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Gazette The Isle of Wight
Friday August 29 2008
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Will’s heady challenge
PAGE 4
Saucy but nice
PILOTS and businesspeople who use the IW Airport, Sandown, are preparing for a prolonged dogfight to prevent the site from being developed.
They fear the current owners, a development company with offices in Jersey and London who paid £3,057,500, has a target date of 2010 to close the airport.
There are conflicting reports about what Sandown IW Airport Ltd hopes to build. Islanders believe it could be homes but the agent for the owners, Wharf Land Investments, talked this week about a covered, high-quality leisure park. People opposing any change of use have strong points in their favour.
They say the land is covenanted to be an airstrip always and the covenant has been tested in the courts; a report commissioned by IW Council from Terence O’Rourke said there should only be development around the airstrip and not ON it. Until the Aviator Bar was destroyed by fire last New Year’s
Eve, the strip was one of the most popular destinations on the south coast for private flyers. On one busy Sunday a few years ago more than 160 aircraft flew in. And this week Island MP Andrew Turner said he believed the airfield should continue to be used for recreational flying. Mr Turner added: “We should
always bear in mind the possibility of a commercial operation starting up again in the future.” Opponents are also puzzled how the O’Rourke report was translated in the IW Council IW Plan as favouring quality leisure development ON the airfield. When they came to power in 2005, the Conservatives on IW
Continues page 2
Islanders a bit prudey
PAGE 5
The beat
Walkers smash record WALK the Wight has raised a re- enough of all the people involved.” cord £314,000 – £74,000 more than And the news get betters as, last week, last year – for the Earl Mountbatten readers of the Gazette gave £1,000 in Hospice and money is still coming. donations as they picked up their free
The 10,000 walkers and their sponsors have delighted hospice fundraisers with their efforts and generosity. David Cheek, of the hospice, said: “The walk is our biggest fundraising event of the year and so we always hope it will do well. “But this year we have made more than we expected and we cannot thank
copy of the newspaper. The paper has set a target of £50,000 for the year. People who have not given their money for Walk the Wight should go to and Island branch of HSBC bank or the hospice fundraising office. See pages 4 and 8.
Operation clean up
PAGE 11
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The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday AUGUST 29 2008
News
Buses get new lease of life
Shirley’s a real belter
Councillor resigns
A well-known councillor has left the IW council due to “personal commitments”. Cllr Melanie Swan, who represented Mount Joy said that her constituents deserved her full attention but due to ‘significantly more’ commitments on the mainland she would
no longer be unable to provide that. A professional artist, Cllr Swan defeated former council leader Shirley Smart to the seat, in the 2005 election. She had been Cabinet member for children until she resigned from that position last year.
FIREFIGHTERS were called to cut an elderly Freshwater woman from a car after she and her husband were in a head-on crash with a coach at Norton Green last Wednesday. Six holidaymakers from Yorkshire were bruised and shocked but
otherwise unhurt. It took 30 minutes to free the woman, who was on the passenger side of the Rover her husband was driving and was trapped by her legs. Her husband had punctured lungs.
Coach and car crash
PEOPLE power has saved an Island village from losing a bus service, which was a vital connection to neighbouring towns and their shops.
Southern Vectis had announced that route 29, which runs through Havenstreet to Wootton was being withdrawn at the end of this month. People on the route who relied on a daily service would not have been to get to either Ryde or Newport. The Post Office in Havenstreet has closed, making the situation worse. But, following a public meeting and other protests, the village has been promised a nearidentical replacement by IW Council, which owns Wightbus. Cllr Vanessa Churchman, whose ward route 29 passes through, confirmed that it was because of public protest that the Wightbus service was provided. IW Council will also subsidise routes 27 and 28 Stuart Love, director of environment and neighbourhoods, said the council was to able to do it because officers had identified way of running these services and funding them within existing budgets. He added, however: “While there is clear rationale for the council subsidising these services, should Southern Vectis decide to withdraw any further services during the current financial year we will not be in a position to subsidise them.” The 29 service provided by Wightbus will be at a slightly reduced level.
News round-up
Sinking and soaring
from the Department of Health to cut energy costs, to offset huge increase in gas, oil and electricity bills. Hovertravel, on the other hand, is hoping it will be possible eventually to drop the surcharge, now 20p for a single journey, The NHS plans to use grants of £1.6m imposed in July.
FOR the Island NHS, the soaring price of fuel will mean additional costs of half a million pounds a year. Yet a fall in oil prices has enabled Hovertravel to reduce its fuel surcharge.
Naked truth
WARNINGS against mixing alcohol and swimming were issued after a naked swimmer triggered a sea rescue. The Solent Coastguard helicopter was scrambled and the Ryde Inshore Rescue boat sent out when a member of the public heard calls
for help coming from the seafront at Appley at 2am. The rescue teams learned a fishing boat had taken the swimmer back to shore, and he had walked away. They believed he had been drinking. The Coastguard warned that swimming and alcohol ‘do not mix’.
From page 1
wants to build an aircraft hangar. The company suffered a set back on Tuesday when it was told if the hangar was built it would have to be demolished if the airfield closed. Cllr Brian Mosdell, has criticised the way the airfield issue has been handled. He told Tuesday’s meeting: “How this has been handled by the planning authority is a model of how not to handle planning permissions. “We need to sort this out before we make ourselves ridiculous.”
Concrete airstrip
Council seemed committed to keeping the airport and there was talk of concreting the grass strip, which opened in 1936. The council said then a developed airfield would encourage commercial operations and might even persuade countries and sports coming to the 2012 London Olympics to base themselves on the Island. One of the companies fighting for the airfield is Embassy Air Services, which
I will turn your life around and put you back in complete control
! LARGER-than-life Shirley Ballard, town crier for Godshill and the Island went on a busman’s holiday to Blackpool recently.
As well as enjoying a short break she took part in the resort’s Town Criers’ Championship, finishing eighth overall and winning the title Best Dressed Town Crier. Shirley, who gives any money she earns to charity, said: “I am so proud, especially for the Island.”
The compeition involved two ‘cries’. The first was a description of their homes, in Shirley’s case the Island, and the second was a weekend break in Blackpool. They had to be between 75 and 125 words and written by the contestants. “There were three sets of judges who marked us on sustained volume and clarity, bearing, confidence, smartness, suitability of the uniform and contents of the ‘cries’”.
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Friday AUGUST 29 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
News
Girl, 16, rejoices
A PLANT that rarely flowers outside of its native country, South Africa, has blossomed on the Island.
‘I can walk again’ A 16-year-old girl who has been crippled for six years by pains in her feet and legs said she was cured in two-and-a-half hours by an Island podiatrist.
She was able to get out of her wheelchair and walk around her home in Sandown and, in September, hopes to be back at school, for at least a day. The girl, who asked not to be identified and who has been having treatment since her feet began to trouble her when she was ten, said: “At 15, not only was I unable to walk to school. “I could hardly bear to creep around my own home, the pain was so great. “I could only manage part of the morning at school, being pushed around in a wheelchair and was laughed at by many.” At their wits’ end, her parents took her to The Solent Podiatry where Adam Denley treated her. He diagnosed the girl’s problems using biomechanics. Essentially, the patient walks on a piece of equipment, which records their
motion on video cameras; it uses gait analysis software and a computerised pressure plate. Mr Denley said: “The video records the back, hips, legs, knees, ankles and feet in motion and analyses the gait pattern. “One of the great things about this specialist software it that people see for themselves how they walk and/or run.” The pressure plate can identify areas of extreme pressure, potential weaknesses, and predict tissue breakdown. The girl said: “He discovered a number of things which have been missed at other assessments and prescribed new, very soft orthotics (artificial support) in cushioned trainers for my poor feet, quite the opposite of what I was used. Immediately, my poor feet gradually became less painful. “I hope to lead a more active life a teenager would expect.” Mr Denley said he was able to help many people, including a woman going for a hip replacement who, after consulting him, did not need surgery.
Blooming marvellous
Horticulturists at Ventnor Botanic Garden have seen the King Protea flower. The plant, which is the national flower of South Africa, is notoriousl difficult to grow, with only the gardens of Tresco on the Scilly Isles having recent sucess. It has taken six months to open and is six inches across. It is the first time it has been recorded flowering outdoors on the Island. Chris Kidd, head gardner at the IW Council botanic garden said “This is an extremely rare occurrence and is very exciting. The King Protea very rarely flowers outside of Africa, mainly due to the climate. For fans of horticulture, this is a bit like budding astronomers witnessing an eclipse from their back garden.”
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The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday AUGUST 29 2008
News
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Nothing can prepare Will for this climb prison as well as some Island businesses are backing him. Before he left last Friday, Will, 43, said: “It will be a real challenge. Oxygen levels at the summit are only half His target is more than as much as sea level and £5,000 and staff at the no amount of training can prepare you for that, not even climbing St Boniface Down in Ventnor! “Kilimanjaro is the world’s tallest free-standing mountain boasting some of the most varied terrain that you could find on just one mountain – I’m really looking forward to it.” On fundraising Will said: “I have been so encouraged by people’s generosity towards supporting our Island’s
PARKHURST prison governor Will Thurbin will today (Friday) attempt to climb Africa’s tallest mountain, Kilimanjaro, to raise thousands for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.
hospice. It needs to raise £3.5million a year to support over 700 Island residents with life-limiting illnesses. “The money raised through the climb will be used to buy some specialised medical equipment the hospice needs.” Businesses such as The Jolly Friar, Newport Football Club and The Heights Leisure Centre and their customers have been supportive. “The Prison Service Charity Fund and the staff at HMP Parkhurst have been very generous.” He singled out Penny Carter’s excellent fundraising pop quiz nights at Newport Football Club and Helen Babington’s
incredible feat of swimming the equivalent height of Kilimanjaro, which she achieved in just over two hours. “I have been so fortunate and thankful in having such a great support network of family, friends and colleagues around me. Along with the fundraising team at the hospice and the staff team at Millets, they have all been truly amazing,” said Will, who is also a member of the Grand Priory of Knights Templar in England & Wales. Readers can sponsor Will at: www.justgiving. com/willthurbinkilimanjaro08 or directly through the Earl Mountbatten Hospice website.
Will Thurbin before he set off.
Hospice news
10,000 set a record for Walk Wight
ABOUT 10,000 people took part in this year’s Walk the Wight and the sponsorship money has reached a record £314,000.
If you have not managed to get your sponsorship money in yet, HSBC branches across the Island are still accepting money and red sponsor forms – or you can bring your money and forms into the fundraising office at the hospice. Earlier in the week, David Cheek, head of fundraising, said he hoped the final amount would reach £250,000. “Let’s hope we can achieve this, as the hospice has to fundraise £4,500 every day to provide care to the 800 Islanders we look after every year. “Walk the Wight makes a huge contribution to this sum,” he added. Did your school Walk the Wight?
SOME 58 Island schools took part in the Schools’ Walk the Wight and have so far raised £27,000 against last year’s total of £24,000.
On the Walk the Wight day, many children walked the last four miles from Freshwater Bay to The Needles Park. Since June the hospice fundraising team has been visiting school assemblies to hand out certificates to everyone who walked. Walk the Wight DVD available
You may remember a helicopter was buzzing overhead during Walk the Wight. It was not, as somebody suggested, Princes William and Harry looking for another gig but a film crew recording the walk. The 60-minute DVD includes many sequences of the walk and interviews with walkers across the Island.
Kilimanjaro – the mountain Will has to climb.
Island
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It costs £7.50 from the County Press shop or direct from the Hospice on 528989. All monies go to patient care at EMH. The Island photographs
Dimbola Lodge is hosting an exhibition of iconic and unusual photographs of the Island by Island photographer Ben Wood. The photographs are also published as a limited edition, signed, coffee-table book The Island, which are on sale at the exhibition for £150 each. A percentage of the proceeds are being donated to the hospice. The exhibition runs until September 17.
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Competition winners The winner of the Marks & Spencer TV was Mrs S. Burt, 4 Uplands Road, Northwood. The Marks & Spencer ipod winners were: John Lowndes, 2 Eastmore Court, Bouldnor Road, Yarmouth; Mrs M. Crawley, 10 Albert Road, Shanklin; A. E. Massey, Sweet Briar, Westhill Road, Shanklin. The winner of a six-course meal, overnight accommodation and breakfast for two at The Royal Hotel, Ventnor, was H. Spear, 102 Gurnard Pines, Gurnard. Richard Blake of Scottish and Southern The competitions attracted a huge number of Energy plc presented a cheque for £1,000 entries. to Louise Watson, hospice fundraiser, and See pages 25 and 29 for this weeks competitions June Sabin, staff nurse. It was presented to win a 22” LCD television, courtesy of to the hospice in recognition of Southern buywise, and a three course meal for two at Electric employees having not had any acMorgans restaurant, Shanklin, courtesy of Tim cidents in the workplace for the past year and staying safe. Morgan.
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Friday AUGUST 29 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
Saucy but nice By Roz Whistance “People on the Island are a bit prudey,” says Catherine Allison. “But trust me, you see more on the beach than you do in my show.”
She is in defensive mood. She has recently taken up burlesque dancing and finds herself very misunderstood. “People think it’s stripping and it’s just not!” she asserts. “On the end beat of the music you do a ‘tadaaa’” – she flings her arms wide and looks coy – “ and the lights go down. That’s it.” Burlesque as a genre arose from the music hall and in the last century developed into populist theatre with an emphasis on adult entertainment. It is defined as ‘comically exaggerated imitation’ and turned the elegance of the straight theatre on its head. Comic and bawdy routines and, yes, stripping, were part of it but while Catherine admits the genre is saucy – clothing is removed to music, after all – she says her sets are far removed from a modern strip routine and don’t bear any relation to today’s corporate entertainment of choice, lap dancing. Catherine, classically trained in ballet, shuns the tassle-twirling dances in favour of ballet-based moves. “I incorporate ballet into my act, I dance on points, which is why I get more work, I think. My favourite routine is the fan dance – huge, gorgeous fans, it’s so lovely and girly. It is naughty, yes, but in a quaint way.” Catherine is new to the exotic world of burlesque dancing and her mother usually accompanies her to bookings. With her sister, Christa, Catherine teaches dance – ballet, tap and modern – at the Christa Correia School of Dance in Ventnor. But a love of old films and in particular Gypsy Rose Lee gave her the idea for her weekend career. She noticed there was a demand for dancers and worked up a number of classic routines – such as the fan dance and Jessica Rabbit, which she has taken to venues and clubs as far flung as London and Dublin. She will perform anywhere, in fact, except the Island. “I wouldn’t do it on the Island,” Catherine says. “I know a lot of people and some are shocked by what I do. I don’t know why but they are.” For that reason she makes a strict divide between her dance school pupils and her burlesque career. “I only teach the older ones, 15-plus, but even so it wouldn’t be right to make the connection.” While she speaks you can’t help feeling it is a bit of an odd world to get into for someone so conscious of the approbation of others. She is far from brazen: she claims she is no more “Some people say my act is too classy comfortable with her body than most women until she gets into character, and that I should do something more when she “becomes someone else”. cheeky. But I don’t want to change my But more than that, she is very particu- act just to get more work.” She was thrilled at a gig at the Sugar lar about the venues she will play. “At a booking in London the floor Club in Dublin when the entire audiwas so tiny I couldn’t do splits or ence had dressed up, men in spats and leaps. Then I looked at the crowd and braces, women “all glammed”, out for thought this isn’t a Burlesque crowd a meal and entertainment, and that is – they just want strippers. I rang my the sort of event Catherine wants to be mum and said I am not happy.” She part of. She recently performed at the Big Brother party in Liverpool, so was walked out.
News
Good, the bad and the ugly HOW many parents have kept their old school reports but are too embarrassed to ever show them to their children?
If they did, they would never again be able to tell their son or daughter to work harder at school, as ‘I did’. One brave soul, however, who for obvious reasons wants to remain anonymous but who is today a successful businessman, has shared his last school report of more than 30 years ago with Gazette readers. English S. works at his own pace, which usually means about two-thirds of the time. The standard of his result will be decided by his attitude. All the best for the future! Mathematics Has made very little effort this year apart from when he was taking some tests. Done very little classwork this term. Biology S. has found the course too difficult and has not applied himself to his work. Not entered for examination. Art S. has made a real effort this year. He has settled down very well and the approach and execution of his work is at last being considered as a worthwhile adventure. Draughtsmanship When S. has learned to co-operate and work to necessary guidelines, some progress will be possible. Sadly a negative factor in group association. Trial exam result very low. Woodwork S. has shown a willingness to produce better work this year. He is keen and always works hard. Music S. has shown antipathy for music from the beginning of the year and is, therefore, not being entered for the exam. His behaviour in class is generally acceptable although he is sometimes disruptive, especially if he does not have any work to do for another lesson. Form teacher In the short time I have been S’s form teacher I find it difficult to make any comments due to his lack of attendance at registration. However, I do manage to bump into him on his walks around the school. He must change!
exposed to “loads of celebs” and was filmed by MTV, so she is hoping for work in corporate entertainment when that is broadcast in October. But to hook the big venues such as Café D in Paris, where the likes of OK magazine and Max Clifford hang out, she needs to invest in the right look. The costumes have to be gorgeous but they are hardly off-the-peg items. “It takes hours just to sew sequins and rhinestones onto a pair of knick-
ers. But I can’t afford to buy them.” Speculating to accumulate is the name of the game, however and as well as buying or making her costumes, Catherine has paid to have a professional video made, which is now on YouTube. The rewards could be huge: she cites one woman who can earn thousands for three minutes’ work. “I’ve got a long way to go before I get where I want,” says Catherine.
Stars in the classrooms
THE number of Island students achieving Alevel qualifications has remained the same as 2007, although students are achieving a higher standard of grades. Students earning A to C grades
this year has risen by two per cent to 60 per cent. GCSE results were even better with the five high schools recording improved performances Carisbrooke had a ten per cent improvement in the numbers achieving five or more A* star to C grades.
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The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday AUGUST 29 2008
News
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Axe heads buried by ancient speculators? THIRTY-five Bronze By Jan Toms Museum in London. Age axe heads have The club works in close been discovered in a Why they were buried association with the mufield close to Yafford. remains a mystery. The seum’s archaeology de-
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The exciting find was made minutes after 34 club members descended on the field last Sunday. A complete axe head was detected followed by broken pieces scattered across a small area. Suspecting it was a significant find, members contacted Frank Basford, the finds liaison officer from the IW Council’s archaeology centre at Clatterford. Together they excavated a pit and unearthed a cache of axes. They are thought to date from between 2,150 and 1,500 BC and were probably intended as tools rather than weapons. There was no evidence to suggest that they were forged on the site.
pit might have been a storehouse or have some ritual significance. There is another theory that the Bronze Age people were more sophisticated than previously suspected and the hoard was buried to artificially inflate the price of bronze! The axes are regarded as treasure trove and will be sent to the British
partment and everything over 300 years old is recorded by geophysical positioning satellite. The information is then transferred to a map to show the location and density of finds in the area. Value aside, the club members’ main concern is the accurate recording of the Island’s rich history.
These metal detecting enthusiasts are not in it for the money but the thrill of the search. Above right: one of the bronze age axe heads they found.
Treasures beneath our feet The Isle of Wight Metal Detecting Club (MDC) has plenty to celebrate. It is now nearly five years since its formation and it continues to go from strength to strength.
Like most hobbies, misses a meeting. Before farms where they dig but first gold coin on his 70th detecting quickly be- Cass joined three years Alan is anxious to find birthday. ago, she wasn’t working more. With each new The oldest member is comes an addiction.
“You never know what you are going to find,” said Cass Davis, one of the few women members, who rarely
and felt quite isolated. The MDC has changed that. She is still exhilarated at the memory of her “best” find – a Celtic, gold ingot. Alan Hall, a founder member, is the chairman. Twice a week he arranges somewhere for the members to go. This depends on weather conditions, parking, crops, and of course, permission from the landowner. Currently the club has 45
Brian Hawkes the clubs deputy chairman.
Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
venue there is the excitement of the unknown. Like Alan, Brian Hawkes has been a member since the club’s formation and is deputy chairman. A retired carpenter, he never tires of the search, even if it reveals no more than a musket ball – of which there are many. His finds have included Saxon and Roman brooches but his main interest is in hammered coins. One day, crossing a muddy field, he noticed something on the toe of his boot and it turned out to be a silver Roman denarius dating from the time of the emperor Trajan. Brian’s daughter has now become a member and it pleases him to see how knowledgeable she is. Terry Toms is another retired carpenter who, after 50 years of working wasn’t sure how he would fill his time. A member for two years, he hates to miss a meeting. Appropriately he found his
Jim Austin, 83, a retired land surveyor. Jim, the club’s poet, found perhaps the best individual item of all, a gold Anglo-Saxon, merovingian tremissis in near perfect condition. Everything over 300 years old is automatically recorded and seen by the Island’s finds liaison officer then rare items go to the British Museum for examination. The biggest discovery was of nearly a thousand Celtic staters buried in a field. Who put them there and why remains a mystery. The club has 67 members, the youngest being Max O’Brien, 17. They observe a strict code of conduct and collectively they have a significant pool of knowledge. The ethos of the group is about discovery and the motto is “Pleasure not Profit.” For more information see the club’s website at: www.iow-metaldetecting.co.uk
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Friday AUGUST 29 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
Ups and downs of IW landmark The Shanklin lift was re-built 50 years ago after a German bomb made it unsafe during the Second World War. JAN TOMS takes a fond look at it and the fruitless search to find a ‘personality’ to open it.
Oh Boy, What a show
PREPARE to rock as a retro rock which promoter and 1950s’ rocker n roll show, based on 1950s televi- Chris Fender Black has toured all over sion Oh Boy show, comes to the the country. Winter Gardens in Ventnor on Sep“Every show ends with the audience tember 6. C’Mon Everybody is a live show giving a standing ovation,” said Chris.
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SHANKLIN was once the only resort in England to boast an outdoor lift.
Built in 1892, around the same time as the pier, it ferried day-trippers and tourists from the Esplanade to the town. It was a privately owned, elegant structure, using hydraulics to raise and lower the cages. Then, during the Second World War the pier was closed and a bomb fell on the Spa Hotel making the lift unsafe. Immediately after the war Sandown-Shanklin Urban District Council was anxious to restore Shanklin as a holiday destination and raised money to buy the lift and reinstate it. In spite of the threat of conflict perform the opening ceremony. during the Suez crisis by 1957 Invitations went to the Duke two cages were purchased from of Wellington, Field Marshall lift giants Waygood Otis. The George Montgomery, Douglas firm of Harrow and Heales un- Bader, Admiral Sir Guy Grandertook the construction but tham, Cyril Fletcher (then doing lack of steel meant that a func- a “season” on Shanklin Pier) tional concrete tower replaced and the broadcaster Cliff Michelmore. the former metal casting. They all declined the offer and In his extended report in the Shanklin and district History the honour fell to Capt Ward, chairman of the IW Council. Society’s sixth Finally, in 1958 schoolchilNewsletter, Ian Murdock describes the arrangements for an dren had a half-day’s holiday and the band of HM Excellence opening ceremony. TV companies were invited played. Before the ceremony a plaque and a “big name” was sought to
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marking the start of the Pipe Line Under the Ocean (PLUTO) was unveiled and a message from Winston Churchill relayed to the crowd. Then, the bigwigs assembled outside the Meyrick Cliffs Hotel and, at 3pm, the lift was declared open. The party members were the first to ride to the top and take tea at the Cliff Tops Hotel. If national celebrities declined the honour of opening the lift, that was rectified on July 26, 1965, when Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip visited the Island. At precisely 15.52 the
royal couple arrived at the cliff top to meet council officials and travel down in the lift to see the Pluto plaque. Members of the IW British Legion were invited to attend while the Queen watched aquatic sports. Fifty years after its opening, the lift is as much a part of Shanklin as the cliffs it ascends. Sadly the pier no longer completes the picture. For details of membership of the Shanklin and District History Society, contact Chris Warder on 863293.
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8
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday AUGUST 29 2008
Points of view – readers letters
Have you got news for us ? Contact the news desk on (01983) 402599 or email newsdesk@ iwgazette.co.uk
Turn right signal Gazette says: better than none Pinch of spice
I WISH to respond to the letter from Marilyn Legg Frustration leads to drivers taking risks (Gazette, 08-08).
For the past few years, I have been commuting to work from East Cowes to Bembridge via the Hare and Hounds crossroads. When returning home, I am one of the drivers who always signals a right turn at the Robin Hill mini roundabout to indicate that I am going down Briddlesford Road. I do, however, attempt to indicate left, once past the Newport turn, so my intentions are clear. Despite this, I have lost count of the number of drivers coming from Newport who have pulled out across in front of me, in contravention of the rule of give way to vehicles from the right.
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If I was to fail to so signal, I am sure that the vast majority of drivers coming from Newport would assume that I was intending to take the first exit to Newport, given that the exit is in virtually a straight line with the approach from the Hare and Hounds. I, therefore, have no intentions to cease to signal a right turn, whether technically incorrect or not. Unfortunately, I believe this discussion will be totally lost on the large proportion of Island drivers who apparently have never been able to find the control switch for their indicators. Alan Deeming, Victoria Grove, East Cowes
£26,000 £22,000
THE Gazette target is to raise £50,000 within a year for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice – and it is looking good.
£18,000 £15,000
We began with the aim of supporting the hospice. We ask everyone who picks up a copy from our red stands to put a donation – however large, however small – into the collecting box. The boxes are emptied, not by Gazette staff, but by hospice staff. So we are always on tentahooks waiting to find out how much you, the readers, have raised. One of the ways in which the money will be used will be to develop the hospice @ home service. This will enable more people to be cared for in their own homes for longer. Hospice-trained staff will provide support and advice to the families involved, while the individual benefits from being surrounded by their loved ones in their final days.
£10,000 £5,000 £4,000 £3,000 £2,600
Raised so far
£1,000
Inkies Look Back 50 years IF you were an Inkie who joined the Sandown Grammar School in the years around 1957, (or who joined this group later from elsewhere) and you left around 1965, you are invited to an annual reunion.
It will be held at The Royal Esplanade Hotel, Ryde on Sunday, September 21, from 11.30 am. Lunch will be available to purchase between noon and 1.30pm. For more information, contact: Brian Chiverton, 01983 731060 or Verena Sparrow, 01983 872049 or email verena@thesparrows.co.uk Helen Danby, Saltern Wood Quay, Yarmouth.
Chemists’ Rota tel: email: fax: add: sales email:
(01983) 402599 newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk (01983) 404819 The Isle of Wight Gazette, Unit B18, Spithead Business Centre, Newport Road, Sandown P036 9PH aleon@iwgazette.co.uk abishop@iwgazette.co.uk
Published by: The Isle of Wight Gazette Ltd. Design: Christian Warren / Sarah Piner Distribution: Mark O’Halloran 07814 609617 Supporting the Earl Mountbatten Hospice through your generous donations when you pick up a copy for free.
Issue 3, August 29 2008.
The following chemists are open to 6.30pm. FRESHWATER: Today (Friday 29 Aug), Moss Pharmacy, Moa Place. Monday 1 Sept – Friday 5 Sept, Kemkay Limited, Clifton Buildings. Monday 8 Sept – Friday 12 Sept, Moss Pharmacy, Moa Place. NEWPORT: Today (Friday 29 Aug), Lloyds Pharmacy, Carisbrooke Road. Monday 1 Sept – Friday 5 Sept, Lloyds Pharmacy, Pyle Street. Monday 8 Sept – Friday 12 Sept, Boots the Chemists, High Street. SANDOWN: Today (Friday 29 Aug), Boots the Chemists, High Street. Monday 1 Sept – Friday 5 Sept, Day Lewis, Sandown Road. Monday 8 Sept – Friday 12 Sept, Alliance Pharmacy, High Street. SHANKLIN: Today (Friday 29 Aug), Boots the Chemists, High Street. Monday 1 Sept – Friday 5 Sept, Day Lewis, Regent Street. Monday 8 Sept – Friday 12 Sept, Regent Pharmacy, Regent Street. VENTNOR: Today (Friday 29 Aug), Lloyds Pharmacy, High Street. Monday 1 Sept – Friday 5 Sept, Boots the Chemist, High Street. Monday 8 Sept – Friday 12 Sept, Lloyds Pharmacy, High Street.
Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
“TRUST me, you see more on the beach than you do in my show.”
Far from being coy about her burlesque dance routine, Catherine Allison is proud of what she is achieving, see page five. She is not a stripper – although she does remove some clothes – and she is definitely not a lap dancer. What she does is saucy but clever and artistic using her considerable talents as a classically-trained ballet dancer to forge a new career on the mainland. And there’s the pity. “I wouldn’t do it on the Island,” Catherine says. “I know a lot of people and some are shocked by what I do. I don’t know why, but they are.” Come on, loosen up and give the girl a chance. It would be great to see Catherine adding a bit of spice to the Garlic Festival; cheering up some Old Gaffers in Yarmouth; raising temperatures at the Havenstreet Steam Show and providing homegrown talent at the Island’s largest horticultural show in Chale.
Call 0800 555 111 THERE’S no getting around it. If you are an innocent passenger on an Island ferry and you are met by sniffer dogs and police officers looking for people carrying illegal drugs, you feel uncomfortable and it is not the welcome you expected, see page 14.
Fortunately, most people accept it as a necessary inconvenience to control trafficking These high-profile searches do achieve results and act as a deterrent to the scum who trade in misery. And police can take heart that most people are on their side as shown by calls to the independent charity Crimestoppers. They have risen sharply on the Island and 40 per cent of them relate to illegal drugs on our streets. If you have information do your bit and call 0800 555 111 NOW.
Hop on board HOW often do you hear people say it is useless complaining because THEY never listen?
In these days of multi-national corporations running our vital services and increasingly, it seems, our lives we seem powerless and insignificant when we want to be noticed and fight back. On a lesser scale, the average bar room politician thinks the same of government, be it in Whitehall or County Hall. How refreshing then to hear that people power has saved a bus service through Havenstreet. When Southern Vectis said it would withdraw the services, people protested and the IW Council listened and will introduce a subsidised replacement. Now it is up to people who wanted the services to use them because no-one wants to see buses carrying huge loads of fresh air around Island roads at our expense.
Quote of the week “ANYTHING and everything that you and I enjoy – why shouldn’t they have a go at it? We love to see clients try to develop their skills. Our aim is to give these people freedom and opportunities to live a normal life.” – John Clewley, who runs a centre for people with learning disabilities Your comments on articles you read in the Gazette or any other issues to do with the Island are always welcome. You must include your full postal address although we will not include your house number or name with your published letter. It would also help if you could include a daytime telephone number. You can email letters to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or post them to Points of View, Isle of Wight Gazette, 18b Spithead Business Centre, Newport Road, Sandown PO36 9PH.
9
Friday AUGUST 29 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
News
Prettiest church celebrates
By June Elford ONE of the Island’s most picturesque churches, St Agnes’s in Freshwater celebrated its centenary recently with a special thanksgiving service.
The success of the St Agnes’s Centenary Year Appeal was also celebrated. The appeal was launched in May last year to raise £40,000 to repair the church and rethatch the roof. Thanks to the efforts of the fundraising committee who organised coffee mornings, garden parties and a choral concert, most of the money has been raised. The only thatched church on the Island, St Agnes was built in 1908 on land donated by Hallam Tennyson, son of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, the Victorian poet laureate. It was his wife, Lady Tennyson, who suggested that the church should be dedicated to St Agnes, while the porch should be a memorial to Lady Tennyson’s mother. Before the church was built, services were held in the ‘Iron Room’ in the square and it was the rector of Freshwater, the Rev A. J. Robertson, who made a watercolour of his idea for a church at Freshwater Bay. Architect, I. Jones, designed it from the painting and C. and W. White were commissioned to build it. On August 12, 1908, after an appeal for subscriptions had raised £679.7s.3d (£697.36) towards the total cost of £1,000, the new church was consecrated by Bishop Ryle, Bishop of Winchester. The reeds used for the original thatch for the roof came from Norfolk and the stone for the building from an old derelict farm house on Hooke Hill. This year the roof was re-thatched by master thatchers Darcy Muncer and Michael Roberts, who used 3,000 bundles of Hungarian water reed, 10,000 hazel spars from Dorset and 120 bundles of straw; some of the new thatch had been sponsored at £10 a bundle and the donors’ names entered in a commemorative book. Among those attending the centenary service were Maj Gen Martin White, the lord lieutenant; Alan Titchmarsh, the high sheriff, and the Very Rev David Brindley the Dean of Portsmouth. The service was
From left: Rev Mark Whatson, Rev Grenda Hurt, membors of the choir, Ven Caroline Baston, Very Rev David Brindley.
The high sheriff, Alan Titchmarch and his wife, Alison, are greeted at the church. taken by the Rector, the Rev Mark Whatson, with the Rev Grenda Hurt, and the Venerable Caroline Baston, Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight. As part of the celebrations, the church was decorated for its flower festival by the West Wight Floral Art Society and a flower
arrangement was presented by the rector to Myrtle Vanner, who had attended the church for 86 years. A choral concert organised by Julia Sheard was a final tribute to a church that Alan Titchmarsh called “one of the most beautiful small churches in the country”.
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The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday AUGUST 29 2008
News
It’s all about achieving, just like the Olympics WITH its state-of-the-art facilities and idyllic location, a new building complex in a quiet corner of Ryde could easily be mistaken, at first glance, for a five-star hotel.
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Dickens World £36 p.p. Saturday 6 September
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By Peter White manager, and Miranda, a qualified nurse who has always worked with people with learning disabilities, have now been joined in the business by son Adam. John explained: “This is a private care home. We own the premises and the land and invoice the local authority or whoever for the care of the clients. The local authority pay the costs, so if they were placing people on the mainland instead, we as Islanders would be paying for that extra cost. This is where it is great for the Island because by having this here we are saving money. “It is the only one of its type on the Island and arguably one of the best in the whole of the south of England. In a sense we took a gamble on whether it would work. At any time finance could change but the need was there and we felt it would work for us and the clients. So we were very bullish in pushing forward and saying we were going to do it.” John continued: “It may be commercial and have all this technology, but we wanted it to look like a home as much as we could. It doesn’t feel like a secure unit, but it is protective for the residents who live here. Vulnerable clients cannot just wander out and be put at risk.”
The adjacent resource centre welcomes clients on a daily basis, where they enjoy a variety of activities from bingo to dancing, art to singing. There are often trips to Ryde Bowling Alley as well as holidays on the mainland and abroad. As John rightly said: “Anything and everything that you and I enjoy - why shouldn’t they have a go at it? We love to see clients try to develop their skills. Our aim is to give these people freedom and opportunities to live a normal life. “It can be very difficult for some people but given the opportunity there is a drive in all of us. We are all trying our hardest to achieve and if not being a winner, then just taking part – a bit like the Olympics.” Ryde House recently held its annual fun day for clients and their families. Fancy dress, a fashion show, dancing and a barbecue were all part of the entertainment. “We have the fun day every August because it’s all about us celebrating being here another year,” said John. “We took over 22 years ago this month. I was getting slightly disillusioned with the health service and felt we should be looking at something else. This property came up for sale, with clients already living here and some have been with us all those 22 years. As for us, we get so much satisfaction out of this; it is a huge part of our family life.”
HOLIDAYS Euro Disney Bonfire
Saturday 13 September
Electronic fobs rather than keys lock and unlock doors, showers and taps can be turned on with the wave of a hand thanks to infra-red technology and toilets are flushed in a similar manner. Attention to detail has been paramount in bright, airy rooms where comfort is a key factor. But this £4million new-build is not a stopping off point for businessmen visiting the Island or for holidaymakers looking for a bit more than the traditional B & B. It is the brainchild of the Clewley family, proprietors of Ryde House, a home for people with learning disabilities. John Clewley and his wife Miranda have spent more than 20 years dedicating their time to enhancing the lives of Islanders with learning disabilities, people who may otherwise have been forced to live on the mainland, away from their families. Ryde House is an imposing 18th-century, Grade II listed building, set on 24 acres of gardens and woodland, which stretch down to the Solent. The new four-building complex is just a short walk away and a stone’s throw from Ryde House nursery, where some of the residents spend their day tending and selling plants grown on site. Nearly 90 clients are cared for by a staff of around 130. In this first, interview John, explained: “We are fairly shy in what we do. We don’t like to make a big song and dance about it because these people have their right to privacy and a quiet life. But we try to give their lives as much activity as possible when they desire it. “We take into account each client’s individual skill level, and plan around that. We have those who can go into town on their own without supervision, to others who have physical difficulties and, for example, use electric wheelchairs, so need a higher level of care.” The new complex was completed in January to further extend facilities. John said: “The four units can cater for people with very high needs. The Island did not have a facility for such people, so that was one of our big driving forces for us to provide it.” John, a former health service estates
John and Miranda Clewley.
Belgian Xmas Market Friday 5 to Monday 8 December
“We love to see clients try to develop their skills”
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Friday AUGUST 29 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
News
Out on the streets and looking for trouble…
Working together to improve Shanklin: PC Neil McDonald, Police Community Support Officer Sam Read, Mick Howard and Denis Arnold of Island Waste.
Criminal damage, graffiti, littering, fly tipping and dog fouling are just some of problems blighting Island towns. Now town managers have been appointed by the IW Council to work with organisations such as the police and NHS to clean the Island up. MICK HOWARD told PETER WHITE what impact they were having. MICK Howard is a man with a mission. Along with nine other town centre managers, stretching from Cowes to Ventnor, and Ryde to Freshwater, he is working tirelessly to make the Island an even cleaner, safer and better place to live.
Since the IW Council appointed the town centre managers last autumn, huge strides have been made to improve the overall standard of roads, parks beaches and public toilets. There has also been a significant drop in dog fouling and graffiti, as well as the perennial problem of anti-social behavior. Island-born Mr Howard is responsible for ensuring Shanklin remains a town environmentally friendly and more acceptable for locals and tourists. He works closely with the police and, although he is pleased with the standards that have already been reached, he
accepts that the task of keeping Shanklin, and other towns across the Island, up to scratch will continue. Mr Howard explained: “This was set up in September in response to the One Island scheme to look at different issues across the Island. One thing that came from the discussions was the appointment of a manager for each of the main towns. “Our first job was to get the know the town in which we were working, going around all the streets and looking for problems such as criminal damage, graffiti, littering, fly tipping, dog fouling and the like. All the things that might make a street not a very nice street to live in. “We then got in touch with the various council departments to say that we have seen these problems so please come and do something about them. We are very reliant on our colleagues who work in departments such as property and engineering services and
waste disposal. We are the early warning system, or the eyes and ears on the ground.” Now Mr Howard believes the town centre managers are beginning to keep on top of the main problems, although new issues crop up virtually every day. Only recently more than 170 residents in Shanklin attended community engagement forums, spread over three evenings and covering the town’s three wards – central, north and south. Anti-social behaviour, vandalism, planning issues and, almost inevitably, dog fouling, were also on the lists of complaints. So is it a case of prevention rather than cure? Mr Howard agreed: “Very much so. We are empowered as town centre managers to legally issue fixed penalty notices. But these were introduced in April and since then I have not issued one. “I like to go down the route of prevention and edu-
cation first. If dogs are fouling I will go along and explain the problems to the owners. If it happens again, then I would have no alternative but to issue a fixed penalty notice. “But at the moment there is a lot of discretion because we don’t want to alienate people. We are working closely with residents, and want to keep them on our side, so we just ask them to comply.” Mr Howard and his fellow town centre managers like to be seen out on their streets as often as possible, feeling their presence alone can often prove an effective deterrent. “We are predominantly environmental but that also impacts on criminal and one could attract the other. That is why we work closely with the police. We are working to make the towns on the Island cleaner and safer places to live.”
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The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday AUGUST 29 2008
News To advertise call (01983) 402599 10% discount
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999 crews call for help TIME-wasting searches for people thought to be in difficulties in waters around the Island could be avoided if more people gave information to lifeboat and Coastguard helicopter crews.
The appeal follows an incident near Yaverland when Sandown and Shanklin Inshore Lifeboat, the Bembridge Coastguard team and the Coastguard helicopter were called following a 999 call. They were acting on reports that a person had been seen canoeing in the area near the dinosaur
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museum in Sandown Bay when the boat capsized. Further reports suggested the occupant of the canoe had not surfaced and the inshore lifeboat and helicopter started a search. Inshore Lifeboat coxswain Mark Birch explained: “On one of the legs of the search we were close to shore when a member of the public reported to us that they had seen the man come ashore and headed towards Yaverland car park. “We are here to help people who get into difficulty and treat every call with the utmost urgency. But if it wasn’t for that one person unconnected to the incident who came forward with the information it could have been a very long search for nothing. “We urge people who might be involved in an incident and you make it ashore, to please let us know that they are safe.”
The crew of Bembridge Lifeboat was involved in two separate incidents earlier this week. They were called out to help a couple on a yacht that suffered engine failure on Sunday morning in windy conditions. The 34ft Westerly yacht was in difficulties about a mile off Bembridge Ledge, and was towed back to Bembridge Lifeboat Station. They also rescued two elderly people in a dinghy who were stranded on mud banks 75 metres from the shore as the tide fell in Bembridge Harbour. A member of the team was able to push a stretcher with a recovery line aid out to the stranded pair. The line was attached to the dinghy and then towed ashore through the mud by the rest of the Bembridge Coastguard team. Deputy station officer, Martin Groom, said “Although the couple did not
require medical attention there was a real chance of them suffering hypothermia in the four hours it would have taken the dinghy to re-float. “As neither had water-
proofs or buoyancy aids and only thin summer clothing, getting them ashore as soon as possible was our only option. “We would like to remind anyone taking to
Wind farm delay welcomed by MP
the water, especially in harbours and estuaries, to be aware of the tidal conditions and if they do become stranded never to attempt to walk ashore through soft mud.”
of Cowes
AN extension for responses to a report for a planned wind farm, which may be built at Cheverton, near Shorwell, has been welcomed by Andrew Turner, the Island’s MP. This is the third proposal for a wind farm on the site but the three turbines are considerably larger than earlier applications with an overall blade height of 125m (over 400 ft).
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Mr Turner raised the issue with the Island’s council, which has negotiated an extension to September 3 to allow comments to be made on the scoping report, which outlines the impact of such a project on the area, prior to planning permission being sought. Mr Turner said: “Several residents were concerned about what a wind farm could mean for the area.” There are a series of public meetings to give information to Island residents: Wednesday, September 3, (3.30pm to 7.30pm), Shorwell Parish Hall, Shorwell; Thursday, September 4,(5.30pm – 8pm), Wilberforce Hall, Brighstone; Friday, September 5, (noon – 8pm), Riverside Centre, Newport; Saturday, September 6, (10am – 2pm), West Wight Sports Centre, Freshwater.
tel: 01983 289670 mobile: 07970 424214 email: poshfrocks@onwight.net
Don’t miss the Boat (Show)
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The 40th Southampton Boat Show - Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 September. Book in advance with Red Funnel and you could SAVE UP TO 35% on admission and ferry travel.
Adult 20.00* Concession 17.50* (Students, Disabled Badge Holders and over 60s)
Adult Combi 35.00*
Includes standard admission and return Red Jet/Vehicle Ferry foot passenger travel. Up to 2 children receive FREE admission and foot passenger travel for just 6.00 with each Adult ticket. Adult Combi tickets also include ferry travel and admission to the London Boat Show (at ExCel) from 12-20 January 2009.
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Buy online now at www.redfunnel.co.uk/boatshow Turn-up-and-go, and Preview Day (12 September) tickets will also be available from our East and West Cowes ticket offices from 9 September. * Terms and conditions and travel exclusions apply, offered subject to availability. Free child (15 or under) admission ticket to the Boat Show is available upon production of an Adult ticket at East or West Cowes ticket offices whilst stocks last. Child ferry tickets are available for just £6 return in conjunction with a Boat Show ticket. Proof of concessionary status must be supplied upon entry. See website for further details. Advance tickets available online or via the Travel Centre until 7 September 2008.
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13
Friday AUGUST 29 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
News
Carnival makes a splash To advertise contact the sales team
on (01983) 402599 SHANKLIN CONSERVATIVE CLUB
‘OPEN DAY’ SUNDAY, 31 AUGUST 11am to 11pm
Visit the club, see the facilities, enjoy the entertainment (lunchtime and evening), have a meal and relax with a drink at club prices. SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE OPENING DAY
50% OFF Joining fee and 50% OFF Annual subscription 6 Palmerston Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight, PO37 6AU
Tel: (01983) 863909
The hand paddling race across the harbour. Picture by Marion Heming.
Rowers aim for France FIVE members of Ryde Rowing Club are set to embark on a grueling cross-Channel trip to raise money for the Naomi House Children’s Hospice, near Winchester.
Lee Bennett, Matt Bull, Ash Maitland, Chris Walker and cox Penny Glazzard will set out from Dover to cover the 20 miles to Calais across one of the busiest shipping routes in the world. Dover Rowing Club members who have a wealth of experience in cross-Channel rowing is supporting the club in the attempt and the crew will be accompanied by a qualified pilot, which will also act as the safety boat. The ‘window’ in which the row will take place is between Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, October 5. The Ryde club has a strong tradition of charitable fund raising and every year nominates a charity. This year, because of the support provided for a member’s child, the club selected the Naomi House Children’s Hospice, which provides care and support to children, young people and their families from the Island, Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex and Wiltshire. The club has already raised several hundred pounds for the hospice at the annual dinner and the regatta. Anyone wishing to sponsor the crew can do so via the “just giving” web site at: http://www.justgiving.com/ crosschannelrow
NO UNDER 16’s
“Absolutely fabulous” is how the organiser of Yarmouth Carnival and Regatta described this year’s event – despite the weather.
Chris Waddington, leader of the Yarmouth carnival committee, said every event was well supported. “It was just amazing. We had 15 decorated dinghies – the theme this year was Our Favourite Film; we had 70-odd classic cars on the green for the car rally on Sunday. I think it was so good because the weather was so poor.” One of the hightlights, as ever, were the harbour sports – sculling, dirty shirt and blindfolded races among others. High sheriff Alan Titchmarch took part in the over 14 boys’ race and awarded himself third place after congratulating Jonti Davies and Oliver Davey who came first and second. The procession at the end of the week saw a good turnout. Geisha girls, busy bees and of course that notorious Yarmouth gribble worm all made an appearance.
Send us your news tel: (01983) 402599 email: newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk
Andrew’s on the road again I will be travelling around the Island once again this year meeting Islanders who find it difficult to get to my weekly surgeries. If there are any issues you would like to raise with me please just come along. No appointment is necessary.
West Wight
South Wight
Friday 29th August
Tuesday 2nd September
Gunville (Shop) 0945—1005 Shalfleet (Post Office) 1015—1045 Ningwood (Horse and Groom) 1055—1115 Newbridge (opp former P.O.) 1125—1155 Calbourne (Sun Inn) 1205—1220 Carisbrooke (Central Car Park) 1320—1345 Carisbrooke (Wellington Rd) 1350—1415 Newport (Sainsbury’s) 1425—1525
Pan (Shops) 0945—1025 Merstone (Bus Stop) 1040—1100 Godshill (Loaves and Fishes) 1110—1145 Sandford (Methodist Church) 1155—1215 Wroxall (Spar) 1225—1255 Lowtherville (Shop) 1400—1425 Ventnor (High Street Car Park) 1435—1505 Shanklin (Boots) 1520—1550 Shanklin (Somerfield) 1600—1640
North East Wight Monday 1st September East Cowes (Somerfield) 0950—1030 Whippingham (Community Centre) 1040—1100 Wootton (Tesco) 1110—1145 Binstead (Post Office) 1155—1215 Haylands (Lake Huron) 1325—1355 Ryde (Somerfield) 1400—1500 Ryde (Monkton Street Shops) 1510—1530 Elmfield (Post Office) 1540—1610
tel: (01983) 530808
Medina Valley Wednesday 3rd September Hunnyhill (Hunnyhill Stores) 0945—1010 Parkhurst (Camp Hill Officers’ Club) 1015—1035 Northwood (N’Wood Stores nr. WI Hall) 1045—1105 Cowes (Mill Hill Road Co-Op) 1115—1150 Cowes (Terminus Road Co-op) 1200—1250 Gurnard (Near the clock) 1400—1430 Rew Street (Pond) 1440—1500 Porchfield (Sportsman’s Rest) 1510—1530 Newtown (St Michael’s Church) 1540—1600
24 The Mall, Carisbrooke Road, Newport, PO30 1BW
With our vision for public transport on the Island and a network of frequent, simple and direct bus routes, we are now looking to recruit people with enthusiasm and a passion for working with the public, who have good customer service skills, are reliable and highly presentable. You must be over 18 and hold a full UK or EC car driving licence. If you think you have the right skills and experience to keep our customers happy - and fancy doing it from behind the wheel of our buses - then apply with a covering letter, together with your CV , by e-mail to t.simms@southernvectis.com or post it to T Simms (PCV Driver Application), Southern Vectis, Nelson Road, Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 1RD Southern Vectis is an equal opportunities employer.
Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
14
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday AUGUST 29 2008
News
No hiding place We want the Island to remain a safe place to live and visit HIGH profile searches for illegal drugs on passengers travelling on the FastCat and Red Jet have had a dramatic affect.
Codenamed Operation Sheridan, police also targeted people going into pubs in Union Street, Ryde, on Friday, August 15. Sgt Dave Steele of the IW dog support unit, who led the operation, said: “The strength of this deterrent has been reinforced by the outcome of police activities that day when there were no drugs offences reported in Cowes, one in the Ryde area and fewer reports of crime in both towns.” Specialist police officers, drugs dogs and their handlers were deployed to carry out passive searches of people using the ferries. Public support for the drive against drugs on our street is shown by calls to Crimestoppers, the charity that takes anonymous calls from people with information about crime. PC Simon Wright from the charity
said: “Calls to Crimestoppers for the Island relating to drugs have risen sharply. Around 40 per cent of calls relate to drugs, demonstrating how we, as a community, do not want the scourge of drugs on our streets.” Supt Dean Jones said: “I would like to thank residents and visitors who came into contact with officers in Ryde and Cowes for their co-operation and support.” He also thanked the Red Funnel and Wightlink for their co-operation. “We want the Island to remain a safe place to live and visit, so officers will continue to target those crimes and offenders that affect our communities.” A similar operation at Cowes in March led to the conviction of a heroin dealer who was given a five-year prison sentence and three other arrests for supply offences. Sgt Steele added: ”Intelligence we receive suggests these successes are a powerful warning to anyone attempting to bring drugs across The Solent.
Police with sniffer dogs search passengers and the FastCat for illegal drugs during opperation Sheridan. Also as part of the opperation police stopped anad searched people going into pubs in Union Street, Ryde. Picures courtesy of Hampshire Constabulary.
To advertise contact the sales team
on (01983) 402599
When night falls the bat gang is waiting PAM Ash is getting ready for action. The huge bracket is attached to the open rear window of the car, into which she slots a state-of-the-art recording device. A large amber light goes on the roof and begins to flash. Pam buttons up her coat and pulls on a hat.
“We have the back window open to hold the bracket. It’s not much fun creeping round for hours after dark if you’re not warm” she said. Since 2005, Pam, with the bat section of the Natural History Society, has taken part in the national survey of bat populations, under the auspices of the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT). The survey is to monitor the size of bat populations nationwide and discover which species are where. “I call it bat curb crawling,” laughed Pam. “We wait ’til three-quartersof-an-hour after dusk, then drive along the lanes at 15mph for an hour and a half.” And they count bats. While they’re at it they note sightings of
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mammals such as badgers and foxes, but they are ancillary to the main exercise. The group is a small, dedicated team which operates under Dr Colin Pope, the IW ecology officer. Colin’s wife, Gilly, Carol Flux, Neil Brown, Paul Scott and Pam go out between May and September, doing separate surveys for West and East Wight. The counting is done using the bat sound receiver, which in order to plot the exact location of the bat needs to synchronise with a GPS system, which itself is incorporated into a hand-held computer and in turn connects to a mini-disk recorder. “When our box of equipment arrived we were all rather thrown,” admitted Pam. “Fortunately Neil Brown, an engineer, labelled it all and produced a manual.” At the BCT headquarters the recording is downloaded through a piece of software which translates the sound into a graph and from this image the species can be identified. The most common species on the Island are pipistrelle and
serotine, both of which like to nest in houses. Daubenton’s bats prefer trees, and beckstein’s, barbastelle and noctules are rare but have been found on the Island. When they are not curb crawling, the bat counters go to locations known to have bats, in order to do a headcount. An ordinary bungalow in Cranmore took everyone by surprise. “We were listening to the sounds from the soffits on the sides of the house and after about 20 minutes they all came out – we counted about 450 bats, our biggest count ever.” At Havenstreet Station, the group monitored a roost in the two adjacent Victorian houses. After a long wait, listening to the preparatory shufflings and clicks which always seem to precede an exit, bats flew from the eaves of both houses. But from one it was pipistrelle, and from the other, daubenton’s. “It was only the second known case of baubenton’s bats roosting in houses,” said Pam. As the group set off on their August survey of East Wight – postponed several times because
A noctule. Photo by R E Stebbings / Bat Conservation Trust
bats won’t show in a high wind – Pam recalled the first time they went out on their bat survey. “We’d got the flashing light because that’s a highway requirement if you’re driving at snail’s pace and we’d informed Hampshire police. But after just ten minutes we were stopped on the Briddlesfield Road by a
rather officious policeman. He was reluctant to accept what we were doing, saying he’d have to return to the station to check us out.” They were not put off, however, and the bat monitoring continues. For further information visit www.bats.org. uk, the website of the Bat Conservation Trust.
15
Friday AUGUST 29 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
News
the 2008 Food & Drink Awards
HOW THE AWARDS WORK: A nomination form is included here. Readers are invited to recommend their favourites in a range of categories listed here on the right. From those nominations a short list of three (except AA categories) will be drawn up for each award. The winner of each category will receive an award at a special awards ceremony to be held on 16 November 2008. There will also be a draw for nominators to win invitations to the exclusive award night celebrations.
2008 NOMINATION FORM - Island Life Food & Drink Awards Butcher of the Year
Livestock Producer/ Farmer of the Year
Last years F&D awards were a huge success. This year we are holding the event for 350 guests at Havenstreet Steam Railway. Tickets this year will sell-out quickly so please book your space/table now for the Island's most spectacular and glitzy event. To avoid disappointment please call 01983 409521 to reserve your tickets. Single tickets £58.75 + VAT or VIP tickets £100 + VAT. Tables of ten - twelve.
ISLAND LIFE FOOD & DRINK AWA R D S 2 0 0 8 Your chance to support and promote the finest food & drink on the Isle of Wight The Food & Drink Awards will take place in November 08.
X Write your nomination here Best Local Food Shop of the Year
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
Farringford Hotel Freshwater Bay Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
X Write your nomination here Bakery of the Year
X Write your nomination here
Sponsored by:
Dining Pub of the Year
Sponsored by:
Ethnic Restaurant of the Year
X Write your nomination here Most Distinctive Local Menu
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
Restaurant of the Year
X Write your nomination here Sponsored by:
Hospitality & Catering Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by:
X Write your nomination here
X Write your nomination here Newcomer of the Year
Cowes & Bembridge
X Write your nomination here
X Write your nomination here Drinks Producer of the Year
Sponsored by:
X Write your nomination here
X Write your nomination here Best Food Producer of the Year
Best Cafe/Bar
X Write your nomination here
X Write your nomination here
Sponsored by:
WS GROUP
Sponsored by:
The Old Smithy Godshill
Chef of the Year
Sponsored by:
X Write your nomination here Sponsored by:
Lifetime Achievement Award
X Write your nomination here
Please complete this form and return to the proprietor of the business or alternatively you can post it to: Island Life Magazine, Unit B18, Spithead Business Centre, Newport Road, Sandown, IW. PO36 9PH YOU MUST COMPLETE YOUR NAME/ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR THIS FORM TO BE VALID
Your Name: Address:
See the August issue of Island Life for more details.
Sponsored by:
Write your nomination here X Best Farm Shop
Sponsored by:
Best Tea Rooms/ Coffee Shop
X Write your nomination here
X Write your nomination here
Best Organic Product/Trader
TICKETS FOR 2008
Sponsored by:
*Please ensure that you write the correct name for the business or individual.
Tel/Mob No:
Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
16
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday AUGUST 29 2008
News
SANDOWN AIRPORT... 1930
1940
1950
1960
1949
John Pertwee (Dr Who) then star of radio’s Navy Lark – travelled on the first flight to Croydon, Surrey.
When it reopened after the war it was under the only woman airport commandant in Europe, Mary Wilkins. The regular service to Croydon operated in The Ventnor Flyer.
John Pertwee
Nancy Crinege
1939
Miss Nancy Crinege of Ventnor became the first women member of the Island Civil Air Guard to fly solo. She was just 18.
1959
Pleasure flights were a ba
to the airport’s business. In runway was enlarged, open airport to scheduled service and the Midlands. However flights continued to be the b the airport, and when in 195 club started, based at the Bu Newport, its home was Sand
The airport has seen some illustrious events since its inception in 1935 – not least the first scheduled air service started by Spartan Airlines between London and the Island. It saw some early celebrations, such as the opening of the clubhouse in July 25th 1936, and some tragedies, such as the death of an instructor, Count Karolyi when the control column came out of its socket and his plane crashed.
Favourite for flying Until the fire which destroyed the Aviator bar and restaurant on New Year’s Eve, Sandown airport was the most popular local airfield in the country – a favourite destination for south coast visiting pilots and training schools.
1950s
Charter Aircraft fares, Birmingham to Isle of Wight, circa 1957 Single, Friday £3.15, Saturday £3.15 Return, Friday £6, Saturday £7.10
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1960s
Gatwick – Isle of Wight, May 1961 Single, £3 50; Annual return £5 50; Monthly return £4 50
17
Friday AUGUST 29 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
News
a service to the whole district “THE Air Ministry have approved the site as an Aerodrome, and it is our desire to improve the Air Travel Facilities, by making Lea Airport a centre for East Wight, and we feel that though
1970
it is a Private Enterprise, it will actually be of service to the whole District.” So read the letter from Sandown and Shanklin Flying Services, to Brading Parish Council, in 1935.
The airport, known then as Lea Farm Airport, opened in 1935. With proposals now afoot to develop the site, we look at the way the Isle of Wight Airport has evolved since its inception.
1980
1974
Private clubs – parascending.
ackbone 1959 the ning up the es to Leeds its pleasure backbone of 54 a gliding ugle Hotel in down Airport.
2008
1990
2005
The airport closed in 1974 and reopened as the Isle of Wight Airport in 1977 by new owners Wrefford Fisher and Alec Clark. Since reopening, it has operated as an airfield for light aircraft and private clubs, licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Air Show The airport has hosted
Diana
1985
Royal Discretion.
HRH the Princess of Wales departed from the airport in April 1985, according to a letter to the airport manager, Mr Evans, from Sir John Nicholson, the clerk to the Lieutenancy giving notice of the event.
1963
British Midland Airways from
Birmingham to Sandown. In 1963 there were over 3,000 visiting aircraft, and with the newly extended runway the airport could handle aircraft up to the size of the Herald, Dakota and Bristol 170.
many spectacular airshows. The End of the War show in 2005 was the biggest of its kind in the south, where vintage aircraft flew in, dropped parachutists and were welcomed by marching bands.
1998
Mary Ellis, the Island’s treasured Second World War air
transport pilot, opened the specialist flying school in 1998 – cutting the ribbon with a propeller. It has proved a successful and popular place to train, as the brief flight over the water is a useful first-step challenge for many a budding pilot.
1980s 1st April 1980 (VAT included)
Pleasure Flights – Round the Bay £5, Round Ventnor £7.50; Round Ryde £9.00; Round the Island £15 Landing Fees: £2.20 Single engine aircraft; £4.40 Twins, £6.60 Commercial Twins, £4.40 Commercial Helicopter
1983
Direct flights to the Isle of Wight Newcastle-on-Tyne (2h) £88; Leeds, 1h45mins £75; Liverpool (1h 30m) £60; Manchester (1h 30min) £60; East Midlands (1h 15min) £55; Birmingham (1 hour) £45; Cardiff (45min) £45; Bristol (45 min) £45; Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
18
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday AUGUST 29 2008
News
THE ISLE OF WIGHT
Garlic Festival
Sweet smell of success Garlic Festival organiser, David Holmes, is convinced the inclement weather contributed to the event’s success.
“If it’s raining it’s a disaster, but if it’s one of the few sunny days in the summer everyone’s going to want to take their kids to the beach.” For the first time he conducted a survey to discover whether those attending were Islanders or visitors: the result, about 50/50. “We were on The Times’s website as the best local food festival,” said David. “We always do something to interest the press. Last year it was garlic coffee: this year it was garlic babyfood!” Alvin Stardust performed his hits on the new stage, and Titan the Robot, who made appearances throughout the event, succeeded not only in frightening children but genuinely terrified women. “I’m not sure why a 9ft-tall robot should scare them like it did,” said David. “I must book him again next year.”
Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
19
Friday AUGUST 29 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
ADVERTISEMENT
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Contact your local branch or call 14249
0844 880 53 53 Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
20
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday AUGUST 29 2008
Weddings
Isle of Wight
WEDDINGS
To have your wedding featured in the Isle of Wight Gazette.
Pyner & Roswell
A SURPRISE firework display was Bryan Pyner’s gift to his bride, Amy Jane Rowsell, after their recent wedding at St Edmund’s Church, Wootton Bridge.
It included a romantic finale with “B loves A” being painted in fireworks in the night sky. Amy set off the display over Wootton Creek following the guests’ countdown. Bryan, a local government officer, and Amy, a trainee internal auditor with IW Council, met through mutual friends of the best man, Leon Barton, and his wife. The newly weds honeymooned in Barcelona and
their home is in Wootton Bridge. Bryan is the son of Colin and Susan Pyner, Palmers Road, Wootton. Amy is the daughter of Norman Corbin, Mews Lane, Newport, and Teresa Rowsell of Southbank Road, East Cowes. The bride was attended by her friends Ali Shambrook, maid of honour, Harri Jennings and Nadine Wells. The service was conducted by the Rev Kath Abbott. The reception was held in Fishbourne Yacht Club with 72 guests in the daytime and 160, for the evening.
call (01983) 402599
Left: Toasting success: Bryan and Amy look to the future Below left: Wheels at Wootton: Celebrating at Wootton Creek Below: Best Girl, Amy with her best men Below: Rev Kath Abbott congratulates the couple
Pictures for Pyner & Roswell wedding: Thearle Photography, 24 York St, Cowes.
Tilbury & Morgan NOT for Jessica Morgan and Adam Tilbury a Rolls or Bentley, or even a carriage and four to take them to their wedding at The Albert Cottage, Cowes, last Saturday.
They arrived in a fleet of Volkswagen camper vans. “We had a beachy, surfy sort of theme to the wedding and Adam is a real fan of slit-screen VW vans, which fitted
Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
in well.” Jessica, from Calbourne and Adam from Essex had been planning their laid-back reception for 18 months. “But at the reception we decorated the marquee with garlands, seashells and tropical flowers.” And where are the beachy surfy couple honeymooning? In Newquay, Britain’s surfing capital, of course.
21
Friday AUGUST 29 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
Property
Your FREE guide to: Residential - Commercial - Lettings - New Homes
Property The Isle of Wight
Gazette
www.wightfrog.com
Luxury homes built to last COST-CUTTING luxury sounds like a contradiction, but John King, developer of the new three-bed homes in Newbridge Close, Shanklin, explained that the answer is in the quality of the build.
“Our homes are built to last. They are brick-built in the traditional way, rather than timber-framed. They also have beam and block concrete floors, which means you aren’t going to get the creak of settling timbers.” Another touch of quality is the roof and roofed porch, which are tiled in natural slate. The homes are attractively spacious, and sit well in their plots. Space is important to John, who, four years ago when he acquired the land, had originally planned to build just seven homes. The plan was rejected in favour of a denser development but the 14 houses there still have plenty of space, with fenced, turfed gardens front and rear. The homes are just five minutes walk
from the centre of Shanklin and close to the station. But equally, if you walk the other way, you are five minutes walk from the middle of the countryside. As to the affordable luxury, the homes are built with OSMA underfloor heating throughout, enabling cost savings of up to 25 per cent compared with similar-sized homes with more traditional central heating. “There are controls in every room, which are easy to use,” said John. UPVC double glazing is standard, as are the high quality front doors of the homes. Storage hasn’t been forgotten. A builtin cupboard on the landing makes use of otherwise dead space, and the main bedroom, fitted with TV point for Sky+ cable, has an en suite shower room. Seven out of the ten which are ready have been sold – which, in a flat housing market, is testament to the desirability of quality homes, which are affordably priced at £229,950.
For more information on the houses please call Kingswood Manor Developments Ltd on:
07970 679282 or 07962 018081
BSC MANAGEMENT SERVICES Specialists in Leasehold Property & Commercial Estate Management tel: (01983) 531 555 (01983) 555 100
Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
22
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday AUGUST 29 2008
Property
Follow the frog online Buying and selling your property on wightfrog.com is easy. Here is a quick guide on how to use the site.
Signing up to wightfrog.com • Go onto www.wightfrog.com and click ‘Buy, sell or rent your property’. • Click on the green box titled ‘Click here to sell or rent your property’. When that page has loaded click on ‘Sign Up’. This will take you to the sign up screen. • Type your details in to the boxes, and create a password that is unique to you. Your log in details will be your email address and your password. Then tick the box ‘Unlimited Listings’ and click ‘Complete Sign Up’. You are now ready to start uploading your property. Adding your property • Click the ‘Add Property’ heading and type in your property details in the boxes. You can add as much information as you want to in the ‘Property Description’ section, and can upload up to 4 photographs. • Once you have registered with wightfrog.com each time you log in you can, edit your profile, look at your property, add another property, enquire about advertising, see the properties you have put on your shortlist or logout. All these options will be available once you have logged in.
Searching for a property • Once you have logged on to wightfrog.com and clicked on ‘Buy, sell or rent your property’, select the ‘Area’ you are looking and the ‘Location’. To search for property for sale click the ‘For Sale’ box, and for rentals click the ‘To Rent’ box. The properties will now appear. • When the properties appear on the screen simply click on the photo of the property you are interested in to see more details. • If you have a reference number of a property you are interested in, enter it in the ‘Property Reference Number’ box and click ‘Go’. That property will then appear. The Internet has made searching for a property much easier over the past few years, and now buying, selling or renting a property is even easier with wightfrog.com.
email info@wightfrog.com tel (01983) 409520
www.wightfrog.com
Situated close to Shanklin Old Village, the house stands in 2.5 acres of private and secluded grounds, with individual points of interest including a stone-built summerhouse, a centuries-old walled garden and a victorian conservatory.
Offering 13 spacious apartments, the majority over two floors in a duplex layout, Shanklin Manor provides the best of both worlds - centuries old heritage combined with contemporary luxury.
For details call (01983) 409520
It’s as easy as that!
*terms and conditions apply, please call for details
The Priory 17 Luxury apartments within an exclusive Island setting.
Luccombe – Apartments from £165,000 The Priory is an exclusive range of luxury apartments in Luccombe, located on the outskirts of Shanklin Old Village. The development has been
finished to a very high standard & specification, with a fine eye & attention to detail adding that extra something. The lighting has been designed specifically for
Call (01983) 409520 for more information. each apartment, & the hard wood flooring crafted by hand. The building is in two phases, with one, two & three bedroom apartments available. Each apartment
has access to the landscaped communal garden areas with cliff top views of the sea & Shanklin Bay.
Prices start from just £165,000 and there are a variety of purchaser incentives available. Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
23
Friday AUGUST 29 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
Property
wightfrog.com - the new way to sell or rent your property on the Island for FREE.
Wootton – £399,950
Shanklin – £164,950
Wootton – £179,995
Bembridge – £275,000
Ryde – £139,950
Ryde- £86,500
Spacious older style 2 bedroom semidetached house with some original features. There is a lawned garden to the front. tel: 07968 876963
Detached bungalow with 2 bedrooms, mature gardens, garage, double glazing & gas fired central heating.
Upgraded 3 bedroom detached property offered chain free. Gardens to the front & rear, garage & summer house.
2 bedroom top floor apartment with allocated parking being offered for sale chain free.
tel: (01983) 526096
tel: (01983) 875974
tel: 07796 324610
A well maintained 1 bedroom top floor flat located in Ryde. The property has allocated parking & is offered chain free. tel: (01983) 565856
Lake – £169,950
Lake – From £130,000
Wootton – £489,000
Ryde – £334,950
Ryde – £299,950
Totland Bay – £220,000
Modernised 3 bedroom semidetached house with off road parking & a detached garage. tel: (01983) 404045
Few remaining apartments & cottages. They have videophone entry system, central heating, & allocated parking. Cottages have additional gardens. tel: (01983) 404045
Detached 4 bedroom house with a 2 bedroom annexe. The house has rural views, a double garage, central heating & double glazing. tel: (01983) 884205
3 bedroom detached house with garage & views, being offered for sale chain free. Would consider possible part exchange. tel: 07776 444740
Victorian style house with 4 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, utility room, gas central heating & double glazing. Off road parking & garage to the rear. tel: (01983) 811913
Semi-detached 3 storey house with 3 bedrooms plus a study, central heating, double glazing & off road parking. tel: (01983) 756525
Wootton – £117,950
Wootton – £245,000
Sandown – £320,000
Shanklin – £367,500
Cowes – £225,000
Cowes – £125,000
An end of terrace one bedroom house with its own private garden & allocated parking area.
4 bedroom detached house situated on a corner plot. Benefits include double glazing & a detached garage.
Spacious older style semi-detached house with 6 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, garage & off road parking.
tel: (01983) 884536
tel: (01983) 408091
4/5 bedroom three storey semidetached house with off road parking & courtyard garden. In need of some upgrading. tel: 07815 717754
Ground floor 1 bedroom flat with an allocated parking space being offered for sale chain free.
tel: 07855 459021
Spacious detached house with 4 bedrooms & 2 reception rooms offered chain free. Will consider a part exchange. tel: (01983) 861370
Wootton – £349,000
Sandown – £180,000 guide price A modern style 3 bedroom semidetached house with double glazing, central heating, gardens & parking.
Gurnard – £119,950
Gurnard – £119,950
East Cowes- price on application
Sandown – £139,950
‘Kingfisher’ holiday bungalow was built in 2003, and benefits from having double glazing & central heating.
tel: 07913 331628
‘Skylark’ is an attractive 2 bedroom holiday bungalow with central heating, located at Gurnard Pines Holiday Village. tel: (01983) 731761
2 bedroom ‘park home’ located on Medina Park. It has gardens, central heating & double glazing. There is an age restriction of 55yrs & over. tel: (01983) 200655
A spacious 2 bedroom split level ground floor maisonette with off road parking. Benefits include rear garden, double glazing & central heating. tel: (01983) 407831
Ventnor- from £184,500
Sandown- £109,000
East Cowes – £210,000
New development of 3 bedroom terraced and semi-detached houses with allocated parking & 10 year NHBC warranty. tel: (01983) 852525 or 07976 823222
A 2 bedroom ground floor flat with central heating & double glazing. There is an allocated parking space for the flat. tel: (01983) 406553
Well presented 2 bedroom top floor apartment offered chain free. Benefits include views of the marina & a private residents gym. tel: (01983) 408913
Apartments – from £450pcm An exclusive range of 1 & 2 bedroom apartments available to rent in Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin & Ventnor. Prices from just £450 per calendar month. tel: (01983) 404045 or 07813 090995
phone (01983) 409520 email info@wightfrog.com
LE T AY LI D
AY ID HO L
RE N FO R
All the properties advertised on this page are by private sale of the owner. For more information or to arrange a viewing on a property, call the number on the advert.
HO
tel: (01983) 731761
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A detached 5 bedroom house in a sought after cul-de-sac location. Benefits include double glazing, conservatory, garage & parking. tel: (01983) 247248
tel: (01983) 291250
LE T
Fully refurbished 4 bedroom detached chalet bungalow with views. Benefits include central heating, double glazing & gardens. tel: 07815 680469
Tenerife – from £425 per week
Tenerife – from £230 per week
Fairways Club, Amarilla Golf. Ground floor, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, pool side apartment on Fairways Club, Tenerife. Accomodates up to 6 people.
Fairways Club, Amarilla Golf. First floor, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment overlooking the pool. Accomodates up to 4 people.
tel: (01983) 865165 theresemills@hotmail.co.uk
tel: (01983) 865165 theresemills@hotmail.co.uk
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www.wightfrog.com Residential Property | Commercial Property | Holiday Lettings | Residential Lettings Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
24
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday AUGUST 29 2008
News
Informality pays club dividends
The golden touch
TURNING Customers Into Gold, is the intriguing title of a business seminar led by business consultant and Island resident Dale Howarth.
The fast-paced business seminar and networking event at the new Lakeside Hotel and Spa, Wootton Bridge, on Wednesday, September 24, is free. It will address many of the sales and marketing issues faced by all companies in these increasingly competitive and uncertain times.
The event also aims to destroy the myths and conventions that inhibit many companies and individuals from taking full advantage of the real opportunity that exists. Dale will use real-life examples and case studies to demonstrate how a company’s profits can be accelerated by applying just some of the 10 down-to-earth, simple to implement lessons and strategies that will A NEW, lively busi- many of whom work be presented. ness network launched from home, with nobody in June for people in to interact with all day, to business has been a meet other like-minded business people.” great success. Other than having a The IoW View from the Top networking club flexible attendance aphas a ‘no formal mem- proach, the key to the bership’ which allows success of this network is people to build good con- the timing of the events. nections, while the flex- Lunchtimes are generally ibility allows them to fit far easier slots for people the events around busy as, at that time, they don’t have the school run to lives. Networking club deal with or other family founder Maggie Currie issues they have at the from Creedence Training beginning and end of the Consultancy said: “This day. Maggie added: “Formal is a fantastic opportunity networks for sole traders and those business who work in isolation, assume that it has to be
done a certain way - the way it’s always been done and this just isn’t so, a little creativity goes a long way. Just turn up, buy your lunch - not optional - network and build your business connections.” There is a one-off charge of £5 per person for administration costs. The next ‘IoW View from the Top’ business networking meeting will be held on Monday, September 8, at the Blacksmith’s Arms, Middle Road. Email Maggie at info@ Club founder Maggie Currie creedencetraining.co.uk
Just finished school? “I already know what job I want.”
“What qualifications do I need?” “What can I do with the results I’ve got?”
“Help! I haven’t got a clue what to do!” “I’ve got a pretty good idea.”
“I wish my results were better...”
Whatever your situation – HTP can help Hospitality & Catering
Management
Customer Service
Retail
Business Admin
Apprenticeship
Pre-Apprenticeship
Genesis Programmes
An Apprenticeship shows your current or future employer that you are competent in your work. It can help to progress your career and is a great way to ‘earn while you learn’. If you don’t yet have a job HTP can help you fi nd one in the industries above. You will get expert workplace training and you’ll work towards NVQs and other nationally-recognised qualifications. What could be better!
These courses involve real work experience and are available in Hospitality, Catering, Business Administration and Childcare. You’ll study towards NVQs and other nationally-recognised qualifications. Successful candidates progress into full employment and an Apprenticeship within six months. This could be your fi rst step towards a great career. Courses start soon, so don’t miss out – call now!
Unsure about your next big step to take in life? No problem – join one of our Genesis programmes including E2E where you can try out a variety of work placements. The courses run in Ryde and Newport and we’ll help you build your confidence and improve your Key Skills, CV writing & interview techniques – and gain recognised qualifications such as NVQs or Health & Safety Certificates.
Call Nikki Pakes at HTP
Call James Barclay at HTP
Call Sallyanne Farley at HTP
EA R N U W H IL E N R LEA
01983 533926
NTEED GUAR A ING TR AIN CE N ALLOWA
01983 533926
NTEED GUAR A ING TR AIN CE N ALLOWA
Care Staff Required We require care staff to work on various assignments across the Island. If you have experience or are keen to learn and enjoy helping and caring for people, why not give us a call? Flexible hours available, great pay rates too. Community Care workers Do you have a driving license? Are you looking for temp, contract or permanent work? Have you got experience in care and want a fresh rewarding challenge? If so, we could have just the thing for you! Call us today for more information. Laminators To work in various assignments with a major company based in Cowes. If you have experience in laminating or the processes surrounding it, send us your CV for more details. Catering staff – cooks and assistants If you are a cook or a head chef or just looking for a KP role to keep you occupied then send us your CV today, various temp assignments available, as well as permanent jobs.
01983 824930
Tel: 01983 822226 htptraining.com
5 Gray’s Walk, Pyle Street, Newport, PO30 1TD
david@thsresourcing.co.uk jessica@thsresourcing.co.uk
www.thehirestandard.com Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
25
Friday AUGUST 29 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
News
in association with Morgans Restaurant and The Isle of Wight Gazette WIN a three course meal for two, a bottle of wine and coffee. Prize will be awarded to the first correct entries opened after Monday September 8.
THE chance to dine at Morgans Restaurant, Shanklin, which won Island Life magazine’s Newcomer of the Year Award 2007, will be the prize of one lucky reader and a guest. A three-course meal, including a bottle of wine and coffee is offered by proprietor Tim Morgan, who invites the winner to take up the prize on any day of the week. Tim describes the cuisine he serves at Morgans as predominantly English but with a touch of East-West fusion. “We have a lot of fish on the menu, and use quite a bit of local produce,” he says. The setting, modern contemporary, is relaxed but buzzy.”
Isle of Wight Gazette competition in association with Morgans restaurant:
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Please send completed forms to: Morgans restaurant competition IW Gazette Unit B18 Spithead Business Centre, Newport Road, Sandown, Isle of Wight. PO36 9PH
Q. Which magazine awarded Morgan’s Restaurant the title of Newcomer of the Year?
A.
Name: Address:
Email address: Telephone number: The prize will be awarded to the first correct entry opened after Monday September 8. Terms and conditions apply. Employees and their immediate families of Morgans restaurant and the IW Gazette are not allowed to enter. The editors decision is final, no correspondence will be entered into.
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RIVERWAY
ROYAL MAIL
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WAKES RETAIL PARK
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26
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday AUGUST 29 2008
News
Island’s worst driver by far PREVIOUSLY unpublished diaries by the king, life president and chief traffic warden of the Isle of Wight have given the Gazette a unique insight into this little-known character.
The Isle of Kevin covers the king’s first year in office and describes how he wrestles with issues such as education, sloping seas, wide-bottomed ramblers, bad drivers, health, tourism, fixed link and major events such as the Isle of Kevin Festival. Islanders may recognise themselves in these pages which are best described as Goon-like humour. You may have to brush the cobwebs off one or two of the jokes and while some parts are toe curling, much of it is very funny. As the author, who, wisely, does not identifty himself, said: “It is a wry look at life, which has nothing whatsoever to do with the fact I live on the Isle of Wight.” Take, for example the chapter headed The Worst Driver: I think I may have encountered the worst driver today. He was a big fellow, squashed into the front of his ancient, equally huge Volvo (though I suppose he could equally have been sat in the back as well). At first glance, it looked like there was this cushion jammed into the car, with two little arms sticking out onto the steering wheel. We were on a 60mph road and he was doing 28. Even then he was braking at the sight of the slightest bend. Maybe he couldn’t see either over his belly or through his beard. Anyway, I got past him, reminded him courteously that it was one o’clock and drove expertly (as always) all the way back to the mansion. Then I remembered my father, King Sidney II, and realised that, sadly, he has to win the title. He would accelerate into bends and brake on a straight road with nothing in sight. He would speed up to traffic lights and put his foot down at give-way junctions. He would signal the wrong way with his indicators, then make it worse by sticking his arm out of the window at the same time - still pointing the wrong way. And he wouldn’t have it that he was doing anything wrong.
He would tell us this, looking round at us – while he was driving. He would tell us he’d never had an accident. We’d tell him it was because people built their whole days around our trips. Once the word got round we were on a family outing, miracle, the roads were always clear. The worst of it was, my mum failed her driving test, so us kids had no choice: we just had to duck
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down in the back seats, close our eyes and let dad take the wheel. Needless to say, we were always happy to walk to school. The punchline is, I passed my test, and persuaded him to lend me the car. First time, I took it into town, had a couple of drinks...and came back to find the car had been nicked.
It was found the next day completely burned out by a joyrider... All this is just the prelude to the tourist season here on the Isle of Kevin. Will any of us survive? You can order a copy of The Isle of Kevin by emailing king.kevin@mac.com
27
Friday AUGUST 29 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
News
Fun is funky Morris Minor The Isle of Wight Morris Minor Owners’ Club will be holding its annual rally at The Steam Railway, Havenstreet over the weekend of 30th and 31st August 2008.
The club was formed in 1986 and has held 21 annual rallies – most of these have been held at Havenstreet. In 1997 they also hosted the MMOC Southern Area rally and over 150 Morris Minors attended with some 50 other classics – this was the biggest and best show. Without area status around 100 Morris Minors and up to 50 other classic cars are expected, This, the club thinks, makes it the largest Island run classic car show on the Island and after 22 years it is easily the longest running. The IOW MMOC also must be the largest single-make car club on the Island with over 100 members. The club meets every second Thursday of each month at the Hare and Hounds pub from 8pm. New members are welcome and club chairman Malcolm Jones of Parkhurst says “We all try very hard to make new members most welcome at our informal meetings each month”. For the sixth year the club is also hosting the IOW Autojumble which is becoming a most successful event, with around 20 stalls expected. On the Saturday afternoon there will be a run from Havenstreet to Calbourne Mill, leaving the station car park at around 2pm. Then on the Sunday there will be
Poppy, a white 1959 convertible Morris Minor, which will take part in this year’s London Lord Mayor’s show. a static display in the Havenstreet show field from 10am onwards. Entry to the Station will be free on Sunday. Alan Peeling, rally organiser said “With our 60th birthday celebration rally we are trying to have an informal social event with very little competiton and more fun for all. Southern Vectis has kindly agreed to provide the Old Girl (1939 Bristol K type open Top Double Decker) for trips around the Island with proceeds going the Isle of Wight Bus and Coach museum. This together with the usual
Havenstreet attractions, the Autojumble, and cars should make a most enjoyable day out for all the family”. One of the members, Dave Gilliam of Ryde, has been chosen to represent the National Club’s 60th birthday celebrations on this year’s London Lord Mayor’s show and the club will be raising money at the rally on the Sunday for the Mayor’s charity. The car is a white 1959 convertible affectionately known to all as Poppy. As the Macmillan cancer care charity also celebrates its 60th
anniversary this year the national owners’ club has chosen to also raise money for this charity during 2008. We will be holding a collection prior to our run on the Saturday and during Sunday’s rally”, said Alan. For more information please contact Alan Peeling on IW 612483. All classic cars are welcome at any time over the weekend – there will be no entry fee for any cars. Autojumble stalls are £5.00 each – just turn up on Sunday 31st August from 8am.
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28
News
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The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday AUGUST 29 2008
29
Friday AUGUST 29 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
News
Messing around in boats AS the closing ceremony in Beijing marks the end of a triumphant time for British sailing, another award ceremony, in Yarmouth, celebrates the achievement of those who took part in Oppie Week at Yarmouth Sailing Club.
The connection is not as fanciful as you might imagine. For among those seen excitedly filing past the cameras at the Olympic closing ceremony was one Leigh McMillan, who was one of seven children who took part in the first Oppie Week 20 years ago. The week is the start of the club’s training agenda, which takes youngsters from raw beginners up to competent racing helmsmen. Melinda Measor, rear commodore of the club, said: “The idea is to start children off in these very seaworthy little optimist boats in sheltered water. “When the children are more experienced they can take part in the Oppie National Championships.” A group has just returned from Pwllheli, where this years’ event took place. Children are divided into groups according to their experience. “For those who have never sailed in their lives we start by just getting them used to the idea of boats,” said Melinda. “We use a boat on a turntable to get them started – the rudder and daggerboard are chopped off and we move the boat about for them and explain where the wind is coming from. It gives them the idea.” They also have rigging demonstrations, followed by a rigging race. Beginners do not race but “do things in boats” – like sprit paddling, or the dirty shirt race, where they use one of dad’s old shirts to propel a boat along. “Anything to get them interested and
have fun,” said Melinda. If the weather is bad – and this year’s Oppie Week was hit by high winds and rain – they have a cork race on land, which employs ingenuity if not seamanship. The older and more experienced groups – Silver, Gold and Solent – do race, and 12 children of the 60 who take part go away from the shelter of Yarmouth harbour and their skills are put to the test on The Solent. Competition is keen and it is clear why although at least half the participants are from the mainland, they are anxious to come for this special week. “Some retain membership of the club just to send their children for these training weeks,” says Melinda. The success of the training speaks for itself. When children outgrow the confines of the little boats, and the shelter of the harbour, they often move on to Gurnard, where they always sail on the sea. And the club is starting to see its grown-up members return with their own children. The atmosphere at the end of the week is buzzing with fun, as children, siblings, parents and dogs charge around the grounds of the club, and watch the instructors take part in the last race. Some have to stand in the little boats because they have long outgrown them. Results of Oppie Week: Bronze (beginners). Endeavour – Anthony Williams, Seamanship – Maia Sherwood-Rogers Brass: Endeavour – Lizzy Connaughton, Seamanship – Angus Hinton Brass races: Jnt 3rd, Caroline Campbell and Julia Strachwitz Hamilton: 2nd, Oliver Trotter, 1st, Isobelle Strachwitz Hamilton Silver: Endeavour – Ben Walters, Seamanship – Naomi Wickens Silver races: Jnt 3rd, Naomi Wickens and Ben Walters;
Far back, left to right: Cameron Sellers and William Kearns. Back: Eloise Donovan, Emma Sims, Felix Donovan, Charlie Davies, Charles Campbell, Maia Sherwood-Rogers, Libby Connaughton, Bethany Capon, Theo Seely. Middle: Naomi Wickens, Charlie Cook, Angus Hinton, Isobel Strachwitz Hamilton. Front: Charlie Connaughton, Anthony Williams, Ollie Trotter 2nd, Felix Donovan, 1st Charlie Cook. Gold: Endeavour – Charlie Connaughton, Seamanship, Cameron Sellers Gold races: 3rd, Cameron Sellers; 2nd, Eloise Dovovan ; 1st, Emma Sims
Solent races: Best junior – Theo Seely. Best girl – Sophie Baker 3rd, Charles Campbell; 2nd, William Kearns, 1st, Charlie Davies Parents and helpers’ race: 3rd Lindsey, 2nd, Tom, 1st, Jack.
Right: parents and helpers: Katie Davies, Alex Lock, Clemmie Seely, Emily Parker
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in association with buywise and The Isle of Wight Gazette WIN a gloss black Samsung LE22A457C1DX 22” LCD television has high definition with integrated freeview Prize will be awarded to the first correct entries opened after Monday September 8 .
BUYWISE, the Island’s electrical applicances and furniture store, is offering a 21in Samsung flat screen television to the winner of our competition. The gloss black Samsung LE22A457C1DX 22” LCD television has high definition with integrated freeview Buywise is a family business, which has been established since 1976. It has made its name by its policy of only stocking reliable brands, such as Miele, Hotpoint, AEG, among many others. The stock is constantly updated, and delivery is Islandwide. Matthew Lake of buywise, said: “We are proud to be a Rangemaster Design Centre.”
Please send completed forms to: buywise competition IW Gazette Unit B18 Spithead Business Centre, Newport Road, Sandown, Isle of Wight. PO36 9PH
Q. When was Buywise established? A.
Name: Address:
Email address: Telephone number:
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Isle of Wight Gazette competition in association with buywise:
The prize will be awarded to the first correct entry opened after Monday September 8. Terms and conditions apply. Employees and their immediate families of buywise and the IW Gazette are not allowed to enter. The editors decision is final, no correspondence will be entered into.
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30
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday AUGUST 29 2008
News
Italians in nail-biting finish PERFECT sea conditions meant the 2008 Cowes Classic Powerboat race got off to a flying start.
The fleet of 37 boats left the Cowes Yacht Haven to a running start at Hurst Spit. Twenty-four boats took part in the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race with 13 boats in the Cowes-Poole-Cowes race. For the first time in two decades the race ran without stopping to re-fuel in Torquay. Italian Fabio Buzzi won in 2hrs 18ms 5 secs, a mere four seconds over his fellow countryman Mario Invernizzi. Average speed for the 184 mile course was 91.01mph – the second fastest speed in the 46 year history of the event. James Sydenham and Sally Osborne ran out of fuel 300 yards short of the finish line and paddled their boat over the line to finish 6th.
Left: Fabio Buzzi who won the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race. Above: the winning powerboat.
‘World is their oyster’ Continued from back page. keel boating, windsurfing and dinghies starting at just £5 per evening once a week for a five-week or eight-week course. Island rowing clubs are also anticipating big interest in their sport in the wake of Beijing. Steve Bull, regatta secretary and coach at Ryde Rowing Club, believes the GB rowing haul of two gold, two silver and two bronze medals will have a knock-on effect and lead to youngsters wanting to see if they can make the grade. He said: “After our success at the Athens Olympics four years ago we had quite a few new enquires. “Naturally, some people try rowing and then decide it is not for them. But several others continued the sport. Because the British team did so well in Beijing, we will hopefully get a surge of new members. It would be good to see a positive reaction, and then take advantage of it. We already have a good junior section, but we are always on the look-out for new talent.” Shanklin and Newport Rowing Clubs will also be hoping Island youngsters are inspired by the British rowers’ achievements in China.
Club lays 130-year-old ghost to rest RYDE Rowing Club went to the last Hants & Dorset ARA Championship regatta of the season, at western shore, Southampton, knowing a win in the men’s senior coxless pairs would bring
them the association’s championship in the event for the first time in the club’s 130-year history.
The Wightlink-sponsored club has battled all season with the reigning champions from
Lymington. In order to ensure the best possible chance of winning, the club decided to focus on this event rather than the fours and single sculls and committed their two best crews to the contest.
The A crew of Matt Allsopp and Ian Hayden and B crew of Ben Ade and Mike Jenner both got off to a good start and dominated the race with the B crew winning, finishing two lengths ahead of the A Crew, who were
second and both were well ahead of the rest of the field. With the emphasis placed on the senior pairs’ event, the four of Ben Ade, Adam Dracott, Matt Allsopp and Ian Hayden with
You can bank on Carly That’s my girl: Tony Morris with his daughter, Carly, who raised a lot of cash to kit out the team he manages, Newchurch Colts U11s.
Bryony Reeve coxing had a slightly disappointing row finishing third in the final behind BTC and Itchen. However, three wins during the season were enough to ensure the association selected this crew to represent them at the South Coast Championships in Plymouth on September 13 along with their men’s coast junior crew. Callum Lowe and James Batchelor competed in the junior pairs finish-
ing second while Mike Jenner was the club’s only representative in the men’s senior sculls, finishing third. The Club’s juniorsenior crew of L. Matthews, G. Davies, A. Gain and R. Thomas with Elena Gaskin coxing were having a reasonable row and were in contention before their rudder line broke at the turn. They dropped back to third place, which wasstill their best result of the season.
Hockey club turns goals into £s for kids’ hospice EVERY goal the IW Hockey Club scores in forthcoming season will be worth £1 to the Hampshire and IW Air Ambulance.
WHEN Carly Morris heard that her father Tony wanted to raise money to kit out Newchurch Colts U11 football team, she decided to get on her bike to help out.
Carly, 25, took on a sponsored cycle ride from the Albion Hotel, Freshwater, back
to the Newchurch headquarters in Watery Lane and raised an incredible £700. But the fundraising did not end there. Carly works for Barclays Bank, Shanklin, who agreed to match her £ for £ for all the sponsorship money she picked up. So Newchurch Colts, managed by Tony, are likely
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to be one of the best turned-out teams on the Island this season. She said: “The ride took me just under three hours but it seemed to go on forever, particularly along the Military Road. “I enjoyed it, but was glad to get back home and now it seems all worthwhile.”
It applies to the 1st and 2nd XIs and colts. Club chairman Clive Green quipped: “You never know, maybe it will inspire our players to stick 20 goals a game past the opposition.” He added: “The players and committee really wanted to support a charity during the forthcoming season and we all felt the air ambulance was a superb organisation to get behind. “You never know when you may need help and with the Island having miles of footpaths and coastline, people may get into trouble in difficult-to-access areas.” The club is seeking companies and organisations to support its fundraising. Details can be found at www. iowhockey.co.uk The season begins with a series of friendlies next month before the league campaign starts in October. The air ambulance charity was launched in October 2005 and it relies on voluntary donations. It needs to raise more than £65,000 every month or more than £2,000 every day. The ambulance will be invited to the hockey club’s popular end-of-season hockey festival, which is held every May. Dozens of teams from across the country come to the Island for a weekend of hockey-based activities and fun.
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Friday AUGUST 29 2008 The Isle of Wight Gazette
Sport
Bowling boys win praise for sportsmanship SPORT is a great leveller and a group of young bowlers proved that their comparative youth was no object when they took part in the annual Open Bowls’ Tournament at Gosport.
The aim of county coach Richard Lovell was to put them to the test against older and more experienced bowlers. His verdict: the lads all have a future in the game. Their demeanour and sportsmanship was noted by their opponents, who also said they were a credit to the Island. The youngsters were invited for the second year by Derek Collins, national selector, who, after being impressed with their efforts last year, felt that the young bowlers were more than able to hold their own against the senior teams. He also wanted to assess their progress for future possible England u-25 trials. Team A consisting of Robbi Hayes (lead) Jack Berry (second) Adam Clark (third) and Sam Lines (skip) started their first of five ten-end matches with
a resounding 23 shots to 0 win over a much more experienced opposition. Going on to win their next game they were looking likely to progress to the final stages. However, their third game was a tough affair and although they fought hard, they did not win. Their fate was to be decided in their final round robin game and they went out after meeting their toughest opposition to date. However, it was their teamwork in the face of far more experienced bowlers which was particularly notable. Team B consisted of the youngest group of bowlers – Ryan Trigg (lead) Peter Wheeler (second) Kieran Clark (third) though their stand-in skip Richard Lovell raised the average age somewhat. They started very well by winning their first two games. However, they lost two of their five games, again just missing out on reaching the final stages. Richard said: “All three youngsters played to their potential, competing shot for shot. Ryan’s jack de-
HOWZAT, IW team down but not out
Back row: Jack Berry, Adam Clark, Robbi Hayes and Sam Lines. Front row: Peter Wheeler, Kieran Clark and Ryan Trigg
livery was well executed, as were his bowls. If at any time he did fail to bowl as close as his opponent, Peter managed to step in and back him up.” This was Peter’s first real competition against mainland bowlers but he was far from overawed by the occasion. Kieran, too, although just 13, read the position of bowls well and was not backward in giving good advice to his skip. He also wasn’t afraid to ask the opponents to measure for shots if he thought it was necessary – a sign of great confidence. All of the boys played 50 ends of bowls over a period of six hours, which was more than they would have played in a single day prior to this
competition. “It was a credit to their stamina and concentration that they were able to compete to the very end,” said Richard. During the day Sam Lines from the Ventnor Bowls Club was congratulated by the Gosport president and Derek Collins for his achievement in becoming the youngest player to become the overall IW County Singles Champion. He was wished well in his campaign in the England National Championships at Worthing. Any youngsters who would like to try the sport of bowls can contact Richard Lovell on 564022 or by email richardlovell@talktalk.net
Back left to right: Jake Younie, Henry Bartlett, Ubaid Sattar, Tommy Barton, Joe Winchcombe, Jamie Icke, Ashley Goldsmith Front left to right: Callum Miller, James Cheek, Jordan Goldsworthy, Barney Tyler, Alex Barton
Listening, sharing, taking turns and teamwork – that’s football
PROFESSIONAL footballers are not and movement skills to children of all ages for young children to learn. always the best role models for young- in schools across the Island and have found “To see the children having fun with smiles that the children who have good listening on their faces is the biggest reward and, who sters taking up the ‘beautiful game’.
Cynical tackles, disputing match officials’ decisions, spitting and bad language often take the gloss off some fantastic displays of skill. Enter Island football coach Tony Harris and his Little Kickers, a national organisation offering classes for under-fives (girls and boys) which goes up to age seven. The coaching ethos of Play not Push will gladden the heart of any concerned parent. In addition to learning football skills the children develop important social skills such as listening, sharing, taking turns and teamwork. Tony said: “I coach a wide range of sports
skills are more receptive to coaching and so progress well in all sports.” In this age when child obesity is such a major issue, the aim is to give children a head start in their sports education. The well-structured sessions have been devised by FA coaches, child health specialists, nursery nurses as well as parents. Tony has been an FA coach for 20 years and is a coach educator for FA Learning and Hampshire FA. He is one of a select group of FA learning tutors qualified to deliver the FA Safeguarding Children in Football workshop. “Little Kickers provides a great platform
knows, maybe, one day, a future football star will emerge having begun football with Little Kickers IW.” There are three age groups: junior kickers are for ages two years to three and a half years. Mighty Kickers goes up to five years, and mega kickers from five to seven years. All classes have two coaches and parents are asked to stay for the 45 minute class to support their Little Kicker. Classes are based in Ryde, Newport and Sandown. For more information visit www.littlekickers.co.uk
Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599
32
The Isle of Wight Gazette Friday AUGUST 29 2008
Sport
Don’t write me off - Kelly
ISLAND athlete Kelly Sotherton narrowly failed She said: “I am not one to give up and I know I have 37.66 metres in the javelin, before running 2mins But after qualifying for the final, the quartet could 07.34secs in the 800 metres, her medal dreams had only manage fifth place behind gold medallists United to add to Britain’s impressive medal haul at the more to give.” States in a time of 3mins 22.68secs. Surprisingly, her medal hopes were dashed after she already vanished. Beijing Olympics.
Sotherton was just one place away from emulating her bronze medal achievement in the heptathlon in Athens four years ago. The 31-year-old all-rounder was initially placed fifth in her gruelling seven-discipline event. But she was later elevated to fourth after Ukraine’s Lyudmila Blonska was disqualified for failing a drugs test. Sotherton now plans to take a rest from athletics but is determined to make a comeback, and still hopes to compete in the London Olympics in 2012.
struggled in two of her strongest events, the high jump and long jump. She began her programme by running a personal best 13.18secs in the 100 metres hurdles, but dropped down to fifth place after clearing only 1.83 metres in the high jump. She recovered to record another PB of 23.39 secs in the 200 metres, and her shot put of 13.87m left her in third place after the opening day. However, her long jump distance of 6.33 metres was way below her best, and even though she managed
Water sports Games ‘boom’
SCORES of Island youngsters are set to turn to sailing and rowing in a bid to emulate their Olympic heroes.
Clubs of the two sports across the Island are bracing themselves for a big surge in interest after British competitors returned from Beijing with an impressive haul of six medals in both sailing and rowing – surpassed only by the 14 medals gained in the cycling velodrome. Ciaran Rogers, marketing manager of the Cowes-based UK Sailing Academy (UKSA) charity, believes the heroics of south coast sailors Ben Ainslie and Paul Goodison, who both struck gold in China, will inspire Islanders to reach out for the London 2012 Games and beyond. Mr Rogers said: “People like Ben, Paul and Shirley Robertson at the last
The gold was won by Nataliia Dobrynska of Ukraine with 6,733 points. She was followed by Hyleas Fountain (US) on 6,619 and Tatiana Chernova (Russia) with 6,591 while Sotherton totalled 6,517 points. Later in the Games the Islander, who competes for Midlands-based Birchfield Harriers, had another chance of a medal when she was included in the GB women’s 4 x 400 metres relay squad, where she teamed up with individual gold medallist Christine Ohuruogu, as well as Marilyn Okoro and Nicola Sanders.
Island sailor Leigh McMillan also came home empty-handed from Beijing after competing in the Tornado class at the sailing regatta. McMillan, 27, from Newport, started sailing aged eight in a clinkerbuilt dinghy at Newtown Creek. But despite being Britain’s top Tornado helm, ranked sixth in the world, he and crew mate Will Howden struggled to find their best form, and eventually had to settle for sixth place. See Oppie week p29.
Devon the cream team
By Peter White
Olympics, were not born sailors. They just began the sport out of interest and it grew from there. There is no reason why Island youngsters cannot follow in their footsteps. “Sailing is something to enjoy but the world really is their oyster. “We are expecting a lot more people to come along and try sailing on the back of our success at the Olympics. We experienced similar interest after Dame Ellen MacArthur sailed around the world. “People cannot help but be impressed with what happened in Beijing and will want to try it for themselves. It would be wonderful to unearth another Olympic champion.” The UKSA caters for would-be sailors from the age of eight, with courses in Continues on page 30.
See further images on page 31.
Defending champions, the Isle of Wight, failed to hold on to their title in the IW Youth Cricket Festival.
Devon were worthy champions, winning all five of the
matches in which they took part. A couple of matches were abandoned due to the weather but the boys had a good festival. A total of 3,394 runs were
scored and 160 wickets were taken at an average of 21.21 per wicket. Two boys scored centuries and seven scored 50 or more. Only one bowler took five or
more wickets in an innings. Main sponsor was The Lord’s Taverner’s with further financial help from Southern Householders, Laurie Calloway estate agents and Wightlink Ferries.
FA Cup fever has taken over Brading Town FC as they will be ‘cup holders’ until they are knocked out of the competition before the Wembley final in May. The club was chosen by FA Cup sponsors e-on and players, fans and officials all took the opportunity recently to be photographed with the world-famous trophy. Among them was Island referee, Terry Crow, left. The club, founded in 1871 and fielding three senior and a colts’ side, play north London side Chesham Utd away tomorrow (Saturday) in the next round. Brading are expected to take a huge number of their fans with them to cheer them on against a team above the Wessex League.
Up for the cup Send your news to newsdesk@iwgazette.co.uk or tel. (01983) 402599