the IRP would still represent excellent value - the equivalent of 56p a day. By way of comparison with schemes elsewhere, a similar annual permit in Southampton costs over £2,000 and in Portsmouth over £1,000. “Though changes to the permit are matters for Full Council it is possible that
the price of an IRP will change. Consequently, it is important the issues of policy and revenue raised above are not compromised by people rushing to renew a year-long permit in advance of that decision. “Therefore, it has been decided that in order for any decision to have a bearing in the forthcoming financial year, new permits will now only be available for use up until the end of the current financial year. “Following a short period in which we ceased to issue IRPs while new charging arrangement was put in place, they are once again available for pro rata price based on the current £75 charge. “All permits brought in advance of the decision last Friday to temporarily cease issuing IRPs will be honoured for the life of those permits. It is not proposed to increase the cost of residents’ permits that enable them to park on street close to their homes.”
NEWS
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WOMAN STORMS COUNCIL CHAMBER
THE ANGER among Islanders at the IW Council’s proposed massive cuts in the budget was underlined as more than 100 protesters gathered outside County Hall to voice their disapproval. They gathered as the Council’s Cabinet met on Tuesday night to discuss the swingeing cuts that will affect thousands of Islanders, ranging from people with learning disabilities to the average motorist. Soon after the meeting began in front of a packed public gallery, a woman stormed into the chamber, voiced her criticism of the way things were bring run, and walked out in disgust. Eventually seven coun- cillors, headed by Council Leader David Pugh, agreed to press ahead with the cuts, which are expected to be ratified by full council at their meeting on February 24. It is anticipated £2.7 million will be slashed from the Supporting People programme and as The Gazette has highlighted elsewhere, parking permit charges will rise by more than 150 per cent to £200 a year. And there were warnings that the financial situation could get much worse before it starts to improve. But Cllr Pugh invited opposition groups and organisations affected by the planned cutbacks to put forward alternative proposals before the February 24 meeting. Cllr Peter Bingham summed up the somber mood by saying: “We are facing one of the most difficult budgets in decades and it could even be worse next year. It’s a double edged sword. We are getting increased costs across the board.”
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
IT’S PUPPY POWER! PROUD Puppy Parents were at Godshill Scout Hall this week to train their canine charges to help people with disabilities. Part of the Sussex based charity Canine Partners, Carol Court is a satellite puppy trainer,based here on the Island, who runs classes with volunteer Puppy Parents to train the assistance dogs. Dogs are trained to retrieve, tug and touch in specific ways. Retrieving includes getting items off of the floor or from surfaces and bringing them back to the puppy parent. Keys, mobile phones, purses, balls and
Nugget picks up his owners wallet
Marianne Britain and Percy
Carol Court and Reuben
other toys are used and as the dog matures the number of different items is increased. A working Canine Partner assistance dog will bring a wide range of different items for their disabled partner. Tugging is learnt first with a tuggie toy and progresses to tuggies attached to a small cupboard. Tugging will help the dog to dress and undress its disabled partner or to open drawers and doors. Some dogs are trained to tug things on wheels such as a washing basket. Touch is learnt first by touching a trainer’s palm and dogs are then taught to press-on a
light. When they are fully trained they will be able to press a lift button, or a pedestrian crossing and to push doors and drawers closed. Carol is always looking for more Puppy Parents and Fosterers on the Island to help train more puppies. The charity provides food and equipment for the puppy and covers all veterinary costs while the dog is with you. You can see what is involved at Godshill Scout Hall between 10.30am and 12.30pm every Wednesday or if you would like more information or a talk and demonstration call Carol on 07812 672 702.
Percy removing washing from the washing machine
FABIO CAKES AT HAVENSTREET
A FUNDRAISING event for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti raised £1,102 at Havenstreet last Saturday. The money will be donated to Christian Aid, specifically for Haiti. Initiated by Diane Seago, churchwarden of St Peter’s Church in Havenstreet, the
fundraiser was held in Havenstreet Community Centre by courtesy of Havenstreet Community Association. Other organisations from the village involved included the Parish Council and the Countrywomen – Havenstreet’s answer to the WI.
Beverley Winter, Hilary Spurgeon and Margaret Winter
“People came from other areas and enjoyed homemade soup, bread and sausage rolls along with scones with cream and jam and homemade cakes,” said Diane Seago. “The cake stall had items donated by many people from the village and did very well. Parishioners had been very busy making cakes and scones. “The bookstall was a great success and the bring and buy had very generous donations. We also had some really nice raffle prizes,” said Diane. It was just an amazing effort by the people of Havenstreet and the surrounding area
and the number of people who came on Saturday staggered me. Even at church on Sunday people who hadn’t been able to make it were giving more money. “It was just very rewarding to do something for people in another part of the world we know nothing about. I was amazed and tremendously satisfied that the response was so great. “It was an initiative that was prompted by Christian Aid’s appeal for help for victims of the earthquake in Haiti,” added Diane. “I’d just like to say thank you to everyone involved and to all the people who came.”
Phyll Sorivener on the tombola
Monica Brooks and Diane Seago
The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
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Bob Dalton with members of the New Horizons staff
CUTS GIVE CONCERN
AT NEW Horizons on Shanklin’s High Street, a young 22-year-old single mum had come to the offices for help with her accommodation situation. But after the end of June New Horizons is one of the services that will be cut – where will people like her be able to go for help? The young lady has two children of 3½ and 18 months and is living in a very small flat, which is extremely damp. Referred by her health worker to New Horizons she was hoping that they would be able to help her find alternative accommodation and support. “A friend of mine has been helped and a family member. I feel comfortable coming to New Horizons, I don’t feel judged,” she said. “The fact that it’s all confidential is important. My friends told me to come here first and then my health worker gave me the forms. “I was worrying about it all the time and my son has had a cough for nine weeks. My landlord has said that he wants me out because I keep complaining about the mould. My clothes are going mouldy in the drawers. New Horizons aim is: “To
support the more vulnerable members of our society to achieve an independent way of living, appropriate to the individual.” They offer support to
are her lifeline,” added Gill. “She said we’re the only people she has any contact with – she rarely goes out of her home. We assist her with her shopping,
“We’re concerned that they haven’t considered the impact – we’re a critical plank of social inclusion.” the homeless, the elderly, those with learning and physical disablilties, those escaping domestic violence and those with sight and hearing problems. Those who have recently been released from prison or have drug or alcohol related problems are also referred. “I’ve got a client this week who said he would have reoffended without New Horizons – we offer a lot of emotional support,” said Client Liaison Officer (CLO) Gill Breingan. Other clients that the 15 staff at New Horizons help to are teenage parents, young people at risk, those suffering with HIV or Aids, travellers and those with mental health problems. “I had to explain yesterday (about the cuts) to one of my clients and she said we
collecting medication and paying her bills.” “All of our budget comes through the Supporting People budget in order to supply support for our 124 clients who are the most vulnerable of society,” said manager Bob Dalton. “We’re concerned that they haven’t considered the impact – we’re a critical plank of social inclusion.” It has been suggested that certain vulnerable people will receive ‘self budgeting’ – a lump sum towards their own care - but Bob Dalton foresees problems with this plan. “Self budgeting hasn’t even been organised yet – that’s the cart going before the horse. There will be no providers to supply the independent support under self budgeting,” he explained.
Sharon Kelly, CLO, added: “The self budgeting only covers the elderly and those with physical disabilities and it doesn’t cover the mental health area.” “Other local authorities have made this transition well but done it over a period of time,” said General Manager, Lindsay Davies. “And we’ve had no consultation.” “Anyone can be vulnerable in this present climate and early intervention provides a larger fall,” said CLO Ian Harper. “There’s a structure that’s been built and now that structure will fall. It’s very difficult to quantify – who knows what the consequences will be?” “The council had a quote; ‘Spend to Save’ in homelessness prevention but it was only successful due to floating support workers helping people to remain independent by liaising with landlords and housing associations,” said Bob Dalton. “I got into this because I realised there was a need. People won’t stay in accommodation without our support and we’ll be going back to ground zero,” he warned.
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
AUCTION RAISES £4,000 Hospice News
Hospice Fundraising: Telephone - 528989 Walk the Wight 2010 - a few reminders WALK the Wight packs are being sent out as we speak to the thousands of people who are registering to take part in our biggest fundraising event of the year. Here are a few little reminders… You can register online at www.iwhospice.org/wtw and each person needs to be registered individually. If you can’t register online call fundraising on 528989 and we will send you a form. There will be no on the day registration so register if you intend to walk. The cut off date for registering is April 30. When you collect your sponsorship pledges please remember to fill in your form with your sponsors name, address and postcode. If they are a UK taxpayer we can then claim Giftaid on their donation – which makes their donation worth another 22 per cent. If you have any queries regarding Walk the Wight 2010 you’ll find lots on our website at www.iwhospice.org/wtw. Alternatively give the fundraising team a ring on 528989.
Music quiz tonight Friday February 12 THERE is a fun music quiz at Newport Football Club tonight in aid of the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. It will be £10 entry for a team of four. There will be a raffle and prizes for the winners. There’s no need to book just turn up and have fun.
Valentine’s Hop on Saturday February 13 at the Buddle Inn
of classical music at Ventnor Winter Gardens and help raise funds for the Hospice. Well known classics such as The Lark Ascending by Vaughan Williams will be amongst the pieces from composers including Rossini, Saint-Saens and Kreisler. It is so unusual to be able to experience the thrills of harp music played live and with Frances’ expressive and melodious violin, it really is a treat in store. International violinist Frances Mason has had a long association with the Island and is delighted to be bringing her new duo to the Winter Gardens in this groundbreaking series of free concerts. Thanks to the generosity of the musicians and of Red Funnel, admission is free and a collection will be made for the Hospice at the end.
Sign up for the Hospice Lottery YOU CAN join the Hospice Lottery at Morrisons in Lake on Monday February 15 from 10am - 2pm. There is also a chance to sign up on Friday February 26 at Somerfield in Newport, again from 10am - 2pm. The Hospice Lottery has raised over £100,000 and all the money raised goes only to our Hospice. It is £1 a week to play with a top prize of £1,000 and 50 follow prizes of £10.
Saturday February 20: Art & craft celebration THE EARL Mountbatten Hospice and other Island charities will benefit from a celebration of art and crafts by Island artists on Saturday February 20 from 12noon to 7pm. The event will take place in St Andrews Hall, St Andrews Street, Cowes. Entrance is just £1 and there will be plenty of arts and crafts for sale.
IT’S NOT too late to plan a night out this Valentines weekend. The Buddle Inn in Niton is hosting “Dance Til You Drop – A Valentines Hop.” With music from 1949 through to 1971 and optional fancy dress it will be a great event. Tickets Concert at The are just £4 each available from Venue, Ryde on the Hospice Fundraising Office, February 20 Norris Stores, Niton or from the Buddle Inn. Any tickets left WELL known Island musicians will be available on the night. Brian Sharpe, Doug Watson and Keith Roberts will be Violin and harp at playing at The Venue in Ryde Saturday February 20 at the Wintergardens on 8pm. Tickets priced at £9 are on Valentine’s Day available from branches of ON SUNDAY February 14 at Ladies Realm. CDs from the 3pm violinist Frances Mason band will be available at the and harpist Jenny Broome concert and all monies raised will play a varied programme will go to the hospice.
AROUND £4,000 was raised for two Island charities by generous customers and staff at the Mad Cow pub in Shanklin last weekend. The proceeds of an auction and grand draw will be split between the breast care unit at St Mary’s Hospital and to help pay for an operation for young Gracie-May Fuller from Shanklin, who suffers from cerebral palsy. Several leading football clubs including Portsmouth, Southampton and Aston Villa donated signed shirts for the auction, and other items that went under the hammer included two Bestival tickets, a trip in the Sandown and Shanklin Lifeboat and many pieces of sporting memorabilia. Organisers were delighted with the outcome, and through The Gazette wish to thank everyone who attended the event for making it so successful, and to local shops, businesses and individuals who donated prizes for the draw and items for the auction. Gracie-May needs surgery in the United States to enable her to start walking, and her mother Mandy was delighted that so much was raised on her behalf. Mandy said: “It was absolutely brilliant. The sum was far more than we could have imagined, and it was the perfect way to start Gracie-May’s fund. I would like to thank everyone who played a part in making the event such a big success.” Mandy later confirmed that with around £3,000 raised, but much more cash needed, Gracie-May’s
operation will go ahead on July 26. John Abbotts, who runs the Mad Cow along with partner Maddie, admitted: “The response was absolutely staggering, and we are so pleased it was so successful. “I think it underlines the fantastic community spirit of the residents of Shanklin. Only last November we staged an event that raised around £2,200 for the Sandown and Shanklin Lifeboat. “Now people have come back out in force, dug deep into their pockets, and raised so much money for two very worthy causes. “I find it incredible that this sort of sum was raised in one pub in the middle of winter, and in a recession. I would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed raffle prizes and items for auction to make the evening such a huge success. It was truly amazing.” John and Maddie made major contributions throughout the evening, including providing musical entertainment by ‘The Mix’, and without their efforts and those of their staff, the night could not have run so smoothly. Jasmine Light, senior clinical nurse specialist in the breast care unit at St Mary’s Hospital said: “It is wonderful that so much money was raised. It will be a big help to the unit. “We can guarantee that all the money raised for us will stay on the Island to help people who need our facility. The money will go towards buying much-needed equipment in the breast care unit.”
Pub tenants John and Maddie with Mandy Fuller (Front)
The Mix, Simon and Heidi
BETSY SELLAR THANKS NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOUR BETSY SELLAR took a selection of her neighbour Paul Myles’s hand made walking sticks to the Antique Fair at the Riverside Centre last weekend. “My next door neighbours’ son Paul helps to look after my sheep so selling his walking sticks was a way of saying thank you,” said Betsy who has been selling antiques and collectables as a hobby for around 25 years. “Each walking stick is marked with the wood from which they’re made – Paul coppices woods around Calbourne for the raw materials. The handles are made from deer, sheep, cattle and buffalo horns,” she explained. Betsy has eight Jacob and Jacob cross sheep, which she has raised by hand and they live in a little paddock next to Paul’s house.
Mick and Roz Denson
Betsy Sellar
Sue Wood
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SLEEPING BAG ALERT
THE SANDOWN Inshore lifeboat crew and Bembridge coastguard were called out on Tuesday afternoon after a possible sighting of a person in the sea at Sandown Bay. The lifeboat was launched at 1.15pm in choppy seas to investigate reports that a sighting had been made of a body floating in the water near Sandown Pier,
following an emergency call from a member of the public. One of the lifeboat crew members entered the ice-cold water under the pier and recovered a blue sleeping bag wrapped in a bin liner. The object was later judged to have been linked to the sinking of a fishing boat in the St Catherine’s area on Sunday. “The incident was a false alarm with good
intent,” a Coastguard spokesman told The Gazette. The lifeboat carried out a search of the bay area but nothing else was recovered. Sandown and Shanklin Lifeboat coxswain Mark Birch said: “We were tasked by Solent coastguard after a report from a dog walker spotting something in the water. We carried out an area search but nothing else was found.”
women all look as if they’ve walked out of the pages of a Toast by Post catalogue – all flowery floaty things or lovely layered knits. Or they’re in pristine designer suits. It’s not as if there are any dry cleaners left are there? Maybe they send the bloke in the articulated lorry on ‘shopping trips’ to designer shops and warehouses to feed their wardrobes. Why is it still so cold? I had to go to the gym to warm up yesterday – which did the trick admirably. Unfortunately the effect does not last for much
longer than an hour or so, but I am reliably informed that during this hour I will burn up the food I eat much more quickly and efficiently. ‘The Golden Hour’, according to Steve Marsh. And I now have abdominal muscles. They’re not too happy about it though. I did Boot Camp at TJs on Monday and I actually managed to get off of the floor when I did my sit ups. But I had an appointment on Tuesday and I couldn’t get to my Zumba class – and to tell the truth I was in a bit of pain. On the other
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Quick sale wanted 3 bed caravan, St Helens, Very well looked after, includes all of 2010 site fees, Lovely caravan, only £24,000 CALL 07920 536 987 Stunning 2 bed top of the range caravan with full sea view over Bembridge Harbour, on a lovely Holiday Park, £35,500 Call Matt on: 07851 430 704
JO’s BLOG - FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL SURVIVORS. I’m a sucker for an ‘after the apocalypse’ story I’m afraid. ‘The Day of the Triffids,’ ‘The Day After Tomorrow,’ ‘Mad Max,’ ’28 Days Later,’ etc. It must be all of that growing up in the shadow of the atom bomb stuff I imagine. I watched Survivors, the BBC series, in its first incarnation in the 1970s and quickly got sick of all the infighting and bickering if I remember rightly. This time around it’s the fighting between different factions that is beginning to wear me out. And how come the
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hand I can no longer pinch an inch under my bust – brilliant! I do intend to go tomorrow and I did do a gym workout yesterday, which is 300 per cent more exercise than I was getting before. So when the apocalypse comes I’ll be able to run away from all those nasty men who’ll sell me into slavery for a bag of coal or power hungry women in designer suits. Or I might be able to get into one myself – now that would be good. If only I could afford to buy one…
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
A MODEL BIG HIT IN RYDE
FOR A man who doesn’t like doing publicity, Justin Sullivan, lead singer with New Model Army, was in a particularly chatty mood when The Gazette spoke to him last week. The band are playing the last date of their European tour at The Venue in Ryde on March 25 and it will be something of a night – “We always let go a bit on our last night,” admitted Justin who said the band were looking forward to playing their first ever gig on the Island. New Model Army has always managed to steer clear of classification in their 30 year career. “We’ve always been underground of the underground,” observed Justin. “It’s like that Groucho Marx quote about not wanting to be a member of any club who’d want us as members. “We haven’t gone out of our way to court the style making machinery – it’s not in our nature. I don’t think it’s been a deliberate policy choice but it’s been there from the beginning. In the late 80s and early nineties New Model Army was getting involved with the
BY JO MACAULAY new folk rock movement? “I think folk melodies has always been what we do – our melodic content always owed as much to folk music as to blues music and I think that’s why people put us in the same bag as Thin Lizzy in the early days. “We had a violin for a couple of albums and we could see folk rock cul-de-sac beckoning. So just when that wave became quite big in the early 90s and we should have been at the head of the wave we thought “Look we’ve done that,” and we went off and made ‘The Love of Hopeless Causes’ which is a hard rock album without any violins or anything anyone might describe as folk music so we managed to avoid that wave. “The thing about the band is that we all like different music. We’ve got nothing in common. The five people in the band tried to agree on one album in the history of music we unreservedly loved and we couldn’t agree
on one, which I think is rare for a band. “In the band there are a couple of rockers who just like rock music but my background is actually in soul music – the whole Northern Soul thing was very important to me when I was growing up. There’s quite a psychedelic element in the
band too. But fame and fortune have never been the primary aim of New Model Army according to Justin. “There’s this expectation that musicians should strive onwards and upwards until they become a) rich, b) famous and c) role models and I don’t think that’s role of any musicians in
society,” he explained. “Musicians are traditionally troubled people. If they were upright standard citizens they could move easily through the world – they wouldn’t need to play music. Musicians usually tend to be people who have some kind of demons that they’re trying to exorcise by using music.
The money and fame is usually a bi-product but not the primary aim.” Home Grown presents New Model Army at The Venue @ Ryde Theatre on Thursday March 25. Doors 7.30pm. Ticket price £17.50 adv - 14yrs+ (under 18s to be accompanied by an adult of 21+).
SALE FUNDS CHURCH HALL A JUMBLE sale at St. Mark’s Church last Saturday raised £380 towards the complete redevelopment of the church hall. “Some work has been done, but we need to demolish the old building before building a new hall,” said the Rector Kath Abbott. “A total of £17,000 is needed altogether.” The church is currently being used for all events along with all the services. There was a 20p admission fee and 250 people came through the door to take their pick from the clothes, linens, bric a brac, books and nearly new clothing. There were also refreshments with cakes provided by parishioners too.
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“We have around two jumble sales a year and this one was a great success and was the busiest we’ve had in a long time. I don’t know if it’s the current economic climate but it was very well attended,” said Kath Abbott. “I’d like to thank Anne Joliffe and her team of helpers for setting up and putting it all back away for the church service the next day.” This Saturday (February 13) the church will host a Valentine’s Line Dancing evening with American Supper for £5. The Triple C Kickers line-dancing group will provide the music and call the steps.
Ellen Board with ‘Jumble Queen’ Sheila Maude
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
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Arrabella Lloyd Jones, Indie Macfarkan, Sophie Dyer, Adam Biss, Charlie Dyer and Max Collins
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Back, left to right: Louise Dyer, Emily Jones, Angela Weden and Chantelle Todner. Front: Paul Nunn and Lisa Nicholson
SHALFLEET TOPS IN TABLE PITCH
A FORAY into the world of tabletop sales proved a worthwhile first experience for Shalfleet Primary School last Saturday. “Although we only raised £106 after expenses this is the first time we’ve done a table top sale and it was a learning experience,” said parent governor Andrew Wenden. The money
goes towards the PTFA (Parents, Teachers and Friends Association) and the pupils at the school. “Last year we managed to get some new playground equipment and this year we’re saving for a PA with radio mics because it would be useful for assemblies and performances by the children – parents at the back of the hall sometimes
can’t hear. We’ll also be able to use a PA for plays and sports days outside,” he continued. “The sale had refreshments and cakes and the Chair of the PTFA, Louise Dyer, brought one of her speciality beetroot cakes and one lady liked it so much she bought the whole cake,” said Andrew. “Her reputation with cakes
precedes her – we’ve had her cakes at governors meetings and we’ve all tried them. “We sold tables for people to sell their goods for £5 per table and we had handmade jewellery by Rosemary Nunn and flower pot garden ornaments. We also had a uniform stall and new and nearly new toys.
VENTNOR OPTIONS
A DISPLAY of the options under investigation for improvements to the roads between Ventnor and Niton were unveiled at Ventnor Botanic Gardens on Tuesday February 9. Dr Roger Moore and Robin Wong of engineering consultancy company the Halcrow Group were explaining the plans to members of the public along with Chris Wells, Transport Policy Manager at the IW Council. Five areas along the Undercliff Drive had been examined in detail, although one site had already been subject to emergency works following the landslip in the winter of 2000-2001. No works were recommended on this site although regular surveys
and observations were recommended. The four further sites needing work were identified as 2. Mirables, 3. Undercliff Glen, 4. Woodlands and 5. St. Lawrence West. The estimate to complete works to these four sites is £2m and includes piling work, road reconstruction and dry stone walling. “We think people want to see Undercliff Drive remain open and the options are to look at piling and strengthening of the sub base of the road,” said Dr. Roger Moore of Halcrow. “The previous idea was to stablise the whole undercliff area which was a much bigger project. But a lot of the survey work done has been
useful – the geo technical reports for example.” As a second strand of this project Dr Moore and his team were asked to look at the inland route.
“Improving the existing route is one option but there may be an alternative to avoid taking traffic through difficult junctions,” said Robin Wong of Halcrow. “One idea would be to take the road north of Niton and another would be to take the road south of Whitwell. “Improvements to the existing roads and junctions would cost just under £1m. A Niton bypass would be around £9m and for both Whitwell and Niton bypasses £15m would be needed,” he added. The display at Ventnor Botanic Gardens will be in the Canna Room until February 26 when comments from the public, along with the plans, will be forwarded to the council for their deliberation.
“We have an Easter Fair and a summer fair coming up – that one has lots of stalls on the playing fields. We’re also trying to arrange a quiz. And we’re hoping that we’ll have the PA by our sports day in the summer. Our next event will be the children’s’ Valentine Disco on February 26 from 6pm till 7pm.”
Hallam Collins
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
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GUIDE DOGS ‘CHEQUE IT OUT’
A GROUP of Ryde High School’s Student Governors presented a donation of £330.63 to Guide Dogs. The money was raised through a Mufti Day at school, where the students were allowed to wear their own clothes for a day, in exchange for bringing
By Elle Beere (Year 10 Student at Ryde High School)
in £1. The school has chosen Guide Dogs as one of the two charities they are to support this year. Guide Dogs was founded in
1931, and rely on voluntary donations as they’re a totally independent charity and receive no funding from the Government. The Charity employs 1,000 professional staff throughout the UK, and supported by over 10,000 volunteers, from Puppy
Walkers to Fundraisers. Guide dogs are a fabulous privilege to the visually impaired, as they help them rediscover their confidence, allowing them to go places they couldn’t with a white cane. Walking down the road with a guide dog ensures
Back: Chris Mclachlan, Elle Beere, Karen Elliott and Gemma Nixon. Front: Sue Harold with Polly, Alex Webb and Bryony Newman
there’s no worry of bumping into lampposts, or being hit by over-hanging tree branches. Independence is drastically raised with the privilege of a guide dog. Although some people may
think that what they can afford to donate won’t make a difference, it will do! Just £1.30 will feed a guide dog for a day! Throughout life it costs £40,000 to feed, train and support a working guide dog.
Sue Harold and Polly
RECITAL AT VENTNOR CHURCH
WORLD-RENOWNED violinist, and Ventnor resident, Richard Studt and his friends Joely Koos on Cello and pianist Tim Carey were at St Catherine’s Church in Ventnor to perform for the Ventnor Piano Fund last Saturday evening. Richard’s wife Dee was page turning for Tim for the evening. The Ventnor Recital, as it has become known since Ventnor resident Anthony Churchill set up the Ventnor Piano Fund, drew classical music aficionados from across the Island. Richard Studt plays his famous 1727 Stradivarius ‘Dolphus’ and this was a rare chance to hear it at very close quarters. Reverend Graham Morris welcomed everyone to the concert and Anthony Churchill gave a short talk on the piano fund, the evening’s entertainment and welcomed the Island’s Lord Lieutenant, Martin White and his wife Fiona. “Beethoven was a true revolutionary,” declared Richard Studt before the trio launched into The Ghost,
from Beethoven’s Op 70 No 1. Joely then told us of a recent visit she had made to Columbia. “I was very impressed with the architecture and it inspired me to play some Spanish pieces. Imagine a balmy summer evening and a lady smoking a cigar,” she suggested before playing Granados ‘Tonadillos’ and the more intense ‘Requiebros’ by Gaspar Cassado. “It’s a tradition to play some Elgar because of his connection with Ventnor, as he spent his honeymoon here,” said Richard and played ‘Morning’ and ‘Night’ with Tim on piano, before introducing ‘a fiendishly difficult piece’ with an anecdote. “Yehudi Menuhin played this piece once and the band leader congratulated him afterwards and Yehudi said, “I’ve played it better but if I’d practiced anymore my wife would have left me,” and my wife feels the same,” said Richard. Tim then opened up the grand piano’s lid to play
some Chopin – amazingly well considering the action of the piano. Richard then played a violin piece by Drigo and followed this with a solo violin piece by Tarrega, which had originally been written for the guitar. “Harry was right I don’t think it does work on the violin,” he joked after a virtuoso performance of a very difficult piece – it was the theme music to the television programme ‘Out of Town’ if you remember the show. Following a Beethoven trio the concert broke for an interval and upon their return Richard and Joely played a duo by Handel/ Halvorsen ‘Passacaglia’, another particularly intricate piece. Next was a Chopin piano piece arranged by radio pianist Billy Mayerl and following this were violin and piano arrangements of ‘The Lark Ascending’ by Vaughan Williams. “Vaughan Williams wrote this when sitting on cliffs watching ships on exercises out at sea and a little boy
saw him, informed the police, and he was arrested as a spy,” Richard told the amused audience. Following this was ‘Jeeves’, the arrangements by Anne Dudley for which Richard played on the Jeeves and Wooster films. It was then Joely’s turn to take centre stage, first with piece made famous by Anna Pavlova as The Dying Swan in Swan Lake. She then sang whilst playing the next two numbers: ‘Some Day, One Day’ by Gershwin and ‘You are the Sunshine of my Life’ by Stevie Wonder in a jazzy
scat style. Richard and Tim then played ‘Caprinella’ by Billy Mayerl – “a piece I grew up with on the radio as a child,” explained Richard who grew up in the Gaiety on Ventnor’s seafront. Next Richard played a piece by William Kroll, which was supposed to sound like a banjo and fiddle – which it did. Finally the three played a Trio Mendelssohn Op 49 in D Minor. “Mendelssohn didn’t write any bad tunes and this one in particularly lovely,” said Richard. The audience whole-
heartedly agreed and gave the trio an extended ovation. All agreed that the acoustics had been amazing, the seats wonderfully comfortable and the evening’s entertainment a rare treat. A matinee, attended by 218 people and the evening performance, attended by 170, raised around £2,000 toward the fund, which now stands at almost £6,000. The Ventnor Piano Fund are now intending to seek government or lottery funding to raise the money needed to purchase a suitable piano for more concerts of this calibre.
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
The Bloodstone Border Morris dance team
SPRING DANCE DEBUT IT WAS the third celebratory outing for the Island’s newest morris dancing troupe last Sunday when the Bloodstone Border Morris dance team welcomed the spring. Imbolc, the pagan spring festival, falls on February 2, midway between Yule and the Spring Equinox and celebrates Brighid the goddess of fire and fertility. “We chose the following weekend to celebrate Imbolc and picked Puckpool because it is a park and was likely to have a few spring flowers making an appearance,” said squire of the team Linsday Mc Comb. Bloodstone Border Morris is the newest Morris dance team on the Isle of Wight, set up during the summer of 2009. They take their name from Bloodstone Copse, the source of the Monkton Mead. It is said that this was the site of an epic battle between the Saxons and the Danes, where so much blood was spilt, it coloured the stones at the spring blood red. Some say this is untrue and that the stones are a red colour due to algae growing there. “With our distinctive black and blood red costume colours, we
dance a Border Morris style, lots of clashing of sticks, growling and whooping,” said Linsday. “We have taken dances from various sources and we hope to write some ourselves and perhaps add a bit of Isle of Wight style to them. We disguise our faces with black and red makeup, as the tradition of blacking up is based on the need to disguise the face as dancing was perceived as begging in agricultural times, and also a lot of the dancers were poachers and others on maybe the wrong side of the law! “We dance out on the Pagan festivals and any other time that we are invited to dance, including this year: the Renaissance festival, Folkstation and the Hastings Green Man Festival. “We danced at the Longstone for Halloween/Samhain, and Culver Down with the beacon alight for the Winter Solstice.” The team have about 16 dancers and ten musicians and are a mixed group. “We chose an outfit that was all the same colour – black and red – but that could be individually interpreted. We had this idea that we were a ragamuffin group but we are also very much a team,” said Lindsay.
Phil Young, Jayne Scarfe, Corinne Carey and Mark Mordey
The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
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RYDE CEMETERY GIVEN NEW LIFE
CONSTRUCTION and restoration work is continuing on an extended scheme to regenerate Ryde Cemetery. Work on the 12 acre
cemetery to its former glory. These include restoring the old Mortuary Chapel and archway in West Street, two central chapels,
“The Heritage Lottery Fund has committed almost £500,000 because it sees this as a key heritage project.” site is scheduled to be completed by the end of September this year and will see numerous projects undertaken to return the
re-building some of the boundary walls, restoring selected grave headstones and installing new railings and gates in Pellhurst Ryde Deputy Mayor Brian Hams
Paul Scott, John Mundell, Ian Stephens, Sandy Stepson, Lawrence Pullen, and Brian Hams
Councillor Ian Stephens and Sandy Stepson
Road. A heritage learning centre will also be built in the existing North Chapel, and local schools will also benefit as they will have opportunities to get involved in a range of activities. The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has provided almost half a million pounds towards the project, which is also being co-funded by the Isle of Wight Council and supported by Friends of Ryde Cemetery (FORC) and Ryde Social Heritage Group (RSHG). The two groups have already contributed to the scheme by providing historical information, mapping and volunteering. Isle of Wight Council Deputy Leader George Brown said: “This is a major project that has already involved a lot of work and careful planning. The cemetery is rich in Edwardian and Victorian architecture and is of great historical importance, not only on the Island but also in the country. “The Heritage Lottery Fund has committed almost £500,000 because it sees this as a key heritage project. “While it is predominately a restoration programme, it also has a range of training provisions that will benefit everyone from local schools to community groups, which is very important.”
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
AWARDS PROVE HEALTHY
At an awards ceremony at West Wight Sports Centre last Saturday young people in Freshwater and Totland were invited to bid for money from a £20,000 grant for projects that will promote healthy lifestyles for children and young people in the area. Winners of the grant money were Cooking with Kids (£2,000), West Wight Raised Beds (£7,200), Fab, Fit and Friendly Fund (£1,500), Fun Nights (£5,000), Bike Club (£5,000). IW Council and the IW NHS are providing
the money as part of the ‘Up2U’ Fund. The scheme offers local people the chance to design and deliver the local services they want. The Up2U scheme is intended to give children and young people a deciding say about where public money is spent. Cllr Dawn Cousins, Chair of the Island’s Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “I am delighted to see young people taking such an active role in improving the health and wellbeing of themselves and their friends and families.”
Back row L-R: George Biss, Sam Hutchinson, Front row L-R: Alisha Hutchinson, Amy Hayton and Jake Wherry
Back row L-R: Dawn Cousins, Abbi Piper, Jack Ellis, Joe Ellis, Luke Herbert, Dan Flux, Front row L-R: Molly Fennimore, Racheal Piper, Charlie Fennimore and Luke Herbert
Dawn Cousins with Daniel James
Lea and Nikki Clark
William, Martha and Daniel James
Jess Hope, Dawn Cousins and Charlotte Snooke
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FEATURE
ALL THAT GLITTERS Jake, Joshua, Joseph, Joe, Lorna, Henrietta, Evie, Torin, Rianwen, Ben S, Ellie and Andrew
Paul, Hugo, Danny, Harvey, Kieran and Toby
All that glitters was not gold at Shalfleet Primary School’s KS2 play this week, but everyone from years three and four had loads of fun performing the moral tale. Pupils dressed as villagers in traditional English costume, musicians played recorders, performers sang and danced and soldiers sported crusaders red crosses. The stage was transformed into a castle where the king, queen, prince and princess lived, but unfortunately it was rather a draughty castle. Luckily along came two double-glazing salesmen who sold the royal family a wonderful set of new windows to keep them cosy. Two free gifts were offered by the double-glazing company: a glittering red cloak and another that was shabby and white. The king of the castle had his head
Bill, Jude, Jack W, Ben W and Maia turned by a glittering cloak and it brought him nothing but unhappiness. Once he put it on he became really greedy, taking everyone’s things and was very grumpy. The prince and princess came to the rescue with a party, but despite the dancing and performances the king was still unhappy. Eventually the prince and princess persuaded him to change his cloak and wear the raggedy white cloak instead. Suddenly the king became happy again, he gave back the things he’d taken and was very generous. A rock concert ensued and everybody had a wonderful time. “The moral was that not everything is as it seems – all that glitters is not gold,” said parent governor Andrew Wenden. “The children danced and sang their socks off – it was brilliant.”
Alanah, Harry, Lucy, Charlotte and Fay
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L-R: (Prince) Alfie, (Queen) Eleanor, (King) Dylan and (Princess) Linda
Lauren, Johnny, James and Thomas
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VALENTINE’S DAY FOOD & DRINK
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
CUPIDS WEEKEND
Cupid is a symbol of Valentine’s Day because he was the son of Venus, the Roman god of love and beauty. Cupid often appears on Valentine cards and gift tokens holding a bow and arrows as he is believed to use magical arrows to arouse feelings of love. Love Letters and Poems are a traditional part of Valentine’s Day. Verona, the Italian city where Shakespeare’s play lovers Romeo and Juliet lived,
receives about 1,000 letters every year sent to Juliet on Valentine’s Day. The oldest surviving love poem till date is written in a clay tablet from the times of the Sumerians, inventors of writing, around 3500 B.C. The saying to ‘Wear your Heart on your Sleeve’ came from a tradition in the Middle Ages when young men and women drew the names from a bowl to see who would be their Valentine. They
would wear this name pinned on their sleeves for one week. This was done so that it becomes easy for other people to know your true feelings. This was known as “to wear your heart on your sleeve”. On February 14th wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on Valentine’s Day in Wales. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favorite Valentine decorations on the wooden spoons. This Valentine decoration
meant, “You unlock my heart!” The most beautiful and incredible gift of love is the monument Taj Mahal in India. Built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife it stands as the emblem of the eternal love story. Work on the Taj Mahal began in 1634 and continued for almost 22 years and required the labour of 20,000 workers from all over India and Central Asia.
The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
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NURSERY FEATURE
SMILES ALL AROUND
Ventnor Bonnie-Faces Pre-School provides high quality care and education in a safe and welcoming environment. Children come from all areas to join in the variety of sessions on offer: dressing up, painting, water and sand play...the list goes on. Bonnie-Faces also has its own fully enclosed outdoor area with playhouse, swing, giant sandpit and various trikes, bikes and cars. In the summer the children have a paddling pool and make trips to local attractions and shops.
After half-term the children will be learning about spring, this will include hatching their own chicks, growing seeds and a trip to the farm. Staff are friendly and professional, working with parents and carers to ensure that the needs of both the children and their families are met. Bonnie-Faces has 26 places for two to four year olds. It is open from 8:30am to 3pm and is flexible about the times children attend. They can have hot lunches or bring their own packed lunches.
ST. WILFRID’S CELEBRATE
The children at St Wilfred’s have been celebrating Chinese New Year this week with a dragon dance, trying Chinese food and making crafts.
The staff told the story of Nian and then the staff and children acted out the story with costumes and music. “We have several Chinese children here and they
especially enjoyed it,” said Sue Adams. “Many children remembered the celebration from last year and were very excited about doing it again.”
LITTLE SQUIRREL FUN
Little Squirrels nursery has its own purpose built accommodation in Nicholson Road Ryde, and a spacious outdoor area with separate play areas for the under twos, two to three year olds and another for the pre school children. Open 50 weeks of the year; Monday to Friday, from 8am till 6pm, the nursery has very competitive fees. Children from
birth to age eight can attend – those of school age can only attend during half terms and school holidays and there are activities such as computer games for the older children. All staff are qualified to level 3 and in safeguarding and first aid. They are all experienced, well trained and kind and the majority have children of their own with a good span of ages from 22 to 70.
Free childcare is available for three and four year old with some funding for two year olds – providing they meet certain criteria. “Our main selling point is our outside area as there is a large grassed field and safety surfaced grounds and we also have an undercover area for wet days,” said Karen Bolan who founded the nursery almost seven years
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ago. “Children love the gardening plot and we grow our own vegetables and then eat them, such as potatoes, runner beans, lettuce and tomatoes.” The name Little Squirrels is an offshoot from Oakfield Pre School at Oakfield Primary School, which Karen also runs. Oakfield pre school also offers an after school club for older children.
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BOGEYS FEATURE
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
80s
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BOGEYS 80s FEATURE NIGHT
NIGHT
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HALF TERM, WHERE TO GO FEATURE
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
CASPER FEELS AT HOME
‘Casper’ the white lion marks the Wight as his new territory. In January the Isle of Wight Zoo made history when a rare white lion arrived and laid his first tracks down on Island ground. Travelling from his home at West Midlands Safari Park, three and a half year old Casper was secretly transported across the Solent by Red Funnel. For a while it was touch and go whether he would be able to travel on the scheduled day, which coincided with the heavy snow. Fortunately the motorways were clear and the journey went smoothly. During the closed winter season, the big cat team have been quietly
settling Casper into one of the zoo’s naturalistic enclosures. He has been enjoying the chance to climb onto the high rock and survey his new territory. For the time being his feline company is in the form of sibling tigers, Diamond and Aysha, living in a nearby enclosure, but by Easter the zoo hope to bring Casper a belated Valentine gift in the form of a female white lion. White lions are not albinos, but carry a combination of genes that cause them to release less pigment than a normal tawny lion. When he was born Casper would have been snow white, as he has matured he has adopted a pale sandy colour.
Another striking difference from everyone will brave the cold, to welcome Casper during the the normal coloured lions is that wrap up warm and make tracks half-term week! white lions have glacial green or icy blue eyes. The Isle of Wight Zoo is now one of only three wildlife centres in the UK where white lions can been seen. There are literally a tiny handful of these unusual animals existing worldwide both in human care and in African reserves where breeding and re-introduction programmes are in operation. The zoo team are looking forward to introducing Islanders to their newest resident and hope that
The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
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at the many sightseeing attractions. If you register on our website www. greyhounduk.com and quote the promotion code “red25” or “wightsaver” and then you will receive a 25% discount off the first ticket you purchase, providing you travel with Wightlink or Red Funnel and show your valid ferry ticket to the driver. As part of the ‘Greyhound Rewards’ scheme if you
The Bike Shed, your complete cycle store is located in the heart of the countryside, and offers an extensive range of cycles, accessories and service. Free parking and a test area set this store apart from ordinary bike shops
giving you the flexibility to browse without pressure and discover some of the best brands in clothing, lighting, helmets and cycling shoes. Electric bikes from Trek & Giant bicycles are now so efficient and demo models are always available to go
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WHERE TO GO, HALF FEATURE TERM
SPEED TO CITY
Greyhound is running special coaches to Wembley for Southampton’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final on Sunday March 28. To book call 01282 688 160 and IW Gazette Readers will receive a 20% discount - a return fare of £16 instead of £20. As proof that they are a Gazette reader they will need to show a copy of The IW Gazette to the driver when they travel. Greyhound is also running coaches to Pompey and other Saints away games, with similar discounts for Gazette readers. For more details call 01282 688160. They have reduced many of their fares for half-term week. There’s plenty going on in London - be it at museums, theatre or
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make eight single journeys (or four return) you get a free single ticket! Greyhound are continuing with roadshows across the Island, handing out discounts, goodies and a few free tickets. If your company would like to display their leaflets in return for some reciprocal deals, or a free ticket, then email alexwarner@greyhounduk. com
SADDLING UP
and try along with folding bikes, mountain bikes and of course road /competition cycles too. Correct measuring for adults and children is a priority at The Bike Shed so you leave the store fully set up and ready to ride.
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HAITI APPEAL CONCERT FEATURE
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
HAITI APPEAL BOOST
The Haiti Appeal Concert, an evening of live music and DJ’s, held at Cowes Yacht Haven Events Centre, raised £4,392.90 for the Disasters Emergency Committee The Haiti Appeal Concert – Isle of Wight was created by Lee Taylor in association with Spencer Rigging Ltd to raise vital funding for the Disaster Emergency Committee.
Lee said: “I feel that the tragedy in Haiti is a horrific reminder how we sometimes lose perspective of our lives but the offers of help and support that I have received have been overwhelming and I truly feel this concert showed that we are a small Island with a big heart.” Island groups The Chancers and The Kurves headlined the concert.
The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
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SPORT
LIGHTNING STRUCK DOWN
Isle of Wight Lightning under-14 ice hockey team failed to emulate their win in South London earlier in the season as they went down 4-2 to Streatham under-14s. The early exchanges went the way of the Lightning with all the players having much shorter shifts than usual and making every second on the ice count. After just six minutes Brandon Wright continued his rich vein of form by
slotting home the opening goal of the game after a lovely pass from Andrew McCloskey. The second period was played at a more frantic pace and Streatham really began to get into their groove and start to adapt to the small ice. Their confidence soon paid off with two quick fire goals to reverse the lead. Jake Bontoft kept the score down with two outstanding double saves in the
period. However, towards the end of the period the Lightnings started to get back into the game and once again started to cause the Streatham netminder several problems. The third period started and both teams knew that this game could go either way. Once again Bontoft was the busier of the goalies however the strike force of Wright, Molloy and Trendall in particular
were causing major problems. The pressure paid off when once again as Wright scored his second goal of the game with a lovely assist from captain Sean Molloy. The team really felt that they could sense victory but Streatham had other ideas and with just three minutes to go in the game scored. The Lightnings battled away and with just one minute remaining decided to pull the netminder to
allow an extra player on the ice to hopefully force the equalizer. Unfortunately the tactic didn’t pay off and Streatham themselves scored into the empty net to make it 4-2. Man of the match: Sean Molloy. Spirit of the game: Charlie Royal. Jake Bontoft: Shots on goal 36. Points: Brandon Wright 2+0, Andrew McCloskey 0+1, Sean Molloy 0+1.
CAPTAIN NEIL LEADS THE WAY CLOKE NICKS IT
Club captain Neil Jackson returned the best scratch score in the Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club’s Monthly Medal, carding an impressive 75. Neil, playing off a handicap of four, finished one ahead of Ashley Curzon and Chris Reed Snr in the scratch event. But with handicaps then taken into account the Division One winner was Mark Pepperell with a net 67.
He finished one ahead of Richard Scoble, who beat Chris Reed Snr on countback, with Ashley Curzon fourth with a net 69. David Emery was the clear winner in Division Two with 68, ahead of Peter White (71) and Paul Cavaciuti (72), who beat Kevin Griffiths for third place on countback. The Ladies’ Monthly Stableford Silver winner was Barbara Butler with
36 points, who finished two points ahead of Chris Gould. The Bronze competition was very close, with Julie Miller (29) beating Pat Attrill on countback. Debbie Berry scored 32 to win the Ladies Stableford Finals event from Lorrie Hawkins (30). A Midweek Open Stableford saw Alan Frame (39) win Division One from Chris Reed
(38). The Division Two honours went to John Richards (36) ahead of runner Up Tony Theakston on countback. Greg Hammond and Josh Tutty won the Paul Hann Trophies Knockout competition, beating Gwynn White and Michael Jacobsen in the final. The losing semi-finalists were Richard Scoble and Peter White, and Derek Maidment and Peter Bushby.
FROM GEESON
The Midweek Stableford at Westridge Gold Club was closely fought with Bob Cloke (16 handicap) scoring 39 points to beat Nick Geeson (20) on countback, with Richard Williamson (10) third on 38. The Medal Division One honours went to Gary Cox with
a 65 gross, 55 net, followed by Tony Ward (69-13) 56 who beat third placed Ming Choi (72-16) on countback. Division Two was won by Steve Hull (72-20) with 52 net ahead of Mick Willis (76-21) for 55, ahead of Alan Harnett (76-21) on countback.
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SPORT
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
WILL GIVEN SURPRISE
Teenager Will Newnham decided to enter Ryde Harriers Annual 10-mile road race as little more than a training exercise – but surprised himself by being the first Island runner home. Will, a pupil at Carisbrooke high School, planned to use the race as a warm-up for the National Cross-country championships in Leeds later this month. But the versatile 17-year-old underlined his huge potential by leading the Island competitors across the line, finishing third in the men’s and fouth overall behind winner Julian Manning from Denmead. Will, a member of IW Athletics Club, lives in Ryde, and he admits he was a bit surprised by his performance. He said: “It was the first time I had everyrun a 10-mile road race, and I enjoyed the course. “I found the toughest part heading up towards St Helens. When you are
in a car the road doesn’t seem that steep, but it’s as lot different when you are running up it!” He continued: “My coach and I decided I should take part for more of a training exercise than anything else, so I was very pleased to finish third in the senior men’s race. “My next event is the ‘Nationals’ at under-20 level on February 27, and then in March I am off to Manchester to take part in the English Schools’ cross-country championships.” It will be his fourth time at the English Schools event, and he has already shown his versatility by competing in the English Schools track championships, where he took third place in the 1,500 metres steeplechase. The 10-mile race on Island roads attracted around 320 runners, highlighting the ongoing popularity of event.
Will Newnham finishing third and first Islander running home, at just 17 years of age.
Laura Clark
Mary and Joe Norman
Graham Tuck
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SPORT
Julian Manning (Winner)
Mike Bliss
Andrew Simpson
Eileen Hegarty
292 Cheryl Gorga and 158 stephanie Anscombe
Mick Anglim
Ana-Maria Roman
287 Leonora Stovell
Mike White
261 Lee Weeks leads the way
73 Robin Wilson and 105 Peter Young
118 Clive Smith and 83 Paul Johnson
229 David Jeffry, 228 Russ Bestley and 16 Derek Powles
Ryde Harriers Men’s Results
Time
Overall
Ryde Harriers Laidies Results
Time
Overall
Will Newnham
57.08, snr men’s
4th
Mary Louise Norman
1.11.36, w v 45
113rd
Kristian Rowdon
1.02.50, men’s vet 40
33rd
Christine Jackson
1.15.07, w. vet 35
156th
Les Cupis
1.04.05, men’s vet 40
41st
Karen Lewis
1.16.10, w.vet 35
168th
Pete Young
1.04.08, men’s vet 60
42nd
Mandy Womack
1.16.15, w vet 35
170th
Peter Carr
1.08.32, snr men’s
79th
Lindsay Brazier
1.16.25, w vet 45
172nd
Peter Watson
1.11.30, men’s vet 50
111th
Judy Brown
1.17.19,w. vet 55
185th
Richard Stapleton
1.12.00, men’s vet 40
117th
Tracey Dillon
1.19.52, 9w. vet 35
212nd
Joe Norman
1.15.00, men’s vet 40
153rd
Dolores Okello
1.26.14, w.vet 45
255th
Andy Lewis
1.15.11, men’s vet 40
159th
Karen Collett
1.16.22, w w vet 45
257th
Peter Jolliffe
1.16.59, men’s vet 60
181st
Simone Robinson
1.27.36, w vet 35
270th
Pete White
1.22.12, men’s vet 50
231st
Anna-Maria Roman
1.32.51, w vet 45
299th
Kevin Hillier
1.30.38, snr men’s
284th
Judy Brown was also 1st Women’s vet 55 overall to finish.
Ryde Harriers Men’s Team of four placed them 3rd overall, consisting of Will Newnham, Ryde Harriers Ladies Team results: teams of three, 6th overall, consisting of Mary Norman, Kristian Rowdon, Les Cupis and Pete Young. Christine Jackson and Karen Lewis.
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SPORT
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010
BEES STING RAIDERS
The Wightlink Raiders ice hockey team took a large supporting crowd to Bracknell for the team’s only game of the weekend, with high hopes of extending the recent winning streak. But in the end they were well beaten. The Raiders took the lead with a goal from the increasingly
productive Alex Murray less than one minute into the game. But the lead did not last, with the speedy Bracknell side levelling the score at one a piece by 2.35, a score that held to the first interval. Bracknell claimed a 2-1 lead with a powerplay goal midway through the second period. Playmaking
winger Stewart Tait managed to breakaway from the pack to score a shorthanded goal for the Raiders to level the score. Unfortunately despite numerous chances it was Raiders’ last goal of the game, and seemingly with no answer for another four goals from Berkshire team, the game eventually ended
6-2 against the Raiders. A spokesperson for the Raiders said: “Bracknell are a very good team having won their last eight games straight including a big win against league leaders Invicta, it was always going to be tough heading to their barn, unfortunately we were unable to contain their scoring
ability for a full three periods.” The Raiders take on the Bracknell Hornets at Ryde Arena this Saturday with a 6pm faceoff, before travelling to Gillingham on Sunday to take on the Invicta Dynamos. To travel on the team coach to the Invicta game simply contact Steve Price on steve_mgt@iwrsc.com.
PLUCKY SPORTS HIT BACK FOR VITAL POINT
Cowes Sports made a mockery of their lowly position in the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division by holding title contenders Poole Town to a draw. Sports showed all the battling qualities that could yet see them escape relegation as they came from behind on their own patch to secure a valuable point. They defended strongly against
a wave of Poole attacks, but were finally pierced early in the second half as the visitors edged in front. The Sports were in no mood to buckle, and they hit back with the equaliser through Mark Augustus. The game could then have gone either way as both teams carved out decent chances, but in the end they had to settle for a point a piece.
Brading Town secured maximum points from their clash with Lymington Town thanks to goals from Scott Jones and Josh Appell hitting the winner, while Newport’s game at home to Bournemouth was postponed, as was East Cowes Vics’s match with Farnborough North End, because of waterlogged pitches. In midweek matches, Cowes
Sports picked up another useful point in their battle to avoid the drop when they fought out a goalless draw at Brockenhurst. Brading went one better, securing an excellent 2-1 victory at Winchester City. Despite fielding a weakened tram, the Romans took the lead after 35 minute through Aleks Przespolewski. Matt Miles added a second, and although
Winchester pulled one Brading stood firm to take the points. Newport were well beaten 3-0 when they visited Lymington Town, who were always in command and led by two at the break. Casey Tyrell scored a consolation goal for East Cowes Vics as they lost 3-1 at home to Horndean after having Leon Day and Adam Barsdell sent off.
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SPORT
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WILDCATS ARE TAMED
The Isle of Wight Wildcats under-18 ice hockey were well beaten by Solent & Gosport in the south coast derby despite a hat-trick by Danny Welch. Although it was a ‘friendly’, the rivalry was intense, with both teams looking for the win.
Within the first minute the Patriots pressed their advantage and scored. Although the Wildcats hit the post several times the first period ended with a 3-0 advantage to the hosts. The Wildcats opened their scoring in the second period with
a single handed shot from Welch, Solent came back and once again pressed their number advantage. The Wildcats had trouble getting shots past the Solent keeper, and the second period ended 6-1 to Solent Patriots. The interval talk seemed to
help the Wildcats who came out fighting, and Welch went on to complete his hat trick. He was assisted by Matt Wilks for the first and Aaron Edwards for the second. But as the period drew to a close the Wildcats were tiring and
Solent went on to clinch victory 9-3. Man of the Match went to defence man James McClellan. The Wildcats are recruiting new members only to train ready for the next season, and anyone interested should contact Ryde Arena (Ice Rink).
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The Gazette, Friday, February 12, 2010