the gazette isle of wight
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Sandown Pier: a tradition of fun Page 16
Friday May 29
- Thursday June 12 2009
A coastline in crisis? Page 18
In Lifestyle: Bridal feature
Festival plan to rout the touts
By Peter White
IW FESTIVAL organiser John Giddings has unveiled his ‘routthe-touts’ plan ahead of this year’s music extravaganza at Seaclose Park, Newport. Mr Giddings is frustrated that in past years ticket touts have exploited music fans arriving on the Island at the last minute by charging well over face value for a ticket. Now he hopes the get-rich-quick touts will be sent packing penniless. He has told The Gazette he will be holding back up to 1,000 tickets for the event, and they will be available to latecomers at normal prices. The festival – the eighth of the modern era – takes place from June 12 to 14, with Neil Young, The Prodigy and The Stereophonics among the main stage headline acts. There is also an array of musical talent in the Big Top, with the likes of McFly, Will Young, Ultravox, Bananarama, Sharon Corr and The Charlatans performing, providing what Mr Giddings believes will be a value-for-money festival to remember.
John Giddings: tickets held back
Mr Giddings said: “We have already sold over 50,000 tickets, and the signs are that it will be a sell-out. However, I plan to hold back 1,000 tickets for the festival days to try to beat the touts. “It really annoys me that touts, often operating from a house nearby, are able to walk up and down Fairlee Road making money for themselves by selling tickets at over-the-top prices. “I would rather not sell the tickets
than see them get into the hands of touts so they can make a big profit. I pay for the festival licence, the venue and the policing of the event, but it seems nothing is done to stop the touts. I would urge anyone who is looking for a ticket to ignore them.” He continued: “Now all I am praying for is good weather, if that is kind to us then it’s all systems go. I think we have an excellent blend this year.” Mr Giddings has also revealed he intends to keep the world-famous festival up and running for many more years to come, even if the venue has to be changed. He said: “The IW Council is considering a new deal for the festival, so as far as Seaclose is concerned it is very much up to them. I am very happy where we are, although I have already looked at a couple of alternative sites on the Island just in case. “I am not prepared to say where, but I can assure everyone it will not be Afton Down. That is just too far out of the way. I have never forgotten taking eight hours to walk there for the 1970 festival!” • See pages 4-5 for full festival details, including site map.
Ben’s other dream job BEN SOUTHALL was frontpage news earlier this month when he won the so-called ‘best job in the world’, being paid £74,000 to act as ‘caretaker’ of a tropical island in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. But what few people know is that Hampshire-born Ben has already had a stint working on a paradise island – the Isle of Wight! For five years, from 1997 to 2003, Ben worked in the Mumm’s champagne tent during Cowes Week. Speaking to The Gazette from his sun-kissed ‘workplace’, Hamilton Island, Ben said: “Having worked at Cowes Week I know what it’s like
Gateway Club is saved
A CLUB for Islanders with learning disabilities is to re-open its doors after being saved by an IW Council partnership grant and a donation from Shanklin Rotary Club. The former Gateway Club, which hosted members at Newport and Ryde, is to be re-launched under its original name of John’s Club, following the £10,000 grant and the Rotary gift of £3,000, coupled with other small but invaluable donations. John Phillips, who has voluntarily run the club for the past 14 years, expressed his
delight at the reprieve, and thanked all those who have supported his efforts to keep the club in existence. The much-needed revenue allows a new venture for teenagers and adults at John’s Club, while a club for children with learning disabilities is to be run by parents and friends at Ryde under a different banner. Mr Phillips said: “I am thrilled that we can continue. We now have enough money to keep us going while we look for further funding. It will enable us to run sessions
at St James’ Youth Club in Newport for members between 15 and 24, and then from 24 upwards on Saturdays and Sundays. “We will also be able to have a Friday club when we shall be travelling with members to different venues around the Island. I would like to thank everyone who has helped, including The Gazette for the fantastic publicity you have given us. “Obviously we could not have gone on without the Continued on page 2
to take myself away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland and find… the hustle and bustle of the brilliantly chaotic Cowes Week! “The IW is a pretty similar set-up to that on Hamilton Island really – what I initially assumed was a desert island here actually has its own yacht club, marina and race week so pretty much a home from home – apart from the crystal clear, 24-degree waters of the Coral Sea being slightly different to those of the Solent!” Ben is a keen sailor and will be honing his skills with the help of Glenn Bourke, CEO of Hamilton Island and an exVolvo Ocean racer.