Welcome to the fourth edition of the Gazette – the paper everyone’s talking about
Gazette The Isle of Wight
Friday September 12th 2008
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What a Muddy Messtival! conditions.
By Peter White BESTIVAL co-organiser Rob Da Bank insists Robin Hill Country Park is the ‘perfect location’ for the vibrant annual event, despite massive problems this year caused by atrocious weather
Rob, a Radio 1 DJ, has vowed to be back in 2009 with a show ‘better than ever’ and has vehemently denied a rift with Robin Hill officials after the 19-acre site was turned into a mud bath that could take up to six months to recover.
He has also promised to talk to stall holders about the difficulties they encountered, and has revealed that if any found themselves out of pocket, he would help compensate them at next year’s festival. Speaking exclusively to the Gazette, Rob admitted: “At one stage I feared the worst, but the show was never going to be cancelled or switched to another date. The groups were in place and people had travelled from all over the country to be there. I have heard the rumours that we were ready to cancel on Saturday night, but that was never the case. “By Sunday morning I was feeling very low but now I feel much better, and I am so proud at the way everyone just got on with things and seemed determined to enjoy themselves.” Rob, 35, continued: “I know there have been suggestions Robin Hill are angry at what happened to the site. But managing
director Simon Dabell and Park manager Darren Cool are very relaxed about things. We have had meetings, and have got on very well. “They are very optimistic the park will be opening again within a week, and they have no major concerns. The location is perfect for the Bestival. If we had been on flat ground we would have been completely washed out. We cannot really make it any bigger but we will make it better. My message to everyone is that the show will go on!” He added: “The feedback I have had from traders is that they did well because everyone wanted drinks and hot food. But if anyone was in a bad place and was affected by the mud then I will be looking to help them if they come back next year.” The event was a 30,000 sell-out, but as the site near Arreton turned into a quagmire, many went home early and at Story continued on page 5
Exports earn Queen’s ‘gift’ A COMPANY started in a garage by a husband and wife team 11 years ago has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise International Trade 2008.
Inflight Peripherals Limited (IFPL) of Newport is one of only 85 companies in the country to get the honour. The company has more than quadrupled its overseas’ revenue in three years, selling over 90 per cent of its production to foreign airlines. IFPL was started in 1996 by Island-born Geoff Underwood, to design a range of innovative products for inflight entertainment systems. The company soon started manufacturing equipment and from husband and wife, there are now 25 employees. Mr Underwood said: “We are, understandably, honoured and delighted to have been recognised in this way, positioning us as one of the top-performing businesses in the UK.” Airline customers include BA and Virgin Atlantic. “The Queen’s Award for Enterprise, which is recognised around the world, COUNTY SHOWS
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especially in our prime market of the USA, will provide our customers and partners with an unsurpassed level of credibility and confidence in our abilities,” said Mr Underwood. Story continued on page 7
Island shows caring side AT least 30 new foster carers could be new foster carers a year then it has done recruited following a campaign by IW extremely well, so to potentially recruit over 30 shows you how successful our Council.
Over the last five months, the fostering service has received several dozen expressions of interest from couples or people. Nicolas Crick, head of targeted intervention, said: “There is a national shortage of foster carers so to hear that so many potential new carers have signed up is very encouraging. “If any local authority gets just ten
recruitment drive has been. “We do have a shortage of foster carers on the Island and the most recent figures showed we had 183 children in care and over 170 foster carers, so you can see the difference that will be made should we recruit the numbers we are talking about. This will also help save the local authority money.”
Inside today’s
Gazette
Win! A meal for two at Nabab, Newport. Also a makeover courtesy of Level Hair Studio, Ryde. See page 25.
This house could be yours for only £25! It sounds crazy, spend £25.00 and win a house. See page 15.
Cassie earns £5,000
Cassie and her owner prove to be great fundraisers. See page 5.
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The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008
News
News round-up
Gazette The Isle of Wight
Contact Details tel: (01983) 402599 email: newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk add: The Isle of Wight Gazette Unit B18 Spithead Business Centre Newport Road Sandown Isle of Wight. PO36 9PH sales: Alexander Leon: aleon@iwgazette.co.uk Anne Bishop abishop@iwgazette.co.uk
Published by: The Isle of Wight Gazette Ltd Editor: Brian Dennis Distribution: Mark O’Halloran Design: Martin Potter
Supporting the Earl Mountbatten Hospice through your generous donations when you pick up a copy for free.
Issue 4
September 12th 2008
Truants bay watch TRUANTS in the Sandown Bay area will find it more difficult to skip lessons as shopkeepers join schools and police in targeting them. The IW Council’s Truancy Watch scheme, which has been very successful in Ryde and Newport, has been rolled into Sandown and Shanklin. Truancy in Newport has been reduced by 50 per cent and 66 per cent in Ryde. Shopkeepers refuse to serve children during school hours unless they can prove they have a valid reason to be out of school.
Jacob’s 9ft high grand-sun flower GRANDPARENTS James and Wendy Adams decided they wanted a special surprise for grandson Jacob the next time he came to the Island to visit them.
So last April, before Jacob returned to the mainland after an Easter break with his grandparents, they planted a handful of sunflower seeds in their back garden. And, oh what a surprise it turned out to be! Jacob could hardly believe his eyes when he was on the Island for
four weeks of his summer holidays. The sunflowers had shot up to an incredible 9ft high. Wendy and James who moved to Sandown from Middlesex a year ago, explained: “We planted a few other flowers but the slugs always seemed to get to them, so we planted the sunflower seeds right at the bottom of the garden. “Even then we were not sure what the results would be because the weather has been so bad this summer. We lost one of the flowers but, thankfully, the other ten survived and Jacob’s face was a picture when he saw them.” The Adams’ family is building something of a green-fingered reputation since arriving on the Island. The floral front garden was entered in the Sandown in Bloom competition and achieved third place. Wendy smiled: “It came as a bit of a shock when the letter arrived saying we were in the first three, because we had forgotten we had even entered the competition.” The family will receive the prize from the High Sheriff of the Island, Alan Titchmarsh at the Broadway Centre, Sandown on October 3. *Have you been growing sunflowers this summer, and are they higher than the Adams’ 9ft achieved? Let us know at iwgazette@ live.com
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Flash flood calls FIREFIGHTERS were at full stretch last Friday evening responding to dozens of calls as monsoon rains swept the Island. Most were about flooded roads and landslides but properties in Cowes and East Cowes were also under water.
Great man tribute A STATUE to Oscar-winning film director the late Anthony Minghella could be put up at the roundabout near the Ryde Castle Hotel. It is the idea of Ryde town councillor David Knowles who hopes to raise in excess of £100,000. Anthony’s parents, Gloria and Eddie, are said to back the idea.
Dip into the past SCHOOLS using IW museums as part of their curriculum is the highest in the south east. More than 90 per cent of primary schools and all of the Island’s middle and high schools have taken part in museum-related learning. They include Brading Roman Villa, Dimbola Lodge, Carisbrooke Castle Museum, Dinosaur Isle and Newport Roman Villa. Each year Island schools borrow over 1,000 museum loans free of charge from the council’s heritage education service.
Welcome home WIGHT LIGHT, the new, larger Wightlink ferry for the Yarmouth to Lymington crossing, has arrived in The Solent. It took 17 days to sail from Croatia. It will now undergo sea trials to test its impact on the two ports.
Fatty foods are out PUBS, cafes, restaurants, schools, nursing homes and other establishments serving food have until November 21 to enter the IW Healthy Eating Alliance Awards. A recent health report said 23.7 per cent of Island adults were obese. For more information call Sara Ellis on 539378.
Barely born cruise SOLENT and Wightline Cruises is running a family disco for the Island’s Barely Born appeal tomorrow (Saturday). The company’s managing director, Alison Rayment, praised the neonatal unit at St Mary’s Hospital, for helping her underweight son, when he was born. “The staff were absolutely fantastic and I decided I wanted to give something back.”
Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
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Who will love and care for her when I’m gone?
News
Hazel Wyld (72) pictured with her daughter Jackie
HAZEL WYLD, 72, has looked after her brain-damaged daughter, Jackie, for 42 years. There have been tears and laughter and a play she wrote ten years ago about the experience is about to be performed on the Island for the first time. KEVIN WILSON reports. JACKIE was born 42 years ago. Now the play is about to get another She was stillborn and the loss of airing, much closer to home. oxygen at such a crucial moment The Filibuster will this month be the left her with permanent brain dam- first adult play performed by the Island’s Red Tie Theatre Company, better age.
She was lucky to survive. Now she is a happy middle-aged woman living on the Island – with the permanent mental age of a five year old. Her mum Hazel Wyld is 72. She’s devoted a lifetime to her daughter, as well as bringing up six other children at the family home in Freshwater Bay. She and her husband made the decision that they would care for Jackie as long as they were physically able to do so. Think about it… No-one ever wanted to babysit Jackie, who is demanding and subject to dramatic mood swings. There’s no question of having friends round to dinner, because no-one would ever get a word in. Go on holiday, and Jackie can clear a beach in ten minutes with her innocent eagerness to talk to anyone, everyone. Little wonder that so many families wrestle with their consciences, weighing up the personal cost of caring for what society in its politically correct wisdom calls ‘people with learning difficulties’. Hazel was, perhaps, better equipped than most to deal with the challenges. Born in London, she soon found her vocation by working in a children’s home, and she has been a loving mother and carer ever since, as well as finding time to act in amateur theatre and write plays. Hazel’s experience lies behind a play she wrote ten years ago, which won a Writers Guild Award. The prize was to stage the play at a theatre in Covent Garden, London, and the play impressed the actress Anita Dobson so much that she played the leading role free of charge for a week. The play was never published and Hazel still has the only printed copy – loose sheets composed on an old Amstrad and kept in a tatty pink folder at her rambling home a few minutes walk from the sea.
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known for its work with young people. It tells the story of the pressures on one married couple, as they seek the right answer to a question faced by Hazel herself so many times – should I put my child into care, or not? The part of the wife and mother is being played by Helen Reading, who knows all about the issues which lie at the heart of the play – her brother, Darren, has Down’s Syndrome. Hazel will be in the audience, both to watch her play come alive again, and also to see the audience reaction. She said: “There are lines in the play that still make me cry. I remember Anita Dobson telling me that she cried inside all the way through every performance. “But there will also be lots of laughter. That’s the way it is in real life. “Jackie is a dear, sweet daughter who makes me laugh and cry. The purpose of my play, I suppose, was to help people understand. “I refer to the character in the play as being mentally handicapped and although we’re not allowed to say that any more, I think it is a more accurate description.” The play tells the story of John and Sybil, whose daughter has Down’s Syndrome and has just reached the age of 30. She never appears on stage, but the parents have to come to terms with this landmark. Hazel is now facing up to her own landmark. “I am 72 now, and the clock seems to tick a lot quicker. Not many days go by without me thinking about what will happen to Jackie when I go.” Sponsored by Minghella, The Filibuster is being staged at Quay Arts, Newport, on September 17 and 18. All profits from the production will go to Haylands Farm, near Ryde, which is a day unit for people with learning difficulties.
”
Jackie is a dear, sweet daughter who makes me laugh and cry.
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The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008
News
Stay-at-home Brits here in coachloads RYDE has bucked the credit crunch to become By Peter White “It’s reassuring to know that holidaymakers are one of the country’s favourite holiday destinations this summer, according to a leading travel Shearings, said: “Thousands of holidaymakers have not being put off by the notoriously unpredictable company. rediscovered what the UK had to offer this year, with British weather and are enjoying traditional seaside
The town has led the way in the boom for UK resorts, as thousands of people decided to take ‘staycations’ rather than vacations abroad. Research by Shearings’ Holidays has revealed Ryde has seen a 17.79 per cent increase in visitors, compared with last summer. The findings were based on research of over 140,000 holidaymakers, and the popular Island resort was beaten only by Weston-super-Mare, which enjoyed an 18.82 per cent increase. Fiona Greenhalgh, head of sales and marketing for
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many people preferring to remain in this country to get better value and avoid rising exchange rates. “Our research shows that Ryde was among the biggest winners of this boom appearing in our top ten best-performing destinations.” Jean-Luc Bizet, general manager of the Royal Esplanade Hotel in Ryde said: “Ryde is a fantastic resort with beautiful beaches and typical seaside attractions. It is proving to be an excellent base resort to explore what the Island has to offer.
holidays.” Tom Wright, chief executive of national tourism agency, VisitBritain said: “Despite our national obsession with the weather British breaks today can easily compete on value and quality against rival destinations overseas. “Our heritage and history, seaside resorts with fantastic beaches for fossil-hunting or building sandcastles, cultural attractions and romantic getaway locations, make us an appealing holiday option for families and couples, or for breaks with mates.”
NHS ‘gets dirty’ in fight against bugs
Hospice news
‘Genevieves’ on show in 70-mile run THE second annual Classic Car Run around the Island will take place on Sunday, September, 28. All classic cars are eligible to enter as long as they are at least 20 years old, legally roadworthy and loved.
The run will begin at Cowes Parade and finish at Brown’s in Sandown. Classic cars always attract attention and loads of questions, so be prepared to take your time and talk to the curious. This fun event is all about joining in, providing a great spectacle and enjoying beautiful Island scenery. Each entry costs just £10 and the run is about 70 miles in total. Last year’s inaugural run attracted 50 cars and this year the hospice is hoping there will be more. There will be a lunch stop at The Needles Park where a buffet can be bought at a small extra charge. Red Funnel has provided the hospice with a special £25 day return deal for classic car owners from the mainland. For more details and to register please call hospice fundraising on 528989.
VISITORS as well as staff in St Mary’s Hospital are being urged to wash their hands as part of a zero tolerance to highly-infectious bugs, which can kill.
Beside every inpatient’s bed there are alcohol hand rubs with alcohol gel stations around the hospital, and at the entrance to every ward. Carol Alstrom, chief nurse and director of infection prevention and control said: “Our aim is to eliminate avoidable infections such as MRSA and C.difficile delicious food, beautifully presented, completely, a zero tolerance approach and we already have the measures set professionally served “We take hand hygiene seriously. Every ward at St Mary’s Hospital has a hand hygiene champion who has been specially trained to teach hygiene techniques and oversee hand cleaning.” She added: ““We are doing well with only six cases of MRSA throughout 2007/08 and one so far this year. However, we also had some serious outbreaks last winter, including a C.difficile problem, which claimed the lives of five patients.” Janet Tait, infection control nurse specialist said: “We continue to encourage patients to challenge staff on their hand hygiene by reminding them of the www.allaboutcatering.co.uk cleanyourhands maxim, ‘it’s OK to ask’!” Visitors are also being asked to play their part by following hand Tel. (01983) 852 107 hygiene advice in the Mobile. 0771 757 3115 hospital. Ms Alstrom added: “Most of important of A local business providing all, they should stay high quality products and away if they have been ill with vomiting or service. FENSA registered diarrhoea within the past two weeks or have been in close contact with someone who has.”
For All Occasions
The International Classic Car Show
David Rogers
Classic cars from the mainland and the Island will be on display at Newport Quay on Saturday, September 13 and all the way along the Ryde Esplanade by the Canoe Lake on Sunday, September 14. An impressive sight not to be missed.
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Carol Nicholls uses the alcohol gel to clean her hands.
Once-a-year opportunity to get in free EIGHTEEN landmark and Quarr Abbey. buildings on the Island St Thomas’s Church in will be open with free Ryde will be opening its admission this week- doors for guided tours. Experts will be end.
Heritage Open Days are a once-a-year chance to discover the Island’s hidden architectural treasures. The open days, which began yesterday (Thursday) include a ghost and history walk around Freshwater Bay, free admission to Newport Roman Villa, the IW Steam Railway, the Needles Old Battery, Shanklin Chine Historic Gorge, Fort Victoria Underwater Archaeology Centre, Dimbola Lodge Museum
on-hand in Sts Thomas Church in Newport to explain the conservation work currently being undertaken and to answer questions about the Grade I Listed Building which is now a Minster Church. The IW Bus Museum will be running a vintage bus between the museum on Newport Quay and the steam railway. The open days are a national event co-ordinated by the Civic Trust and English Heritage.
See the cars and talk to the owners. On Sunday all the charity proceeds will go towards caring for patients at the hospice.
Fashion and Beauty Barton Manor, East Cowes, is the place to be on Sunday, September 21, for all dedicated followers of fashion.
A fashion show will be accompanied by a variety of stalls showcasing beauty, cosmetics, accessories and jewellery. Live music will add to the atmosphere and refreshments will be available and the bar will be open. The event runs from 10am to 4pm and entrance is just £3 with all proceeds going to the Island’s Hospice.
Opportunity to learn about hospice Earl Mountbatten Hospice is holding an open day exhibition at Barton Manor in the Gold Disc Room on Sunday, September 21, to coincide with the fashion and beauty day.
This will be an opportunity to learn about the work of the hospice as each department will be hosting a stand and have knowledgeable staff to answer questions. The hospice evokes many emotions and myths and this is a chance to learn the truth about the wide variety of services on offer to Islanders with life-limiting illnesses. For more details please call hospice fundraising on 528989.
Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
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News
10,000 pats to raise £5,000 CHARITY fundraisers employ all kinds proud of her. She has a wonderful of bizarre activities to persuade people temperament with the public - she is a registered pat dog - and a to part with their cash.
None, however, is more unusual and profitable than good-natured Cassie, a sixyear-old, black, german shepherd dog who has spent countless hours being patted and stroked by the public. Since she was a four-month-old puppy, Cassie has raised more than £5,000 for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice and Friends of the Animals. It is estimated she has been patted and stroked more than 10,000 times. Her efforts have even been recognised by Bembridge Parish Council, which gave her a Community Champion Award 2008 in “recognition of the time you give to improve the quality of life for others”. Cassie’s owner, Jillie Wheeler of Bembridge, said: “As you can imagine I’m so
loyal companion to me. “We visit the Bembridge Coast Hotel here in Bembridge every Cassie has raised £5,000 for charity and been given a community champion award. Her owner Jillie Wheeler said Sunday from noon to collect for the hospice and Cassie usually she is very proud of her and she is a wonderful companion. comes away with between £70 to £100. In fact she has collected nearly “This year we have already presented £1,000 since March.” David Cheek, the hospice chief fundraiser, The magazine Dogs Today has also been with £2,500 to buy an active mattress to impressed. aid patients confined to bed and will have “ We are going to a photoshoot in Slough another £2,500 for a second one by the end on September 19 and Cassie will be feaof October.” tured in the magazine,” said Jillie. Jillie added: “I must stress that I should She has also sold 900 copies of her book never have been able to raise the amount A WOMAN who grew up on the to Los Angeles 18 years ago. Look on the Bright Side and last year she of money I have done without the help of Island has made it to the top in Donna, 40, is married to Ramin gave the hospice £3,670 to buy ten wallCassie.” Shamshiri, an architectural designer. the glitzy world of Hollywood. mounted TVs for patients’ rooms. She recently came home to see her Donna Langley, who is president parents John and Ann Langley, who of production at Universal Studios, live in Alverstone Garden Village. is responsible for many hit films, Proud of what she has achieved, including Mamma Mia. She went to Carisbrooke High and they say success has not changed Lake Middle schools before moving her.
Donna calls the shots at Hollywood studios
Bestival from front page
one stage £130 tickets were being offered for sale at just £10. Vehicles stranded in knee-deep mud, were still being recovered several days after the Bestival closed last Sunday night. Simon Dabell, managing director of Vectis Ventures Ltd, which owns Robin Hill, said: “I must congratulate Bestival and our own team for working hard to keep the majority of the show going, and we hope to be able to continue hosting this award-winning music event in the future”. Further talks will take place to try to avert similar problems in future years. More access paths and improved drainage are expected to be high on the list of priorities. As the clean-up operation continued, the re-opening of Robin Hill was delayed by a week. Huge areas of what used to grassland became a sea of mud and a massive re-seeding programme will soon get underway. Despite the appalling conditions, as well as the seizure of £104,000 worth of illegal drugs, and a disappointing performance by headline act Amy Winehouse, the Bestival was deemed a success once again. Park manager Darren Cool said: “Despite the awful conditions, the majority of festival goers seemed to have had a great time. It’s amazing how the Dunkirk spirit kicked in and everyone just got on with enjoying themselves”. The drugs haul was double last year’s amount and Island police hailing their most successful operation yet. There were 22 arrests on suspicion of intent to supply and, although no major incidents were reported, there were a further 10 arrests for offences including minor assaults, public order, theft and drunk and disorderly. But there were no reports of people trying to enter the site with counterfeit wristbands. Up to 40 officers, and eight dogs, were involved in passive searches of people at the entrances, and InspTerry Clawson, who designed the overall police operation, said: “The Bestival has retained its reputation for being a relaxed, family-friendly event with low levels of crime and disorder. The extra resources deployed by police this year has helped more than 30,000 people enjoy themselves.”
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6
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008
News
Almost there Isle of Wight cancer and leukaemia patients, with the Wessex Cancer Trust. On Thursday last week the ten cyclists abandoned plans to camp overnight after they were hit by a thunderstorm. Nigel Probert, a It was the firefighters’ member of the support toughest test in their team, said: “It was 1,400-miles charity ride from Sts Thomas Square, awful. It virtually rained non-stop all day. Newport, to Peter’s “Nearly all the equipSquare, Vatican City. ment was wet, the They are expected to cyclists were soaked and arrive tomorrow (Saturday) having raised raised the ground was sodden. We had some very tired £60,000 for the diagnopeople.” sis, treatment and care of
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Business as usual as 101-year-old Alice White carried out a transaction with cashier Lindsey Thatcher.
No-nonsense Alice re-opens her bank
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At 101, Alice White can claim to be Barclays’ oldest customer in Freshwater, so it was she who was invited to join Andrew Turner MP to cut the ribbon to open the newly-refurbished branch, which had been closed since a fire eight weeks ago.
By Roz Whinstance
and the
Post Office the personal customers.” He said one or two customers were lost to the opposition but not many. Meanwhile, personal visits were made, particularly to elderly customers, “to The occasion, on Monday morning, was notable as keep them in the loop”. Andrew Turner said of the light, bright branch a complete antidote to the call-centre based transactions we all know and hate. Mrs White disclosed that with its flat-screened TV showing rolling financial news: “I am very pleased that in these days when when she had originally retired from her job in the services become ever more centralised that Barclays civil service in London, she was a customer of “the Bank has shown its commitment to Freshwater by old name of HSBC”. re-opening this branch. But on coming to Freshwater she eschewed that “Staff provide a friendly and personal service that bank because she didn’t feel looked after. is obviously appreciated by Mrs White and many “So I withdrew my cash, carried it down the road other Islanders which I am sure will be enhanced by and opened an account here. The manageress, Mrs Ford, used to take you to her little room so you could these newly-furbished facilities.” Alice was also impressed with the bank’s new be private. She was very nice.” That mantle of good customer service from nearly look. A fall when she was 99 put paid to her line-dancing 40 years ago has been taken up by the current activities, leaving her a little less agile, so she apmanager, Dave Redstone. preciated the step-free access. And she was able to How to react when your bank burns down is prereassure one of her friends who had come to see her sumably not in the managers’ handbook but Dave’s main concern was to keep as much going as possible cut the ribbon and who was concerned about the plate-glass frontage. – which involved unprecedented co-operation from “It’s specially prepared glass. And there’s a camera other banks and even the local pub. A ‘surgery’ was set up in The Vine Inn, where staff up there – I know, I’ve had a guided tour!” A quip from another supporter that with her inside could take cheques and give advice, though they knowledge she’ll be the first suspect if the safe is couldn’t dispense cash. “Our customers seemed to stolen was acknowledged with a smile, but Mrs like the fact that they could pop in for a drink after White is not someone who necessarily toes the party doing their banking and it was certainly nice not line. to have to travel far for a relaxing half a pint after Recalling the branch as it was when she first transwork.” Mrs White with manager Dave Redstone “The staff phoned Newport to obtain balances for ferred her account, she said: “Mrs Ford’s husband worked here too. I never met and Island MP Andrew Turner outside the people,” explained Dave, who is also the manager at him, but other people say he was a miserable so and Newport. refurbished branch. “Lloyds took most of the business customers for us so.”
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Wind turbines’ position dispute CONTROVERSIAL plans to build three wind turbines in an area of outstanding natural beauty will seriously damage a 360-degree panoramic viewpoint, according to campaigners against them.
The Wight Against Rural Turbines (ThWART) said the developer, Cornwall Light & Power (CLP), is misleading the public over the location of the turbines. If allowed, the turbines will be on Limerstone Down (near Brighstone), location
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of the popular viewpoint, and not on the adjacent Cheverton Down. ThWART said the turbines would reach 305m above sea level and would be visible for miles. Steve Allen, development manager at CLP, replied: “The proposed site for wind turbines is on Cheverton Down, not Limerstone Down. “The height of a turbine to the tip of a blade would be 1,024ft above sea level, which is more than 200ft lower than the TV
mast at Chillerton Down. After the well-attended meeting at Brighstone School organized by CLP, ThWART supporter Julian Bagnall and owner of the Island Fish Farm, said: “Until now, we had no idea they were proposing to build such massive turbines because we have not been properly consulted. “This project will have a massive impact on our lives and utterly destroy the beautiful landscape which visitors come here to enjoy.”
Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
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News
Heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground LONG-HAUL flights are tedious and irritating, By Brian Dennis made bearable for many passengers by the in- He redesigned the jack and their company, Inflight flight entertainment systems. Peripherals Ltd (IFPL), literally took off.
Films, DVDs and games break the monotony of sitting in a pressurised cabin surrounded by strangers and their children. But when the equipment does not work, a sevenhour flight can seem like seven days. One problem which caused headaches for airlines was the unreliability of audio systems. Sometimes it was the headband or earpiece which failed but the major problem was with the jack (plug). If it was pulled out sideways, when the passenger left their seat with the headset still on it could be caught on sharp edges within the jack. Pull too hard and the plug snapped off. Repairs were costly – many airlines spent millions every year - and passengers grumbled. It was then Geoff Underwood, who had extensive experience of the inflight entertainment industry and who had recently set up his own company with his wife, Claire, in the garage of their Island home, stepped in.
Passengers could now pull the headset plugs out at almost any angle without damage, reducing failure of the headset. An open back on the jack provides self-cleaning to reduce the chance of obstruction from debris or broken plug tips. The Long Life Jack can withstand 100,000 insertions, way above the industry standard of 5,000. It was just the beginning and IFPL, which was formed in 1996 and which started trading in 1997, turned to manufacturing and today its 30 products are installed in more than 250,000 seats of many of the world’s major airlines. The first IFPL product order was 1,000 audio jacks for British West Indies Airlines. In the past eight years contracts have been signed with Thales, Rockwell Collins and Panasonic. Today, the company is still small a ‘family’ of 25 on the Dodnor Estate, Newport. But it is punching well above its weight and this was recognised when IFPL received The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade: 2008, one of only 85 UK firms to do so. No wonder Island-born Geoff was proud: “We are understandably honoured and delighted to have been recognised in this way, positioning us as one of the top performing businesses in the UK. “The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is recognised around the world, especially in our prime market of the USA and it will provide our customers and partners with an unsurpassed level of credibility and confidence in our abilities.” Apart from the skills and enterprise used, his wife, Claire, said one reasons for IFPL’s success is that it does not borrow money and so it not saddled with crippling debts. After the success of the long life jack, the next project was reducing unwanted background noise in
an aircraft, noise cancellation (NC). NC headsets were expensive but IFPL found a way of producing them more cheaply so now they airlines offer them through the whole aircraft. In the quest to continue improving the quality of connectors, IFPL decided to tackle reducing maintenance costs. The Rapid Fit Jack has a removable cassette for easy repair if it breaks. There is no need to remove the whole module from the seat, which can take about ten minutes. The cassette can be replaced in under 30 seconds and, in a competition, a Virgin Atlantic employee changed a cassette in 6.93 seconds. IFPL continues to design and develop products such as passenger control units and video deployment arms, taking it into the business jet market. Managing Director Geoff said: “We are keen to develop this area of our business and are excited by the new developments we have been involved in so far. “We believe we have worked well with headset manufacturers to seek the best possible solutions for passenger interface products.” He added: ““We have built our business on listening to what our customers tell us they need; we combine this with being proactive in the design of our own products. This is how we intend to continue.” Last year IFPL introduced two multimedia docking stations. “We can offer passengers the flexibility to use portable electronic devices as well as being able to access the embedded inflight entertainment systems. This is the way forward,” said Geoff
All aboard, IFPL’s 25 staff share in the achievement.
With our vision for public transport on the Island and a network of frequent, simple and direct bus routes, we are now looking to recruit people with enthusiasm and a passion for working with the public, who have good customer service skills, are reliable and highly presentable. You must be over 18 and hold a full UK or EC car driving licence. If you think you have the right skills and experience to keep our customers happy - and fancy doing it from behind the wheel of our buses - then apply with a covering letter, together with your CV , by e-mail to t.simms@southernvectis.com or post it to T Simms (PCV Driver Application), Southern Vectis, Nelson Road, Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 1RD Southern Vectis is an equal opportunities employer.
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8
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008
Points of view – readers letters
Gazette
says:
Space invaders?
Same poker-faced reaction
WHILE watching the time-honoured spectacle of Ryde Carnival’s extraordinary illuminated WERE they just tilting at windmills or did The procession recently I was struck by a vivid paralWight Against Rural Turbines (ThWART) win lel with its predecessor of 120 years earlier – the very first street procession anywhere in England its battle, asks ANNE BISHOP. to be adorned with the title of ‘carnival’. Despite ardent protests from groups such as
ThWART to prevent on shore wind farms the ecoisland concept seems to welcome these additions to our landscape. In 2005 the IW Council spoke of collaboration with Southampton University on wave/tidal power research. Today, three years down the line, they do not seem any further on. Wave power may not be as effective and the technology is not as advanced as wind power but the plant to operate them may be less intrusive. The Scottish island of Islay has a LIMPET system, Land Installed Marine Power Energy Transformer, providing power for 400 homes. A constant and sustainable source of power utilising the Island’s assets makes sense. The Island has a world leader in innovative and cutting edge technologies regarding the manufacture of blades and wind turbines and advanced composites. Companies such as Vesta and SP systems are modern and a great asset to the Island. In a television interview, the council leader, Cllr David Pugh, revealed plans for wind turbines on the island. Have the studies carried out convinced our political masters that the Island has sufficient wind to make these farms viable? If there is too much wind they do not generate power and just freewheel, insufficient wind and they do not generate electricity. Previous studies suggested a wind farm should generate five per cent of the Island’s needs. Would these huge structures (more than 100 ft tall) whirring eerily, be a blot on our landscape or a tourist attraction for those not fortunate enough to have their own wind farms where they live? They are certainly imposing structures. A scale model at the Model Village in Godshill highlights how big they would be. On the windswept Costa de la Luz, southern Spain, lines of these monoliths dominate the sky line, whirring eerily, white, majestic and very modern. Are they to feature soon on the Island’s skyline?
Quote of the week “WE continue to encourage patients to challenge staff on their hand hygiene by reminding them of the cleanyourhands maxim: ‘it’s OK to ask’!” - Janet Tait, infection control nurse specialist at St Mary’s Hospital, where they are adopting a zero tolerance on hand hygiene with the aim of eliminating avoidable infections such as MRSA and C.difficile.
If you would like to comment on anything you read in The Gazette or any other Island issue we would be pleased to hear from you. Please email newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk
Researching the event’s origins for a centenary publication in 1988, I noted that the still new concept of a street carnival had attracted considerable curiosity in the town. The number of people who, according to the local press in Ryde, turned out to watch 1888’s torchlight parade was evidence enough of that. “But,” I wrote in 1988, “support from the public was evidently not as wholehearted as the organisers had hoped.” The proof of that came from the Victorian pages of the erstwhile IW Observer. The newspaper con-
History group seeks data
cluded that “our cold northern temperament” might have had something to do with the marked absence of noticeable enthusiasm for the passing parade. The Observer’s reporter added: “As a Frenchman once said of us, we have no equivalent for the word s’amuse; we always take our pleasures sadly.” There was, he added, “not an exuberance of the boisterous spirit always supposed to be associated with a carnival ... (a reference to the Latin-American mardi gras) ... amongst the thousands who crowded out streets last night.” Fast-forward 120 years. Same event, Same crowded streets. Same poker-faced, mute reaction. Virtually no applause; hardly any cheering, From the glimpses I witnessed of the earlier parades on Thursday and Friday, it was much the same story. No doubt there was some evidence of “boisterous exuberance” outside the Union Street pubs and
café bars – though you can’t help thinking that their patrons would probably have cheered a passing milk float – but it was conspicuous by its absence elsewhere on the carnival route. Ryde was certainly taking its pleasures sadly that night. And when you consider the length and glittering diversity of the parade, the intricate organisation behind it and the months of hard work that had so clearly gone into the creation of costumes and tableau, this was nothing short of shameful. Ryde is the birthplace of the English street carnival. I got the impression that the crowds who turned out for the 120th anniversary parades would have made more noise at a funeral procession. Adrian Searle, St Thomas’s Street, Ryde.
Slow down a little, to live a lot longer
I do appreciate that some roundabouts on the Island are almost an impossibility to get round but surely, when approaching one where the line of vision is so limited, is it not wise to slow down and expect the unexpected, not to drive blatantly on and to hell with everyone else? I always taught my pupils: ‘’Only the time, taking in the volume of traffic drive at a speed where you can stop safely in the distance you can see and and its speed. know to be clear, also taking in considNow I have retired from being a eration the weather conditions prevaildriving instructor, spending only a ing, state of the road and volume of short time of my career on the Island. traffic at the time’’. Most was on the mainland, in the A 30mph impact will increase your Milton Keynes’ area. body weight considerably and glass, Let me tell Island drivers who seem metal, rubber and plastic have no to think that roundabouts painted on respect for human beings. the road are just there to waste paint, So a word of advice from someone they are not. with over half a century of safe All four wheels of the vehicle you driving, slow down a little, live a lot are driving are supposed to go all round the painted circle and not cut the longer. corner. I refer in particular to the one George Hunter, at the top of Carisbrooke Road where Westcourt Close, drivers seem to be under the impression that rules of the road do not apply Shorwell, IW to them.
How Much Raised?
I WOULD very much like to add my views on the two articles that have appeared in your newspaper WOOTTON Bridge concerning roundabouts. We have all taken and, hopefully, Historical is proud to passed the driving test. Not a real test announce that its new as such, more of a 30 minute drive to updated website is see if you can keep concentrating on now live. the weather conditions prevailing at
Over the past few months, the team has collected further information and articles along with additional images. We now present for the enjoyment of the local populace over 130 articles and some 700 images, covering Wootton Bridge and surrounding parishes. We also appeal to Islanders that have any information about the areas we cover, which are Wootton Bridge, Old Wootton, north Arreton, Binstead, Fishbourne and Quarr, Havenstreet, Whippingham and Arreton. We are also seeking old photographs, these we will scan and return originals, so that they may be placed on the website. Email: info_woottonbridge10W@yahoo. co.uk
Chemists’ Rota The following chemists are open to 6.30pm. FRESHWATER: Today (Friday 12 Sept), Moss Pharmacy, Moa Place. Monday 15 Sept – Friday 19 Sept, Kemkay Limited, Clifton Buildings. Monday 22 Sept – Friday 26 Sept, Moss Pharmacy, Moa Place. NEWPORT: Today (Friday 12 Sept), Boots the Chemists, High Street. Monday 15 Sept – Friday 19 Sept, Siddys Chemist, High Street. Monday 22 Sept – Friday 26 Sept, Lloyds Pharmacy, Carisbrooke Road. SANDOWN: Today (Friday 12 Sept), Alliance Pharmacy, High Street. Monday 15 Sept – Friday 19 Sept, Lloyds Pharmacy, High Street. Monday 22 Sept – Friday 26 Sept, Boots the Chemists, High Street. SHANKLIN: Today (Friday 12 Sept), Regent Pharmacy, Regent Street. Monday 15 Sept – Friday 19 Sept, Boots the Chemist, High Street. Monday 22 Sept – Friday 26 Sept, Day Lewis Chemist, Regent Street. VENTNOR: Today (Friday 12 Sept), Lloyds Pharmacy, High Street. Monday 15 Sept – Friday 19 Sept, Boots the Chemist, High Street. Monday 22 Sept – Friday 26 Sept, Lloyds Pharmacy, High Street.
What’s wrong with old flag? I HAVE been researching the history on the green and white IW flag shown in the County Press a few weeks ago. I know there are moves for a new Island flag but I feel it would be a shame to lose one already established, that may have some historical value to the island. I and others feel that it depicts the true
colours of the Island itself, green for the fields with a white seam of chalk through the middle. How can anyone say it is dull, it is as bright as the Island is. My problem is finding its origin. Someone on the island must know. Paul Sturgess, Northwood,, Cowes.
We are glad to say that the readers of The Gazette have now raised over £2,500 in total for the Hospice. Well done, and Thank You for your support
Competition Winners The winner of the Buywise competition (Samsung Flatscreen TV) held in the last issue was Mr Nick Holligan, of Yarborough Rd, East Cowes. Tim Morgan of Morgans Restaurant was overwhelmed with the response he received and was kind enough to select two winners and they were: Mrs J Caplan, Walls Rd,Bembridge and Mrs J Edwards of Baring Road, Cowes
See our competitions for this issue on page 25
Hero to the French but forgotten here
A FANATIC of medieval history whose “constant surfing” led her to discover previously unread historical documents has put her finds into a historical novel.
Captain of the Wight follows the progress of Sir Edward Woodville, brother to Elizabeth, Edward IV’s queen, who in 1488 left Carisbrooke Castle with 440 men from the Isle of Wight to join the Breton people in their campaign against the king of France. Dorothy Davies found
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that Kings Richard III and Edward IV had been extensively written about, and often found references to the Woodville family, which were usually derogatory. “I felt there must be more to them,” she said. She started with a biography of Edward’s more famous brother, Antony, but became diverted when, via the internet, she came across a journal depicting Edward’s exploits in Granada, when he went to the aid of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.
“I ordered a 1903 journal which contained the battle report, and when it came I found the pages had never even been cut,” said Dorothy. Edward was an inveterate campaigner for those he considered wronged and as Dorothy chased up more and more leads she found his memory is feted far more in France than he is here. “In St Aubin in Brittany they hold a commemorative service every year, to remember Edward’s part in fighting off the French,” said
Dorothy. “There is even a memorial to him, and to all the men who fell in battle. Only one came home.” Hence the start of her own campaign, for a commemorative plaque. “I would like it in the church at Mottistone,” she said. “The survivor, Diccon Cheke, came from there.” She is waiting a response from Mottistone, but in the meantime her research for her next book goes on. Captain of the Wight is available through Water-
stones, Newport.
Author Dorothy Davies, who is campaigning for a memorial to the men who ‘never came home’.
Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
9
Points of view – readers letters
Being taken for a ride?
THE idea of supermarkets not offering plastic bags and being eco friendly is a con.
We will not see supermarkets offering “free” paper recycled bags, not only fleecing the customer, by trying to sell them packets of plastic bags off the shelf “yet another eco con”. I am pleased to see some people speaking out against the big” eco con” We should take this even further, let those that believe the following make themselves heard. Speak out regardless of the moral blackmail being operated by government and county councils and the sheep mentality of their followers. First let’s fight these back door taxes that claim “it is for the environment”. Rubbish, much of it is a way to exploit the public. Parking charges, car tax hikes, rubbish charges, etc are all a way to tax the beleaguered voter by using a moral trump card, of trying to make people feel guilty when they fight such taxes. I look after my environment and care for it as much, if not more than a lot of people. But I think for myself, ask questions and I am far from comfortable with the answers I come up with as to what is happening. We need to put a lid on the “nanny state” and things such as our out-of-control health and safety rules and its ruination of our way of life. Then we should kick into touch our stupid, political-correctness claptrap. I am not against safety or mutual respect of mankind for each other. However, what I do not tolerate is being told what is safe for me, or what I am free to say or do. The UK used to be a free country, but we are rapidly losing that. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union did we notice the sudden threats come out of the cupboard terrorism and global warming? Somebody once said “to control people create a monster”. David L. White, Bonchurch Shute, Bonchurch.
Variety Strange show lights
I AM hoping to put on a Christmas variety show at the Ventnor Winter Gardens and would like to include variety acts starting their professional careers.
Acrobats, jugglers, magicians, specialist soloists, voice or instrumental, stand-up comics, duos, trios, exotic dancers, whatever. L Lawrence, 38 Albert Street, Ventnor PO381EZ or email louisonwight@ yahoo.co.uk
HAS anyone on the Island investigated the strange phenomenon we saw over the sea?
We were in our front garden in Lake on the evening of Wednesday, August 27, when we saw an effect in the sky. It was like the Aurora Borealis but purely in grey, no coloured lights as with the usual northern lights. What was it? Mrs S. Goodall, Cherryside, Lake
Invitation to all musicians TRIDENT Concert Band is a community band with 28 members, all unpaid, who practise every week and play a few concerts a year for the enjoyment of playing music together.
Our ages range from ten to 70 plus. Our summer concert season came to a close last Monday at Rylstone Gardens Bandstand, Shanklin. Under the direction of musical director Robin Taylor, formerly of the Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars, it was the third in a successful series of concerts at Rylstone. We play a wide range of specially arranged music, including film themes, songs from musicals, as well as popular music from the 60s, 70s and 80s. The band is looking to expand and would like to hear from anybody wishing to join, or from anybody interested in booking us. For more information please contact Mr Taylor on 614322 or Irene Woodford, band secretary on 530497.” Dean Woodford, Newport.
A big mistake or wonderful experience?
THIS story started 18 months ago when I retired from my shop in Sandown after 32 years, writes Helen Spencer. My husband, Mike, decided to take me on a retirement cruise, part of which was a three-day stopover in Mombassa. We had no plans to do anything during our stay. On our arrival we left the ship for a short walk around the quay to investigate the local wares being sold to the tourists. After half on hour we returned to the ship to find some English students and a Kenyan at the gangway to the ship trying to collect donations to help a local children’s orphanage. Being members of the Sandown and Shanklin Lions Club we spend a great deal of time fundraising for worthy causes so we asked them if they would take us to see the children. Big mistake or wonderful experience? I have read about these homes but never expected to visit one or want to become involved in one. We spent the next three days there helping the teachers, playing with the children and getting to know how we could help the orphanage. The main problem is water. It has to be collected daily and paid for from a well three kilometres away. The water is collected in ten five-gallon plastic containers on a handcart. Paul Katha, the patron of the orphanage, was given permission to use a well, at no cost, from a hotel one kilometre away. His plan was to have the water piped to the orphanage but it was estimated to cost £6,500. The orphanage could not afford it so I decided it would be my challenge for 2007. The last day at the orphanage was very sad. We explained we were sailing at 11pm. Fortunately the orphanage backed onto the estuary our ship would use when leaving Mombasa.
We said we would wave to them as we passed by. Paul said he would let the children stay up late and give them flash lights so they could wave. As we sailed by we saw the lights and they started to sing. We found it very moving. The rest of the holiday all we talked about was what we could do to help them. By Christmas 2007, with the help from some very wonderful people, I had raised £7,000. We were not able to return to Mombasa until May 2008 because of the political troubles. We took two friends, Barry Kemp, a fellow lion, and his wife Claire. On this visit we took T-shirts and provisions for the school at the orphanage. Our first visit to the school was quite emotional seeing the children again, now 41 in number, an increase of eight due to the troubles. In the morning break I watched the children line up for a slice of bread. I was overcome with emotion and I had to walk away. On our May visit, we teamed up with the Pwani Lions Club of Mombasa who are going to manage the project on behalf of the Sandown and Shanklin Lions Club. During this visit we found that the property that the school and orphanage were on was leased. The Pwani club solicitor contacted the leasing company to find the company was considering selling the land. The price is £30,000. Since we returned in May we have raised £5,000, which gives us a total of £12,000, some £18,000 short of the target. On of September 29 my husband and I will be paying another visit to the Bee Hive Orphanage in Mombasa. If any one would like to help please contact me on 01983 400030. By the way many thanks to the 50+ club who held a 12-hour table tennis marathon and raised £1.037 for the orphanage.
You’re never too old A VISIT to last year’s Celebrating Age Festival ignited a passion for nordic walking for Shella Parry, from Porchfield, near Newport. Shella, an Alexander Technique teacher, tried nordic walking, along with ballroom dancing and juggling at the festival, as well as running the movement to music session for Independent Arts. When Shella won the cash prize draw at the festival, she bought a pair of nordic walking poles. Since then, has enjoyed a walking holiday in the
Brecon Beacons with her sister, the first time they have been on holiday together since childhood. Nordic Walking burns 20 per cent more calories. This year’s festival, organised by Age Concern Isle of Wight, on behalf of the Older Persons’ Network, will be from October 1 to 4. Activities will include photography workshops, swimming, basket making, petanque and pilates. For information contact Susan Graves at Age Concern on 525282.
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10
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008
News
History lessons warts and all
By Roz Whinstance
Preposterous bosoms and ridiculous noses, buckets of filth and ludicrous curios – they were all to be found at Carisbrooke Castle’s Worst Days out in History, over the bank holiday weekend.
Gazette The Isle of Wight
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A Victorian tosher was the first of the unsavoury characters to be seen on entering the castle grounds. He offered to shake hands but since he was covered in the filth of his trade – sewage – most people declined the invitation. This is someone who An executed man was said to do the ‘hempLater he attracted not so squeamish crowds who came to hear all about the business of toshing and you would normally en dance’ when his body was hung from the even delve in his “load of old tosh” in search of cross the street gibbet. coins. to avoid, but she Word derivations from the mouth of a filthy Victoamused the crowds. rian or an executioner are somehow easier to take in ecutioner, “for there is The high sheriff, than from a reference book. benefit for a corporation, enforcer of the king’s It was one of those events aye.” law, threatened to brand at which English Heritage We were told about felons – members of excels, a clever mix of fact the perks of the job – the the crowd – for misdeand fun, pleasingly free of the meanours. If, at trial, the clothes could be sold, shackles of political correctas could the body, to a jury was undecided on ness. the felon’s fate it was put surgeon – and were given Toshers, we were told, some examples of infato God to decide. So a were at the top of a hierarwoman accused of adul- mous executions such as chy of sewage scavengers that of Mary Queen of tery would suffer “trial and were capable of making Scots, who needed three by hot iron”. She would up to 30 shillings (£1.50) have to carry the red-hot blows to finish her off in a day from things lost or and King Charles who metal for 10ft, after discarded in the sewers. The which her blistered hands was offended by being whole family was involved. asked to lie prostrate would be bandaged. If Children were on look-out for his beheading, even when the (grubby) banfor storms, which would have dages were removed her though it was the most drowned the tosher in the hands were blistered and efficient means of divestlabyrinths below and wives ing a head from a body. raw, she was guilty. sorted through the finds. A travelling museum Trial by water, where One example, a livery the accused was innocent was intended to reflect button from the coat of a if he drowned, was simi- the kind of collection a footman, would have cost its larly weighted but a trial wealthy Victorian colowner dear. He would have lector might have had. by sacrament – which had to fund its replacement True to life things would applied only to clergy from his meagre wages. Visitors to Worst Days out in History have been surprising to a accused of wrongdoing All the characters had – showed the regard with Victorian, we were told: were treated to some familiar old punendless nuggets of informaa stuffed duck billed which religious belief tion and communicated them was held. If a clergyman platypus, when first ishments. with humour and expertise. brought to London was could eat a consecrated wafer without choking he considered by the Royal Society to be a fake, and was innocent. The Victorian tosher scientists of the day tried Not even animals scavenged through to take it apart to find the escaped litigation. We sewage and made a were told records showed joins. We were shown the skeleton of what was the trial of a cockbird lucrative if smelly living. accused of laying an egg. purported to be a parrot on a perch. It was actuThose of us who ally a rabbit, rearranged, escaped the attentions though the buck teeth of the sheriff were free rather gave it away. to visit the executioner, Milly Molly Manky behind whom a body, and her husband Noshead in a hemp sack, trildamas, the Singing swung from a gibbet Plague Victims, were the – “doing the hempen comic highlight of the dance”. In explaining show. They combined the nature of death by gloriously macabre hanging and the time it makeup with witty, took, a member of the crowd was picked out for mildly suggestive songs and fabulously raucous his rotund figure. dancing. “You sir, you’ll go quickly,” said the ex-
Belgian Xmas Market Friday 5 to Monday 8 December
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Sights and stories are not for the squeamish
Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
11
Murder, mystery who knows what will happen next
News
Marc Tuckey sets out to scare the living daylights out of a group of people on his Newport Ghost Walk
Marc Tuckey
ladies in grey, sword fights with flaming blades, and even the occasional ‘hanging’. Some frightening tales of dastardly deeds. “But everything I do relates to things that have actually happened here on the Isle of Wight. There is a lot of history here, including shipwrecks and smuggling, and all the stories I tell are thoroughly researched for accuracy.” But amid the yarns that everyone loves to hear, and the perfectly-position ‘props’ that slip out of the shadows, there are also genuine reminders that maybe all is not as it should be. Marc revealed: “Recently we were doing our weekly walk at the Botanic Gardens in Ventnor when a ‘figure’ was spotted with an aura all around it. There were a few sharp intakes of breath. “I think the Botanic Gardens site is probably the most haunted place on the Island. Remember, the Royal National Hospital stood there for around 100 years, so thousands of people must have died there. That makes it an obvious spot for spiritual activity.” Inevitably, Marc, who lives at Porchfield, has his fair share of sceptics as he conducts his walks through Shanklin Old Village, the Botanic Gardens, the St Catherine’s Lighthouse area, the original Newport site and Arreton Manor Grounds from Sunday through to Thursday. He said: “Obviously some people come along just wanting to prove to themselves that it is all a load of rubbish. But not too many leave still thinking that way. Instead, they have a much more open mind.” The Enchanted Manor in Lower Niton has become one of the Island’s paranormal hot spots, thanks to former resident Mrs Prendergast. Marc explained: “There have been many sightings of her on the stairs over the years. But when the building was renovated to become the Enchanted Manor in 2007 the builders and decorators claimed they could often smell musk perfume on the landing, and experienced a sharp drop in temperature. “It always happened around 8.0 in the evening, and it has been put down to the fact that it was probably the time Mrs. Prendergast went upstairs to her dressing room to change and put on her perfume before going back downstairs for the evening meal,” said Marc. Four of Marc’s walks are included in the Isle of Wight Walking Festival celebratory weekend from October 24 to 27. Freshwater Bay, St Catherine’s Lighthouse, Shanklin Old Village and Arreton Manor are the venues where the ghost hunting will take place. So if anyone fancies spiriting themselves away for an unusual few hours they should contact Marc on 01983 520695.
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Under New Management
Inspired by the books of local ghost writer Gay Baldwin, Marc began exploring the paranormal and ghostly happenings. At first it was just the occasional walk through some of the more eerie parts of Newport. Now more than 14 years later what began as a spirited hobby has turned into a full-time occupation for the man who is never sure what he might find around the next corner. With Halloween fast approaching, Marc is preparing himself for one of his busiest times of the year. Tourists and Islanders relish the prospect of joining him at a variety of Island venues, hoping they might catch a glimpse of a shadowy figure drifting gently through the mist. Sometimes what appears before your eyes has all been carefully staged managed, but now and again the inexplicable even makes Marc take a step back in amazement. “Yes, I do occasionally use young actors and actresses as ‘grumblers’ who jump out from nowhere to give the walkers a bit of a scare,” he admits. “It’s all part of the tourist business. There are soldiers,
By Peter White
Under New Management
THIS is reckoned to be the most haunted Island in the world, attracting ghost hunters from far and wide. So Marc Tuckey decided it was time to find out for himself what this supernatural talk was all about.
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The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008
News To advertise contact the sales team
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Scotts of Wight 22 Cross Street, Ryde Equestrian, Shooting and Sailing Clothing
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Bryn and John drop anchor at Yarmouth TWO well-known and respected Yarmouth Harbour Commission employees, one described as the ‘face’ of the harbour, retired recently.
Bryn Bird, deputy harbour master and John Doe, maintenance operative left after 24 and 18 years of service respectively. Chris Lisher, chief executive/
Musto – Gill – Henri Lloyd++more More Musto • Henri Lloyd • Gill • Dubarry • Quayside
harbour master, said: “Bryn was the face of Yarmouth Harbour, always welcoming and full of good Welsh humour. John spent many hours inscribing the pier planks and inscribed the final plank dedicated to the Duke of Edinburgh. “Both Bryn and John will be missed by not only their colleagues but by the many harbour visitors and visitors
to Yarmouth pier.” Bryn began as swing bridge operator some 24 years ago. He was promoted to berthing master, senior berthing master and eventually harbour master. He did a spell as temporary harbour master and retired as deputy harbour master. Bryn said: “I have seen thousands of boats in and out of the harbour. I have also made some wonderful friends
and seeing people return with their children and then grandchildren has been such a pleasure.” John began in 1990 as a key member of the maintenance team. He worked on the pier, rebuilding the Round House and renewing and inscribing the pier planks. He was presented to the duke at the beginning of August when he visited the pier to unveil the final plank.
Matt knows when he’s on a winner King Textiles Ltd 13 Dodnor Park, Newport, & Avenue Road, Freshwater tel: (01983) 527777 email: tf@polo-shirt.com www.polo-shirt.com Free delivery Island wide
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ages coming in to use the internet and many are tourists while others just don’t have An interest-free loan a computer at home. “Gaming is increassix years ago enabled ingly popular, and him to open the players like coming E-Quest internet and gaming centre on Scar- here because they can compete against their rots Lane, Newport, friends using a fast and a new loan has helped him to expand. broadband connection.” “Business is really The loan will buy good,” said Matt, who higher resolution comhas acquired the freeputer monitors, which hold of the building and is now considering use less power and are more environmentally plans for expansion. “We get people of all friendly.
BUSINESSMAN Matt Hartill is a big fan of the IW Lottery.
Village bus ready to roll
A NEW community bus will help to “Bembridge is very much a self-sufbroaden horizons for more organi- ficient village and the addition of this vital resource will help to improve the sations in Bembridge.
The 17-seater bus, secured by thousands of Islanders taking part in a TV poll, will be available to groups organising outings and sports’ clubs going to fixtures. Until now, the Bembridge Friendship Circle has operated a bus service for more than 25 years for elderly and disabled people. Alan Morris, friendship circle minibus secretary, explained: “The new bus will now be able to help even more organisations. It will serve everyone in the community, from elderly people to sports’ clubs, from schools to scouts and from drama groups to art societies.
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quality of life for everyone here.” The £67,000 to buy the Iveco Irisbus, with lift and access equipment and secure garaging, came from the People’s Millions, a joint project funded by the Big Lottery Fund and ITV. It will be formally launched on Sunday, September 28, at the Methodist Church in Foreland Road. Guests will include Island’s lord lieutenant, Maj Gen Martin White, and the chairman of the IW Council, Cllr Arthur Taylor. The launch will include a blessing from ministers representing the three churches in Bembridge.
Team builder joins IW health service He takes up his new office on the 1st October and will serve until September 2012. Another existing non-executive director, Liz Mackenzie, has Mr Rogers, who lives been reappointed until September 2012. in Bembridge, brings Liz, who lives in 25 years management Northwood, has a experience and has background which particular skills and experience in strategic includes nursing, marketing, public relations planning, change management and team and communications. building.
FORMER international business executive Charles Rogers has been appointed a non-executive director of the Island NHS.
Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
13
News
Can century-old invention save you money and protect planet? IT SOUNDS like the dream combination. At a time when everyone is trying to cut carbon fuel costs and save the planet, Eric Hoare reckoned he has found the ideal solution.
Cllr Vanessa Churchman who says her car used to do 20mpg around the Island and now does 33mpg.
By Peter White Yes, it does sound too good to be true. But retired landlord Eric, who lives in Chale Green, has painstakingly rediscovered and revamped an invention that is thought to date back nearly 100 years. And with a bit of fine tuning he has managed to bring it right into the 21st century. Now Islanders are beginning to take notice of Eric’s on-demand hydrogen generator. Don’t worry, this is not a physics lesson, more an insight into a simple idea that gives motorists more miles to the gallon and reduces carbon emissions from exhaust pipes to virtually nil. “It is a method of producing hydrogen on demand for any combustion engine, whether it’s a car, bus, lorry, motor cycle or even lawn mower,” he explained. “The technology has been around for a long time, and it is even rumoured to have been used during the Second World War when fuel was scarce. “Basically, either one of two hydrogen cells are fitted under the bonnet to produce a small amount of hydrogen. It is perfectly safe because it produces a small amount, but the effects are truly incredible. I have been running my car using the method for the past eight months and the first time I went out along the Military Road I could hardly believe the difference. “It forces the fuel to burn better it also destroys carbon. I fitted the device on one man’s car, and he recently returned from a trip to France where he covered 4,000 miles. He told me he used to get around 220 miles from a full tank of petrol, but on
The device as fitted to a 3.2 litre Jaguar. The device can be used on a car, bus, lorry, motor-cycle or even a lawn-mower. this trip he was getting 460 miles!” Eric continued: “I came across all this by accident when I was surfing the net. It all seemed too good to be true. The technology stems from an idea by an American named Stanley Myers, who sold the patent to an oil company. But it was never registered it, so it became public knowledge, and could be replicated without permission. “I thought I could make one of these cells, which I did without knowing too much about it. I had to make a few adjustments from the original cell, but then the results became astounding. Even more surprisingly, no one else in England had taken up the idea, so I built my own website to explain it.” A single cell can be fitted to a car for £50. He has so far fitted the cells to around 100 cars and all but a couple of owners have been delighted with the results. “As long as you maintain the cells, there should not be a problem,” Eric insisted “All it takes is a quarter of a teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda and a litre of distilled water for every 1,000 miles driven – it’s as easy to keep clean and efficient as that. If anything does go wrong then it’s a fair bet it is down to owner negligence. “As the modern MOT test is based on emissions
since 2001, and the road tax we pay is also calculated on emissions and not engine size as it used to be, it should be feasible that if you exit zero emissions then you should pay little or no road tax. “Unfortunately, this is not the case. I need national support from the public to force the Government to recognise these hydrogen generators and to give the owners reductions accordingly. We are helping the environment by producing oxygen so this should be encouraged.” One of Eric’s satisfied customers is Island councillor Vanessa Churchman, who lives in Luccombe Village and drives a 3.2-litre, 12-year-old Jaguar. She said: “Driving around the Island I was getting around 20 miles to the gallon, but since I had the cells fitted that has increased to nearly 33 miles to the gallon. And when my car had its MOT in August the exhaust emission figure was so low it was virtually nothing. “So with nil emissions that is better than planting half a dozen trees to help keep the Island greener. But Eric added: “I am already working on developing a new cell to improve efficiency even more.” Eric’s website is www.vehiclefuelsaver.info
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14
News
Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008
Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
15
News
House could be yours for just £25
BUSINESSWOMAN Suzanne discharged before the property is Ravelle has given up trying to sell transferred. her £285,000 home in Totland Bay, “It will then be owned outright by she is putting it up as a raffle prize. the winner for the grand total of £25
She hopes to sell 18,000 tickets at £25 each for a draw on December 28. The winner will get Firholme, a spacious, Victorian, four bedroom, semi-detached home, with an outdoor swimming pool. Suzanne and her partner, Andrew Clark, put the house up for sale in April but in the current market crisis it did not sell. She said: “Whoever wins, the house will be transferred into their name completely, mortgage free. “Any stamp duty and legal fees will be paid for by us and the mortgage
which is paid for the winning ticket.” The winner will also receive £5,000 tax-free to spend as they wish.” Suzanne said she knew of one other person, in Devon, raffling their home. If 18,000 tickets are not sold, the draw will still happen and Suzanne will either give her house or 70 per cent of the ticket sales. If all 18,000 tickets are sold it will generate £450,00, but Suzanne said the costs incurred by the raffle runs into thousands of pounds. For more information and to take part go to www.rafflemybricks.com
MP says back countryside businesses ISLANDERS are being encouraged to support rural businesses by nominating and voting for them in a national competition.
Andrew Turner MP, wants to take advantage of The Countryside Alliance Awards, formerly the Best Rural Retailer competition. He said: “The Island has many outstanding rural businesses and I encourage people to nominate their favourite. “The contribution rural organisations make to the Island’s communities and economy cannot be overstated. “These awards are a first-class way of giving them the recognition they deserve and I do hope Islanders will participate and vote.” Categories include: best local food award; best village shop/post office award; rural enterprise award; Daily Telegraph best traditional business award and rural hero. More information is available at www.countrysideallianceawards.co.uk
All you need is talent to get a part FOLLOWING the enormous success of Ventnor Theatre Youth Group’s productions of Les Miserables and We Will Rock You members have now decided on a show which they feel is equally exciting.
All You Need is Love is a new, original musical that has never been performed as a stage show before. It is basically a love story set in the late 60s, early 70s, with intertwining stories which tie together with music written by the brilliant Beatles. It will be performed at Shanklin Theatre on February 4 to 7, 2009. The group is holding auditions on Sunday, October 5, from 10.30 am at Ventnor Middle School. So, if you would like to audition for All you Need is Love or would like information on this amazing show please call either Jeanie on 865121 or Val on 730674
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News
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008
Carry on Camping!
Mud bath at the Hill IT ALL began as a muddy Mess-tival, but those who stayed on to brave the atrocious weather conditions at this year’s IW Bestival were treated to a weekend of fun and festivity.
Lashing rain and gale force winds during the opening two days failed to dampen the spirits of the thousands of die-hards who converged on the Island. Even pop enigma Amy Winehouse decided to make a rare appearance just days after pulling out of a concert in Paris. This year’s Bestival fancy dress theme was ‘30,000 Freaks Under the Sea’. But as the site turned into a quagmire, despite the best efforts of the organisers to hold back the tides of mud, even the hardiest sharks, mermaids, submarines and fish fingers struggled to keep their heads above water. Joint organiser and DJ Rob Da Bank said: “The site team worked non-stop to make the site as safe and usable as possible. We spent a lot of dough covering the entire main stage field with a plastic mesh to try and stop it turning to mud. “I am so proud of the site crew and the Bestival team. We have always had a wet weather plan and everyone on the Island had been talking about what the weather was going to be like but you never really know. We had people driving through the night to bring matting to try to make the site more comfortable and less muddy.” Although hundreds decided enough was enough on the opening day and packed up their tents, or left them where they were, and went home, the vast majority refused to buckle. Duncan Maclay, who travelled from London with wife, Nessie, and children, Jack and Sammy, paid tribute to the organisers but expressed his disappointment at Amy Winehouse’s watery contribution. He said: “There is no way the organisers can be criticised. They did everything they could to make it a great festival. I just felt sorry for people who had travelled from as far away as Newcastle and Scotland to be met by such shocking conditions. “It was a real endurance test at times and many arrived woefully under-prepared. They were trying to walk around in flip-flops when wellies were the order of the day. But generally everyone decided to have as much fun as possible and there were plenty in wet suits just diving into the mud. “This was the third Bestival we have been to and there was a totally different atmosphere to the others. But the kids’ facilities were superb as usual and the food was fantastic.” Alas, not so the headline act. Duncan explained: “Amy Winehouse turned up about an hour late, did a couple of numbers and then spent an age introducing the band. She was out of there in less than an hour, and her whole performance lacked energy as if she didn’t really want to be there. “People had paid £130 for this big draw and it was a bit of a let-down, to say the least.” Mystery guest Grace Jones did as many costume changes as she did songs. Pull Up To The Bumper was one of the memorable moments, with her crazy hat, wind machines and huge heels. As the weather finally began to improve for the final day, Underworld provided the climax on the main stage. Then it was time for the revellers to make their way home but not before scores of vehicles became bogged down and had to be hauled to safety.
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Thanks to everyone who contributed these photos.
Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
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News
BURGERS ANYONE?
IT NEVER rains but it pours, as ca- quick lesson in ‘mudology’.” terers and brothers Tim and Maldw- In the previous two years Bestival yn Morgan discovered at this year’s goers chilled out with a burger and a beer on the grass and Tim and Maldwyn made Messtival (Bestival).
There was a stream running through their pitch and they were in a sea of mud - enough to hold the world mud wrestling championships for the next ten years – and, to top it off, their ‘neighbours’, the comedy tent, was shut down for health and safety reasons. But the brothers, who supply handmade burgers cooked on a chargrill and who share a sense of humour, saw the funny side. Tim, who run’s Morgans Restaurant in Shanklin, said: “We were prepared with a ton of mince and enough baps to feed the Third World when we arrived at the site, not realising we were about to get a
money. Not so this year. But they tried to make the best of it and raise the spirits of tired, wet and, in many cases, muddy individuals by putting on a disco and “generally having a good laugh”. Now they have had the chance to clean up their act, the brothers are looking forward to the next Bestival when they hope for better weather and a chance to trade again as the Isle of Wight PROPER Burger Company. “Who knows, we might even get a discount from Rob Da Bank,” quipped Tim.
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The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008
Weddings
Isle of Wight
WEDDINGS
To have your wedding featured in the Isle of Wight Gazette.
call (01983) 402599
Saner and Grimaldi Bride Carina Grimaldi continued a Mrs. Peter Grimaldi of Tyne Hall, family tradition when she married Bembridge and Nicholas is the son of Mr. & Mrs. John Saner of Little GadNicholas Saner.
She wore a beautiful antique Victorian lace dress and veil worn by her mother and her grandmother. The gown was one of a pair designed and made for Queen Victoria’s daughter, Princess Victoria for her marriage to Prince Ferdinand of Prussia. The Holy Trinity church in Bembridge was bedecked with cream roses to celebrate the marriage of Nicholas, a solicitor and Carina, who works for an educational charity. They met while studying at Durham University. Carina is the daughter of Mr. and
desden, Hertfordshire. The bride was attended by her cousins Matilda, Imogen and Eliza Ross-Smith, and by pageboy Theo Amies. The best man was Simon Martindale a friend of the groom. The reception was held at Tyne Hall and guests travelled from the mainland and across the world to attend the celebration. The couple were blessed with good weather and the evening concluded with a fireworks display. The couple is honeymooning in Madagascar.
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Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
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Weddings
Isle of Wight
WEDDINGS
To have your wedding featured in the Isle of Wight Gazette.
call (01983) 402599
Scully-Syer and Doe
on Saturday. These photographs were taken in high winds and between some very heavy showers, which sent everyone scurrying for shelter. The best men were James’s best It was a fun moment in a day filled mates, Edward Simpkin and Ben with happy memories shared with Ashcroft. family and friends. The bride’s attendants were maid of James, who works at Oasis, is the son honour Laura Sewell, bridesmaid Elly of Reg Syer and Sue Scully of East Cowes. Charlotte, a care worker, is the Scully-Syer and flowergirl Iris Little. The ushers were Adam Doe and daughter of Steve and Miranda Doe of Stewart Peak. Ryde. After a honeymoon in Egypt, Mr and The wedding was at St Blasius Mrs Scully-Syer will live in Ryde. Church, Shanklin, followed by a reception at Haseley Manor, Arreton,
NEWLY-weds James Scully-Syer and Charlotte Doe started married life as they mean to go on..within hours the bridegroom was in the stocks (see picture below).
through the Gazette, call IW. 402599
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The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008
News
story
SENIOR JOURNALIST REQUIRED We’re looking for a motivated, experienced senior journalist to join our team at The Isle of Wight Gazette - the Island’s new newspaper. You’ll be an NCE-qualified reporter with bags of enthusiasm and the ability to make good contacts and bring in off-diary stories. And you’ll be able to turn round lively, well-written copy to deadline when the pressure is on.
Shoebox goodies may be only gift children receive Annual Island appeal lights their lives
Remember these faces and fill a shoebox with goodies.
Interested? Email your covering letter and CV to Brian Dennis at newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk
Gazette The Isle of Wight
01983 402599
ONCE more the IW Rotary clubs shoebox appeal is underway and all eight clubs will be busy over the next two months collecting boxes, which will be going to children in Romania.
Seaside safety film focuses on Island
The film crew aboard Sandown and Shanklin Lifeboat with two youngsters in an unsuitable craft.
SANDOWN Bay has been the setting for a se- By Peter White ries of short films on sea safety, which are to be shown on national television over the next few banner, it reads: ‘Do you know where the kids are?’ Mum looks up and notices it and goes rushing off to months.
A plane circling overhead trailing a banner ‘Do you know where the kids are?’ left many Islanders around Shanklin and Sandown bemused but it was all part of the operation being filmed by the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA). Sandown and Shanklin Lifeboat, the Coastguard Helicopter and the Cambridge Coastguard team were all involved in the shoot, which they hope will make visitors to the Island and other seaside resorts aware of the dangers that lurk along the coast. An MCA spokesman revealed: “We open on a wide shot of a typical English beach. It feels fun and lively, we zoom in and find a mum and dad sitting under an umbrella on beach towels. “A plane buzzes overhead trailing an advertising
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the water edge toward a couple of toddlers.” Other clips include the dangers of bravado and showing off on a pier after consuming alcohol, with a cleverly portrayed but stark message. Two girls walk by with ‘kiss me quick’ hats on, but instead their message reads: Kill you quick! The films also highlight the threat of varying tides and currents, dangers of walking too close to cliff edges and problems that can happen by going out to sea in inflatable dinghies. The spokesman added: “The overall message is to stay safe while having fun at the seaside.” Further ideas on how to stay safe, and even when to dial 999 for coastguard help, can be found on website seasmart.org.uk
Rotarian Bill Wyke said: “The joy the boxes bring to children at Christmas time is unbelievable as they may well be the only presents they will receive the whole year. “A lot of the children have nothing they can call their own and to have a box full of goodies is a dream come true. “So will you please help us to make that dream come true?” Bill praised the Busy Bee Garden Centre, opposite Tesco in Ryde for offering to provide free shoeboxes. “When you return it full to Busy Bee you will receive a voucher for free tea or coffee,” said Bill “Our thanks go to the owners and staff for their wonderful support. Rotarians are also taking other aid in November in a 44-tonne lorry “So we need your help also with other things like children’s clothes for all ages, adults’ clothes, bedding, toys and school materials.” For more information regarding the shoebox appeal please contact any of the Island’s eight Rotary Clubs or Bill on 405471 or wwwyke@tiscali. co.uk “With your help we can make this a special Christmas for the children and help a lot of families. “On behalf of those who will benefit and Rotary, can I say a big thank you for all your support.”
Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
21
Property
Your FREE guide to: Residential - Commercial - Lettings - New Homes
Property The Isle of Wight
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www.wightfrog.com
Modernised home certain to take your breath away SITTING on a large plot in a desirable part of By Jamie White Wootton is 40 Church Road, a superb example of how to transform an older house into a very with large windows to the front and rear, providing stunning views. The two bedrooms, with their special four bedroom home.
The property has been professionally refurbished throughout, as well as being extended to create two further bedrooms in the roof space, each with superb views of the downs. As you enter the house, a spacious hallway with solid oak flooring and a neutral decor greets you. Off the entrance hall is a stylish family bathroom with a modern white suite, and two double bedrooms, one with an en-suite shower room. There are stairs to the first floor and doorway to the lounge where the main feature is an elegant fireplace with a stone surround, and French style double doors out to the sunroom. The sunroom is light and airy, ideal for dining or just sitting and looking out on to the garden, and also has French doors out to the decked area of the sizeable rear garden. The kitchen/diner has been beautifully fitted out with cream units and coffee coloured work surfaces. A stainless steel oven with gas hob over and matching extractor are built in, along with an integrated dishwasher and fridge/freezer. There is also a matching utility area and a door out to the decking. The two downstairs bedrooms make this an ideal family home. The property is set back from the road, and two bedrooms in the roof space overlook a lawned front garden with a cherry tree, and a gravelled driveway that provides parking for numerous cars. The galleried upstairs landing is complemented
characteristic sloping ceilings, also share the views. The largest bedroom has the advantage of built-in wardrobes and en-suite shower room. Everywhere you look, there is a modern contemporary style and tidy finish. The professional refurbishment makes it a property ready to move into without any further expense. No 40 Church Road, Wootton is available for £399,950 on www.wightfrog.com Call 07815 680469 for further details.
If you would like your property featured in The Gazette then please call Jamie White for more information on 01983 409520
Above: The front of the property benifits from a large lawned area and parking.
The interior is finished to a very high standard
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those who are clearly so committed to delivering this very important project.” But Cllr Geoff Lumley, Labour, struck a disThe land at Pan was cordant note saying the sold for £9million to deal, which included 240 Miller Homes. Cllr George Brown, IW ‘affordable homes’ was Council cabinet member not enough. He said: “There are five for economy, planning and property, said: “It is or six thousand people a great credit to all those on the housing register on the Island. I deal with involved in this scheme people all the time who that this agreement has are living in unsatisfacbeen drafted. tory private homes and “At such a difficult would love to be able to time for the construcget a home in the social tion industry to have sector. an agreement where “I don’t see why we all the original scheme can’t push for a higher objectives can be met is level of social homes on tremendous testament this development.” to the hard work of all
PLANS for more than 1,000 new homes on the outskirts of Newport were approved on Tuesday.
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22
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008
Property
PM’s cut in stamp duty not enough on its own THERE has been a cautious response on the Island to the 12-month stamp duty holiday announced by the Government to try and help struggling home buyers.
For the next year, properties sold up to £175,000 will be exempt from the unpopular tax, with the threshold going up from £125,000, potentially saving buyers up to £1,750 on their purchase. This relief will apply to all transactions from September 3 this year to September 3, 2009. But the general feeling from Island estate agents is that although the Chancellor Alistair Darling’s measures are “a small step in the right direction”, more still needs to be done to regenerate the housing market. Simon Wratton, head of Island-based estate agents Fox Property, summed up the mood. He said: “I would have liked to have seen stamp duty abol-
By Jamie White ished on houses up to £200,000. Until mortgage rates start coming down to affordable levels without buyers having to put down large deposits, I don’t think this will make a big impact. “It will help a bit but there are so few first time buyers around that there are not enough people to start the housing chain moving. It would be nice to see a cut in interest rates and then the banks would have to follow with mortgage rate reductions.” Mr Wratton predicts it will be at least another 12 months before the housing market becomes buoyant again. He added: “ I think there will be one cut in November, another in the first couple of months of next year, and a third by Easter. We need those three drops, and until we get them the government measures will not start to work. Sales are being
achieved, but only where sellers are being realistic with their prices. Even so, I reckon we are in for a long winter.” Mark Jenkins, of Shanklin based estate agents Webb and Jenkins, said; “ Although I welcome any move to help the housing market, I still feel it is too little too late. I would have liked to have seen a stamp duty freeze across the whole market, and I can’t envisage this revitalising house sales, although it might help to a degree. “Really we need interest rates to come down and then banks and building societies relaxing their lending to get things going. I’d like to remain optimistic, and hopefully things will improve. However, I don’t think we have seen the bottom of this yet.” The rate of 3 per cent still applies to properties worth more than £250,000, and 4 per cent if the property is worth more than £500,000. The latest house price figures from Nationwide Building Society put the average cost of a home in the United Kingdom at £164,654, which is below the new stamp duty threshold. Treasury experts claim that half of property transactions would be free of stamp duty as a result of the
latest measures. However, there is some scepticism about the value of a stamp duty holiday to the wider market. Government sources have stressed that the move was designed to help individual families rather than boost the troubled market. “Grant Shapps, the Conservative shadow housing minister, said: “This measure turns out to be far less significant than Gordon Brown would have us believe. It has become clear that far from being a rescue plan for the housing market, this is a desperate attempt to rescue the Brown Government”. Stamp duty rakes in an estimated £6.5 billion for the Treasury each year, but the stamp duty cut is set to cost the Government as much as £600 million. However, the Treasury would not say how the £600 million estimate was drawn up, saying it does not publish its assumptions and forecasts about the housing market. With the latest mortgage approval and house sale data suggesting that sales this year could be as much as 50 per cent down on a year earlier, some experts believe the Treasury has over-estimated how much the stamp-duty scheme will actually cost.
To share or not to share TWO schemes to help first-time buyers step on By Jamie White to the housing ladder are now available on the on the Island to see if a Shared Ownership property Island.
The two options on the Island are Shared Ownership and Homebuy. Low cost home ownership has been introduced to help those who cannot afford to buy a home outright. Through shared ownership a share of the property is bought and rent is paid on the remaining share that is not owned. Shared Ownership is a scheme where properties are built and developed, in conjunction with the Housing Corporation and the Isle of Wight Council. An initial share is bought - usually around 50 per cent of the value of the property - with a monthly rent and service charge payable to the association on the remaining share. After one year further shares can be bought in the property, offering the opportunity to eventually own the home outright. Anyone interested in a shared ownership property should first register on the Island Housing Register. Anyone can then contact all the housing associations
is being developed in an area of interest. Homebuy gives those who qualify the chance to buy a property on the open market, with the assistance of an equity loan of up to 25 per cent of the purchase price of the property. The remaining 75 per cent has to be funded with a mortgage, savings or a combination of both. There are no monthly repayments on the 25 per cent equity loan, instead the loan is paid back when the home is sold, or the 25 per cent the association owns is bought back. People interested in a Homebuy shared ownership property should first register on the Island Housing Register. Southern Housing Home Ownership, who has joined with South Wight Housing Association run and operate the scheme on the Island. Anyone interested in the Homebuy scheme can get more information by going to www.iwight.com or www.homesinhants.co.uk.
If you have any interesting property news that you would like advertised in The Gazette then please call Jamie White at wightfrog.com on 01983 409520 Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
23
Property
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Upgraded 3 bedroom detached property offered chain free. Gardens to the front & rear, garage & summer house.
2 bedroom top floor apartment with allocated parking being offered for sale chain free.
tel: (01983) 526096
tel: (01983) 875974
tel: 07796 324610
A well maintained 1 bedroom top floor flat located in Ryde. The property has allocated parking & is offered chain free. tel: (01983) 565856
Lake – £169,950
Lake – From £130,000
Wootton – £489,000
Ryde – £334,950
Ryde – £299,950
Totland Bay – £220,000
Modernised 3 bedroom semidetached house with off road parking & a detached garage. tel: (01983) 404045
Few remaining apartments & cottages. They have videophone entry system, central heating, & allocated parking. Cottages have additional gardens. tel: (01983) 404045
Detached 4 bedroom house with a 2 bedroom annexe. The house has rural views, a double garage, central heating & double glazing. tel: (01983) 884205
3 bedroom detached house with garage & views, being offered for sale chain free. Would consider possible part exchange. tel: 07776 444740
Victorian style house with 4 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, utility room, gas central heating & double glazing. Off road parking & garage to the rear. tel: (01983) 811913
Semi-detached 3 storey house with 3 bedrooms plus a study, central heating, double glazing & off road parking. tel: (01983) 756525
Wootton – £117,950
Wootton – £245,000
Sandown – £320,000
Shanklin – £367,500
Cowes – £225,000
Cowes – £125,000
An end of terrace one bedroom house with its own private garden & allocated parking area.
4 bedroom detached house situated on a corner plot. Benefits include double glazing & a detached garage.
Spacious older style semi-detached house with 6 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, garage & off road parking.
tel: (01983) 884536
tel: (01983) 408091
4/5 bedroom three storey semidetached house with off road parking & courtyard garden. In need of some upgrading. tel: 07815 717754
Ground floor 1 bedroom flat with an allocated parking space being offered for sale chain free.
tel: 07855 459021
Spacious detached house with 4 bedrooms & 2 reception rooms offered chain free. Will consider a part exchange. tel: (01983) 861370
Wootton – £349,000
Sandown – £180,000 guide price A modern style 3 bedroom semidetached house with double glazing, central heating, gardens & parking.
Gurnard – £119,950
Gurnard – £119,950
East Cowes – price on application
Sandown – £139,950
‘Kingfisher’ holiday bungalow was built in 2003, and benefits from having double glazing & central heating.
tel: 07913 331628
‘Skylark’ is an attractive 2 bedroom holiday bungalow with central heating, located at Gurnard Pines Holiday Village. tel: (01983) 731761
2 bedroom ‘park home’ located on Medina Park. It has gardens, central heating & double glazing. There is an age restriction of 55yrs & over. tel: (01983) 200655
A spacious 2 bedroom split level ground floor maisonette with off road parking. Benefits include rear garden, double glazing & central heating. tel: (01983) 407831
Ventnor – from £184,500
Sandown – £109,000
East Cowes – £210,000
New development of 3 bedroom terraced and semi-detached houses with allocated parking & 10 year NHBC warranty. tel: (01983) 852525 or 07976 823222
A 2 bedroom ground floor flat with central heating & double glazing. There is an allocated parking space for the flat. tel: (01983) 406553
Well presented 2 bedroom top floor apartment offered chain free. Benefits include views of the marina & a private residents gym. tel: (01983) 408913
Apartments – from £450pcm An exclusive range of 1 & 2 bedroom apartments available to rent in Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin & Ventnor. Prices from just £450 per calendar month. tel: (01983) 404045 or 07813 090995
LE T AY LI D
AY ID HO L
RE N FO R
HO
tel: (01983) 731761
T
A detached 5 bedroom house in a sought after cul-de-sac location. Benefits include double glazing, conservatory, garage & parking. tel: (01983) 247248
tel: (01983) 291250
LE T
Fully refurbished 4 bedroom detached chalet bungalow with views. Benefits include central heating, double glazing & gardens. tel: 07815 680469
Tenerife – from £425 per week
Tenerife – from £230 per week
Fairways Club, Amarilla Golf. Ground floor, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, pool side apartment on Fairways Club, Tenerife. Accomodates up to 6 people.
Fairways Club, Amarilla Golf. First floor, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment overlooking the pool. Accomodates up to 4 people.
tel: (01983) 865165 theresemills@hotmail.co.uk
tel: (01983) 865165 theresemills@hotmail.co.uk
All the properties advertised on this page are by private sale of the owner. For more information or to arrange a viewing on a property, call the number on the advert.
Ryde – £249,995 Modern style 4 bedroom house located on the outskirts of Ryde. There are gardens to the front & rear and off road parking. tel: 07813 176777
Bembridge – £175,000 guide price An opportunity to purchase a waterside plot with the remainder of a 99 year lease, close to Bembridge harbour. tel: (01983) 856656
phone (01983) 409520 email info@wightfrog.com
www.wightfrog.com Residential Property | Commercial Property | Holiday Lettings | Residential Lettings Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
24
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008
Property
Follow the frog online Buying and selling your property on wightfrog.com is easy. Here is a quick guide on how to use the site. If you want to advertise your property for sale or for rent Once you have logged on to wightfrog.com, click on the ‘Buy, sell or rent your property’ option. This will take you to the wightfrog. com property section. Click the large green box titled ‘click here to sell or rent your property’. You now need to register your details, which can be done by clicking on the word ‘register’. This will take you ton the sign up screen. Now type your details in the boxes to register. Your name, postal address, phone number and email address (this will not be used on your advert). You must also create a password that is unique to you. This will be your ‘Log in’ details. Tick the box titled ‘unlimited listings’ and then ‘complete sign up’. You are now ready to start putting your property on to wightfrog.com. Once you have registered with wightfrog. com each time you log in you can, edit your profile, look at your property, add another property, enquire about advertising, see the properties you have put on your shortlist or logout. All these options will be available once you have logged in. Adding your property Click the ‘Add Property’ heading and add your details and photographs. Once you have done that, select the grey box at the bottom of the screen that says ‘Add Property’. You can then input as much information as you like, and up to 4 photos of your property. It really is that simple!
If you want to search for a property The Internet has made searching for a property much easier over the last few years, and now buying, selling or renting your new property on wightfrog.com is even better! Once you have logged on to wightfrog.com, click on the ‘Buy, sell or rent your property’ option. You are now on the wightfrog.com property section. Select the ‘Area’ of the Island you want to search, then the ‘Location’ (select ‘All Locations’ if you want to see all of the properties in the area you have selected). Now you’ve selected the area and location, choose the price range you are searching in and the property type. If your happy with the selections you’ve made, click ‘Search’ and the properties will appear. When the properties are on the screen simply click on the photo you are interested in to get further details. If you have a reference number of a property you wish to look at, enter it in the ‘Property Reference’ box and click ‘Search’ and those property details will appear.
It’s as easy as that!
Situated close to Shanklin Old Village, the house stands in 2.5 acres of private and secluded grounds, with individual points of interest including a stone-built summerhouse, a centuries-old walled garden and a victorian conservatory.
Offering 13 spacious apartments, the majority over two floors in a duplex layout, Shanklin Manor provides the best of both worlds - centuries old heritage combined with contemporary luxury.
For details call (01983) 409520 www.wightfrog.com
*terms and conditions apply, please call for details
The Priory 17 Luxury apartments within an exclusive Island setting.
Luccombe – Apartments from £165,000 The Priory is an exclusive range of luxury apartments in Luccombe, located on the outskirts of Shanklin Old Village. The development has been
finished to a very high standard & specification, with a fine eye & attention to detail adding that extra something. The lighting has been designed specifically for
Call (01983) 409520 for more information. each apartment, & the hard wood flooring crafted by hand. The building is in two phases, with one, two & three bedroom apartments available. Each apartment
has access to the landscaped communal garden areas with cliff top views of the sea & Shanklin Bay.
Prices start from just £165,000 and there are a variety of purchaser incentives available. Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
25
News
Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
26
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008
Jobs
JOB VACANCIES SALES PERSON We are looking to expand our advertising team and seek a dynamic sales person who must be smart, self motivated and enthusiastic. He/she will be required to work five days 9am to 5pm Mon to Fri. Must have own transport and clean driving licence. This is an excellent opportunity for the right candidate. Basic pay for initial period plus rewarding commission.
TYPESETTER We are looking for a skilled typesetter who must be smart, self motivated and enthusiastic. Must have complete knowledge of Adobe In-Design and Adobe Photoshop. Will be required to work five days 9am to 5pm Mon to Fri. Must have own transport and clean driving licence. This is an excellent opportunity for the right candidate. Good rates of pay. Please post CV’s to: The Gazette, Unit B18, Spithead Business Centre, Newport Road, Sandown, Isle of Wight. PO36 9PH.
Gazette The Isle of Wight
on (01983) 402599
School reflects eco-Island vision A £1.7m mathematics and information communication technology block will officially open at Medina High School, Newport, today (Friday). It will herald the completion of an IW Council-funded multi-million pound, threeyear project that has also seen the construction of a state-of-the-art science block. It was officially opened last month. The building is at the forefront of green technology and includes a number of eco-friendly features. This includes natural ventilation using windcatcher technology, sunpipes to increase natural light, sunshields to reduce overheating within the building and clear corridor windows, reducing the demand for artificial light. The most significant contribution comes from underground, where a heating system
Care Staff Required We require care staff to work on various assignments across the Island. If you have experience or are keen to learn and enjoy helping and caring for people, why not give us a call? Flexible hours available, great pay rates too. Community Care workers Do you have a driving license? Are you looking for temp, contract or permanent work? Have you got experience in care and want a fresh rewarding challenge? If so, we could have just the thing for you! Call us today for more information. Laminators To work in various assignments with a major company based in Cowes. If you have experience in laminating or the processes surrounding it, send us your CV for more details. Catering staff – cooks and assistants If you are a cook or a head chef or just looking for KP role to keep you occupied then send us your CV today, various temp assignments available, as well as permanent jobs.
Tel: 01983 822226 5 Gray’s Walk, Pyle Street, Newport, PO30 1TD
david@thsresourcing.co.uk jessica@thsresourcing.co.uk
www.thehirestandard.com Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
has been installed. In what is the first for an education building on the Island, underfloor heating pipes and a heating pump have been installed that extracts natural warmth from the ground. This will result in an estimated saving of over £2,000 per year on energy bills. Headteacher Richard Williams said:”These facilities are 21st century in design and have transformed the learning environment for these two curriculum areas. “The development of the school’s virtual learning environment will integrate neatly and will allow students to access works completed in the classroom anywhere around the world. “The three-year project has been a success and we are very fortunate to have
such top class facilities at our disposal.” The council’s chief executive Steve Beynon said: “I am very impressed with the new facilities at Medina High School. The overall project has been finished on time and within budget. “The environmentally-friendly aspects of the buildings will also support our EcoIsland vision and the Island as a whole can be proud of these new facilities”. Cllr Alan Wells, the council Cabinet member for children and young people, said: “The green technology used on the new facilities will also serve as a learning tool for students so they can explore more about being energy efficient and sustainability issues.”
Just the job THE recent introduction of six new bicycles at the IW Council’s highways department is already helping officers carry out their work without adding to the traffic.
The bicycles are being used to visit parts of Newport and the surrounding area. The bicycles can be carried in vehicles should officers need to inspect the bridleways.
Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
27
News
But where do I put my lunch? COMMUNITY nurses on the Island could be turning the clock back and cycling between patients to visit them in their homes. Brett Milliner, is the first to pilot the scheme, using two wheels to make visits across Ryde to Seaview. In 1950s’ Britain, nurses and their bikes were a traditional image until they started to make their rounds in a car. Brett said: “I volunteered as I have always liked cycling and, with the rising cost of petrol, it just seemed like a really good idea. “I really enjoy my job and I can still carry all my kit on the bike, my only worry is where to put my sandwiches.” An NHS spokesperson said cycling has financial and environmental benefits, being cheaper
to run and producing zero emissions as well as improving the health and well being of islanders, which is key to the ecoIsland initiative. “Brett benefited as he uses a means of transport he prefers to the car and he hopes more nurses will take it up in the future.” Community nurses offer professional support and advice for patients in the community. They help people live as independently as possible and provide rehabilitation, wound and palliative care to people who are often housebound or have difficulty getting around. Paramedics can be seen on bicycles during Cowes Week. This was introduced four years ago to help the service respond to emergencies on the busy High Street.
Farm in final for UK conservation award By Tony Ridd Michael Poland shows council leader, Cllr. David Pugh around his vast farm
AN ISLAND farm has been shortlisted for a conservation award run by the RSPB, backed by BBC Countryfile and supported by Butterfly Conservation and Plant Life.
Wroxall Cross Farm is in the final because of the way it has developed a grazing regime, using highland cattle to manage the species-rich grassland and scrub. This has benefited not only important wild flowers like the bee and pyramid orchids but butterflies such as the Adonis Blue and birds that include the dartford warbler and the nightjar. Its improving woodlands and corridors of countryside hedgerows supply a safe avenue for red squirrels and dormice. Bechstein and barbastelle bats are found in veteran trees
throughout the woodlands. Michael Poland, owner of Wroxall Cross Farm, said: “I am absolutely delighted that we have got this far but to win the competition is going to be tough. Readers’ support, therefore will be greatly appreciated.” A recent visitor to the farm to offer his supportwas Island MP Andrew Turner who said: “This is a great opportunity for the Island to prove itself as a leader in conservation and wildlife landscaping. The tourist industry will benefit most from this award and similar projects by private landowners, along with all Islanders and future generations.” Voting is very simple, just visit www.rspb.org. uk/farmvote. It only takes a few minutes.
Island beauty bids for nautical crown
PRETTY Islander Tiffany Wilkinson has been on the crest of a wave since being shortlisted for the title Miss PSP Southampton Boat Show 2008.
Tiffany, 22, is one of 10 lovelies who were picked. The girls will have to complete a series of tasks, including nautical and cocktail-dress themed catwalks. Online voting is currently taking
place to help decide the winner. She said: “ I come from a family of keen sailors, and grew up with boats, so I feel I have that all-important boating background.” Tiffany, who lives in Cowes, has already won beauty competitions on the Island and if she is successful in her latest venture, she will become an ambassador for shows organised by National Boat Shows Ltd.
The closing date for online voting, which counts toward the final decision, is midnight, Friday,. September 19, with Tiffany finding out the following day if she will be sailing away with the coveted crown. Anyone wishing to aid Tiffany in her quest for glory can vote for her online at www.southamptonboatshow.com
Osborne Garage
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Convenience store & Off Licence open 6am to 10pm, 7 days a week.
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The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008
News
Minor IW rally a major success This year is the car’s 60th anniversary and 78 Minors and 32 other classics joined in but there was no formal judging which allowed people to park near friends and in branch displays. The organisers were also able to enjoy the day far more than usual without the hassle of booking in cars, collecting entry fees and making sure everyone parked exactly where they should In the afternoon there was a run through the countryside from Haven-
street to Calbourne Mill and 52 cars made it. The run raised £50 for Marie Curie cancer care, which also celebrates its 60th birthday in 2008. Later that evening there was a well-attended barbecue with ‘birthday’ cakes. As well as the usual raffle there was a charity auction to support Dave Gilliam of Ryde who is taking his 1958 convertible to this year’s London Lord Mayor’s show. Our resident auctioneer, Andy Smith, also from Ryde, hosted a most entertaining sale which raised £160 for the Lords Taverners and Cardiac first response scheme of St John’s ambulance, the Lord Mayor’s chosen chari-
ties. Despite calling the rally a no-judging event the following winners were chosen by the rally judges simply because they ‘liked’ them. Best Island member’s car, Paul Robinson with his 1954 series 2, four-door saloon, KDL 756 an ‘ex pat’ who now resides in Chichester. Chairman’s choice, Jat Le Huray from Southampton with a window cleaner’s van, complete with ladders and bucket 825 WPJ. Best Island home restoration, Colin Eggleton from Ryde with his 1971 pick-up, RDL 577J. Best in rally, Richard Hutton from Southampton with his series-2 traveller, MCG 973.
Bonets up for those who are interested in looking at old engines on a weekend afternoon.
Charity makes a meal of it SUNDAY lunch is traditionally a time for the family to get together but, for older people, it can be a difficult and lonely time.
So Age Concern Isle of Wight is organising The Great Sunday Lunch, an event designed to celebrate a national institution and raise vital funds for older people. The idea is for family and friends to get together on October 19, or any convenient
date, to have fun and raise vital funds to help older Island residents to remain independent. Ellen Weeks, of Age Concern IW, said: “Sometimes we are the only contact a client may have during the whole week and we often support someone for many years by helping with their shopping or arranging for a befriender to visit regularly. “So, please, take this opportunity to get together for a sandwich, cake, buffet, barbecue, salad, pizza, pasta –
whatever you fancy and make a donation to us so that we can help older Island people to have some company all year round.” Jo Dare, director of Age Concern IW, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for people to get together with older relatives and friends who usually eat Sunday lunch alone. The sense of isolation experienced by older people can be particularly acute at a time when family members
traditionally spend time with each other.” Age Concern and Relate Solent will have The Great Sunday Lunch at Haseley Manor, Arreton, on October 19. Alan Titchmarsh, the high sheriff will be there as will actor Geoffrey Hughes, who will conduct and auction. Tickets are £25 from Ellen on 539303 or Penny on 730394.
Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe Now with typical
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Mazda Credit CM13 3AR
The pure, wind-in-the-hair, roadster driving experience – AND the convenience of a retractable hard-top.That’s what you get with the multi-award winning Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe. And now available with a great finance offer, what more could you ask for?
To take a test drive contact us at:
NORTHWOOD GARAGE 341-351 Newport Road, Cowes 01983 290631 www.lesliesmotorgroup.co.uk
Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Mazda MX-5 range: Urban 25.2 (11.2) - 28.5 (9.9), Extra Urban 43.5 (6.5) - 48.7 (5.8), Combined 34.5 (8.2) - 38.7 (7.3). CO2 emissions (g/km) 174 - 193.
You’ll love the finance as much as the car.
Retail sales only. Subject to availability at participating dealers only on vehicles registered between 1 July 2008 to 30 September 2008. This supersedes all previously advertised manufacturers promotions. *Mazda MX-5 0% finance available on Mazda Hire Purchase. Mazda MX-5 0% finance not available in Northern Ireland. Finance subject to status. Guarantees/Indemnities may be required. Mazda Credit CM13 3AR. Model shown: Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe 2.0i Sport. OTR price £21,100 with optional mica paint (£375). On the road price includes VAT, number plates, delivery, 12 months’ road fund licence, 1st registration fee, 3 year or 60,000 mile warranty and 3 years’ European Roadside Ass istance. Details correct at time of going to print.
A RELAXED gathering of Morris Minor owners and their vehicles enjoyed the IW branch rally last weekend.
Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
29
Ski-preparation classes at the Island Pilates Centre YOU may think it’s a little early to be preparing for your winter break. But no skier can forget waking up on day two of a holiday – with the sun just beginning to glisten on the snow – and finding that you can’t actually move.
Everything aches. Your back feels like you’ve had hardboard surgically inserted; your knees scream in protest; your upper arms and neck remind you that you really should have taken that schuss from much higher up to avoid all that poling. And you wonder why you didn’t prepare your body a bit for this costly holiday. The Island Pilates Centre has just begun its annual ski-preparation classes. “Skiing is all about body alignment,” said Kim Davey-Sinclair who with her partner Alison Beardsall runs the centre. “The ankle over the foot, the knee over the ankle and the hip in line with the knee.” I joined a select class of four. Caroline is performing a slalom on a wobble board, mimicking the side-to-side action needed in the knee joints for the energetic skiing needed for off-piste. “That’s not something we’d regularly teach in our repertoire in pilates,” said Alison. “But because we know it is used in skiing, we need to replicate it.” It’s energetic work but Caroline is preparing for a holiday in Canada where she is anticipating off-piste runs of 20 minutes through powder. Skiing powder requires many short bouncy turns and keeping it up for more than a minute is beyond most of us.
But Caroline has been doing pilates for two years and, if nothing else, testifies to its usefulness as a skiing preparation discipline, it is the idea of a middle-aged woman wiggling her way though flying powder snow, creating those neat wavey lines down the mountain that you see on postcards. “It brings out the child in you,” she said. “You can’t help laughing, shouting ‘wheeeeeeee’.” Another client, Lob, is performing lunges on a machine called a reformer, a sliding platform connected to strong springs. By resisting the pull of the springs, Lob is building up his leg muscles. “Are my ankles placed OK?” he asked Kim and because the classes are so small Kim can gently deal with any incorrect posture. The people here today are advanced in pilates techniques – based on core strength and correct breathing – so they are able to protect themselves as they exercise. Sue is performing a complex balance using one leg on a log roll, topped by a wobble board. It is quite scary to watch. “The body gets used to balancing in one way,” explains Alison. “But skiing needs sideways balance. This exercise is all about getting the body trained in a different aspect of balance.” The feats being performed by this little group are not going to be achieved in a ski-prep crash course. “We’ve been teaching these people for several years,” says Kim. “They understand what their
limitations are.” Looking at Caroline, now doing a back extension to aid her mobility, it’s hard to see that she has any limitations. Her legs are on a trapeze and she is hauling herself onto a solid platform. Sue is using the reformer as a sort of horizontal jumping machine, and Kim corrects her action. “If you’re working against resistance you’ve got to do it from a stable, strong base – there’s no point in going all wibbly wobbly because you’re going to get a back injury.” It is hard to credit, looking round and seeing these people bend and jump and flex but many of them came to pilates through injury. “I’ve just come back from a hip resurfacing,” says Lob. “I was banned from skiing for the best part of two years and this is part of getting back to normal.” Liz had also been injured: she went over the handlebars of her bike and twisted her back. “I thought there must be some sort of exercise that would strengthen my back and came to this after I tried a chiropractor, an acupuncturist, an osteopath – you name it,” she said. “Now I ski faster than before, because I’ve got more confidence in my ability to hold the position rather than thinking ‘Oooerr, am I going to do this?’ I’ve got the balance – which also helps with the alcohol intake afterwards!” Meanwhile Caroline is making herself look more like India rubber by the second. “Many people will know
about calf stretches – after jogging, say,” says Kim. “But because these people are working on the muscles at a different level, we have to develop the stretches as well. This is a deep stretch down the front of the hip flexers, and a sideways stretch.” As she attends to Caroline’s bendy-toy body, she explains how clients are moved on as their ability changes. “Lob will be doing this next week,” she says. Lob looks doubtful: “And they’ll be putting me back together the week after!” he quips. Kim is a former dancer, ballet teacher and fitness instructor, and she and Alison,
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also a former dancer, developed the idea for a centre dedicated to Pilates when they trained together. Clients built up through word of mouth and it wasn’t until last year, when the centre reached its 10th birthday, that they really started shouting about it. “Our reputation is strong on the remedial side,” says Kim, “and our remedial work can be sport-specific. We work with pregnancy, post-natally, old age, youth – this technique is so versatile. And we love adapting it to the individual. That’s the stimulation for us.”
Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
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The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008
News
Fancy learning about bowls? AN opportunity to try your hand at indoor bowls is being why not come along and give it a go? “You may well be the next player to represent your country as offered to Islanders of all ages later this month.
The IW Indoor Bowls Club, which has produced several internationals, is having an open day on Saturday, September 27. As well as playing, there will be professional coaches offering free tips and club officials to answer questions. Paul Dyer, chairman, said: “There is no obligation to join, so
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others have from this club. At present the youngest player is 13 and the oldest 88.” Past internationals include A. Jeffery, 1980 English pairs finalists A. Jeffery and R. Jeffery, 1988 English indoor bowls’ president Tim Blake, 1988 English & British fours winners (pictured) Mrs J Phillips, Mrs B. Sansom, Mrs P. Proud, Mrs. M. Wilson and Darren Griffith 1999 under 25s international Lucy Beere was England u-25s captain from 2004 to 2007. During the winter months from October through to April the indoor club runs 13 leagues with about 12 teams per league plus many other tournaments. In the summer months for those who prefer to play indoors there are games on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Also, the club celebrates its 40th anniversary on October 18, with a day of games and many other events. The England Indoor Bowls Club visits on October 4 to play the best Island bowlers. Entry is free with a 12.30pm start. *Lucy, who swapped the Isle of Wight for Guernsey has been picked to play for her new home in a top bowls event. Lucy Beere, 26, has shone at bowls since moving to Guernsey a year ago. Now she will be heading to the World Champion of Champions competition in Ayr, Scotland. Lucy’s partner, Matt Le Ber, made it a double celebration by winning the men’s singles title and will also be playing in the tournament at Ayr.
Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
31
Sport
Two wheel extravaganza By Peter White in Shanklin will be ready to cater for those who fancy a bit of respite. Young cyclists can have their share of the action with the Toddlers Trail on Thursday, September 18, from Puckpool Park to Ryde Britain’s huge success seafront. And the folin the Velodrome at lowing day there is a the Beijing Olympics Toddlers Trikes Chalhas seen the interest in lenge along East Cowes cycling hit new heights over the past few weeks, seafront. Any youngsters with and anyone taking part in mountain bikes can take the Island event has the part in the Dino Ride on opportunity to try many Saturday, September 20, different aspects of the that will head towards sport. Culver in search of The festival is launched tomorrow (Sat- fossils. Yarmouth Primary urday) at Seaclose Park, School is the starting Newport, and one of the first events is the popular point for the Story Cycle “Sink or Swim” that sees on Wednesday, September 17. It is mainly riders trying to navigate their own pedal-powered off-road, with stops for riddles, rhymes and vessels across the River exciting tales. Medina. If anyone can still For the equally advenpush the pedals by turous there will be the Sunday, September opportunity to try the Wight Offroad challenge 21 they may fancy the course or attempt one of Round the Island Chalthe ‘Hills Killer’, a pun- lenge, which takes in around 70 miles of road, ishing ride against the clock, the following day, or they can opt for the shorter route of 50 miles, Sunday September 14. or the Family Ride of no The 3-Hills takes in more than 15 miles. around 13 miles, the One of the highlights of 7-Hills runs for approximately 26 miles but the festival is expected to take place in Sts Thomas for those with energy to Square, Newport, on burn there is always the Saturday, September 20 14-Hill event that goes with the Go Ride Cycle on for a gruelling 52 Day, when the firemiles. fighters who have ridden Other events include a from the Island to Rome Singles Cycle that will in the Square2Square take place on Tuesday, Challenge for charity September 16, along will be welcomed home. the Sunshine Trail from More information on Shanklin to Godshill, returning the same route. the cycling festival can be found on the official Entrants will probably website www.sunseaandbe delighted to know cycling.com that the Griffin pub in Godshill and the Falcon
THE Isle of Wight Cycling Festival gets into gear this weekend, with hundreds expected to take to two wheels for nine days of fun and a little bit of mayhem.
Photos courtesy of Isle of Wight Council
There has never been a time when football was not a part of Charlie’s life. As a child in London some of his earliest memories are of the gloom or elation at home, depending on whether Arsenal had won or lost. The Smeetons moved to the Island when Charlie was six and his brother Jack was eight. While at school first at All Saints Freshwater and then West Wight Middle, both boys played for the school team. Soon Charlie was playing for West Wight Football Club Youth League during which time the team won the league championship. Charlie then got into the first team. He is still grateful for the dedication of his school coaches Rod Gardiner and his son Ian and later Mr Robbie Dye. Actively encouraged by their father,
Keith, the boys spent part of the summer holidays at Football School at Sparsholt College, organised by Arsenal Football Club. Here they experienced the reality of training, playing and learning about tactics. Leaving Carisbrooke High School,
bleak time but like the phoenix the club rose again. Newport has on several occasions qualified for the FA Cup and one memorable highlight is of 5,000 people crowding into Church Litten to watch their team in the 2nd round match against Shrewsbury. 1990 was a landmark year when Newport were promoted to the Southern League and acquired St George’s Park. It is now one of few clubs to be owned by its supporters and has wide ranging sponsorship. So far this year they have played seven matches, winning three, drawing one and losing three. Charlie plays up front as striker/ right midfield although some of his early successes came in goal. He is no stranger to A and E at St Mary’s but injuries in the course of play does nothing to dampen his enthusiasm. Along with his dad, his grandparents have always turned out in all weathers to watch his matches and they still do.
SATURDAY 20TH SEPT
THE OPERATORS SAM ISAAC MAMAS GUN
er bo at Th ou un nt ain Kit de W bo esu rca in ar rfin ts ds W d g Pa in u dd ds rf F Pa BM ing In le urf ree rko X Fla line Bo Ra st ur FM tla ar c yle Fr X nd d ing S Vo isb ee C Ka Su UP ll L a e lim y rf Sp nd yb b ak Sa o Ya all T in Je ilin rts c Sk rials g D t F g Exp ht at o e M igit lig Ha ou al D ht S A rd nta js im ula Sk rt G in ra Bik to Je y D f ft e r R t S iv Fr ee Th AF ki e e Fa sty RA lc le F on Re s d Ar ro ws
This season sees 21 year old Charlie Smeeton of Freshwater signing up for Newport Football Club.
Charlie spent three years at Sparsholt taking a diploma in sport studies. He has a level one coaching badge and sometimes combines coaching with playing. On his return to the Island he was signed up to play for Cowes under 18s by Derek Ohren the team being ably coached by Andy Sampson. They were the first Island team to win both the Hampshire League Cup and the Hampshire Youth under 18s. After three successful years at Cowes, Derek Ohren approached him to play for Newport and seeking a new challenge he made the transition. The Newport club came into existence a hundred and twenty years ago originally playing at Church Litten. Unlike today, before each game the cows had to be cleared from the field. The club has had a roller coaster history. Founder members of the Isle of Wight League, it later joined the Hampshire League being winners five times. In contrast the 1960s were a
Po w
By Jan Toms
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Charlie climbs soccer ladder watched by proud family
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32
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday SEPTEMBER 12 2008
Sport
Bowled over by cricket ground By Peter White A DREAM has finally become reality for millionaire businessman Brian Gardener with the opening of Newclose County Cricket ground on the outskirts of Newport.
Now cricket supporters on the Island are anxiously awaiting the start of the 2009 season when English cricket’s newest county ground will be the venue for many of the highlights of the sporting calendar. Mr. Gardener, a keen follower of the game since the age of 11, provided the land for the Gold Standard ground and contributed vast sums of money towards the cost of providing excellent facilities, including the pavilion. The Island was granted minor counties status only last year and is thought to be the first in the country with its own county ground. The
new facility may also be the ‘home’ ground sometime in the future for the highly-successful Ventnor club, who have been frustrated in their attempts to play at a higher level because their Steephill ground did not meet the required standards. Mr Gardener is excited that the ground will be used by all levels and all ages in the forthcoming seasons. He said: “The ground is for the whole Island community and I cannot wait to see youngsters out there with pads and bats using it. The setting is stunning, with rolling fields on one side and oak trees all along the other.” He continued: “I have been a life-long cricket enthusiast and am fortunate to be in a position to help with the new ground. We have received a lot of encouragement from the English Cricket Board, and I have been fortunate to have the support of a hard-working organising committee, who have brought a variety of skills and expertise to the
task. We all stuck to it and now we have this marvellous new facility at Newclose.” Well-known Island cricket character John Hilsum, is a fellow trustee along with Mr. Gardener of Newclose. He said: “There is no reason why, over the next few years, we cannot produce a series of top-class cricketers. If we can, then they will have a great stage to play on at Newclose.” Mr. Gardener added: “I wish I had played more cricket at club standard. But the boy who played cricket in the park with his friends in the 1950s can say that he has realised another dream. It’s taken four years to achieve but Island cricketers can now look forward to playing on a gold standard cricket ground.” Mike Scott has been appointed general manager at Newclose and took up his duties at the beginning of the month. Andrew Morgan, manager of the Seaview Hotel, will The magnificent new pavilion and its be in charge of catering. interior at Newclose cricket ground.
Worlds best at festival
TV dictates kick-off time PORTSMOUTH fans living on the Island will be left to count the cost of watching their favourite team’s historic first campaign in the UEFA Cup.
Europe’s’ premier extreme multi-sports festival, with no fewer than 25 sports on and off the water, as well as an impressive line-up of groups for the live stage including the Pigeon Detectives. The European Thundercat PowerThe festival, being staged at Yaverboat Championships are the headline land for the 12th successive year, will championship event this year running include the country’s only mobile vertical wind tunnel, where daredevils alongside the UK Windsurfing Freewill be able to experience the sensation style Championships. The Red Arrows will also be there with a 23-minute of freefall without a plane or paradisplay on the Saturday morning and chute. then another full display on the Sunday The tunnel produces wind speeds of 125mph and everyone will go through morning as well. The pilots will then fly back by a programme of ground training, helicopter to be onsite and meet the flights with the assistance of trained public at White Air in the afternoon. instructors, and video assessment. A spokesman said: “Superhero flight Red Arrows Flight simulators will also suits now available! White Air ‘Have a be on site at the main White Air village for all to try. Go’ involved 5,000 sessions in sports Thundercat racing is an open class last year. Some courses get booked up early so why not sign up and ‘Taste the form of racing which started in South Africa about 15 years ago. Since those Sports’.” humble beginnings, the boats have The RAF Falcons, the world’s come a long way. Imagine a group leading parachute display team, will of boats in close-quarter-surf-break be dropping in on the Friday to open
SPECTATORS will have the chance to become ‘super-hero skydivers’ when the White Air Extreme Sports Festival returns to the Island from September 19 to 21.
racing! Thundercat Racing has become very big over the years in the southern hemisphere, with major events taking place in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The UK is now set to become the fourth major player. This year sees the introduction of the one-off UK Windsurf Freestyle Championships. As it is just one event in the year at White Air all the top competitors will be on site to win this prestigious title. Freestyle involves looping, jumping and riding the surf and provides some of the most exhilarating action close to the beach and out in the waves. During the ‘White Air Extreme Sports festival’ the Island always provides some of the years most radical and extreme displays and has become one of the most prestigious events on the European calendar. Competitors are limited to 64 maximum entrants and compete in a knockout ladder system.
The freestyle is judged by a team of very experienced sailors and points are scored for every jump, trick and wave ride. These are added up and the winners then advance to the next round, until an ultimate British Champion is found. Windsurfing in its early days involved huge boards and large heavy sails that would have been near impossible to use to the limits of today’s professionals. Equipment has had huge technological advancements and now allows competitors to complete incredible acrobatics. Jumping moves now include the spectacular 720 degree forward and backward loops. This involves the whole sail and board (and rider) completing a double loop in the air! Competitors are now also riding some huge waves that can be well over mast high in the UK and even bigger in the more exposed world locations.
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Pompey, who qualified for Europe by winning the FA Cup, have been drawn against Portuguese Vitoria SC in the first round, with the first leg taking place at Fratton Park next Thursday, But because the tie is being televised live on Channel Five, the kick-off time has been brought forward to 6pm. It means many Island supporters will have to finish work early to get across The Solent in time. But if any are thinking of travelling to Portugal for the return leg on October 2, they could be facing at least two days off work. The kick-off time in Guimaraes, is not until 9.30pm. So if the game happens to go to extra
time and even penalties, it will not finish until well after midnight. Supporters would not be expected to be back on the Island until mid-morning of Friday, October 3. Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie admitted the early kick-off for the home leg was an inconvenience, but had been agreed because of TV revenue. He said: “This has been a difficult decision and we fully understand that kicking off at 6pm will not be convenient to some of our supporters and we regret that. “The earlier kick-off time for the Vitoria match will hopefully be more attractive to families and our younger fans who might not have been able to come to a later kick-off. Pompey have confirmed the Carling Cup tie with Chelsea at Fratton Park is on Wednesday, September 24, kick-off 7.45pm.