Issue 11 - The Isle of Wight Mail

mail Isle of Wight

The Island's free community newspaper

GET ALL THE LATEST NEWS, VIEWS AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION AT WWW.IWMAIL.CO.UK

GO YELLOW SUPPORT THE ISLAND'S HOSPICE

A Free-floating Arts Festival

Temporary Closure Extended

More Information For Visitors

The Earl Mountbatten Hospice is hoping to turn the Isle of Wight a glorious hue of sunshine on Friday 12th July – Page 24

JOIN OUR ONLINE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY AT WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ISLEOFWIGHTMAIL

ISSUE NUMBER 11 Friday 5th July 2013

2

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5 th July 2013

Barton Primary pledges to improve The leadership of Barton Primary has pledged to act 'quickly and decisively' to improve the school after it was placed in special measures by Ofsted.

Though Ofsted found Barton met the minimum standard for pupil attainment and progress, the school said it must do all it could to offer pupils and parents more.

Head teacher Mark Snow, who took up post in April this year, said work had already begun on an action plan to bring about improvement and a recruitment campaign was about to be launched to bring more high quality teachers to the school.

Mr Snow said: "The Ofsted judgement was clearly a disappointment to all those involved with the school. But what we must do now is to act swiftly and decisively to bring about the improvement that is required.

"We have seen on the Island that schools can be turned around quickly if everyone works together: this is what we must do at Barton."

Co-chairs of Governors Rachel Brown and Ashley Bishop said: "We will be working with the local authority to ensure an effective action plan is drawn up and implemented. We know the community is passionate about the

school, as are its staff and Governors. I am sure that by all working together we can bring about the improvements required not just to bring Barton out of special measures but to make it an outstanding school that gives its pupils the best possible start in life.

"We will be calling a meeting of all parents to explain the Ofsted findings and, more importantly, to outline what we will be doing to turn the school around. The continuing support of parents who we know care passionately about the school - will be a crucial part of this journey."

The co-chairs said they were pleased Ofsted noted that Barton's nursery gave children a good start on which it was now the duty of the school to build.

Richard Priest, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for children's services, said the local authority, highlighted by Ofsted as not challenging the school effectively enough, would work closely with Barton to help the school improve.

"We have seen with the recent success of Gatten and Lake Primary School that went from special measures to good in 17 months that improvement can be rapid if everyone works together,"

Over 200 people sign up for NHS Trust Over 200 festival goers signed up to become members of the NHS Foundation Trust at this year’s Isle of Wight Festival.

In a ‘lucky dip’ draw three of those who signed up at the weekend will receive pairs of Wightlink passenger return tickets.

The three to receive Wightlink tickets are Lorraine Woodward and Mark Turtle, from East Cowes and Ian Brown, from Southampton “I am delighted,” said Ian Brown.

“I have already booked my tickets for a holiday in August but this means I can return to the Island again soon!”

Isle of Wight NHS Trust is recruiting members to become a Foundation Trust. We aim to recruit 6,000 members by April 2017. We believe that becoming an NHS Foundation Trust will bring important benefits to the Island and the patients we serve.

We will be able to be more innovative, efficient and improve quality to provide an even better service to patients.

It is expected that Isle of Wight NHS Trust members will elect a Council of Governors in early 2014. By becoming a Member individuals can have a greater say in how things are done in order to achieve the best possible quality of care. It is voluntary and free

of charge but members won’t be given any preferential healthcare treatment. Any one aged 11 and over can become a Member and only by being a Member can individuals stand to be elected as a Governor.

The Trust’s Council of Governors will comprise 14 members of the public (13 from the Island), 5 members of staff, 1 NHS volunteer and 5 stakeholder Governors drawn from: Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Isle of Wight, Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, Tourism & Industry, Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Isle of Wight Council and Voluntary Sector Forum, part of the Island’s Health and Wellbeing Board Margaret Eaglestone, Membership Officer at the Trust said: “We’ve been really pleased by the response to our membership campaign but we still need more people to join. We’ll be out and about across the Island over the coming months so do please come and talk to us about membership.”Patients and everyone who uses Isle of Wight NHS Trust services are encouraged to ‘Make A Difference’ by signing up as members. You can do so: Online at www.iow.nhs.uk/ft

3

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

Brading Post Office is to stay at The Brading Centre A trial relocation of Brading Post Office to the Brading Centre West Street, Brading, Isle of Wight, has been made permanent.

Godshill Post Office subpostmaster, Michael Bulpitt, who is also Chief Executive of Community Action Isle of Wight, has been successful in reaching a permanent agreement with Brading Town Council to operate a hosted outreach service at The Brading Centre. A hosted-service is whereby a subpostmaster from a nearby core

post office visits a community at fixed times and offered a service from a ‘host’ location – namely Godshill Post Office.

Mr Bulpitt had been offering a hosted outreach service at The Dark Horse Pub, 10 High Street, Brading, PO36 0DG, on a temporary basis to restore a service in the area. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the public house then closed.

Opening hours are Monday: 12.00 – 15.00; Wednesday: 09.00 13.00; Friday 15.00 – 18.00.

“We must keep the Facilities for Youngsters” – says Island MP Andrew Turner has spoken of his disappointment following the announcement that the Government intends to relocate the Island’s Territorial Army (TA) members to mainland units.

However he has said he will work to ensure that facilities on the Island will continue to be available for the 200 or so members of the Cadet Forces. The announcement was made in the House of Commons following an extensive review of the TA and a planned full-scale reorganisation of the reserve forces which support the regular army.

Mr Turner commented: “The Minister says we have only 13 members of the TA based here – there are other Island residents in the TA but they choose to travel to the mainland to train and serve in other units. I will of course be consulting with those affected to hear their views and to help them respond formally to this announcement. However, there is also a bigger picture which I am asking the Minister to take into account.

“We have over 200 young people on the Island serving in the army, navy, air and combined cadet forces; many of them use the TA facilities, Drill Hall and Jersey Camp, to train. If they are taken away, due to the small numbers of Island TA members, it will be a real blow to those young people, especially as, due to the cost and difficulty of crossing the Solent, they have no realistic opportunity of being able to access other facilities. I have therefore asked for a meeting with the Minister together with a group of those involved to discuss this in more detail.”

1/8 A4 Page Advert 01+ Issues @ £7.50 03+ Issues @ £7.00 06+ Issues @ £6.00 12+ Issues @ £5.00 www.iwmail.co.uk/advertising

Tax relief for employee-owned companies The government is launching a consultation on providing two new tax reliefs to encourage and support the creation and growth of employee-owned companies.

First is a capital gains tax relief which would apply when the controlling share of a business is sold into an indirect employee ownership structure.

This would encourage individuals wishing to sell their business to consider an indirect employee ownership structure, leading to the creation of new indirect employee ownership structures.

The second tax relief being considered is an income tax and national insurance contributions (NICs) exemption. This would allow indirectly employee owned companies to pay their employees a certain amount per annum, free of income tax and NICs. There would also be an employer NICs exemption for the company.

Launched on Employee Ownership Day, this consultation is focused on indirect employee ownership forms; this is where shares are held collectively on behalf of

the employees – for instance in an employee benefit Trust.

Views are sought on the two tax reliefs which the government has decided to introduce in order to encourage, promote and support indirect employee ownership structures.

The Nuttall Review of Employee Ownership in 2012 highlighted that employee-owned companies can provide numerous benefits to the economy, including faster job creation, resilience during the economic downturn and increased commitment from staff.

Following the review, the government announced at Budget 2013 that it will provide £50 million annually, from 201415, to support employee ownership models.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: “ We want to encourage greater use of employee ownership in UK businesses and want to ensure that we provide reliefs that are supportive and effective. Views are invited from both people inside and outside the employee ownership sector. This stage of the consultation will run until 26 September 2013.

4

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

The Chamber Opera Chicago is coming to the Isle of Wight A new musical adaptation of one of Jane Austen's most admired novels will be coming to the Isle of Wight for one night only.

The story is set around a woman who has loved and lost and gets a second chance.

Original adaptation by Barbara Landis Featuring songs from Jane Austen's manuscripts and music of the period Fully staged with chamber orchestra, beautiful Regency costumes and world renowned Irish dancers Persuasion focuses on the regret and loneliness of the heroine, Anne Elliot, who has rejected a proposal of marriage from the one man she truly loved. Anne had allowed herself to be persuaded by her snobbish family's convictions that Captain Wentworth was unworthy, but after a separation of eight years, the tables have turned. Anne is nearly an old maid and her once rich family is on the verge of bankruptcy, and Captain Wentworth returns from sea with both rank and fortune. Can he

forgive her for being persuaded to break off their engagement rather than following her heart?

And can their lost love be rekindled? One of the most powerful love stories ever written, it will leave you breathless! “’A diamond of the first water.’

The Regency encomium seems appropriate when describing Persuasion. Hardly ten minutes into the production, I knew that I was seeing a winning new adaptation of Jane Austen’s last completed novel. This story of Anne Elliot’s second chance at love is told with such wit and life that I predict that this diamond will be remounted for years to come. And I certainly hope it will.” (Lori Davis, Reviewer for Chicago Stage Style and JASNA.) For more information check out www.chamberoperachicago.org.

The musical takes place on the 14th July at Shanklin theatre.

Tickets are priced at £14.00 and can be purchased by calling 01983 868000.

WIN TICKETS: see the iwmail facebook page or follow @iwmail for a chance to win tickets

‘What makes Events hard to Stage?’ asks MP The Island’s MP, Andrew Turner, is calling for organisers of Island events, large and small to let him know about the difficulties they face when staging them. He hopes to find ways to help make organising public events easier, by looking closely at the rules, regulations and legislation that can make them difficult to stage – or sometimes even prevent them from going ahead at all.

Mr Turner commented: “We have many wonderful events on the Island, from local flower shows to internationally renowned music festivals. They add greatly to Island life and are essential to our tourist trade.

However, I am sometimes told of obstacles that make putting them on very challenging.

For example it may be the cost of insurance, the demands of the highways department or health and safety fears for volunteer helpers or visitors.

If local organisers let me know of the problems I will see if there is anything that can be done to ease the way. For instance it might be possible for similar events to share insurance cover, I can raise issues with the Council or with Ministers, or I can challenge the

Health and Safety Executive to justify rules that seem unreasonable. I am grateful to the Garlic Festival organiser, David Holmes, who has volunteered to assist with this major piece of work.”

Mr Holmes, who took over management of the Garlic Festival from Newchurch Parish Sports and Community Association six years ago said; “The Garlic Festival raises many thousands of pounds for Island charities each year – yet it seems we are constantly besieged by red tape and excessive bureaucracy.

If there are common problems we may be able to find common solutions and I very much welcome the opportunity to help investigate on a voluntary basis. I hope as many people as possible will send in their views so that we can look constructively to see if there is anything that can be done to help.”

Anybody connected with any event can send their comments by e-mail to mail@islandmp.com or by post to Mr Turner’s office at the Riverside Centre, Newport, PO30 2QR

of Wight Mail | Friday 5 July 2013 IsleThe ofIsle Wight Mail – February 2012 th

5

6

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

Full Steam Ahead: The Great Railway Treasure Hunt Author of the Peter’s Railway children’s books and steam engine fanatic, Chris Vine, is encouraging families to explore the heritage of Britain’s steam railways including the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway and East Sussex’s Bluebell Railway this summer through The Great Railway Treasure Hunt.

Offering £1000 in prizes, families across the UK have been challenged to visit the country’s steam railways, answering questions as they go.

With over 50 of Britain’s heritage railways and museums on board including the Severn Valley and North Yorkshire Moors Railways, the Great Railway Treasure Hunt aims to get families and their children to celebrate and learn more about Britain’s rich engineering history.

A different quiz sheet for each of the participating venues can be downloaded from PetersRailway.com. As an added incentive, many railways are offering their own prizes including family tickets, guided tours, and goodie bags.

Fort Victoria Model Railway is the Isle of Wight’s first stop on

this summer’s Great Railway Treasure Hunt. Displaying an extensive collection of both British and foreign miniature railways, visiting this miniature museum is the perfect activity to plan a family day out on the Isle of Wight around. Treasure hunters can work their way through the questionnaire while exploring the vast and colourful miniature world.

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is just one of the heritage railways on board for the Great Railway Treasure Hunt this summer. The home of the ‘Island Steam Show’, the railway has numerous notable steam and diesel locomotives which have been lovingly restored to run in full working order.

Complemented by an extensive amount of rolling stock, families can puzzle through questions while exploring the museum or journeying through glorious unspoilt countryside.

The Great Railway Treasure Hunt is free to enter and open to children 14 years old and under, with the competition closing on 30 September. Chris is offering a top prize of £500 for the top scoring entrant, £250 for the runner up and

a further £250 for the entrant who has visited the most railways or museums throughout the summer.

Lord Faulkner, President of the Heritage Railway Association, said: “The Great Railway Treasure Hunt 2013 is an excellent initiative.

A great railway adventure for all the family this summer!”

Chris Vine, creator of the Great Railway Treasure Hunt and author of the popular children’s books Peter’s Railway said: “Steam railways inspired me to become an engineer and the books are my way of passing on my passion for science and engineering to youngsters. The Great Railway Treasure Hunt aims to get them out to see real engineering, live on steam railways.”

The Peter’s Railway books tell the story of Peter and his grandfather as they build a steam railway across their farm. The books feature charming stories from Peter’s Grandfather about the old steam railways, and are interspersed by special how-itworks pages and simple engineering explanations, bringing science to life for children.

IW Mail

01983 898 838

Brainstrust announced as Sainsbury’s new Local Charity partner Sainsbury’s West Cowes has announced that Brainstrust will receive a year’s worth of fundraising and awareness support. The charity who supports patients and families affected by a brain tumour diagnosis will be the new Local Charity partner for the retailer’s West Cowes store.

The scheme, which began in 2009, has raised more than £5 million to support local communities in the last four years. The store in Cowes situated on the High Street, has had great success in supporting previous local charities and last year raised £500 for Layla’s Trust offering respite to terminally ill children and familes. The charity will be using the money to provide continuous round the clock care and support both to patients and families and offer the resources to put them back in control.

Customers had a huge say in this year’s announcement and voted in-store and online between 1st to 15th May. Members from the charity will be coming into store on Saturday 15th of July to

announce the partnership to customers.

Sainsbury’s Charlie Bird, Store Manager, said: “We’ve had a great response from our customers and we’re delighted to have chosen a charity which many of our customers and colleagues can associate with. We will now be working closely with the charity to ensure they really benefit from the Local Charity partnership”.

Helen Bulbeck from Brainstrust added: “We know the success that the Local Charity partnership has bought to many charities across the island so when we received the recent phone-call to tell us the news, we were thrilled. The exposure and support is going to be massively beneficial to the brain tumour patients and carers that we’re helping and on behalf of our community we’d like to thank every Sainsbury’s Cowes customer who voted”.

7

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

Science buskers to entertain holidaymakers this summer Marine engineers from the University of Southampton are becoming ‘science buskers’ this summer to showcase the significance of their work and to raise awareness of engineering’s importance in global ocean use.

The ‘Marine Engineering Connections’ project will see around 30 engineers engage and entertain holidaymakers travelling to and from the mainland to the Isle of Wight over 10 summer weekends.

The engineers will be trained in science-busking techniques to captivate, educate and start informal dialogues with holiday travellers on Wightlink’s most popular routes between Portsmouth and Fishbourne and Lymington to Yarmouth.

The ‘buskers’ will explore current and future maritime challenges, such as climate change, energy, coastal habitats, trade and transport), turning a routine 40minute sea crossing into an exciting engineering journey.

Using a specially-designed marine engineering toolkit, engineers will give three 10minute ‘busks’ to small groups of passengers by moving around the ship’s open areas and stopping where appropriate. Activities will all be hands-on, in the sense that the engineer can hand the kit over to a passenger to demonstrate to others while the engineer offers a commentary on the principle/effect on display.

For instance, a participant engineer might use a wave tube to demonstrate the effect of turbulence on the seabed and open dialogue with surrounding passengers about how to engineer solutions to minimise this impact.

Depending on the conversation, the engineer might relate this to their own work practice or research, and encourage connections to be made between the ferry and global sea transport.

Dr Steve Dorney, Public Engagement Tutor at the University of Southampton, says: “This project was driven by our desire for an innovative way to connect our marine engineers with the wider public. We have

seen (on other projects) how powerful the busking methodology can be, and realised that the relatively short journey times of the Solent ferry routes provided a perfect maritime platform for this activity.

John Burrows, Operations Director for Wightlink, adds: “Wightlink has a long standing relationship with the University of Southampton. In recent years we have acted as a case study for a Group Design Project looking at vessel design and currently sponsor a Research Studentship Project. We are delighted to be working closely with the University with this venture. At the recent trial run, everybody who saw the busking was absolutely entranced and could not wait to have a go themselves.

Over a busy weekend we can carry over 30,000 passengers and I hope large crowds will gather to enjoy the show.”

Marine Engineering Connections, which is funded through the Royal Academy of Engineering's public engagement grant scheme, Ingenious, is led by the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI) at the University of Southampton, in partnership with Wightlink and Lloyd’s Register.

By 2014, Lloyd’s Register will have moved to be co-located with SMMI on a purpose-built campus site in Southampton.

The partnership between the University and Lloyd’s Register is currently the largest academic/industry partnership in the world and is set to maximise marine engineering connections across academia and industry.

Nick Brown, Marine Communications Manager for Lloyd’s Register, says: “We hope this will raise awareness of the importance of engineering. It is the world's engineers working in partnership with industry and academia who will help forge a future that works. Without ships there is no world trade, so we need the engineers of the future to be excited about the sea and how ships work.”

Contact the Isle of Wight Mail -------------------------------------------------------------

T: 01983 898 838 :: M: 07413 599 446 ------------------------------------------------------------press@iwmail.co.uk | www.iwmail.co.uk

Cyclists tackle charity challenge Cyclists of all ages and abilities took part in the Island leg of the 100 Here 100 There event on Sunday (30 June) to raise thousands of pounds for good causes.

Over 140 cyclists – including the Island’s chief fire officer Steve Apter – took part in the ‘100 Here’ ride, cycling a choice of two routes - either 100 kilometres or 100 miles, starting and finishing at Ryde Fire Station.

The rides passed Sandown and East Cowes fire stations which were used as feeding stations, along with Yarmouth Institute and Ventnor Botanic Gardens, where refreshments were available for those taking part.

The ride followed the recent marathon effort of firefighters Kelvin Wright and Lee Venier who together cycled up and over 111 mountains in the Alps over ten days – the ‘100 There’ element of the charity challenge.

Though the overall event has been organised by the IW Fire and Rescue Service - with support from various organisations and businesses including main sponsor GKN - Sunday’s 100

Here ride was open to all.

Organisers are confident that this weekend’s ride will have taken the overall 100 here 100 there total well over the £20,000 mark.

Money raised will go to the Wessex Cancer Trust as well as supporting Island charity Seeds4Change and the Firefighters Charity.

Organiser, Kelvin Wright, said: “It was great to see so many people out on their bikes on Sunday to support our fundraising challenge. The charities we are supporting are really important to us and we are delighted to announce that with the amount raised so far and the hard work of everyone involved in the Wessex Cancer Trust, the cancer support centre in Lugley Street, Newport will now be open earlier than expected on Friday 5 July providing a valuable service to Isle of Wight cancer patients and their families.

“Thank you to everyone who has taken part or donated to these worthy causes.”

For more information about the ‘100 Here, 100 There’ challenge, visit http://iow100.btck.co.uk/.

8

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

Tribute to Dolly Parton comes to Shanklin Theatre The Dolly Parton Story is a two hour journey through the sensational career of one of country music’s most successful ladies. Dolly Parton’s career has spanned over 50 years and her most celebrated material features in this show, from her early country classics such as ‘Coat of Many Colours’ and ‘Joshua’, through to the later smash hits such as ‘Jolene’, ‘Islands in the Stream’, ‘I Will Always Love You’ and ‘9 to 5’.

Andrea Pattison from Sunderland has been a professional singer for many years and in that time, many people have commented on her similarity in sound and style to Dolly Parton. As a life long fan of Dolly’s, Andrea always took this as a huge compliment, then she decided to use that aspect of her talent to reach a wider audience.

Now in its fourth year this great show has built up a huge following around the UK and will be venturing further in the near future. With an all live band providing the sound and an array of amazing, rhinestone encrusted replica costumes, this is a real treat for any Dolly Parton fan.

As well as celebrating the life and music of Dolly Parton, Andrea

will be incorporating her own experiences and music into the show. Andrea’s first album of original songs ‘Stormy’s Daughter’ was recently released and one of the songs will feature in the stage show. Dolly’s influence on Andrea’s writing and singing is obvious throughout the album, but especially evident on the Bluegrass track ‘Nobody’s Baby’ – a heartfelt recollection of her less than idyllic early life in Sunderland.

“The musicians did a great job and the audience didn't want the show to end. We had three encores before Andrea left to tremendous applause” - Dave Walker, Cross Country Magazine “to call this a tribute show would be an injustice, it is much more than that, shut your eyes and it was Dolly!” - Iain Gordon, Glasgow Pavilion Theatre Manager Dolly Parton Story will be appearing at at Shanklin Theatre, Isle Of Wight on Saturday 3rd August 3013, 7.30pm. Tickets £17.50. Call 01983 868000 or visit shanklintheatre.com To find out more about the show visit www.dollypartonstory.com

Air Ambulance launch ‘Reuse Ya Shoes’ campaign With the end of the school year fast approaching, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is launching their ‘Re-use Ya Shoes!’ campaign in schools across the County.

Instead of binning old school shoes, football boots, trainers and wellies the charity is asking that people donate them and help to raise those vital funds to keep the Air Ambulance flying and saving lives. It doesn’t matter how old or what condition they are in, any shoe will do and they can all be recycled.

Much like the ‘Bag A Bra’ campaign, the shoes are sold on through reputable traders in other countries, or if they are in really bad condition they can be used for parts to repair other footwear, so nothing is wasted.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance want local schools to get involved and take part in the ‘Re-use Ya Shoes’ appeal, asking children to fill as many bags as they can and building a tower of

shoes to see which school can get the highest tower for a prize.

John Perry, Chief Executive of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance said “We are trying to get as many schools involved as possible this year and to collect a record number of shoes! This is a really worthwhile cause because your donations are not only helping the Air Ambulance, but also helping people in countries worldwide.

“We really appreciate all the donations we receive and everything helps towards keeping your Air Ambulance flying and saving lives.”

For more information about ‘Reuse Ya Shoes’ please visit hiowairambulance.org.uk or call the office on 02380 333377 to request a special green bag.

Thursday 12th September will be the scheduled collection day where volunteers of the charity will drive around to any schools/nurseries that have taken part in collecting old shoes.

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

9

10

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

Police unit aimed at targeting intellectual property crime A new police unit aimed at targeting intellectual property crime has been announced.

The unit will be dedicated to tackling online piracy and other forms of intellectual property crime such as counterfeit goods. It will be one of the first units of its kind in the world, ensuring that the UK stays at the forefront of intellectual property enforcement.

The Intellectual Property Office will provide £2.5 million in funding over two years to the City of London Police, which is the National Lead Force for fraud, to establish and run the unit. It is expected the unit will be up and running in September. Minister for Intellectual Property, Lord Younger said: Intellectual property crime has long been a problem in the world of physical goods, but with the growing use of the internet, online intellectual property crime is now an increasing threat to our creative industries. These industries are worth more than £36 billion a year and employ more than 1.5 million people.

Government and our law enforcement agencies must do all they can to protect our creative industries and the integrity of consumer goods. By working with the City of London Police, who have recognised expertise in tackling economic crime, we are

showing how committed this government is to supporting business and delivering economic growth.

The Commissioner, Adrian Leppard, said: Intellectual property crime is costing the UK economy hundreds of millions of pounds each year, with organised crime gangs causing significant damage to industries that produce legitimate, high quality, physical goods and online and digital content in an increasingly competitive climate.

The establishment of a new online intellectual property crime unit is evidence of the governments commitment to confront this threat.

In doing so, they will also be safeguarding jobs and protecting people’s personal and computer safety by ensuring they are not exposed to counterfeit goods and unauthorised copyrighted content.

Around 7 million people a month visit sites offering illegal content in the UK. Globally, it is projected that digitally pirated music, films and software will account for losses of around $80bn – this is expected to rise to $240bn by 2015.

According to The Creative Coalition’s TERA Report (2010), if nothing is done about copyright infringement, up to a quarter of a million jobs in the UK could be at risk by 2015.

Support for people addicted to prescription or OTC medicines New commissioning guidance for the NHS and local authorities on how to respond to the needs of people who are addicted to medicines has been published by Public Health England (PHE).

The guidance sets out PHE’s expectation that support should be available in every area for people with a dependency on prescription or over-the-counter medicines, based on a full assessment of local need.

Under the recent health reforms, local authorities, working closely with the NHS and other health partners, are responsible for building an understanding of what treatment responses are required in their area and ensuring that the right support is in place.

The guidance has been produced with input from experts on addiction to medicines. It outlines a number of sources that commissioners can use to identify the scale of misuse or dependence, and in relation to what medicines, in their area. It emphasises that all these checks – such as finding out about GP prescribing patterns, and speaking to those with first-hand experience of addiction to medicines – are important to understand fully what services are needed.

Depending on local needs and circumstances, the response may

be developed with local GPs, delivered via existing services that deal with a range of drug and alcohol issues, or may be provided or complemented by separate, dedicated addiction to medicines services and support groups.

PHE Director of Alcohol and Drugs Rosanna O’Connor said: Problems of addiction to medicines can occur in any community, so all local authorities should have a plan to assess and respond to local need, working with other local health agencies. While GPs should be the first port of call for problems of dependence on these drugs, specialist help should also be provided to anyone who needs it.

This guidance raises the bar for commissioners to improve the ability of local areas to respond to this problem, and PHE will support them in this role. Dr Clare Gerada, Chair of the Royal College of GPs said: GPs are well-placed to offer advice and support to patients with addiction to medicine and have been at the forefront of initiatives to prevent and reduce this problem. The College welcomes this practical guidance for commissioners to identify patients who are addicted to medicines and to support GPs in providing the right care for them.

11

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

Sevenacres Benefits Twice-Over From Friends’ Grants Users of St Mary’s Hospital’s Sevenacres site for patients with mental health problems now have two very different reasons to be grateful to the Friends, the charity dedicated to providing extra comfort and facilities to the Island’s NHS. Grants totalling nearly £7,000 have resulted in the purchase of a much needed hydrotilt chair and the establishment of a sensory garden.

The chair is in Afton Ward where Charge Nurse David Stratton explained it is used for frail patients, ensuring they are more comfortable when out of bed and helping them avoid pressure sores. It replaced a similar chair which had become so worn that it failed an infection control order.

“The new more modern chair is used all the time and is a fantastic piece of equipment,” he said.

The sensory garden has been created in a previously rather austere secure compound adjoining Seagrove Ward, and is seen as being of therapeutic benefit for patients with mental health problems. As well as an abundance of plants in a central area the grant paid for around 20 assorted climbers along the boundaries, new grassed areas and a chunky wooden seat.

Later, thanks to a grant from a Freshwater-based charity, Seahorses, the hospital’s Director of Healing Arts, Guy Eades, will oversee the affixing of four specially made mosaics to the walls.

New vaccine offers babies protection against rotavirus around 675,000 babies a year in England will be offered a new vaccination to protect them against rotavirus.

Rotavirus infection is the most common cause of vomiting & diarrhoea in children under 5.

Nearly every child will develop rotavirus gastroenteritis by 5 years of age. Rotavirus gastroenteritis is responsible for 130,000 visits to the GP and 13,000 hospitalisations for dehydration every year.

Dr Paul Cosford, Director for Health Protection and Medical Director at Public Health England (PHE), said: Rotavirus is a highly infectious and unpleasant illness that affects thousands of young children each year. While most recover within a few days, nearly 1 in 5 will need to see their doctor, and 1 in 10 will end up in hospital as a result.

Although good hygiene measures can help prevent spread of the disease, the best

way to protect your baby from catching rotavirus is to get them vaccinated. The new vaccine will provide protection to those young babies who are most vulnerable to complications arising from rotavirus. From now on parents will be offered this protection alongside their baby’s other childhood vaccinations. The rotavirus vaccine, Rotarix, will be given orally to babies at 2 and 3 months of age. It is hoped the vaccine will halve the number of rotavirus cases each year and lead to 70% fewer hospital stays.

The introduction of the rotavirus vaccine is one of a number of new or amended vaccination programmes being introduced by PHE this year, in partnership with the Department of Health and NHS England. Additional protection against shingles, meningococcal group C and flu will be introduced this year.

STAY UP TO DATE ON THE GO ----------------------------------------------------------------------

VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.IWMAIL.CO.UK ----------------------------------------------------------------------

www.fb.com/isleofwightmail

Police appeal after 12year-old girl was injured in a collision with a car Police are appealing for witnesses after a 12-year-old girl was injured in a collision with a car in Wootton on the Isle of Wight.

The incident occurred on Monday, July 1 sometime between 6.40pm and 7.10pm in the vicinity of Wootton Bridge.

The girl had minor head injuries and was taken to St Mary’s Hospital for treatment, she was released later that same evening and suffered swelling and bruising above the left eye and a bruised right thumb.

The car involved in the collision was a silver coloured Nissan Pixo. The driver, a 28year-old man from Ryde was uninjured.

Investigating Officer, PC Banting of the Roads Policing

Unit at Shanklin police station said: “It is believed there were there were several people in the area at the time of the incident. If they witnessed it or have any information please contact me directly on 01983 538537” Anyone with information can contact Shanklin RPU by phoning 101. Information can be given anonymously by phoning Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

12

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

YMCA Young Carers announced as Local Charity Partner Sainsbury’s Newport Isle of Wight have announced that YMCA Young Carers will receive a year’s worth of fundraising and awareness support.

The YMCA Young Carers provides support, information and advice for young carers and their families will be the new Local Charity partner for the retailer’s Newport Isle of Wight The scheme, which began in 2009, has raised more than £5 million to support local communities in the last four years. The Sainsbury’s Store situated in Newport has had great success in supporting previous local charities and last year raised in total £5,000 for Breathe Easy IW Branch.

The Breathe Easy will be using the money for Respiratory aids, including exercise machines, nebulisers, mobility aids. Funds will also go towards medical Research into chronic lung conditions.

Customers had a huge say in this year’s announcement and voted instore and online between 1st to 15th May. Members from the charity will be coming into store on Tuesday 9th July to announce the partnership to customers.

Sainsbury’s Newport Store Manager said: “We’ve had a great response from our customers and we’re delighted to have chosen a charity which many of our customers and colleagues can associate with. We will now be working closely with the charity to ensure they really benefit from the Local Charity partnership”. The Local Charity partner scheme is now in it’s fifth year, and colleagues are set to kick off fundraising with YMCA Young Carers by holding an awareness and collection day on Tuesday 9th July.

Steve Baker from YMCA Young Carers added: “We know the success that the Local Charity partnership has bought to many charities in Isle of Wight area so when we received the recent phonecall to tell us the news, we were thrilled. The exposure and support is going to be massively beneficial to our charity and I’d like to thank every Sainsbury’s Isle of Wight customer who voted”.

mail tweet us: @iwmail

01983 898838

13

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

New push to secure economic help for the Isle of Wight The Island is to take its case for more economic aid straight to the heart of Government.

The Isle of Wight Council has, via MP Andrew Turner, sought a meeting with Michael Fallon, minster of state for business and enterprise.

At the meeting, an Island delegation will push the case for Assisted Area Status and for the Island to be viewed more favourably as an area requiring economic aid under a European designation called structural funding.

The Island ‘s case is supported by

organisations including the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, The Solent Local Economic Partnership, the Partnership of Urban South Hampshire and the IW Association of Local Councils.

The IW Trades Union Council is also campaigning for recognition of the Island’s economic disadvantages.

“For many years I have believed that the Island should qualify for economic assistance to recognise the particular challenges we face, not least our separation by sea which can increase many business costs.” said councillor Ian

Month to renew tax credits Isle of Wight’s 11,000 tax credit claimants are being reminded by HMRC that they have one month to renew their claims by the 31 July deadline or their payments might stop.

Nick Lodge, Director General of Benefits and Credits, said: “We are asking claimants to renew early, accurately and on time.

The sooner they renew, the sooner we can check payments are correct, meaning we avoid paying too little, or too much money that they will then have to pay back.”

HMRC also asks claimants to check the accuracy of the information in the pack, and to

inform the department about any changes to their circumstances that they haven’t already reported, such as to working hours, childcare costs or pay.

They must, in addition, tell HMRC whether they are single or living with a partner. HMRC might write to claimants about their claims and ask for further information and documents so that the department can check that the information provided is correct.

Having the right documents available will help reduce mistakes when claimants are filling out the form, or calling HMRC’s Tax Credits helpline.

Stephens, Isle of Wight Council leader.

“I am delighted that this new push for recognition of these challenges is backed with support not just from our partners on the Island but from those in the wider southern region as well.

“While we will continue to support all the businesses that flourish here already and indeed work to attract other inward investment, our overall aim of stimulating the Island’s economy will be helped greatly if we are given Assisted Area Status or we have our distinct problems

recognised by Europe. If we are successful in that, then there will be significantly more leverage for us to attract new business and commerce and also to help those already here to expand.”

The Island’s MP Andrew Turner said: “ I am very pleased to add my voice to the Council’s in seeking proper recognition from the EU of the unique challenges we face here on the Island.

We all realise that this will be an uphill battle – but it is one that we must all fight together for the good of the Island.”

New Director joins wish charity

A Bournemouth-based national charity that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses has a new Director to lead the organisation. Karen Winchcombe has been appointed Charity Director at Round Table Children’s Wish, and comes with vast experience in the sector.

Karen joins the charity from Community First, a Rural Community Council based in Devizes, Wiltshire. The motherof-two has already begun work at the charity, which was founded by members of the Round Table in 1990. Since then it has granted over 1,500 wishes to children between the ages of 4 and 17.

A wide variety of wishes are granted including family holidays, trips to Disneyland, a chance to meet a favourite celebrity or being able to have a toy or item that enables life to be a little more enjoyable during a very difficult time. Karen, who is originally from Newport on the Isle of Wight, will continue to grow RTCW so more children can have their wishes made a reality. Karen said: “With a background of working with

children and families and as a parent, I have experienced firsthand how much a kind gesture, however large or small, can help a family or individual cope a little bit better with everyday life.

Isleisofa Wight “There great team here at Round Table Children’s Wish who are dedicated and motivated to help make wishes come true.

“To do this though, we rely on the generosity of individuals, organisations and companies to fund the granting of these wishes so the more money we raise the more wishes we can make happen!

“There are lots of opportunities to help fundraise for the charity from being your ‘charity of the year’ to individuals taking part in various runs and challenges including the London Marathon.

“We currently have spaces available in the Great North Run in September, the Great South Run in Portsmouth in October and the Dublin Marathon in October so if you are interested in getting involved please do make contact with us.” For more information please contact: www.rtcw.org/

14

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

Nationwide search for experienced social workers A major nationwide recruitment campaign has been launched to attract experienced social workers to work with children and young people on the Isle of Wight.

The campaign will see advertisements placed in professional publications, on social media and in London and local newspapers. Its aim will be to attract qualified, experienced and effective social workers to live and work on the Island.

It is part of the plan agreed to improve child protection following last year’s Ofsted report that found the service here to be inadequate. It is hoped the campaign will both fill vacancies that currently exist and also help reduce the current reliance on agency or interim staff.

It runs alongside an ongoing programme called Step Up that seeks to fast track the best performing local social work graduates into positions on the Island. “The Ofsted inspection made it clear that the service was not up to standard and that urgent improvement was required,” said councillor Richard Priest, Isle of

Wight Council cabinet member responsible for children’s services.

“Crucial to that will be making sure we have the right number of qualified, experienced and dedicated staff where they are needed within the service. That involves attracting new staff at all levels to join those hard-working staff already operating in often difficult circumstances not least because of the number of vacancies we currently have.”

The campaign seeks to attract social workers with salaries of between £28,827 and £38,155 including market supplements and benefits including discounted ferry and bus travel and membership of local gym facilities Cllr Priest said: “Projects such as Step Up and our recent targeted recruitment campaign to attract Island social workers who have been working on the mainland demonstrates that we are doing all we can and looking wherever we have to get the very best team in place to bring about the improvement we require.”

Swimming pool re-opening at Medina leisure centre delayed Additional works discovered during refurbishment at Medina Leisure Centre in Newport means the swimming pool will now be opened to the public from Tuesday 13th of August instead of by the end of June.

Although the works to upgrade and re-tile the pool at Medina have been completed on time, extra work is required to finish the wet-side changing rooms.

These include roofing works and extra drainage. However, the council will use this time to also improve water flows into both male and female dry-side changing rooms to overcome some initial problems with shower installations.

The new public opening of the swimming pool and wet-side changing rooms will not affect the Primary School Games which are due to take place on 13th July at Medina Leisure Centre. The council has arranged for temporary changing facilities for use by competitors taking part in swimming. The Heights Leisure Centre in Sandown will continue to run an improved pool programme while the swimming pool at Medina remains closed to the public. The third, and final, phase of refurbishment at Medina, which includes upgrading the main foyer, will also not be affected by the delay and will begin on 13th September.

Poniente: Live in Concert for one night Poniente bring a unique, creative approach to Spanish song: in their hands, a fluid combination of flamenco and traditional Spanishlanguage melodies, re-imagined in their own inimitable style. The programme takes the public on a journey into the world of flamenco and into South America, via jazz and western European classical roots beyond all frontiers.

Poniente are performing at the Freshwater Memorial Hall, at 7:30pm on Saturday the 20th of July as part of a summer 2013 tour to promote the release of their new album. Tickets are £6/4, with reservation recommended. For reservations and enquiries, call Debbie on 01983 752 956 or email memohall@aol.com.

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

15

Solent LEP Appoints Six New Board Members Six new Board Members have been announced to fill vacant seats on the board of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The new Board Members will join nine existing Board Members and take a key role in shaping local economic priorities and securing funding from central Government and Europe in order to deliver the LEPs ambition of creating 10,000 new jobs in the Solent. Councillor Simon Letts, Leader at Southampton City Council, Councillor Keith Mans, Deputy Leader at Hampshire County Council, and Councillor Ian Stephens, Leader at Isle of Wight Council have been appointed to the Board by the Solent’s Local Authorities. The new representatives join Councillor Gerald VernonJackson, Leader at Portsmouth City Council, and Councillor Seán Woodward, Leader of Fareham Borough Council and Chairman of the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH), ensuring that all areas within the Solent are represented on the LEP Board at Local Authority level.

Professor Don Nutbeam, ViceChancellor of the University of Southampton, has been selected by the universities to take over as Higher Education Board Member from Professor John Craven of the University of Portsmouth. Two new local business leaders, Rory Fisher, Managing Director of

BAE Systems Maritime Services and Jan Ward, Chief Executive Officer of Corrotherm International, have been appointed to the Board by the Solent LEPs Business Members.

Doug Morrison, Chairman of the Solent LEP said: “I am delighted to welcome all of our new LEP Board Members to the team. I am sure that the range of expertise secured will help us identify the best projects to support with the Solent Growing Places Funding we announced on Friday and ensure we can produce a strong investment strategy for the Solent to attract as much European and central Government funding as possible in the coming years.

Collaboration between the public, private and academic sectors will be vital to this and I believe the Board Members announced today put the Solent LEP in an excellent position.” The new Board Members bring the Solent LEP Board back to full capacity with eight senior Solent business leaders, five council representatives, one higher education representative and the Solent LEP Chief Executive. All Solent LEP Board Members are independently elected, ensuring the Solent LEP is accountable to its business, academic and local authority members. Biographies of all Solent LEP Board Members will be published at www.solentlep.org.uk/team

Contact the Isle of Wight Mail T: 01983 898 838 :: M: 07413 599 446

Table tennis association celebrates mars milk fund award The Isle of Wight Table Tennis Association is celebrating after receiving a £300 donation from the MARS Milk Fund. Founded in 1923, the Isle of Wight Table Tennis Association has 120 members The players are all from clubs across the island and are of all ages and abilities. The best players often team up to play for their county at UK wide competitions. Training takes place each week and the more experienced players help any newcomers with their game.

Martin Dove, treasurer of the association, says “We love having the opportunity to play in competitions across the UK. Unfortunately our participation may become less frequent due to forthcoming changes in our arrangements with our current sponsor. “The award from the MARS Milk Fund will help us travel to the mainland for competitions, and will provide new kit for our Cadet and Junior teams, so they can officially compete in the British Table Tennis League.” A recent survey conducted by MARS Milk

revealed that despite seven out of ten of us starting the week with intention of spending at least two hours on our favourite sport or hobby, cost and tiredness invariably put paid to these plans.

The MARS Milk Fund was set up to help individuals, clubs and groups to try something new or simply to spend more time playing their favourite sport or hobby. The MARS Milk Fund, runs until October 6 2013 and has Isle of Wight five £300 awards to donate each week. The fund is open to residents of, and clubs and organisations based in the UK and Republic of Ireland only.

Applicants must be 13 years or over and only one application will be accepted per person, club or organisation.

For more information visit marsmilk.com

16

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

Bestival announce 'LOST AT SEA' - a fantastic new arts festival for the Isle of Wight Passionate about changing the face of independent festival culture, the team behind Bestival (winner of UK’s Best Major Festival 2012) and the multi-award winning Camp Bestival are proud to present something brand new and unique Lost at Sea, a free-floating arts festival on the Isle of Wight.

Featuring an exciting and eclectic programme of music, film, talks, theatre and comedy, Lost at Sea will be held in an array of distinctive venues around the UK’s most treasured island.

Rob da Bank says, “Ever since we started Bestival a decade ago we've met so many interesting musicians, film-makers, artists, actors, poets, philosophers and all round free thinkers on the Isle of Wight. For a while I've thought about running a small and wide ranging ‘arts & thought festival’ on the Island and now myself and everyone at Bestival HQ are very proud to announce our inaugural Lost At Sea. In 2013 we're presenting a finely-curated wide range of events - from talks on food sustainability to Edwardian train adventures, seashanty sessions and a concert of improvised jazz. I hope you'll join us for a mind-expanding adventure on this beautiful Island.”

Renowned restaurant critic and BBC TV’s ‘One Show’ star Jay Rayner, who will be hosting a special dinner as part of Lost at Sea, says, “I'm delighted to be a part of the brand new Lost at Sea festival and to be bringing my ‘Greedy Man In A Hungry World’ show to the Isle of Wight. There can be few better ways to debate knotty issues around food than over a good dinner.”

Taking place from August 31st September 4th (in the lead up to Bestival 2013), Lost at Sea offers a range of delights for all ages and tastes, whether you are a curious Islander, a discerning Isle of Wight visitor or an adventurous Bestival veteran. You can purchase separate tickets for each event, making Lost at Sea an accessible and affordable new festival for everyone.

With a wealth of cultural treats on offer why not join us for Rob da Bank’s King Kong Alternative Soundtrack in the woods; revel in a theatrical Edwardian steam train adventure; savour supper with acclaimed food critic Jay Rayner; see jazz legend Courtney Pine performing in a Minster; have a laugh with Andrew Maxwell; witness the Amazing Bubble

Show; sway along to Sea Shanties; ponder some Philosophy Bites and behold HAG’s enchanting theatre and puppetry. But most of all enjoy getting Lost at Sea! Hag at Quay Arts Theatre. Sat 31st Aug - 2.30pm & 7pm. £11£13. Hag is a show that fuses live action, puppetry, music and physical theatre for audiences of ages 10+ Rob da Bank's King Kong Alternative Soundtrack at Robin Hill Woods. Sat 31st Aug – 7pm £15. Bestival founder and BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank has been digging through his record library and chosen an eclectic collection of tracks to accompany the greatest adventure-fantasy film of all time, the much-loved original 1933 classic, ‘King Kong’.

The Amazing Bubble Show at Medina Theatre. For ages 2-11 Sunday 1st Sep 11am £5-10. This incredible stage show celebrates the magic, art, science and pure unadulterated joy of bubbles!

The Salon du The Express; an Edwardian Adventure by Rail at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

Sun 1st Sep - 2pm £15-25. Delight in this unique and magical journey aboard the award winning Steam Railway.

Interactive theatre company Gideon Reeling are hosting a very special ‘Salon du Thé’ a theatrical adventure with afternoon tea, on the beautiful Victorian and Edwardian carriages of this much loved Railway.

Sea Shanty Sundowners with the Crew & Dollymopps at Little Gloster. Sun 1st Sep. 4.30pm – 10.30pm FREE EVENT. Watch the sun setting over the Solent as you listen to sea shanty harmonies from the Crew & the Dollymopps lilting on the breeze, sipping a rum-punch sundowner at the glorious seafront restaurant.

Philosophy Bites: A Slice of Real Life at the Royal Hotel. Monday 2rd September – 7pm £30. David Edmonds and Nigel Warburton, from the hugely popular podcasts and website Philosophy Bites, present ‘A Slice of Real Life’, through their insightful discussions of Love, Death, Charity and Happiness. With dinner - at The Royal Hotel, Ventnor.

Jay Rayner: A Greedy Man In A Hungry World at Little Gloster.

Tuesday 3rd September - 7pm £60 “The doctrine of local food is dead and farmers markets are merely a lifestyle choice for the affluent middle classes” Highly

Amazing Bubble Show

Benny Boot

Andrew Maxwell

Sea Shanty Sundowners respected restaurant critic and BBC TV ‘One Show’ reporter Jay Rayner will be hosting an exquisite dinner at the beautiful seafront restaurant, the Little Gloster.

Combining hardnosed reporting with witty memoir, this talk will change the way you shop, cook and eat forever. Dinner will include four courses (including a drink on arrival) with a specially prepared ‘Taste The Difference’ menu.

Andrew Maxwell And Benny Boot at Quay Arts. Tuesday 3rd September – 8pm. £10 An incredible double bill of comedy at

Quay Arts, featuring Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and TV star Andrew Maxwell, plus Benny Boot (hailed as one of the greatest and most original joke writers).

Courtney Pine supported by IOW Youth Orchestra at Newport Minster. Wed 4th Sep 7.30pm. £16 The finest and most recognised jazz saxophonist on the planet, the mercurial Courtney Pine. Supported by the talented local IW Youth Orchestra, this will be a glorious night of music in the heart of our most treasured Island.

For more information visit www.lostatseaarts.net

17

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

Campaign for stronger action to protect religious freedom

Temporary closure extended

Credit HM Solent Coastguard / Isle of Wight Council

Newport West Councillor, Chris Whitehouse attended the launch

by The All-Party Parliamentary Group on International Religious Freedom of its first report, urging the Government to increase its efforts to ensure that people around the world are free to follow the religion or belief of their choice. Copies of the Report will be circulated to churches, mosques and other places of worship on the Isle of Wight to raise awareness of the issue. The report (at: anorphanedright.net) highlights the increasing frequency of attacks and discrimination against minorities because of their religion or belief.

Chris Whitehouse said: “The report has been written by prominent academics from leading UK universities and draws on testimony delivered to MPs and Peers by representatives from a range of faith groups, including leading Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Sikh and Hindu groups.

I am particularly delighted that the British Humanist Association is also backing our campaign.”

After analysing the state of religious freedom in the world today and the avenues available to

protect it, the report makes specific recommendations. These include the appointment of a roving Ambassador for Religious Freedom, and taking steps to ensure that overseas organisations funded by the Department for International Development have a proper understanding of freedom of religion and belief.

Chris Whitehouse helped organised the event and is photographed here with Lord Singh and Baroness Cox, holding a copy of the new Report, during the launch on the Terrace of the House of Lords. Baroness Berridge, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on International Religious Freedom, said: “This is the most exhaustive report ever produced by a Parliamentary group on the rise of a very disturbing trend of religious persecution. “It is a basic human right that any man or woman should be able to follow the religion of their choice, change their religion, or eschew religion altogether. We look forward to hearing the Government’s response to these recommendations, and assisting in any way we can to achieve them.”

The closure of part of the Totland Sea wall, which was severely damaged during a landslip in late 2012, will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

The Secretary of State for Transport has approved a request for the closure to remain in place until July 2015, although depending on options for the future of the wall, this does not necessarily mean it will remain closed until then.

The Isle of Wight Council is currently looking at appointing consultants who will be tasked with drawing up potential options for the wall.

WANTED!

WHITBREAD INN SIGNS

--------------------------------SINGLES, FULL SETS, OR COMPLETE COLLECTIONS

TELEPHONE 01424 838301 ---------------------------------

16th A4 Page Advert 01+ Issues @ £5.00 03+ Issues @ £4.50 06+ Issues @ £4.00 12+ Issues @ £3.50

listen online at

wightislandradio.com

Jon Gilbey, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member responsible for resources said: “A significant amount of damage was caused to the wall when the landslip occurred. As people can see from photos taken in the period after, this is not something that can be quickly repaired. “Although the closure will now remain in place until July 2015, depending on options that are proposed we hope this is worst case scenario for the closure. “We would again remind people that the land at the sea wall is still moving and is very dangerous. The closures are there for your safety.”

www.iwmail.co.uk/advertising

HILL FARM STABLES 01983 752502 07748 253899 www.hillfarmstables.com

18

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

19

20

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

Children's author Stuart Reid will visit Island Schools One of Britain’s most enthusiastic and inspirational children’s authors, Stuart Reid will be visiting schools on the Isle of Wight w/c 9th September. There are a few open slots still available, if any schools wish to get in touch.

In the last 18 months, Stuart has performed to over 300 schools, libraries and book festivals and to almost 70,000 pupils, teachers and parents. One of his books Gorgeous George and the Giant Geriatric Generator has just been awarded the silver medal in America’s Forward Literature Awards 2012 and he appeared on ITV’s Get Britain Reading campaign.

In August he’ll be performing 26 shows at the Edinburgh Festival and his events focus on inspiring children to read for pleasure and to encourage children, particularly boys to read more often. Stuart’s presentations are inspirational, innovative and enthusiastic; engaging kids with audience participation, fun and energy. It has been confirmed that the BBC will attend one of his shows and Stuart will be featured on Forth One and Radio Scotland’s Fred Macalauy show. He will also be appearing at the Gilded Balloon as part of Forth FM’s Kids at the Fringe event.

Stuart’s latest book Gorgeous since its release at the end of Wight Book Festival in October, Scotland but will travel anywhere George and the Zigzag Zit-faced Janurary. Stuart has also been shortly after Havant Book in the UK to inspire children to Zombies has been on bestseller lists invited to perform at the Isle of Festival. Stuart is based in read more books, more often.

Spot the difference and you could win a signed copy of both books

Can you spot the eight differences? Send the correct answers to iwmail@icloud.com by the 19th July 2013 for a chance of winning. One amazingly lucky winner will be picked at random and notified on the 21st July.

21

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

Sandown comes together to launch new website Sandown has launched a new website which aims to promote the best of the town and provide a showcase for local businesses.

The Sandown Community Partnership has been working with organisations throughout Sandown as well as providing some initial funding for content on the new website which is also fully supported by the Sandown Business Association and the Sandown Forum as well as the Town Council.

“We knew that Sandown would be benefiting from the publicity surrounding the new Dinosaur Island promotion, so this seemed the perfect time to project a positive image of the town online,” commented Ronnie Teasdale of the Partnership. “This is a project that is primarily funded by local businesses themselves and a great opportunity to show off Sandown to new visitors.” www.sandown-bay.co.uk will be promoting Sandown events and news as well as places to stay, shop and eat. It will also create an online presence for many other businesses and organisations in and around Sandown to make them easier to find, with a full listing, plenty of photographs and full contact details. The Sandown Business Association has also been directly involved in launching the website and has been responsible for overseeing how the website can support local commerce. Chairman of the Sandown Business Association and Director of Ladies Realm, Nicky Parker said: “We are definitely encouraging members and non-members alike to get

Representatives of the Sandown partners that are backing the new website, including the Sandown Partnership, Sandown Business Association, Sandown Forum and Sandown Town Council enjoying the new Dinosaur Island meteorite, located in Yaverland car park.

involved with the website.

Sandown has so much to offer but has not had very effective ways to communicate this. The new website will be central to us working together to build a more prosperous future for the town.”

The website has been built and will be managed by Solent, an Island-based marketing and communications company.

Director David Brooks commented: “We have been working with businesses in Sandown for many years and were delighted to be asked to pull this new website project together.

The Partnership and Business Association are doing a great job for the town and we are delighted to be making this contribution towards rebuilding Sandown’s

profile and reputation.” The site has been launched with the support of Sandown partners and 30 local businesses with new content being listed on a daily

basis. Anyone who would be interested in contributing towards the editorial or posting on social media can get in touch via info@sandown-bay.co.uk

WEST WIGHT RIGHT ADVICE

-------------------------------------------------------------Computer Services and Support Specialist --------------------------------------------------------------

Tel 07762 811 080

--------------------------------------------------------------

www.wrightiow.co.uk

22

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

School’s delight at speedy improvement Gatten and Lake Primary School in Shanklin has expressed its delight at being rated ‘good’ following its latest Ofsted Inspection. The news of its latest rating represents a remarkable turnaround for the school that was placed in special measures just 17 months ago. In that time, it has not only come out of special measures, it has leapfrogged the ‘requires improvement’ category to achieve its current ‘good’ rating. Chairman of Governors Patrick Legg said: “I am overjoyed with the latest report from the Ofsted inspection. It is purely down to the efforts and hard work from all the staff at Gatten and Lake that this latest inspection is so positive.

“Everyone should be very proud of their achievements, and parents should be happy in the knowledge that their children are going to a good school, which has a very bright future.”

Following a two-day visit last month, inspectors found the school to have changed ‘enormously’ with all aspects of its work – achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership and management – improved and now good.

Besides seeing an improvement in pupil behaviour, Ofsted also found children now had a better attitude to learning.

Classrooms were calm and very purposeful while pupils enjoyed school, felt safe and were polite and friendly working well together and able to concentrate for long periods of times.

Ofsted recognised that the improvement had been rapid and said this was the result of the high expectations, strong leadership and clear direction of headteacher Margaret Henshaw who had also built the skills and leadership of other leaders “Improving teaching has, rightly, been the top priority for senior leaders and members for the governing body. The teachers have been expected to teach well and helped to do so. Teaching is now typically good,” Ofsted stated as a key finding of its report.

It added: “Pupils make good progress. Most are working at levels close to those typically seen in most schools. Pupils in Year 6 lost ground when they were younger but they are now catching up quickly.” Mrs Henshaw welcomed the report and said it

rewarded the determination of staff, governors and parents to turn the school around as swiftly as possible. “The improvement is the result of lots of hard work but not hard work alone. It has also been about making sure that hard work has been focussed in the right areas and on the right priorities,” she said. “Our task now is to continue this improvement and to strive towards becoming an outstanding school. It is a busy time for us as we are preparing to move into a brand new school but this Ofsted inspection will give us all a lift as we embark on the new and exciting chapter in the story of Gatten and Lake .” IW Council cabinet member for children’s services Councillor Richard Priest, a former Gatten and Lake pupil, said the progress made at the school should serve as an encouragement to other schools requiring improvement “This success shows just what can be achieved in everyone pulls together in the right direction. If this sort of determination to improve can be replicated across the Island then we will soon begin to reach the overall rise in standards that we all want to see across the Island .” Councillor Priest said he was pleased Ofsted has recognised the role played by the IW Council in commissioning two advisors from Hampshire County Council whose work with the school had been valuable. “We have just made a formal decision to enter into a partnership with Hampshire County Council to help us raise educational standards and improve child protection on the Island . This Ofsted report therefore gives me even greater confidence that we have made the right decision. “I would also like to say how impressed I have been with the determined efforts of all those who have contributed to the dramatic improvement at Gatten and Lake which is as swift as it is welcome.”

Ryde concert supports Island groups Talented local singer Grace Crumplin will be singing at a free admission charity concert at All Saints’ Church. Ryde. on Saturday July 6. The concert sees the first visit to the island of the famous Last Choir Sanding Bath Male Choir led by music man Grenville Jones. A retiring collection will raise money for the church and the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. Grace made her first appearance on stage at the tender age of 2. She has performed in many school productions over the years from Mary in the School Nativity going onto playing key roles in both Oliver and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. She has performed for many years at the IW Competitive Music Festival, winning many cups for both singing and playing the Oboe.

Grace is Head Chorister at All Saints’ Church Choir in Ryde and has sung as a guest soloist for Ryde Chorus, She is currently studying for a Music Diploma at Platform One Music College on the Isle of Wight and is hoping to further a career in music.

Bath Male Choir have been seen by millions through the BBC Last Choir Standing series.

Grenville Jones was on the Island last year packing out the Newport Minster at a singing workshop and concert with his mixed voice choir. Grenville lives in Bath and has been featured on TV and

Radio across the World. Last July he received an honorary doctorate from Bath Spa University for his contribution to music. He is founder of the Goldies Charity which reaches out through music to hundreds of elderly people who live in Isolation. He was invited to the Queens Garden Party last June at Buckingham Palace and was presented to her majesty.

Grenville enjoys the reputation for ‘getting people of all ages to sing’. He works regularly for the BBC and has linked with Gareth Malone in London as the choir leader who took the West Country’s representative youth choir in a BIG SING which bought together choirs from across the UK for Children in Need. Also appearing will be Lizz Lipscombe a brilliant young violinist from Bristol who is at home performing either classical or jazz music. Doors open at 7pm, everyone welcome.

Heart Attack Scare Leads to Lifeboat Alert A report that someone aboard a yacht had a suspected heart attack led to Cowes lifeboat being put on alert shortly before mid-day on the 21st June.

The yacht, the 37 foot Femme Fatale, contacted Solent Coastguards while in Osborne Bay. They radioed that a 45 year old man complained of chest pains and a tingling in an arm.

Although Cowes lifeboat was made ready to go to the scene it

was eventually stood down after the yacht reported it was making for Trinity Landing on Cowes Parade under its own power.

Lifeboat members quickly made their way on foot to the landing for Graham Creigh and Patrick Moreton to provide basic First Aid support pending the arrival of hospital paramedics. The man was then conveyed to St Mary’s Hospital, Newport, for investigations.

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

23

Over 85% participate in Child Measurement Programme The Isle of Wight NHS Trust’s School Nursing Team has completed the eighth (8th) year of data collection for the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) by recording the height and weight of all reception and year 6 children. With continued support from Island parents the national target of 85% participation has once again be exceeded.

School nursing lead at Isle of Wight NHS Trust, Rachel Amos said: “The School Nurse team would like to thank everyone for supporting this important survey.

The excellent participation rate shows just how much interest there is amongst Island parents in the health of their children.”

The NCMP was set up in 2005 by the Department of Health to provide national-level data on children’s growth. Nationally all

data collected is sent anonymously to the Department of Health who use the Body Mass index (BMI) calculated from the measurements to target relevant services to specific areas of the country.

In 2013 Child and Maternal Health Observatory (ChiMat) produced statistics from the NCMP results stating that children on the Isle of Wight have average levels of obesity: 10.4% of children aged 4-5 years and 18.0% of children aged 10-11 years are classified as obese.

51.7% of children participate in at least three hours of sport a week which is worse than the England average.

Rachel continued: “This year, working closely with the Island’s Public Health team, we are able to send parents a letter with their child’s results. These results will

New signs for visitors

Visitors to award winning Isle of Wight Council beaches can now find out details such as the current water quality on new information signs. The large signs can be found on every beach that has recently been awarded either a Blue Flag or a Seaside Award.

Included on the signs are the recent water quality test results, a map of the local area including facilities, and information on whether any areas of the beach are protected. Shirley Smart, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member responsible for tourism and economy said: “The Isle of Wight was recently named number one in the country for the most award winning beaches, with 14 beaches winning a total of 17 awards given out under the Blue Flags and Seaside Awards.

“Water quality is a big part of a beach winning a Blue Flag or Seaside Award and we know people do take an interest in the quality of the sea water. The signs now mean visitors to beaches can find out about quality of water at our beaches and other important pieces of information without having to go online.”

Meanwhile the council has produced a high definition video on its YouTube channel showing how its contractors keep the Island's award winning beaches clean. It shows the type of equipment used and how there is a large focus placed on recycling tonnes of materials that are collected during cleaning.

You can see the video on the council's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/iwcouncil

include the date they were measured, the child’s height and weight and a calculated BMI centile.

There will be an explanation of whether this means their child is under weight, a healthy weight, overweight or very overweight for their age, sex and height. Our discussions with parents show that they find this information very useful – for some it is reassuring and for others it acts as a call to action.”

It is important to highlight that in a survey of this nature whilst the BMI data is useful to show national trends, individually it may produce some unexpected results. The BMI ranges try to account for the fact that children are constantly growing but occasionally an anomaly will occur and a child who looks to be in proportion will record a BMI outside the ‘healthy range’ If any

parent receives a letter that puts their child into a different range to the one they were expecting or they have a concern regarding their child’s growth, the School Nursing Team will be happy to look at individual data and offer any support or advice. Contact details of the School Nurse Team can be obtained from the child’s school.

Simon Bryant, consultant of public health said: “The NCMP provides a great opportunity for parents to understand the weight of their children and help them support their children to have a healthy weight which will help to avoid obesity-related health problems later in life such as diabetes and heart disease.”

Advice for parents who are worried about their child’s weight can be found on the NHS Choices website iow.nhs.uk/change4life

Isle of Wight rheumatoid arthritis patients supporting each other The Isle of Wight group of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society are hosting a meeting on Thursday 25th July for anyone affected by rheumatoid arthritis to come along and find out more about the disease and the care and support available. The meeting will be at the Laidlaw Day Hospital at St Mary’s Hospital Campus on Dodnor Lane in Newport, starting at 7pm.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an extremely misunderstood disease, often confused with osteoarthritis. A recent survey carried out by ComRes to promote Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness showed that Credit: IWWeek Council only a third of people understood the difference between the two. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune systemic disease, where the immune system attacks the body’s own healthy tissues. It goes beyond swelling, stiffness and pain in the joints as it

affects the whole body including internal organs. The ComRes study showed that only 16% knew this and that half of people did not realise that RA could affect someone’s life expectancy.

An estimated 1,400 people on the Isle of Wight live with the disease, many of whom are young people, still in the prime of their working life or with a young family. “It is important for those affected by the disease to know that they’re not alone and support is available. Patients can share their experiences and really learn a lot from each other about the disease and how to manage it” said Ailsa Bosworth, Chief Executive of NRAS, and .RA herself an patient.

The Isle of Wight NRAS group is part of a network of 40 support groups located across the country, members of which all have rheumatoid arthritis so understand exactly what it is like to have the condition.

24

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

Turn the Island yellow for the annual ‘Go Yellow Day’ celebration The Earl Mountbatten Hospice is hoping to turn the Isle of Wight a glorious hue of sunshine on Friday 12th July for their annual ‘Go Yellow Day’ celebration. The Hospice Shops will be kitted out in full Yellow regalia and fundraisers across the Island will be holding collections throughout the day. Most of all though Go Yellow Day is about the Island community coming together to take part in some ‘FUN’draising!

One of the best things about Go Yellow Day is the amount of businesses that get involved, it’s a really good way to get together with colleagues and have a bit of fun at the end of the week. You can do literally anything to join in, it could be something as simple as all donning a bit of Yellow and stopping to have a coffee morning or cakes together, right through to painting one of your colleagues cars or sitting in a bath full of custard, which have been two of the more outlandish ideas we’ve seen! Isle of Wight Radio is offering one Island business the chance to win £1000 worth of on-air advertising, to be in with a chance of winning you just need to come up with the best, funniest and most original ‘Go Yellow’ idea for you and your colleagues to take part in, and let

us know about it. IW Radio will be visiting, and broadcasting live, from the best ideas on the day.

Or how about holding a Go Yellow Tea @ Three Tea Party in aid of the Hospice?

These annual Tea Parties are a great way to get together with friends and family over some relaxing refreshments and cakes.

This has become an annual get together to have a sit down with friends, family and colleagues and take a few moments to enjoy each others company and celebrate the good work of the Hospice. If you don’t fancy organising your own event all you have to do to join in the fun is don some Yellow and make a donation to show your support for the Island’s Hospice, and look out for Go Yellow Events happening in your area.

Fundraising packs for Go Yellow Day and Tea at Three are available now from bitly.com/EMHGY We’d love to hear what you’re planning on doing for Go Yellow Day! We can help you out with all of your Go Yellow and Tea @ Three ideas, just give the Hospice Fundraising Office a call on (01983) 528989. A full list of businesses ‘Going Yellow’ and fundraising events will be published on the hospice website at www.iwhospice.org

New hybrid of Giant Waterlily being grown at the Botanic Garden Ventnor Botanic Garden is delighted to announce an exciting, new botanic project, involving the crossing of two species of Giant Waterlily. The aim is to hybridise an un-named cultivar of Victoria amazonica with the Victoria cruziana in order to produce a new hybrid.

VBG has grown the Giant Waterlily; which is an annual plant grown from seed, since 2002. However, this is the first time we are hoping to grow both the V.amazonica and V.cruziana species and hybridise them. The seed was sown on March 3rd 2013 and so far we have one V. amazonica seedling and three V. cruziana seedlings.

Our aim is for the new hybrid to possess the better characteristics of both its parent plants. These plants only flower late at night so VBG will be holding special events in the Tropical House for visitors to come and see this unique plant and to enjoy its rare and beautiful flowers. More about the Giant Waterlily: The Giant Waterlily, Victoria spp has such a

remarkable growth rate, it develops from a pea sized seed to a plant, with lily pads nearly 3m in diameter; within a few months, it is even able to bear the weight of a child! Each individual flower only opens twice. On the first night the flower is white in order to attract scarab beetle pollinators.

The beetles are attracted to the whiteness of the petals and the strong scent the flower produces.

At this stage the flower is receptive female. Over night, the flower closes which traps the beetle inside.

The flower then changes its sex, and releases pollen onto the imprisoned beetle. On the second night the flower opens again, but this time it is pink in colour. The beetle is freed from the flower and free to move onto another plant, again attracted by the white petals and strong scent. Pollination is complete and the lifecycle of the lily starts again. Chris Kidd said, “Very few gardens are able to cultivate a single Giant Waterlily, even fewer can grow both. At VBG this year we hope to grow

both and hybridise them which to my knowledge has not been done in the UK since I did it at Kew in 1994. Seed from that cross were used throughout the UK for many years, we hope to achieve that same goal here. This puts less

pressure on wild stocks of the lily.”

We will be following the growth and development of the Giant Waterlily, tracking its progress through our website, Facebook and Twitter pages. We hope you will follow this exciting journey with us.

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

Isle of Wight shows support for armed forces The Isle of Wight demonstrated its support for the armed forces at a ceremony in St Thomas’ Square, Newport on Monday 23 June.

After a specially commissioned Armed Forces Day flag was raised, community leaders and representatives of armed services organisations signed the Isle of Wight Community Covenant – a voluntary pledge of mutual support between the civilian community and its local armed forces personnel.

The covenant is designed to make it easier for service personnel, their families and veterans to access help and support from the Ministry of Defence, statutory providers and charitable and voluntary organisations on the Island. Councillor Ian Ward, chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, said: “The flag raising ceremony is about recognising the work of our armed forces and showing the Island’s support for the military community, both serving and retired. We are delighted to be able to officially sign the covenant which shows the Island’s commitment to making our community a welcoming place for members of the armed forces and their families.”

At the event, IW Lord Lieutenant Maj General Martin White said: “The armed forces have in the last ten or 15 years got a really high profile in society because they have been putting their lives on the line in Afghanistan and elsewhere. It is only right and proper that we should recognise and acknowledge that.”

A short film about the Flag Raising Ceremony and the Community Covenant featuring interviews with Maj Gen White, Council chairman Ian Ward and council leader Ian Stephens can now be viewed on the councils Youtube channel. Last year the Flag Raising Ceremony was moved to St Thomas’ Square from County Hall, to make it more accessible for people to attend the ceremony. The specially

Credit Isle of Wight Council

commissioned Armed Forces Day flag was moved from the square after the ceremony and flown from one of the permanent flag poles on the roof of County Hall.

Armed Forces Day is a national event to celebrate the work of the armed forces.

Here on the Island, Armed Forces Day was celebrated at two events.

Appley Park and beach on Saturday 22 June and Cowes town and esplanade on Sunday 30 June.

The list of signatories to the covenant is as follows: Lord Lieutenant Major General M S White CB CBE JP; Cllr Major (Rtd) Ian Ward, Isle of Wight Council chairman, on behalf of the local authority; Captain Aidan Talbott, Captain of the Portsmouth Naval Base on behalf of the Royal Navy; Lieutenant Colonel Philip Mileham, JRLO 145 (South) Brigade, on behalf of the Army; Wing Commander Jon Whitworth OC LATCC (Mil), on behalf of the Royal Air Force; Danny Fisher, chairman of the IW NHS Trust; Paddy Noctor, trustee of Community Action Isle of Wight, on behalf of the voluntary charities sector; Lt Col (Rtd) Chris Booth, Chief of Staff South East Reserve Forces and Cadets Association on behalf of SERFCA (Reserve); Terry Gandy, chairman of the IW Royal British Legion; Wing Commander (Rtd) John Turner, county chairman of IW SSAFA; David Groocock, president, Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, and Gill Kennett MBE, chairman, IW Association of Local Councils.

READ THE PAST ISSUES On your mobile or tablet device

----------------------------------------------------------------

iwmail.co.uk/newspapers

----------------------------------------------------------------

View the full newspaper archive online!

25

26

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

Isle of Wight trained canine partner makes history Adorable Isle of Wight trained canine partner Herbie has been given an official role as The First Dog of Worthing – and he has already been meeting celebrities as part of his new duties.

The five-year-old Labradoodle, who was trained by the national assistance dog charity on the Island, now attends formal functions and accompanies the Lady Mayoress of Worthing, Norah Fisher, to her official functions. And the laidback chap has already met four times Paralympic Champion and five world swimming record holder Ellie Simmonds at the opening of a new pool in the town. The Paralympic superstar stopped to spend time with Norah and Herbie as he played his part in the town’s civic life.

Herbie was partnered with Norah, from Tarring in Worthing, in December 2009 and they are inseparable. Norah, who suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis, has been a local councillor in the town for many years. But the Island of Wight based charity needs volunteers who would be willing to train a pup ready for the role of a lifetime, in just the same way Herbie was trained on the Island.

Isle of Wight Satellite Coordinator Deborah Flux added: “We are very lucky with the volunteers that we have but we desperately need people who would be willing to give a pup a home and help us train the next generation of assistance dogs.”

Herbie’s latest foray into public life has made history in West Sussex and is possibly the most fun for Herbie, and Norah. He even has hit own twitter page to give an insight into his life as the First Dog of Worthing. Norah said: “We’re having a wonderful time. Herbie is now the Mayor’s Cadet & wears a badge of honour and even has his own twitter.

Herbie always gets the biggest applause wherever we go.

“Herbie, the Mayor and me (yes, that’s the right order where Herbie’s concerned!) go to all sorts of functions. We opened National Volunteers Day, went to a 100th birthday party and attended a big evening event. As Herbie’s a bit of a poser, he loves being photographed at these events.” Herbie’s success from his fantastic early start on the Isle of Wight isn’t isolated. Canine partners Heathcliffe and Humphrey have made great progress since they began training on the Island and are currently in advanced training at the Charity’s flagship training centre near Midhurst, West Sussex.

Vicky Martin, Advanced Training team leader, said: “Both Heathcliffe and Humphrey have settled in really well at the centre.

It’s been great to watch them develop their skills in readiness for the next step, meeting their partner and helping with everyday tasks.” Canine Partners is a national charity that trains assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities including civilians and members of HM Armed Forces. The dogs are trained to help with daily activities such as opening and closing doors, unloading the washing machine, picking up dropped items, pressing buttons and switches and getting help in an emergency. The Isle of Wight satellite is being supported by The Southern Co-op who has donated a £600 gazebo to help with fundraising activities on the Island while Barclaycard have sponsored pups Heathcliffe and Humphrey through their training.

Please contact Deborah at isleofwight@caninepartners.org.u k for more information about how to volunteer to be a puppy parent and learn how to train a dog just like Herbie.

27

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 5th July 2013

Hampton Trust Ecotherapy Centre welcomes new patron The Hampton Trust Ecotherapy Centre based in Shide, Isle of Wight is delighted to announce that the ecology activist and editor of Resurgence magazine, Satish Kumar, has become its new Patron. Satish, a former Jain monk, has been setting the Global agenda for change for over 50 years and is dedicated in promoting a peaceful, measured way of sustainable living. He believes that nature is the greatest teacher. The Hampton Trust Ecotherapy Centre has been developed by a former island nurse and midwife Dr Kim Brown. The centre has worked with over 400 young people during the past year to encourage the development of social skills through involvement in nature.

Due to a generous grant from the Island Public Health department the Trust has recently extended their workshops to any adult who feels they may benefit from getting outside and connecting

with the natural world.

Participants in the programme gain several different awards and volunteers who want to get involved are always welcome.

Workshops include monitoring red squirrels, bat detecting, shepherding, foraging, falconry and insect identification.

Participants are also encouraged to undertake a community project such as making a hedgehog house to site in a community space.

Satish was delighted to accept the offer of patronage because he believes in educating hearts, minds and hands. He feels that is exactly what the island Ecotherapy Centre is aiming to do.

Original Theatre is staging its own version of Hamlet Original Theatre is staging its own 90 minute version of Shakespeare’s classic Hamlet in the historic and atmospheric Chale Church, and has teamed up with Chale Bay Farm to offer a special summer evening out.

Theatre goers can enjoy a top quality two course buffet – or barbecue on the terrace if the weather is fine – with a glass of wine, before strolling across the road to Chale Church for the performance of a new version of Hamlet – which has been reduced from its original length of four and a half hours, to one and a half hours!

Original Theatre’s version retains all the beauty of Shakespeare’s language but puts the focus on the characters, and the price many of them pay for the pursuit of revenge.

This opportunity is only available to a limited number, because of the capacity at Chale Bay Farm and the church itself.

TV stars announced for Isle of Wight Panto Following last year’s success, the Medina Theatre and leading family producer, Thats Entertainment Productions have announced another star studded line-up for this year’s Panto extravaganza, Jack and the Beanstalk.

Returning to the island is popular BBC TV's Really Wild Show presenter Howie Watkins.

“I can’t wait, the Island audiences are great and the Medina is fast becoming one of my favourite theatres,” said Howie.

“I was thrilled when they invited me back to help Jack fight the Giant and fall in love with his leading lady, as in all the best Pantos,” he said.

Producer, Chris Gidney, says he is thrilled with another quality cast assembled this year which also includes West-End vocalist Mitchell Armstrong, and TV's Award-Winning Illusionists High Jinx. “Michael and Tamsyn will be arriving direct from their long

summer season show at Blackpool's famous Pleasure Beach,” he explained.

“They will be attempting their amazing illusions as Jack and Jill, and hopefully conquering the beanstalk and defeating the Giant in the process. Also appearing will be the Island’s own sweetheart, Samara Stanton as Fairy Fortuna and the young stars from PJ's Theatre School.”

Medina Manager Paul Broome said, “We are thrilled to have such a strong stage and TV cast again for our Panto this year and expect it to be more popular than ever.

As always we are advising people to book early, particularly groups which is why we have increased the number of performances again this year. Jack and the Beanstalk is such a fun story full of legend and will have something for everyone.”

Performances daily from December Dec 21-30 2013. Box Office 01983 527020. Book Online at medinatheatre.co.uk

It takes place on Friday, August 23, and combined tickets including the cost of the buffet or barbecue, a glass of wine, and a theatre ticket, are priced at £18.00 Call 01983 551 505 to book tickets, or send a message to info@originaltheatre.net

Isle of Wight Mail is Mobile Friendly

visit: www.iwmail.co.uk

Contact the news team: press@iwmail.co.uk For sales & advertising call 898 838 or email sales@iwmail.co.uk

Isle of Wight Sports