IW Gazette 17

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Friday March 20 - Thursday April 2 2009

If you can, please make a donation to the hospice NEW THIS ISSUE! 28-page Lifestyle supplement

David Pugh and you

Red nose day in pictures Page 5

Page 12

The Isle of Wight Grand National Page 14

Job figures shock for IW

By Paul Rainford

CONTROVERSIAL new figures have labelled the Island as the UK’s number one blackspot for people in search of a job.

A study, compiled by the TUC and based on figures from January of this year, looked at the number of dole claimants chasing each job centre vacancy in every local authority in the UK. On the Island it found that there were 3,155 claimants chasing after just 52 jobs – a ratio of 60 jobseekers to each vacancy registered at the Island’s job centres.

The next-worst jobseeker ratio nationally was found at Eilean Siar in the Western Isles, which had 44 claimants for each job, though the average equivalent figure nationally was ten, and eight across the South East.

This paints a far bleaker picture of the jobs situation than the official unemployment rate for the same period, which puts the Island’s jobless rate at 5.6 per cent, placing it towards the lower

end of the unemployment scale – though still in a worse position than most of the South East.

Richard Exell, senior policy officer in the TUC’s economics and social affairs department, drew the statistics together. He said: “The chances of being unemployed on the Island seem to be lower than many parts of the country, but if you are unemployed there are fewer jobs to go for. The two mainstays of the economy of the Island are manufacturing and tourism, and that is obviously a factor.”

Mr Exell said that it is generally accepted that only about a third of actual vacancies are registered at job centres; the rest are advertised in local media or filled by word of mouth.

David Pugh, IW Council leader, said that the figures did not give a realistic representation of the jobs situation on the Island: “While we need to do all we can to address the current economic realities, these figures may be skewed by certain factors.

“Firstly they seem to be re-

corded when our crucial seasonal industries including tourism and agriculture are gearing up for the year ahead. Unemployment is traditionally at its worst in the winter months so we hope job opportunities will increase in the coming weeks.

“Separation from the mainland also appears a factor given that the Western Isles in Scotland also fare badly in the research.

This could be because jobseekers on islands are more focused on local opportunities than those in adjoining areas or counties.

Movement between counties not separated by water is physically easier and does not present a possible psychological barrier to employment opportunities.”

The Island MP, Andrew Turner, was similarly sceptical. “Statistics can show anything – but people are more worried about facts than the magic use of statistics,” he said.

Mr Turner added: “I believe we’re very fortunate in having relatively small organisations Continued on page 3

Minghella film festival to be annual event?

GOIA Minghella, the sister of the late film director Anthony Minghella (above), has indicated that an Island film event could become an annual fixture.

Speaking at the Minghella Movie Marathon, which celebrated the director’s life and work with showings of his films and talks from those who knew him, Goia said: “I’m sure this event is something we’ll be building on. There will be something happening next year definitely, though we’re not sure what shape it will take just yet.”

Goia also spoke to The Gazette

Tory big hitter backs MP’s campaign ONE of the legendary ‘Big Beasts’ of the Tory party has lent his weight to the campaign by Island MP Andrew Turner for a full investigation into the crossSolent ferry services.

Ken Clarke, the Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, said: “The decision by the Office of Fair Trading to instigate a market survey is absolutely right. The Island ferries are quite literally a lifeline service – and the market must work, and be seen to work, for the benefit of its customers, not just the ferry operators.”

He added: “My colleague Andrew Turner has done a great deal of work on this matter, and I am impressed by the number of people from the Island

who have supported him in getting this far. If the OFT finds evidence of any practices that warrant further study then they should recommend a full investigation to be carried out as soon as possible.”

Mr Turner said: “When I spoke to Ken about the ferry services he saw straight away the potential for abuse of market position.

“He has unrivalled experience of such matters and I hope that the support of someone with his background, knowledge and expertise will help persuade the OFT that this really must go forward to a full investigation if they find anything at all untoward during this market survey.” l The deadline for submissions to the OFT is March 27.

about her brother’s feelings for his birthplace.

“I think he loved the Island,” said Goia. “He was delighted to come from the Island but he wanted to spread his wings.

“The Island is a kind of greenhouse in that it nurtures people.

He went to Sandown High School and was very happy there – they helped his interest in drama, art and music.” l For more coverage of the Minghella Movie Marathon, including interviews with Jude Law and Lord Puttnam, see our Lifestyle supplement.

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the gazette Contact Details newsdesk: (01983) 409928 email: newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk address: The Isle of Wight Gazette Unit B18 Spithead Business Centre Newport Road Sandown Isle of Wight PO36 9PH

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Published by: The Isle of Wight Gazette Ltd Editor: Martin Potter Reporters: Jamie White, Peter White, Richard Collins, Justin Gladdis News Editor: Paul Rainford Features Editor: Jo Macaulay Distribution: Isle of Wight Distribution Ltd. Design: Colin Clarke, Richard Heaven

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Issue 17

March 20 2009

Competition winner The winner of last issue’s IW Jazz Festival tickets is M Myhill, Ryde (The 2009 Isle of Wight Jazz Festival has been postponed until April 2010. The tickets won in this competition can however be used then. See story on page 3 for more details.

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Don’t panic - just re-tune A LEADING Island electrical retailer has warned that all Freeview set-top boxes and built-in Freeview TV sets will need re-tuning on Wednesday March 25, when the preparations for the digital TV switchover begin.

But Peter White and his son Ryan, who run Liberty’s Electrical in Ryde, are telling Islanders not to panic, as the retuning can be done quite easily on many of the Freeview boxes.

“The Island is one of the last areas in the UK to go entirely digital,” said Peter White. “This is when all our conventional analogue channels will get turned off and when we all have to have digital equipment to continue receiving TV broadcasts.

This is not planned to happen until 2012, but in the meantime some changes for our area are needed now, in preparation to avoid potential interference.

“All television equipment described as digital that receives Freeview channels will be affected, be it a separate unit or built in to a modern television.

“The analogue Channel 5 service will be switched off permanently, but not many Island homes can actually receive the channel without Sky or Freeview anyway.

“The good news is that Sky and FreeSat satellite systems that have a dish rather than an aerial and receive reception by a ‘cable provider’ will not be affected.

“It is anticipated that without re-tuning, some programmes that you would normally watch on Freeview will no longer be obtainable. Others will be obtainable, but they will not be where you’d expect to find them.

However, Mr White explained that some Freeview boxes will not be able to pick up the channels once they have been retuned, as they are not compatible with the new format.

“Do not spend too much time attempting to re-tune your equipment to no avail, or

By Jamie White spending out on aerial checks. It may be that your Freeview equipment is no longer suitable or you missed an important software update, resulting in it being unusable. Many boxes on the mainland have been thrown away and new ones have had to be bought.”

If you need help, Liberty’s Electrical

and other service providers on the Island should be able to visit your house and re-tune your equipment for you. As mentioned earlier, there is a good chance you can do it yourself – but you will have to wait until March 25.

If you need Liberty’s Electrical to re-tune your Freeview channels please phone 616886 or log on to www.digitaluk. com for more information.

Peter and Ryan White of Liberty’s Electrical: get ready to re­–tune

Workmen bring the house down

By Peter White

DEMOLITION of the former Portico Theatre in Shanklin has re-started after The Gazette told contractors IW Council were ready to look into why it had been left in such a dilapidated state.

The theatre, in Priory Road, was partly pulled down by Ryde Demolition last year, but then left for months as an eyesore – a situation The Gazette highlighted in November.

Now work has begun again to clear the site, amid claims that the building had a covenant on it and should have been left for use by the local community.

When we contacted IW Council for their views, prior to this latest development, Bill Murphy, head of planning services, said: “This site has a long and complex planning history and the council is currently reviewing this to determine what actions, if any, are appropriate.”

We informed Ryde Demolition of Mr Murphy’s comments, and in turn they contacted mainland developer John Rodger, who owns the site. However, one resident, who used to attend the theatre regularly when it was known as The Margaret Passmore Theatre, feels it was deliberately left to fall into disrepair.

The lady, who preferred not to be named although we have all her details, said:

The former Portico Theatre: work has begun to clear the site

“Originally the idea was that Mr Rodger could convert the old school house into luxury flats provided he maintained the theatre. It was used by a number of youth, operatic and dramas societies, but it became more and more difficult to hire.

At one stage it was suggested there would be a recording studio and offices within the complex, but of course that never happened.

“Instead, it was just allowed to deteriorate. The last time I was in there it was full of flies, the roof leaked, the lighting and seats had been removed, and it appeared someone was just trying to make it as un-

lettable as possible. Yet it was always generally accepted there had been a covenant on the building which meant it could only ever be a theatre for the community, and no other development should be allowed.”

Within days of the council statement, we contacted Ryde Demolition who told us: “We are in a position to start work if our client wants us to, but it is his property, and his decision.”

After several more calls to Ryde Demolition we were informed: “We are back on site, and we expect the whole lot will be demolished. The machines are there, and we anticipate it will now be finished off.”

Friday MARCH 20 2009

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Young will wow ’em, insists Festival boss

By Peter White

Canadian rocker Neil Young: the subject of criticism on Facebook and other sites

JOHN Giddings, organiser of the IW Festival, has hit back at claims that Canadian rocker Neil Young is not a big enough name to be headline act on the final night of this summer’s world famous event.

Since Young was announced as the star billing there have been comments of criticism and disappointment posted on the official IW Festival site and other social networking sites.

One site, the popular Facebook, now has more than 2,700 members who have joined a group called ‘Neil Young should not be the Sunday Night Headline’, to register their disapproval.

One member wrote: “I sat back and waited this year to get my ticket. Thank God I did, I won’t bother now. The whole line-up so far is well below par compared with other festivals.”

Young, 63, is best known for his hit ‘Heart of Gold’ and for being an occasional part of rock supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

But Mr Giddings is adamant Young will be a huge success at the Festival, which takes place at Seaclose Park, Newport from June 12 to 14.

He said: “If people like music they will love Neil Young, even if they don’t know who he is. He is one of the greatest artists around. When people see him they will think he is incredible – I would put money on it. There are always people around who want to moan. It was the same last year when we announced the Sex Pistols

Job stats shock

Continued from front page employing people on the Island – I think we’re generally better off with those than just having a few big employers.

Having said that, I’m very pleased that we have GKN and British Aerospace on the Island.”

John Canavan, a spokesperson for Jobcentre Plus Isle of Wight, said: “We know that times are tough and people are worried about the future and we will do everything we can to help people through the downturn and get back into jobs as quickly as possible.

“We are working very closely with Island employers directly and through other channels – for example the Chamber of Commerce and the Expo 2009 event – to ensure Island employers are aware of all the support and incentives available through Jobcentreplus to enable our customers to return to work.”

and The Police were playing. Some folk have got nothing better to do than moan and make their feelings known through websites. Normal people aren’t on websites all day, they are out at work.”

He continued: “I have tried every year since we restarted the event to book Neil Young. His music is part of my life and has inspired generations ever since. I’m sure that his performance will be talked about for years to come.

“We also have Pixies as a UK exclusive.

It was hard to think of someone capable of complementing the musical talent of Neil Young but once I had the idea it was blindingly obvious and it will surely be a legendary day on the Island.”

His comments came as the Festival picked up an Arthur Award at the annual

International Live Music Conference for ‘Liggers’ Favourite Festival’.

Mr Giddings added: “It was incredible to win an international award for the festival against the likes of Benicassim in Spain, Lowlands in Holland and Glastonbury.

It shows how far we have come in seven years. Long may it continue and I would like to thank everyone on the Island for their support.”

Maximo Park, White Lies, The Rifles, The Zombies, The View and Paolo Nutini are the latest acts to announced for the main stage, with Ultravox in the big top.

They will play on Saturday, and are joined at Seaclose by the likes of The Prodigy, Stereophonics, Razorlight, Basement Jaxx, The Ting Tings and Pendulum as well as Pixies and Neil Young.

festival and the Island’s reputation for music if the jazz festival is deferred until the weekend April 9-11 in 2010.

“We realise that a lot of people will be disappointed but in the current economic climate we cannot be confident that the usual late ticket sales, upon which all ventures of this type rely, will materialise. We are therefore taking positive action to ensure the integrity of the business. All

TRIBUTES have been paid to auxiliary nurse Carol Lovelock, who died after being in collision with a lorry near her home at Horsebridge Hill, Newport.

Mrs Lovelock, 56, died in hospital shortly after the accident, which closed the Newport to Cowes road for several hours. A family statement said: “Like all families who face this heartache, we are in disbelief that our precious gem of a wife, mother

and grandmother won’t be coming home.

“She was very honest and hardworking. She loved nature and being in her garden with the doves. She was a true, down-to-earth person.

Words just aren’t enough.”

Sheila Paul, NHS chief operating officer for the Island, said: “We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of our valued colleague. Our heartfelt sympathies go to her family and friends.”

Woman bailed after East Cowes fire

By Jamie White

A 38-YEAR-OLD woman was arrested on suspicion of murder, and later bailed following a fire in East Cowes, in which a man died.

Officers were called to a flat in Well Road shortly before 2.30am on Sunday, March 15.

The body of a man was found inside the address by the IW Fire and Rescue Service and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Relatives of a man known to live at the address where the fire occurred have been informed.

A post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death has been carried out at St Mary’s Hospital, Newport.

The unnamed 38-year-old woman from the Island was arrested at the scene of the fire, initially on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

She was taken into custody at Newport Police tickets will be valid for the Station during the early hours of Sunday morning.

She was later arrested on suspicion of murder, equivalent events at East Dene in 2010 unless ticket but has now been released on bail pending further enquiries. holders request a refund.

Safer neighbourhoods team officers from East All refunds, cancellation Cowes are carrying out extra patrols to reassure the fees and outstanding bills community about the fire, which is being treated as will be paid within one an isolated incident by the police. month.”

Detectives from Hampshire Constabulary’s Major A presentation on the plans for the festival will be Crime Department are investigating.

Anyone with information or who may have given at East Dene on Satseen anything suspicious in the Well Road area of urday April 18 at 7.30pm East Cowes on Saturday night or during the early for all those interested in its future. If you would like hours of Sunday morning are asked to contact Newport Police Station on 0845 045 45 45, or call to attend, telephone the Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. organisers on 856200.

Jazz festival ‘postponed’ due to lack of sponsors THE ISLE of Wight Jazz Festival, which was to run from April 17-19 at East Dene in Bonchurch, has been cancelled for this year.

According to the organisers, the downturn in the economy has resulted in a lack of sponsors for the festival, forcing them to ‘defer’ the event until 2010.

A spokesperson said: “Having explored all options it has been decided that it is in the best interests of live jazz, the jazz

Tributes for road victim

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From top: protesting outside County Hall; walking to Nettlestone school to prove their point; the St Helens class of 1901

Six members of the campaign group who fought to keep the St Helens Primary School open (from left to right): Caroline Diamond, Alison Bacon, Sarah Edmunds, Jonathon Bacon, Lisa Dyer and Paul Edmunds

Saved our school!

THERE has been a village school at St Helens in one form or another for 150 years. At one stage last year, however, it looked like the school bell would soon be sounding for the final time.

As part of its proposals for reorganising the Island’s education from a three-tier to a two-tier system, IW Council had recommended closure of St Helen’s Primary School.

For the children of St Helens, this would probably have meant a bus or car journey to either Nettlestone or St Helens for their primary education. For the parents, the quick walk to school with their children across the village green, followed by a friendly natter at the school gates, would be a thing of the past.

Jonathan Bacon is vice chairman of St Helens Parish Council and chairman of St Helens Parents, Children and Community Association. He and his band of fellow school supporters, most of them with children at the school, were determined that the school would remain open.

This hard core half-dozen embarked upon a high-profile ‘Save Our School’ campaign, involving banners, marches, meetings,

By Paul Rainford

leaflets, the commissioning of architects’ plans to extend the school – and hundreds of emails to the council.

And now, following a review by an independent panel, it would seem their efforts have paid off.

The panel, made up of various educational experts, has recommended that St Helens – and Yarmouth Primary School, which also seemed set for closure – be kept open. The plan is that St Helens will ‘federate’ with Brading Primary School, with both schools catering for 4- to 11-year-olds on their respective sites, effectively making a single one-form entry school between them.

Unless something very unexpected happens when the council meets on March 31 to ratify the panel’s recommendations, St Helens will keep its school. Small wonder, then, that Jonathan and his colleagues are celebrating.

Says Jonathan: “Not only have we kept the school but the school’s going to expand to take those up to 11 years old. But it’s going to stay as a small school. One of the options was that one school could expand, be it Brading or St Helens and become a large primary school but now we’ve got both schools

staying small, effectively as .5 entry schools, with 15 in the class rather than 30, which is one of the things the council always said was totally against their policy.

“We always argued that small schools were viable and good educationally, and the council disagreed with that. The pressure that we put on, if it achieved anything, was getting the panel appointed.

And the panel said yes, small schools do work.”

A major plank of the argument to keep the school open was the crucial part it played in the local community. “It’s part of the glue of the community,” says Jonathan.

“St Helens is a long way off becoming a holiday village but could have gone that way if the school had gone. But now it’s still got its school, it’s got its post office, it’s got its shop, it’s got its pub, it’s got its football pitch and team, it’s got restaurants, loads of societies – if you want to try and get a booking in the community centre you really have to think ahead.

Sarah Edmunds runs the Vine Inn in the village with her husband Paul. The Vine was the venue for countless campaign meetings, and Sarah herself was a key member of the group. Says Sarah: “It’s a really close-knit village – that’s something we’ve been saying the

whole way through. We don’t have many children from out of area – it’s a local village school that serves the local village community. We said to the panel, you know if you come through at a quarter past three in the afternoon and all the parents and the children will be in the park playing together – the social networking is fantastic.”

Lisa Dyer, another member of the campaign group, believes the school reflects the affection in which it is held by the village as a whole. “It is a lovely school and we’re very lucky in some respects that it’s worth fighting for. It’s just a very loving atmosphere at the school. It’s not all about results.

Academically they do very well but it’s just not pressurized.”

Though understandably thrilled at the outcome of their campaign, the group is still highly critical of the whole consultation process.

Says Jonathan: “I think a lot of people thought it was all done and dusted last March. The process was not well explained by the councillors and the officers who went on those initial round of meetings in January and February.

“People didn’t realise that was just the informal process and the actual formal, technical process of consultation was still to come.

I think some people here until we

put them right thought ‘that’s it, the school’s going to close’.”

Lisa concurs: “The frustrating thing is that we’ve had to really fight for this, but it’s something the council could have come up with 14 months ago.”

Alison Bacon, Jonathan’s wife, believes the consultation was flawed from the start: “There was even confusion about who was eligible to complete the questionnaire – was it one per household, did you have to have a child at the school?”

But though these criticisms remain, the group is now keen to get on with the important business of extending their school so that it will be able to start accepting more pupils.

And since word has got out that the school is likely to remain open, enquiries from parents of potential new pupils have started to flow thick and fast.

Says Jonathan: “I was told by the school secretary this morning that there was an application in the last day or so from someone who said, ‘ah, we see St Helens is staying open; we’d like our child to come to St Helens now you’ve got a future’.

Jonathan and the rest of the St Helens ‘SOS’ group will drink to that.

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Red nose news...

The Isle of Wight turned red once again for Comic Relief as legs were waxed, managers were pelted in stocks, far-out headgear came out of the closet and a whole cornucopia of craziness erupted in the name of fundraising. The Island more than played its part in ensuring that Red Nose Day once again smashed its own record, raising £57 million for good causes both at home and abroad.

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1: Tim Ames of the Townhouse bar in Shanklin has his legs waxed at the Melville Hall Hotel, raising £300 in the process. 2: The shocking results laid bare! 3: A youngster lets fly with a soggy sponge at Paul Dyer, manager of Sainsbury’s, Newport. 4: Paul Dyer with some members of staff who joined in the fun. 5: Brainstorming at The Gazette takes on a new look for the day. 6: Staff at Southern Vectis did their bit too (from left) Graeme Craig, Susan Cullen, Tanya Simms and Helena Gladwin. 7: The Southern Vectis girls do the ‘Big Freeze’. 8: Even Red Funnel ferries got in on the act. 9: Dancing girls at the Riverside Centre with voluntary leader David Gregory.

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Volunteers step up for boat re-fit

THE GENEROSITY and hard work of several Island businesses have ensured the Sandown and Shanklin inshore lifeboat is shipshape to carry on its voluntary work for the next 12 months.

Senior coxswain Mark Birch has praised the efforts of the local companies and his 16-strong crew for pulling together to complete the annual maintenance and re-fit.

Mark said: “If we had to foot the bill ourselves it would probably have cost us around £10,000. But thanks to the hard work of volunteers it has probably cost us only around £500.”

Cowes-based FB Fabrications welded the A-frame at the rear of the lifeboat and made and supplied a stainless steel battery box for the tractor, which takes the boat to the water’s edge.

By Peter White

Island Power Tools and Hire Centre of Spithead Business Centre, Sandown, allowed the crew to use their workshop and equipment to clean, repair and paint the frame.

And Wightrollers Engineering, also of Spithead Business Centre, repaired and serviced the engine on the launch tractor, even supplying the parts.

Colin Steele, from Wightrollers, has also promised to repair for free anything that goes wrong in the foreseeable future.

Mark added: “Naturally we have to keep our boat up to standard, and we carry out major work on it every year.

It is nice to know so many people are prepared to give their time to help us out, and I would like to thank them all for their efforts.”

‘Roll up your sleeves’

ISLANDERS are being encouraged to roll up their sleeves as part of a national litter campaign taking place throughout March.

‘The Big Tidy Up’ is being led by IW Council environment and neighbourhoods officers, and groups are being organised to tackle litter hotspots while local businesses are being encouraged to tidy up their premises to keep the Island looking

its best for the spring.

The scheme follows on from work carried out in schools to educate children and young people about the consequences of dropping litter.

Numerous schools and groups have already signed up, including a group of students on the Essential Skills course at the IW College, who will be picking up litter along the Cowes to Newport cycle track on

Monday March 23.

Cllr Diana Tuson, IW council cabinet member for safer communities, said: “It is encouraging to see so many groups have signed up to take part in this year’s Big Tidy Up. I hope the litter picks will help to instill a sense of pride within communities.”

Anyone can form a Big Tidy Up group – simply contact the IW Council on 821000.

Under orders at White Horse

THE WHITE Horse at Whitwell is holding a race night on April 2 to raise money for Niton Pre-School.

Tickets cost £5, which includes a basket meal, and are available from the pub. The event starts at 8pm.

What a saving: the annual maintenance and re-fit of the Sandown and Shanklin inshore lifeboat cost about £500

Real ale triumph for Yarbridge Inn

By Peter White

THE YARBRIDGE Inn at Brading has been voted the Island’s Pub of the Year for the fourth successive time by members of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale.

The Yarbridge regularly keeps nine real ales, and that will soon be increased to 10. It finished ahead of the Traveller’s Joy, Northwood, with the Volunteer, Ventnor in third place, from a total of 66 pubs on the Island that received votes.

Paul Jenner (right), landlord of the Yarbridge, said: “I am delighted to have won the award again. It’s all down to the good beers we manage to bring in, and hopefully the way they are kept.”

Ventnor Golden Bitter, from

Ventnor Brewery, was again voted the Island’s Beer of the Year, ahead of Goddard’s Fuggle Dee Dum and Yates’ Yule Be Sorry. In all there were votes for 33 different ales.

Ironically, the Ventnor Brewery, which used spring water from its own source in its brewing processes, has since closed with debts of £114,000.

Several beer festivals are planned for the Island over the next few months, beginning with a mini one at the Vine Inn St Helens from April 10 to 13.

Ventnor Winter Gardens host theirs from April 17 to 19, and then it is the turn of Havenstreet Station from May 2 to 4. The Broadway, Totland stage their mini festival from May 14 to 17, with the popular Yarbridge Fes-

tival on from May 27 to 30. And the Chequers Inn, Rookley will be holding their first ever Beer Festival on June 25 and 26.

Honour for Islanders THIS year’s civic reception to honour Islanders who have served their country in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2003 will take place on Saturday April 4 at the Territorial Army Centre in Newport.

The council’s civic team is issuing a reminder to Islanders currently serving in the armed forces, or families of those who are currently serving overseas, to contact them so that invitations to the reception can be issued.

Cllr Arthur Taylor, chairman of the IW Council and host of the event, said: “Although we have ad-

dresses for those who attended last year’s reception, we realise that some people may have moved and our records may not have been updated. I am really looking forward to meeting our servicemen and women at the reception and honouring their service to our country.”

If you have changed address since last year or didn’t attend the previous reception and are an Islander whose service included Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003 you can contact Gillian Phenix or Julia Downer on 823145.

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Young Tommy has got some bottle

By Peter White

TOMMY Robinson was left counting his blessings rather than his scorecard when he went out to play a round of golf with his father Clive at the Shanklin and Sandown course.

Tommy was waiting for his dad to tee off at the 12th hole when they both heard the warning shout of ‘fore’ from the 11th tee some 185 yards away.

Fortunately Tommy took evasive action, and it saved him from what could have been a serious injury.

“My dad had just teed off and I was having a drink out of a plastic bottle when we heard the shout,” said Tommy, a 14-year-old who plays off a handicap of 22. “I put my hands over my head, still holding the bottle, and the next thing I knew there was an almighty bang!”

A ball, hit off the 11th tee by club president Stef Brochochi, had flown through the air and smacked into the bottle that Tommy as holding, knocking the top off it and showering him with a soft drink.

Clive said: “I couldn’t believe it. When I heard the bang I thought the ball had clattered into one of our golf bags or hit a nearby tree. But it would have hit Tommy right on top of the head if he hadn’t covered it with his hands – and the bottle.

“It shook him up a bit, and Stef wasted no time rushing down to make sure everything was all right.

Fortunately, Tommy soon recovered, and after that he seemed to play better than ever.”

Tommy Robinson: plastic bottle saved him from wayward tee shot

Ryde Lions take to the street

RYDE Lions’ next major fundraising event will be at the Bembridge Street Fayre on May 25, Bank Holiday Monday, where they will be running a barbecue and a secondhand book stall.

Tuscany visitors A GROUP of senior health and social care managers from Tuscany have visited the Island to learn more about health services here.

NHS IW hosted a three-day programme for the group, which was made up of chief executives, chief financial officers, chief social services officers and members of the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna Institute in Tuscany.

Dr Jenifer Smith, director of public health and IW chief medical advisor, led the programme, giving an overview of the healthcare system on the Island and an insight into the work the local NHS is doing to reduce health inequalities. The programme also included tours of a range of healthcare facilities, including St Mary’s Hospital, Cowes Health Centre and the prison healthcare facility.

Commenting on the visit, Dr Smith said: “It is always a valuable experience to learn from other healthcare systems and Tuscany has some very innovative work that we can benefit from to further improve the health care that we provide for the Island. I am delighted that our Italian colleagues chose to spend time with the Island’s NHS. It is a real privilege for us to host visitors from what is one of the most respected academic institutes in Italy.”

Milena Vainieri from the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna Institute said: “Part of the education programme involves a visit to a foreign country to experience best practice in the healthcare sector. We read with interest the process that NHS IW led for commissioning health services and wanted our managers to draw from their experience as well as explore the British health system.”

The club will also be helping to provide some of the marshalls for Walk the Wight, on May 17.

Ryde Lions Club was formed in 1970 and now has 19 members, who meet on the second Tuesday in the month, at 8pm, in Yelf’s Hotel. The club is continuously engaged in community service, giving assistance where needed to the young, the disabled, the infirm and senior citizens.

Ryde Lions are part of Lions Clubs International, a worldwide service organisation of 35,000 clubs.

If you are interested in becoming a member, call Gordon Barton on 530686 or John Way on 883961.

Lifestyle lessons THE NEXT 10-week MEND programme, aimed at helping overweight children manage their weight, is to start in the Sandown area at the end of April.

Intended for families who are keen to improve their lifestyle, the programme is free.

It has been arranged by

NHS Isle of Wight and is supported by Sainsbury’s.

For further information contact programme manager Rachel Squires on 814282 or visit www.mendprogramme. org and click on ‘Join a MEND Programme’.

Please note a parent or carer must accompany each child to every session.

8

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gazette news

Friday MARCH 20 2009

Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 409928

Randini urges road safety WELL known magician David Randini is urging Islanders – and youngsters in particular – to take care on our roads in his latest ‘press the button’ campaign to improve road safety.

The illusionist has held over 200 road safety shows on the Island, and this year he is looking to target Middle schools to educate pupils of the importance of road safety.

Mr Randini has recently been educating youngsters about the importance of

By Jamie White

road safety on recent tour of primary schools in Blackpool.

He used a mixture of flashing traffic lights, wand waving and magic hats to highlight the dangers of the road.

During the five-day tour, the illusionist visited 19 schools and performed 10 magic shows to hundreds of children.

Mr Randini said: “I thought magic was a great way of teaching the children an important lesson

and keeping their attention.

“I consulted road safety experts to find out what should be taught and then built up the tricks accordingly.

The conjuror also used rope cutting, balloon bending and disappearing acts to keep the children spellbound.

“It was great to see everyone really enjoying themselves and taking an interest. Road safety is very important for all ages and even more so as a child.”

David Randini: recent tour of Blackpool primary schools

World of magic will miss the legendary Ali Bongo

DAVID Randini was a close friend of legendary magician Ali Bongo, who died on March 8 from a stroke at the age of 79. He spoke to The Gazette about Ali’s life and times.

“It was with great shock and sadness that I heard of the sudden death of Ali Bongo.

I first met Ali when I was a young boy. Like thousands of other children I had seen him on the Saturday morning children’s entertainment show, Zokko.

“He was also a regular on the David Nixon magic show as his sidekick Alistair. Quite often David would refer to him as Ali Bongo and in the next sentence Alistair. As ‘Alistair’ he would assist him with the larger illusions.

“When Ali moved to the Paul Daniels show he performed a similar role: it was here

that four of the greats in the magical world came together: John Fisher, probably the greatest magical producer of all time, the brains and ideas of Ali Bongo, Gil Leany, acknowledged as an exceptional illusion maker and craftsman, and, of course, Paul Daniels to present them. Ali would also travel the world and attend magic conventions bring back many of the fantastic acts seen on the show. When John Fisher produced the show it became a regular Saturday night fixture with millions watching.

“Away from TV Ali was a prolific lecturer in magic, and the contraptions he made from elastic bands and cardboard had to be seen to be believed.

“I once saw him doing a lecture in Great Yarmouth on how he put a Paul Daniels TV special together – everything he used was made out of cardboard and he was thinking

Know your Wight

Ali Bongo: a life in magic

three years ahead.

“I was lucky enough to spend a whole week with Ali in China in 1993. We were the only two delegates chosen by the Magic Circle to attend. It’s strange when your childhood hero becomes your friend in later life. This was when I got to know the man behind the magic and spending hour after hour talking to one of the magical greats was one of the highlights of my magical career.

“He was born on December the 8th 1929 and brought up in India. His real name was William Wallace. Having entertained at thousands of tables with my close-up magic I would often find someone who served with Ali in national service. I would write their names down and email them to Ali and he would get in contact.

“In later years Ali spent much time lecturing around the world and writing endless columns in magic magazines.

Last September he became President of the Magic Circle.

“He will always be remembered for his purple turban and big pointy shoes, but to magicians he will be remembered for so much more. The autograph he gave me as a small child will always be one of my most treasured possessions, and it is true to say we will never see his like again.”

Island curiosities explained

No. 4: The Nab Tower

By Peter White

IT HAS stood out proudly in the English Channel, a few miles off the Bembridge coast, for nearly 90 years.

But according to sea-faring experts, the Nab Tower remains to this day a vital piece of navigation equipment in what is generally accepted as one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

The tower, rising 92ft into the air, has been battered by storms and even damaged by a wayward ship laden with bananas and pineapples. But, remarkably, the curious-looking object that was intended to start life as part of an anti-submarine defence system during the First World War has stood the test of time.

Despite the introduction over

the years of hi-tech navigation and radar systems, the Nab Tower remains fully operational, with its own bearings radar and a light beam that stretches out 20 miles.

The Harbour Master’s office in Southampton describe the Nab as “one of the best devices ever invented. To this day it remains an integral part of shipping movement in the Channel”.

Two towers were constructed at Shoreham Harbour in 1918, code-names M-N. They were designed to accommodate 100 men and their equipment.

With six others, they were to be used to form a chain across the Dover Straits, linking them with steel boom nets with the idea of closing the Channel to enemy ships. With the Armi-

stice, however, the project was cancelled.

One tower was scrapped outright. But the Nab, built at a cost of £1million, survived and was positioned 4.6 miles out to sea at the eastern end of the Spithead approaches on September 12, 1920 to replace the Nab lightship that marked the dangerous Nab Rock. The new lighthouse was floated into position and the concrete raft flooded so the tower could sit on a shingle bank near the Nab Rock.

The tower took up a distinct angle, three degrees from the vertical towards the north-east, when it settled. The lighthouse used to be manned by a crew of four, but in common with all Britain’s lighthouses it is now unmanned and is fully

automated.

During the Second World War the Nab was armed with two 40mm Bofors Guns and was credited with shooting down three enemy aircraft.

The tower still provides a welcoming sight to seafarers returning to the Solent at the end of their voyage. In November 1999

the Nab was hit by a freighter, the Dole-America, carrying a cargo of fruit. The ship was badly damaged and only avoided sinking by being run aground.

The base of the tower suffered only superficial damage.

And who knows? Perhaps the Nab will still be keeping an eye over the Solent in 90 years’ time.

Friday MARCH 20 2009

9

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gazette news

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The longest year AS THE owner of a busy café in the centre of Newport, Steve Wyatt was used to dealing with aggravation. Staffing issues, health and safety, coping with food regulations – all this and more was part of his day’s work.

But nothing could have prepared him for the sequence of events that was about to unfold when, one afternoon in January 2008, he returned to his café, French Franks in St Thomas’ Square, after tackling some paperwork at home.

His manageress informed him that earlier that afternoon the police had made a dramatic entrance into the square, complete with van, squad car and numerous officers.

They had been looking for Steve.

Understandably curious, he called Newport police station to find out what it was all about.

No-one knew anything. He left them a mobile number, hung about in Newport for a while, didn’t get a return call, so set off for his home in Shanklin at about 5pm. He had got as far as Merstone when the call came.

Could he please return to Newport police station, as the policeman wanted to talk to him – “for ten or twenty minutes max”.

Steve spun the car round and headed back into town. But there was to be no cosy tenminute chat at the station: instead, he was arrested and read his rights. It was to be a long night.

Two girls he had employed at French Franks had made allegations of sexual assault. Steve had, they said, made sexual comments and touched them “in a sexual manner” on several occasions between August and December 2007.

Steve was kept at Newport station for two or three hours, despite telephone calls from his son saying he needed to come home to take his painkillers for his spinal condition.

Eventually he was bailed. About one month later he returned to the station to be charged with four counts of sexual assault against the two girls.

It was the start of a long and lonely journey for Steve that culminated last month in him being cleared of all charges at Ports-

By Paul Rainford mouth Crown Court. It was an experience that has clearly left its mark.

“It was thirteen and a half months of torture, then three and half days’ trial, only for the jury to take five minutes to reach their not guilty decision on all counts,” he says.

“I always used to be considered larger than life but I think that during the months of waiting my character altered quite significantly. I became more introverted and quite frightened of what I could say and what I couldn’t say.”

The very public nature of Steve’s workplace made it very difficult to soldier on as if nothing had happened in the period leading up to the trial. He also believes the unwanted publicity could have affected takings. “I tried to carry on working but it wasn’t very easy, having had allegations made against you of that nature, and the type of business I’m in, I’m sure it had some sort of effect.

“I was aware of comments out in the street, not that I’d want to go into it – it’s not very nice. My son had comments made to him when he worked here as well, about me – snide remarks about what I’d meant to have done.”

The real low point, says Steve, is when the reality of what he might be facing – five years behind bars – hit home.

“When someone in authority such as a barrister is telling you the reality, that is what you have got to look at. I’m a realist – when someone tells me that it could carry a custodial sentence then I take that in.

“I was confident that I hadn’t done anything wrong but I wasn’t confident about how the decision was going to go. Friends were telling me it would be a walk in the park but I didn’t look at it like that.”

Steve was helped during this low period by the backing of friends, family and French Franks regulars. “I did have a lot of support from a lot of nice people,” he says. “I had a lot of positive reassurance from a lot of old customers and close friends.”

He doesn’t, however, harbour such feelings of warmth for the police: “I wasn’t

Steve Wyatt: ‘It was thirteen and a half months of torture’

impressed with the way the police came to arrest me. I wasn’t impressed with being told I had to go back and talk to someone for ten minutes and to be put in a cell for three hours. And I wasn’t impressed that the police officer didn’t carry out the correct and full investigations – he didn’t interview the key witnesses that were mentioned in these girls’ statements. Had he done so I don’t think I would have been arrested in

A model tenant

Medina Housing Association resident Ian Capon has been awarded regional Tenant of the Year at the Connecting People awards.

Ian Capon receives his award from Simon Underwood of award sponsors Wates Living Space, while Yasmin White of Medina Housing Association looks on

the first instance.”

Steve also believes he may have been wrongly advised by the duty solicitor. “I was instructed by him to reply to all questions with ‘no comment’, which I don’t think stood me in very good stead later on.”

With the nightmare behind him, Steve just wants to get back to what he does best: running a successful small business that is right at the heart of Island life.

The event was hosted by TPAS, the Tenant Participation Advisory Service, and Southern Housing magazine.

The scheme is aimed at celebrating tenants and people who have made a difference to their communities.

Mr Capon was delighted with the award. He said: “I was very proud to be shortlisted, and to actually win was amazing. By getting involved with Medina I have been able to influence services and improve life for other residents.”

Mr Capon received the award because he has spent many

years involved with tenant participation at Medina and community activities across the Island, despite having significant special needs, including being registered blind. Mr Capon has also been a member of Medina’s main tenant committee for ten years as a sheltered housing representative, and is also a resident member of the Medina Housing Association Board.

Medina Housing Association manages nearly 3,000 homes on the Island, including general needs, housing for rent, sheltered housing, a leasehold scheme for older people and a Foyer which provides high quality accommodation linked to training and employment access for young adults aged between 16

and 25.

Yasmin White, resident involvement manager, said: “We nominated Ian for the award because he has overcome his personal problems to spend many years helping to improve things for tenants and for the wider community.

We really appreciate everything he has done for residents and for Medina.”

Mr Capon has also taken a keen interest in national tenant participation, having helped to judge the National Housing Federation’s iNbiz awards and also serving on the TPAS regional committee. He is currently working towards the Chartered Institute of Housing’s National Certificate in Housing, an A-level equivalent qualification.

10

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gazette feature

Friday MARCH 20 2009

Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 409928

The road to recovery A TRIP to the B&Q superstore in Newport is a journey that many Islanders make on a regular basis.

It’s one that not many of us relish – all those endless aisles of goods just begging to be bought and adding to the credit card’s already heavy load. But it was a trip that Lake woman Carol Paulling would have given anything to have completed.

By Jamie White

through the windscreen.

“I don’t remember the journey in the ambulance, but my sister tells me that I actually died twice and had to be resuscitated.

“I was in hospital for 10 weeks and three days in total. I’ve had pins, bolts and plates in my legs and wires in my knees. I actually broke ten bones in my body.

It was not to be. Instead, she was “The doctors and nurses who treated involved in a head-on collision with and looked after me in hospital were another car on the A3056 in Arreton just fantastic. And they helped me get when, as she readily admits, her life through it along with my family.” flashed before her eyes.

Since the accident, Mrs Paulling’s Talking exclusively to The Gazette, recovery has been going very well.

Mrs Paulling recalls the day her life She takes part in rehabilitation sesnearly came to a tragic end and how sions in the swimming pool to help her recovery is coming along, slowly regain the strength in her legs. but surely.

However, it has been an emotional “We had moved into our new bunjourney, not helped by the news of galow on August 2 last year, and we what punishment the driver who did had been doing some decorating,” she this to her actually received. says. “The next day I had to go and “I received a letter through the post get some more paint from B&Q. telling what the outcome of the court “As I was driving through Arreton case. The driver towards Newport who has changed “I didn’t feel any pain I noticed a car on my life forever and the other side of the caused me all these straight away but I road heading in my remember that my chest horrific injuries got direction. My first was really tight and I was a fine of just £185 thoughts were ‘he’s and was banned finding it hard to breathe” from driving for two heading straight towards me’ and months. I just could then it happened. I had cars in front not believe it. How can someone do and behind me and this Mercedes this and practically get away with it? veered across on to my side of the “I just broke down in tears when road and just hit me head on.

I read it. He even had the chance to “It all happened so quickly. I didn’t appeal against it. Through no fault of feel any pain straight away but I remy own I had been put through this member that my chest was really tight hell and the punishment was just not and I was finding it hard to breathe. enough in my opinion. I am 63 years There was just silence. I sat thinking of age and my whole life has changed I’m here on my own no family and I dramatically. I am diabetic and I love am going to die. It was truly the most my walking. It was one of the reasons awful thing I have ever experienced. we decided to come to the Island “My passenger door then opened and because of the walks and beautiful a man started talking to me, reassuring scenery, but I can’t even do that now. me I was going to be OK. It turned out “Just getting into the car makes me to be Dr Christopher Magier, who is feel sick, but I have to do it otherwise a paediatrician at St Mary’s Hospital.

I am a prisoner in my own home. I He had been travelling in a car behind have forced myself to go out. I still me when it happened. He was just get flashbacks now. I had to have amazing, and I think he saved my life. sleeping pills as well as a lot of “As I looked down I could see I was medication. There just seems to be no in trouble. I couldn’t see my legs, justice; it makes me so angry.” they were trapped under the dashMrs Paulling has tried to remain board. My earrings were also on the upbeat, and her spirit is an inspiradashboard, where they had flown out tion to others who have suffered in a on the force of the impact.” similar manner.

In what seemed like no time at all to “I am determined to get through Mrs Paulling, the emergency services this. I have started to walk now were on the scene to free her from the without the assistance of a Zimmer wreckage of her Vauxhall Corsa and frame and can actually walk with attend to her injuries. crutches now. My physiotherapy is “All I could hear was Dr Magier going really well and my legs are saying we need to get her out now! getting stronger.

The emergency teams got me out and “I know that I am lucky to be alive, I was just screaming because the pain and I just urge people to take care and just became unbearable. concentrate on the road. It can be such “I broke both bones in both legs. I a dangerous place and people need to had smashed knee caps and broken be 100 per cent aware when they are ankles. My seat belt had cut into my driving, otherwise next time someone chest, but it saved me from flying may not be as fortunate as me.”

Carol Paulling, who has now started to walk again with the aid of crutches following her serious accident

Friday MARCH 20 2009

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gazette feature

OFT, ferries and the short break

By Paul Rainford

THE NEWS that the Office of Fair Trading is to conduct an investigation into the Island ferry companies could potentially affect every sector of Island life.

But one group of people who will be watching the outcome of the OFT’s deliberations with particular interest will be those involved in the tourism industry.

Judith Shanks owns Youngwoods Farm, a farmhouse bed and breakfast business set in peaceful countryside about ten minutes’ walk away from Porchfield – provided you don’t mind that walk being across several fields.

Her B&B business, which has been ticking over nicely for more than 20 years, is typical of the new breed of small-scale Island tourism that caters more for shortbreak walkers and cyclists rather than the bucket-and-spaders who traditionally filled the Island’s B&Bs, hotels and beaches in days gone by.

“We have fossil hunting, the red squirrels, fields of orchids in April and May,” says Mrs Shanks. “Rural tourism is the up and coming part of Island tourism.”

Youngwoods Farm forms part of the IW Farm & Country Holiday Group, which currently comprises 35 holiday accommodation businesses, some running as B&Bs and some as self-catering cottages. The group was established in 1986, and nine years ago it decided, as a group, to approach Wightlink to see if it could negotiate some cheaper ferry deals for its customers. In doing this it was following the example of the Island’s larger hotels and holiday camps, which for many years had been able to offer reduced ferry prices to their visitors as long as they put enough business the ferry companies’ way. Wightlink agreed, and Red Funnel soon followed suit.

Mrs Shanks, as the current ferries secretary, is responsible for administering the group’s sale of the reduced ferry fares to visitors. The ferry company bills her for the ferry trips booked, she then bills the respective group businesses and then the ferry company receives the money for the bookings within a matter of days.

“The idea was to try and encourage people

Judith Shanks: short break visitors can end up spending more on ferry travel than they do on their accommodation

to come to the Island and not be put off by the ferry fares,” explains Mrs Shanks. “They were being put off by the mechanics of having to do it, and if you can do the ferry for them and they can pay you for the ferry and the holiday it saves them a lot of hassle.

“Some people don’t even realize they have to buy a ferry ticket before they get here, so when they get to the ferry terminal and are charged £100 or more they are horrified.

This why I always try to get people to realize that they have to book. Then I can tell them what the price will be.”

The discounts offered are not huge, and Mrs Shanks freely admits that there are occasions when the Internet has cheaper offers. “I always tell people that we aren’t necessarily the best price and that they should go online and check what they can get,” she says.

At certain times of the year, however, visi-

tors can make reasonable savings. On the day I visited, Mrs Shanks had two couples staying for the weekend, both of whom were saving around £20 on their ferry fare by booking through the group. In the high season the savings are less significant.

Savings or no savings, Mrs Shanks says that those on short breaks often end up paying more for their ferry fare than they do for their stay. “Around £100 for a weekend in the summer just isn’t on. If somebody comes for just one night they’re paying more for their travel than they are for their accommodation.

What really irks Mrs Shanks is the lack of transparency about the fares. Like the budget airlines, there is no such thing as a standard price anymore: it’s a case of logging on and finding out what constitutes ‘today’s price’. “Why not publicise the price, instead of having to go online to find out what it is? It’s all a big secret now, which is such a big shame.”

She also believes the transition from winter to summer rates is just too high. “The

thing that annoys me most is the ridiculous jump from the winter to the summer.”

So what is she hoping for from the OFT investigation? What would be a reasonable fare? “It’s difficult to know exactly what they should be but I feel that the winter rates are about right – the summer rates are creaming it off.”

She points out that it is not just the tourist industry that suffers from what she would call excessively high fares. “The elderly people on the Island – and it’s a wonderful place for retirement – have families who want to visit them. If they feel they can’t afford to then people then feel cut off.”

And if the OFT study finds nothing is wrong? “If nothing happens I think certain people will be put off by the price of the ferry because they could stay in the New Forest, they could stay down in Dorset without an extra £60 ferry.”

For Mrs Shanks and her colleagues in the Farm & Country Holiday Group, the future health of rural tourism on the Island could hinge on the OFT’s decision.

12

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Pugh and gazette feature

Friday MARCH 20 2009

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FOLLOWING the IW Council’s setting of its 2009-2010 budget last month, with the council tax rising 3.5 per cent, council leader David Pugh came to The Gazette offices to face questions on a range of topics that concern all Islanders. Cuts, redundancy payments, ‘spin’, schools and wind farms… what’s the Pugh view?

Interview by Paul Rainford The Gazette: The budget for work in the ‘public realm’ has been cut by £300,000. How can standards in this area be maintained with this level of cut?

David Pugh: It’s a hugely important area but the difficulty we’re in with the economic climate is affecting everyone – we can’t just carry on as if the recession hasn’t affected us. Half a million pounds will still allow us to put a significant amount into the public realm, and that was topped up by other grants we received such as £1.3m we received for play facilities across the Island.

In Shanklin this morning someone stopped me on the seafront and said ‘why are we taking the lights down?’. The reason we’re taking them down is that those nasty ugly concrete columns are being replaced by Victorianstyle black ones, which will be far more in keeping with the town.

Redundancies

Gaz: Around £3m has been spent in the last couple of years by the council on redundancy payments, including some high-profile departures. Why is no money set aside for further redundancies in the latest budget?

DP: Obviously a lot of those severance payments in the past have related to some of decisions surrounding the Undercliff affair. We weren’t able to minimize some of those costs because some of those officers were just right out of the door, some of them fought it and we had to come to a settlement, frustratingly. We don’t anticipate any at all in the coming year, though there is provision within the reserves.

Gaz: Can you understand the public’s irritation with highly paid council staff such as Joe Duckworth coming over from the mainland, staying for a short time then disappearing to pastures new?

DP: In some ways local government officers come and go. What I would say about Joe is that, yes, he has gone to another local authority, but one of the things he helped to secure here was £325m for our roads. Now if you take that as a

return on investment, and he did play a crucial role, on the salary we gave him I think that’s quite a good return.

We do get officers coming from the mainland – I myself am an Islander but I have no problem with people coming from the mainland because we need to bring in skills and expertise. One thing Joe did leave behind was some very good officers.

The Island does grow a lot of its own officers – some of our staff come right up through the organisation, some people I was even at school with.

Communications

Gaz: At the budget meeting you came in for a lot of flak for the amount spent on your communications department. Do you feel it was justified?

DP: We’ve reduced the spend on communications for the next financial year by £168,000. Previously we had support in for comms from outside and we stripped that right down, something that I feel very strongly about. One of the other papers takes a lot of our job ads, which costs money. There’s a lot more we can strip out but we mustn’t forget that a key part of comms is tourism marketing and how we promote the Island.

The Chamber of Commerce are taking the lead on some of the publications. We don’t particularly save money from that because we were actually generating income from the publications. We’re still absolutely leading on the brand campaign for the Island. Clearly all of communications isn’t about that. I like to point out that there are three press officers, some of whom were working through the night on things like the flooding and the snow recently.

The spin question

Gaz: But isn’t your communications department basically a spin machine pumping out good news stories for the council – that’s certainly what we get here at The Gazette!

DP: A lot of it is about the services

David Pugh: ‘I have no problem with people coming from the mainland to work for the council because we need to bring in skills and expertise’

we’re offering to people. Telling people what they can do about recycling, telling people how we can help victims of crime.

We’ve turned social care from being one of the worst in the country to three stars, which is one of the best you can get. If there are elderly residents out there with their families whose parents and grandparents are going into care they’re going to have a lot more confidence in us if we’re actually able to demonstrate our competence in the area.

In any case, there can’t be a ‘spin machine’ because they’re politically restricted – local government

AD

officers aren’t allowed to put out political material but they have a duty to inform residents about what they’re doing.

Sports development

Gaz: You’ve also cut your sports development grants. Why is this?

DP: We’ve been doing a whole range of things such as the primary school games, the ‘find a star’ scheme, and all that’s still taking place. Some of the cuts are to do with the Island Games and whether we should have a highly paid director on that – we recognise that in the current climate

perhaps we don’t need to. Fortunately there are a number of grant streams coming through from other places so we can use that to complement what we’re putting in.

The wider point is that we’ve got to live within our limited means.

We’re not like the government – we can’t just keep on spending.

Gaz: You announced at the budget meeting that the price of parking permits – which allow residents to park in council car parks ‘for free’ – would be frozen at £75. Though this sounds like good news, doesn’t it go against the grain of the council’s ‘Eco Island’ philosophy, which seeks to get people out

Gazette

Lifestyle Jude Law

Comes to town

Bridal Guide Pioneer Surgeon Top breast cancer surgeon talks about his hopes for St Marys

20 March 09

Levellers Interview

2

the gazette lifestyle

Friday March 20 2009

lifestyle comment

David Holmes

David is your typical ‘Grumpy Old Man’. In his late 40’s David has been involved in several businesses and was also a local Councillor for a short while. He regularly appears with Alex (Grumpy 2) on wightFM.

A VERY wealthy 50 year old widow decided she wanted to remarry, but was very specific about her future husband. She wanted a man of similar age who had never before made love to a woman.

After months of trying she finally located an Australian via the internet. The man had spent his entire life living in the outback.

After months of corresponding and emailing they got married.

On their wedding night she went to the bathroom to freshen up and when she returned to the bedroom, she found her new husband standing naked in the middle of the room with all the furniture piled in a corner. ‘Why have you moved all the furniture?’ She asked.

‘Well’ he replied. ‘I’ve never been with a woman, but if it’s anything like making love with a kangaroo, I’m gonna need all the room I can get!’

I start this week with a joke because quite frankly you don’t want to hear another word about my real life experiences. Scanning the news I struggled to find anything cheerful to comment on. Yet again Wightlink robbed me of hours of time, thanks to the introduction of their new slower Lymington - Yarmouth ferries. The published timetable seems to have been replaced by a turn up and go eventually system this past fortnight.

One night I waited two hours to get back home.

If you’ve had similar experiences, please email isleofwightferries@oft. gov.uk and tell them. The Office of Fair Trading wants our input before deciding whether to launch a full investigation into Solent travel. On my route some commuters are so per-

sistently late they face dismissal from work. Other travelers have missed flights, school, college even exams.

The service provided isn’t funny and incredibly only occasionally do they bother apologizing. Anyway, enough of my ferry problems. Here are some inadvisable chat up lines.

My favourite; I’m undergoing treatment for clinical depression. Would that put you off? How about; You really remind me of Anne Widdecombe. Or; You’d be a real babe if you lost a couple of stone. Or; I work in a slaughterhouse, what about you?

Before I go on, can I just mention my bus journey?

I rarely ride on buses these days, although I could’ve been on the side of one with Alec Dyke, except the photographer was late and I wouldn’t wait. Alec posed alone. Anyway, I’ve been impressed by Southern Vectis huge investment in cleaner greener buses. So impressed I decided last week to board one. This was a mistake. The bus was fine- until it moved. Thanks to the atrocious potholed roads between Yarmouth and Alum Bay I found myself literally bracing myself to stay on my upstairs seat. Seriously. How do little old ladies manage? It was like riding one of those fairground tumbling drum things. These new buses must be well screwed together to survive the vibration, crashing and banging inflicted on them by island roads. Please IWC; get some men out West with some patch tarmac. I have a vision of a heap of wrinklies lying on the floor on the top deck of these buses, even after the shortest journey. The roads PFI could be years away, urgent action this day please.

I heard the council have a claims department so I put in a claim for some dental work after my brief trip, I’d lost several fillings. Anyway, where was I, talking about dating.

Before my first marriage I went out for a meal with a really gorgeous girl. Her only downside was being a little thick. The waiter produced two menus and she seemed to be taking an age to read hers. ‘Why don’t you have what I choose?’ I suggested.

‘What, and leave you hungry? No, I couldn’t do that.’ This same daft girl told me I should be more affectionate, so I got a second girlfriend.

This one was much better. We even got engaged. Six months later she told me her feelings had changed, she broke it off. ‘Can I have the ring back?’ I asked. ‘No’ she replied. ‘My feelings towards the ring haven’t changed.’

Jo Macaulay

Jo Macaulay is Features Editor of the Lifestyle Gazette and lives in Ventnor with her husband and three children. Her hobbies are art, reading and collecting.

WELCOME to the new Lifestyle supplement of the Isle of Wight Gazette, your essential stylish guide to life on our beautiful Island.

It’s been great getting out and about, meeting loads of inspiring people with a passion for what they’re offering to fellow Islanders.

From wedding venues to tattoo parlours – there is such a diversity of life here on the Island.

This week saw the amazing Minghella Movie Marathon, with a glittering array of stars in attendance. We’ve focussed on Jude Law but there will be more coverage in your next issue of Island Life at the end of the month. Anthony Minghella dreamed of having an Island Film Festival and hopefully this one will pave the way.

A Centre for Excellence in breast cancer surgery is the dream of Mr Richard Sainsbury who we spoke to about his hopes for the future. It’s

Edith Longshore

wonderful for us that such a talented surgeon has chosen to work on the Island.

But it’s too late for surgery for all of the flat bunnies we see littering our lanes at this time of the year. I saw my first baby bunny this week and it won’t be long before they’re bounding about on the road verges. Why do they insist on eating the grass next to the roads when there’s loads of unpolluted and safer stuff in the fields? If you don’t want the bunny equivalent of Grand Theft Auto then try not to drive too fast, especially in the country lanes.

It’s the spring equinox this weekend so it’s offically spring next week. And Easter is only three weeks away - another excuse to spend money we don’t have. But you can enjoy times with your friends and family without spending too much money - restaurants and pubs are doing great deals at the moment.

And make sure you take your Mum out on Mother’s Day, (Mothering Sunday as us British once called in), even if it’s only for a drive or a walk in the spring air. She’ll love to see you.

Although a mother’s day lunch sounds lovely I particularly like the idea of a sumptuous high tea myself…but the trouble is that Den Clare has hypnotised me to help me lose weight and I’m not sure that cream cakes were one of his suggestions.

Edith is an active 70 year old who loves the high life regularly going on cruises around the world. She is very active in the Island community and is passionate about representing people of her age group.

DID you survive Friday March 13th or were you the one in ten of the population who suffer from a phobia called triskaidekaphobia, a fear of the number thirteen? No

walking under ladders that day or perhaps you stayed in bed?

The origin of the superstition about the number 13 varies, one theory is that it comes from the mass arrest of the Knights Templar by King Philip in France on Friday, October 13, 1307, another is that 13 people were present at the Last Supper.

Very few skyscrapers have a 13th floor; architects design them with the floor numbers skipping from 12 to 14. Ask a superstitious person why 13 is unlucky and they’ll remind you of flight Apollo 13, launched on 13 April at 13.13 on Pad 39 (3 x 13) - a flight that very nearly didn’t make it back to earth. .

Moving on to happier things, Sunday 22nd March is Mother’s Day, or Mothering Sunday as it used to be called. It’s been celebrated in England

on the fourth Sunday of Lent since the 16th century when young maids and servants were allowed one day each year to visit their family and they would take flowers or a Simnel cake as a gift; a cake topped with almond paste and another gooey layer in the middle.

There are plenty of places to take Mum next Sunday but we always get together at home and everyone brings something special for the meal – and a bottle. But don’t take it too far, a well-known bookshop was advertising Delia Smith’s ‘How to Cook’ as a Mother’s Day present. Could send the wrong message.

Gardens are perking up with the good weather and the mowers are coming out – how I miss the click-clack sound of the old type, though I’m told there is an electric model making the same noise on the market. Here’s a gem I read the other day about our High Sheriff, Alan Titchmarsh. When Alan was introduced to the nine-year-old Taylor twins, Finlay and Joseph, at an engagement in London the boys asked him, “Is wee good for tomato plants?”

Now it takes a lot to stump Alan for a quick reply and he came up with the answer, “I wouldn’t put it directly on to the plants,” he said, it might be better to put it in the compost bin first.”

Brilliant, but if you’re an old gardener like me, you knew that.

Justin’s Gym Blog

THAT clock is fast ticking towards British Summer Time and I’m being forced to step up my training. Ok, I admit it – I’ve kinda slackened off over the last couple of weeks.

I’ve been a bit poorly with my diabetes and at the same time I’ve moved house.

Yeah, I know…….I could be doing better with my training.

So, with renewed determination and vigour (please don’t make me be fat for summer) I am signing up for a BodyPump class at TJ’s in Lake.

I love my spinning classes but this is different. There’s lots to do and I must work out to music using free weightsplates, barbells and an aerobic step.

I can choose my own weights but my unworked muscle groups are gonna be in for a real test during the forty five minute workout.

And the fact I love working out with other people at the same time – well BodyPump will be ideal.

Six hundred calories can be burnt in just one class, improving my strength and

general fitness all in one go.

I am giving a run through of what’s going to happen……There will be a warm up before we work on the legs and squats, chests, biceps and triceps amongst others.

As I head towards the door of an already packed class, I prepare to meet my challenge head on.

Will give you a full report in the next issue! See you then! Justin

Friday March 20 2009

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lifestyle profile

Mr Richard Sainsbury Top breast cancer surgeon talks to Jo Macaulay about his hopes to create a centre for excellence at St Mary’s.

ST MARY’s HOSPITAL could become a Centre for Excellence in the treatment of breast cancer if consultant breast surgeon Mr Richard Sainsbury gets his way. Since taking up his post at St Mary’s in September 2007, Mr Sainsbury has already seen greatly improved treatment for this common disease that affects one in ten of the population.

“I was made very welcome here,” said Mr Sainsbury.

“I’ve got a good team, treat nice people and I want to move it forward.”

A pioneer in the discipline of breast cancer surgery, Richard Sainsbury moved from the Royal Free and University College Medical School, London where he had been Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Surgeon and Head of Breast Services at UCH since 2000 but he has retained his ongoing research programme at University College Hospital in London concerning the mechanisms of breast cancer. He is also Consultant Breast Surgeon at Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, has a weekly private clinic in Harley Street and is actively involved in advising government bodies on the optimisation of breast services. Patients now travel from the mainland to be treated by Mr Sainsbury.

“We’re now one of only two units in the country where the sentinel node injection can be given without the patient having to travel to a Nuclear Medicine Department,” explained Mr Sainsbury. A sentinel node probe was purchased in 2007, totally through the efforts of fundraising across the Island. It can mean less invasive surgery for patients as the one or two sentinel nodes, are detected, removed and tested and if found to be clear no more need to be taken.

Previously many nodes were removed during a lumpectomy or mastectomy and this could cause problems with lymph oedema later – a chronic disease that can make the arm swell which cannot be cured. “The sentinel node probe is a big success and is working very well,” said Mr Sainsbury.

“We now want to test the pathology of the sentinel nodes during the operation but need the money for the OSNA machine to do this,” said Mr Sainsbury. £75k is needed and local fundraising is nearing the halfway mark.

“It is hoped that at some stage that the use of an Ultrabeam radiotherapy machine will be explored on the Island too,” said Mr Sainsbury. This machine, which gives radiotherapy during lumpectomy surgery is a very expensive piece of technology at £400k.

“We would really like a proper building for the breast cancer unit – you can overhear conversations in the building at the moment,” said Mr Sainsbury. “We’re very

keen to provide the whole service under one roof, particularly so that patients don’t have to walk across the car park between clinics. It would also allow the specialists to discuss patient’s care and encourage multi-disciplinary working,” he stressed. “Maybe some of the out of work builders could come and give us a hand,” he added goodnaturedly.

Richard has had quite a few celebrity clients.

He was catapulted into the limelight after operating on Amanda Mealing, the actress who plays Connie Beecham in Holby City.

“I did her original breast cancer surgery and helped with her reconstruction surgery,” said Richard. Strangely Amanda is also married to another Richard Sainsbury who works as a scriptwriter. “She refers to us as her two Richard Sainsburys,” laughed Richard.

Mr Sainsbury’s appointment now means that reconstructive surgery is now on offer at St Mary’s – previously patients had to travel to Winchester or Salisbury and further afield for this service.

Often the breast reconstruction can be done during the operation to remove the cancer. Mr Sainsbury also offers a full range of cosmetic breast procedures including augmentation and reduction at the private Mottistone Suite.

Richard keeps his boat on the Island and, although he lives in Hampshire, is often over here at weekends. “I’m here as often as possible in the summer. I like Yarmouth and I’m making my way through the 171 pubs, and I love the ice-cream shop on Cowes seafront,” he told me. “I’m still waiting to see a red squirrel and I was told it never snowed on the Island! I’m finding there are a lot of local Island myths.”

Let’s hope that founding a Centre for Excellence in the treatment of breast cancer here on the Island isn’t just a myth that doesn’t appear.

“I was made very welcome here,” said Mr Sainsbury. “I’ve got a good team, treat nice people and I want to move it forward.”

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the gazette lifestyle

Friday March 20 2009

lifestyle entertainment

Goodbye Video

WHY did the old people passing by look surprised, and possibly a little annoyed, when they saw among other things a group of young people outside Ryde youth centre? I know, I know, it’s a strange concept, but stick with me.

A few days ago Goodbye Stereo sent out a bulletin to their Island based fans asking for their assistance in making the first official Goodbye Stereo music video for the track ‘light Years Away’. The agreed time is ten, but it becomes clear as the minutes tick by that this is a unholy hour for a Sunday morning.

It doesn’t matter though, as soon enough the hall starts to fill and the work really starts to begin. After covering the windows with mats and bin bags, while guarding the doors against late comers, filming begins, and it soon begins to dawn on us how many times we are going to have to hear the song. Quite a

lot it seems…

Minutes to turn to hours and more and more angles are shot. It’s clear to see that the crowd are starting to get into the swing of things as the dancing scenes become generally more authentic as the takes mount up. It’s not every day you get to be in a video…

Five hours later and the remaining crowd members start to leave. And what will become of the video? “It’s mainly for our website”, explains front man Sam Woodford “People have been asking why we don’t have any videos so we thought ‘Why Not’? If it comes out ok we might send it to a few channels...” RH

Eden on Earth

ARCADE EDEN: a name you may not be familiar with but one you should definately look out for. Hailing from the Isle of Wight these self confessed electro “vintage game freaks” have moved on a lot since their metal (Pennys Dropped) days.

What started as a college project influenced by a lifelong love of disco, computer games and artists ranging from Gary Numan to DFA 1979, Arcade Eden have developed a unique infusion of bleeps, vocals and bass lines.

When asked to describe their sound in three words Larry, (Vocals / Bass), described them as “vintage thrash ghetto” whilst Clare, lady of all things technical and lead vocals, eventually decided on “glittery sparkly disco-balls” The duo (who also happens to be brother and sister), are joined on their live sets by their excellent drummer Liam.

“We try and keep our recorded and live shows separate as we hate going to gigs and it sounding exactly the same as the CD”

remarked Clare, “Recorded we are quite electro, but having Liam join us on our live sets really beefs the whole experience up.” At the end of February AE supported California’s Iglu & Hartly in Portsmouth. But do they worry? Nah. “It’s scary playing to someone else’s fans but the band put us at ease,” said Clare “No egos, just genuine really nice guys” added Larry.

So why Arcade Eden? “It was mainly because of our gaming obsessions which lead to Arcade,” said Larry, “and it’s pretty vague but I think of the Isle of Wight as a kind of Eden.

It also helped that there were no other bands with that name!”

Signed to the Ear Candy record label late last year, the band have had to lay off gigging in the meantime as they are hard at work on their forthcoming album. “We’re getting loads of gig offers every week,” exclaimed Larry.“ We just can’t accept everything at the moment because we really want to focus on making the best album we possibly can. You don’t know how many chances you’ll get to put something out there so we want to make sure it’s really good.”

Keep an eye on their myspace, and an Ear Candy tour coming soon. www.myspace.com/arcadeeden CC

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lifestyle entertainment

Town called Disturbia

THERE’S an old phrase: When one door closes another one opens. In a strange way, that’s how the Siniz / Disturbia line up feels.

You see, after Hannah Griffiths finishes her set, Siniez will begin their last show (though it should be pointed out that there are rumours of a larger goodbye show in the next few weeks - keep watching the sites). But, as a polar opposite, after months of delays the Alternative Electronic band Disturbia release their first full length album.

Although Hannah Giffiths only consists of two members, they manage to fill the stage on the lower level of the Wight Rock Bar. They play a combination of rock, folk and alternative and provide amusing banter with the few hecklers as well as a selection of intelligent, emotional songs. It’s not an arrangement you see every day (one electric and one acoustic guitar) but they really work well and to be honest, I think the inclusion of a drum machine or bass would just ruin the chemistry.

Even before Siniez take to the stage there seems to be a completive feeling in the venue. It’s a shame that they decided to call it a day - after releasing a self titled EP and playing on the main stage of the 2007 Isle of Wight Festival it seemed that they had got a good thing going. But, as it was, they decided they needed to follow different paths and it really did feel like a good-bye show.

On a more positive note, Disturbia take to the (now ridiculously cramped) stage amidst a rumbling bass line and distorted synthesiser. Opening with ’Indivisible’ they merge the electro styling’s of Trent Reznor with Lacuna Coil’s brand of Goth Rock to create something rather chilling but also very danceable. Frontwoman Jessica Toynes really holds the crowd in her palm as they launch into a very faithful but energetic cover of Lacuna Coil’s ‘Enjoy the Silence’ (I know, it was Depeche Mode originally, but who’s counting?). As for the album it’s dark but captivating, like their live shows. RR

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Dance for charity SATURDAY March 14th saw partygoer’s descend on Ryde Theatre for a “Fabulous Charity Fundraiser” in aid of the IW Youth Trust. The Youth Trust is a registered charity which provides free counselling to young people and also provides Welfare Services for both Bestival and Camp Bestival.

In February the trust celebrated its 25th year and in doing so has decided to run a fundraising event every month for the rest of the year. These guys know first hand that no-one throws a party better than Bestival’s head honcho Rob Da Bank, so who better to ask help put on a shindig and kick start the fund raising?

“Eileen Monks and her gang are an essential part of Bestival returning lost property, keeping cold kids warm, handing out tea and smiles and generally keeping us all on our toes,” said Radio One’s Rob Da Bank “We wanted to pay her back by helping out with the party (like we need an excuse for a party), and the Isle of Wight Youth Trust charity is one close to our hearts too.”

The night opened with Islanders Bastila giving a performance that showed exactly why they were signed to the Sunday Best label back in 2007. The lads have been busy recording their album (which is due out towards the end of May) and evidently looked glad to be back in

the lights putting on a fantastic show.

Hopefully this was the sign of things to come and the album will be something very special indeed. Following Bastila were Island hip-hop makers Blank Beats, a duo who laid beats and spat lyrics whilst wearing possibly the funkiest glasses of the night. The two local bands warmed the crowd nicely for Brighton’s story tellers The Hat, who performed in fancy dress and the drummer’s “sailor girl” outfit deserves a special mention. For their penultimate gig these guys not only bought a trombone, xylophone and MC’ing to the stage but a double bass as well!

Prizes were awarded for best fancy dress by Da Bank and Eileen Monks with winners taking away tickets and everything they should need for this year’s Bestival. The action wasn’t reserved just for the stage though; crowds around the bar were kept entertained by island magician Aaron Istead and the team from the trust loitered with intent by reception chatting to the crowd as they entered.

After all the prizes were handed out Rob took control of the decks to get the crowd jumping ready for headliners, The Dub Pistols. MC Rodney P and crew joined Barry Ashworth’s Dubs for this live performance whose energy, charisma and genre-mashing abilities managed to put a smile on everyone’s faces before ending this fabulous night at The Venue. CC

‘What a beautiful day’ NOT many bands that have managed to make a name for themselves seem to stop down this neck of the woods anymore. I don’t know why? We have a thriving music scene and a selection of good venues, right? Anyway, one band that holds pride of place in the ticket office at Ryde theatre and still chooses to play here fairly regularly are folk punk legends the Levellers.

Although they have only just finished their winter tour in support of their newest album ‘Letters from the Underground’, it’s not long until they stop by the Portsmouth Pyramids again.I managed to

secure a phone interview with the dreadlocked bassist Jeremy Cunningham.

As it turns out, the Levellers have already started writing for their next album. I asked Jeremy about the direction the new album is taking: “We’re taking ‘Letters’ as a base and working up from that really,” he explains “After all, if you’re not going forward you’re going backwards”.

So, what should we be expecting on this tour? “It hasn’t been fully decided yet but….We’ll be playing stuff people haven’t even heard before.” On the subject of touring, I asked how he would feel about playing the Isle of Wight

Festival with one of his favourite musicians Neil Young: “That would be good. I wouldn’t say no,” he laughs.

And what of their Beautiful Days festival? To start a festival and have it work first time is no easy task. “We had to put up all of our studios as collateral,” he explains. “If we hadn’t sold out that first year we would have lost it all.”

The time goes surprisingly fast, and sooner then expected the allocated fifteen minutes was up and I had to let him get back to rehearsals. I didn’t manage to hear any new material during the interview, but with the 21st of April just around the corner, we don’t have too long to wait.RR

tel: (01983) 520806

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Friday March 20 2009

lifestyle entertainment

The talented Mr Law

The excitement of having not only Jude Law but many of the other talented people involved in Anthony Minghella’s films, including Kevin Whately, Duncan Kenworthy and Lord David Puttnam, gave a real film festival buzz to the Minghella Movie Marathon at Medina Theatre last Saturday. All the young helpers sported laminated passes and a red carpet was laid for the evening’s black tie reception for The English Patient.

For the Saturday afternoon’s showing of The Talented Mr Ripley Gioa Minghella introduced “the absurdly good looking Jude Law,” as she told us he had been dubbed by Kate Winslet, and the “legendary trumpeter Guy Barker,” who were both to give an address before the film.

“I’m so touched that the Minghella family are hosting this event,” began Jude. “I was introduced to Anthony by my mum,” he continued. “It was a lot further back than this film. It was in 1986 and my mum was putting on his play Whale Music and she wrote to him and he invited her to tea. I was about 13 at the time.

“Then some 20 years later I did a film with Caroline (Anthony’s wife),” said

Jude who was then sent the script of The Talented Mr Ripley. “When I first read Ripley I didn’t get the piece and it took a while… But Anthony came to the set of The Wisdom of Crocodiles and this extreme enthusiasm and warmth jumped across the table. I knew I’d be on an incredible ride and was,” said Jude.

“I spent six months in Italy and he told me to eat in the best restaurants, take my boat on the lake and play my saxophone.

But he (Anthony) got his own back on Cold Mountain – he buried me and blew me up,” he added, laughing.

“I’m very happy to be back on the Isle of Wight. I’ve been here several times both as a guest of the family and off my own back. It’s lovely to be here again,” he said in conclusion.

Afterwards in the press conference Jude began by stating, “I’m a friend of the family and hopefully a friend of the Isle of Wight too.”

On Anthony as a director he said: “When Anthony steered us into what was in his head he made you feel as if you’d discovered it yourself. By the time we’d done three films together there was a kind of shorthand.”

Guy Barker had first worked with Anthony on The Talented Mr Ripley. “I

think I can honestly say that Anthony was the greatest music producer I ever worked with,” said Guy before describing how Anthony described to him exactly the emotion needed in a particular scene. “He made us feel great and it was always a joy,” said Guy. “Anthony sent recordings of all the music he was planning to use before filming so that we were all living in the same music before we started,” added Jude.

The whole filming process was obviously a lot of fun. “If the atmosphere was bad we would sing to each other on set,” said Jude. “It’s easier to work in funny surroundings.”

Nikki Amuka-Bird, who starred as Alice Busang in the No1 Ladies Detective Agency, summed up the experience by saying: “He had this way of putting you at ease. He entered the experience with you – he never put himself above you. You really just wanted to give him your best work.”

Goia Minghella spoke about watching the filming process. “As a family we loved to visit Anthony on set – he was like a fish in water,” she said, adding that there were plans to do something next year in his memory too.

It’s donkey time!

By Jo Macaulay

Don’t forget that the Donkey Sanctuary opens for the season this Saturday, just in time for Mother’s Day. All of your furry friends will be looking forward to seeing you again after the long cold winter.

With rising costs, and vets bills running at around £1,000 a month, they really need your donations.

But remember there is no entrance charge for the Donkey Sanctuary, so you can donate as much or as little as you can afford, or you can adopt a donkey.

The shop sells a range of donkey related items and there are always books and bits of bric a brac for sale with donations of saleable goods welcomed by the team.

It was Dillon the donkey who started it all off when Charlie Clarke bought him home to Cherryl one day. “Then I had to get another donkey to keep him company and it just snowballed from there,” said Charlie.

Unfortunately Dillon died three years ago although you’ll see reminders of him, and other donkeys, as you wander around. “I think he was nearly 50 when he died,” said Charlie, who still misses him.

There are around 100 donkeys at the sanctuary and once a week ten donkeys have their hooves trimmed, by the farrier. They’re also groomed and if there are any other problems the equine vet has to come from Salisbury. “It’s a constant weekly MOT,” said Charlie.

Following the success of the last two years, there will be two Grand Donkey Days Out this August Bank Holiday, stretching over Sunday and Monday.

Volunteers or potential stall-holders should go to www.iwdonkey-sanctuary.com and you can also adopt a donkey online at this address.

Left: Charlie Clarke with some of his donkeys. Right: One of the many cute inhabitants

Friday March 20 2009

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lifestyle entertainment

Films shown at the festival: Anthony Minghella’s films shown over the weekend: Mr Wonderful (1991) Truly Madly Deeply (1993) The Talented Mr Ripley (1999) The English Patient (1996) Cold Mountain (2003)

Jude Law pictured with students from Medina High School

As the press conference broke up, Jude posed for pictures with the Medina High School helpers and autographed their passes, joking and bantering goodnaturedly with them all.

Later, at the reception before the screening of The English Patient, Lord David Puttnam told The Gazette that he thought a film festival on the Island that focussed on composers and

film music might be a suitable memorial.

“We’ve talked about this…I think that it would be entirely appropriate,” said Lord Puttnam.

Breaking and Entering (2006) The Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency (2008)

Live at the Rock!

LIVE At The Rock is making a comeback on Wednesday evenings at Chicago Rock, at Newport’s Coppins Bridge, with tribute acts and a theme to complement. This Wednesday (25th) it’s Robert Lamberti as George Michael so get your medallions out guys. Selected drinks are only £1.50 with free entry before 9pm and £1.50 thereafter.

It’s party night every night at Chicago Rock, which is now under the capable hands of Steve Hedley. Formerly at My Legends, a purpose built events centre in Sunderland city centre, Steve is making some changes to encourage new customers to this premier nightspot.

“We’re trying to accommodate all age groups with different nights for different age groups,” said Steve.

“Wednesdays are aimed at the over 25s.”

Fridays have a younger back to school theme with ‘School Detention’ till 2am and tracks from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, selected drinks at 99p and entry of £2 after 7pm.

Saturday is Party Night with a mix of ages, £2 entry from 8pm till 9pm and £4 from 9pm until close. Drinks are £1.50 between 7pm and 10pm.

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the gazette lifestyle

Friday March 20 2009

lifestyle wine & dine

New tint for Tinto’s

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TINTO’S wine bar in Ventnor has recently undergone a Changing Rooms style refurbishment as owners Mark and Chrissie Robertson-Walker were on honeymoon at the time.

“Lester and June O’Sullivan suggested that they’d like to help us with a refurb. I gave them a budget and let them get on with it,” said Mark who was extremely impressed with the results when he returned. “It was quite Mediterranean and now is more Manhattan,” said Mark. “People are really pleased with it.”

Lester incorporated into the design an amazing mural of 94 Tinto reguTinto’s before the refurbishment lars, which runs down the wall of the lower bar area. The upper bar area has been enlarged and Jack Vettriano style paintings adorn the walls. The world time clock with illuminated time zones still hangs opposite the bar.

Mark discovered that his father’s nickname had been ‘Tinto’ because of his love of red wine, when he was thinking of opening the wine bar.

“I like a drink as much as the next bloke and I was disappointed with the choice in Ventnor. You had to go into a pub, there wasn’t an alternative and you couldn’t get a decent cup of coffee either,” said Mark.

He and Miles Lindsel, who both have years of experience in the licensing trade, opened Tinto’s in May 2004. “I couldn’t have done it without Above is the current, new look of Tinto’s Miles,” said Mark. Tinto’s now has a loyal band of regulars who have a Cheers type of relationship with each other and the staff. “Our logo is ‘some places have all the fun’ and we pretty much know all the people who come in and we try to befriend new customers,” said Mark.

“Tinto’s has made all the other bars up the ante a bit – you can get a coffee and cocktails in most bars now.

But we only sell premium products – there are no house doubles or happy hours here,” added Mark. Love has also blossomed in the bar – Mark met Chrissie when she came into the bar in 2005, whilst visiting her parents, and they were married last September.

And handily Charlies Taxis now operate from Tinto’s too – ideal for Tinto’s Bar as it looks today avoiding drinking and driving.

Friday March 20 2009

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lifestyle wine & dine

Pointing to the future

CONTRARY to recent rumours Nathan and Paul Clark will definitely be staying at the Pointer Inn in Newchurch. In fact plans are afoot to increase the size of the dining area to fill the whole pub.

“We’ve secured a deal to stay and we’re looking forward to the next five years,” said Nathan.

“Plans have been drawn up for changes though. We’re hoping to make the whole pub into a restaurant and increase the kitchen size so that we’ll be able

to make more people happy,” he explained.

The pub, which has won Island Life’s Dining Pub of the year in 2007 and 2008, will also be making some changes to their menu over the next four to six weeks although favourites such as lamb shoulder, slow roasted with rosemary and redcurrant jus and traditional steak, kidney and ale pie, with a butter shortcrust pastry, will definitely be staying.

“We try everything out on the blackboard first,” said Nathan

who has a selection of specials on the board every day.

“Up to 28 pubs a week are closing in the UK,” said Nathan.

“The are 15 closed or up for new rental on the Island. It’s tough in this trade at the moment. If you don’t want to see your local pubs close, keep using them. They’re part of our national tradition.

“We’re one of the few countries in the world who have a pub culture, so remember in this recession to support your local pub.”

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lifestyle wine & dine

A lighter Lion

A RECENT refurbishment at the White Lion in Niton has transformed the back room into an ideal area for celebrations and corporate events. Lowering the ceiling and painting the wood panelling has given this room a lighter, brighter feel.

In the bar, a corner area with chocolate leather sofas has become a favourite area to lounge. The pool table and games area is to the left of the bar and there is further seating in the bar area and the back dining room, overlooking the high street.

The menu has been revamped with bigger blackboards featuring 20 rotating home cooked specials plus steaks and roasts. The bar snack menu offers popular light bites.

Specials include classic homemade lasagne with curly fries and salad; tomato, basil and sweet onion brie tart with fresh salad and new potatoes and oven baked haddock with herb crust on a bed of fresh vegetables with sauté potatoes and three cheese sauce (all pictured).

James and Shelley Dixon are now in their seventh year at the pub – James formerly ran the kitchen at the Spyglass in Ventnor for 14 years. In the kitchen is Stuart Downes, formerly of The Pond in Bonchurch and The Wellington Hotel in Ventnor.

The pub features a selection of four real ales and the Dixons import their own medallion winning French wines from Domaine Montrose - particularly known for their rosé.

For Mother’s Day there will be three sittings: 12pm, 2pm and 6pm.

Outside is a children’s play area and a split level beer garden with covered terrasso area.

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lifestyle wine & dine

Bar bar Black Sheep Black Sheep Bar is a stylish venue for chilling out with friends or an informal business meeting. This new bar/restaurant on Ryde’s Union Street has a tapas style to the menu and sharing platters are an ideal introduction the delicious selection.

Sink into the comfortable leather upholstered chairs and order as little or as much as you like. The helpful staff will help you with suggestions if you require. And if it’s sunny there is also an elegant outside area.

Below the bar is the club lounge where the Magnets will be playing next Friday, March 27 and on the first Friday of the month there is a dinner and show.

IOW festival promoter John Giddings is a partner in the business and brings special guests to the club lounge throughout the year – Suzanne

A view to a meal

YOU can dine with a panoramic view of the sea at Carter’s Bar and Restaurant’s new function room at the Bay House Hotel. Perched at the top of Chine Road in Shanklin, the new hexagon shaped function room with its four exterior walls of glass gives spectacular views of the bay below.

With the bar, the function room, and the outside areas you have a very large area for weddings.

The covered veranda outside is heated, and

the large decking area is ideal for warmer days.

Popular for its Sunday lunches, this family run hotel is running special Italian pasta evenings every Friday following the appointment of chef Alessandro Cosenza who many people will remember from the Last Resort. Roasts are always on the menu for Sunday lunch but you can also opt for a la carte.

Saturday evenings also have a romantic Italian flavour with light bites of brushetta, garlic bread and dips and romantic candles on the tables.

Vega is hopefully coming shortly.

Tickets for these evenings go to members first and you can join for only £50 per year.

The grand opening of the club lounge featured Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols, all girl band Hope, Arno Carstens and James Walsh of Starsailor.

For private hire, the club lounge is the ideal choice, with room for up to 120 people in its rich red and black interior. It’s just the place for a wild night as no-one need know – down in the cellar you’re away from prying eyes.

“John Giddings is a partner in the business and brings special guests to the club lounge throughout the year”

Food and wine tastings at Chale Green

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Sunday, March 29th sees the next in what is becoming an increasingly successful series of seasonal Food & Wine Pairing events to be held by Chale Green Stores in their new cafe and deli.

The event which starts at 3.30pm and lasts for just 2 hours provides the perfect opportunity to experience five premium wines carefully paired with delectable food, typical of a classic Easter feast.

Throughout the event expert and entertaining commentary is provided by Harlington Wines of Ludlow, wine consultants to the new Chale Green Stores with their resident Chef Ryan Burr guiding those attending through the various foods carefully paired with each wine.

The event provides a great way to spend a little time experiencing new tastes and fine wines in a relaxed atmosphere – a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

This exclusive event is only £10 per person or £17.50 per couple.

Numbers are limited and therefore booking is recommended. To book for the Easter feast food and wine pairing event simply call Chale Green Stores on 551603 or visit them in store.

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lifestyle living

And this year’s nominations are...

THIS year, for the first time since 2006, Derek Hartley will be reintroducing his successful musical theatre summer school. This will be an exciting four days of drama, singing and movement, exploring the theme of Hollywood and the Academy Awards.

The summer school will be called “And the Nominations Are . . .” and will give those lucky enough to gain a place, access to musical pieces from many filmed shows. Think Grease, Mamma Mia, Dirty Dancing, Oliver, Footloose, West Side Story, Annie, Hairspray and High School Musical.

Time is running out! If you think you’d like to be part of this great summer school, he needs your booking now. A deposit

of £30 will secure a place and places are limited. Four full days culminating in a showcase will cost just £115 and is open to everybody with experience between the ages of 8 - 15. The course will take place at the Medina Theatre, Newport from Tuesday 4 to Friday 7 of August.

Derek’s website www.dhp1.co.uk will give you more information on his select professionals, who between them have countless years, experience in the training of musical theatre and of course numerous summer schools.

Call dhp Head Office 01983 852767 or Email dhp1_@hotmail. com

Hypnotise your hips away Hypnotherapy is a recognised field of treatment and Den Clare even takes referrals from GPs. He’s been working in this area since 1968 and practises from his comfortable home in Shanklin. But for which conditions do people seek help from Den? “Stress is the main one, and

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lack of confidence,” said Den. “Following those are stopping smoking and losing weight. It’s very good for psoriasis, asthma and eczema too.”

I had asked for a session on losing weight and Den told me that one of his patients had decreased from a size 20 to a size 10 following hypnosis. Not that I need to lose quite that much – a couple of stones would be fine by me.

“Your comfort is connected to your mouth – you were fed when you cried as a baby,” explained Den. “It’s the comfort pattern that links into the subconscious mind and you have to deal with this. That’s why hypnosis is so effective. I’m a channel. It’s a way to link into the autonomic nervous system and the immune system.”

I was asked to sit in a reclining chair and Den sat in a chair beside me. “You’re feeling more and more relaxed. Your eyelidsare beginning to flutter as you enter into a state of REM (Rapid

Eye Movement),” said Den. Amazingly I felt my eyelids flutter. All thoughts of the world outside left as I listened to Den telling me what to think.

“Imagine yourself as you want to be. You will eat healthily and you will get thinner,” he told me.

Throughout the whole experience I was aware of Den speaking and the ticking of the clock.

Did it go in? Well over the following weekend I thought about eating chocolate, but I didn’t actually crave it as I had before.

I even had a hot chocolate and didn’t want to then stuff my face with more sweet things.

I also have a CD of Den to help me with my resolve. As I don’t weigh myself I don’t know if I’ve actually lost weight but my clothes feel looser. Time will tell…

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Ventnor ink

IT’S wonderful to hear Michael Neighbour of Studio 31 in Ventnor talking about his tattoo art with such enthusiasm. “I absolutely love what I do. I do class myself as lucky,” said Michael. “You can’t be a good tattooist unless you have pride and passion in what you do, which I do. If I was rich I’d do it for free for the rest of my life.”

Tattooing has always been a passion for Michael who at 25 has been tattooing professionally for 2 1/2 years, taking over this shop from Andy Higgs when he moved to London. Every surface in the shop has to be wipe-able and Michael keeps everything spotlessly clean.

“You have to clean all around the area to be tattooed, then shave and then clean again,” said Michael who makes sure that clients stand or sit in a natural position before applying the transfer to the skin.

“You have to be in a natural position or you’ll get a skew-whiff tattoo,” he explained.

“There’s nothing I’m afraid of doing. I’ve tattooed armpits, bald heads and necks,” said Michael who has worked with a number of top professionals. A member of London Ink saw his work at a convention and was impressed too.

Michael uses Skin Candy inks, the same as used by Miami Ink, and has over 45 colours including fluorescent hues.

“They’re wicked colours and the most expensive you can buy. You’re only as good as your equipment,” he explained.

In the studio you can choose from literally thousands of different designs from tiny flowers to Japanese creations, such as dragons, geishas and samurai warriors with wind bars and shading. But Michael admits to a fondness for horror genre tattoos – befriend him on www.facebook. com to see his work.

Gun toting Annie is coming to town.

THERE’S no business like show business and this will be one of the songs you’ll hear in South Wight Youth Theatre’s production of Annie Get Your Gun at Shanklin Theatre over Easter weekend.

This exciting western styled musical traces the love affair between two sharpshooters, Annie Oakley and Frank Butler, who in real life were members of Buffalo Bills Wild West Show.

Previous productions by the team include ‘Rock Nativity’ at various Island churches before Christmas and ‘Roman Roots’ at Brading Roman Villa. Their highlight was ‘Les Miserables’ in 2005 at Medina Theatre.

Members of South Wight Youth Theatre range from age nine to 18, it is a charity run totally by volunteers, and there is no charge for attendance other than £20 per year for insurance. Annie Get Your Gun features 33 of the 45 members, and over 250 costumes are being made.

This is the first production that award

winning Alain Smith has directed and choreographed for the South Wight Youth Theatre. Alain was a professional dancer and actor, appearing in many musicals on tour and in the West End, had his own touring company, International Theatre Company and has directed and choreographed for many companies in the UK. Assistant Director Claire Apsey was one of the original youth members when the theatre began 25 years ago.

“We do have three leads, Peter Snell, Chloe Phillips and Lauren O’Dell who have never played such large parts before who have a mammoth task ahead of them but are working very hard and coping very well,” said Alain.

So mosey on down and catch the show - performances are at 7.30pm on Thursday 9, Friday 10 and Saturday 11, with a Saturday Matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets are £10, senior citizens £9, children £6 and family £26 from the box office on 868000.

Top left: Chloe Phillips as Annie Oakley Bottom Left: Lauren O’Dell as Annie Oakley Bottom Right: Peter Snell as Frank Butler

L to R back row: Amy Cunnington (Mrs PP), Lauren O’Dell (Annie), Peter Snell (Frank Butler), Chloe Phillips (Annie) & Sorcha Verey (Dolly). L to R front row: Olivia Hickey & Kate Lines

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lifestyle living

Concert for Cuddalore

Help improve the lives of thousands of Indian farmers Empowering and educating the people of the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu in India is the aim of the Cuddalore Health and Agricultural Trust India (CHATI), who are staging a fundraising concert featuring Gila Antara on Monday April 13 at the Church of St Saviour on the Cliff in

Shanklin.

Retired teacher Janet Bedford, founder trustee, saw the problems in this area and decided to make a difference.

Since registering this charity in 2005 the trust have bought several acres of impoverished land, and from that barren dry land a productive fertile farm has emerged.

The idea was to start a model farm and show local farmers how crops could be grown using traditional and organic methods. Farmers had been weaned off of traditional methods and sold chemicals that gradually depleted their land’s fertility. “Thousands of Indian farmers are using these chemicals to commit suicide when their crops fail,” said trustee Angie Bromfield.

“There is an enormous problem with degrading agricultural land and we’re trying to help redress this.”

Cotton has now been grown without the use of chemicals using a mixture of things to prevent disease such as neem and cow’s urine. Other crops grown include maize, rice, tropical vegetables, lentils, tomatoes, onions and squashes. There are also many healthy trees and you can sponsor a tree for £10.

The farm now has several buildings, the

first of which was opened by Barbara Gray MBE, ex chief nursing officer on the Island.

They’ve also purchased a cow named Lakshmi, after the god of wealth, who has produced a calf.

It’s a very poor area and a lot of men go abroad to work.

“We’re trying to stop men from leaving the area to find work – to revitalise village and farming life,” said Janet. The relief of sickness and promotion of good health through the practice of complementary and alternative medicine is also the aim of the trust. A homeopathic doctor now visits the farm every fortnight to treat local villagers and other practitioners from the West have made visits.

The trust would like to raise about £1,500 for a seed bank for local farmers. They also hope that Europeans will want to visit and work on the farm.

“Gila has an amazing voice and St Saviours is a very welcoming church,” said Angie.

The evening is a composition of music and song from around the globe.

“There is an enormous problem with degrading agricultural land and we’re trying to help redress this.”

Into the fire

ANNE BROWN and her crew at Fired Art on Ryde’s Cross Street are really excited about their imminent move to the High Street. A larger premises on the corner of Newport Road, which used to be Watts wallpaper shop, is currently being converted into a beautiful new area for clay based arts activities.

“The premises used to be the first pub in Ryde, The Nags Head,” said Anne.

“Outside is a store which will house the

clay and pottery, the coach-house will have the kilns and the stables will be a tearoom with a seminar room for parties and functions, with all of the crockery being handmade and painted.”

Customers come to decorate white bisque pottery items with any of the 40 different coloured slips available. “The most popular items are plates and mugs, although we have lots of ornaments for children such as dragons and fairies,” said Anne. Your work of art is then fired in the kilns at the back of the shop and you

collect it, wrapped in tissue paper in a brightly coloured carrier bag.

Wedding plates can also be made with the signatures of all of your guests and even a hand painting of the church, and babies hand and foot prints are a lovely memento. Hen nights are popular here as well as children’s parties and several well known companies use Fired Art for team building sessions.

Anne and Angie run the shop with help from clay sculptor Yola, who can copy pieces, or make to order, and Dagmara who throws pots and teaches too.

Studio fees are £2 per child and £3 per adult with articles to paint starting at £6.50 including firing.

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Mr Patrick and Mrs Bonnie Murray Patrick and Bonnie Murray celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on March 7 with a special service at St John’s parish church, Wroxall where guests released 50 golden balloons. Their two daughters, Lorna and Jenny, helped to celebrate this golden day along with their seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

It was at the local hop, in Kingston Surrey, where Patrick and Bonnie Murray met back in 1958 and Patrick was playing in the skiffle group. After only six months they were engaged to be married and tied the knot

another six months later.

The couple moved to the Island in 1971 and Patrick worked for many years at the British Hovercraft Corporation, latterly Westland Aerospace. Bonnie worked at the Winter Gardens and at the Crunchy Carrot in Ventnor.

After retiring in 2001, the couple bought a canal boat, travelling and living on it before returning to their home in Wroxall four years later.

It was touch and go as to whether Patrick Murray was going to make his golden wedding anniversary after a very severe heart attack last September but following a triple

heart bypass he’s now well on the mend. “ We’re really happy that he’s able to be with us for this day,” said Bonnie.

A surprise was in store for all of Bonnie and Patrick’s guests as they left the church because there were 50 numbered gold balloons to be given out to members of their congregation. When all the balloons had been distributed, each number was called out in turn and one by one the balloons filled the sky.

A buffet reception for 84 for their friends and family was held at the Conservative Club in Shanklin, with entertainment and a disco in the evening.

Top Left: Patrick and Bonnie Murray Left: Friends and family prepare for the release Above: Friends and family release the balloons

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Magical marriage vows YOU’LL have a truly magical wedding if you choose to make your vows at the Enchanted Manor in Niton undercliff. Now in their third year since totally refurbishing this hotel, Maggie and Rick Hilton provide a totally unique venue for a wedding to remember.

Walking through the jewel bestrewn garden, past the statue of a unicorn to the beautifully painted front door, you realise you’re in for a surprise. Through the wisteria and butterflies in the porch area to the cream and gold entrance hall with the sky painted ceiling sprinkled with cherubs and you are in another world.

Choose to take your vows in the cream wedding room, which is beautifully decorated with woodland greenery, fairy people, sparkly lights and fairytale paintings by Josephine Wall or opt for a woodland wedding in the enchanted garden with its magical inhabitants. Vows can also be made in the enchanted Folly looking out over the beautiful garden to the sea beyond.

Not surprisingly a wedding at the Enchanted Manor will be filmed for a new ITV series this April.

Josephine Wall’s magical paintings feature throughout the hotel, including the seven sumptuous bedroom suites with names such as Dreamtime and Serenity. Ornate Venetian glass chandeliers hang above the opulently swagged four-poster beds with most having sea views and separate lounge areas.

From Mother’s Day Champagne high teas will be available in the dining conservatory, with tiered cake stands decorated with flowers. Spoil your mum and come and see a hotel that has to be seen to be believed.

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New Capri marquees Island Marquees are launching a new style of marquee for this season – the American Capri marquee offers affordable elegance and a stunning style statement.

Not unlike a great white bird, the Capri perches in 28’ by 28’ or rectangular 28’ by 38’ sections held down by only a few pegs. “You put down four pegs in the ground and it pops up out of nowhere,” said Nick Ward of Island Marquees. “We put fairy lights around the outside and a lot can be done with lighting.”

Only two people are needed to erect a Capri rather than the six or more needed for other types of marquee, which also helps to keep down the cost. “You can also link the Capri marquees together for a stunning effect,” said Nick.

These new stylish marquees are an affordable way of providing an elegant canopy for your event, and can be erected on any lawn or soft ground. Capris come complete with a mixture of clear and solid side walls which can be clipped on or off in minutes giving flexibility with the weather in mind.

With a linked arrangement the Capri can be joined to others or divided as required making spaces for dining, dancing and catering. The marquees come in three

different sizes, the largest of which can accommodate up to 80 people seated or 100 people standing.

Capris can be furnished as you require – a typical arrangement would comprise an ivy garland around the arches, fairy lights, floor matting with tables and chairs. But there is a very extensive range of equipment and furnishings.

Capri marquees are unique and spacious and the design eliminated the need for guy ropes. But if you do want a traditional marquee, Grays Marquees, owned by Island Marquees, are the oldest established marquee company on the Island and have the beautiful old canvas style marquees with poles, guy ropes, different coloured interior draping and all the trimmings.

Clearspan marquees, which have no poles or guy ropes, are also available in a range of sizes from Island Marquees.

All of Island and Gray’s Marquees staff have recently completed NVQ level 3 training and all

the electrical work is done by qualified electricians. A crew of loyal seasonal workers supplement the core team during the summer season.

“You put down four pegs in the ground and it pops up out of nowhere.”

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Queen for a day at Priory Bay The country house hotel with its own private beach

HOLDING your wedding at the Priory Bay Hotel might not be as expensive as you think. This beautiful country house hotel and beach can cater for the most lavish weddings, but can also cater for smaller and less ostentatious gatherings too.

This year sees the introduction of beach blessings with small dining groups catered for on the beach, weather and tides permitting. Proposal packages on the beach are also a lovely idea. You could even have a small engagement party on the beach with a marquee for up to about 15 people, with lobster, oysters and Champagne.

Menus can be chosen to suit every

pocket with top chef Carlos Rodriquez Garcia including lovely freshly picked vegetables and fruit grown by Italian gardener Frederico on the estate. Previously at sister restaurant Rousillon in London, Carlos sources most foods locally and can also make celebration and wedding cakes to order.

In the hotel you could take your vows in the fine dining Island Room restaurant, surrounded by murals of local views painted in 1810 by the Crace Brothers who had recently completed the Prince Regent’s spectacular Brighton Pavilion.

It has standing room for 80 people and is also the ideal room for a smaller more intimate wedding breakfast of 20 to 50

people. For the summer there are views from the Island room over the grounds to the sea and in winter the wood fire with its delightful chimneypiece enhances warmth and intimacy.

Larger parties can dine in the Priory Oyster restaurant with its Mediterranean feel, leading out on to a canopied ‘al fresco’ terrace with views of the splendid grounds and sea beyond.

Or you could take your vows on the lawn and choose a wedding breakfast in a marquee with beautiful views of the sea. Recently, for an Anglo Indian wedding, the couple had a ceremony in a local church and then a traditional Indian wedding in a marquee on the lawn,

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with everyone in traditional dress sitting cross legged on the ground. The groom made a spectacular entrance seated upon a white horse.

The comfortable lounge with its eclectic collection of gilt and upholstered furniture, baby grand piano, portraits and prints, soft coloured rugs and beautiful views down to the sea is also available for your guests.

The Priory Bay wants you to feel that the hotel is your home for the day or weekend and you can also hire the whole hotel exclusively if you wish.

And if you want to make a grand statement, a hovercraft can be hired to bring your guests to the beach or your helicopter can land on the golf course.

If you opt to stay the rooms in the hotel are sumptuous, the coach house sleeps 10-14, and there are less expensive, yet well-appointed, rooms to the rear of the

hotel and around the estate. One room has a Victorian style bath in the corner of the room with an ornate screen you can use, or not as you prefer. Rooms to the front of the hotel have wonderful views across the lawn to the sea and suites in the attic have lovely original feature beams.

Special high teas are being introduced with three tier cake stands dripping with delicate

sandwiches and homemade cakes. Add strawberry Bellinis and you have the ideal hen party tea for the bride to be and her friends or a treat for Mother’s Day. Also this Mothering Sunday heralds the introduction of Sunday lunches with nursery cover for your children – once you’ve finished lunch you can relax while they play safely.

Magic fairy wedding cakes

HOME Design Cavern’s favourite range of fairy cake themed kitchen products, has been so popular at their shop in East Cowes and on the internet at www.homedesigncavern.co.uk that it has inspired them to develop a range of hand baked Fairy Cake products.

Fairy Cakes can be made to order for parties and friends, and they also do special orders for Birthdays, Christenings and Weddings. All the cakes are freshly made and decorated by hand using only

the finest quality ingredients. Fresh eggs, English butter, pure vanilla extract and delectable toppings are brought together to give you the ultimate homemade treat.

Cakes can be purchased in boxes containing four from the shop at 8 York Avenue East Cowes or ordered by telephone: 07985764123.

Why not pop along today and the shop for the complete experience, and buy your teatime treat.

At least 24 hours notice is needed for larger orders.

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That’s service!

WHETHER you opt for real flowers or silk flowers, you’ll be spoilt for choice at That’s Service Party Shop who are now a florists too.

There is a large hire section too, with items such as pedestals, flower arrangements, top table greenery and silk bay trees.

Balloon decorations are another of their specialities – you could have floating bouquets of balloons on your tables or a balloon arch to make a grand entrance. And for above the dance floor you could have a Cloud 9 – a large balloon containing 60 small balloons, wired to a battery, which the DJ can then let off as the bride and groom take their first dance.

You could scatter rose petal confetti on your tables and choose from a large range of favors to put on your tables such as little boxes, dishes for sweets, top hats or little champagne bubble blowing bottles.

For the evening there are huge one-fuse display fireworks and Chinese glow lanterns, with new red heart shaped style, for your guests to release into the night.

Don’t forget that That’s Service also have loads of hen and stag night novelties too.

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Tony Martin: music man “Music is the soundtrack of your life,” said DJ Tony Martin, “and you want exactly the right music for your wedding.” Tony offers a completely bespoke top end service that will ensure that your big day culminates with the best evening’s entertainment on the market.

“My equipment is second to none - top end sound, light, lazer and audio visual,” he explained. Every show features a state of the art sound system unmatched in quality and performance. You can even view a demo DVD of Tony’s work before choosing your type of party.

This year is Tony’s thirtieth year in the business – he started at the age of only 13 and a pastime has developed into a lifelong passion. This November he will host a huge event in Cowes Yacht Marina to celebrate, with all proceeds split between the Barely Born Appeal and EM Hospice.

Keep an eye on his website at tmmusicshow.co.uk.

“Most of my work comes from word of mouth or recommendations,” said Tony. He caters for many indoor weddings, yacht clubs, balls and big marquee weddings and all his equipment is fully tested with all public liability insurances held.

Planning ahead

By Roz Whistance

Make a plan. Some words of wisdom, and a checklist First things first, agree a date, budget, style of ceremony and number of guests.

Those things done, decide where you want to be married. If in church, make an appointment to see your Parish clergyman. Rev Andrew Yorke of Christchurch, Totland, says: “Sometimes a couple will come to me saying they’d like to get married on a particular date. The reception’s booked, the honeymoon’s booked, the car’s been ordered, the works. And I look in the diary and find it can’t be done. So don’t put booking the church at number nine on the list!”

If the ceremony is not to be in church contact the registrar’s office. If you want to be married at a venue other than a church or registrar’s office, you will need to coordinate dates between the venue – your reception hotel if it holds a licence – and the registrar.

The vicar will talk to you about the service, giving you pointers as to what to think about when you are planning the service. Will you require the Church choir? Do you want the bells to be rung, which will involve booking the bell ringers. (Some clergy will not allow the bells to be rung during Lent). What about flowers? Will you want to be put in touch with the people who usually do the Church’s floral displays or will you make your own arrangements?

He or she will also want to talk to you about the commitment involved in marriage.

A Civil Registrar will also ask you to consider options for the service, such as the words to be spoken. Will you require music? The number of guests may determine the size of the room offered to you.

Booking a venue:

Once you’ve chosen a hotel see if they will do special deals for your guests. It’s lovely to fill a hotel with your own guests.

Hotels with chalet-style accommodation for families are worth considering if you have lots of friends with families – the Farringford or Gurnard Pines, for example. The latter has a crèche facility and soft play area, too.

If you’re planning on asking more than 140 – 150 guests, you’ll need a marquee. Have a planning meeting with your marquee firm to establish the extent of the options it can offer.

Booking a caterer:

Take recommendations from friends if you can. Visit possible venues, making appointments to see the catering manager.

Appoint chief attendants: It is all too easy to assume your best friend will be Best Man, but don’t forget to ask him! He needs to put the date in his diary.

Book photographer/videographer:

Take recommendations if at all possible. Otherwise check websites and shops to see if you like their style.

• •

Arrange wedding insurance.

Consider wedding rings if to be handmade.

Checklist: six months before •

Order bride’s gown/accessories and her

• • • • • •

• •

attendants’ clothing Book honeymoon Order cake Arrange transport Plan bride’s look with hairstylist/make-up artist Order invitations/other stationery Book florist. Sue of Doris Pink says: The ideal time to think about your flowers is a year to six months in advance. But never ever before you’ve chosen your dress.

“It would be a tragedy to have the detail in dress hidden by the bouquet, however lovely it is.”

Plan music choices/performers Plan stag/hen celebrations if planning to make it a weekend. Contact those you intend to invite.

Three months before • • • • • •

Set up wedding gift list Send out invitations Order wedding rings Order clothing for groom and male attendants Plan hen/stag celebrations: - Never for the night before the wedding!

Finalise menus, make wine/drink selections

One month before • • •

Choose and wrap thank you gifts for family and attendants Create a seating plan Run-through bride’s dress, hair and make-up in full

The final fortnight • • • • • • • • •

Double-check legal/travel documents Prepare speeches Re-confirm all arrangements with celebrant and suppliers Ensure all outfits fit. Brides and bridesmaids can lose weight through worry or gain it if they are expecting babies Arrange your ceremony rehearsal with clergyman or registrar Check any traffic delays on the day Organise your luggage to be sent to your first-night hotel Enjoy your day

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ONE of the country’s brightest young talents could be emerging here at WightFM. An Islander born and bred, Barry Lloyd from Haylands, began his love affair with radio at the age of 8. Barry and his friends set up two boom boxes on the floor opposite each other to own their own “radio station!”

Since then, he’s never looked back.

“A friend of mine was doing a college course in Portsmouth and set up his own one hour show on Express FM. I co-presented it and eventually took over,” said the 22 year old.

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3 ways to listen Join in Big Al’s new edgier phone-in

40-99-20

emailed him and Director, Martin Potter, several times and got called in for an interview. Three days later I was presenting a live show!!!”

Barry has been covering the Isle of Wight Festival Greatest Hits Show for Christian Williams……he can be heard every Saturday and Sunday between 6pm and 7pm.

“It’s all very exciting. When I heard the listening figures I thought WOW. It’s also been great meeting our listeners at our roadshows,” he said.

Barry has set himself very high targets…

“I want to be on national radio one day but right now I am just focused on improving and getting better with each show I do on WightFM”.

Friday March 20 2009

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lifestyle wightFM

Island at the moment, nd vibrant!”

out on the road!

If your company listens to wightFM call us on 40-99-20

Ed Stewart at the wightFM studios

How we get the news

A LISTENER came up to me at our Newport Road show the other week and she simply asked me how I got the news.

It is a question I am asked often and always delighted to answer.

Here on the Isle of Wight, I have a number of main sources.

When I arrive on the news desk

at 7am, my first role is to contact the Island’s police, fire and ambulance services to see if anything of interest has happened overnight. This can range from a fatal flat fire in East Cowes to appeals for a missing Islander.

Next I check the overnight emails to see if there are any press releases from the Isle of Wight Council and other local and national organisations. If there is anything I feel needs your immediate attention, I will re-write them, tailoring them to WightFM unique news style.

My first news bulletin of the day is at 07:30 and it’s my job to ensure it’s a balanced mix of local, national and world news.

I love my music news so will always put any new act announced for the Isle of Wight Festival and Bestival, towards the top end of the bulletin.

I have to ensure these stores are re-written, sound fresh and constantly updated. News is fast changing and I have to reflect that.

There is however, no better news contact than a friend. A friend in the pub is always a good source for news (though I would never write gossip!).

One of the highlights of my time in charge of the news service here, has to be the moment I took a phone call from a leading Sandown Councillor, tipping me off Sainsbury’s were looking to take over the former Woolworth’s site in the town. A simple phone call to the chain’s head office lead to a sequence of events which ensured WightFM was the FIRST media outlet to announce Sainsbury’s were considering a move to our seaside town!

Even more presenters on wightFM Alex Dyke, Ian Mac, Justine Field, Mike Read, David Hamilton, Paul Burnett, Emperor Rosko, Derek Sandy, Howard Pearce, Chris Stewart, Benny Brown, Richard Cartridge, Shaun Tilley, Johnny Gentle

Can radio get any better?

Programme schedule

our great line-up

Weekdays

6 - 7am Mike Read: The Wight Wake-up 7 - 10am Ian Mac’s Full English (More Music)

Breakfast Show with Justine Field 10 - 11am Chris Stewart with the Motown Hour 11am - 3pm Big Al’s Mid-Morning Boogie,

including the legendary phone-

in between 12 noon - 1pm with

all the usual suspects – The

Doc, Foxie, and Jessie.

3 - 5pm David Hamilton’s ‘Non-Stop

Music’ Afternoon Show 5 - 7pm Paul Burnett’s Tea Time Show 7 - 9pm Shaun Tilley’s Wi-Fi Hits 9 - 11pm Mark Wesley 11pm - 1am Benny Brown 1 - 7am Music Jam

Weekends

7 - 9am Howard Pearce’s Weekend

Breakfast Show 9am - 12pm Ed ‘Stewpot’ Stewart’s

Bubblegum and Cheese 12 - 1pm Geoff Hughes’ Beatles Hour 1 - 2pm The Shakedown Show with

Derek Sandy 2 - 4pm Richard Cartridge 4 - 6pm The Emperor Rosko 6 - 7pm IW Festival’s Greatest Hits 7 - 9pm Steve Robson’s Electric 80s 9 - 10pm Simon & Dave’s Hipshaker Show 10 - 12am Johnny Gentle’s Big Easy.

12 - 2am Opal Bonfante

Wi-Fi...why not?

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the gazette lifestyle

Friday March 20 2009

lifestyle wightFM

If you have trouble tuning in then call the wightFM support line 40-99-21

We’ve been road’ aroun WightFM has been out and about across the Island, meeting so many of you at our road shows.

Alex Dyke, Ian Mac, Jessie, Justine, Justin and the gang have been out and about with a full roadshow in the last couple of weekends in Newport’s St

Join in Big Al’s new edgier phone-in

40-99-20

Thomas Square on Saturday and Ryde’s Somerfield Square.

Hundreds of you have been joining in the fun and munching our free wightFM hotdogs made from our very own wightFM sausage, created exclusively by Hamiltons Butchers and cooked to perfection by Tim Morgan of Morgans Restaurant,

Friday March 20 2009

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lifestyle wightFM

busy ‘on the nd the Island Shanklin.

Phone in character, Lorraine “Queen on Pan” turned up at our first show in Newport while Derek Sandy made the most of the sunshine to bring his ray of reggae light.

In Ryde, Alex Dyke, Ian Mac, Jessie and well known Island DJ Ian “Knock” Dore entertained

the crowds, who again couldn’t get enough of our sausages and free wightFM window stickers and mouse mats.

And don’t forget we’re back in Newport’s St Thomas Square tomorrow from 10am!

See you then!

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the gazette lifestyle

Friday March 20 2009

lifestyle gardening

Maxibags have the answer

IF you need to clear out your garden waste, and you haven’t got room in your car, or don’t want to get it dirty, then a big yellow Maxibag is the perfect answer.

These popular one-ton skip bags are available to buy at 30 stockists Island wide, and Wilmax Grab Services collect them once they’re filled.

At this time of the year we turn our attention to spring cleaning our homes and gardens, or getting those little DIY jobs done, and Maxibags provide the perfect solution to jobs that are too small for a skip but too large for your car.

Husband and wife team Ricky and Tara Harris have been running Wilmax Grab Services since May 2005 and have built up a long list of domestic and commercial customers. They recently secured a large project to supply all aggregates and waste management for the mainland firm rebuilding the site at Wighlink’s Fishbourne terminal – something of a coup for an Island firm.

Ricky has built up good relationships with many local builders and property

developers, providing them with a reliable and economic service, and he is always happy to discuss any requirements and provide free estimates. The 26 ton lorry holds over two builder’s skips in any one collection and can also deliver aggregates.

But for smaller jobs find the nearest

stockist of flat packed maxibags at www. maxibags.com. Once you’ve filled your bag just call Tara on 863358 to arrange collection and payment. As they are environmentally aware and registered waste carriers their aim is to recycle from their collections to all the appropriate sites.

Toby’s gardening tips

By Toby Beasley, head gardener, Osborne House

BEHIND the closed doors of the walled garden preparations for the two large annual beds have been underway. The dry spell of weather at the end of February has enabled us to cultivate the soil and during the last couple of weeks we have made a start on marking out the plots. But if you take a look at the instructions on a packet of hardy annual flower seeds it often says ‘sow direct in March’.

March can be a very changeable month and the soil can often be too wet for seed sowing. So what do you do? Well we have been sowing seeds in ‘plug trays’ for planting out when the soil conditions are more suitable.

So far we have only sown the hardy annuals. These need no additional heat for them to germinate and would naturally start to germinate around this time of year.

We use ‘plug trays’, those divided into individual cells, as the resultant plants are far easier to transplant than those from the more traditional seed tray. Other than this type of tray the method we use to sow the seeds is very traditional. At Osborne we use a coir based peat free compost and when we fill the plug trays we ensure

the surface is pressed down slightly. We normally sow a pinch of two to three seeds in the centre of each plug. Almost every seed should germinate but at this sowing density there is no need to thin the seedlings out. One thing I do prefer is to cover the seeds with the same compost as they have been sown onto. Some books suggest using sharp sand, grit, vermiculite or a mixture of these to use as a topping to cover the seeds.

But I feel a different topping can dry out at a different rate to the underlying compost making

watering much more difficult to judge.

That’s just my feeling and I’m sure others have just as much success with different techniques.

So far we have sown species such as Larkspur, Pot Marigold and Candy Tuft which are all hardy annuals so once they have been watered they can be put in the cold frames.

During April we will be sowing our half hardy and tender annuals but these will go into one of our glasshouses as they benefit from some heat and protection to get them going.

Friday March 20 2009

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lifestyle

Greener warmth from Wight and Green WHEN is the best time to buy a wood burning stove? The answer is now. Most people wait until they feel the cold, pick up the phone and order a stove, only to find that the waiting time for stove and fitter is very long.

Wouldn’t it be better to feel the cold and then light the stove you had installed that summer, sit back and watch the flames gently lapping the glass?

Heat and efficiency may be the most important considerations, but view of the fire must follow closely. Clearview Stoves have been designed with exceptionally large and strong glass windows that give an excellent view of the fire.

Clearview’s fire-view has to be seen to be believed.

Wight and Green are the only official dealers for Clearview on the island, which means you will get a genuine Clearview, with a genuine Clearview guarantee. They pride

themselves on having the friendliest team, from sales to installation, and will happily come and see you to give you advice.

Clearview stoves are easy to light and will burn for long periods unattended. Many of the people Wight and Green speak to around the Island, especially at last year’s summer shows, have now experienced Clearview and would not go back to a lesser stove. The longevity and quality of the stove itself, coupled with the economy of precious fuel, fits in with today’s lifestyle.

There are many stoves in the Clearview range and a size, style and colour to suit any situation.

Wight and Green have stock waiting – phone them on 07826 091157 or check the web site (www.wightandgreen.com).

Wight and Green believe in local biomass as the major fuel of the future. They do not sell gas stoves.

They do not sell electric heaters.

Dignity and respect at Pets at Rest

PETS At Rest, in Pan Lane Newport, now have a brand new pet hearse. This black Mondeo estate will ensure that your pet makes its final journey in style.

“You can be absolutely sure that your pet will be treated with the dignity and respect you require,” said Sue Hemmings of Pets At Rest. “We are members of the Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria (APPCC), and abide by their strict code of practice and we’re also members of the Island’s Buy With Confidence Scheme,” she added.

Your pet can be laid in the Chapel of Rest for you to view. Burial can be natural, in a biodegradable coffin or in a handmade wooden coffin and your pet can be interred in the cemetery or home burials can be arranged.

If you opt for cremation you can be sure that your pet will be the only one in the crematorium during the cremation period. There is a beautiful garden of remembrance where ashes can be scattered or interred, and you can even have your ashes laid with your pet if you wish.

To advertise your deals to the Island, call the Gazette marketing department on 402599

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Friday March 20 2009

lifestyle hospice

Hospice News Earl Mountbatten Hospice - Newport

Pat the dog for the hospice Jilly Wheeler and her dog Cassie have raised over £10,000 for the hospice in just two years.

The money raised has been used for buying specialist pressure relieving mattresses for hospice in-patients. Much of the money has been raised by members of the public paying to ‘pat the dog’ Cassie, a beautiful black German Shepherd. “Being a bit of a Diva she seems to enjoy all the attention!” commented Jilly.

Jilly and Cassie are now continuing their fundraising for the hospice all across the Island.

When she is collecting you will find Cassie wearing her bright yellow hospice uniform!

able for the fashion show taking place in Bon Marche, Newport on Thursday 26th March at 6pm.

Tickets are only £3 each and are available from the store. As well as seeing the latest range, guests at the fashion show can enjoy a raffle and 40 per cent off their shopping on the night when they spend over £20.

Music quiz night tonight

Teams are still welcome to join the music quiz tonight (20th March) at Newport Football club. It’s a 7.30pm start and it costs £10 for a team of four people. There will be a raffle on the night and all the money raised at the event will go the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

Tickets selling out for Have a heart auction Bon Marche fashion for the hospice Donations for the Have a Heart show Auction held by Barchester The last few tickets are avail-

Healthcare have been flooding in. The auction to be held at

Walk the Wight May 17 2009

Barchester Care Home, Fairlee Road, Newport on 28 March from 2pm (viewing from 12 noon) now includes the chance to fly a plane, have a day of sailing, a day in a Jag and horse riding lessons to name just a few.

Look out for the leaflets that are being widely distributed across the Island. All money raised by the auction will be coming to the hospice for patient care. For more details call the hospice fundraising team on 528989.

£300 cheque presented by Vectis Searchers

A cheque for £300 was presented to the Earl Mountbatten Hospice at a meeting of the Vectis Searchers metal detecting club.

A retiring member of the club donated a metal detector which was then used as the star prize in a club draw.

The Gazette with your help has so far raised

£15,710

Hospice Fundraising: Telephone - 528989

Register at www.iwhospice.org

the gazette

you...

Friday MARCH 20 2009

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gazette feature

Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 409928

The Pugh view

of their cars and onto buses.

DP: We’ve had the biggest shift from cars to buses in the country with our concessionary fares scheme. But that’s why we don’t want to penalize car users as well. We’ve given an awful lot to bus users, now we need to help vehicles out as well. If you have an eco-friendly car you get your parking permit for free so there’s the incentive. But we don’t see the permit as an alternative form of tax; it’s not about it being an income generator.

If it works at a loss, so be it, but we see our role as providing parking at affordable prices for residents around the Island.

Our bus subsidy is nearly £7m a year. There’s only so much we can put into the buses on the Island. It’s a private company – if we gave them money they’d still put prices up.

The real thing we need to achieve in the longer term is some competition in the bus industry. Generally local authorities aren’t in the business of running bus companies – just the start-up costs would be astronomical.

There are other bus companies in Southampton – they’ve got four or five – but really in the current climate the ability to attract one in will be limited but we will explore it. There have been problems in the past when there have been other bus companies that Southern Vectis will run services in advance of them. They’re such a vast company – they can do that.

You’re really taking on one of the big boys when you take on Southern Vectis.

Ryde Interchange

ON SCHOOLS: “Our results at the age of 11 are the worst in the country”

Gaz: What’s the hold-up with the Ryde Interchange?

DP: It’s a bit like the Undercliff – things hadn’t been done properly in the past, and the DfT aren’t going to allow us to spend the money unless we do things properly. There’s also an issue with a six-month rolling lease contract on the land from Network Rail which could be taken away at any time. We don’t want to build all of that for it to be taken away, so we’ve looked very carefully with Network Rail about how we can get some assurance on that because we can’t be spending that level of public money and then having the land taken away from us once it’s built. We’ve got assurances formally in place now and that will help, we’re pressing on but not before time.

Schools

ON TRANSPORT: “The real thing we need to achieve in the longer term is some competition in the bus industry”

ON WIND POWER: “All renewable technologies have to be considered – it shouldn’t be any one in isolation”

Gaz: Changing tack, what do you say to those who claim that you promised when you got voted in that you wouldn’t change the school system until the next election?

DP: And we’re not, actually. One thing we did say was that we would keep the three-tier system until the case could be proved against. This debate has been raging on the Island for years. I’ve been open-minded about it because I went through the current school system. We said ‘let’s look at this, let’s be open-minded, let’s get it all out there’. What came back was that the majority of people who came back said that they wanted to go two-tier; three-tier is holding the Island back – we can’t get the teachers recruited and it’s disjointed because of the way it’s set up.

Now people want to crack on with it but what we said, because of the democratic mandate, was that we will not implement the final change.

People say we’re preparing for it, but we’ve got a duty to do so. We can’t hang around forever, but people can

reverse it or point us in another direction in June.

My gut instinct is that the majority of Islanders just say ‘get on with it’.

People would be pulling their hair out if we said at this stage, ‘oh, we’re going to put it on hold’. The Island has debated this issue for years and years.

Our results at the age of 11 are the worst in the country. The primary schools have got to take on the challenge of driving up the results of our 11-year-olds with those extra two years. It’s going to be a big task for them in the next couple of years.

I went through school with people who didn’t have huge amount of aspiration to go on and do things.

We always take the view that every young person should get off the Island for a few years and then come back like I did.

We do need to provide some better opportunities. We do have some really high-tech firms coming here – you look at the Vestas, the Gurits and some of the others in the defence industries. There are some good opportunities there. We need to cater for everyone and we haven’t always done that in the past. It’s been too weighted towards seasonal employment but tourism will change that in the longer term as people start to come to the Island at all times of the year. It’s been too weighted towards low-paid jobs, and that doesn’t provide aspiration.

Wind turbines

Gaz: And finally, where do you stand on the wind turbines debate?

What would you say to the people of Shorwell, most of whom are against the proposed wind farm on Cheverton Down?

DP: Obviously as the Cheverton Down plan is a live planning issue and is before the council it would be premature to offer a view one way or another.

What I would say to the people of Shorwell is that we passed the Council’s Island Plan in December, which is the new planning framework, which says that applications for turbines in our AONB [Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty] will not be allowed unless the aggregate economic benefits of the outweigh the social, environmental and economic impact.

That is a judgement that the IW Council planning committee can make. It is quite a high threshold for any application within the AONB to overcome. They’ve got to meet that threshold and it’s up to us to assess it.

I know Shorwell Parish Council have put in an incredibly detailed case and I think that bodes well for the argument they’re fighting.

Some people argue that people are attracted to the turbines and actually want to go and see them. There are two sets of potential economic impacts – there’s the benefit of having a firm like Vestas on the Island and that has to be weighed against the detrimental effect it could have on tourism.

Gaz: Are you in favour of wind power as a general principle?

DP: All renewable technologies have to be considered – it shouldn’t be any one in isolation. What the council did say in 2006, and this remains our energy policy, is that due to intimate nature of the Island’s landscape, generally it isn’t suitable for onshore turbines, but obviously there may be some exceptions to that. Unlike some stretches of the Cornwall coast that are just vast, the Island is quite a small place.

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gazette feature

the gazette

Friday MARCH 20 2009

Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 409928

They’re under

Friday MARCH 20 2009

the gazette

Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 409928

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gazette feature

starter’s orders…

THE GAZETTE continues its look at leading Island attractions. This time we turn our attention to one that happens just once a year – weather permitting – the Isle of Wight Grand National and Ashey Scurry THOUSANDS of enthusiasts will be heading towards West Ashey Farm, Ryde on Sunday March 29 for what has become one of the most eagerly awaited events on the Island calendar – particularly for equestrian fans.

The IW Grand National and Ashey Scurry has grown in popularity over the past few years, despite being the victim of adverse weather conditions. Two years ago the event had to be called off because of a waterlogged track, while last year it was put back a couple of weeks because of snow.

So it’s fingers – and possibly hooves – crossed that this year’s event, open to amateur riders from across the Island, and held over cross country, post and rail and natural hedges, will go ahead as planned.

Organisers are hoping that the 2008 Grand National winner, Sophie Sheldon, will take time off from her studies at Newcastle University to return to defend her title on Shalcombe Skyline.

All the races, especially those for youngsters, have to be limited in numbers for safety reasons, and this is achieved by splitting them into different sections. So depending on the number of hardy souls who fancy negotiating two laps of the Grand National course in pursuit of the Blackgang Chine Cup, there could be more than one winner!

So what do you need to enter? Basically, a horse and the entry fee – £5 or £10 depending on the class – or £20 if a late entry is accepted.

So those who don’t fancy the extra outlay should make sure their entry is in before the official closing date of Monday (March 23).

By Peter White The action gets underway at noon on March 29 with the Island Webservices Puffing Billy Stakes.

That is followed by the HY Duke Puffed Out Billy Stakes before the non-competitive Hunt Members’ Ride and Hound Parade.

Then the action really warms up with the FH Winter Ashey Scurry Open Race, won last year by Izzy Brown on George. The Grand National, sponsored by Creasey Biles and King, gets under orders at around 2.30pm.

But it’s not just about the winning. The Havenstreet Cup is awarded to the highest placed heavyweight – over 13 stones – in any class, to be nominated on the day.

And if it’s looks rather than performance that catches the eye, then competitors will be hoping to claim the Turnout Award, a rosette for the best turned out horse or pony in each division.

There is ample car parking, say the organisers, but perhaps a more exciting way of reaching the venue is by train from Havenstreet or Smallbrook Junction. Timetables and more information are on the www.iw-scurry. co.uk website.

Aintree it ain’t, but it’s all good fun. And it will continue the tradition of horse racing on the Island that began, according to records, as long ago as 1860 at Bowcombe.

That was followed by the Ashey Races between 1890 and 1931, which was also for professionals riding horses coming by train from as far away as Northampton and Newmarket.

The first recorded Point-to-Point was in 1897 at Limerstone and other venues at later dates included Yafford, Gatcombe, and Atherfield. In the 1950s the IW point-to-point was actually moved to the mainland.

The current venue was revived in 1992 when Island horses competed against each other as well as some from Hampshire. And over the past 17 years the event has continued to grown in popularity – despite the occasional uninvited raincloud.

16

the gazette

gazette property

Friday MARCH 20 2009

Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 409928

THE FIRS, FRESHWATER BAY - £399,950 • Five Bedrooms • Character Property • Income Potential (B&B) • Sea Views • Flexible Accommodation • All Bedrooms En-Suite

The Firs is a character residence close to Freshwater Bay with 2/3 Reception Rooms, 4/5 Bedrooms all En-suite, Garage, Garden and sea views form the first floor. Located in The Square, the beach is a short walk away. The Firs retains many original features including the staircase and galleried landing, picture rails, ceiling coving and deep skirting boards.

This versatile home offers the possibility of income by easy conversion to B & B. The Living room, Bedroom and Bathroom on the ground floor could be used for owner’s accommodation or as an Annexe for an elderly relative.

A very well cared for three bedroom semi detached home situated close to the town centre of Newport.

With all its shops, schools and amenities Newport is a prime location for all ages.

Benefiting from far reaching views and a private garden, this property really does offer the best of both worlds.

ROYAL EXCHANGE, NEWPORT - £124,450 • Fitted Kitchen • Living/ Dining Room • 1st Floor Bathroom • Garden • Patio Area • Convenient Location A period terraced house, which has been renovated by the present owner to provide a delightful home with Two Bedrooms, Fitted Kitchen, Living/ Dining Room, Bathroom and Garden. Located close to Newport Town centre in Royal Exchange with a convenience store and schools close by. The property would be ideal for a first time buyer or as a Buy to Let.

re Pr du ic ct e io n

re Pr du ic ct e io n

ELM GROVE, NEWPORT £169,000

Friday MARCH 20 2009

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gazette property

Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 409928

LITTLESTAIRS ROAD, SHANKLIN - £335,000

• Five Bedrooms • Three Reception Rooms • Master Bedroom En-Suite • Bespoke Fitted Kitchen • Splash Pool • Sea Views This detached family residence is situated in a popular location with its own large garden with splash pool and views toward the English Channel. Serenity was originally built in the 1930s. Extended in the 1980s and has recently undergone a programme of renovation with re-fitted bespoke ‘William Ball’ kitchen, re fitted bathroom and ‘Valliant’ pressurised hot water system. Located midway between Shanklin & Lake, which has a lovely sandy beach with safe swimming due to generally calm waters.

This deceptively spacious maisonette comprises Four Bedrooms, Kitchen/Diner, Living Room, Shower Room, WC, Garden and Off Road Parking. The sandy beaches of Sandown are accessible and have safe swimming due to generally calm waters. The property has sea views and views across the Island.

VEREKER DRIVE, EAST COWES - £219,950 • Chain free Conservatory • Modern Kitchen • Gardens • Garden Terrace • Garage A detached bungalow which has been refurbished and improved by the present owners with a newly fitted Kitchen, Bathroom, Conservatory, landscaped Gardens and new carpets throughout. The property also has Two Bedrooms, Living/Dining Room, Driveway parking and Garage. East Cowes is the terminus of the car and passenger ferry from Southampton.

re Pr du ic ct e io n

In N st e ru w ct io n

VICTORIA ROAD, SANDOWN £189,950

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the gazette

gazette motoring

Friday MARCH 20 2009

Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 409928

Open day at Isle of Wight Motorcycles ISLE of Wight Motorcycles of Daish Way in Newport are hosting an open day on Saturday March 28 to launch some new models and to promote motorcycling and scootering in 2009 as an ideal way to get around the Island.

l Launch of the new Suzuki GSX-R1000 K9 (Preview Day Thursday March 26) Own the racetrack: Boasting an all-new compact engine, shorter wheelbase and new styling, the new GSX-R1000 raises the bar once more in the hotly-contested Supersport class. The all-new chassis makes the GSX-R1000 more agile than ever before.

With this unique engine chassis package, the aggressive aesthetics and rider controls top-off the Suzuki flagship GSX-R. l Win a new GSX-R1000 K9 in Isle of Wight Motorcycles’ freeto-enter guess the 09 registration competition, in conjunction with Suzuki GB. Just call in to enter, between March 26 and April 5

2009, terms and conditions apply. l See Suzuki’s all-new Gladius 650 A new naked middleweight model, featuring Suzuki’s legendary 650cc V-Twin engine, the Gladius boasts unique styling in a userfriendly package. With a fuel injected, twin plug head engine delivering enhanced performance, combined with great style and neutral lightweight handling, the Gladius is perfect for first time or experienced riders alike. l New and used sales all under one roof See the Suzuki, Piaggio, Vespa & Derbi ranges of motorcycles and scooters, all conveniently in one location. For a total biking experience visit Isle of Wight Motorcycles at Daish Way, Newport with plenty of free parking. l Return of VAT Free Shopping On Saturday March 28 Isle of Wight Motorcycles will reintroduce its successful VAT Free Shopping promotion for one day only, on all goods sold within

The Suzuki GSX-R1000 K9

the shop. So grab a bargain on Suzuki, Spada, Draggin & Weise clothing ranges, Bike-It, Oxford & Motrax accessories plus many

more savings.

Free refreshments will be provided during the open day, which runs from 8am to 5.30pm. So book

the date in your diary and we will greet you on the day.

Isle of Wight Motorcycles, tel: 522675

Van month at Harwoods Renault AS PART of Renault Van Month, which runs until the end of March, Harwoods Renault is offering free ply-lining, plus either free air conditioning or 12 months’ UK road fund licence for anyone registering a Kangoo Van, New Kangoo Compact, Trafic, Master Panel Van and Trafic and Master passenger vehicles.

The new Kangoo Van

Tell us your news!

Heard something interesting or have a story to tell?

Contact the editorial team on 409928 or email: newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk

Customers can also benefit from 0% APR typical over four years, for £99 deposit.

Paul Hunt, sales director at Harwoods, said: “Whether you’re a man with a van or you’re

responsible for an entire fleet, this is a great offer for anyone considering a new vehicle for their business.

“Each van from the Renault van range is stylish, comfortable and practical and there is a van to suit all needs.

The new Kangoo Van was launched just last month and since then has attracted lots of interest thanks to its bigger capacity and smart looks.”

For more information on Renault van month, visit Harwoods on Lushington Hill, Wootton, call 885500 or click onto their website at www.harwoodsgroup. co.uk.

Instructors join forces ELEVEN of the Island’s leading driving instructors have joined forces to form the DVLI (Driving Lessons Isle of Wight) network.

The network is looking to offer “an exceptional service” to learner drivers, and claims that it will get people through their test in a shorter time than the national average. No trainee instructors are used.

See www.drivinglessonsiw.co.uk for further details.

Friday MARCH 20 2009

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gazette motoring

Q5 top of the class

By Jamie White

THE NEW Audi Q5 has arrived. And I can tell you: it’s impressive.

So what would I have guessed about this new Q5? I’d have guessed that the Q5 is looked at as the baby brother of the Q7, and manufacturers have used the same platform as the A4. But being heavier and taller, it shouldn’t handle nearly as well. All I can say is that I’m glad I came into this with my eyes wide open.

The model I took out on to the Island’s roads was a 3.0 litre V6 TDI Quattro version, with a powerful 237bhp. Its 0-62mph time is 6.5 seconds, which is a very useful level of performance for a car such as this.

The Q5’s design is safe and secure, with obvious links to other Audi products such as the A3 (front lights) and Q7 (tail-lamps). The front grille is seemingly even bigger than before and the chrome trim around it even thicker.

Perhaps most surprising of all, particularly given its

The Audi Q5: impressive in every respect

unprepossessing A4 underpinnings, is that the Q5 is enjoyable to drive on a decent road (admittedly hard to find on the Island), which are words you rarely hear about cars in this category. It steers precisely and it responds as you might expect a ‘normal’ car to.

There is also a new five-link front suspension and the axle load weight distribution is optimised to maintain the characteristic Audi driving sportiness.

The inside is a typical high standard Audi finish.

The quality of the interior is impressive, its layout logical and its operation entirely straightforward.

It’s not overly spacious, but there’s more than enough room in the back and boot.

With Standard, SE and S-Line levels of specification, depending on the choice of engine, the Q5 is really a clever and customer focused line-up.

The nearest rivals of the Q5 are the BMW X3, which I personally found to be a fairly pleasant drive, but it lives and will always live in the shadow of the X5. The Land Rover Freelander and Ford’s impressive new Kuga are also SUVs that people may take into consideration when contemplating a new purchase.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to test the Q5 thoroughly in rough off road terrain without running the risk of being chased off by a farmer waving his shotgun at me.

But after sampling the delights that the Q5 has to offer on the road, for me, it enters its class at the very top.

The Audi Q5 comes in a 2.0 litre TDI, TFSI or 3.0 litre V6 TDI version. Prices start from £27,070 at Esplanade Garage, Newport.

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See the Island by trike Advertising feature

YOU must have seen the amazing motor trikes that travel over to the Island for rallies at Bank Holiday weekends and wondered what it would be like to ride on one. Well now you can because Pure Trike Tours are the first on the Island to offer chauffeur driven rides on their stunning new Boom Family Trike. You can even visit the New Forest if you wish.

Build Your Business!

Advertise with The Gazette now by calling our sales team on 01983 402599

Steve Tosdevin on his Boom Family Trike, which can now chauffeur you around both the Island and the New Forest

What a wonderful birthday or anniversary surprise it could be for this shiny monster to arrive to take you to lunch or just for a spin. Imagine your teenage son or daughter’s face if it turned up at a birthday party or took them to a prom. And to arrive at your wedding on this trike, decorated with ribbons and flowers, would definitely make a statement.

Your chauffeur, Steve Tosdevin, has over 30 years’ experience riding bikes and as a born and bred Islander he knows the Island very well.

Whether it’s a short half hour taster or a full day tour he can cater for most needs and budgets with prices starting from as little as £35 per tour, which includes helmets (if required), safety sunglasses, jackets, gloves and waterproofs should it be wet.

With a modern 1.6 Ford Zetec motor and space for two passengers, the trike is fitted with a safety restraint bar and seat belts.

Children are welcome but under-13s must be accompanied by an adult.

Pure Trike Tours can pick you up from your home or hotel and tours can be tailored to suit you, with the request that you dress as if going for a walk with sturdy shoes and suitable clothes.

Feel the freedom of the wind in your face as you cruise along the country highways and byways enjoying the thrill of the ride and the gaze of those you pass. Just call Steve on 07548360791 or email him at steve66tosdevin@hotmail.com

Tourism businesses hear plans for promotion of Island ‘brand’ ISLAND tourism businesses were given a sneak preview of the new marketing material that will be supporting them in the coming season at a tourism open day organised by the IW Chamber of Commerce.

The familiar pocket guides, the first of which comes out on March 24, have been given a makeover by Cowes-based designer Aaron Rudd. The first two editions, covering the period March-October, will have a print run of 250,000 each.

Zoe Stroud, the chamber’s marketing manager, also revealed that Go Wight, the video-based website for Island tourism, had gone live and was receiving an average of 170 unique visitors per day.

Claire Robertson, head of communications for the IW Council, gave details of the Island’s brand marketing campaign, which went live in January and is using a £340,000 budget to target the Midlands and the London/South East region. The campaign, built around the tagline ‘Just Add Water’, has been created by Southampton-based Lawton Communications.

The chamber’s chief executive, Kevin Smith, explained that in time it was anticipated that the two websites for Island tourism, www.gowight.co.uk and www.islandbreaks.co.uk, would merge, though it was undecided which would be the lead domain name.

TwinTalk offers two telephone lines for the price of one

WEST Wight Audio of Freshwater are offering business users the chance to make their BT phone lines work twice as hard with the option of a TwinTalk pack.

The TwinTalk units work with BT’s Call Sign service to allow separate numbers to operate on a single phone line. This is especially useful for small and start-up businesses, particularly

those who work from home, as domestic and business calls can easily be recognised and answered separately. Additionally, individual answering machines may be used to take messages for each number.

Small businesses can create a professional impression with a second number without the cost of installing and renting a second phone line. If you already have

two BT phone lines, you can have four different telephone numbers using a TwinTalk unit on each line. For example, businesses could have a different number each for four departments, but still only rent two lines.

The TwinTalk pack costs £34.25 (for a pair of units) and the BT Call Sign service £1.71 per month.

Friday MARCH 20 2009   

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Chris wins as Local kids miss out - claim Brading Haven Claims have been made that local youngsters are not being allowed to play in the popular Easter soccer tournament on the Island because they are not a big enough money-spinner for the mainland organisers.

The tournament, played at several venues across the Island, has been running for more than 25 years, and used to be organised by local volunteers. But since Romfordbased Sports Tours have taken over the event it is claimed they want mainland teams involved so they can cash in on supplying expensive Easter accommodation.

Barrie Wade, Shanklin FC club secretary, insists Sports Tours have already admitted it is more lucrative not to invite Island sides. He describes their actions as “scandalous” and has written to MP Andrew Turner and IW Council leader David Pugh asking them to investigate. They have promised to look into the matter.

Mr Wade said: “As a club we have nine boys’ teams and we

By Peter White

have been proud to enter up to 100 boys in the tournament, who all look forward to it, along with family and friends.

“This year as we hadn’t heard anything about the tournament we contacted Sports Tours and were told there were limited spaces for Island teams that had already been taken.

The exact number, out of more than 40 teams, was just eight across the whole age range.

“Then another Island manager told me his team were not attending and Shanklin under-11s could take their place. But Sports Tours said they were not prepared to give the space to another Island team because, in their words, ‘we don’t make money from Island teams’. Obviously Sports Tours provide accommodation and as Islanders we don’t need it, so they miss out.”

Mr Wade added: “This is a mainland company operating a tournament here, using council and schools pitches, yet Island teams are not invited because

we don’t make them money.

“We think this is absolutely scandalous and lets down our children. We believe we are victims of discrimination through greed of a private company who use facilities that we pay for through council tax.”

Stephen Dacosta, director of Sports Tours, said: “We have just taken over control of this event and we set out our plan to allow up to eight teams per age group with our first event.

“We have been organising tournaments in the UK and Europe for 20 years and we are not used to so many local teams wanting to enter our tournaments. We are pleased with the response received from Isle of Wight teams and we hope to organise two or three events next year and except to be able to cater for up to ten teams per age group.

“As with this year’s event, when we have eight teams in a particular age group, then I am afraid we are not able to enter more teams.

“This year we have 38 teams consisting of up to nearly

2,000 people who will be travelling from the mainland to the Island. These customers will be spending a vast amount of money, which will be supporting the Island’s economy.

Within three years, we hope to be a large contributor to the Island’s economy.”

Mr Dacosta added: “In previous years this has been a three-day festival. Unfortunately, the holiday centres we are working with will only permit our customers to arrive on Easter Friday and depart on Easter Monday, which means the festival has been reduced to two days. As with all organised events, we do have to watch our costs and we are no different from any other commercial company.”

This year there are 16 Island teams and 37 mainland teams in the tournament.

Mr Dacosta pointed out that the mainland teams have been charged a registration fee of £119 (7 a side) or £169 (11 a side) per team, while the Island teams have been charged £50 (7 a side) and £75 (11 a side).

break the ice

By Richard Collins

THE ICE Breaker Series got underway at Brading Haven Yacht Club in mild weather conditions, attracting nine dinghies on the start line.

Roger Herbert took his turn as race officer for the afternoon session on a course set in the western half of Bembridge Harbour.

With a mixture of Scows, Mirrors, Herons and Picos, it was Marten Springett who led the field down towards the first mark.

After three rounds of the course, it was Marten in his Heron who took both handicap and line honours, with the Scow of Chris Wilkinson in second place and Robin Lobb third, sailing his Mirror.

The second race of the day was set on slightly different course. Chris Wilkinson took an early lead, but not without several challenges from the rest of the fleet.

The race concluded with a neck and neck finish over the line with Robin Lobb. On corrected time however, Chris was declared the winner, with Marten Springett in second place and Keith Gentleman a very close third, sailing a Scow.

Hurricanes’ winning run comes to an abrupt end

THE HURRICANES went into their match against East Dorset with high hopes, following a six-match unbeaten run including recent victory over Farnborough. However, that winning streak came to end as they fell to a 14-7 defeat.

East Dorset had proved themselves to be strong opponents in last season’s championship, but a run of poor results this year had seen them drop into the bottom two.

This Hampshire One league doesn’t have any weak teams in it, and straight from the kick-off, East Dorset’s fly half found touch within the Hurries’ 22. From the resulting line out, the big Dorset forwards

By Jamie White battered the Hurries’ defensive line.

Phase after phase of ‘pick and go’ rugby made for slow progress but sapped the energy of the Hurries players. Within five minutes, a well placed kick over the top from the Dorset 10 bounced awkwardly and the home side’s scrum-half reacted and dived over the try line.

This first score certainly shook the Hurries and they tried to raise their game. Unfortunate injuries to prop Ricky Harris and birthday boy Sam Tolley meant early introductions to the game for Steele and Gough. Despite this renewed enthusiasm, the visitors were finding it difficult to get out of their half and were finding them-

selves under relentless pressure.

More phases of ‘pick and go’ from the Dorset forwards were getting them close to the try line on numerous occasions, and inevitably from one such set of play, the Hurries’ defence was unable to stop the Dorset back-rower from crashing over. The try was converted and Sandown & Shanklin were 14-0 down.

The Hurries knew that they would have the fitness advantage over their opponents going into the second half, and also knew that they needed to score quickly to have any kind of chance of turning the game around.

With a slight wind advantage, Baxandall put in several long

kicks gaining field position. One kick was misfielded by the East Dorset winger, and from the resulting scrum, Joe Rees powered through four tackles and managed to offload the ball. The Hurries went through several quick phases that left the Dorset defence unable to reform. Ultimately, it was a long pass to Sam Rees that broke the defence and he showed his opponent the ball on the outside before crashing though on his inside shoulder. Thomas converted and the Hurries trailed by seven with 25 minutes to go.

In previous weeks, the Hurries have found that their opponent’s defence has tended to back off.

Unfortunately there was no such

luck this time round, with East Dorset continuing to be in the Hurries’ faces and forcing errors.

The Hurries usually dominant pack was beating their opponents, but failing to secure clean ball.

The last 20 minutes saw opportunities at both ends, but despite their best efforts, the Hurries were unable to score the try that would have secured the draw.

However, the devastation of the loss quickly turned to elation, when the Hurries discovered rivals US Portsmouth had also failed to win. The Hurries face US Portsmouth at the Fairway ground on March 28, meaning that the victor will reach the play-off for the final spot in London South West 4.

Trampoline team soar to golds

IW COUNCIL Cabinet member for Children and Young People, Alan Wells, has sent his congratulations to Medina High School and its trampoline teams for such brilliant success at the recent National Schools Trampoline Finals in Birmingham.

Table tennis triumph

GEORGINA Clarke and Frank Cooper (above) triumphed at the handicap doubles tournament

at the Totland over-50s table tennis club.

Runners-up were Pam Wyatt and Ian Trainor.

“To come home with two team golds and a team silver against some of the UK’s top athletes shows we have real sporting talent on the Island,” said Cllr Wells. “There was also incredible individual success in both the boys and girls categories. Each member of the Medina High School team should be congratulated, as should their teachers.

“This success can only help inspire other youngsters on the Island to take up sporting activities, and with the Island Games being hosted by ourselves in 2011, results like this can only boost the Island’s sporting reputation.”

At the championships, Medina High School won the following: U15 Novice Girls Team (silver); Laura Roberts, U15 Novice Girls (gold); U19 Boys Novice Team (gold); U19 Boys Elite Team (gold); and Jamie Cass, U19 Boys Novice (gold).

Members of Medina High School’s triumphant trampoline team

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Master John breaks record

ISLE of Wight Masters, now known as Isle of Wight Marlins Swim Club, held their annual Open Meet for swimmers aged 18 to 90 plus at the Heights Leisure Centre in Sandown.

The competition is now in its 11th year.

As in previous successive meets, records tumbled, with new British, European and even world times being swum.

Although the competitors were fewer in numbers than in some of the earlier meets, the friendly atmosphere remained at the Heights, one the first indoor public pools built on the Island.

In total 110 swimmers, including 13 from Isle of Wight Marlins and nine from West Wight, enjoyed a full programme of events over two days with some very fast swims being recorded, including six British, six European records and one world record. However, it is always pleasing to welcome adult swimmers of all abilities, many of whom were enjoying swimming for their first time in Masters competition.

The record breakers were Anne Bourne, 55, from Camp Hill Edwardians Swimming Club in Birmingham and John Harrison, 95, this year, swimming for the Royal Navy team. Both entered the Masters swimming record books five years ago at the Heights in 2004, when in their previous age groups.

Anne, who was accompanied by her GB coach Gerry Thain, is a regular Heights competitor, as is John.

Anne’s 800m swim in 10 minutes, 49.23 secs was a new British and European Masters record in the 55-59 years age group.

John, now swimming in the 95-99 years age group, was creating a new page in the Masters swimming history book with his five new British and European times. No British swimmer has ever swum in this age group before! Not looking his age and certainly not five years older than in 2004, John jumped into the pool and proceeded to set two freestyle and three backstroke records, the last of which was a world record, off which he shaved a whole three quarters of a minute!

His times were: 100m freestyle 2.43.76; 200m freestyle 5.55.45; 50m backstroke 1.13.45; 100m backstroke 2.57.20 (set at the half way point in his 200m backstroke swim in 6.18.51), which was also a world record.

Event ‘records’ were made in the 50 and 100m freestyle by 24-yearold Philip Muspratt from Salisbury, when he recorded the fastest times in the eleven years of Masters’ competition at the Heights, in a time of 53.96 secs for the 100m, and in the 50m freestyle his time of 24.77 was just over half a second faster than that of 19-year-old Island Games team swimmer Sam Tinson-Wood 25.32, making a very exciting penultimate finishing event to the meet.

The final event was a successful record attempt on the 100 and 200 metres backstroke world record by John Harrison, which brought the

John Harrison, 95, with referees Bob Cooper from Middlesex and David Carter from Bedfordshire

entire pool crowd to its feet cheering and clapping. Some of John’s earlier swims set times not previously attempted in his age group but John had to swim faster than a 95-year-old American in this last race to achieve a world record, which he did in great style.

(All records are of course, subject to ratification by respective swimming governing bodies).

Teams compete for the Heights aggregate cup and was won for the second year in succession

by Ruislip and Northwood with

234 points. London based Otter Masters were second 144 points with West Wight in third place with 128.

Isle of Wight Marlins were close behind in fourth place with 122 points. Twenty six clubs from all over the south and west of the country were joined this year by swimmers from Italy and Germany, giving the occasion a truly international dimension.

Marlins swimmers won 29 Gold medals in total, 13 silver and three bronze.

As always, the staff at the Heights Leisure Centre, warmly welcomed the swimmers and team of hard working officials, who were led by referees Bob Cooper and David Carter, both of whom are from the mainland but have Island based families. All seem enjoy the annual event, (especially the catering!) as much as the participants .

Full lists of results of the competition can be found on the Isle of Wight Masters swimming website: www.iwmastersswimming.co.uk

Islanders prepare for Gardner digs in Open weekend new speedway season

PRACTICE sessions for the Wightlink Islanders Speedway team have started, and managers Chris Hunt and Kevin Shepherd have been using the sessions to cast their eyes over contenders for the two remaining places open in this year’s Wightlink Islanders one to eight.

Fans can rest assured that the entire 2009 squad of riders will be present at the club’s official press and practice session on March 24. Young Aussie Ryan Sedgmen, who has been racing in his homeland throughout our winter months, will also be present at the event.

Ryan intends to fly over here together with his dad and brother, but has warned them that if they’re not ready when he is, then he’ll leave Australia and come over to the Island without them!

The riders will also be at the final pre-season session at the end of the month as they complete their preparations for the new season that begins the with first leg of a home and away challenge fixture against the Bournemouth Buccaneers at the Wave 105 stadium on Tuesday April 7.

The club’s management are confi-

THE OUTSTANDING round of the week at Freshwater Bay Golf Club was returned by 19-handicapper

By Jamie White Paul Gardner in the Medal, a net 58 that no one could get within five shots, and dent that it’s an exciting season ahead on the Island and that the decision not was ample to give him first place in Division Two. to operate at Premier League level was the right one.

The aim is to put together a side capable of becoming the first winners of the newly-formed National League, as their new slogan states, ‘We’re in it to win it!’

The have also said they are very grateful to Wightlink car ferries for agreeing to continue their team sponsorship. It means that all speedway fans travelling to and from the Island from Portsmouth on race-days, will be able to get the popular discounted ‘Wightlink Flyer’ ticket.

However, there was some sad news at the home of Island speedway recently, as it was announced that a long-time member of the trackstaff, ‘Buzz’ Terry, has died.

Buzz was known as a real character around the club and commuted to the Island from the Southampton area every race night. A staff member for the Islanders, said: “We will certainly miss his cheery smile and banter.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”

Pete Miller (16) finished in second with a 63 and Kev Miles (15) took third place on 68, easing out James Brett on count back. In Division One the scoring was of a similar standard, with Richard Frost and Myles Taylor finishing second and third respectively both playing off 6 and carding

66. Pole position went to Tony Keen (10) with a net 65.

On a more lighthearted note, a South African three ball stableford was won by Geoff Smith, Fred Smith and John Sexton on 160 points. Tony Keen, Ian Ball and Chris West finished second on the same score by losing out on back nine count back.

The junior stableford was three competitors manage to slash their handicaps by a total of seven shots. Sammi Keen (14) romped home with 46 points ahead of George Faulkner (35) on 43 points and Ryan Harmer (16) on 41.

By Peter White

SHANKLIN & Sandown Golf Club are inviting new and existing golfers to attend an Open Weekend on Saturday March 21 and Sunday March 22, with all ages and standards welcome.

There will be an opportunity to play nine holes of golf and take part in coaching sessions run by Peter Hammond, PGA Club Professional.

Members will also be on hand to show guests around and talk about the special ‘On the Day’ membership opportunities.

Further information can be obtained by calling 403217 or visiting the website at www.ssgolfclub.com.

Alliance honour for Brian

THE IW Seniors Golf Alliance held their annual dinner and AGM at Shanklin Conservative Club, attended by 97 members from the eight golf clubs on the Island.

Brian Allan, one of the founding members of the Senior Alliance, was presented with a gift for his 18 years’ service. He will continue to play as a member.

By Peter White

Trevor Philcox was presented with a gift for his previous and ongoing service in auditing the accounts.

John Gadd, of Newport GC, the outgoing captain, was presented with a pewter tankard to commemorate his year as captain, and Wally Shennan, of Freshwater GC was presented with the

Captain’s Shield as incoming captain for 2009.

The vice captain for 2009 will be Roger Neill, Osborne GC. Freshwater GC were presented with the Arthur Butt Shield for gaining most points in the Seniors Alliance competitions, and Cowes were presented with the Shield for winning the Seniors League.

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Garry goes for gold glory

By Jamie White

KEEN sportsman Garry Newton is gearing up for his first ever Island Games later this year after overcoming serious illness and injury.

Garry, 31, is hoping he can excel in the shot-put and discus at the Games, which this year take place in Almand, near Sweden, in June/July. But it has been an emotional and hard fought battle to get where he is today.

Garry was interested in athletics from a young age, but football was his real passion, in particular beach soccer. He was one of the first players to take part in organised beach soccer on the Island when it started in 2002.

Garry’s goalkeeping ability was spotted

by Sandown Sociedad manager, Luke Kerr, and he soon became their first choice shot-stopper. Consistent performances for Sociedad earned him a trial for the England beach soccer team in 2006.

But suddenly his life took a dramatic turn for the worse when, out of the blue, he was told he had a cancerous tumour in his large intestine.

He recalls: “I was in pretty good shape, and my fitness levels were high. But then I started feeling sick, and over the space of a month, I lost about a stone in weight, so I decided to go to see the doctor. He said it could be any number of things causing it. But then the pain started getting worse.

“I decided enough was enough, and I had lost about two stone in two months. I paid to go and see a specialist because it seemed as if I wasn’t getting anywhere.

He got me an appointment at the hospital the next day.”

That was when the cancer was discovered. “I lost another stone in about three days and the pain was just unbearable and I was in casualty permanently. I went from 15 stone down to 11½ stone in the space of two months. I just didn’t know what was going on.

“I had an operation, and they took out the whole right side of my large intestine – around seven foot in length. I stayed in hospital for a week after that to recover, and then back to my parents while I built my strength back up.

“My chemotherapy started in January 2007. It was not a nice experience but I was determined to beat it. I felt weak, and was becoming very frustrated that I couldn’t do anything because I had to recover. I just felt tired all the time. I was getting very bored just sitting around the house doing nothing, so I made an agreement with my employer, Gurit, that I could go in the morning, but if I felt ill then I could go home. They were really good about it.

“The chemotherapy lasted around four months and I even did some fitness training towards the end of the treatment as I started to feel better.”

But Garry then suffered major ankle problems, brought on by playing beach soccer in the soft sand, so he decided to look again at athletics.

“As soon as my treatment finished, my intention was to get back into athletics. I wanted to build myself up and really give it a good go,” he said.

“I used to throw the javelin when I was younger, but I thought I would try the discus and shot-put. I was doing this, and training and power-lifting in the gym as my strength started to come back. I actually surprised myself with how far I could throw the discus and the shot. My training gradually became more intense and, with the help of Ray Scovell from the Island Athletics Club, my technique improved greatly.

“The Island Games was at the back of my mind, but I just thought that was a million miles away. Then I started to think I could do it, and was put into contention for the Games in January of this year. I was throwing beyond the qualification mark and I still have three months to get

Garry Newton: back from illness to compete in the Island Games

even better.”

Funding for the athletes at the Island Games is a problem though, as competitors in the track and field events have to primarily find the money for the trip themselves.

He added: “I have received funding and great support from R&N Conservatories and Sandham Office Supplies, but I still need to raise more money to support the trip. All in all the Games will cost each athlete about £700.

“It has been a very up and down couple of years for me, but I am really looking forward to the Games, and if I do win medal it will be fantastic, and show just how far I have come.”

Anyone inspired by Garry’s determination and would like to sponsor him can call him on 07518 346615.

Island sides make a point IN THE Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division, Newport were held to a 1-1 draw against Wimborne Town. Tom Mcinnes drew the home side level after the visitors had taken the lead.

Cowes Sports were also held to a 1-1 draw in their away match against Brockenhurst.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division,

Brading Town drew a stalemate against Alton Town at the Peter Henry Ground. Brading had several chances to snatch all three points, but it turned out to be one of those days for the Romans.

In Division 1, East Cowes Vics drew 1-1 with Downton thanks to a penalty from Kai Barnes.