IW Gazette 28

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Your new look WEEKLY READ

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REPORTING ISLAND NEWS

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Friday 14 August 09

A meal for 2 at China China

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gazette WIN! the isle of wight

Who’s Jag?

THE ISLAND had several celebrity visitors during Cowes Week, but can you guess whose Jaguar this was? Turn to page 6 for exclusive pictures.

Vestas’ Lindsay heads to Holland EX-VESTAS Blade worker Lindsay Sexton was jumping on a plane to Holland this week for interviews with a rival wind turbine manufacturer. Turn to page 12 for the full story.

Heated meeting

WHO’S in hot water after Ryde Council meeting?

EVICTION DRAMA

By Jamie White The sit-in protest at the Vestas factory in Newport came to a dramatic and daring end as worker Jaymie Rigby chose to leave the building by jumping 20ft from a balcony.

Jaymie, 23, decided to jump, as he and his colleagues faced being pushed out of a job, to signal the end of the 18-day protest, as our exclusive picture shows.

Bailiffs were told they could enter the building to remove the occupants, after Judge Graham White served a possession order for the Danish firm to reclaim their building.

See page 3 for more details

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The Gazette Contact Details Newsdesk: (01983) 409928 Fax: (01983) 404189 Email: newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk

The Gazette

Wootton wreck

Address: The IW Gazette, Unit B18, Spithead Business Centre, Newport Road, Sandown, Isle of Wight, PO36 9PH Display advertising: (01983) 402599 Sales manager: James Rolfe Sales & multimedia: Laura Webb

Sorry – the Gazette currently does not carry any classified advertising Published by: The Isle of Wight Gazette Ltd Reporters: Jamie White, Richard Collins, Penny Newnham, Peter White News Editor: Jason Kay Features Editor: Jo Macaulay Design: Colin Clarke, Dean Chick, Paul Mercer Accounts & sales administrator: Roxy Vaughan

Issue 28 • August 14 2009 Supporting the Earl Mountbatten Hospice through your generous donations when you pick up your free copy – Together we have so far raised over £23,500

Stars in their eyes STARGAZERS across the Island were treated to a meteor spectacular in the skies this week above Culver Down.

The annual Perseid meteor shower lit up the night sky through to the early hours of the morning. The night was cloud free making it ideal for meteor watching. The meteors swept across the sky from the north east to the south west across the Island.

August 14, 2009

TWO teenagers from Ryde were arrested on suspicion of aggravated taking of a vehicle without consent, after a car was found on its roof and on fire.

Emergency services were called to reports of a road traffic collision in Combley Road, Wootton Bridge, where they found a blue Renault Clio overturned and alight.

The vehicle was attended by two pumps and 13 firefighters from Newport. No-one was thought to have been inside the vehicle when police arrived at the scene.

A 19-year-old man and a 17-year-old youth were later arrested and bailed until August 18, pending further enquiries.

Neither of the men had any visible injuries, but they were taken to hospital as a precaution. No other vehicles are believed to have been involved in the collision.

August 14, 2009

The Gazette

Workers forced out

VESTAS has confirmed that its wind turbine blade factory on the Island is to close with the loss of 425 jobs.

Workers at the Newport site held a sit-in protest over the planned closure, which ended after 18 days last week.

The Danish firm told staff at Newport and Southampton they would be made redundant following the end of discussions.

Defiant workers had occupied an office inside the Newport plant since July 20 in protest at plans to axe jobs, which the firm said was due to a fall in demand.

As the final six remaining protestors were forced out of the building, crowds gathered outside to show their support.

Mark Flowers and sixteen year-old Ian Terry shimmied down a rope shortly before bailiffs came out on to the balcony. Mark, who has been nicknamed ‘Pirate’ by his friends and co-workers, fell off of a bin in the process, causing a large bruise on his right forearm.

Jaymie Rigby sat on the balcony wall as the bailiffs entered, before incredibly jumping in to bushes below. “It was a bit higher than I thought it was,” said Jaymie, as medical staff checked him out.

When asked why did he jump?

Jaymie replied: “I wanted to make a dramatic exit.

This sequence of photos show the dramatic moment when Vestas worker Jaymie Rigby leaped 20ft from the balcony that protestors had occupied for 18 days in Newport

By Jamie White I suppose now I am going to have to look for another job, even though the fight will go on!”

The other workers, Dave Arbuthnott, Mark Smith, and Justin Moody were also told to leave the building.

The Vestas plant was the only one in the country making components for wind turbines, and the protesters gained considerable support from union groups and other environmentalists.

The company has said that 40 employees had been found new roles within the Vestas research and development facility on the Island.

Futher protest events have been taking place across the Island, and further demonstrations are scheduled to take place across the country.

At the time of The Gazette going to press, sympathisers were still occupying the roof of the Venture Quays building in East Cowes in a show of support for the Vestas workers.

news 3

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The Gazette

August 14, 2009

Canine crimefighter A POTENTIAL crime fighting canine of the future was introduced to the public by Hampshire Police during the Cowes Week sailing regatta.

A three-month-old female Cocker Spaniel puppy named ‘Fizz’ put her best paws forward at the world renowned event where she attracted much public attention and affection from crowds of visitors in the town’s High Street.

Fizz’s appearance at the regatta was part of her initiation into the force before she begins full training with the force next year to become a pro-active explosives search dog.

Hampshire Constabulary’s IW Dog Support Unit Sergeant, Dave Steele said: “Cowes Week presented an ideal opportunity for Fizz to become accustomed to

cutbacks

the kind of busy locations where she could be working amongst large groups.

“If she completes her training successfully in 18 months time, Fizz will have a role in counter-terrorism, helping police prepare for VIP visits at high profile international events.”

Fizz was purchased at the age of four weeks from a recognised breeder, along with her sister Becky. Both cocker spaniels will undergo training at a variety of settings and scenarios to hone their natural instincts and police techniques for seeking out explosive substances.

More information about Hampshire Constabulary’s Dog Support Unit can be found online at www. hampshire.police.uk/ internet/so/operations/dog/ index.htm

BBC LICENCE payers will be pleased to see that the Beeb’s outside broadcast crews are riding around on pushbikes and improvising their filming equipment at a fraction of the usual cost.

In this picture the camera crew have used a Vestas protest placard as a reflector to project light onto the face of BBC presenter Steve Humphrey, as he reports from the gates of the stricken factory.

Steve has also used the placard as a stand for his script.

Specialist equipment such as a light reflector would cost over £60 and a script stand might cost at least £50, if not more.

Had the film crew and the presenter also cycled to the location of the bikes in the photograph? It would have made such a wonderfully eco friendly end to this story but the nearby satellite van told a different tale. The bikes belong to protestors at the gate, but with all the cuts and job losses expected in the future you never know what might be around the corner.

Can you pack a mobile satellite dish and a mixing desk into a rucksack?

news 5

The Gazette

Town councillors warned after turning air BLUE ADRIAN AXFORD

EVELYN GOOCH

DAVID KNOWLES

THE GAZETTE has managed to obtain, from a source, the letter sent out to all members of Ryde Town Council on August 3 by mayor David Woodward.

It reminds them of their duties as representatives of their wards and warns of their need to protect the reputation of the council

with reference to the town council meeting of July 6.

The air turned blue in this particular Ryde town council meeting and mayor David Woodward, was not amused. Council meetings are supposed to adhere to a code of conduct and bad language was clearly not acceptable.

It is alleged that three councilors began a heated discussion, which strayed into attacks of a personal nature. The public gallery was cleared while the debate raged. Our source reports that the three have since been reprimanded for their behaviour.

When pressed upon

whether the council should install a swear box in the chambers, deputy mayor Brian Harris said: “We can’t even afford a new printer cartridge.”

Presumably the ink has run out printing these wordy reprimands, which were circulated to all members of the town council.

Pictures by Brian Harris

August 14, 2009

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The Gazette

Five plucked from Solent

FIVE children in rubber rings were rescued from the Solent by Ryde Rescue 1.

The watch officer at Ryde noticed five small objects floating in the Solent and it became apparent that they were five children in rubber rings who had been carried out to sea. An immediate launch of the voluntary service, Ryde Rescue 1, ensured that the children were plucked to safety and brought ashore. The five were suffering from the effects of the cold, and after a warm shower and drinks at the lifeboat station they were reunited with their parents.

Pres-copped

Clarification

THE GAZETTE published a story on suspected fraudulent charity collectors in Cowes in our last issue. This was in fact an error on the part of our printers, who used a ‘plate’, which had later been revised in the light of more recent information. There were no arrests made in conjunction with this investigation and we apologise for any inconvenience or embarrassment.

August 14, 2009

COWES WEEK is one of the highest profile events that the Island holds each year, attracting people from around the world.

As The Gazette was out taking photographs of some of the stunning boats taking part in the racing, our eagle-eyed photographer spotted a car parked up on double yellow lines. Its driver was only a few metres away enjoying some of the sights, when a civil enforcement officer (traffic warden) appeared from nowhere.

The driver quickly hot-stepped back across to the vehicle to explain that he was waiting for the former deputy Prime Minister and Labour politician, John Prescott, who was filming a documentary along the seafront. After a few words between the pair, the driver was told to move the car to a more appropriate parking bay.

Flag stolen

SOME cheeky revellers at Cowes Week took the fizz out of the Mumm Champagne stand, by stealing one of their flags and flagpole. The company had put up several flags to advertise their sparkling tipple at the popular event.

John Prescott

Blowing hot and cold

Right: a thermal image of the hot bus wheel

SOUTHERN VECTIS admit they are struggling to maintain a full bus service around the Island because of the number of their drivers being been forced off work with swine flu.

With tourists joining residents on the buses at this busiest time of year, road works around the Island are also adding to the problems. Southern Vectis admit they are desperately trying to maintain all journeys. But if the situation gets any worse over the next couple of weeks there could be cuts leading to disruptions.

Operations and commercial manager for the company, Marc Morgan Huws said: “We are doing everything we can to maintain our full timetable, but we are vulnerable to route delays caused by major road-works, where we now have no extra driver available, and by any additional absences, especially at short notice.

“We have staff that do not normally drive but hold the relevant licences driving, but we are exhausting our options for dealing with this combination of circumstances. Having a relatively small but significant number of

staff off with swine flu at this time of year, means that we are running out of staff to run every journey.

“We will endeavour to maintain information as best we can, and at this stage the problem is not severe enough to require planned cancellations of services or journeys. But disruption tends to be at very short notice, and we appreciate that this is very frustrating for customers.”

There were more problems for Southern Vectis when passengers were taken off a bus in Shanklin as a precaution after a wheel overheated. Firefighters were called to Victoria Avenue, to investigate the fault, and passengers walked into Shanklin to take alternative transport.

Mr. Morgan Huws said: “The fire was caused by vapour in the braking system. Sometimes when the vehicle stops moving, the brakes can bind on and overheat.

It is only a minor technical safety issue that does not normally affect our service to our customers.”

He reassured users: “New calipers are being fitted on to the buses, and all our vehicles are thoroughly checked before they are put in to service.”

August 14, 2009

news 7

The Gazette

Lifesaver of Ventnor

Police appeal after crash A 35-year-old biker from Cowes was rushed to St Mary’s Hospital, following a collision along Whippingham Road, near to the entrance to Osborne House. The Honda Fireblade rider had been following a slow moving wide load when the collision occurred.

A silver coloured Diahatsu hatchback car had pulled out into Crossways Road at the junction with Whippingham Road.

A St Mary’s Hospital spokesperson said: “The 35-year-old rider arrived by ambulance,” and the hospital has since confirmed his condition is comfortable.

The police are appealing for any other witnesses to the collision to contact Hampshire police on 0845 45 45 45.

THE IW Council has praised lifeguards who rescued a holidaymaker who got into difficulty while swimming in choppy seas off Ventnor.

Lifeguard John Ryan saw a man who was panicking and struggling to stay above water in rough seas, about 20 metres from shore.

John used a torpedo rescue buoy and swam out to the man, who was visiting the Island on holiday from Falmouth.

At the same time, a body boarder who had also noticed the drama unfolding paddled over and assisted.

“I heard a cry for help from his family, so I grabbed the torpedo buoy and just swam straight

Has pong gone?

saying that it was safe to swim. However this changed later in the day.”

Fellow lifeguard Nathaniel Wheatley also swam out and helped John bring the man safely ashore.

The swimmer, who remained conscious during the rescue, was treated for shock before returning home with his family.

Edward Giles, IW Council cabinet member out there. He was being smashed by the waves and for environment and transport, praised the looked very exhausted efforts of the lifeguards and when I reached him. the body boarder. He said: “It was getting very rough out there and he was “Once again our lifeguards have demonstrated their very pleased to see me. I professionalism and wrapped the buoy around him and pulled him back in. bravery in preventing what could have been a serious “At the time they had yellow and red flags flying, situation.”

Police in knots CALSHOT Lifeboat crews were left with smiles on their faces after answering a call from their fellow emergency service, the police, this week.

The lifeboat crews were put into action after the 31ft Earl Mountbatten of Burma, owned by Hampshire Constabulary, broke down in the middle of the Solent’s busy shipping lanes. The police launch had been out on patrol near Beaulieu when a rope became entangled in the propeller.

The lifeboat crews, with their 47ft Tyne class lifeboat Sarah Emily Harrop, towed the stricken boat into Cowes for repairs.

ON THURSDAY 6 August a digger and tipper truck were in Ventnor Haven by 6am, clearing the stinking sludge that has been causing uproar in the town. By the weekend another tipper truck and a much larger digger had joined the operation.

Over 600 tons of the smelly black sludge, was taken out of the Haven, driven through the seafront car park towards Wheelers Bay and dumped at the bottom of the slipway next to the skateboard park.

Graham Perks, premises supervisor of Ventnor Wintergardens, overlooking

the Haven, was overjoyed to see the clearance. “Sean Strevens of Cheetah Marine has worked really hard,” said Graham who admitted to being unsure that the ‘pong’ was “100% seaweed” Described last week as ‘rank’ by the Island’s MP Andrew Turner, the eyewatering stink was the subject of some debate at the town council meeting on Monday. Local businesses had started petitions to get the ‘pong’ removed as it had dispersed around the town and even travelled up as high as Mitchell Avenue.

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The Gazette

August 14, 2009

Woolworths wonder THEIR stores used to be known as ‘The Wonder of Woolworths’, but now residents in Shanklin are asking: “I wonder what’s happening to Woolworths?”

Since ‘Woolies’ in Regent Street closed its doors there has been plenty of speculation about what will come next. But The Gazette can reveal that at the moment there are still no firm plans for the site, even though the ‘sold’ boards were placed in the windows for several weeks.

There were suggestions it would be transformed into another Sainsbury’s Express maybe a Tesco Express, or even a Wilkinson’s store. But at the

moment it seems everything is firmly on hold.

A source has told us: “There were prospective buyers, but the sale fell through about a month ago. Now it has been decided the premises will be leased or let rather than sold. There are a couple of interested parties, but nothing definite has been sorted.”

A spokesperson for Scotchers estate agents, who are dealing with the property, said: “Until any deal has gone through we cannot say anything.”

The former Woolworths store on Newport High Street is shortly to open as a Poundland store.

Hot stuff in Bembridge POLICE and fire services rushed to Nelson Engineering on Embankment Road, Bembridge after reports of a fire involving an oxyacetylene cylinder.

Fire crews from Bembridge used a hose reel to cool the cylinder and a specialist thermal imaging camera to check for hotspots after the failure of a regulator fitted to the

bottle caused a flashback.

Police set an exclusion zone on surrounding roads to the engineering factory whilst the fire crews made the area safe.

Nobody was hurt.

Pin beware

The Shanklin show-off

AND NOW on my right foot… Gazette reader Ian McLanaghan spotted this little character showing off his moves in a garden in Shanklin Old Village.

POLICE on the Island have issued a warning about cold callers that have been phoning victims of crime, after stealing their credit or debit cards.

Officers are investigating two cases where purses were stolen from women on the Island within the last few days.

On both occasions, the victims received cold calls from men claiming to be bank security staff and police officers.

The callers ask the victims for their PIN numbers by making them believe this information is needed to examine and cancel the stolen credit or debit card.

In one case, a woman disclosed her PIN number and lost £250 before her bank cancelled the stolen card.

IW Crime Prevention Officer, Michala Bailey, said: “The police do not need to know PIN numbers to investigate the loss or theft of cards, and the banks do not need this information to

cancel stolen cards. The only person who needs to know the PIN number is the card’s rightful owner.

“I would remind people never to reveal their personal PIN numbers to anyone, and not to provide any personal or financial information to cold callers.

“Don’t hesitate to challenge and question the identities and motives of any callers who you believe are suspicious.

Try dialling 1471 afterwards to find out if the caller has allowed their number to be traced.

“Anyone who receives a call like this should try to remember as much as they can about the bogus caller, and the details they give you over the phone. This information can prove vital to police in identifying and catching offenders.”

Anyone with information, or who receives a similar call, is asked to contact the police as soon as possible by phoning 101 or 0845 045 45 45.

August 14, 2009

news 9

The Gazette

999 send off

A WELL respected member of the Island’s Ambulance Service has retired after dedicating 37 years of his life to helping others.

Geoff Harper, who lives in Niton, recently celebrated his 60th birthday and worked his last full time shift as clinical paramedic supervisor for the IOW ambulance service.

Geoff first joined the service in 1972 when it was based at Newport fire station and run by the local authority. After undergoing a six week training programme at Bishop Waltham Training School, Geoff began working as an Ambulance man. He was one of the first to move to the new ambulance station in Shanklin, which opened in 1974, at the same

time the service transferred to the Health Authority. Two years later, Geoff was promoted to the position of ‘leading driver’ at Shanklin and later moved to Newport ambulance station at St Mary’s Hospital.

Following extended training, Geoff qualified as a paramedic in the early 1980s and continued to work his way up to the position of clinical paramedic supervisor.

Despite suffering a heart attack whilst at work five years ago, Geoff made a full recovery and returned to front line duties soon after.

Looking back at his career, Geoff said: “The ambulance service has

Sex offender caught A ‘HIGHLY DANGEROUS’ sex offender who went on the run from a bail hostel in Somerset has been caught and arrested by police on the Island.

Dean James Frederick Goodwin, aged 29, was charged

by Hampshire Constabulary with aggravated vehicle taking and vehicle damage on Ryde Esplanade after a nationwide manhunt was launched by officers. It is thought that the 29-year-old bought a train ticket at Bristol Temple Meads train station in the west country after failing to check into his bail hostel. The public where warned not to approach the fugitive if they spotted him.

Targeted Patrol Team (TPT) officers based on the Island responded to a phone call by the man who indicated he wished to surrender to police because he was wanted for a breach of his

prison licence.

The 29-year-old man was taken into custody at Newport Police Station.

Goodwin, who originates from Devon, has now been recalled to prison for breach of his prison licence.

changed dramatically since I first joined. There was no such thing as paramedics in those days. I was known as an ambulance person and we didn’t have anywhere near the level of advanced equipment, vehicles or skills to do what we do today. For example, checking the ambulance before a call out involved counting the number of blankets you had and the blankets had 101 uses. We carried a small oxygen cylinder and that was about it. Today, the service we are able to give to patients through our skills and equipment is excellent.”

Commenting on Geoff’s departure from the service, Brian Martin, deputy director of ambulance operations said: “I

have had the pleasure of knowing Geoff for 14 years since moving to the Island. He is a true gentleman in every sense of the word, a very caring man which he passes on to every patient he treats. Geoff is a well respected member of the ambulance staff and will be sorely missed by everyone. I wish Geoff a very happy retirement and wish him and his family well for the future.”

Geoff continued: “I can honestly say that working for the IW ambulance service has been a real pleasure, obviously there have been tough days but I’ve had lots of good ones as well. My colleagues are my friends and I’ll miss them all, in particular

Ray Butcher who I have worked closely with for nearly 20yrs. I am proud to have been part of one of the best performing Services in the Country.”

Geoff now plans to enjoy retirement to the full, take a holiday and get some long awaited jobs done at home but hasn’t ruled out the offer of helping out his Ambulance Service colleagues in a time of need.

Ventnor Carnival

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The Gazette

PIRATES, transvestite rugby players, the bailiffs, Postman Pat and the cast of Star Wars, amongst many others, hit Ventnor on Wednesday for the town’s 120th anniversary carnival. It was a fine turn out for entrants and onlookers alike, and the weather was almost perfect.

Ventnor Rugby Club won first prize for their host of blushing brides as ‘carnival queens’, the Spyglass and Ventnor Yacht Club won second prize for their rebirth of the Buccaneers, albeit of the Ventnor variety, and the Volunteer won awards for originality for their ‘credit crunchies’ float.

Another winning idea was the ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ balloon, and Ventnor Carnival Queens and Princesses were pretty in purple on a 120th anniversary cracker styled float. Fireworks at 9.15pm from the Haven, rounded off the evening’s entertainment.

The illuminated procession will leave Dudley Road at 7.45pm on Saturday.

August 14, 2009

August 14, 2009

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The Gazette

Woof time for Mac

A golden retriever has been dubbed a ‘walking miracle’ after surviving a 40-foot fall off a clifftop in Ventnor while chasing a rabbit - with the help of two ‘doggy splints’.

Mac is now on the road to recovery. Owner Margaret Sills, who was holiday on the Island, spoke about how her 18-month-old dog Mac has astounded rescuers and vets with his determined recovery. Less than three weeks after he suffered two broken legs and a collapsed lung, Mac is fully mobile on a pair of specially-made doggy splints.

40 foot

Margaret and Mac were 10 days into a month-long holiday on the Island when he spotted a rabbit and chased it straight through a bush over a cliff. Incredibly he survived landing on rocks along the coast from Ventnor beach after plummeting three times the height of a double decker bus.

Distraught Margaret called the Isle of Wight coastguard who rescued death-defying Mac using a stretcher before he was rushed to a local vet.

A team of critical care vets, nurses and orthopaedic surgeons tended the injured dog through two operations

and a two-week stay in intensive care. Now back at home in nearby Somersham, Cambridgeshire Mac is getting used to walking with splints as part of his miraculous recovery.

A spokeswoman for the Isle of Wight coastguard said: “We sent some of our volunteer coastguards to assess the situation and assist where possible.

“Our role is search and rescue for people and vessels, but there are incidents on the shoreline involving animals where we assist the owners to prevent them from injuring themselves.”

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The Gazette

August 14, 2009

Holland or bust Talking Madness Madness: Woody (Dan Woodgate) is seated centre front

By Jo Macaulay ON HEARING that the Madness gig would be the climax to the bank holiday weekend, Woody (Daniel Woodgate) drummer with Madness said: “I’ve always wanted to be the climax for someone.” And more of this typical Madness humour will be unleashed when The Summer Madness concert with Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band, Gentlemen’s Dub Club and Jerry Dammers of the Specials hits Carisbrooke Castle fields on August 30.

Woody was impressed to hear that the backdrop to the gig would be the oldest stately home and fortress on the Island.

“We’ve played quite a few gigs in the grounds of stately homes. It’s amazing to think that just one family lived in some of them. When we were doing a gig in Nottingham (at Wollaton Park) Suggs said after the gig, “All back to my place?”” laughed Woody.

Madness played the Bestival back in 2007 and Woody remembered it being a fantastic gig. “That whole festival had a great vibe,” he remembered. Woody came back here for a family holiday with his wife and two daughters, Iona (15) and Mary (12), but the weather wasn’t so kind. “It rained all week, but the pub lunches were very nice. I think we did them all. We drove around the whole Island!”

The band will be travelling to the Island straight from Rock en Seine, where they’re due to play just before Oasis. “We’ll be chilled out after Paris and we’ll toddle on over to another cultural centre on the Isle of Wight,” he laughed. “It would be nice if we get families coming and I hope the weather’s nice.”

Joining Madness in 1978, Woody said of his career that it had ‘been a journey’, but that he had lived in the real word too.

“I had a floor sanding company in the 90s and taught music technology in schools,” said Woody. “I even killed wasps in a pest

SUMMER MADNESS TICKET INFORMATION: Buy tickets for Summer Madness now from:

See Tickets: telephone 0871 2200 260 or visit www.seetickets.com Ventor Blog: telephone 01983 898 999 or visit www.ventnorblog.com Or in person at the following outlets:

Suzes Room, 10a Pier Street, Ventnor, IW HMV 62 High Street, Newport, IW, PO30 1BA

Sunny Days: Victoria Arcade, Union Street, Ryde, IW

Tourist Information centres - Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin & Yarmouth control company one summer.”

Unfortunately Woody will not be staying over on the Island on this trip. “There’s a ferry with my name on it.” But he’s looking forward to the gig and returning to the Island. “I’ve got memories of a family holiday on the Island back in the early 70s. We stayed at a farm and it was near the coast. I was with my brother and my Dad and I even had a go in his car,” he remembered fondly.

Madness’s new album, The Liberty of Norton Folgate, is based on an area that was just outside the City of London. “Suggs was reading about it and it was an area for vagabonds and immigrants, an independent area with its own government and its own laws until 1903. It was a macrocosm of what London stands for,” said Woody who was interested to hear that the Island is often thought of as a microcosm of the rest of Great Britain. In fact the last independent ruler of the Island, Isabella de Fortibus, lived at Carisbrooke Castle.

LINDSAY SEXTON said she had sent sexy pics to the boys on the balcony while they were in their self imposed incarceration although she was at pains to point out that they were not of her. “It was just to keep them entertained – they were out of the tabloids,” said Lindsay.

Speaking outside the recently vacated Vestas building on the morning of Friday 7 August, the 26-year-

old said she had been outside the factory gates for much of the occupation and that she used to work with both Seb Secora and Mark Flowers (Pirate) until she was made redundant along with her colleagues last month.

Unfortunately Lindsay was going to be unable to make the rally on Wednesday August 12 as she was travelling to Holland for an interview with rival wind turbine manufacturer

WIN! ISLE of Wight Gazette and Summer Madness!

2009 have teamed up to give ten lucky readers the chance to win tickets to this fun-filled music spectacular. On Sunday August 30th, the legendary Madness are heading to the Isle of Wight to enter-

Suzlon. “The only decent job I can get is by going abroad,” said Linsday.

“Avancors, an agency, was finding jobs for Vestas people but only a handful have been offered jobs. It’s about two hours on the train from Amsterdam.”

Due back on the Island on Friday morning, Lindsay was quite apprehensive about her interviews, that included working for a day at the factory.

Tickets to the fun-filled Summer Madness!

tain the Summer Madness! crowds with their remarkable array of hits, both old and new. They will be joined by many more great bands. For more information check out: www.iowsummermadness. com. Tickets are available at www.seetickets.com

- 0871 2200 260 as well as a number of additional outlets.

Answer the question below, then send your entry to: Madness Competition, IW Gazette, Spithead Business Centre, Sandown, IW, PO36 9PH.

Questions: Which date is Madness playing on the Island?

Answer: Name: Address:

Tel no: The prize will be awarded to the first correct entry opened after Wednesday August 19, 2009. Terms and conditions apply.

Employees and their immediate families of Home Grown Events and The Gazette are not allowed to enter. The editor’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.

August 14, 2009

news 13

The Gazette

Families show support UNACCUSTOMED to direct action as our sleepy offshore haven has been, it was a rude awakening for Vestas directors and Island residents when disgruntled employees stormed the Vestas blade plant. Not only regional, but national and international press coverage followed and sympathetic protests have been in the national news this week.

Occupying the balcony at Vestas were, at first, around LEANNE GODLEY, wife of Vestas occupier Mike Godley, was at the rally in St Thomas’s Square on Wednesday August 12 and spoke to The Gazette: “We’ve only been married a couple of months. I have been in support of Mike – I wouldn’t have asked him to come out, although, obviously, I missed him. The first week was the hardest – the first few days when I didn’t know if it would be violent or that he might be arrested. I was disgusted that they didn’t feed them and I kept ringing up all the human rights places to get help.

“My low point was the

fifteen employees who had been threatened with redundancy. A number that gradually decreased as it became apparent that the company would win back possession, after an injunction was granted on Thursday.

The occupiers dwindled to a final defiant six on the day of the bailiff’s visit last Friday.

These were Jaymie Rigby (23), Ian Terry (16), Dave Arbuthnott (41), Mark Smith, Justin Moody and Mark Flowers.

Saturday of the first week – we’d been living on the anxiety and it got to the Saturday and I didn’t want to hassle anyone anymore. When we went home people were scared of it – they thought I’d ask them to come and protest. We’ve been in a meeting today about how we can move this forward and we’re just waiting to see what the workers want to do.

“I did have contact with the other wives. It was lovely meeting them down at the site. It was a bit of a comfort blanket. I’m glad that it ended the way it did – peacefully. The whole thing was absolutely exhausting.”

Mike and Leanne Godley

Thanks for our wedding present Vestas!

Above left: Justin Moody and son Jamie

14 news It was all very prim and proper at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway last weekend when the Victorians returned to the station after a hundred year absence.

Even Queen Victoria travelled on the line when she was in residence at Osborne House until 1901- she loved to travel all over the Island when we had a wonderful network of railway lines.

Her subjects were in festive mood at the weekend and the pearly kings and queens helped to get everybody dancing along the platforms. Pearly queens Marilyn and Marion sang their ‘cockney’ hearts out for the ladies and gentlemen waiting for their trains.

Ladies with bustles and parasols and gentlemen sporting mutton-chop sideburns mingled with the visiting 21st century passengers, giving a definite Victorian atmosphere to the whole weekend.

A vintage Punch and Judy show entertained youngsters and their parents as they picnicked on the grass and the fully licensed restaurant offered sumptuous cream teas, ‘Engine Drivers Lunches’ or the ‘Shunters Special’ of the day.

Passengers on the regular trips to Wootton, Ashey and back to Haven street in the beautifully restored Victorian and Edwardian carriages may have even sat where Queen Victoria had once been seated. She might have been amused.

Welcome to The Gazette

August 14, 2009

August 14, 2009

news 15

The Gazette

Sadly missed

Phil Legge

1952-2009

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The Gazette

August 14, 2009

Phil and Mary pictured at their recent wedding at St. Peter’s Church, Havenstreet.

The perfect gent Phil, Mary and friends offloading yet another carriage to add to their Museum’s collection.

WELL-known businessman and horse expert Phil Legge died peacefully at Earl Mountbatten Hospice on Saturday, August 1, aged 57 after a long illness.

Much loved husband to Mary and father to Simon and Matt; Phil was also father in law to Trish and Charlotte and grandfather to Madeline and Phoebe. He will be greatly missed by all of his friends and family and the horse riding and country community across the Island.

Herefordshire-born Phil came to the Island as a 20-year-old farrier, with an ultimatum from his father ringing in his ears: he had to give the move a good go. Forbidden from returning home for 12 months, Phil went on to establish Brickfields in 1983, the wellknown equestrian centre which has become one of the Island’s most popular tourist attractions and riding centres.

Born in 1952, Phil grew up on his parents’ 150-acre dairy farm, one of a large family of six children. Phil was passionate about horses, riding them since the age of two, being led round the field by his father. By the age of four, he had his own pony to ride round the farm, and was a member of the North Herefordshire Pony Club for several years. His earliest experience of the equestrian business

was buying “green” (unbroken) horses with his father, bringing them on and then selling them for profit. This gave him a wealth of experience in riding difficult horses.

On leaving school at 14, Phil had already decided he wanted to be a farrier, and managed to secure an apprenticeship in the nearby market town of Bromyard, with J.G Searle & Son. Once Phil finished his apprenticeship, he had a gentleman’s agreement with his boss that he would not set up in business in the same area and as a man of his word he looked elsewhere to set up.

A friend on the Island (Harold George) told him of the need for farriers on the Island and Phil came to the Island with a mini pickup worth £750 on HP, a box of tools, and about £10 in his pocket at the age of 20.

Working five days a week, shoeing about 10 horses a day, Phil used to go home almost every weekend and within 12 months had a new car and a new pickup.

He met his first wife, Pam, at one of the horse shows he used to go to and they were married in 1975, at Godshill Church, and soon afterwards they purchased the former brick works, Brickfields, which at that time was a cottage, a couple of tin sheds and four acres

August 14, 2009

The Gazette

Phil pictured at Brickfields with sons Matt, Simon and grand-daughter Madeline.

Phil and Mary pictured at Terry Willeys Christmas party, December 08

Phil training a young Shire

news 17 of grounds.

Phil would also travel to horse shows in a caravan selling saddlery and the couple decided to build an inside school where they could sell the saddlery all year round. Applying for planning permission in 1980/81 for the indoor school, car parks and refreshment areas, was the beginning of the Brickfields Arena, as it is known today.

Phil married his long-term partner Mary in May of this year, having learned that he was suffering from cancer. Together the couple raised £11,000 to be donated to the Earl Mountbatten Hospice and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

Friend Ken Young described Phil as, “a person who cared about people. He gained his knowledge from his father and was a top horseman in his own right,” said Ken. “When Phil asked you how you were he really meant it – he cared about everyone.”

Phil’s son Simon said, as an illustration of his dad’s jocular nature, that he used to frequently boast that he was the only male member of the North Hereford Pony Club in his youth. Son Matt said that his father was always there for him and that he had taught him to ride racehorses.

A joker and a larger than life character, Phil was also described as a genuine, wise countryman, “whose like we are hard to find,” and his death is a sad loss to the horse world, as well as to his family and friends.

The funeral service is to take place on Wednesday August 19 at 2pm at Quarr Abbey. Family flowers only, but donations, if desired, to Earl Mountbatten Hospice, c/o William Hall, funeral directors, Springbank, Winford Road, Newchurch, PO36 0JX.

Phil with his young Shire “Harry”

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The Gazette

August 14, 2009

August 14, 2009

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The Gazette

COWES 2009 The De Havilland Sea Vixen wows the crowd at Cowes Week

Lycra, luminous leggings and retro perms were the order of the day at ‘Electric 80s’ at Cowes Yacht Haven on Fireworks night. Billed as the ‘biggest indoor beach party’, guests were invited to come along in 80s gear or beachwear, with a number of men interpreting this as ‘dress as women in nightdresses with blond wigs’ for some reason –whatever floats

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your boat!

Revelers had the chance to get sand between their toes without even stepping outside and there was also a ‘love boat’ for partygoers to sit in and rest their feet after hitting the illuminated dance floor.

Djs such as Jakey Chan and Wills of Steel took the decks throughout the night.

A meal for 2 at China China Answer the question below, then send your entry to: China China Competition, IW Gazette, Spithead Business Centre, Sandown, IW, PO36 9PH.

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20 news

Teacher The Gazette

August 14, 2009

cares for Bear August 14, 2009

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The Gazette

BEAR GRYLLS took the role of a distressed mariner at Cowes last Friday and Kirsty Walker, volunteer with the RNLI and schoolteacher from Cowes, was on his boat when he was ‘rescued’ from his Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB).

After setting off an orange distress flare, Bear was winched from his RIB and lowered onto the Calshot Lifeboat. DJ Dick Johnson then ‘went overboard’ and Kirsty (32) jumped in to save him.

The ‘rescues’ came just after the Red Arrows display and before the fireworks, and was organised by the RNLI in conjunction with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. “It was difficult to chat to Bear because I had a helmet on,” said Kirsty who helped with both manoevres.

During term time Kirsty is a PE teacher at Sandham Middle School, but at evenings and weekends she’s down at Shepherd’s Wharf as soon as her pager sounds the alarm, and changing into her waterproofs and lifejacket.

Although Kirsty cannot respond to her pager at work she will when she’s on the way home. “If I’m at

the B&Q roundabout I can make it,” said Kirsty of her drive home from Sandown to Cowes.

Once down at the wharf, the first four into their kit usually go out on the call and the others will help to launch the boat. “The second you hear the sound of your pager the adrenaline kicks in. And the first question you ask as you walk in the door (to the RNLI station at Shepherd’s Wharf) is “what is it?”

I’ve been putting on the last piece of makeup to go out for the evening and I’ve got a page,” said Kirsty.

“And whenever you plan on having an early night then the pager goes off again – you learn to live with it.”

Kirsty’s family and friends are all really impressed with her work with the RNLI. “But in a way I just feel I’m privileged to be trained and to have the skills,” she explained. “My pupils at school are really impressed – they always want to know about their teacher.”

When Kirsty moved to the Island to take up her teaching post four years ago, she joined Gurnard Sailing Club and the sea became her passion. Learning first dingy sailing

and then taking power boating and safety courses, Kirsty’s instructor was a volunteer for the lifeboat. He introduced her to the team and she came on board 2 ½ years ago.

Kirsty was manning the lifeboat throughout Cowes week and attended all but one of the call outs, which included a yacht aground on Gurnard Ledge and an engine fire at East Cowes just before the fireworks. “It was very quiet during Cowes Week this year – only seven or eight shouts during the week and all were while we were out on the water during the day,” said Kirsty.

Last year Kirsty and her 12 fellow Cowes crewmembers and five shorebased crew, plus RNLI crews based at lifeboat stations in Bembridge and Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, saved 141 people in 122 rescues.

Formerly an independent lifeboat, Cowes Inshore Lifeboat handed over service to the RNLI last July.

Support the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) as official charity of Cowes Week 2009 through the RNLI’s fundraising events at www.rnli.org.uk/ cowesweekevents.

22 news

The Gazette

August 14, 2009

Madness, they call it madness!

“We’re going weekly!” Well I think you’ll probably have noticed that we already have, unless you’ve just been under the impression that we already were and that every other issue the paper was surprisingly similar to the last one.

It’s been crazy over here – especially as we’ve acquired a very boisterous news hound in the office who leaps up, eyes shining every time a siren sounds and an emergency service vehicle races past the office windows.

And I’d never realized quite how ideally situated our office is until I joined the news team. Are there really as many emergencies as there seem to be each day or is it just that I didn’t notice them before?

Jason Kay has joined our team from his previous life as a photojournalist in the North Island and is quickly making his presence felt among the local community.

News just falls from the sky and into his lap - Is the Isle of Wight ready for this?

And I’m amazed at the amount of news we have on our Island. We just had to go weekly this week because our material would have been out of date otherwise.

On the features side there have been loads of fun events to enjoy again with the Cowes Week fireworks, the chilled out Didgeridoo Festival and carnival season in full swing.

The Gazette will be at the Garlic Festival this weekend, so make sure you come and meet us at our stand – and if you’ve got a story to share, all the better.

August 14, 2009

The Gazette

LYCRA, luminous leggings and retro perms were the order of the day at ‘Electric 80s’ at Cowes Yacht Haven on Fireworks night. Billed as the ‘biggest indoor beach party’, guests were invited to come along in 80s gear or beachwear, with a number of men interpreting this as ‘dress as women in nightdresses with blond wigs’

80s NIGHT AT HAVEN

for some reason –whatever floats your boat!

Revelers had the chance to get sand between their toes without even stepping outside and there was also a ‘love boat’ for partygoers to sit in and rest their feet after hitting the illuminated dance floor. Djs such as Jakey Chan and Wills of Steel took the decks throughout the night.

news 23

Didgeree who

24 news

The Gazette

August 14, 2009

Who would have thought that the Island would host the first festival specifically dedicated to Didgeridoo playing? It was a labour of love for Gerry Priddle, founder of DidgHead Radio, and one that brought lovers of the ‘instrument of the breath’ from all over the globe.

“Just under 5,000 people are expected over the whole weekend, with around 1,500 visitors each day,” said Gerry. “Firstly this festival is about introducing this instrument to the public and secondly it’s about creating an experience that people will like – an ambience. And thirdly it’s to finance DidgHead radio.”

“I couldn’t have done this without Dave “The Hat” Bradshaw,” said Gerry. “He’s organised all the stewards and the rotas and everything!”

Dancing in the Dreaming Performers Acts at the festival included the celtic-aboriginal Australian born psychedelic band Kangaroo Moon, who were joined on stage by New Zealand based Sika Rose on Didgeridoo, following his spirited solo set earlier in the day.

Two groups from France incuded Iboga, a four piece band including didgeridoo and WaDohm, a three piece with didgeridoo and hang. Soloist Zalem, also from France, was accompanied by amazing tribal fusion dancing from Esther.

Croatia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany and Russia were represented in the line up, which along with didgeridoo players included the spaceship shaped ‘Hang’ with its soft bell-like sounds and ‘throat singing’ from around the globe.

No Didgeridoo Festival would be complete without a bona fide aborigine and Jermane (his ‘white’ name) was happy to fill the bill at Calbourne Mill last weekend.

Jermane came from his homelands in the Palma River, North Queensland, Australia to educate westerners about the aboriginal way of life. A native of the Gu Gu Yaandji people, Balbay (his aborigine name meaning ‘striking lightening) danced traditional aboriginal dances, resplendent in the body paint of his people.

August 14, 2009

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The Gazette

Didgi be ‘avin’ you It was a chance encounter between a murder squad detective and a busker that led to a complete life change for the policeman.

Colin Goring was a murder squad detective in East London and was also looking after a friend with a brain tumour.

Under immense emotional pressure, Colin was on a train one day and had a sudden urge to get off at the next station. Walking down the street he came upon a busker playing a didgeridoo and within months he’s resigned from the force.

Colin now runs a shop and online business selling genuine Aboriginal arts and didgeridoos and he was at the Didgeridoo Festival along with many other crafts’ people who make their own instruments.

The Gazette

26 feature

Get out in the garden It’s barbecue time again, and now that evenings are warmer, families and friends are gathering around the ‘barbie’ for an evening of shared laughter, food and warmth. So you need to make sure your garden is dressed to impress – garden centres have very good deals on plants at this end of the season and you might even pick up bargain planters and garden features.

It is believed that most of the 40,000 tonnes of barbecued charcoal used every year in the UK comes from unsustainable sources but you can buy organic charcoal, produced on the Isle of Wight. Not only can Wight Heat’s charcoal be used for your barbecue, but also in your chimenea, wood burner and stove. This will give you clean, green fuel at a very low price and help the environment by reducing the amount of wood waste going into landfill.

Wight Heat takes clean waste wood, sawdust and offcuts, and turns it into green fuel. Their wood briquettes can be used for Bar-b-ques, chimeneas, wood burners, stoves and agas. Rather than joinery or wood working companies sending their wood shavings and sawdust to land fill, it’s all going to Wight Heat to make green fuel wood briquettes. Joanna Richards of Wight Heat said, “Not only is it green but clean as well. It’s easy to handle and stores well, and when burnt, you can enjoy the warmth and that wonderful natural smell of wood.” This is a new green use for something that has traditional been thought of as waste. “It’s a win win situation,” says John Packer, manager of Morey’s. “It helps the company reduce our waste and creates an environmentally friendly product that is convenient for customers.”

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August 14, 2009

The Gazette

feature 27

Organic barbecuing New Manor Farm Shop specialise in organic beef and lamb from their own farm. Set just 50 yards along a path from Freshwater Church in Copse Lane, the shop has beautiful views across the river Yar. Home made burgers such as the Angus Burger are a particular speciality, and they also have lots of home made cakes, soups and pies, all freshly cooked in the farm shop kitchen.

More people than ever are barbecuing with organic ingredients - meat and vegetables that have not been treated with any kind of

chemical product or process. For meat to be branded as organic, animals must be kept free from malnutrition, physical discomfort, disease and fear - amongst other things. Animals must also be fed an organic diet.

The Soil Association has shown concern at the use of antibiotics in farm animals and the possible effects this could have on humans.

Therefore, to be fully accepted as organic, meat has to come from animals who remain clear of antibiotics as well.

That little bit of luxury

If you really want to impress your guests then a spa tub in your garden is going to be absolutely fabulous, particularly as the summer evenings draw in. You could also leave your spa pool on throughout the winter and jump straight in after a long grueling day at work.

A spa pool from Eccott and sons will be just what you need – and you might be pleasantly surprised at the cost.

Choosing your meat If you want to plump for Island reared meat for your barbecue then you can’t go wrong with Hamilton’s Fine Foods which is a genuine family-run Isle of Wight business, by father and daughter team Andy and Kerry Gustar. The butchers specialised in local produce long before it became fashionable and have an established and loyal Isle of Wight client base for their Island-reared meats.

Beef is from Andrew Hodgson at Newbarn Farm in Shorwell, where his top rate husbandry ensures delicious top quality beef. The meat is matured for a minimum of 14 days for the forequarters and 21 days for the hindquarters. Lamb is also from Newbarn Farm for 40 weeks of the year and for the remaining 12 weeks is from other Island farms.

Isle of Wight pork is from Branstone Farm at Apse Heath for approximately 30 weeks of the year. Two Hampshire farms with consistently high quality meat support the local pork supply throughout the year.

Highview Farm in Newport supply Isle of Wight free-range chicken. Quality cuts such as supremes and breast fillets are from other suppliers but only A grade poultry.

A range of British and continental cheeses can be supplied as whole cheeses, chopped or grated and rare cheeses can be supplied upon request.

28 news

The Gazette

August 14, 2009

Feathers, fur and all THE GAZETTE continues its look at the leading Island attractions, and this time we visit the site formerly known as Flamingo Park, which has been appropriately renamed the Seaview Wildlife Encounter.

Animals from all over the world

TURN UP at the wildlife sanctuary that used to be known as Flamingo Park and perhaps the only thing you might expect to see would be exotic pink birds standing around on one leg. The former name was a bit of a giveaway, so to speak.

Well, I have to admit that was what I was half expecting when I headed towards the north east of the Island to seek out the 10-acre site just up the road from Seaview.

How wrong could I be!

Yes, there are flamingos – over 100 in total in three different species to be precise. But they form just a small part of a stunning outdoor and indoor attraction that now goes under the banner of the Seaview Wildlife Encounter.

The park has been owned by the Adams family since it was opened in the early 1970s, and has grown in stature and interest ever since. From its humble beginnings as a field for grazing cattle the privatelyowned venture has steadily expanded to its current status as a conservation and education project and one of the Island’s leading wildlife visitor hotspots.

Lorraine Adams, parents Peter and Margaret and brother Mark, are the four directors.

Lorraine explained: “Around 1971 my dad sold his pet shops in London, Cowes and Ryde and bought this land to grow roses.

“Then he went to Slimbridge Wetland Centre in Gloucestershire, and that sparked the idea for all of this. When I was small I remember all the diggers coming in to make the lakes. Then the flamingos and ducks came in and it has grown from there.

“Now, there is never a dull moment. Even in the winter when people think we might run off to Barbados and sit around the pool. But it is even busier in the winter.

“In the summer with our 22 full-time staff around us we get into a routine, but in the winter you still have to look after all the animals, and there is plenty of other work to carry out.”

The impressive collection includes the critically endangered Humboldt penguins – there are fewer than 10,000 in the wild.

They were introduced in 1997 representing one of the most ambitious projects to date.

The Adams family have been told the

park has one of the most successful breeding programmes for the species in Europe.

The penguin numbers are now up to 40.

There are also pelicans, Asia shortclawed otters, many different wildfowl species, meerkats, wallabies with their joeys, a free-flying area for birds, Mirror and Koi carp, a reptile house and a pet’s corner – and of course the inevitable gift shop and cafe.

Lorraine smiled: “The otters have already settled well into their new island home and have proven to be a delight for their human on-lookers - both staff and visitors alike!

“We also have two educational areas, and a lake for people to come and feed the ducks or have a picnic. We receive excellent feedback from visitors, who find it a very relaxed environment.”

The park attracts close to 100,000 visitors during its season from the week before Easter until November 1, and caters for all age groups, with birthday parties particularly popular.

Fantastic facilities and grounds at the park

Assistant Fern Daley with albino joey

Joey and me IN BETWEEN helping to run the Seaview Wildfowl Encounter, director Lorraine Adams is also playing ‘mum’ to a baby albino wallaby – known as a joey.

The baby was left abandoned when its mother died, and although it roams freely around the park during the day – often having sun cream on its nose to avoid sunburn – in the evening it heads home with Lorraine.

She said: “We had an old albino wallaby that had been with us for about 15 years, and sadly it died. She had the Joey which was still in her pouch when she died.

“So we are now hand-rearing the joey, who comes and lives with me at night. It sleeps in a back pack, encased with blankets, which we use to try to replicate the mother’s pouch.

“The joey is six months old, and I have to say he is getting me up at 4 o’clock in the morning jumping around the house.

But I don’t mind because he is absolutely adorable.”

August 14, 2009

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The Gazette

North 3-Vestas nil

John Prescott, the former deputy prime minister, and his wife Pauline were in Cowes last Friday, filming for a BBC 2 documentary series on the North, South divide. Towards the western end of the green, Mr Prescott was interviewing fellow northerner Ellen MacArthur.

“I had to say ‘bath’ three times before I was understood by someone,” complained Ellen of an experience when she first moved ‘down south’ from her home county of Derbyshire. A native of Hull, Mr Prescott sympathized with being misunderstood.

“I don’t find I’m less welcome here – there are nice people and not so nice people wherever you go,” continued Ellen who

said she hadn’t really had any quips from people since moving south. “My accent comes back when I go home,” she did admit.

Pauline, John’s wife, told the Gazette that she had stayed in Portsmouth as a child and had come across to Ryde and Cowes on visits when the couple stopped for refreshments at a nearby show flat.

The couple then walked back towards Cowes, as a passing member of the public called out “Hope you’re on you’re best behaviour this time John” When pressed the Gazette reporter to answer as to his thoughts on the Vestas situation, Mr Prescott said, “I don’t want to talk about that.”

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30 news

The Gazette

August 14, 2009

Bright Day for Newchurch Pompey want

Above: Newchurch’s Elliott Day (yellow shirt) is tackled

by Dave Mikolajec. Below: Shanklin’s Sam Dye (blue shirt) battles for possession. Below right: Liam Sherry goes up with Newchurch no.9 Terry Wackrill

NEWCHURCH won the inaugural Dave Turner Memorial Trophy after beating Shanklin in a keenly contested final at the County Ground.

The four team pre-season tournament, formerly known as the South Wight Cup, was re-introduced by Shanklin as an annual invitational competition in memory of the late Shanklin goalkeeper Dave Turner.

In the two semi-finals, Shanklin edged out Shanklin VYCC 1-0, while Sandown were beaten 7-1 by Newchurch.

In the finals John Ferrin opened the scoring for the

away side with a header midway through the first half, before Elliott Day added two more before the break to give the away side a 3-0 half time lead.

The second half saw Newchurch maintain their advantage, with the impressive Day completing his hat trick with a thumping header after some fine build up play.

At the end of the game, following some words in memory of Dave Turner by Trevor Thorne, the trophy and medals were handed out and flowers presented to Lynne Turner.

Tennis fun for juniors YOUNGSTERS from Ryde Mead Tennis Club travelled to the mainland to compete in Portsmouth’s Annual Junior Tennis event.

The competition was held indoor at the Priory Tennis Club, and for many of the children it was their first experience of playing at an indoor venue, and for some their first experience of a mainland competition.

After overcoming some initial nerves, many of the players started to play their best tennis and many got excellent results against some of the best players in Hampshire.

In the Under 8s MiniRed competition, Dexter Collins, Henry Mcluckie, Jevon Dry, Lacey Matthews and Joe Hancott all took part. Joe and Lacey

both won four out of their five matches, but unfortunately it was not enough for them to progress to the semi-finals.

In the under 9s MiniOrange competition, Ewan Hallett, Scott Penn, Joe Butcher, Joe Hancott and Joe Newnham competed.

Again some great tennis was played, and after all the group matches were finished, all the players went into knockout playoffs to decide the final positions. Scott edged out Ewan for ninth place, while Joe Newnham won a thrilling three set match against Joe Butcher to secure seventh place. Joe Hancott, who played in a higher age group up won three out of his four matches to finish in a very respectable fifth place.

Mini-Orange Players (from left to right): Joe Newnham, Scott Penn, Ewan Hallett and Joe Butcher.

Mini-Red Players - (from left to right) Joe Hancott, Henry McLuckie, Lacey Matthews, Dexter Collins and Jevon Dry

Island support

PORTSMOUTH fans living on the Island have been urged to make the journey to Fratton Park for the opening Premier League game of the season as the club attempts to ride out another storm.

Portsmouth begin their campaign at home to Fulham this weekend, with the takeover by Sulaiman Al Fahim still seemingly on a knife edge. But manager Paul Hart wants all Pompey followers, including those based here on the Island to give his understrength squad their full backing.

The 56-year-old said: “It’s going to be a fight all the way this season. I’ve always tried to tell the truth – as I’ve been trying to tell everyone for the last two months. Nobody seems to believe me, but we’ve got no money.

“We all want to be successful for this football club and, yes, we know we need players to come in. We’re not dodging that and will endeavour to do so in difficult circumstances. But what we do need is for fans to understand our situation.

“We need everyone to get behind the players and the club at this time and show what great support we know we have. I think once people understand where we are in terms of our position we can regroup. The club, the players, the staff and the fans all know we have to battle to get through this.

“We need everyone on the same wavelength and it’s not going be easy, but if we fight we can pull through what we face. I want everyone to know I’m proud of being manager, just as our supporters are proud of their club. It’s worth fighting for,” said Hart.

Golf event raises £1,500 for hospice

FRESHWATER Bay Golf Club held their annual charity day, raising more than £1,500 for The Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

A raffle and the generosity of local sponsors helped swell the funds. The prize for nearest the pin on the first was won by Derek Wright and the 14th by Anne Farrelly, while the best ‘away’ score was Brian Wright from Osborne with 40 points.

Best ladies score was Jan Godden also on 40 points and best seniors was won by Ray Cooke with 41 points. The aggregate pairs was closely fought with first and second decided on count back after scores of 83, with Steve Sargeant and Ray Cooke pipping brothers Derek and Brian Wright.

The team competition was played Am-am style with prizes awarded to the best groups of

six holes as well as the winners overall with Tony Hammonds, Nick Riby, Shaun Clarke and Conor White finishing second on 126 to the 128 scored by John Riddlesdell, Chris Boulter, Ray Cooke and Steve Sargeant.

In the singles pride of place and the Island Golf Centre Trophy went to young George Faulkner amassing 44 points and winning a Powakaddy bag that was just as high and twice as wide as him! Derek Wright was second, beating Rick Penn on countback.

A small but hardy contingent entered the stableford with six handicapper Richard Frost scoring an excellent 41 points to take first place. Second went to junior Ryan Harmer with 40 points who as a result joined the ranks of single figure handicaps.

August 14, 2009

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The Gazette

St Catherine’s charity run

Hurricanes new season kicks-off

London 10k Team. (Back row from left to right) Mark Mann, Grenville Shipley, Nigel Rawlence and Michelle Palmer. (Front row) Gloria Grant, Jacqui Milner, Becky Grant, Georgina Randall and Vanda Russell. Sarah Ellis, Cress and Gae de la Fosse were unable to make the team photo.

By Jamie White

TEACHERS, children and family members of St Catherine’s School, Ventnor have successfully completed the gruelling London 10k run-along with almost 25,000 other entrants.

Competitors helped raise £2,000 for the cause, by taking part in the race that started at Hyde Park Corner, London, and wound its way round many famous landmarks to finish at Westminster.

Gloria Grant, who took part in the run, said: “It

was an amazing achievement to cross the finishing line. I was really proud to represent St Catherine’s and found the race quite emotional. We have put in lots of early morning training sessions and I will definitely run again next year.”

St Catherine’s is a national charity working with children and young people with speech, language and communication impairments. Their residential By centre on the Island encompasses

a specialist school, a further education centre, a comprehensive vocational training programme and outreach support.

Another runner, Vanda Russell, said: “It was fantastic to be running with so many other people.

The atmosphere was brilliant with supporters lining the route and cheering us on.”

It is the second year running that St Catherine’s has entered the event, and this year the number taking part has

doubled.

Aimee Steward, St Catherine’s Development Officer, added: “The response has been so overwhelming that we plan to register an even larger team next year. All sponsorship raised directly supports children and young people with communication impairments to fulfil their potential at St Catherine’s. We cannot thank our runners enough, they were fabulous!”

Shanklin and Sandown take the crown

THE HOST team won the prestigious Shanklin and Sandown Vase, holding off fierce opposition from members of two other Island golf clubs.

The event, held over 18 holes at Shanklin and Sandown, attracted 21 teams from all over the south coast. But the mainlanders had to take a back seat as the Shanklin and Sandown quartet fought for the honours against Freshwater and Ryde.

The teams comprised the current captain, vice captain, immediate past captain and a member of committee. The format meant that the best three of the four stableford rounds counted, and S & S, Freshwater and Ryde all amassed 101 points.

The fourth card then came into play, which enabled Freshwater to pip Ryde for second spot. But in a nail-biting countback, S & S were still level with Freshwater on the fourth card scores, which meant the respective captains’ individual total

had to be taken into account.

Shanklin and Sandown captain Neil Jackson totalled 34 stableford points to beat Freshwater’s Gary Holmes by just one point, and allow his team to claim the title. Neil was joined in winning team by John Hart, Adrian Nobbs and Keith Files.

The Freshwater team comprised Gary Holmes, Chris Tansley, Kevin Garrett and Tony Keen, while Ryde GC were represented by Tim Barsdell, Tim Sheath, Vince Beath and Spencer Simpson.

The best individual stableford score finally found the mainlanders among the prizes, with Alton’s Derek Gardner emulating his 2006 victory in the same section with an impressive 41 points. Derek held off Kevin Garrett (39) with Salisbury and South Wilts’ Tony Boulton (38) in third place.

But when it came to accuracy Ryde’s Tim Barsdell showed how it should be done, winning nearest the pin at the par 3 ninth, with an effort

that finished just 38 inches away.

A Mixed Open Greensomes at the same venue, sponsored by Alum Bay Glass, attracted a total of 64 teams, with the Island pair of Ian Ralph (Cowes) and Perdite Potter (Osborne) taking the honours with a score of 47.

Tom Pipes (Hillsborough) and Dorothy Smith (Burton on Trent) were second on countback, with two S & S pairings finishing third and fourth. Husband and wife team Derek and Lynne Maidment were third on 46, two points ahead of Gary Meszynski and Chris Gould.

Shanklin and Sandown’s Saville Cup competition was contested by 100 members, and almost inevitably there was another tense finish.

Victory on countback went to Gwynn White, playing off 14, who scored 40 stableford points.

Chris Teague, playing off 23, finished runner-up on 40, with Leslie Turner, off 25, taking third place, also with 40.

NEWLY promoted Sandown and Shanklin Rugby Club will face Sussex side Heathfield and Waldron in their first preseason match.

The Hurricanes will face their mainland counterparts at their home ground in Station Road, Sandown on Saturday (August 15), kicking off at 3pm.

Boosted by new players and with both the first and second teams promoted to higher leagues, the club is looking forward to a competitive season.

The Hurricanes will be taking part in a pre-season 10-a-side tournament at US Portsmouth on September 5, before they start their season

in the London Division Three South-West away at Kingston, Surrey, while the second team entertains Trojans Seconds on September 12 at home.

The first team’s first home game sees them take on local rivals Gosport and Fareham on September 19.

The club has also announced that for the first time in many seasons they will be fielding a ‘Tornado Vet’s’ side for the forthcoming season.

Training takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 7pm. Anyone interested in playing Rugby at the Hurricanes can contact Joe on 07816 082580 or Lawrence on 07970 009906.

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The Gazette

August 14, 2009

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Islanders tame Wildcats

second in the opener.

The home team were reduced to just five riders in their attempt to defeat the sevenTHE WIGHTLINK Islanders returned to man side immediately above them in the winning ways as they beat the Weymouth league, but defeat was never considered an Wildcats 50-40 to send the visitors home option. with their tails between their legs.

The scores were level at 24-24 when The home side faced a toughtask to over- the home duo of Chris Johnson and Ben come the powerful Wildcats, and that was Hopwood claimed maximum points in made even harder with the news that heat the re-run of heat eight. This opened up a leader Tom Brown was ruled out through four point advantage for the Islanders that injury. was maintained when skipper Simmons The Islanders suffered another setback in produced an incredible outside pass to sail heat two, when the popular reserve Tom through a seemingly non-existent gap to Hill was involved in a high-speed crash take the chequered flag. meaning he could no longer take part.

Chris Johnson won heat 11 and Ben Hill went wide in to the corner and Hopwood heat 12, and the lead was then slammed into the safety fence, before doubled as Simmonds and Johnson grabbed careering across the track into Weymouth’s maximum points in heat 13. Johnson earned Tim Webster. Both riders lay motionless on victory for the Islanders with a brilliant the circuit as the medical crew raced to their inside pass of Wildcats top pair Burrows aid and those on the terraces fell silent. and Cockle on the first bend.

Fortunately, after lengthy attention, both The fans were right behind the home riders were able to get to their feet and limp side and they were duly rewarded when back to the pit area. Webster was able to Hopwood produced a stunning performcontinue riding in the match, but Hill susance in the penultimate heat against Wildcat tained severe bruising to his hips and knees Benji Compton to secure the win. to add to the foot injury he was already Joint team manager Kevin Shepherd was carrying, and was forced to pull out. delighted with the result: “After losing Tom But the remaining Wightlink IslandHill so early in the match and being without ers were in no mood to surrender in what Tom Brown, I still can’t quite believe that proved to be an epic battle that treated the we won tonight. good sized holiday crowd to a demonstra“But we won in brilliant fashion in what tion of speedway at its very best. was a breathtaking match from start to Islanders skipper Nick Simmons folfinish and I’m so very proud of the way the lowed teenager Brendan Johnson home for team just refused to accept defeat as being maximum points as they finished first and an option.”

By Jamie White

Tim Webster and Dan Berwick

Chris Johnson leads Buzz Burrows