Issue 18 - The Isle of Wight Mail

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

The Island's free community newspaper

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STRIKING!

Teachers support one day strike Employees give up 15 hours

People and their homes

Council reduces numbers

PARENTS on the Isle of Wight are being warned to expect disruption as schools brace themselves for industrial action by teachers. Both the NUT and the NASUWT are planning a joint day of action. See Page 3

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ISSUE NUMBER 18 11th October 2013

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

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Multi-million pound schemes to strengthen roads

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A multi-million pound schemes to strengthen the road at two of the Island’s most unstable stretches of highway are due to start in November.

The projects at Bouldnor Road in Yarmouth and the Undercliff at Niton are the first of 18 geotechnical schemes to maintain the road network being undertaken by Island Roads as part of the Highways PFI. At Bouldnor Road – the main approach into Yarmouth – the work will involve strengthening a 700-metre stretch of the highway between the Viewpoint Car Park and Yarmouth Green.

650 steel sheet piles will be driven up to 16 metres into the ground, a process called ‘soil nailing’ will also be used to stabilise the highway at the Yarmouth end of the scheme.

At the Undercliff, where the underlying clay foundations have caused frequent and historic issues of movement, geotechnical work will be undertaken at three stretches.

In the vicinity of Undercliff Caravan Park and a property called Woodlands, the highway will be anchored by 25-metre steel cables driven through the clay strata into a more substantial layer of rock.

At a stretch above Hunts Road, more than 100 tenmetre concrete piles will be drilled into the rock to strengthen the highway Both schemes – which will

also see the treated stretches resurfaced and re-profiled to improve their cambers – are expected to take six months to complete and have been programmed to avoid the main holiday season where possible.

The schemes have been designed in consultation with various bodies including Natural England and Natural Enterprise to minimise the impact on the environmentally sensitive areas bordering the highways. In the case of Bouldnor Road, Island Roads will also undertake a scheme with Natural England to manage the trees and shrubs around the Viewpoint Car Park.

Another feature of the Bouldnor Road scheme is the use of specialist equipment for the piling operation. A quieter method of installing the piles will be used, which also prevents the requirement for a road closure for the entire duration of the scheme.

Affected residents and businesses in Bouldnor Road and the Undercliff will receive letters explaining the scheme in more detail as part of a range of measures to inform the local communities and travel companies about the work.

Paul Herbert, Island Roads Service Director, said: “We know that the unstable nature of the highway at both of these locations has been a concern for many years.

These schemes have been designed to finally bring lasting solutions to what are important parts of the Island’s highways network.

“The projects demonstrate the huge scope of the PFI and the lasting benefits it will bring to the Island. These geotechnical schemes are a key part of the PFI and we look forward to starting work elsewhere on the Island in the near future.”

Cllr Jonathan Gilbey, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member responsible for the Highways PFI, said: “I am sure this major investment in stabilising these important parts of our highway network will be welcomed by residents and visitors alike.

“Without the Highways PFI, it is highly unlikely we would have been able to find the funding necessary to deliver such a programme of geotechnical schemes. I welcome both the innovative solutions being applied to these projects and also Island Roads’ commitment to keeping residents informed of these and forthcoming projects.”

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

A promise to do better Southern Water has promised to improve the service it offers customers after receiving an unacceptable number of written complaints in 2012/13.

The figures were announced by the Consumer Council for Water in its annual written complaints report published today (October 2).

Since the beginning of this financial year, Southern Water has taken action to make things better for customers. This has already resulted in a 40 per cent reduction in written complaints in June, July and August this year compared with the same period last year.

During 2012/13, the company received more telephone calls from its customers than it could deal with effectively, which resulted in an increase in written complaints.

Reasons for the increase in calls included: Payment queries, including those from customers who received a water meter for the first time (nearly 102,000 meters were fitted under the company’s metering programme in 2012/13).

An increased effort by the company to trace customers with outstanding debt.

With a desire to improve service in 2012/13, the company extended its call centre opening times (by two hours on weekdays and by 4.5 hours on Saturdays) but underestimated how many staff it would need on the telephones during these times.

That meant many customers

with queries were unable to get through or receive a satisfactory response via telephone and therefore complained in writing.

The company is now ensuring more customers get their issues resolved via the telephone first time. As a result, since January 2013, it recorded its three highest ever scores in industry regulator Ofwat’s quarterly customer satisfaction surveys, which measure telephone contact. This is expected to be followed by a continued reduction in written complaints.

Southern Water’s Chief Customer Officer Darren Bentham said: “I’d like to apologise for letting our customers down. Put simply, our service has not been good enough and these figures are unacceptable – but we’re doing something about it.

“We’ve carried out a major review of almost every aspect of our work with customers and have made some key changes, including putting a new management team in place. Things are getting better – we have more staff on the phones covering longer hours and we are receiving fewer complaints. We’re not the finished article but we’ve built up some great momentum.”

Portsmouth DVLA local office is scheduled for December closure In July 2012, findings of a public consultation in to the transformation of DVLA were announced. The outcomes of this review determined that transactions and services should be gradually migrated from the existing 39 DVLA Local Offices to a mix of alternative channels. DVLA has started the changes necessary to facilitate the closures of the local offices as a step change towards a digital business.

Changes will be introduced before the local offices close

including extending the existing service for taxing vehicles at Post Office® branches to include taxing Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and requesting duplicate tax discs.

Changes to law allow newly registered vehicles to be used/driven on the road for up to 14 calendar days from the date of registration without the need to display the tax disc.

This mitigates concerns raised by customers around delays in receiving documentation through the post.

Latest Teacher strike action On 17 October, members of the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) and the National Union of Teachers (NUT) are staging a one day strike.

Below is a list of Island schools and their status on the day.

Any schools not listed have not yet confirmed their plans for the strike day. However, parents should always assume their child's school will be open on 17 October unless otherwise stated below.

Some schools may not be in a position to confirm if they will be open, closed or partially closed until the day of the strike itself.

Confirmed Closed: Barton Primary School, Broadlea Primary School , Carisbrooke Primary School, Newchurch Primary School, Northwood Primary School, St Blasius CE Primary School (Academy) - (formerly Shanklin Primary) Confirmed Open: All Saints CE Primary School, Brading CE Primary School, Brighstone Primary School, Godshill Primary School,

Oakfield CE Primary School , Queensgate Foundation Primary School, St Helen's Primary School, Wroxall Primary School Confirmed Partially Open: Chillerton and Rookley Primary School - School will be open for all children from 12 noon for lunch and afternoon class, Greenmount Primary School - Years 1, 4 and 5 and Green Haven (ASC/SLCN Provision) will be open. All other Years will be CLOSED. Gurnard Primary School - The TOPAZ Reception class will be CLOSED. All other classes remain OPEN. St Mary's Catholic Primary School Classes 1, 2, 3 and 5 will be CLOSED. All others remain OPEN, St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School - Classes R, 1, 3, 4 and 6 will be CLOSED. All others remain OPEN., Summerfields Primary School - Year 3 will be CLOSED in the morning and afternoon session will start at 1pm.

All other years remain OPEN as usual, Weston Academy - Closed to years 2/3 and 4/5

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE FUTURE OF LOCAL SERVICES The public is being invited to have a key input into how the Isle of Wight Council plans what services it is able to deliver in the future via a series of budget engagement events across the Island.

The council is faced with making major savings over the next three years and will not be able to afford the range and level of services it currently provides.

Seven ‘roadshow’ events are to be held in October, inviting people to have their say on what their priorities for services would be.

The engagement events will be staged as follows: Ryde: Thur 17 Oct (George Street Centre). East Cowes: Fri 18 Oct (East Cowes Town Hall).

Sandown: Monday 21 October (Sandown Bay Academy).

Newport: Wed 23 Oct (Riverside Centre). Ventnor: Thur 24 Oct (St Francis Primary School). Freshwater: Wed 30 Oct (Memorial Hall).

Cowes: Thur 31 Oct (Northwood House).

Each event will begin at 7pm and is scheduled to last an

hour-and-a-half.

The council’s leader or deputy leader will chair each meeting and outline the administration’s own priorities, supported by information from the council’s managing director about the financial limitations and government grant reductions facing the authority. The events will conclude with question and answer sessions.

Council leader, Ian Stephens, said: “We would strongly encourage members of the public to come along and have their say at these events.

“It is vital we all work together to rise to the financial challenges facing the council over the coming years – and the input of individual members of the public, together with community and voluntary groups, businesses and others living and working on the Island, is vital to this process.”

An online survey will be available on Iwight.com from 17 October so that people unable to attend the roadshows can share their views.

Further established as the Island’s leading communications provider Three new major IT clients and four new phone systems as well as supplying infrastructure and suppliers for some of the Isle of Wight’s biggest sailing events have meant a busy summer for Navigate IT & Telecoms.

Paul Wood, the business owner, explains, “Reliable IT, telephones and infrastructure is essential to every business. Navigate IT & Telecoms provides a one-stop complete care service for businesses across the Isle of Wight to ensure their communications systems are always supported so they can focus on the important aspects of running their businesses.”

New to Navigate IT & Telecoms’ extensive IT portfolio are Island businesses: Leslies Motor Group, Lamor Corporation in Cowes and Corporate Furniture in Ryde. Leslies Motor Group, which is made up of Northwood Mazda/Kia, Northwood Honda, Hale Common Suzuki and Compass Cars have signed on as a “Complete Care” customer, meaning they benefit from the “one stop shop” solution with access to all of the services that Navigate IT & Telecoms has to offer. By using one skilled company as their IT, telephone and cabling service provider, Leslies Motor Group can count on excellent service and support for all their communication needs.

For Lamor Corp, an international company offering solutions and supplying equipment for oil spill response and recovery across the globe, reliable IT is a must.

Corporate Furniture in Ryde require top-quality professionalism and fast IT response in order to service businesses across the South East.

Navigate IT & Telecoms have eight years of experience supporting businesses on the Isle of Wight, which they use to provide a first class service to local companies.

Paul who has a background in providing complex hosted solutions to blue chip companies and public sector organisations commented, “IT has been our core business since we opened for business in 2005. We expanded into telecommunication in 2010 to provide a complete infrastructure service for business.

This past summer we installed four new telephone systems, as well as a state of the art public sector infrastructure build for the NHS. The three month long cabling project to

fit out a new build shell on St Cross business park involved cabling the building with CAT5e, installing fibre link to St Marys and supplying and installing the coms cabinet.”

Navigate IT & Telecoms’ expertise is not only in static projects. The company also delivered the communications infrastructure for some of the UK’s biggest and most prestigious sailing events, including the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, Panerai Classic Week, Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week , Rolex Fastnet and the 2013 Little Britain Challenge Cup. According to Paul, “A robust communications system is key, with journalists and photographers needing to send reports and images instantly with no time for delays or drops outs as well as requiring adequate bandwidth for race tracking and all the logistics included in running these massive events.”

Demonstrating their expertise in IT & telecoms, the company provided the internet and telephone in the media centre and ran all the broadcasting to the main stage for Isle of Wight Radio. Ian Gregory, the Cowes Yacht Haven Events Centre Manager, explained why Navigate IT & Telecoms have become the provider of choice for their events, “Navigate IT & Telecoms have worked with all our major clients, putting on prestigious international sailing events and now we have started to use them for all our telecoms requirements at the Cowes Yacht Haven. They always go the extra mile. Their response time is good and they are quick to resolve any issue, but invariably we don’t have any.”

Paul reflected on the company’s . successes over the past few months, “Navigate IT & Telecoms is looking forward to carrying the momentum from the summer forward and forging new contracts while further developing existing relationship with our current clients.” Offering a range of specialized services, Navigate IT & Telecoms is committed to helping businesses succeed through the provision of excellent IT and telecommunications solutions underpinned by quality support.

For more information about Navigate IT & Telecomes, visit: www.navigateit.co.uk/, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter!

Contact the news team on 01983 898 838 or email press@iwmail.co.uk

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

Coastal access consultation is waste of public money, Says CLA The CLA has said the decision to exclude the Isle of Wight from the all-England coastal path should not be reconsidered.

It is understood that Defra is considering further consultation on the access provisions of the Marine and Coastal Access Act following objections from the Ramblers Association.

The CLA believes a formal scheme of access under the Act would simply result in a great deal of duplication and unnecessary expense, with no guarantee that the final outcome would provide access better than what already exists.

CLA Isle of Wight director Belinda Walters said: “The Island already has an excellent coastal path of around 67 miles. To extend the coastal access provisions under the Marine and Coastal Access Act would result in Natural England duplicating that existing work.

“Clearly, following the first consultation, the Government decided that, in these times of financial restraint, there was better use of public money than spending it replicating something

we already have. We are therefore disappointed that this issue is to go to consultation again which is a waste of public money.”

Mrs Walters added: “Claims that there will be significant economic gain following increased coastal access are very much overstated.

“The Isle of Wight is already well served with a significant rights of way network and open recreational space. We are concerned that the impact on environmentally sensitive and historic landscapes and tourism and agricultural businesses could be detrimentally impacted by a new trail under the new legislation and the introduction of spreading room.

“We encourage landowners to work with the local authority on voluntary agreements that enhance the existing coastal access on the Island resulting in a locally managed solution.

If Defra is to run a second consultation, the CLA will be responding on the basis that the Isle of Wight does not need a formal scheme of coastal access and that access should be provided along the lines of the Welsh model.”

3000th Foundation Trust Member wins Wightlink Tickets Joanne Turner from Cowes is the 3000th new member of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust!

“I signed up to join the Foundation Trust because I want to support the elderly population on the Island” said Joanne. “Our local NHS has been very good to my mother helping her at home and in the hospital. I am keen to keep as many of our services local as possible so that elderly people can receive the care that they need.”

Joanne found out about the Foundation Trust at her local church from Stephen Young, Senior Systems Training and Support Technician. Stephen said “Our hospital on the Island is a community resource. There are many elderly people in my community who need a local service. It would be very difficult for them to travel to Portsmouth or Southampton for treatment. And the continuity of support in the community is important too.”

The Isle of Wight is unique because it is the only NHS Trust which provides integrated NHS hospital, community, mental health and ambulance services in England supplying a wide range of services to the Island population and visitors. This means that seamless quality care can be provided both at home and in hospital including transport where appropriate to and from both with local ambulance services.

There will always be some services which due to their

specialist nature it is not possible for the NHS to provide on the Island.

The IOW NHS Trust already works with the mainland services to provide or support specialist care, but the Trust is keen to keep ambulance, district general hospital, community services and mental health services integrated for the benefit of people living on the Island.

Anyone from the age of 11 can become a member. A member can have a say on their local NHS and help us shape our future plans for the services, get involved in focus groups or surveys on services, get invited to events and health talks, elect Governors to represent their views, stand for election as Governor, get discounts from high street retailers and receive an invitation to the Annual General Meeting. A member can choose to be involved as much or as little as they want. It is voluntary and free of charge, but Members do not receive preferential treatment.

The Trust aims to recruit 6,000 members by April 2017.

We expect to hold our first elections to the new Council of 2014. The 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.

Patients and everyone who uses IW NHS Trust services are encouraged to Make A Difference by signing up as members. You can do so online at iow.nhs.uk/ft

Man hands over large sum of money Detectives investigating bogus callers are reinforcing their advice to home owners on the Isle of Wight.

The reminder comes after an 89year-old man from the Sandown area, was deceived into handing over a large sum of money after he was targeted by a pair of conmen in a distraction scam.

The victim was first approached on Sunday, September 29 by a man posing as a tradesman, in this case offering painting and decorating services and later on Saturday, October 5 by a man, believed to be an accomplice, posing as an official from Trading Standards. Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant John Walton from the Newport DCID said: “This is an utterly despicable

crime against a vulnerable person.

I am urging home owners to always check the credentials of unknown callers and call the company they claim to be from by using the telephone number in the phone book or on a bill. If in doubt shut them out. As well as contacting police immediately if you receive a suspicious caller or see any suspicious vehicles in the area. Please remember to take a note of the vehicles details and registration number.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Det Sgt Walton at Newport DCID by phoning 101. Mini-Com users can call the police on 18001 101.

Information can be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

Island Arts Your Fortnightly Arts Guide

Send us your arts news: kevin@iwmail.co.uk

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

Island Arts The Isle of Wight is home to some amazing artistic talent, and we want to highlight it on these pages.

We want to hear about you and your activity, your successes, your events, your news … whether you are an artist, a musician, a dancer, a singer, a writer, a performance group … if in doubt, just tell us anyway!

We will, of course, be happy to report the big events, but we want Island Arts to be for everyone of any age, at whatever level they are. And we are especially keen to showcase new talent and new ideas. So please get in touch.

Tell us about your event, your exhibition, your auditions, your new commission, your need

for people to take part … whatever it is, we’ll do our best to help.

You don’t have to pay for advertising on these pages to get your story covered, but we have kept the costs really low to make it a little easier for you to raise your profile.

Obviously, we can’t promise to cover every single story that is sent to us, so there may be times when you want to be sure you have a presence on these pages, and advertising will give you that guarantee! Island Arts will be published every other week, as part of the Isle of Wight Mail newspaper Island Arts is edited by Kevin Wilson.

Send him your news and questions kevin@iwmail.co.uk

Julian Smith at Medina Theatre On tour with his live band. Julian Smith’s distinctive soprano saxophone sound has been heard all over the world on Sony’s Classic Chillout Series under his previous stage name Joolz Gianni. He became better known after achieving runner up placement in the 2009 series of Britain’s Got Talent with 700,000 telephone votes and millions of YouTube views.

Since the show, he has built up a significant fan base with his live touring and played for many prestigious events. He’s a great favourite with Medina audiences and we’re delighted to welcome him back for another magical evening.

Tickets: All £15 www.juliansmithsax.co.uk

DANIEL ZAPPI AT VENTNOR ARTS 8PM, 12TH OCTOBER 2013 Singer songwriter Daniel Zappi has performed and delighted audiences around the world and is now on his way to the Isle of Wight to play at Ventnor Arts Club as part of their exciting autumn programme featuring visiting and local talent.

Daniel is half English-half Italian and grew up near Milan. At the age of 14 he moved to the UK where he spent his adolescent years and then moved to Italy again, this time Rome, where he studied and worked with a theatre troupe for 5 years before finally returning to the UK to dedicate himself more fully to song writing. After a year spent playing extensively on the London live music circuit, honing his song writing craft and performances, Daniel started to write musical theatre shows for teenagers abroad (Russia, Poland, Italy, Tunisia) and travelling to these locations to deliver theatre workshops and concerts. His travels abroad have generated a loyal fan base from around the world, people of all ages and nationalities that follow his music.

This will be Daniel’s first visit to the Island and he is looking forward to meeting the audience at Ventnor Arts Club and enjoying a little Island time. “I’ve been trying to get over since spring but other commitments have got in the way. But now I’m really looking forward taking that little trip across the water to playing the Club and” says Daniel.

Members free. Guests £3. To book call 01983 857060 or email info@ventnorartsclub.com For press entry, interviews with Daniel or further information please email liz@ventnorartsclub.com

Julian Smith At Medina Theatre Thursday, 14 November juliansmithsax.co.uk

Send your event details and press releases to kevin@iwmail.co.uk

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

Island Arts

Yoga gets sociable, Vanessa van Vliet stretches to a higher class

My penchant for yoga has meant many an evening walking up a dark path to a cold, dusty floored village halls, school halls decorated with bright naive paintings by ‘form 4’ and after my session, a rapid retreat home for a quick cup-a-soup before retiring. Even worse, I have even been known to stop off at the fast food joint to grab something to eat on the way home, thus undoing all the good that I had just done. What’s more, with everyone in the class doing much the same thing, we all missed out on the opportunity to socialise, make new friends and continue the relaxation.

But that’s now all changed. At Jodie’s Yoga, on Monday nights at Ventnor Arts Club, following up my vinyasa practice by sitting down for food with my fellow yogis is part of the schedule.

Tonight, sushi, crudities with humus and guacamole and vegetarian chilli are on the menu — ensuring that I don’t undo the virtues of my cat stretches by intoxicating my body with a crafty kebab in the car. Although the odd glass of prosecco does wash my healthy nosh down a treat – but it’s mainly bubbles, so all good really.

This yoga night is led by Jodie Lacey, who has the amazing knack of transmitting calm just by speaking to me and making me feel fine about staying within my limits – although she somehow also encouraged me to set myself higher goals. Like I said, she has the knack.

At other classes, people hung around wanting to chat with one another, but didn’t have the

facilities to do more than sit on a low school bench until the heating had timed out and it became unbearable. At Ventnor Arts Club, we have a very comfy bar in which to gather and Graham, a wonderful chef waiting to prepare our light and healthy supper (going off menu didn’t even faze him).

“It was always a shame that when everybody was calm, relaxed and at peace with the world, even after a ‘mare of a day, they rushed out into the night when it would have been a great time to sit and talk.” says Jodie. “So when the chance came up to start a yoga class here at Ventnor Arts Club, not only did the deep pile Axminster carpet and sumptuous Art Deco interior appeal, the social opportunity is also fully catered for.”

My experience was enough to get me to commit to a course of six, weekly sessions immediately.

After a weekend of running the kids around to sports, parties, aching from garden chores and those Monday morning blues, it’s a perfect antidote. And hey, I am making new friends who are enjoying the opportunity to take the relaxation out of the main space, into the bar for a quick refresher and into the cosy lounge for supper and a chat. A six week course with Jodie at Ventnor Arts Club costs members £30 and non members, (who I must say are made most welcome), £40.

Classes are 6pm – 7.30 each Monday – supper menu and drinks available until 10pm. info@ventnorartsclub.com

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

Island Arts Salvaging art from the beach

Julian Smith at Medina Theatre

Good art often invokes the response … where did it come from?

With Mary Flynn's The Shore Archive, the origins are pretty clear.

She has been salvaging plastic rubbish from Island beaches for four years, recycling them into standout works of art that don't just speak of creativity, but also carry a message about a global problem that is washed up here on a daily basis.

Mary, a former teacher and lifelong Islander, wants her archive to educate as well as entertain.

“I have always felt a strong connection with the shore and the sea,” she said. “It's a glorious landscape that over the last few years has increasingly been spoiled by waste, most of it nonbiodegradable.”

Her Newport town house is home to more than 50 boxes filled with plastic objects ranging from toothbrushes to syringes, and she has turned them into works of art that

include towers, quilts, and banners.

Her Sea Banners are produced from scraps found on the beach. “Everything I find has a history,” Mary said.

“Banners are a traditional way of getting across a message, and these scraps all have a story to tell about where they came from and who they belonged to.”

Mary took her message to Bestival this year, working from a tipi to encourage others to build sculptures from beach pickings.

Her work using fabrics will be highlighted at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, in London, in a year's time, where she will exhibit as well as running workshops that raise the profile of a problem that is permanently scarring the landscape.

It is estimated that more than six million tons of rubbish ends up in the oceans of the world every year …

To find out more, send a message to theshorearchive@gmail.com, or go to facebook.com/ShoreArchive

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

Island Arts

Paul Windridge, MIST Apollo Theatre, October 5.

Paul Windridge served up a fascinating showcase of the work of independent film makers from around the world – not forgetting the Island, of course.

And the fact that we were sitting in the Apollo Theatre, Newport, made it all the more special.

The Apollo is beginning to assert itself as a venue for all things artistic, having become home to another theatre group, regular jazz events, dance, school productions, and more.

OK, so there weren't that many in the audience, but word of mouth is just as powerful a medium as film, and I wouldn't be too surprised if Paul's next event is much better attended …

We were treated to work that was dazzling and puzzling, enigmatic, spectacular, haunting, and just plain entertaining.

The programme included one of Paul's own short films, The Beacon, which captured the history, the drama and the atmosphere that radiates from St Catherine's Oratory.

Island talent was also represented

by Jenna Crosbie, of Freshwater Bay, whose stop-motion film Sleep Snake made good use of a great idea.

Against the Grain was lost on me, I'm afraid, but I loved the

pschedelic fantasy of Solipsist, about beings whose minds and bodies converge into one entity.

The narrative idea behind Hauschka (The Key) and its marathon and increasingly cartoonish piano delivery put me in mind of a Laurel and Hardy short, but it was beautifully shot and executed here.

And Lizzie Oxby showed that it only takes a couple of seconds to make an impact, with her clever visualisation of the Manhattan skyline as the setting for a game of pinball.

Speaking of vintage comedy, Paul also dropped in the barber sequence from Charlie Chaplin's 1940s film The Great Dictator.

Two short films in particular blurred the line between independent and mainstream, proving that good ideas and brilliant execution are not the preserve of the the major players.

Idiot Box, by Lee Citron, took us to a world perverted by television, and Stephan Zlotescu's True Skin was a slick and quick exposition of a world where human augmentation has become normal.

Top marks to Paul for opening up the world of independent film to a wider audience, and to the Apollo for opening up its doors.

New kids on the am dram block!

The Island's thriving amateur theatre scene has been further boosted by the creation of a new group at Sandown.

The Sandown Players have already notched up one success, with their Musical Fever show last June, made up of songs from the musicals.

Now it is in rehearsal for Festive Fever – a compilation of Christmas songs being staged on December 14. And, in a nice gesture, the group is arranging for some care home residents to attend their dress rehearsal the night before.

The group was formed by Scott

Joy, and has a membership of around 20, most of whom are also members of other groups.

The music is the responsibility of pianist Alan Nicholls and Dan Cartwright, the Director of Music.

Scott's dad Mike is not only leading the front of house team, but will also be doing sound and lighting, too.

Sandown Players say they are always looking for new members over the age of 16, so take a look at www.sandownplayersiow.co.uk/ and check out the contact details.

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

LOCAL AUTHOR PUBLISHED BY WALKER CHILDREN'S BOOKS Local author, Philip Bell, of Island publisher Beachy Books, has been published in an anthology of bedtime stories called The Book of Bedtime Stories by Walker Books on 3rd October 2013. Philip Bell says, “If I could see the moon I'd be over it! I'm very excited to be published by such a well respected children's publisher as Walker Books and I hope this is the start of a new phase in my writing career.”

Philip's story, Bedtime at the Lighthouse, is based on a real experience of trying to get his children to sleep when they stayed at their grandma's (Nana's) house under the real Portland Bill lighthouse. Philip Bell says: “It's a personal story, full of atmosphere, and I hope it will connect with parents and children alike. Bedtime can be a challenging event at the best of times, especially when there's so much excitement going on at a lighthouse!”

The story is one of 10 bedtime stories that won a national competition run by Mumsnet, Gransnet and Walker Books to find new writing talent. The competition received over 350 entries and Walker Books

whittled them down to 20, and then the final published 10 stories were chosen by former children's laureate and writer Michael Rosen, who says: “I really enjoyed reading and selecting these funny, clever stories... A story shared at bedtime prepares a child for life. So, cuddle up with this book at get reading.”

All the stories in the book have been illustrated by 10 début children's book illustrators all with a range of styles that compliment each story. Justine Roberts, Mumsnet co-founder, says: “The 10 winning stories are a real treat to read, and we're confident that The Mumsnet Book of Bedtime Stories will be enjoyed by grandparents, parents and children for years to come.”

The Book of Bedtime Stories is available at bookshops and online retailers. Price £14.99.

Philip Bell is a local author who publishes his own award-wining Jack and Boo children's books, which are inspired by family trips out on Isle of Wight. He also works with adults and school children to help them create their own community books. For more information please visit beachybooks.com.

Contact us: press@iwmail.co.uk Or call 01983 898 838

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

People & Their Homes is Theme of New Exhibition 'Who Do You Think Lived Here' - is the title of the latest Cowes Heritage exhibition, due to open at the Regatta Office on The Parade on Saturday 19th October.

As the name suggests, the exhibition directs a fascinating spotlight on homes and the people that once lived in them. Cowes Heritage chairman, John Groves, said: "This is the 12th exhibition we have staged since we were formed ten years ago. and we hope the results of the painstaking research our members have carried out will be just as well appreciated as with past events."

Coinciding with the exhibition will be the launch of two new Cowes Heritage-published books: 'Freddie Dinnis of Cowes', about the Dinniss family's boat-building business in Cowes, written by Freddie's son, Alan; and 'Reflections and Memories of a Withyskinner and Apprentice 1931-1952', in which Bob Burton describes his early life in Northwood and apprenticeship with shipbuilders J Samuel White. Over 40 homes and their one-time residents, in Cowes, Northwood and Gurnard, are featured in the exhibition through written accounts and photographs, many copied from treasured family albums.

Captain Angus Brown, who lived in Nodes Road, Northwood, was mentioned in dispatches for his heroism as an observer in a First World War seaplane from the aircraft carrier Ark Royal.

Musical accompaniest and composer Albert Ketelbey, whose works included 'In a Monastry Garden', once lived in a now-demolished bungalow in Egypt Hill; and well known Cowes butcher Arthur Cole, of Baring Road, had in his earlier years been shipwrecked off the east coast of Africa when he was serving as a merchant seaman.

Frederick Luter, of Union Road, Cowes was awarded the silver medal by the Royal Humane Society for his vital role in saving fellow crew members of a ship being pounded on rocks on the coast of Northern Ireland. Ernie Holbrook, of Pallance Road and Rew Street, Northwood, who as well as once being an electrician at J Samuel White was a welknown piano teacher and singer with several amateur operatic companies.

Not forgotten is Northwood House and the Ward family whose buy-up of much of Cowes began in 1793 with the arrival in the town of City of London banker George Ward. Of course, no post-2nd World War story of Cowes property owners would be complete without including Sir Max Aitken, of The Prospect, directly or indirectly responsible for many post-war yacht building orders with local boatyards and whose lasting legacy is a trust-run maritime museum.

Harry Cheek had a garden nursery in Wyatts Lane, Northwood and delivered produce from a horse-drawn cart, and Julia Clements, went from growing up in Tennyson Road, Cowes, to become one of the country's foremost flower arrangers.

The 'Who Do You Think Lived Here' exhibition is open at the Regatta Centre daily, 10 am to 4 pm, from 19th October to 10th November.

Admission is free. All the Cowes Heritage DVDs and books, including the two latest books, will be available for sale at the event.

The nationally famous flower arranger, Julia Clements, receives an OBE in 1989

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

Lifeboat Races to the Aid of 3 Men

A well-known owl carving sited in Appley Park, Ryde is to be relocated, after the base of the tree it was created from was found to be rotten.

The condition of the tree – a common oak locally known as the ‘Owl Tree’ – was inspected by the council’s tree officer and has been deemed unsafe.

The owl carving – created in 2003 by Paul Sivell of Arbutus Tree Carving and Wood Sculptures - will be removed from the rest of the tree and moved to the rose bed next to the roundabout in the park.

Public notices are being placed on the tree and in the park to inform people of the work to remove the old tree, which is due to be carried out in the next few weeks.

A 38 foot yacht, stranded in midSolent when its jib sheet became wrapped around the propeller, was eventually towed into Cowes by the local RNLI lifeboat.

The Silver Tide, with three men on board, was on passage from Yarmouth to Beaulieu when the incident occurred. As the boat began to drifting westwards in the Force 6 south-westerly the crew just before 11.30 am alerted Solent Coastguards to their plight.

Cowes Atlantic 85 lifeboat, with James Findley at the helm, was launched and found the yacht near Gurnard Ledge. Silver Tide was taken in tow, and near the entrance to Cowes Harbour the lifeboat continued the rest of the journey with an alongside tow.

The yacht was eventually delivered to Cowes Yacht Haven one hour and ten minutes after the tow began.

YOUNG PEOPLE URGED TO VOTE ON NUMBER OF ISSUES

£12,500 Cash donation for IW Foodbank from Cowes Co-op Cowes Co-operative Members donated a massive £12,500 to IoW Foodbank to ensure that their valuable provision can continue in their community here on the Island.

Because the money raised on the island, stays on the island, members get to see first hand the effects of their generosity.

The cheque was presented to Hannah King, Project Manager of Isle of Wight Foodbank & volunteers by Nathaniel Dunkley, Manager of Cowes Co-op.

Nathaniel also presented a cheque for the same amount to Storeroom, Cowes.

Hannah said “such a generous cash donation to Isle of Wight

Foodbank means that we can purchase a reliable vehicle which we badly need to reach our 7 distribution centres across the Island from our warehouse in Cowes. We are blown away by this gift, the largest cash donation that we have ever had in our two years. We are feeding an average of 120 people a week island wide.

These people find themselves in sudden crisis, no food plus no money equals CRISIS. We rely on non perishable food and financial donations as we are completely independent and therefore self funding. The trustees, volunteers & staff of IW Foodbank are just amazed”

OWL CARVING TO BE MOVED

“Thank You Cowes Co-Op”

Young people aged between 11 and 18 are being asked to vote for one of a number of issues that will be adopted by the UK's Youth Parliament.

There are fifteen different subjects that young people can vote on, and these will be whittled down to five following the voting which takes place across the country.

From these final five, the UK Youth Parliament will hold a debate in November and adopt one as its campaign for the coming year.

Among the subjects to vote on include lowering the voting age to 16, additional funding for youth services, legalising euthanasia and raising the minimum wage.

Isle of Wight Youth MP Robert Selby will be taking part in the debate in November to determine which subject the Youth Parliament will adopt.

He said: "All the ballot papers ensure that young people's voices are heard. The issue you vote for is very important and could be next years national campaign for the UK Youth Parliament."

If you are 11 to 18 years old and wish to vote, you can do so by registering at http://mym.mi-vote.com.

The deadline for votes closes at the end of today (11 October.)

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

ISLE OF WIGHT DINOSAURS PART OF SPECIAL ROYAL MAIL STAMPS EDITION

Credit: Royal Mail and Isle of Wight Council The Isle of Wight's reputation as the dinosaur capital of Europe will be even further enhanced later this month thanks to the Royal Mail.

The Royal Mail is bringing out ten commemorative dinosaur stamps each featuring drawings by internationally famous Isle of Wight artist John Sibbick.

The stamps depict ten 'British' dinosaurs, of which fossils from seven of the ten featured on the stamps have all been previously found on the Isle of Wight. Many of these fossils are on display at Dinosaur Isle Museum in Sandown.

To coincide with the launch of the Royal Mail’s special issue of stamps, on 10 October the museum will be hosting and exhibition telling the story of the creation of the work by John Sibbick.

John said: "I always knew that designing and illustrating stamps was a rigorous and painstaking process. To get the opportunity was a dream come true especially depicting the world famous dinosaurs found on the Island

"To get such access to fossil dinosaur bones, tracks and the plants in their environment on the Isle of Wight makes the reconstruction process a much more vivid experience."

The stamps feature some of the UK’s most famous dinosaurs including pterosaurs and marine reptiles. Among the dinosaurs discovered here include Baryonyx which was biggest UK meat eater of the time, and also the Hypsilophodon which was a small plant eater.

Dinosaur Isle's general manager Peter Pusey said "Only last year we were delighted to receive the donation of an impressive Baryonyx tooth discovered here on a local beach. We are now thrilled to display this specimen alongside the stamps that capture this period of pre-history and bring it back to life."

The exhibition will be on display in the museum from 10 October until Christmas.

More details can be found by contacting the museum on 01983 404344 or by logging on to www.dinosaurisle.com.

Sky lanterns – follow the lead of Oxfordshire Local authorities throughout the south east region are being urged to follow the lead of an Oxfordshire district council and prohibit skylanterns when granting new licenses for venues and events.

The call comes from CLA South East, the regional office of the Country Land and Business Association, which represents land owners and land managers from Kent to Hampshire. The association is campaigning for an all out ban on the lanterns because of the danger they pose to the countryside, environment, property, livestock and wildlife.

CLA regional director Robin Edwards said: “We understand that the Vale of White Horse District Council in Oxfordshire has taken a significant lead which we hope authorities in our region will follow.

Councilors have agreed to add a condition to the authority’s licensing policy, which means new licences for a venue or event will stipulate the prohibition of sky lanterns.

“They are also pushing for a ban on launching sky lanterns from all councilowned land. This is tremendous and there is absolutely no reason why other local authorities cannot do the same.

“Many of our members who operate or own event venues have already imposed their own ban and we are asking others to follow suit. No-one wants to be seen as a spoilsport – but anyone who has seen the dreadful pain of animals who have inadvertently eaten part of a lantern would, I am sure understand why we are asking for them to be outlawed.

“You have only to consider the major fire at Smethwick earlier this year, which was thought to have been caused by a lantern, to realise what a hazard they are. Indeed the move in Oxfordshire came about because of a fire which destroyed £33,000 worth of straw.”

As well as campaigning and lobbying government the CLA is backing a petition to ban sky lanterns and asking all who care about the countryside to sign

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

Learning Links employees give 15 hours of their time to mark 15th anniversary Newport based social enterprise Learning Links is launching a campaign to mark its upcoming 15th anniversary, with each staff member giving 15 hours of their time to help the local community.

Learning Links provides training, volunteering, advice, mentoring and education aimed at helping those most in need and was founded 15 years ago to help address social injustice on the Isle of Wight and across Portsmouth.

To mark this 15 year anniversary, 10 staff from Learning Links offices in Newport will each spend 15 hours volunteering during the next two months, giving a total of 150 hours of their time to help local charities and causes. Learning Links colleagues from Portsmouth will also be joining in with the initiative volunteering at a number of projects across their city.

The goodwill initiative on the Isle of Wight kicked off on 1st October with Learning Links staff visiting Carisbrooke Castle where they helped paint the interior of the museum. The group will return to the museum on 8th October when they will complete the project. Other members of Learning Links staff were at The Donkey Sanctuary near Ventnor on 4th October where they helped

clear out the barn so the donkeys have a nice warm home for winter, a job they will complete when they return on 11th October.

Zoe Gray, CEO of Learning Links took part in the day at The Carisbrooke Castle Museum.

“Learning Links was set up 15 years ago with the ethos of improving our community and this remains central to what we do,” she said. “In the last 15 years Learning Links has invested £12.5 million into the community within Hampshire, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.

We felt that staff giving time to help improve pockets of the local community in a different way than in our daily role was a fitting and enjoyable way to mark our 15th anniversary”.

GP access for hard working 'Hard working' people will be able to see their GP seven days a week and out of office hours under new proposals set out by the Prime Minister The move will make it easier for people see their family doctor from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. It will help thousands who struggle to find GP appointments that fit in with their family & work life.

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

New National Collection of Puya for Plant Heritage Plant Heritage is delighted to welcome a brand new Collection of Puya, hardy and half hardy, to its nationwide programme of National Plant Collections.

The Collection has been established at Ventnor Botanic Gardens on the Isle of Wight, and was started 13 years ago when it was felt that the Garden’s exceptionally mild micro climate was the perfect location to grow these plants in a sustainable way outside. According to Ventnor Garden curator, Chris Kidd, most Puya grown in the UK need to be housed in heated greenhouses due to the risk of frost, but the benefit of the climate at Ventnor means that the gardens hardly ever experience a frost. Speaking on the Collection Chris says:

“Since May 2000 our accession policy has accelerated at Ventnor to pursue species untried in the UK climate or on the verge of hardiness.

The National Collection of Puya is as a result of this policy, and in recognition of the potential of this site.”

Chris has been working closely with Dr John David from the RHS and Kew on the many taxonomic issues that are associated with Puya. Chris is also in touch with specialists in Germany and Chile who are helping with his work on establishing good scientific records for known provenance taxa. He is keen to hear from anyone who has plants of good provenance. Puya is a genus of the botanical family Bromeliaceae and are native to the Andes Mountains of South America and Southern Central America. Many are monocarpic, whereby the parent plant dies after its flower and seed production cycle. The name Puya comes from the Mapuche Indian word meaning point, which is very appropriate if you have ever tried to get close to a Puya.

Speaking on the new Collection Plant Heritage conservation officer, Mercy Morris said: “ I am very pleased, on behalf of Plant Heritage, to celebrate the arrival of the Puya collection; firstly because as a single genus it is currently unrepresented in the Collections, and secondly because it is a pleasure to see Collections being held at Ventnor again. We look forward to seeing more in the future.”

Automatic 'early release' axed for child rapists and terrorists In a radical overhaul of sentencing, the Justice Secretary Chris Grayling announced that criminals convicted of rape or attempted rape of a child or terrorism offences will no longer be automatically released at the half-way point of their prison sentence.

Alongside this, criminals who receive the new tough Extended Determinate Sentence (EDS) will no longer be released automatically two-thirds of the way into their custodial sentence.

This means that many of them will end up spending significantly more time in prison. Under the proposals announced these criminals will only be released

before the end of their custodial term under strict conditions at the discretion of the independent Parole Board. Before the Parole Board releases any criminal they must be convinced they no longer pose a threat to society and that they have engaged with, and continue to engage with, their own rehabilitation. Unless they address their offending behaviour criminals can expect to serve their entire custodial term in prison.

COUNCIL REDUCES NUMBERS The Council is to lose one of its director posts as part of a restructure. The post of strategic director for community wellbeing and social care is to cease, with current holder Ian Anderson leaving the organisation at the end of October.

The measure follows changes to the leadership and management of the council’s children’s services as well as anticipated future partnership working with the NHS on the Island and the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). Cllr Ian Stephens, leader of the IW Council, said: “This change has resulted from the restructure arising out of our strategic partnership for children’s services with Hampshire County Council, which began on 1 July.

“Additionally, under the council’s root and branch review we need to develop an integrated adult social care agenda with both the NHS on the Island and the CCG.” The transitional position will be managed by Dave Burbage, as the council’s managing director and Mark Howell, head of commissioning – community wellbeing. This is designed to minimise disruption to services and anxiety among staff during a period of further organisational change.

Dave Burbage said: “These changes are against the backdrop of the significant reduction in resources being faced by the council – and the need to adopt a senior management structure that reflects this position.

“I would like to thank Ian for his hard work over the past three years and wish him well for the future.”

Mr Anderson said: “The council faces unprecedented challenges over the next three years with huge reductions in government funding. In addition it faces increasing demand as the Island’s older and disabled population grows.

"Part of the solution lies in delivering a more integrated approach with the NHS but this is going to require a lot of work to deliver, especially as at the same time the council has to implement the most significant legislative changes in over 20 years resulting from the Care Bill currently going through Parliament.

“I wish both the council and its partners well. There are many good people working in public services and the voluntary sector here and I hope they can continue to receive the leadership and support required to build on what has been achieved to date.”

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

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E-Fit released after man accosted female in Ryde Police have issued an eFit of a man they would like to identify after a woman was accosted in Ryde.

At around 7.30pm on Wednesday, September 18, the victim, a 49year-old woman was walking up Easthill Road, near to the junction with Westhill Road, when she was approached by an unknown man who spoke to her twice, before grabbing her around the waist. She managed to break free and shouted ‘No!’ and the man ran off in the direction of the church.

The suspect is described as a white man, aged between 48 and 49years-old, about 5ft 4in tall, medium build with short dark hair, almost black in colour He was wearing dark jeans and a grey jacket Investigating Officer, PSI George Basin said: “This is not a common

occurrence on the Island. At the time it was dark and quite early in the evening, but not many people were around.

“The woman would have been quite noticeable as she was pulling a bright red suitcase up the hill; she spoke to an elderly gentleman shortly after the incident who was walking his dog.

“Although the woman was not injured, it left her scared and shaken. If you were in the area at the time and saw or heard anything suspicious, or if you recognise the man in the image please get in touch.”

Anyone with information can contact PSI Bason at Newport DCID by phoning 101. Information can be given anonymously by phoning Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Less than a week to settle past tax bills One week left to settle past tax bills Taxpayers in the South and South West who have failed to submit tax returns for past years have one week left to come forward and take advantage of an HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) campaign.

Launched on 9 July, the campaign is aimed at people who received a Self Assessment tax return, or a notice to complete a tax return for any year up to and including 201112, but have failed to submit it.

To benefit from the campaign terms and to avoid a higher penalty, participants have until 15 October to complete and submit their outstanding tax returns, and pay the tax and National Insurance Contributions that they owe.

After 15 October, penalties of up to 100 per cent of the tax, or even criminal investigation, could follow.

Marian Wilson, HMRC’s head of campaigns, said: “People who take part in this campaign will receive the best terms available – but they need to send returns without delay to meet the 15 October closing date.

“I urge people to take advantage of the quickest and most straightforward way to bring their tax affairs up to date and benefit now from the best terms available rather than face a higher bill later.”

HMRC campaigns launched so far have produced more than £553 million by people coming forward voluntarily to pay the tax they owe.

HMRC analyses information using a state-of-the-art software system, Connect, to identify people who have gaps in their tax records.

This campaign follows last year’s Tax Return Initiative, which covered higher-rate taxpayers who had failed to submit 2008-09 or 2009-10 returns. As a result of the campaign, more than £30 million was paid to HMRC in outstanding tax, with over 3,000 people coming forward voluntarily, filing more than 5,500 tax returns. After an opportunity focusing on higher rate taxpayers closed last year, HMRC issued £58 million in tax demands to those who did not come forward.

www.iwmail.co.uk/advertising

SPB UK expands with new office in Portsmouth November sees Europe’s leading affinity insurance provider, SPB, open their new UK head office at Enterprise House in Portsmouth.

The company provides insurance for mobile devices including phones, tablets and laptops to consumers, schools and businesses. It has been based across the Solent, in the Prince Consort Building in Ryde on the Isle of Wight since 2001.

The business has seen impressive growth based on customers increased dependence on smartphones and tablets which are vulnerable to accidental damage or loss or theft. The company has seen headcount double in the last 6 months and have now exceeded capacity in the current home in Ryde. After being unable to identify suitable additional island based premises they will be opening the new Portsmouth st office from 1 November in order to support its expansion.

SPB UK is part of SPB Group, headquartered in France and still owned by the family that founded it some 50 years ago.

SPB is the largest provider of mobile device insurance in Europe.

Colin Whitehair, who joined the business at the start of the year as Managing Director said: “We are very pleased to be expanding into the new offices; Portsmouth

is a fantastic location. The island served the business well for over a decade and we are delighted that so many of our staff have chosen to stay with us in Portsmouth. We have big plans for the future, and we need to support further growth with strategic partners. We will be looking to employ more staff from the local Portsmouth area, as well as maintaining our continued presence on the island.”

The company operates a busy contact centre helping customers with their claims for lost, stolen or damaged mobiles and tablets.

Recognising the importance of these devices to managing our lives the business is constantly looking for ways to get the device back into the hands of the customer as quickly as possible.

The business employs its own Technical team to test devices prior to despatch to the claimant. It has its own Finance and Compliance team and is growing its own IT development and support teams. The business is keen to hear from prospective employees, who can contact them recruitment@citymain.com

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

See your MP - on the Bus Andrew Turner will be holding his first Big Bus Surgery this Saturday (12th October). The Island’s MP will be available to meet Islanders and discuss any issues or problems they may have from 10.30am to 12.30pm in Ryde bus station. The advice surgery will be held on the top floor of a double-decker bus parked near the bridge next to the Hovertravel terminal.

Anybody waiting to see Mr Turner can be seated comfortably downstairs.

Mr Turner commented: “It is not always convenient for people to come to my weekly Newport surgery to see me, and sometimes they just want to raise a small niggle or discuss a topical issue they are concerned about. For that reason I am always keen to get out to talk to people at places convenient for them. As well as knocking on doors on Saturday mornings and my annual Summer Surgery tour around the Island I have also held

supermarket surgeries which have been very popular. This is my first ‘Big Bus Surgery’ and I am grateful to Southern Vectis for making it possible. Please do come along if you are in the area – even it is only to say ‘Hello’.”

Matt Kitchin, General Manager of Southern Vectis added : “I think this is a great idea and Southern Vectis are very happy to be supporting it. We have lots of people come through Ryde bus station on a Saturday and now they can just drop in to see their MP as they go about their business.

They can have privacy on the top floor and a comfortable place to wait downstairs. Andrew is on our series of ‘Island Thinkers’ buses – and we will be using the bus that features him for this surgery.

There will be no reason for anybody to miss him as there will be a 8ft high picture of him on the side of the bus!”

National Minimum Wage Rises From the 1 October 2013 the National Minimum Wage (NMW) increased in accordance with the recommendations set out by the independent Low Pay Commission (LPC) in April this year. * The adult rate will increase by 12p to £6.31 an hour * The rate for 18-20 year olds will increase by 5p to £5.03 an hour * The rate for 16-17 year olds will increase by 4p to £3.72 an hour *The apprentice rate will increase by 3p to £2.68 an hour * The accommodation offset increases from the current £4.82 to £4.91 More than 890,000 of Britain’s lowest-paid workers will gain from these changes.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “The National Minimum Wage is a vital safety net in protecting the low paid. Each year, the LPC carries out a huge amount of detailed and valuable work to make sure they recommend a rate that supports people on low pay without damaging their chances of getting a job.

“But as signs of an economic recovery start to emerge, we need to do more to make sure that the benefits of growth are shared fairly across the board.

“That is why in addition to their ongoing annual remit, I am asking them to extend their expertise to help the government and business understand how we can deal with the issue of low wages in the

economy. In particular I have asked them to look at what economic conditions would be needed to allow the National Minimum Wage to rise in the future by more than current conditions allow.

In addition, from 1 October employers who fail to pay the National Minimum Wage (NMW) will be publicly named and shamed under revamped plans announced last month to make it easier to clamp down on rogue businesses.

The new rules are part of government efforts to toughen up enforcement of the NMW and increase compliance. By naming employers it is hoped that bad publicity will be an additional deterrent to employers who would otherwise be tempted not to pay the NMW. This is on top of financial penalties which employers already face if they fail to pay NMW. Paying any less than the minimum wage is illegal and if employers break this law they need to know that we will take tough action. Anyone who feels they are being exploited should contact the Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368.

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

Leaking Boat Results in Long Spells on the Water Duty called twice-over for Cowes RNLI lifeboat on the 7th October, when it was twice launched to go to the aid of a luxury motorcruiser that had been hurriedly driven into shallow waters after springing an alarming mid-Solent leak.

The alarm was first raised around 4.40pm when Solent Coastguards reported the motor-cruiser, the leaking 32 foot Katraia, was near the Island shore, between Castle Point and Osborne Bay. On arrival at the scene the lifeboat found the receding tide meant the craft was now stuck hard and fast on the beach. Normally based in Wootton Creek, the motor-cruiser was carrying a couple, a young man and a dog.

The leakage was apparently caused by the failure of a pipe, as a result of a small fire which had soon died away. The lifeboat remained at the scene until the arrival of Bembridge mobile coastguard, when it then returned to station.

The lifeboat was, however, launched again at 10.40 pm to be on hand when the Katraia, now with the hole temporarily plugged, refloated on the rising tide. When this finally occurred just after midnight the lifeboat then towed the motor-cruiser to a pontoon just inside Wootton Creek belonging to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.

The lifeboat finally returned to station at 1.30 am - nearly nine hours after the first call-out.

Tank Museum Closed The Military History Museum in Northwood has closed due to unforeseen circumstances and will not be reopening. Vehicles on loan to the museum are now in the process of being returned to their owners, including two tanks, which will return to Bovington.

Police want to identify man suspected of assault Police has issued CCTV in an appeal for witnesses following an assault on a man in Swanmore Road, Ryde on Saturday, September 28.

Sometime between 3.30pm and 3.40pm, the victim, a 23-year-old man was out cycling with a friend, when they got off their bikes to go into the Co-op stores in Swanmore Road.

A dark coloured, possibly black Peugeot 206, which had been travelling behind them stopped further down the road and the passenger got out, confronted the victim and then kicked him in the back, leaving a red foot-shaped graze.

The suspect was described as a White man, Mid 20s, Approx 5ft

10ins tall with Short dark hair And wearing a grey hooded top Investigating officer, PC Justin Clarke said: “I’d like to hear from anybody that may have seen this or remembers seeing the Peugeot hatchback or the man getting out of it.

“This appears to have been an unprovoked and cowardly assault on a young man who had simply got off his bike to go into a shop.”

Anyone with information can contact PC Clarke at Shanklin Police Station phoning 101.

Information can be given anonymously by phoning the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

250 staff at GKN support Delete Blood Cancer UK On Monday October 7th, over 250 staff at GKN Aerospace in Cowes had a simple blood stem cell test, supporting a drive by Delete Blood Cancer UK. Launched in February this year, Delete Blood Cancer UK has a single mission: To help to increase the pool of registered potential stem cell donors.

As Delete Blood Cancer UK explains: “Someone is diagnosed with blood cancer in the UK every 18 minutes, every 10 minutes blood cancer takes a life somewhere in the world. Blood cancers affect the production and function of blood cells and for many blood cancer patients, a stem cell donation is their only chance of survival, but only half of the people diagnosed in the UK find a matching donor.”

Monday’s activity at GKN Aerospace has been prompted by the plight of GKN Aerospace Cowes employee Jason Morris’ six year old son Finley Morris. Finley was diagnosed with leukaemia (blood cancer) earlier this year. His family has been tested and none is a match for a bone marrow transfusion. As a result the Morris’s are spending much of their lives at Southampton hospital where Finley is being cared for.

Colleagues and friends at the company are desperate to help and have donated £1500 from their fundraising activities towards the cost of stem cell tests - and over 250 staff have volunteered to be tested. The test involves simply taking a swab from inside the cheek. This is sent away and analysed. Following a positive result, the individual’s details are made anonymous and registered.

Lynn Ellsbury, Head of HR explains: “ We all hope that that by helping raise awareness, fewer families will find themselves in the dreadful situation the Morris’s are experiencing - and with more people on the register perhaps a match will be found for Finley. This is a quick, simple and painless test and means that one day we could give someone a chance of life. You really can’t argue with that.”

Volunteers from GKN Aerospace take a stem cell test. Shown left are Lisa Legg, Kathy Chillistone, Right are Simon Snow (blue overalls), Ian Gerrard (white overalls), Ben Bishop (black t-shirt), Paul Oakley (White t-shirt) all GKN Aerospace

GKN Aerospace team present cheque for £1500 to Delete Blood Cancer. Left to right are Lynn Pointer from GKN Aerospace, Caroline Portlock and Kate Jakeman from Delete Blood Cancer, Jim Hanson and Muriel Collett from GKN Aerospace.

Local Gang Activity saves Historical Property It is fairly common knowledge that Ferguson’s Gang and their anonymous members saved The Old Town Hall, Newtown, for the National Trust. The building went on to become the permanent home to the Gang exhibition.

However the recent sighting of previously unseen letters has helped to reveal who the masked members of the gang are.

This voyage of discovery began when Anna Hutton-North, renowned expert on Ferguson’s Gang, came across previously unseen correspondence. “The story of Ferguson’s Gang has

fascinated me for years; I couldn’t believe that a group of society ladies had managed to keep their gang activities secret from their family and friends.” Hutton-North said. “I wanted to find out more about them and ended up becoming detective as I travelled all over the country to unearth the women behind the masks.”

There were some surprising results; it became clear that the mobsters were from the political elite including the great-niece of Gladstone and a close relative of Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin.

In addition it was apparent that

the Old Town Hall had personal associations for at least one of the Gang members and that two of the Gang members resided nearby in one of the grand houses at Freshwater during the interwar years. These, and other intriguing stories, are included within Hutton-North’s latest book ‘Ferguson’s Gang – The Maidens behind the Masks’.

“What was unusual about this Gang was their over-riding objective,” Hutton-North continued. “These women were fighting to save England’s countryside from being destroyed

by developers and house builders.

The fact we have so many wonderful historical properties and open countryside is down to their sheer determination to make a difference.” The fascinating story of how Ferguson’s Gang helped battle against the builders to save England’s historical heritage, including The Old Town Hall, has now been written up in the book ‘Ferguson’s Gang – The Maidens behind the Masks’.

Finally the five famous society girls who made up the inner-circle of bandits are revealed once and for all.

25

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

Payday industry not meeting voluntary codes Findings from a government survey have found that payday lenders are not fully complying with industry standards brought in last year to better protect consumers.

This comes as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published its own consultation on the rulebook that the industry should be meeting from April 2014. The results of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) survey showed that: * nearly a quarter of consumers said they were put under pressure to extend their loan and approximately half of those surveyed said that lenders did not explain the risks to them of doing so * 1 in 5 customers reported that the lender did not ask about their finances when taking out an initial loan * when it came to affording a rollover, over 60% of customers said lenders didn’t appear to check their finances * there were very poor customer ratings on the use of continuous payment authority (CPA). Overall nearly 1 in 3 customers reported

that CPA was not clearly explained to them and nearly 60% were not told how to cancel CPA. The FCA is proposing to limit the number of times a high-cost short-term credit loan can be rolled over to 2 and introduce a limit of 2 unsuccessful attempts on the use of CPAs to pay off a loan.

Consumer Minister Jo Swinson said: “This research shows that the industry has failed to selfregulate effectively. We warned the industry months ago that if it didn’t get its house in order we would step in. Now the FCA has come out today and published strong actions which will tackle the problems the market has failed to address.”

Over 4,000 people responded to the consumer survey and 44 lenders to the business survey that tested key areas within the codes and charter.

Other findings on industry compliance showed that nearly 3 quarters of consumers said they were not dealt with sympathetically when in financial difficulty and only 14% said they had been told about free or independent sources of advice.

Ground breaking treatment

Health services on the Isle of Wight are now delivering a life saving treatment for patients in the community which in the past has only been delivered in hospital. The Trust’s ‘PrePip’ project enables specially trained Paramedics to deliver, under strict guidelines, intravenous high dose antibiotics to patients who have suspected sepsis and who are on, or have recently had, chemotherapy or have a urinary catheter. These patients are particularly susceptible to rapidly evolving sepsis.

The Trust has now treated four patients, believed to possibly be the first examples of such treatment, in the community delivered by an ambulance service, in the ‘northern hemisphere’.

Sepsis is a life-threatening illness caused by the body overreacting to an infection. The body’s immune system goes into overdrive, setting off a series of reactions that can lead to widespread inflammation (swelling) and blood clotting.

Sepsis can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and death especially if not recognised early and treated promptly.

Worldwide, sepsis kills thousands of people every single day. In the UK alone, it is estimate that around 37,000 patients die each year from sepsis. To put this into perspective, this means that more people die annually from sepsis than from lung cancer, or from bowel cancer and breast cancer combined. Senior House Officer in the Emergency Department at St. Mary’s, Dr John Pike said: “We know that treating suspected Sepsis much earlier saves patient’s lives and prevents admissions to intensive care – a third of patients admitted to intensive care have

sepsis. Our integrated services here on the Island – all hosted in Isle of Wight NHS Trust – make it possible for us to develop and implement new initiatives quickly. Previously patients have had to wait until they arrive at hospital to receive these special antibiotics intravenously. For every hours delay in diagnosis and treatment the risk of death from sepsis increases substantially.”

The Trust has developed guidance for staff which enables the treatment to be delivered by Paramedics under Patient Group Directions (PGDs). All the Trust’s rapid response vehicles (cars) have been equipped with kits to deliver the treatment and all ambulance staff have received training to recognise the symptoms of sepsis and how to treat it. Paramedics who drive the Trust’s rapid response vehicles are at the front line of the programme. This novel approach, integrating front-line ambulance staff into sepsis treatment buys previous time and will certainly save lives.

Ambulance Service Clinical Support Officer Tholli Wood said: “A call to the Trust’s integrated urgent care hub on either 999 or 111 activates the new service. The call can be made by the patient, a member of staff in the Trust’s cancer service including the Chemotherapy Suite or by a GP. The Urgent Care Hub may dispatch a rapid response vehicle to enable the patient to be treated at home. This is likely to be followed up by an Emergency Ambulance to transfer the patient to hospital for further treatment and tests but the important early diagnosis and treatment is achieved reducing the longer term problems for the patient.”

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

Allotment owners encouraged to be vigilant Allotment owners are being urged to secure their property and report any suspicious behaviour following a series of shed breaks last weekend.

At least nine sheds were broken into sometime between Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6 at Seaview Allotments in Steyne Road.

Two Rotavators and two strimmers have been reported stolen.

Investigating Officer, PC Laura Cade said: “I would like to ask people in the local area to keep an eye out for anyone attempting to sell large garden tools similar to those items taken.

“If anyone has information relating to the shed breaks or has seen anyone acting suspiciously please contact the police by phoning 101.”

Police offer the following crime prevention advice: Ensure access points into the garden are secure i.e. side or back gates are locked and fences should be 6ft high. You can increase the height by installing trellis on top.

Shed security should be taken as seriously as that of your home, not only is there often high value equipment stored within but often the tools can help a burglar break into your home. Keep ladders chained and locked to a secure point and tools preferably in locked cupboards or boxes.

The main shell of the shed should be in good order and doors should be sturdy with a British standard lock. You can always consider lining the shed with ply-wood to make it harder to break into.

If you need a window in the shed use Perspex rather than glass.

Shed alarms are available from DIY centres.

Keep a note of any serial numbers of tools and bikes kept in the shed and register them for free at www.immobilise.com Anyone with information can contact PC Cade at Shanklin Police Station by phoning 101.

Information can be given anonymously by phoning the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Allotment Shed

EcoIsland Hydrogen Refuelling ITM Power (AIM: ITM), the energy storage and clean fuel company, is leading the EcoIsland Hydrogen Vehicle Refueller, a project supported by the UK’s innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board. The £4.45m project will build and integrate into the power system, a hydrogen energy storage and vehicle refuelling system on the Isle of Wight.

The three year project is now coming to the end of its first year.

The project is on time and on budget with the following achievements in year 1: • ITM Power have concluded the design of a modular 80kg/day hydrogen generation unit, the first deployment of a station this size which the Company intends to use for the roll-out of hydrogen refuelling stations in the UK in the H2Mobility project. This modular design allows generation capacity to be increased at refuelling stations as demand increases.

Key components are ordered and build is underway and on track.

• ITM Power and SSE have surveyed a number of sites on the Isle of Wight, identifying four potential locations owned by SGN, SSE, Vestas and MJH Developments for the 80kg/day refuelling station.

Planning applications have been submitted for all four sites, and approval has been received for one of these sites.

ITM Power are seeking approval from all four sites.

• ITM Power and Cheetah Marine

have applied for planning permission for the marine refuelling system at Cheetah Marine’s site in Ventnor, Isle of Wight.

• ITM Power has successfully converted a Honda 135 Outboard motor to dual fuel hydrogen/petrol operation for use on a catamaran designed and built by Cheetah Marine. Cheetah Marine boat build is underway.

• IBM has developed a user interface for the refuelling system.

The project is proceeding well with delivery of the refuelling units anticipated in spring 2014 for the 12 month trial to start in autumn 2014.

It has recently been announced that EcoIsland CIC has entered liquidation. EcoIsland CIC’s role in the project was to organise and run a fuel cell electric vehicle (“FCEV”) road show for which they were allocated £49,475 of project costs, £23,500 in grant, of which £5,800 has been claimed to date.

ITM Power and the consortium will now reallocate the remaining grant and activities within the existing consortium.

The project will design, build, install and operate two gridconnected hydrogen refuelling platforms on the Isle of Wight, with 80kg/day and 15kg/day capacities for the operation of a fleet of hydrogen vehicles including vehicles from Hyundai, Microcab and converted Ford Transit vans.

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

Best foot forward for the Island’s Autumn Walking Weekend A hugely impressive 100 walks have been lined-up for the 2013 Isle of Wight “Autumn Walking Weekend”, which is set to run from Friday, October 25th to Monday, October 28th.

Following in the footsteps of everything from alpacas to dinosaurs, the Autumn Walking Weekend is a spin-off from the ever-popular annual Isle of Wight Walking Festival, which has taken place on the Island for the last 15 years and is now widely recognised as the biggest Walking Festival in the UK. As well as being the 50th anniversary for the Isle of Wight’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), this is also the year that the Island was dubbed The Dinosaur Capital of the UK. Then just two days later, there will be the Dinosaur Walk in aid of BBC Children in Need, when visitors will be taken on a prehistoric journey from Blackgang Chine to Compton Bay at 9.30am, on Wednesday, October 30th 2013.

The walk of 9-miles is expected to take around 5 hours. The walk itself is free, but all walkers will need to be sponsored; and all proceeds will go to BBC Children in Need.

Walk leader Martin Neville who will take participants to the first “meteorite” at Blackgang Chine which allows anyone who

has downloaded the special Walking with Dinosaurs app (see Editor’s Notes below) to take photographs of a Caulkicephalus swooping over the Isle of Wight landscape. The walk continues to the meteorite at Compton Bay, where it will be possible to take photographs of family and friends walking with a Neovenator at Hanover Point.

Everyone taking part in this walk will be entered into a competition to win two pairs of tickets to a gala premiere of the new Walking with Dinosaurs: The 3D Movie at Cineworld in Newport, in December. The first hundred walkers registered will also receive a goodie bag.

Fittingly, the programme of events as a whole manages to combine both - with a large number of the walks focusing on the Island’s rich dinosaur heritage, against the backdrop of some of the most coastal Credit stunning Isle of Wight Counciland countryside locations in Britain.

Over half of the Island is recognised as an AONB. And with its 60-miles of dramatic Heritage Coastline and more than 500miles of well-maintained and signposted footpaths, the Island has long been recognised as a walker’s paradise.

As well as following in the footsteps of dinosaurs in the company of experts, the full programme also offers the

Yaverland opportunity to go Walking with Alpacas on Saturday, October 26th, over a distance of 3 miles on a trail designed to last around an hour-and-a-half. Another highlight of the weekend is the Autumn Speed Dating Walk on October 27th - a gentle stroll that has already led all the way down the aisle on five occasions! Attracting single walkers the walk always aims to create long-lasting friendships between like-minded people, but also gives participants the chance to meet a partner.

Other stand out walks in the programme include a three-day Round the Island Walk, the chance to explore an abandoned town, a Nordic Walk from Appley Park to St Helens, and a Foodie Walk in the company of local food reviewers Matt and Cat. The full programme of walks, and registration forms, can be found on the Isle of Wight Walking Festival’s website at isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk.

It features some old favourites, as well as some new walks.

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

MPs’ rural broadband report confirms CLA’s worst fears of tech-free countryside zones The CLA has said that the report on rural broadband delivery by the Commons’ Public Accounts Select Committee confirms that the current system is a flop and there is no chance of meeting the 2015 roll-out deadline set by the Government.

CLA regional director Robin Edwards said: “For more than 10 years, the CLA has been campaigning on the need for comprehensive, affordable and effective broadband throughout the countryside. And, yet, many rural areas are still in the technological Dark Ages.

“The report by this influential Select Committee backs our long-held view that the system put in place by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is a failure.”

The regional director said he was very concerned about the total reliance on British Telecom. Mr Edwards said: “To

have British Telecom as the only surviving bidder in the procurement process defeats the objective of a competitive system.

“Although DCMS says the process is fair and transparent, it simply has not worked. The fact the Government will not be able to meet its self-imposed deadlines is letting down those who live and work in rural areas where broadband is essential.

“And it is not only superfast broadband that is a problem.

Mobile phone coverage remains a major issue for many in the rural economy and is equally vital.

“There will still be many rural areas with poor mobile reception which will get no help despite the Government’s Mobile Infrastructure Project (MIP) to identify and fix 1,000 areas of the country with no mobile signal.”

Sugar & Spice Promotes Bra Recycling For Breast Cancer Charity Once again, Sugar and Spice Lingerie is partnering with charity Against Breast Cancer to promote an innovative bra recycling scheme that will benefit women everywhere.

The scheme provides an eyecatching pink bra bank in the Ryde and Newport shops where unwanted bras can be deposited.

Recycling bras prevents them from being dumped into UK landfills each year and the charity recovers £1000 from every tonne donated . The scheme directs textiles to Africa where they help create local commerce and the scheme is also helping to create jobs in the UK. Wendy Taylor-Hill, Corporate Manager at Against Breast Cancer said ‘We have received very positive feedback from retailers adopting the scheme and great warmth from the public for an idea that helps the environment as well as charity.

It seems the perfect solution on so many levels and we hope to see further take up of our banks as a result of Breast Cancer Awareness month in October.

Sheila Wilson from Sugar and Spice said “We are pleased to

be able to support this idea which enables our customers to recycle their old bras for a cause that helps so many women. During October we will be offering customers that make a donation to the bra bank 10% off new bras purchased as part of our support to the charity.”

Funds received from the scheme are put to work by the charity to support the research they are conducting into breast cancer, now affecting 1 in 8 women in the UK. Anyone wishing to find a local bra bank or who wishes to use the postal recycling scheme for bras, mobile phones and ink cartridges can go to www.againstbreastcancer.org.u k for further information or call Wendy at the charity on 01235 534211.

CAFÉ CLINIC PILOT IS SET TO HELP OLDER RESIDENTS A new Café Clinic designed to support older people living with long term conditions has opened in Whitwell, as part of a new pilot scheme.

The clinics, part of a two year pilot programme running in different locations across the Island, are designed to bring together a range of NHS, Social care and Voluntary sector services in one location to help older people to manage their own health and wellbeing in a relaxed, local setting.

Organisations like Age UK, Isle of Wight Society for the Blind, Action on Hearing Loss, the Independent Living Centre and others together with health trainers, local pharmacists, community matrons and health care assistants come together in one location to provide advice, information and support at the same time, each month.

Alison Geddes, Clinical Commissioning Group Commissioning Manager for Long term conditions said, “People with long-term conditions often need regular checks with a range of different healthcare professionals but these can be difficult to access if the person has mobility problems or if they live in a more isolated part of the Island.

“We’ve been piloting the clinics, as part of the ‘My life, a full life’ programme, to bring health

services out to people in their local community areas and to deliver them in a more coordinated way to enable people to look after themselves more confidently and take more control over managing their own conditions.

People can come in and have their blood pressure checked, or have their blood tests taken, seek advice about financial pressures, diet, sight and hearing difficulties, talk through problems with their medication, learn how to use inhalers or other equipment or simply pop in for a friendly chat and a cup of tea.”

A similar pilot running in East Cowes has had some very good feedback with those attending saying they found “They received all the support that was necessary”, that it was “marvellous” and they were “deeply appreciative of the cheerful attitude as well as the practical care of the team who helped to “put (their) mind at ease”.

The Whitwell Cafe Clinic was opened on 10th October at Whitwell Village Hall and will now operate monthly.

There is no need to book – unless you wish to specifically meet with a community matron - and it is open to all older residents living in the Whitwell area who would like to attend.

Contact the news team on 01983 898 838 or email press@iwmail.co.uk

29

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

Children's Services and Education Challenges As Conservative Party members gather in Manchester for the Party’s Annual Conference, Cllr Chris Whitehouse who leads on Education for the Conservative Group on the Isle of Wight Council reminded the Party just what an uphill struggle the Island still has to put right some of the historic mistakes made by successive previous Administrations on the Council in regards to education and children’s services.

In a letter to the Island MP, Andrew Turner, Cllr Whitehouse says: “I can only repeat what I have said in Full Council, namely that as an

Island community we should not be embarrassed, but ashamed of where we are and the numbers of children we have let down, and continue to let down.”

Cllr Whitehouse’s comments come after a presentation on the parlous state of children’s services and school performance was given by John Coughlan, the Director of Children’s Services from Hampshire County Council which was directed by the Conservative Secretary of State, Michael Gove, to take over statutory responsibility for the Island’s services for children earlier this year.

Whitehouse on Cameron's Speech Commenting to Prime Minister David Cameron’s speech to the Conservative Party Conference, Cllr Chris Whitehouse, Secretary of the Conservative Group of Councillors on the Isle of Wight Council, said: “A truly remarkable performance, burying the sound-bites and superficial stunts from Ed Miliband; and

making it clear that the next General Election is a fight for the soul of our nation: a return to socialism and state control under Labour, or ploughing onwards to deliver growth in our economy, an economy which Labour previously wrecked.

David Cameron grew even further in stature”

Cllr Chris Whitehouse

Staff pay-out information demanded in "Wight Elephant" fiasco Councillor Chris Whitehouse has written to the Managing Director of the Isle of Wight Council to demand information about pay-outs to Council officers who were involved in the Cowes Enterprise College fiasco.

The letter, copied to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Ian Stephens, and the Leader of the Conservative Group, Cllr Dave Stewart, demands to know the level of the payments made “to ensure that elected members are no longer denied the information that they need properly to meet their obligations”.

Cllr Whitehouse adds: “I fear this building will become known as the ‘Wight Elephant’ and we really do need to get to the bottom of the massive costs associated with the project.

The public interest demands that this information should be made available.” In the letter Cllr Whitehouse said: “My personal view is that such information should be in the

public domain and I understand that a third party Freedom of Information Act request was made for the information, but that the request was declined and is now being appealed to the Information Commissioner. I hope that appeal is successful, but in the meantime it is unthinkable that Councillors, who are after all morally and legally stewards of the Council’s financial resources and have a duty to ensure prudential financial management, do not know the level of payments which they are in effect being asked to sanction. This situation is simply wrong.

I would, therefore, repeat now my request to be told the sums in question. I will keep that information confidential until the appeal to the Information Commissioner is resolved one way or another, but I am most uncomfortable that I am being denied in this way the information necessary to fulfil my moral and legal obligations.”

HILL FARM STABLES Riding School and Pony Club Centre 01983 752502 or 07748 253899 www.hillfarmstables.com

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 11 th October 2013

Isle of Wight Sports