IWGazette 78 by The Isle of Wight Gazette

Gazette THE ISLE OF WIGHT

THE ISLAND PEOPLE’S PAPER

Friday December 17, 2010 Issue 78

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WRANGLE PUTS BEMBRIDGE AIRPORT’S FUTURE UNDER THREAT

DOG REUNITED WITH FAMILY THANKS TO THE ISLAND’S RSPCA

See page 3

See page 7

THE GAZETTE STAFF WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

WINTER GARDENS MAY BE SOLD FOR JUST EXCLUSIVE BY JASON KAY

VENTNOR Winter Gardens, one of the town’s most prominent buildings could be sold off by IW Council for just £1. The Gazette understands that the council are ready to turn their backs on running the Winter Gardens. They have already told Ventnor Town Council they are intending to withdraw the £23,000 management funding by the end of the financial year on April 1. Even though they are safe in the knowledge that the Town Council are unable to run themselves, let alone a large venue, pub and catering concession, the Council are offering to sell the building to them for the princely sum of just £1. If the Town Councilors decide to turn down this offer it is unlikely that the building will be offered to a private company, charity or organisation for

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the same paltry sum, although the building may be sold on the open market. A source has revealed that an independent survey on the building has already been done and it has been valued at £250k. Continued on page 5

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CRYING BOY FOUND SAFE AND WELL

POLICE on the Island have identified and traced a boy after concerns for his safety were raised by a member of the public in St. Lawrence near Ventnor. A local man phoned police after a young boy accompanied by two men knocked on his front door at an address in Undercliff Drive at approximately 1.30pm on Monday, November 29, 2010. Police were informed that the boy had been crying at the door. The men explained to the householder that they had become lost while out on a walk. The householder gave them directions to the St. Lawrence coastal path as requested. The boy and two men then walked away together down Old Park Road, past Hunts Road and towards the coastal path. Sergeant Martin Ward of the Isle of Wight Public Protection Unit (PPU) said: “We issued an appeal through the media after initial enquiries in the local area had not identified the boy. I would like to thank members of the public who contacted police as a result of our media appeal. The boy has been identified and located on the island, where there is no concern for his safety and welfare at this time. “Police have also established there were no suspicious circumstances or criminal offences surrounding why he was in St. Lawrence with two men on Monday, November 29. Nevertheless, I have thanked the local resident for contacting us with his concerns. Police would always encourage people to act responsibly by reporting information to the authorities if they believe a child is at risk. Thankfully, that was not the case in this situation.”

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

COUNCIL CLOSEDOWN MANY of the services provided by Isle of Wight Council will close down from 3pm on Christmas Eve until 8.30am on Tuesday, January 4. The council’s Call Centre will close from 3pm on December 24, and will re-open on December 29, 30 and 31 between 9am and 4pm. and will re-open as normal on January 4 and operate under normal working hours. Help Centres in Ryde, Sandown and at County Hall will also close down at 3pm on December 24 and will open again on January 4 at 8.30am, except Ryde which will open at 9am. Anyone needing to report a highways emergency, such as a fallen tree or faulty traffic lights, should ring (01983) 525121 or 823777. For non-emergencies, a Highways message recording service will operate from 3pm December 24 until January 4. For emergencies involving council buildings and housing services, people should ring (01983) 821105. The council’s Wightbus service will run to its usual timetable up to and including Christmas Eve. Subsequently, a revised timetable and service will be in operation on certain days over the festive period. There will be no services on December 25, 26, 27, 28 and January 1, 2 and 3. On December 29, 30 and 31, all

Wightbus services will run as normal with the single exception of the 2.45pm Service 33. Library opening times at branches across the Island will be affected. All libraries will be closed from 3pm December 24 and reopen with their usual hours from Monday January 4. Customers should contact their local library for opening times. The council’s Register Office will be open between 8.30am and 5pm from Monday December 20 until Thursday December 23, and between 8.30 – 3pm on December 24.It will then open between 8.30 – 5pm on December 29, 30 and 31, before opening again as normal from January 4. Individual leisure facilities operated by the council, including leisure centres and entertainment venues, will run to revised opening hours from December 17 until January 4 when hours return to normal. Customers should contact the individual centres or venues for further details. For adult social care there will be a telephone service available from 8.30 to 5pm on December 29, 30 and 31 (until 4.30 on the 31) which can be reached on (01983) 534227. Outside these times the emergency service can be reached on (01983) 821105. Isle of Wight Council Revenue

and Benefits Service, which is based on The Broadway in Sandown, will close from 3.0 on December 24 and will re-open from 8.30 on January 4. Information about when housing benefit payments will be dispatched and credited over the Christmas period are on www. iwight.com under the Revenues and Benefits section. Waste collections will operate to a different timetable for four weeks from Monday December.27 Details can be found on the council’s website, www.iwight.com.

HOTEL TARGETED TWICE

Christmas tree recycling bins will also be available in the following car parks: Brighstone Village, Ventnor Botanic Gardens, Lake New Road, Ryde Waltzing Waters, East Cowes Esplanade and Somerton Park and Ride. Christmas trees can also be placed with garden waste at all household waste recycling centres. The council does not operate a Christmas card recycling scheme although some individual primary schools do. Residents should contact their local school to see if they are participating.

POLICE have launched another investigation after a disused hotel was set on fire for a second time in a week. Police alerted the IW Fire service after a local beat officer who was patrolling Shanklin seafront spotted smoke billowing from the rear of the Meyricks Cliff Hotel. Two retained fire crews from Shanklin and Sandown fire stations tackled the blaze in a small compact room that was well alight when crews gained access. Crews used two high hose reels to extinguisher a bed and mattress. Fire fighters removed the charred remains of carpets and burnt mattresses before venting the building after a large build up of smoke. An investigation by fire crews and the police has revealed that fire was started deliberately and a serious attempt had been made to help the fire spread. No one was hurt in the blaze. The previous day 15 fire fighters spent an hour dealing with a separate blaze that

caused serious damage to other rooms in the property. An Isle of Wight Fire Service spokeswoman said: “We received a number of calls from people reporting the incident and that there was smoke issuing from the building”. Firefighters were told children sometimes played in the boarded-up hotel, which closed about two years ago, and crews entered the building in breathing apparatus to search for people inside. Duty officer Station Manager Dean Hayward for Isle of Wight Fire Service said “Crews arrived promptly to tackle the blaze and stop the spread and further damage.” Mr Hayward went on to confirm that a joint investigation between the fire service and the police had been launched to investigate the cause of the fire.Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the fire or who may have information. Anyone with information should contact the Police on 101.

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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BEMBRIDGE AIRPORT THREAT

BEMBRIDGE AIRPORT will be closed as a commercial venture on January 1, and its whole future will come under threat, following deadlock over a new agreement between its site owner and the aircraft manufacturers Britten-Norman, who are based there. The dispute over a new deal between BrittenNorman and land owner John Taylor has been rumbling on for months. Now it has come to a head, with both sides appearing to end up as losers. The Gazette has been told that Britten-Norman, the UK’s last private aircraft manufacturing company, has scrapped the agreement to use the airport four years ahead of schedule, and will shift the vast majority of their production to the mainland. The move could yet lead to job losses, but from the New Year’s Day Bembridge Airport can only be used as a leisure facility by general aviation pilots. Britten-Norman claim they are disappointed that they have been served notice of the impending airfield closure to all non-residents following a failure to agree new terms with the local land owner. They insist: “Jobs at the Isle of Wight site will remain largely unaffected by the closure of the airfield, although the company will now be forced to move its fixed wing flying operations to another airfield until such

EXCLUSIVE BY JASON KAY time as a new agreement or commercial arrangement is established. The company will continue to operate a heliport in the interim.” Meanwhile, Mr. Taylor will be seeking ways of keeping the airport open as an unlicensed facility, but still make it a viable proposition. If that solution cannot be found, then the airport may be forced to close completely. Mr. Taylor’s spokesman said: “Bembridge Airport has been managed for the past 10 years under an agreement between the airport’s owners and BN Group which was due to expire in 2015. However BN Group has decided that it no longer wants to undertake this role with effect from January 1. “Despite discussions over an extended period, BN Group has not changed its mind so the airport’s owners must make alternative arrangements in order to keep the airport open. The airport’s owners have neither the expertise nor resources to take over the management of what is currently a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) licensed operation. “The need for it to be licensed was largely to satisfy BN Group’s requirements. But the CAA is happy that the airport remains open on

an unlicensed basis. This is quite usual for airports and aerodromes used largely for recreational and leisure purposes. “Existing users, including amateur flyers based at the airport, the gliding club, occasional visitors using the landing strip and any emergency users, will still be able to use the airport. In addition, BN Group will be offered terms to use the facility as a customer if it wants to do so. “CAA is aware that air traffic control and some other facilities previously provided by BN Group will no longer be available and is regulating how the airport should operate in the future. The airport’s owners are keen to maintain the airport at Bembridge and are considering how this can be achieved in light of BN Group’s decision.” The airport is home to the Island’s only hard surfaced runway. BrittenNorman claim to be the most innovative aircraft manufacturer, building the world’s most versatile aircraft - the ubiquitous Islander, Trislander and Defender. In 2001 Britten-Norman were appointed as the manager of Bembridge Airport on behalf of Bembridge Airport Limited. They say the existing management agreement for the airfield terminated in November 2009, since when Britten-Norman have been continuing to operate the airfield on an interim

Britten-Norman headquarters at Bembridge Airport

An Islander aircraft built by Britten-Norman management basis, pending the successful negotiation of a new agreement. The intention of the new agreement was to vary terms in order to co-ordinate the various airfield users under a unified safety management system and to realign the airfield running costs to be more in line with other airfields along the south coast. A spokesman for BrittenNorman said “We are obviously extremely disappointed that we have been unable to come to agreement over terms with the land owner. The airfield is a beautiful spot that attracts many visitors into the local community. We have tried a number of measures to avoid this situation, including

making contact with our local MP, but unfortunately have not been successful so far. “Britten-Norman remains committed to continuing operations from the Bembridge site in spite of the obvious challenge that it now faces with the potential airport closure.” A spokesperson for the Civil

Aviation Authority, said: “We have not yet received formal notification that the owner of Bembridge Airport wishes to relinquish the aerodrome’s licence. We will be discussing all options with the owner, but ultimately, it is a commercial decision for the owner alone to make.”

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

RED FLARES SPEAKERS STOLEN IN FALSE Gazette FROM SEAVIEW RESULT ALARM FOR COWES LIFEBOAT THE ISLE OF WIGHT

THE ISLAND PEOPLE’S PAPER

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SEND YOUR NEWS TO Address: Unit B18, Spithead Business Centre, Newport Road, Isle of Wight, PO36 9PH Tel: 01983 898340 Fax: (01983) 404819

THE NEWS EDITOR Write to: Jason Kay, Unit B18, Spithead Business Centre, Newport Road, IW, PO36 9PH Tel: 01983 898341 Email: jason@ iwgazette.co.uk

OUR NEWS TEAM

POLICE have released photographs of two distinctive sound speakers reported stolen after a burglary at a house in Seaview. The break-in happened sometime between midnight on the morning of Friday, December 10, 2010 and 1.30pm on Sunday, December 12. Other items reported stolen from the address in Bluett Avenue include a black 38-inch Panasonic LCD TV. Investigating officer Detective Constable Piers Rochford of Isle of Wight CID said: “Police are following several lines of enquiry to gather evidence and identify possible suspects. “We’re releasing photographs

of the speakers reported stolen after the victim told us they are very rare and of great personal value. They feature artwork from the Greatest Hits album of the famous DJ Fatboy Slim. Only 20 sets of these speakers

“They are very rare and of great personal value.”

were ever produced. “I would appeal to anyone with information about the speakers or the identity of those responsible for the burglary to contact detectives at Isle of Wight CID.” Contact Detective Constable Piers Rochford at Newport Police Station by phoning 101.

John Coles Tel: 01983 898347 Email: newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk Penny Newnham Tel: 01983 898347 Email: penny@iwgazette.co.uk

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A REPORT of two red flares illuminating the late night sky near the River Medina and the Folly Inn resulted in the Cowes RNLI all-weather lifeboat and its four volunteer crew spending more than three hours on the water assisting HM Coastguards whilst they conducted a thorough search of the coastline. The lifeboat launched just after 10.45pm on December 11 after two 999 calls to the coastguard operations centre. Once on scene it used its powerful spotlights to light the rocky coastline while the coastguards conducted a search. Nothing was found, and the operation was stood down at dawn. The lifeboat returned to its station at Shepards Marina in the early hours on Sunday Morning. Mark Southwell, Lifeboat Operations Manager called for people to act responsibly at this time. of year. “The Lifeboat crew will always respond to a distress flare and treat it as a genuine emergency,” he said. “It would be useful if people thought through the consequences, especially in the run up to Christmas and New Year, as it will inevitably call our crews away from their friends and family.”

MAN SNATCHES £350 IN RAID

POLICE are investigating a report of a walk-in robbery at an Island petrol station. A man walked into Sandford Garage at Sandford near the Whiteley Bank crossroads at approximately 3pm on Sunday, December 5. He threatened the woman working behind the counter with a piece of brick in his right hand, and demanded she give him all the money in the till. The member of staff opened the till and the man stole £350 in cash before running away from the garage. The woman was not injured. The suspect is described as white, approximately 6ft 1in tall, slight build, pale complexion, short hair and no facial hair. He was wearing a pale grey hooded top, black tracksuit trousers with a white stripe down the side of the legs and trainers, which were partially white in colour. A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: “Detectives

from Isle of Wight CID are in charge of pursuing several lines of enquiry this week. We would like to thank all the witnesses who have told police what they saw. “Initial enquiries suggest the suspect had been hanging around near the garage for several minutes before the

robbery took place. We are keen to hear from anyone else who may remember seeing a man acting suspiciously in Sandford on Sunday afternoon, or who thinks they know the suspect’s identity. “There is no evidence at the moment to connect this robbery to similar crimes reported at

shops in Newport and Ryde during November. However, we are visiting businesses across the island to highlight sensible crime prevention advice during the Christmas shopping season.” Anyone with information is asked to contact Isle of Wight CID at Newport Police Station by phoning 101.

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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WINTER GARDENS SHAMBLES

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The last estimate for repairs to the building stood at £600k and the IW Council is apparently going to wash its hands of any further responsibility for this iconic deco-style building that stands sentinel to the Haven and seafront below. A recent consultation at the premises, that featured a film commissioned from Town Councillor David George and many old photographs of the building over the years, has apparently made no difference to the IW Council’s decision to dump it. Adding insult to injury IW Council officials recently removed the railings around the upstairs bar’s balcony as Health and Safety officials had deemed them unsafe. No railings have been put up in their place and the balcony is now completely unusable and doors to it are locked. The Town Council has been

dogged with controversy ever since coming to power. Three positions on the Town Council still remain open and a total of eight town councillors have resigned since the elections. The last to resign was former Mayor and County Councillor Chris Welsford who has recently moved to Niton and cites conflict of interest in remaining in both positions

MAN HURT IN CRASH A MAN was taken to hospital after being in collision with a bus in Newport. Witnesses said the man was struck a ‘glancing blow’ by the single-decker vehicle on South Street just yards from the bus station. Around a dozen people were in the vehicle, the route 1 from Cowes to Newport, when the collision happened at around 3.45pm on Thursday (December 16). The injured man, who is believed to aged in his early 20s and from the Newport area, was taken to St Mary’s Hospital. Police launched an investigation into the accident and have appealed for witnesses in the area to come forward. Mark Morgan, operations director for Southern Vectis, who run the service, said: “It is too early to tell what has happened, but we are assisting the police with their investigation. The driver of the bus was very shaken but apart from that he wasn’t injured.” He added that none of the passengers on the bus had been hurt.

as one of his reasons for his resignation. Workers at the venue are again very nervous. “Nobody has had notices of termination. As soon as we know anything we will be informing the staff,” said Town Clerk David Bartlett. “We don’t like the uncertainty.” A Town Council meeting scheduled for next

Wednesday at the Winter Gardens will hopefullyy bring more information from the IW Council about the proposals for the venue. At the Town Council meeting on Monday (December 13) the Mayor Debbie Robinson read out this statement: “We are very conscious of concerns and speculation about the future of the

Winter Gardens and we are committed to sharing full information with the town as soon as options are clarified in the current discussions between the Town Council and the County Council. “The problems of the building, clearly identified in recent Property and Health & Safety reports, are very substantial and issues surrounding its governance

CUT HITS HOMES

MORE than 1,500 homes in Ryde were left without electricity as the winter woes continued. The power cut affected the majority of Ryde and left most homes and workplaces

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without electricity. Properties in Union Street, Union Road, Nelson Street, George Street and many other parts of Ryde were plunged into darkness. Rob Prossor, a

communications advisor for Scottish and Southern Power Energy said: “The power went off at 7.45am on the Saturday evening and is affecting around 1,500 homes.”

and administration were equally clearly identified by the Audit report of January this year. “Consequently, this has been another difficult year for the Town Council as it has fought to address the consequences of long-term decline and to retain the building for the benefit of the Town while securing the 16 jobs it provides. “Discussions with relevant officers of the Isle of Wight Council, the owner of the building and site, are in progress. They are by their very nature commercially sensitive and cannot be reported in the public domain at this time. “We expect to be able to report fully on the outcome of those discussions no later than the Town Council meeting of 10 January.” Uncertainty and anxiety until mid January - not a very nice early Christmas present for many people and their families in Ventnor this week.

RACE ABUSE IS PROBED POLICE are investigating a report of racial abuse against a woman in Ryde. The 22-year-old woman, originally from Eastern Europe, was outside the Thorntons shop in Ryde High Street at around 10.30am on Saturday, December 11. Police were informed by a witness that a man used offensive and racially abusive language towards the woman. A 36-year-old man from Ryde, Isle of Wight was arrested in Ryde, and street bailed until January 3, 2011 pending further enquiries. Investigating officer PC Gary Fletcher of the Ryde Town Safer Neighbourhoods team said: “The language used is alleged to have been so severe that the witness decided to approach a police officer who was on patrol nearby in the town centre. “Ryde was clearly busy with many Christmas shoppers on a Saturday morning so I’m appealing to anyone else who witnessed or heard racial abuse in the High Street at around 10.30am on that date to contact me.” Contact PC Gary Fletcher at Ryde Police Station by phoning 101.

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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RSPCA TO THE RESCUE!

AN ISLAND family have been re-united with their pet dog they feared they would never see again, thanks to an eagle-eyed RSPCA worker. Andy Rayner was forced to let Jerry Lee, his Akita-crossGerman Shepherd dog, leave the home in East Cowes because it was affecting the health of his gravely ill wife. It proved a particularly stressful time, and the situation became even worse for Mr. Rayner, his step-daughter Tamara Rush and her husband Peter, a few months later when Mrs. Rayner sadly passed away. Eventually the distraught family decided to try to find Jerry Lee, but discovered the dog had moved to several different owners over the past six months, and all their efforts to track it down were proving in vain. Eventually they placed an advertisement on an Island website, with a picture of Jerry Lee, hoping someone would be able to provide information. Thankfully for the family, the advert was spotted by Conny Boon, the Centre Manager of the RSPCA in Merstone Lane, Godshill. Conny’s deputy at the Centre, Tansyn Flint, takes up the story. She said: “We had this dog brought to us in October, and then just a couple of weeks ago Conny was looking through ‘Wightbay’ when she saw the advert saying a family were looking for their dog that they had had re-homed, but would

TURNER HAS CONCERNS OVER BILL

ISLAND MP Andrew Turner, has raised concerns over the new European Union Bill that is currently going through Parliament. After the debate at the Bill’s Second Reading commented: “I am pleased to see the Government is keeping the promise from the Conservative manifesto to introduce a referendum lock on transferring any

Jerry Lee: back in the warmth of it’s own home now like it back. “The advert said the dog was called Jerry Lee, and although the one brought into us looked identical we had been told its name was Bobby. We printed off the picture, and realised it might be him, so I went to the kennels and called out ‘Come on Jerry Lee’ and he immediately stopped barking, and looked a lot happier. “We contacted the number on the advert, and emphasised there were no guarantees, but said we might have the dog they were trying to find.” At the time Tamara and Peter

were on holiday on the mainland, but on their return to the Island they rushed to the RSPCA Centre – and to their delight it was Jerry Lee! Tamara said: “When I received the call from the RSPCA I couldn’t believe it. We were on holiday, but I could hardly wait to get back. We were told it was a bit of a long shot, but we were just hoping it was him. When we went to see if it was Jerry Lee, he came bounding over to me, and put his paws on my shoulders. I was so thrilled I just couldn’t stop crying.” All this time Mr. Rayner did

not know that Tamara and Peter were on the scent of Jerry Lee. Tamara continued: “The RSPCA soon realised it was our dog, and kindly let us take him away. So we turned up outside my step-dad’s house and Peter went inside and asked him if he could give us a hand taking a Christmas present out of the car. “When he came out and saw Jerry Lee, he just stood there shaking and crying with joy. I had not seen him that happy in a long time.” Maybe the moral of this story is further powers and competences to Europe, that a dog isn’t just for Christmas I feel that this Bill still falls short of what is – it really is for life! necessary. “There are some clear areas that the Bill simply skates over. One such area is in distinguishing between what the Government considers as important and minor legislation. mother of Ben Needham. The Whilst the Government is right that having a role is the first of several planned referendum for minor issues is not practical, new volunteer opportunities on and that the majority of the public would the Island. not care for such issues, it is wrong that we Martin Houghton-Brown, Chief simply waive our powers of veto on such Executive of Missing People said: issues. It is these minor issues that can be of “If your house is burgled you are most use when the UK’s interests in Europe automatically offered emotional, are considered. We should be using our veto practical and legal support. If power on minor issues as a bargaining tool to your child goes missing you may allow the UK to get the best deals in return for get nothing. changes to legislation from Europe. “Families affected on the Isle of “I am also concerned about the issue of Wight face injustice such as being membership of the EU. It has been made forced into otherwise avoidable absolutely clear that accession treaties are to debt, homes being seized, jobs be exempt from the referendum requirement. being lost and having to cope I believe this is wrong. Increases in with social stigma. This can lead membership forms a fundamental part of the to family breakdown, depression EU, and has a major impact on all member and suicidal thoughts. Family states with each new wave of membership. Representatives will, together, With potential candidate states such as vocalise the diverse needs, Turkey, having a completely different culture emotions and thoughts of all to the UK and indeed most of Europe, it is family affected.” important that decisions on EU membership To send a message of support are recognised as important decisions and as to all families of missing people they are uncommon it is not unreasonable to visit www.missingpeople.org.uk/ have a referendum on such an issue.” missingrights.

NEW ROLE FOR DAMIEN’S MOTHER

VAL NETTLES, the mother of missing Island man Damien Nettles, has become an official Family Representative for the charity Missing People. This new position has been created to give a greater voice to those affected when someone disappears, and coincides with the launch of the charity’s Missing Rights campaign. New figures show that there were over 330,000 incidents of people going missing in the UK last year. The charity Missing People has caring, highly skilled staff and volunteers working around the clock alongside partners in every area of the UK. Val, the Family Representative for Missing People in the Isle of Wight said: “Families of missing people often find themselves left in limbo, and lack the resources to deal with the emotional and practical impact of the situation. I fully support the Missing Rights

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campaign, as it strives to give families with missing loves ones the same rights to support as victims of crime. “My first task is to ensure the Island’s MP shows his support for the Missing Rights campaign by signing the Early Day Motion 1158. This will show

the Government just how much support there is to get families like ours the emotional, practical and legal help we so desperately need.” Val joins other Family Representatives including Peter Lawrence, father of Claudia Lawrence, and Kerry Needham,

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

POWER CUT ALERTS FAMILY TO ROOF BLAZE

FIRE CREWS from three Island stations, who battled to stop the spread of a roof fire in sub zero temperatures, have been praised by the owners. Appliances from Ventnor, Shanklin and Newport rushed to the former country home of Lord Pelham ‘The Rocklands Estate’ on Undercliff Drive in St Lawrence near Ventnor after the family raised the alarm. Firefighters from Shanklin gave shelter to the couple’s two young children, Jake and Jessica, by turning their appliance into a refuge to keep them warm. Owners of the bungalow part of the Rocklands Manor estate recaled the horrifying moment the family home was plunged into darkness and the house started to fill

with smoke. Island chiropodist Jason Mansel and his wife Jayne spoke exclusively to The Gazette saying: “We were both in bed when all of the power tripped out and the house was in total darkness for a while, until the emergency lighting kicked in. “I got up out of bed to see why the power had gone off and I could smell burning. I went back to the bedroom and woke up my wife Jayne. She then went and got the children up from their beds. We have smoke alarms fitted in the house and my wife tests them every week.” “I would have thought it would have gone off.” added Jayne. “One of the firemen explained that because the smoke and fire was in the roof space the sensor may

not have picked it up. “I opened the loft and the roof space was filled with choking smoke that was when I called the fire service. We took the children and pet dogs Daisy and Poppy from the property and waited for the fire service to arrive. “It was a very scary experience for the children, but we’re just thankful that we are all safe, that is what is most important. The firefighters did a brilliant job in stopping the fire from spreading.” IW Fire Station Manager Mark Deacon, based at Newport, said: “It is believed the fire may have started after a heater in the roof area was covered over by lagging. The owners of the property had some works carried out in the loft area a few days ago.”

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IN DEFENCE OF YOUR LOCAL

THE ISLAND’S MP, Andrew Turner has spoken out in defence of local pubs. In a Westminster Hall debate, Mr Turner highlighted the large numbers of pubs closing down across the country – with a reported 52 pubs a week closing down last year alone. Mr Turner said: “What we are seeing is the decline of the traditional British way of life. In rural Britain, in villages and small towns, the pub is the focal point. It is the heart of the local community. It is a place where people go to meet friends, neighbours and have a pleasant drink

after a hard day’s work. “This decline in the number of local pubs is effectively killing off village life. With further to travel, many community members are put off going to the pub, especially if they are not within walking distance. It therefore comes as no surprise to hear that as a nation, we are drinking less in pubs. “The main cause of this problem is that too many pubs are being bought not by pub landlords or breweries, but by property investors, seeking to turn a pub into numerous flats and make some quick money. On the

Island, the popular pub The Partlands, closed down and turned into flats, is a recent example of this occurring and it is prevalent across the country. “The real concern I have is that this will lead to a loss in community strength, with people having less and less to do with their local community. In the worst case scenario we could be heading to problems that many modern cities now face, where people have very little contact with their community and don’t even know the names of their neighbours.”

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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COMPUTER HACKER TARGETS Gazette ISLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL THE ISLE OF WIGHT

NEWS IN BRIEF

A COMPUTER hacker targeted an Island primary school computer system. Caroline de Belder, the head teacher at Nettlestone Primary School, described in OFSTED reports as a school “that rocks”, held emergency talks and meetings with an IT specialist to help beef up the security and firewall after the breaches. The Gazette has learned that access was gained using the school IP address and an easily downloadable program from the Internet to crack the system password that the school had failed to change since the system was installed. Mrs Belder also called in Hampshire Police to see if there had been any wrongdoings. She said: “An IT system that contained no sensitive or

confidential information was accessed by an unauthorised party, who used the system to enter an online auction site. “This kind of activity is increasingly being used by some unscrupulous Internet users in this country and from abroad, in order to conceal their identity when sending messages or bidding on-line. “Not only did the system not contain any confidential data, no attempt was made to gain information in any case. The unauthorised usage was quickly spotted and stopped and systems put in place to ensure the access could not re-occur.” A letter was also sent to parents advising them of the security breach and explaining the school were working with the IT specialists and the police.

MYSTERY AFTER MAN COLLAPSES IN SHANKLIN

CHARGE AFTER ROAD SMASH

A MAN has been charged by police investigating a fatal road traffic collision on the Island during this year’s Bestival. James Daniel Slater, aged 33, of Heene Terrace, Worthing, West Sussex, answered bail at Eastleigh Police Station in Hampshire after he was arrested and questioned by police on September 12. Mr. Slater faces a charge of causing death by driving without due care and attention while being over the drink drive limit. He was bailed to appear before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on Thursday, December 30. The charge follows enquiries led by Hampshire Constabulary’s Road Death Investigation Team (RDIT). A 20-year-old man from Wales, also arrested in relation to the collision in September, was released from bail with no further action. Henry Martin Minns, aged 19, from Penryn, Cornwall was walking along Mersley Down Road, near the Bestival site at Robin Hill Adventure Park, shortly after midnight on Sunday, September 12, 2010 when he died after being involved in an alleged collision with a silver Ford Focus.

APPEAL OVER HOTEL FIRE

DAMAGE VICTIMS SOUGHT

AN APPEAL has gone out for victims to come forward during an investigation into a series of criminal damage reports in Ryde. Windows at the Waterside Pool were damaged along with a number of cars parked on the Esplanade, Prince Street, Warwick Street, Castle Street and Appley Lane between 10pm and midnight on the evening of Friday, December 10.

Police carried out a search of the area and enquiries within the local community over the weekend. Four people were arrested: They were a 22-year-old man and three 16-year-old boys, all from Ryde. The four suspects were taken to Newport Police Station for questioning and later bailed until January 19, 2011 pending further enquiries. Sergeant Steve Goodier

POLICE are appealing for information after concerns were raised about the welfare of a man in Shanklin. Officers were called to the junction of Landguard Road and Green Lane where a group of people had gathered around a man who appeared to have collapsed in the road. Members of the public gave assistance to the 30-year-old man before an ambulance took him to hospital. He did not receive any serious injuries. Investigating officer PC Ben Mitchell of the Isle of Wight’s Targeted Patrol Teams said: “The exact circumstances surrounding this situation are not clear. It is possible the man fell in the road, but police officers at the scene were made aware of suggestions from the community that he’d been assaulted. “Therefore, we are keen to hear from witnesses who think they may have seen an assault or any people whose behaviour caused concern in the Landguard Road or Green Lane area of Shanklin at around four o’clock on Monday, November 29.” Contact PC Ben Mitchell at Ryde Police Station by phoning 101.

of the Ryde Town Safer Neighbourhoods team said: “I’d like to thank all those people who have given us information so far this week. We’ve responded rapidly to make arrests of possible suspects. “Our enquiries suggest there could be more victims who have not come forward yet. If your car was damaged while parked in Ryde during Friday night or the

early hours of Saturday morning, please contact us. “We want to work with victims so swift action can be taken against offenders who think they can get away with disrupting other people’s lives with mindless vandalism.” Victims or anyone with information are asked to contact Ryde Police Station by phoning 101.

AN APPEAL for witnesses has been renewed by detectives who are continuing to investigate a suspected arson in Shanklin. Police were called to the Hartland Hotel on Victoria Avenue in the town shortly before 6.30am on Friday, November 26, by the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service. The flames caused damage to an office in the hotel, but no one was injured. Detective Constable Rhian Fairweather of Isle of Wight CID said: “Our initial investigation has included a forensic analysis of the fire and the hotel, plus house-to-house enquiries. I’d like to thank everyone who has responded so far to our appeals for information in the local community. “We remain interested in speaking with anyone else with information about people acting suspiciously in the area of the Hartland Hotel on Victoria Avenue in Shanklin between 10.30pm on Thursday, November 25 and 4.45am on Friday, November 26. “There were several hotel guests in the building overnight. All of them could have been at risk of serious injury if this fire had spread to other rooms.” Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Rhian Fairweather of Isle of Wight CID by phoning 101.

NEWS

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PAINTING UNDER HAMMER

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

A PAINTING of part of West Wight is coming up for auction at the Bonham Auction Rooms in London in the New Year. The painting, by 19th century artist William Turner of Oxford, depicts a view from St Catherine’s Down towards the Freshwater Cliffs, with the Dorset Coast in the distance – the details being inscribed on an old label attached to the reverse of the watercolour. The work, which measures 55cm x 31.5cm is expected to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000 when it goes under the hammer on January 27.

ELECTRIC FIRE CAUSES RYDE BLAZE

ISLAND fire crews cordoned off a property in Ryde following a blaze. Crews from Ryde and Bembridge tackled the flat fire believed to have been caused by an electric bar fire. They were called to a ground floor flat in St Johns Road just after 12.30pm on Friday, December 10 after the young mum and her child who were in the property raised the alarm. It is believed that the heat from the open fire set light to a sofa in the living room of the property. Neighbours also reported seeing smoke billowing out of an open window. Two firefighters from Ryde wearing breathing apparatus tackled a small fire before removing a smoldering fire and a carpet from the property. Neighbours cared for the distraught mum and her baby while the fire service dealt with the incident. The fire and emergency support service volunteers ran by the Red Cross from Newport also attended, equipped with a specially adapted vehicle and provided the young mum with help and support with sorting out temporary accommodation. Fire crews from Ryde later returned to the property and fitted a smoke alarm. Duty officer Station Manager Dean Haywood said: “This highlights the importance of having a working smoke alarm. Had the woman not noticed the smoke or it had been at night we could of been dealing with a serious fire”. Mr Haywood went to explain that the Island’s fire service offer a free “Home Fire Safety Check” to residents of the Isle of Wight. The service will arrange to visit and fit a ‘good-for-10- years’ smoke alarm in the properties and offer other free fire safety advice.

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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CAPTURE YOUR PETS CHARACTER WITH DALE DURFEE AT THE NEW REMBRANDT GALLERY LOOKING for the perfect Christmas present for a pet-loving friend or yourself - for a gift to cherish, whenever the time is right, which will capture the perfect moment forever? A photographic session with renowned animal photographer Dale Durfee has to be the answer because her portraits are simply superb as you can see. Dale is a very experienced professional photographer who has worked all over the world. Recently relocating from London to the Island, Dale has a love of animals that really leaps out of the photographs she takes. Capturing the real character of your pet is her forte. These photographs show you what a wonderful eye she has for her subjects and how well they pose before her lens. Dale’s rapport with her clients ensures a memorable experience and you receive a beautiful A3 signed photographic portrait that captures the personality of your animal. Working at the studio at Dimbola Lodge in Freshwater, where she has volunteered her skills since moving to the Island, Dale offers a studio session or you might prefer a location shoot. A gift voucher that can be purchased from the New Rembrandt Gallery in Newport for only £60 will entitle your pet lover to a 30 to 40 minute photographic session with Dale. Over the past ten years Dale has been specialising in equine photography at locations across the globe. Travelling to

Lottie

Marwari Stallion

Angus

Alfie

Tarn

Poppy

Skookum

Cossiei

Rajasthan to photograph their unique horses resulted in her wonderful coffee table book ‘Marwari’. But in the past 12 months it is the Island’s dogs that have caught Dale’s eye and she now has a portfolio of lovely canine pictures, some of which are on show in the New Rembrandt Gallery in Scarrot’s Lane in Newport. Dale’s pictures behind the counter in the New Rembrandt Gallery are dry-mounted and heat-sealed onto board giving a very clean and contemporary look. With this method you don’t need to frame your photograph. But the gallery can also frame your photograph and have literally hundreds of frames to choose from, with something to suit everyone. Frames can also be hand finished to match your interior décor. Dry mounting can also be done on to foam core or if you have a printed canvas it can be stretched onto a frame. Whilst you are visiting the New Rembrandt you might want to check out the lovely things they have on sale for present ideas. Crystal perfume bottles and engraved crystal glasses would be lovely for a lady you love or the range of textiles such as throws and cushions would be

equally well received. And the gallery is the only Island stockist of the Dali-style clocks by Baroque, which appeal to everyone. There are many other beautiful things in the gallery too – it’s a treasure trove of antique furniture and decorative items. Owners of The New Rembrandt Gallery, Sharon and Martin Bradley, are so pleased with Dale’s work that they commissioned her to photograph the dogs in their Snostopin Husky dog sled team. The team will be off to Scotland to race in January, and you can see some of them on this page and in the gallery. You really can’t go wrong if you give one of Dale Durfee’s vouchers this Christmas – it is a wonderful opportunity to have a pet portrait taken by a very accomplished animal photographer whose work is quite unique. Pop into the New Rembrandt Gallery to pick up a voucher and marvel at her work. Dale can also be contacted on 07889 966991 or you can see more of her work at www.daledurfee.com Up the spiral staircase to the rear of the shop is the gallery space where an exhibition of Dale’s work will open on January 10, 2011 and run until February 28.

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

NEWS CHRISTMAS OPENING/CLOSURE ROTA FOR SAT 25TH DEC 2010 – MON 3RD JAN 2011 Pharmacy

Sat 25th Dec 2010

Sun 26th Dec 2010

Mon 27th Dec 2010

Tues 28th Dec 2010

Sat 1st Jan 2011

Mon 3rd Jan 2011

Blakelys Ryde

CLOSED

12:00 – 13:00

CLOSED

Boots Newport

CLOSED

10:00 – 16:00

08:30 – 18:00

10:00 – 16:00

Boots Ryde

12:00 – 13:00

10:00 – 16:00

Boots Shanklin

CLOSED

12:00 – 13:-00

10:00 – 15:00

09:00 – 17:30

10:00 – 16:00

10:00 – 15:00

Boots Ventnor

CLOSED

10:00 – 16:00

10:00 – 14:00

YLB Freshwater 12:00 – 13:00

CLOSED

Day Lewis, Shanklin

CLOSED

09:00 – 13:00

CLOSED

Gibbs & Gurnell CLOSED

CLOSED

10:00 – 16:00

CLOSED

Kemkay

CLOSED

12:00 – 13:00

CLOSED

Lloyds, East Cowes

CLOSED

14:00 – 16:30

10:00 – 12:00

09:00 – 15:00

10:00 – 15:00

Lloyds. Carisbrooke Rd CLOSED

14:00 – 15:00

CLOSED

Lloyds Pyle St

CLOSED

10:00 – 13:00

13:00 – 15:00

10:00 – 15:15

12:00 – 16:00

Niton

10:00 – 16:00

CLOSED

09:00 – 13:00

10:00 – 16:00

Regent, Shanklin

12:00 – 13:00

CLOSED

Siddys Newport 14:00 – 15:00

CLOSED

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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NEWS

RNLI WILL BE AT THE READY Gazette DURING FESTIVE PERIOD THE ISLE OF WIGHT

REGARDLESS of gale force winds, rough seas, icy conditions or turkey-laden plates, volunteer lifeboat crew members will be poised to leave family and festivities behind if needed by those in danger this Christmas. Volunteers from Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) stations on the Island and across the south east will be ready to respond to the pager, should an emergency arise at sea over the festive period. Throughout the 2009 Christmas and New Year period, across the UK and Republic of Ireland, RNLI lifeboats were launched a total of 106 times, with 59 per cent of rescues taking place during the hours of darkness. Last year volunteer crews at several south east coastal lifeboat stations gave up priceless family time at Christmas to help people in difficulty. Among the RNLI stations whose lifeboats launched during the festive period were Bembridge, Calshot, Littlehampton, Brighton, Newhaven, Eastbourne, Hastings

and Rye Harbour. On Christmas Eve last year Bembridge RNLI lifeboat station were requested to launch by Solent Coastguard after a pile clothes were found by an off duty policeman on top of Culver Cliff. Coastguards and RNLI searched but nothing was found. The number of lifeboat call outs during the Christmas season continues to rise across the whole of the charity - in the last six years alone RNLI volunteer crews have been called upon 605 times and rescued 320 people. And it’s not just on the coast that volunteers are on call. Members of the Flood Rescue Team will be on standby to assist people should heavy rainfall cause flooding. Meanwhile on the River Thames in London, crew members will continually man Gravesend, Chiswick and Tower lifeboat stations. Andrew Ashton, RNLI East Divisional Inspector, said: ‘It never ceases to amaze me that the families of volunteer crew and shore helpers remain as committed to saving lives at

sea during the festive season as the volunteers themselves. This dedication to helping others is at the very heart of the charity – even in these difficult economic times our volunteers put others before themselves time and again. ‘Not forgetting our army of fundraisers who continue with their efforts through the winter months attending all manner of outdoor events, and our supporters who continue to donate. It is an appropriate time of year to recognise this commitment and to say “thank you” on behalf of those who have been rescued.’ At lunchtime on Christmas day last year, the pagers went off for the RNLI Littlehampton’s volunteer lifeboat crew. A dog had leapt into the water and become stranded on the shingle bank. Nick White, Littlehampton RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said: ‘As always with these shouts our main concern is that owners don’t put their own lives at risk by jumping in to rescue their pets. The

crew postponed plans for their Christmas lunch to rescue the dog and reunited it with its very grateful owner. The owner was so pleased and explained that if we hadn’t been there that day she would have gone in to rescue the dog, as she didn’t know how she would be able tell her children on Christmas day that their pet had drowned.’ The RNLI receives no UK Government funding and, as a charity, depends on voluntary donations. Thanks to public support through fundraising events like RNLI SOS Day, our volunteer lifeboat crews receive the best training and equipment to help them go on saving lives whether at sea, on rivers or lochs, or on flooded high streets. RNLI volunteer crews are sending out their own ‘SOS’ call this Christmas, encouraging members of the public to support the charity’s biggest day of fundraising, RNLI SOS Day on Friday 28 January 2011. Visit www.rnli.org.uk/sos to find out how you can get involved or to make a donation.

ESCAPE FOR PENSIONER A PENSIONER was taken to hospital after flipping his car on to its roof in an accident on The Broadway in Sandown. Rapid response paramedics from Isle of Wight ambulance service, backed up by an ambulance crew, treated the pensioner at the scene last Sunday afternoon after he managed to scramble free from the upturned vehicle. The shaken man was later transferred to St Mary’s hospital with minor injuries by the land ambulance from Newport. Officers from Shanklin Roads Policing unit implemented a local traffic diversion after the man vehicle struck road furniture leaving exploded live electrical cables on a zebra crossing.

NEWS IN BRIEF

CLONING ALERT ON NEWPORT HIGH STREET

THE INTRODUCTION of Chip and PIN in 2006 has certainly helped to combat credit card fraud. But that was no peace of mind to a number of Halifax account customers in Newport this week. It is believed a cloning device was found attached to Halifax cashpoint machines on the town’s High Street. Staff at the branch alerted police after they found the device attached to the machine waiting to capture people’s card details and PIN number as they used the cash machine to withdraw cash. A spokesman for the Halifax Bank said: “As a precaution we contacted a number of customers who have used the machine and have asked them to destroy their cards.” The spokesman stressed that it’s not believed that any funds have been taken from customers’ accounts. He went on to say that they had reported the matter to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and are working closely with them. The spokesman refused to confirm how long the device had been attached to the machine or how it was discovered.

NEWS

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

FOUR CRASHES F

FOUR crashes happened on the Island on untreated roads amid a warning of black ice that was ignored by the IW Council, leading to traffic chaos. In the first of four accidents that Island police had to deal with was a car that skidded on black ice and ploughed into a hedge on Forest Road near the village of Shalfleet. The driver of the vehicle was treated for a shock and taken home by the ambulance service. The driver of the second vehicle was treated for a suspected leg injury at the scene by an IW Ambulance

Service paramedic and transported to St Mary’s hospital in Newport. In a second accident a white Honda Civic lost control near to the junction of Pound Lane on the A3054 caused by black ice. Two other vehicles, a silver Citroën and Blue Toyota, skidded on further patches of black ice and ploughed into road furniture. Both drivers escaped without injury. Officers from the Island’s Roads Policing Unit, based at Shanklin, closed the road for over two hours whilst recovery took place and council gritters were called

in. Many villagers and drivers who spoke to The Gazette feel the council have many questions to answer after gritters failed to grit the main roads in and around the village. They believe the council may have been caught out as temperatures plummeted to minus 5 in some parts and low level fog covered the Island, making treacherous driving conditions. Whilst drivers sought an alternative route after the road was closed, three other vehicles lost control on untreated roads. One

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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FROM BLACK ICE vehicle hit a grass verge and two other vehicles, a Blue VW Golf and a Red Clio, hit hedges on the Middle Road near to the Blacksmith Arms Public house. A young child, a passenger from one of the vehicles, was treated by the ambulance service for a neck injury and taken to hospital. In a fourth traffic accident a Silver Volvo left the road and went through a hedge on Ashey Road in Ryde. “The driver suffered minor injuries” said a police spokesman. Peter Hayward, IW Council head of highways and transport, said: “The council subscribes to a service whereby it receives Met Office telephone warnings of unexpected changes in temperature. The temperature was forecast to be well above that requiring gritting, though a run was scheduled for later in the evening. “No warning of an unexpected temperature change was received. However, in the absence of

an alert, the duty highways inspector nevertheless ordered a gritting run - much earlier than that scheduled - when temperatures were clearly dropping lower than forecast. “All the normal primary and secondary routes were treated during the run that

began around 4.30pm. “While there we no reported accidents on treated roads after gritting, the council would repeat its ongoing appeal to motorists to take particular care when driving in the current conditions as even salted roads can be dangerous”

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NEWS

FEATURE

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

THE SOUND OF SIRENS THE FIRE engines were out in force for Newport’s Christmas carnival parade last Saturday with their loud sirens heralding the arrival of Santa and many of his little helpers both young and old. Emerging from Matalan car park at 6.30pm the procession made their way up South Street, down St James’s Street and up Pyle Street to the top of the town. And it was here that ‘ M o t h e r ’ Christmas and her faithful team of Snostopin’ huskies launched down Newport High Street at a fair old pace. Maybe spooked by the sound of the Fire Engines approaching, the dogs sped off at pull pelt.

Apparently the brakes on the sled were full on as it whisked by at top speed. “Was it a bird? Was it a plane? No it was Father Christmas.” (or Sharon and Martin Bradley with their beautiful dog sled team.) Following hot on their heels were lantern angels, Christmas tree lanterns and many others all being held aloft by their young creators. Newport carnival queens were wrapped up well on their float, a whole host of Santas were traveling on another and even a group of green aliens had beamed down in their flying saucer to take part in the evenings festivities.

“Following hot on their heels were lantern angels, Christmas tree lanterns and many others.”

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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FEATURE

PETER PAN WARMS THE ICE CHEERS and jeers echoed heard around the Planet Ice Arena in Ryde during the latest production by the Isle of Wight Ice Dance and Figure Skating Club, Peter Pan on Ice. The cast of 95 skaters provided a multitude of talent from the youngest and oldest - beginners, right up to British Synchronised Skating Champions. Maggie Read who played Peter Pan, and Archie Bicknell who was arch villain Captain Hook, are two of the club’s current advanced individual competitors who took time out of their regular training to take on the lead roles. Skating with confidence, strength and grace, they were accompanied by Nikita Heathfield (Tinker-bell) and Izzy Coeshot and Gemma Marsh who shared the role of Wendy Darling. Also flying across the ice were Tia Daley (John), Jemma Southwell (Michael) and Felicity Gingras (Nana).

Lost boys, battling pirates, mermaids, an Indian tribe, and an angry crocodile, Tic Toc (Carol Taverner) all helped unfold the all-time classic story. Complete with their own skating ‘dame’ Arron Grist (Mrs Darling), the cast went on to entertain the crowds for three days of performances. Other main cast characters were Steve Taverner (Mr. Darling), Leah Hancott (Smee), Steve Wood (Indian Chief) and Yelena Brown (Shadow). The role of Tiger Lily was initially played by Megan Wood, however due to an unfortunate injury, she was unable to continue and Alfie Jones stepped up for the final three shows. The audiences were also treated to special appearances by the Island’s very own 2010/2011 British Synchronised Skating Championship teams the Wight Crystals and the Wight Jewels. Of course it wouldn’t

be a Planet Ice Christmas show without Father Christmas and this year he made a most appropriate entrance onto the ice inside a pirate ship! As has been the tradition for the Skating Club and Planet Ice, two shows were played on Friday for the enjoyment of Primary and Middle schools on the island. The packed arena of excited and screaming children always makes the work more fun for the cast and provides an excellent Christmas treat for hundreds of students. Three shows were open to the public, two on Saturday and one on Sunday afternoon that was sold out early on. Plans are already in the pipeline for next year’s performance, but until then, anyone can enjoy all aspects of the Isle of Wight Ice Dance & Figure Skating Club at one of their local competitions or spectacular Gala shows held at various times throughout the year.

FEATURE

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

TURN AGAIN WHITTINGTON

VENTNOR THEATRE group kicked off the pantomime season on the Island with style performing the traditional Dick Whittington pantomime at the Ventnor Winter Gardens. The 50 strong cast were supported by a note perfect 7 piece band and wonderful creative sets and back drops and colourful costumes. Dick Whittington tells the story of a young man travelling from Gloucester to London to find fame and fortune, played ably by Richard Buckley who gave a strong performance throughout - his interaction with his cat, Thomas, played by Harley Mackness was particularly good. Dick Whittington soon meets Aklice Fitzwarren played by Roseanne Curling who also notebly choregraphed the show, her singing was a particular highlight and

she showed wonderful stage presence - the opening chorus which she fronted worked very well and got everybody to soon realise the professional nature of this panto. The evil king rat well known to be a baddy of all panto ‘baddies’ played by peter Farrin showed how versatile he is on stage and worked very well with the childrens chorus as ratlings- he was counter acted by the Talented Ashleigh Mackness playing Fairy Tinkle who like King Rat spoke entirely throughout in rhyming Couplets, her songs were very fitting to her part and will undoubtedly continue to star in future shows. As with all pantomimes the audience eagerly await the arrival of the pantomime dame and they were certainly not dissapointed, Sarah the cook played by John Woodford got cheers

and whistles everytime he came on stage undoubtedly the best panto dame on the Island. Other notable performances were Alderman Fitzwarren played by Paul stevens, Mr and Mrs Marlin played by Alan Dyson and Sue Clark respectively, the sheik of Morrocco played by Geoff Callaghan and Laura Groves as his daughter Yasmin who’s solo song with a special effect laser looked and sounded beautiful. The costumes were faultless throughout and alot of hard work was evident with the back drops and scenery. The U V

underwater scene and ship sinking scene were particularly effective. The special effects throughout made the Winter Gardens stage look the best it has ever been and the audience was treated at the end to showers of streamers over them. The show was directed and produced By Andrew Woodford and would of not looked out of place on a proffessional circuit. The whole audience went out on a real high!

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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FEATURE

N - THIS TIME TO VENTNOR

FEATURE

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

SNOW JOKE

IT’S STILL only December, but the Island has already been subjected to one of its heaviest snow falls in the past 20 years. And if the forecasters are correct, there will be plenty more of the white stuff heading our way between

now and Spring. Following the heavy falls and icy conditions earlier this month, the Island police, IW Council and NHS Isle of Wight found themselves as full stretch, dealing with treacherous conditions on many roads and pavements,

numerous road accidents, and broken bone casualties. So how did they cope, and what lessons were learned for the future? The Gazette invited Island Police the Island’s NHS and the IW Council for their views. Here are their replies:

IW COUNCIL THE ISLE OF WIGHT Council was prepared for the snow during the early part of December. All major and secondary roads were gritted before and during the adverse weather conditions with the routes kept clear throughout the poor weather. The council increased its salt stock ahead of the snow and has plenty of salt remaining for further gritting runs during the cold weather. Footways in the main Island towns were also kept clear, while the council also kept residents and local media informed of school and road closures within minutes of them being confirmed. The information was uploaded onto the council’s website and also via a new Facebook page which attracted almost 3000

‘friends’ within a couple of days. Other council services also helped assist local organisations and partner agencies, with the countryside rangers 4x4 vehicles assisting adult social care staff during their rounds. The fire service remained fully operational with all their vehicles on standby to respond to emergencies, and Highways officers were on 24hr call to assist with opening or closing roads or clearing trees that may have fallen during the snow. David Pugh, IW Council Leader said the local authority was ready for the adverse weather, saying “After the snowfall in January, the council was better prepared to deal with the adverse weather. A priority was ensuring the

main roads were kept clear, which meant the Island kept moving during the snow. “Our gritters were out in the early hours, and around the clock, ensuring the roads were passable. Our call centre and communications team also worked very hard to get information out to residents with the support too of the local media, and within a few minutes of a road closure or school confirming they wouldn’t be opening, the information was on our website, Facebook and also on the local media. “The local authority remains on standby to deal with any further adverse weather and we will work closely with our partners to ensure that the Island keeps moving during any more snowfall or icy conditions”

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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FEATURE

BUT LESSONS LEARNED A HAMPSHIRE Constabulary spokesman said: “In the event of more snow on the Isle of Wight, police advice would be NOT to take any journeys unless they are essential. “Police on patrol will continue to work with colleagues from local authorities and other emergency services to keep roads clear and traffic free flowing as much as possible. Additional 4x4 capability will be provided for the emergency services on the roads. “Some roads can be passable with care, but drivers are reminded to consider if their journey is absolutely essential, and if it is to ensure they adhere to the following advice: 1. Prepare yourself for your

MANY unsung heroes contributed to how the Island coped with the recent snow. NHS staff responded excellently to the challenges presented and in many cases went that extra mile to ensure that patients were cared for and facilities maintained so that staff could carry out their work safely. Chris Palmer, the NHS Isle of Wight Executive Director who led the response to the snow said: “I would like to thank all staff, volunteers and other agencies, particularly the Maritime and Coastguard Agency volunteers, that were involved in caring for our patients and ensuring that all our support services remained in place through very difficult circumstances. Their dedication, efficiency, calmness and professionalism was outstanding. We are already looking at the lessons learnt and preparing for the next period of adverse weather.” “Some examples of the

IW POLICE

journey – first ask if your journey is really necessary. If it is, pack warm clothes, food, hot drinks, a fully charged mobile phone and a shovel. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to arrive. 2. Prepare your vehicle for your journey – make sure your vehicle is well maintained, clear of snow and ice and that your tyres are at the correct pressure. 3. Drive safely – keep your distance, avoid hard braking or acceleration and steer gently. If you skid, ease off the accelerator, and try and avoid braking hard. “We were aware of rumours about people worrying that police would give tickets for snow on car roofs. Officers did

NHS - IOW

outstanding service provided by staff and volunteers during the two days included: • Facilities staff being called at 2.00a.m. and starting work at 3.00a.m. on Thursday December 2 to clear the roads and paths at St. Mary’s; • The District Nursing Services who walked to their patients and provided a telephone advice service to ensure that no patient

went without treatment and support; • Ward staff who walked to the hospital whether they were on duty or not, and in some cases stayed overnight; • Ambulance Control Centre staff who managed to cope with a 40 per cent increase in call numbers over the two days • Staff who contacted the Coordination Centre to offer

lifts in their 4x4 vehicles for both staff and patients; • The cleaning teams who worked tirelessly to ensure that entrances and corridors were kept clean; • Maritime and Coastguard Agency volunteers who assisted the Ambulance Service to reach patients.” Islanders will be used to seeing different responses to their 999 calls to the

not target drivers, but we did give advice to motorists on the roads because it is important to drive safely in these dangerous conditions, so please clear snow from your entire vehicle if you can. Don’t take the risk! Those who have stayed at home are also reminded to take a moment to check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours who may be in need of help, perhaps with clearing a safe pathway or keeping warm.” For more safe driving information and adverse weather updates, see www.hampshire. police.uk, follow @Hantspolice on Twitter or search Hampshire Constabulary on Facebook. For specific Isle of Wight information, see www.iwight.com

ambulance call centre at St. Mary’s ranging from a GP, a paramedic in a car to a full emergency ambulance. Recently this response has been expanded to include Wightcare staff and District Nurses to ensure that the appropriate response is made to all calls many of which do not require a full emergency ambulance. Chris Smith, Head of the Island’s Ambulance Service said: “All ambulance staff without exception managed to get to work on time including those who travelled by foot. Our new Emergency Hub worked well during this difficult period and proved the value of an integrated response. Our Clinical Support Desk provided patients and staff with advice. With the additional support we enabled 80 percent of the patient calls we attended to be assessed, treated where appropriate and left at home.” Although many Islanders

heeded the advice to stay safe indoors and stay warm as a result of the snow and the ice the Fracture Clinic at St. Mary’s put on an additional session on the Monday afternoon (December 6) to cope with demand. On Friday December 3 the Emergency Department dealt with 57 patients including a significant number of patients who needed to have their joints reset, which required a local anaesthetic. Emergency Planning Manager Michaela Morris, said: “From an emergency planning perspective this went really well. With the substantial snow fall overnight we set up our coordination centre at St. Mary’s at 06:00hrs and were able to ensure that the situation was managed effectively from the outset. We linked in closely with the Police, Fire and Rescue and the Council working as part of the Island Resilience Forum.

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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FEATURE

FINDING CONTACT POINT Steve Kircher - Employment Partnership Advisor

MY ROLE as an EPA for the Care Learning Centre is to arrange appointments with managers of care homes in Hampshire, West Sussex & East Sussex to establish a point of contact. My job involves discussing the free funding available to care staff in health & social care, the individual care home as a whole concerning staffing levels, resident numbers and the care type each resident requires. I discuss and establish health and safety within the home so that our training advisors are working in a safe environment once they are

carrying out training of the care staff. My main role as an EPA as I see it, is to maintain a strong relationship within each home I deal with giving them frequent updates on their learners progress, to help managers find specific outstanding staff training courses they may need and to provide them with any assistance in the training of their staff in health and social care. Apart from my main role I also believe my aim as an EPA is to maintain, grow and improve the long term partnerships the Care Learning Centre currently have with our Care Homes and establish being the 1st point of contact for every care home

Sophie Venables – Administration Apprentice SOPHIE left school and started a 2 year college course. After completing the first year Sophie decided she wanted to get a job and earn money. She applied for the administration apprentice vacancy at the Care Learning Centre and was successful in securing the job. She now works with the admin team and provides admin support for all CLC staff. Since joining CLC Sophie has started her Apprenticeship in Customer Service. This has enabled her to gain experience and knowledge in the workplace but also improve her English and Maths skills. Sophie now earns a wage and is developing her skills to achieve her objective and goals. Sophie helps in the office with a variety of different tasks include dealing with visitors, preparing portfolios for CLC Learners and filing documents following CLC procedures. She now has a better understanding and gained some skills to work within a team and understand what affect her role has within the company.

manager. I firmly believe that each care home manager should have a direct point of contact to discuss their learners progress or attendance record and to be there to resolve any problems if they arise. As an EPA providing help and resources to managers the Care Learning Centre will continue to improve the understanding and knowledge of care staff through the excellent training they receive by our training advisors. This in turn will increase the knowledge, the understanding of their job role and confidence of learners and therefore promote a better and safer environment for staff and residents alike.

Nina Moram – Recruitment Supervisor NINA joined the Care Learning Centre in 2009. Her role as Recruitment Supervisor involves regular contact with existing and new employers to promote CLC training programmes. Nina provides information and advice to attract business from new employers targeted by CLC. As part of her job Nina will make canvass calls and carry out mail shot activities to generate new business. She will identify and follow up business leads with the intention of providing a high quality training service that CLC offer. Another part of Nina’s role is matching learners with employers via the National Apprenticeship Service. This service is designed to increase the number of Apprenticeship opportunities and is an online matching service which CLC use on a regular basis to advertise vacancies for the employers CLC work in partnership with. Nina identifies the employer’s needs and provides feedback on applications received, organises interviews and informs the organisation of developments throughout the process. If you are interested in starting an Apprenticeship with the Islands leading Health and Social Care training provider please contact Nina on 01983 533993.

FEATURE

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

SANTA GETS ALL S

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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STEAMED UP!

THE SUNDAY Mirror has named The Isle of Wight Steam Railway’s Santa Specials as one of the UK’s best pre-Christmas attractions. The paper listed the Railway as one of nine top Christmas attractions around the UK at which to meet Father Christmas in his grotto. Others on the list are as far afield as Scotland, Cumbria, Yorkshire and Kent. “It’s great to be recognized by a national newspaper as one of the best”, said IW Steam Railway Commercial Manager, Jim Loe. “And to be highlighted alongside a major venue such as Lapland UK

in Kent is a real accolade!” Santa is expecting to be busy when he returns to The IW Steam Railway from this Saturday December 18 and he stays for seven days up to and including Christmas Eve. “We’ve been running our hugely successful Santa Specials each December for some 30 years and there’s no doubt that Islanders love a good-quality day out with the children in the run-up to Christmas,” said Jim. “Although the snow and cold weather affected visitor numbers during our first weekend

(December 4 and 5), numbers were much better yesterday (Sunday December 12) and matched last year’s excellent figures. “With Island schools breaking-up this week, Santa is really looking forward to welcoming lots of children and their families, and ensuring they have a really special pre-Christmas treat!” The IW Steam Railway’s Santa Specials run from for seven days from this Saturday: December 18, and then on December 19, 20, 20, 22, 23 and Christmas Eve December 24. New for 2010 is a bigger and

better Winter Wonderland to captivate the children Meet Santa in his grotto where a quality gift awaits every child. Choose whether to visit the Winter Wonderland and Santa before or after your train ride and enjoy a relaxing 10-mile round trip on the cosy heated steam train. Entertainment for the children is included in the ticket price with Magic Shows at 11.30, 12.30, 2.30 & 3.30 and a Bouncy Castle (under cover) until 4.30pm. Also new for 2010 is the opportunity to ‘Meet ‘Snowy’ the Owl’ and other birds of prey.

FEATURE

On a Santa Special all children receive light refreshments and adults receive a festive tipple or a soft drink, plus mince pie. The shop is well-stocked with Christmas gifts and there is a fully licensed restaurant with a wide menu of meals and drinks and Celebration Christmas Lunches are available if they are pre-booked. Tickets for this weekend available on the gate: Adults £15.50, Children (5-15) £11.50, Infants (0-4) £9.50. Tickets include a quality gift for every child, train rides and all of the items featured above,

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE BNP EARLIER this year the Isle of Wight Council came up with an ill-thought out and obviously biased budget in which they bowed their heads in submission to the EU puppets in Downing Street. They came up with twenty areas with which to make cuts or in fact to completely get rid of. Thirteen of the areas to be ransacked were all to do with the care of the elderly and disabled. I know that I have been living on the Island for only 15 years so maybe I am not totally educated to the running of this beautiful island, but even when I lived up north, when the Island was mentioned, it was always known as a holiday and retirement island, therefore the Island must have had for ages a huge majority of the older generation and therefore more people with disablities - therefore the annual budget must reflect the need of a larger Social Services and one fit for purpose. It has come to my attention recently (that apart from Day Centres, meeting places and aids for the disabled) most of the fully qualified care workers including council welfare officers, are to be sacked as well and replaced with unqualified

care assistants, most of them coming from either Eastern Europe or elsewhere. I have actually met at least one Lithuanian care worker myself, so now the council (because they are just following orders from the EU pupperts in Downing Street) are actually going to put our old people and the disabled at risk. We were recently shown a quite a quite good attempt at ACTING in Parliment, which the controlled media made a big show of, to make us believe that democracy is working: the vote on tuition fees. This had been like the vote on who stages the World Cup, rubberstamped months ago. The students were wasting their time and effort, as did the million or so that protested against the Iraq war, years ago. Some of the Bilderburg Group wanted it and they got it, the public don’t matter to them one little bit: our democracy has become a dictatorship. Sooner or later we will have to wake up and remove these people from power. In my last article I mentioned that a hundred or so of our members had visited the Parliment building in Brussels, whilst there we were informed

that in that particular week our MEP’s had to vote on around two hundred subjects, twenty of which were of some real importance to our own country, but what did our gallant UKIP MEPs do? They voted on only two subjects then raced to to the paydesk to get their daily allowance and head for Britiain, leaving eighteen important subjects for our country unvoted on by them. Some of you actually voted to trust them to take care of your interests, UKIP is just an arm of the Conservative party, formed to take votes from the BNP, they don’t actually seem to want to leave the EU. Mr Assange of Wikileaks: if he has actually committed the crimes he has been accused of then of course he needs to be imprisoned. Some people believe that because of the governmental and foreign leaks, he has been arrested on a trumped up charge to shut him up. Who knows? As this is the last issue of this paper this year and the British National Party will, early in the new year, be handing in our National Petition signatures into No. 10, I would like to once more ask you to please consider signing it below and

please send it to one of the daily papers that our government is not only starving our troops in Afghanistan of weapons and safety gear, but now they are going to starve them of Christmas dinner as well. Excuse? Of course, the CUTS. Please give our brave troops a long thought this Christmas, help them to come home so they can celebrate next Christmas safe and sound and help yourself and our country by showing your disapproval

of this illegal, immoral amd unwinable war in Afghanistan. Give us the ammunition to make a difference, sign the petition, give our troop and their families a really important Christmas present, the knowledge that you care. On behalf of myself, all the Island members and sympathisers and the million or so others up and down the country, we wish to thank you for all your votes and help this year, our battle

ha properly begun and we are gathering speed, if you value you country and your children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s futures, please give us more of your support next year and we will begin to get our country back. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hope 2011 brings you all much health, wealth and especially happiness. Best wishes Geof Clynch, BNP Organiser

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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FEATURE

YOUR PASSPORT TO THE WEEKEND

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

I WOULD like to wish a Happy Christmas to all of our readers from everyone at the IW Gazette and a solvent, if not prosperous, New Year. Times are hard, but we are still battling away against all odds to bring you a different slant on the Island’s news and interesting and informative features. We have lots of new ideas up our sleeves and I hope that you will continue to support us in 2011 – and thank you so much for your support so far. We recently launched the Buy Island campaign in our pages and will be continuing with this important message throughout the New Year. Remember ‘Buy British?’ Well this is our Island version and it’s just as important. If we don’t start using our local producers, shops and businesses we will lose them. And if we lose them there will be less money in our economy to go around – it’s simple and it’s easy to help. This Christmas just try to

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source your Christmas dinner from local producers – it will be a small step in the right direction. Can’t afford Christmas presents this year? Make something or offer to do something for someone. Make a little voucher that offers your services to cut a neighbour’s lawn or clean their toilet – that would be the measure of a true friend! And don’t forget to come and see the Christmas lights outside the IW Gazette’s offices in Lake. The grand array, put up by the Rotary Club, were turned on last Saturday by Gracie May and Spithead Business Centre owner Mr. William Smith. Just opposite Morrison’s in Lake, make sure you make a donation towards Rotary’s polio vaccination programme when you drop in – there are plenty of parking spaces. We wish you all the best tidings of the season and hope to be helpful, informative and entertaining in the New Year.

THE GAZETTE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE READERS AND ADVERTISERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT THIS YEAR AND WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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FEATURE

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

ISLAND IS THE BEST GREAT IDEAS AT QUAY ARTS CRAFT SHOP BUY

LAND

FOR SOMETHING precious, different and often made on the Island the Quay Arts Craft Shop offers an eclectic mix of new, innovative and stylish contemporary gift ideas for the festive season. Not only will you be supporting Island producers if you buy from Quay Arts Craft Shop but you will also be supporting one of our treasured arts spaces and facilities and the best and biggest art gallery on the Island. We once fought to have it – make sure you support it. The shop showcases and celebrates the very best of design talent from the Island and beyond with many special Christmas items providing the ideal opportunity for the discerning buyer to find unique and individual gifts. Discover a wonderful selection of carefully selected treasures including jewellery by local jeweller Nina Bulley who started making fused

glass jewellery after working as a stained glass window maker. She specialises in the use of dichroic glass to create beautifully hand-crafted pieces. Sophie Honeybourne is a well known jeweller from Ventnor whose pieces combine silver and enamel to produce distinctive pieces. Another popular choice is the collaborative team at Union of Opposites with Robert Fenton’s strong linear inspiration and architectural appearance in his designs for both male and female jewellery utilizing industrial machinery. Kelly Yates’ work is a mixture of organic form and simplicity. Kelly says: “I love to sit at the bench and just play. To have no real expectations but just to see what comes together.” Both Robert and Kelly work from Jubilee Stores artist’s studios in Newport.

If it’s ceramics you’re after, then there are many ceramicists to choose from including Lis Toft who creates miniature pieces of wearable

Fairweather who makes wonderful owls, birds and other animal sculptures. Pauline Barnden produces pots and sculptures in

art and hand-formed ceramic pieces or why not buy that someone special a highly desirable pot by ceramicist, Neil Treagear. Other potters’ work on display include Molly Attrill, Margaret Hodge and Dennis

vibrant turquoise colours including ammonites. Or for mixed media enthusiasts, choose work by resident Quay Arts’ artist Alison Butcher whose work is inspired by living by the seaside and is reflected in

her sea-themed pieces in her mixed media pieces that combine metal, wood and fabric to create functional and decorative items. In the last year she has been experimenting with fused glass panels and pendants to make decorative items and sculptural pieces which combine copper wire, dichroic glass and motifs within the pieces to give added interest. For stationery lovers there is a wide selection of cards, papers, calendars and diaries to choose from, including Christmas cards and wrapping paper. The shop is also brimming with glorious educational and traditional Children’s gifts ranging in price from as little as five pounds with many perfect stocking fillers. So why not take the pressure off, avoid the crowds and visit Quay Arts and this beautiful shop with plenty on offer, from small affordable

items and accessories to large exclusive pieces. The Quay Arts Craft Shop has something for everyone. And don’t forget that upstairs is the Michael West Gallery and it is full of Island art in the Open Exhibition and most of it is for sale. This is a wonderful opportunity to make an investment that will give you pleasure in the years to come and whatever you buy is highly likely to gain interest! Follow the Quay on Facebook or Twitter for news, updates and special offers. Quay Arts presents a changing showcase of exhibitions by leading artists, live events and classes and workshop all year round. Entrance if FREE to all galleries. The Café Bar serves delicious home-cooked meals every day. Café Bar open: 9.30am – 4.30pm. Lunches served 11:30am – 3pm.

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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ORCHARD BROS GIVE TASTE OF PAST ORCHARD BROS of Freshwater is a gem of a shop and one that rightly deserves a place of honour in our Buy Island campaign. Stepping into this wonderful old traditional emporium, which has been in the Orchard family since it opened in 1868, is like travelling back in time. You could almost imagine Tennyson popping in for some peppermints after one of his walks down to the Bay from his home Farringford just up the road. Now you can buy just about everything you need, from sliced meats and cheeses, including the award winning Isle of Wight Cheeses, to fresh vegetables and fruit, tins, cans, bottles, boxed items and off licence sales. Dates, Christmas puddings, chocolates, shortbread and mince pies are all in stock for Christmas. You can even buy home made mince pies from Vicky’s Country Kitchen in Freshwater. You can also buy fresh home cooked meals from Vicky’s kitchen at the shop. Throughout the week the dishes change in her range

that includes lovely low fat tasty soups and traditional dishes such as sausage and bean hotpot or fish pie with herby mash. Ideal over Christmas when you need a helping hand in the kitchen. Vicky can also cook for private parties or households – great for Christmas get togethers or dinner parties. Returning to her career in catering as the credit crunch hit two years ago, Vicky is also a qualified holistic and

therapeutic practitioner. “It was just by accident that I got involved in making and selling food again,” said Vicky who worked in restaurants for four years after qualifying at the IW College. “I’ve been selling my dishes at Orchards for a while and they’ve been getting more and more popular and I’m now looking for more commercial outlets.” Another bonus with Orchards is that all of your

purchases can be delivered in the time-honoured tradition. When we visited local lady Mrs Pauline Grocott was assembling the things she needed with the help of assistants Amanda Taylor and Pamela Gallup. “I’ve been a customer since 1984 when we moved here,” said Mrs Grocott. “I live just up the road and I have a weekly order, which is delivered to us since we became eco friendly and gave up our car.”

Amanda has worked for the family shop for nearly nine years. “It’s very much a community – today a lady brought us both a Christmas present,” she enthused. “We provide a service here too,” said Pamela who has worked at Orchards for over ten years. “We help our elderly customers do things like top up their mobile phones. It’s lovely working here.” It’s also lovely paying a visit to the shop. “I have people

FEATURE BUY

LAND

visiting in the summer who say they wish they had a shop like ours where they live,” said Mark Orchard who has been with the shop since he left school in 1970. “Christmas week is a very busy time for the shop. Lots of deliveries and we do hampers too. It’s a last minute panic for most people.”

FEATURE

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

LANTERN PARADE GIVES R

ON WEDNESDAY December 15 there was a riot of lantern bearing students in Ryde – but all they were demonstrating was their beautiful handiwork in making the glowing lanterns. There were 300 plus hand-made lanterns, two live samba bands and comic spectacle from the Friends of the Carnival Learning Centre which all added up to a spectacular and highly entertaining winter parade. Seventeen different Island schools and groups had been busy making wonderful illuminated creations on the theme ‘something in the air’. Ideas ranged from Moons and Stars (Barton Primary School) to Hot Air Balloons (St Mary’s Primary School), Doves and Angels (Mayfield Middle School) and Rockets and Flying Saucers (Ryde Junior School). The Friends of the Carnival Learning Centre were performing ALIENS, their new processional theatre show, and it was a triumph with large day-glo green aliens and their glowing

flying saucer. This hilarious costume and mime has also been seen at other seasonal carnivals at Ventnor, Cowes and Newport. The parade left Dover Park School, Dover Street, Ryde at 6pm for Star St, High Street, Town Square then Anglesea St, George St, Cross St into Union Street to finish. Afterwards there was a short finale Fireworks Display at 7pm approx, set by Jubilee Fireworks and supported by Ryde Town Council. This was a poignant parade for many of the diligent carnival arts workers who have spent so many hours making costumes and lanterns and passing on their skills and knowledge to others across the Island - from small children in schools to elderly residents in homes. The Carnival Arts Centre in Ryde is one of the best in the country and is now facing cuts in its Council funding along with just about every other Council funded operation and facility across the Island.

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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FEATURE

RYDE AN EXTRA SPARKLE

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VECTIS NEWS RADIO

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

Alternative Christmas Speech ‘A tribute to Lorraine Queen of Pan’

Back in September of this year the Island lost one of it’s best known local characters, Lorraine Le Prevost, aka Lorraine Queen of Pan and since then we have been wondering how to pay tribute to the lady who supported the Isle of Wight Phone In since the early 90’s. The phone in started

originally on Isle of Wight Radio and Lorraine was a regular contributor for many years it then moved to Wight FM and she followed as she did when Vectis Radio started in January of this year. The many that knew The Queen of Pan liked her blunt, to the point, nature

Lorraine ‘Queen of Pan’

and her heart of gold, but she also had a wicked sense of humour which you can hear in some recordings of her conversations on the phone in on Christmas Day at 1pm and repeated on Monday at noon with some of her beloved Elvis tunes too as Vectis Radio pays tribute.

Special Festive Shows

On Christmas Eve at noon our studio in Crocker Street will be taken over by Nine Acres School in Newport for the ‘Childrens Takeover’ tune in to hear the future of British Radio!!! Look out for other special

Above: Garry Bushell Right: Graham Poutney Far Right: Basil Brush

Many things are lined up for Vectis Radio in 2011 but the first major announcement is that Gareth Icke is going

shows featuring Tim The Tramp from Eastenders aka Graham Poutney who is also Vectis Radios voiceover man, Garry Bushell, Basil Brush, Chris Harris from Hey look that’s me fame and David Icke. Headfunk will present a top 40 for 2010 part one on Christmas Eve at 5pm and there is lot’s more to keep you going for the festive break. We annouced our figures on air recently

Rock Star Coup for Vectis Radio to be presenting a live show, Gareth came to us in the autumn and said he would like to do a show which was an

offfer to good to turn down he will be at the turntables in mid January. A brand new album is on the cards next year as well as

a book and now a radio show maybe he will bring his guitar in and play some of the new album live on the show!!!

and are very proud, listeners in 41 different countries, 4000 new and unique streams just in November and peaking every week day at almost 600 streams, so we would like to say a big thank you and a very Merry Christmas from all of us and may all your troubles in 2011 be little ones.

Gareth Icke

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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ENTERTAINMENT

CINEWORLD TO SCREEN SIMPLY RED’S FAREWELL TOUR LIVE SIMPLY RED’S last ever concert performance by will be screened live at Cineworld in Newport from 8.30pm, on Sunday (December 19). The finale of Simply Red’s Farewell Tour will be broadcast live from London’s O2 Arena and screened across a total of 45 Cineworld sites nationwide. Fans of Mick Hucknall and his brilliant band will be holding back the tears at Cineworld in Newport as they enjoy all the emotion and excitement of this momentous night in unbeatable HD quality and 5.1 surround sound. Since their first tour in 1985, Simply Red has played over 1,100 shows to over 11 million people, notched

YOUNGSTERS SHOW FILM PROWESS

YOUNG Islanders will have the chance to express their creativity through film – just as Anthony Minghella was inspired as a young boy growing up on the Isle of Wight - in a film competition being organised at the Quay Arts next March. Quay Arts and the Young Chamber of Commerce are supporting the Short Film Competition, which forms part of the Anthony Minghella Film Festival running between 11-13 March 2011. Young people should submit a short film inspired by Comic Relief with the winner’s film shown at a gala at Quay Arts during the festival This year the Anthony Minghella Film festival want to use this opportunity to spread the

important message promoted by Comic Relief, which is taking place the week after the Anthony Minghella Film festival on the March 18. The challenge that entrants face is to make the audience laugh, just as Anthony did, as a supporter of Red Nose Day. The film can be made in or outside of school – as part of a team or on your own. A panel of Anthony’s friends and family members will see all the films and all successful entries will be included in the Minghella Film Festival programme, March 11 to 13, 2011. For more about this competition, interested parties can visit the Quay Arts website at www.quayarts.org to download an information sheet.

up a staggering 55 million global sales, over 31 Top 40 UK singles, 3 BRITs, 2 Novellos, 2 US No.1 Singles and a MOBO Special Achievement Award. This final performance promises to be an amazing celebration of 25 years of hits and an ideal way for Mick Hucknall and his band mates to say farewell. Commenting on the final performance, Mick Hucknall said, “The final show after twenty-five mind blowing years. What an adventure it has been! We want to share this, our last show, with everyone around the world who has enjoyed our sound throughout the years. It will be a night to remember for ever whether you’re with us

at the concert or watching us live in the cinema.” Head of Cineworld Marketing Communications, Luke Roberts added, “Simply Red is an iconic British band and Cineworld is delighted that fans all over the country will be able to share and enjoy their last ever performance. This concert represents the latest in a string of live events screened at Cineworld cinemas. From opera, to theatre, football and music, Cineworld is committed to bringing the best live entertainment to UK cinema screens.” Tickets for Simply Red Live at the O2 – The Last Ever Performance are available online www.cineworld.co.uk or by calling 0871 200 2000.

MEDINA FOR RENT

IF YOU missed Medina High Schools’s recent production of R.E.N.T then you missed out. An ambitious undertaking for such a young cast they tackled it with fantastic enthusiasm and enormous amount of talent. The eight

drug addled dancer Mimi and her reluctant lover Roger (Stephen Smith) was totally immersed in his role as were we. Sam Sheasby as preppy film-maker Mark, held the story together admirably clutching his film camera

“R.E.N.T is a modern re-working of La Boheme by Jonathan Larson set in New York’s lower East Side in the shadow of AIDS.” main characters were all superb. Shaun Robertson as the dying Angel in this AIDS awareness tale had the whole audience in tears at his demise. Cyrus Dean’s Tom Collins made sure of this with his poignant solo ‘My Life’ and the pair entranced the audience with their love and Angel’s camp exuberance. Natasha DeLacey Harrison’s electrifying entrance as Maureen was another highlight of the show, although her entire performance was stellar. Lizzie Maddin shone as

and commenting on the unfolding tale. Libby Cadman as Joanne was a joy and Stuart Woods as straight yuppie Benny was dead cool. With over thirty-five members in the cast plus six band members it’s impossible to mention everyone but the whole production was very tight and superbly acted and produced. Chorus numbers were so well rehearsed they seamlessly vibrated around the auditorium. R.E.N.T is a modern re-working of La Boheme by Jonathan Larson set in

New York’s lower East Side in the shadow of AIDS. Programs included a red ribbon, which audience members proudly wore in relevance to the recent World Aids Day, December 1, and money from programme sales went

towards the National Aids Trust. As the last performance by Medina High Students before the school becomes an academy with Carisbrooke High, it was a very high bar for any future productions to better.

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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ICE AGE HITS THE ISLAND

THERE WAS a phenomenal response to see the rare Dino Bird (on display at Jurassic Jims fossil shop in Yarborough Arcade, Shanklin) after our article and his advert in the last edition of The Gazette, that saw crowds of interested Islanders flocking to his shop during the Shanklin Christmas Fun Day. Although the bill was too high for most people for the dino bird, other pieces of rare bird fossils were snapped up by collectors and other customers made the most of the discounts offered on the day if a Shanklin Christmas program was produced. “It has been great.” Jim told us “I have had so much interest in the exhibition that I have decided to put on another one.” The new exhibition to start this week has been inspired by the recent cold weather and snow that shut down most of the Island for a few days. His new display is of Ice Age fossils and will consist, we are told, of the largest stock of Ice age bones on sale on

the Island. Including an impressive range of bones from bison, deer, horse, rhino, boar, rare elephant and stunning pieces of mammoth, including teeth, vertebra, ribs and a truly huge leg bone that once belonged in a museum in France. But unlike going to a museum, if you take a fancy to any of the items they are all for sale and there are pieces of genuine Ice age bone including mammoth from only £1 or a Ice age horse toe bone for only £3. Of course you can just check out his large stock of minerals, artifacts and other weird stuff like the Sawfish bills or turtle shells that hang on the walls nestled between the African masks all being watched by dragons and fairies in this unique fossil shop. And don’t forget on your way up to Jurassic Jims to check out all of the stalls filled with great Christmas gifts and stocking fillers, as are the unique pieces of jewellery, watches and quality Pashminas at unbelievable low prices to be found at

Shoshana’s who have recently relocated within the arcade and are now opposite Odds and Sods, whose shop is full of country cottage and shabby chic with a range of designer clothes and accessories. If it’s anything in the music line, from a set of strings, second hand instrument to a complete new guitar and amp set call into Volume One Music shop. If it’s a book you are looking for go no further than Babushka Books who stock a huge range of books from rare antiquarian books, specialist books, paperbacks and great line of new general interest books for Christmas. All of this under the cover of the recently replaced glazed roof with its bright lighting making shopping a pleasure be it wet or dry, and if you lose track of time while shopping because your watch has stopped Shoshana’s offers a replacement battery service for only £1.50, so get down to the Yarborough Arcade and see what everyone is talking about.

MASS EXTINCTION

THE LIMITED edition dinosaur art produced on canvas by the acclaimed Island Urban Artist Tony Trowbridge, being sold for the charity ‘Help the Heroes’, were snapped up at the Shanklin Christmas Festival Day. It was not long after setting up his stall in the Yarborough Arcade that his work had gone the way of the dinosaurs and was no longer to be seen as collectors and investors in art snapped up complete sets along with people who thought they were a great idea for a unique Christmas gift. “I am very pleased the way this range

has been taken up” Tony told us. “It started with a set of commissioned T-Shirts for Jurassic Jims Fossil shop in the top of the arcade this year and the shutters for his shop. The T-Shirts were such a huge success that he has already placed a commission for a new range for 2011 and it looks like these will be added to his range of my art work that he stocks next year.” Jurassic Jims Fossil shop also of course has major pieces of Tony’s work including the ‘Evolution Sucks’ piece that has a £2,500 price tag on display in his shop.

Shoshana

A jewellery shop with a difference!

Costume Jewellery • Ethnic Range Unique Handmade pieces

Yarborough Mews, High Street, Shanklin, IW

VOLUME ONE MUSIC SHOP

6 The Arcade, High St, Shanklin

Musical instruments bought & sold T: 07958 373335

E: volumeonemusic@gmail.com

Odds & Sods Quality pre-owned items at affordable prices! Includes ‘Style on a Budget’ range

Yarborough Arcade, Shanklin (next to RSPCA shop, opposite the pelican crossing)

BABUSHKA BOOKS 4 Yarborough Arcade, High Street, Shanklin, IW, PO37 6LD Tel: 01983 864114 babushkabooks@hotmail.com www.babushkabooks.com

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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JOBS FEATURE

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www.iwgazette.co.uk

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

FIND YOUR WAY BACK TO WORK WITH JOBCENTRE PLUS

PART OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR WORK AND PENSIONS Care Assistant JOB TITLE

LOCATION

Shanklin

DESCRIPTION

Must be 18+ for providing personal care. Some experience is essential. Duties are general care of elderly residents, serving breakfast and any other related duties as required. Uniform will be supplied. 5.6 weeks annual leave. May be required to cover sickness and holidays. £6.25 per hr plus 25p weekend/ evening work plus 20p attendance WAGES bonus. 17.5 hrs per week - Weds 7.30am - 2pm, Sat 2pm - 8pm & Sun 1pm - 6pm.

DURATION

Permanent

JOB CENTRE PLUS REFERENCE NUMBER. HOW TO APPLY

RFM/6785 - Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

DESCRIPTION

£6.09 - £6.19 per hr. 24 hrs per week 2 nights from 7, 8pm – 8am.

Ryde

DESCRIPTION

As HomeSun is one of the UKs leading and fastest growing companies within the renewable energy sector, we are looking for talented sales professionals who will provide a first class sales experience to our customers and potential customers. Initially the Companies sales focus will be on domestic solar PV. To engage with prospective customers and be understanding of their needs to enhance their customer experience.

WAGES £15,000 -£20,000 per annum. 40 hrs per week 5 days from 7, 9am – 5.30pm.

DURATION Permanent

JOB CENTRE PLUS REFERENCE NUMBER. HOW TO APPLY

RFM/6806 - Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

LOCATION

Sandown

Must be 18+. Previous experience is not essential, as full training can be provided. NVQ 2 health and social care qualification or equivalent would be advantageous. Will be required to provide social, personal and emotional care to elderly residents. A full uniform will be provided, along with drinks and a lunch when working a full shift.

WAGES

LOCATION

JOBSenior TITLENight Carer

Carer JOB TITLE

LOCATION

Solar Specialist JOB TITLE

DURATION Permanent

JOB CENTRE PLUS REFERENCE NUMBER. HOW TO APPLY

RFM/6825 - Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

Sandown

JOBGoTITLE Active Instructor LOCATION

Cowes

DESCRIPTION Working with children and adults as part of the Go Active Instructing Team is a highly rewarding job and great fun but its not for everybody. Its hard work, demanding both physically and mentally, hugely challenging and you need to be at your very best every day even when the going gets tough. We’re looking for enthusiastic and dedicated individuals who enjoy meeting new people and are friendly and personable. Experience of the outdoors and working with young people and families is desirable but its more important to be fun loving, versatile, have loads of energy, boundless enthusiasm and a desire to work with guests. Full training will be given and full NGB sports qualifications will be given to successful candidates.

DESCRIPTION

Senior Carers. Applicants must have previous experience and NVQ qualification 2 is essential, level 3 is desirable. You will be required to lead a shift. You will provide social, personal and emotional care to elderly residents. A full uniform will be provided, along with drinks and a meal when working a full shift. Based on a rota pattern.

WAGES

£6.56 per hr. 36 hrs per week 3 nights from 7, 8pm – 8am.

DURATION

WAGES

£7.20 per hour. Tue, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun, working between 8.30am and 9pm.

DURATION Permanent

Permanent

JOB CENTRE PLUS REFERENCE NUMBER. HOW TO APPLY

RFM/6824 - Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

NIW/11542 - Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

JOB CENTRE PLUS REFERENCE NUMBER. HOW TO APPLY

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

Care Assistant JOBSenior TITLE

LOCATION

Ryde

DESCRIPTION

We are seeking an experienced qualified and motivated individual to join a friendly care home in Ryde, Isle of Wight. You must have NVQ level 3. Good verbal and written communication skills, be flexible and reliable. Duties include, supervision of shift, ensure the prescribed medication are correctly ordered, stored and tracked, ensure the safety, comfort, personal dignity and general well being of elderly residents.

WAGES

£6.73 per hr. 35hrs per week, 5 days out of 7. Various shifts

DURATION

Permanent

JOB CENTRE PLUS REFERENCE NUMBER. HOW TO APPLY

RFM/6814 - Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

JOBKitchen TITLEAssistant LOCATION

Sandown

DESCRIPTION

Previous experience in a similar role is required. Qualifications required: Food hygiene certificate. Desirable qualifications: NVQ/SVQ level 2 or equivalent. To support the kitchen staff. Duties include: Cleaning, serving coffee and tea, food preparation and light cooking, stock control and any other duties as required. Successful applicants are required to provide an enhanced disclosure. Disclosure expense will be met by employer.

WAGES

Negotiable wage depending on experience. 12-30 hrs per wk, 2-4 days from 7, between 10am-5pm.

DURATION Permanent

JOB CENTRE PLUS REFERENCE NUMBER. HOW TO APPLY

RFM/6832 - Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

Waiting Staff JOB TITLE

LOCATION

Shanklin

DESCRIPTION

This vacancy is due to start on 20/12/2010 and end on 02/02/2011. Previous experience within a similar role is preferred, but not essential as full training will be given. Duties will include waiting tables, customer service, taking orders, clearing tables and all other associated tasks as required. Split shifts mornings and evenings. You will be required to work at weekends all through the Christmas holiday.

WAGES £6.20 per hr + Christmas Day and New Years Day paid at double time.

DURATION Temp 20/12/2010 – 02/01/2011.

JOB CENTRE PLUS REFERENCE NUMBER. HOW TO APPLY

RFM/6833 - Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

Contact the Gazette for News and Advertising: 01983 898340

Home Manager JOBCare TITLE

LOCATION

Newport

To take responsibility as registered manager to manage all aspects in the day-to-day running of a 33 bed Care Home. Promoting a caring environment which provides residents with a high standard of specialised personal care and meeting individual needs. To supervise, monitor and evaluate the care delivered to residents, making sure CQC compliance are met along with the high levels expected within this company. Proven experience working within a care home environment. NVQ4RMA Qualifications necessary Control and management of budgets and accounts Committed to structured approach to everything, understanding of care standards and familiar with new CQC compliances. Computer skills essential.

DESCRIPTION

WAGES £24, 000 - £26,000 per annum. 40 hrs per week over 5 days – 8am -5pm – may inc some weekend working.

DURATION

JOB CENTRE PLUS REFERENCE NUMBER. HOW TO APPLY

P/T Cleaner JOB TITLE Binstead

DESCRIPTION

No previous cleaning experience is required. Duties to include, vacuuming, mopping, washing the floor, cleaning the toilets and all other associated cleaning tasks as required within a local Community Centre. Job Share considered - employer happy to consider 2 persons to cover the 6 days.

WAGES

£6.50 per hr. 12 hrs per week 6 days from 7 inc weekends, 6am-8am.

DURATION Permanent

JOB CENTRE PLUS REFERENCE NUMBER. HOW TO APPLY

RFM/6835- Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

JOB Room TITLEAttendant LOCATION

Sandown

DESCRIPTION

JOBS FEATURE

JOBDispensary TITLE Assistant LOCATION

Shanklin

DESCRIPTION

Applicants must have dispensary experience, and be able to work on your own, or as part of a team. Must possess excellent customer service skills. Duties will include dispensing items, using the computer to produce medication labels and order stock, checking and putting away deliveries, answering the telephone, and keeping the dispensary clean and tidy.

£6 WAGES per hr. 15hrs per week Tues and Thurs between 9am - 6pm.

DURATION

Permanent

JOB CENTRE PLUS REFERENCE NUMBER. HOW TO APPLY

RFM/666 - Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

Store Manager JOB TITLE

LOCATION

Ryde

DESCRIPTION

A leading and expanding high street fashion retailer is looking for an experienced store manager. Our client is looking for an ambitious individual who is eager to progress. Applicants must have retail management experience within the fashion sector. Store manager experience is preferred, but experienced assistant managers will be considered.

WAGES

£22,000 - £23,000 per annum. 39 hrs per week, 5 days from 7. Between 8am-6pm.

DURATION Permanent

JOB CENTRE PLUS REFERENCE NUMBER. HOW TO APPLY

RFM/6831 -Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

Kitchen Porter JOB TITLE

LOCATION

Sandown

DESCRIPTION

Applicants will receive full training if no experience is held. Duties include servicing hotel bedrooms, making beds, vacuuming, dusting and all related tasks.

£6 WAGES per hr - Christmas day, Boxing day and New Years day will be paid at £12.00 per hour. 30 Per week, 6 days from 7 between 9am – 2pm

Permanent

NIW/11569 - Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

LOCATION

www.iwgazette.co.uk

DURATION

Temporary position from 23 or 24/12/2010 -2/01/2011.

JOB CENTRE PLUS REFERENCE NUMBER. HOW TO APPLY

RFM/6836- Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

Previous experience is advantageous however full training will be provided. Duties principally include food preparation, maintaining standards of kitchen hygiene and other associated tasks as required.

£6 per hr - Christmas day, Boxing dayWAGES and New Years day will be paid at £12.00 per hour. 40-44 Per week, 6 days from 7 between 7am – 9pm.

Temporary DURATION position from 23 or 24/12/2010 -2/01/2011.

JOB CENTRE PLUS REFERENCE NUMBER. HOW TO APPLY

RFM/6837- Visit www.direct.gov.uk or call 01983 273747 to speak to an adviser quoting the reference number.

Contact the Gazette for News and Advertising: 01983 898340

www.iwgazette.co.uk

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

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FEATURE

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

SWIMMERS BARE IT FOR MACMILLAN Staff of the Little Gloster get ready for Christmas

A SPONSORED ‘Dare to Brave It’ charity swim at The Little Gloster in Gurnard raised the magnificent sum of £566.91 for Macmillan Cancer Support. The Little Gloster celebrated their first Christmas in style last Saturday (December 11) with a Yuletide market bustling with locally sourced produce, unique Christmas gifts and the well supported charity Christmas swim. Despite the somewhat icy water temperature of only 5.6 degrees eleven swimmers braved the winter waters off Gurnard Marsh for a 300-metre swim – some even managed it without the help of a wet or dry suit. First place was won by seasoned open water swimmer Dave Pearce, second place was attained most impressively by the youngest contestant, 13 year old Georgia Caws, who was the only swimmer to complete the full course without a wetsuit and third

Winner Dave Pearce

Georgia Caws place was won by Michelle Lock, one of the swimmers representing WightTri Triathlon Club. A special prize was awarded to Gary Martin, for participating in the best

charitable spirit, having taken part in a rainbow hat, Hawaiian shirt and sandals… after being pushed in by Ben Cooke, Head Chef at The Little Gloster. Other participants included event organizer Holly Siddons from the Little Gloster, Dale Baker, Helen Symes and Jenny Ball from the Marlin’s Swim Club. Water support boats were kindly managed by Rob Proctor, whose son also competed in the swim. All were handed a glass of mulled wine or hot chocolate after the swim to warm everyone up before prize giving inside. See a clip of the event on YouTube: http:// www.youtube.com/ watch?v=1jDaKY7HGxc

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

www.iwgazette.co.uk

SPORT

SKATERS DAZZLE AT RYDE ROWERS HAND OPEN AIR RINK OVER £1,000 CHEQUE LOCAL PERFORMERS from the Isle of Wight Ice Dance and Figure Skating Club dazzled shoppers at the launch of Gunwharf Quays Festive Winterland and the opening of the region’s largest open air ice-rink. The Isle of Wight Ice Dance & Figure Skating Club brings together local ice skaters, both recreational and competitive, regardless of age or ability. The club has very successful Synchronised Skating Teams and two of the teams have just won British titles in the Juvenile and Junior categories and they will be coming along with other individual skaters and performing to Portsmouth shoppers at the launch of the rink. The launch of the Festive Winterland included a performance from the Grammy award winning Swingle Singers surrounded by sparkling trees. Young shoppers will have the chance to enjoy penguin ice scooters to improve their skills, while more accomplished skaters will have the chance to take part in ice skating lessons, including skating to music. Peter Emery, Centre Manager said, “It was a pleasure to have the Isle of

Wight Ice Dance and Figure Skating Club at Gunwharf Quays. In 2010 they have nurtured some real talent with three successful synchronised skating teams. They impressed the crowds with their stunning moves and I hope they inspired shoppers to give skating a go this Christmas.” The open-air ice rink will then be open MondayWednesday from Midday until 7pm, Thursdays and

Fridays from Midday until 8pm, Saturdays from 11am until 8pm and Sundays from 11am until 5pm until December 20. Over Christmas from 20 December to 3 January the rink will be open MondaysSaturdays 11am-8pm and on Sundays, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Years Eve from 11am- 5 pm. Adult prices are £4, with children, students and concessions for £2.

SPONSORS, supporters and helpers of Ryde Rowing Club were entertained at an informal gathering at their clubhouse to thank them for their support during the year. There was a short presentation on the club’s activities and successes in 2010, which included a gold and bronze medal at the GB Master Championships and a Southcoast Championship

for the boys J15 Quad. There was also a Henley win, GB National Championships gold medals and England representation for club members plus Clubmark reaccreditation and the granting of British Rowing Explore Rowing status. Club captain Pete Hewison thanked all those attending for all their help and support in the last year before

making a presentation to Naomi House, the Children’s Hospice, the club’s nominated Charity for 2010. Following various fund raising activities during the year the club was able to hand over a cheque for over £1,000 to this very worthwhile cause, to which they have now donated more than £2,000 in the last three years.

FROZEN FIELD FOILS FOOTBALL

NEWPORT’s bid to keep alive their hopes of glory in the FA Vase was put on ice when their tie was frozen off on the mainland. The Island’s players and fans travelled to Bitton only to be frustrated when they were told the tie was postponed because of a frozen pitch – just five minutes before scheduled kick-off. The game has not yet been rescheduled, and Newport were not the only ones to suffer. In Division 1 of the Sydenhams Wessex League Cowes Sports’ trip to Amesbury Town was also postponed because of a frozen pitch. East Cowes Vics survived the freeze, and chalked up a 2-1 home win over AFC Portchester. Two first half goals from new signing Kieron Lewis were enough to secure the points despite a late rally from the visitors that brought a consolation.

BRAZILIAN JUJITSU SEMINAR

STUDENTS of Isle of Wight Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy attended a seminar taught by Kevin Capel, one of the country’s top BJJ competitors, head coach of Roger Gracie Academy Bucking-

hamshire (www.rgaa.co.uk) and student under multiple world champion Roger Gracie. Kevin taught the students the techniques and game plan which he has implemented with success on the World and European

circuit in his competition career. Everyone enjoyed the seminar immensely and was able to take away techniques that they can incorporate into their game. The Isle of Wight Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Combat Grappling Academy

is currently running classes in Shanklin and Newport and will be teaching in Ryde at the beginning of January 2011. For more info please contact Martin Dell on 07791 987 412 or check out www.iowbjj.co.uk

SPORT

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

VECTIS FIGHT TO KEEP TAG Jackie Stephen, winner of the Jellicoe Cup pictured with Richard Hodges (Captain) & Joyce Petrie (Ladies Captain)

CHRIS AND LIZ HIT FORM TO TAKE THE CHRISTMAS HONOURS

SHANKLIN and Sandown Golf club held their annual 12th December 2010 Christmas Mixed Foursomes, a Stableford competition which was won by Chris Reed (Snr) and Liz Jolliffe with 36 points. They finished one point ahead of Harry Bryant and Joy Jenkins, with Neil Jackson and Margaret Clark also carding 35, but taking

thirds place on countback. Other recent results: Ladies Monthly Stableford, Silver, Winner Deborah Richards 34. Bronze, Winner Julie Miller 34. Ladies EWGA Medal, Silver Nett Winner Deborah Richards 75. Bronze Winner Julie Miller 91. Open Medal: Division 1 Nett, Winner Paul Cavaciuti 69. 2nd Alan Frame 69.

Division 2. Winner Tony Theakston 67. 2nd Richard Hodges 70. Monthly Medal: Scratch Gross, Winner Tony Williams 74. 2nd Andy Westhopre 76. 3rd Gary Meszynski 76. Division 1 Nett, Winner Elliot Jones 65. 2nd John Liddelow 68. 3rd Tony Williams 69. Division 2: Winner Steve Barnes 66. 2nd Tony Cole 70. 3rd Bill Foss 70.

Vectis Under 14s 12points, Havant 7 VECTIS kept their unbeaten league record intact with a thrilling game atthe Isle of Wight Rugby Club in Wootton due to a burst pipe at their home ground of Ventnor. With a slow start letting Havant put a converted try past them, Vectis soon realised that extra effort was needed. With neither team having an obvious advantage Toby Hill battled through for Vectis to score a try before half time. In the second half both teams battled hard to try

to break through their opposition, and Josh Hall eventually accelerated past Havant and placed a try for Vectis between the posts for George Huish to convert with ease. The Vectis coaches awarded three awards: Forwards Man of the Match went to Scott Jacobs whose ball carrying was an inspiration and the Backs Man of the Match went to George Huish who although playing out of position at full back covered that area well as well as

converting a try. An additional award went to Colin Ffyfe who is on the coaching staff, this was the “Donkey Award” and was for a slip of support when he was caught shouting “Come on Havant” by accident! Team: T. Hill, B. Anderton, L. Clinch, M. Montgomery (Capt.), J. Harris, E. Little, J. Hatch, L. Gales, C. Norman, M. Harris, H. Ffyfe, D. Thomas, J. Dixon, Y. Nicholson, G. Huish, M. Collins, S. Jacobs, J. Hall, C. Keane, E. Gailly, H. Welsford, M. Partington, C. Dunne, M. Roberts.

GETTING HOOKED WITH NEW ANGLING WEBSITE Christmas Mixed Winners pictured with Richard Hodges (Captain) & Joyce Petrie (Ladies Captain)

ISLAND anglers have been fishing through the web site and forum of wightfishing. co.uk and clocked up a massive one million hits! The wightfishing.co.uk site was launched in May year and has proved to be a big hit with fishermen of all ages. Created and run by Dan

Ross and Mike Hopwood, the site promotes all kinds of fishing on the Island, runs competitions and has a busy forum where members can write about their fishing trips and post photos of their catches. Dan and Mike would like to thank everyone for their

support and donations. “We plan to hold events, continue monthly competitions through 2011 and be at Riverfest at Newport in the spring” they said. If you would like to support the website please make contact at info@wightfishing. co.uk

The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010

Gazette Sport THE ISLE OF WIGHT

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SPORT

CHANCE TO STEP ON TO THE ICE

THE ISLE OF WIGHT Junior Ice Hockey Club is offering young ice skaters the chance to play one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most exciting team sports - and Care Learning Centre is right behind them. There are four age groups within the club: under 12s, under 14s, under 16s and under 18s. Boys and girls people up to the age of 17 are welcome to join the club as players. Parents and guardians join

as adult members. The club has fully qualified volunteer coaches and team managers, all of whom have been Child Protection checked. Core training sessions are held on Tuesdays (under 12s and under 18s) and Thursdays (under 14s and under 16s). There are additional training opportunities on Mondays and Wednesdays. All the sessions take place at Planet

Iceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ryde Arena. Teams take part in the English Ice Hockey Association Southern League and games are played on Saturdays and Sundays. If anyone fancies a go but is not too sure about their skating ability or whether they will enjoy it, can try out the sport at Power Hour? Power Hour is a taster session run by Planet Ice on

Tuesdays at 5:30 pm at Ryde Arena. For further information about joining the club go along to Ryde Arena on a Tuesday or Thursday to watch and find out more about taking part in this exciting game. The game schedules can be found on the club web site at www. iwjihc.org.uk. So, get your skates on and hope to see you in the New Year!

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The Gazette, Friday, December 17, 2010