Issue 19 - The Isle of Wight Mail

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

The Island's free community newspaper

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WARNING!

The Christmas Toy Appeal

'significant storm could develop'

Price Hikes Very Disappointing

Halloween - No Trick or Treat

Unsettled weather is expected to hit the Isle of Wight over the next few days with further spells of heavy rain and strong winds for most parts of the South Coast, particularly over Saturday and Sunday. Then as we move into Sunday night and Monday morning there is a risk a significant storm could develop close to the UK which has the potential to bring some exceptionally strong winds. See Page 2

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ISSUE NUMBER 19 25th October 2013

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

mail Isle of Wight

Warning over severe storm risk

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Unsettled weather is expected to continue over the next few days with further spells of heavy rain and strong winds for most parts, particularly over Saturday and Sunday.

Currently the storm is most likely to impact the southern half of the UK, with the potential for gusts of more than 80mph - especially on exposed coasts in the south.

Winds of this strength could bring down trees or cause structural damage, potentially causing transport disruption or power cuts.

Eddy Carroll, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said: "This storm doesn't exist at the moment, but our

forecasts models predict it is likely to develop in the west Atlantic on Saturday. Then it's likely to rapidly intensify just west of the UK late on Sunday before tracking across England and Wales early on Monday.

"There is still a chance this storm may take a more southerly track and miss the UK, bringing impacts elsewhere in northern Europe, but people should be aware there is a risk of severe weather and significant disruption. With that in mind, people should keep up to date with and act on the advice in our forecasts and warnings as the situation develops."

Normally Atlantic storms of this type develop much further to the west of the UK and are waning in strength by the time they reach the UK and Ireland.

This storm is more unusual, developing much closer to the UK and potentially tracking across the country while still in its most powerful phase. A strong jet stream and warm air close to the UK are both contributing to the development and strength of the storm.

If the storm arrives in line with current predictions, some areas could see some of their strongest winds for a number of years.

Outbreak of Diarrhoea & Vomiting There has been an increased number of patients admitted to hospital with diarrhoea and vomiting.

NHS IOW would like to remind visitors to the hospital that it is vitally important for those who have been unwell with vomiting and/or diarrhoea recently, especially if they have had these symptoms in the past 48 hours, if possible, to stop visiting patients, relative or friends whether they be in hospital or nursing or residential care homes. Even if visitors to the hospital do not have symptoms we would like advise you to visit only if absolutely necessary. Karen Baker, Chief Executive says: “I would like to advise

members of the public not to visit St Mary’s unless it is essential. If you do have to visit the hospital for any reason please make use of the hand gel and hand washing facilities provided. This is not only to protect patients who are vulnerable, but also our staff who are needed to deliver our services.”

It is vital that anyone who is feeling unwell with vomiting and/or diarrhoea, planning to visit their friend or relative in hospital, nursing or a residential home, stays at home for at least 48 hours after the symptoms stop to avoid the spread of infection.

Keeping hydrated and drinking plenty of fluids is very important, particularly

for the elderly and the very young who are most at risk.

If the symptoms persist, telephone NHS 111.

Further details of symptoms are available on the NHS Choices website - nhs.uk.

Good hygiene is important during outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting as it is highly contagious.

To prevent becoming infected it is very important to wash your hands with soap and water after you have been around someone who is ill. Thorough cleaning of hard surfaces with a bleach solution, paying particular attention to the toilet and toilet area will help to reduce the spread of the virus.

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

Record number of motorists go digital to tax their vehicles According to figures released

by DVLA, nearly 60% of all vehicles are taxed or declared off road using the government’s digital services.

DVLA recorded their busiest ever day on 30 September when nearly a quarter of a million motorists used the service – an increase of almost 41% on the same day last year.

Since the service was launched in April 2004 over 126 million tax discs have been issued this way and it has been used 18 million times to declare a vehicle off the road.

On average, the service is most popular on the last day of the month, with the peak time between 11:00am and 11:15am.

So far this financial year, the

service has been used over 13 million times.

Roads Minister, Robert Goodwill said: "These figures show that more and more motorists are choosing to go digital when dealing with DVLA. Our digital services are proving extremely popular and are designed to be used any time of the day or night to fit in with people’s lifestyles.

"I have used the service many times and have always found it quick and easy to use."

Halloween - No Trick or Treat If you do not want to be disturbed by trick or treaters this Halloween, download and print out a copy of the "No Trick Or Treat" poster to display by your front door. (http://iow.me/13) Every year Hampshire Constabulary's force control room receives calls from people who have been frightened or disturbed by trick or treaters in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Some advice for the elderly or vulnerable members of our community staying home this Halloween: * If you do not know who is calling at your house, you do not need to open the door. * Try to see who is at the door by looking through a spy hole or window before opening the door. * If you have a chain on your door - keep this in place when opening the door. * If you feel threatened in your home, please contact the police.

Police advice to children and their parents is to be mindful that some of the more vulnerable or elderly members of the community do not wish to participate in Halloween activities and in fact may feel intimidated by groups of people calling at their doors.

Local shops are also displaying posters, reminding shoppers that eggs or flour will

not be sold to under-16s in the days leading up to October 31.

The "No Eggs or Flour" poster can be downloaded from http://iow.me/14 Hampshire Constabulary has prepared some advice for children and their parents: * If your child is going outside in a costume - make sure they are wearing reflective clothing or add reflective tape to their clothes. * Carry a torch and consider road safety at all times. * If your child is going out trick or treating - make sure they go out in a group, preferably accompanied by an adult. * Older children should let you know where they are going and what time they will be back. * Children should carry a mobile phone in a pocket or bag. * Make sure your children know not to enter anyone's house or to accept lifts from strangers.

Tribute to man who died in Isle of Wight collision Police are now in a position to release the name of a man who died in a collision near Freshwater on Tuesday.

He was William Watson, 93, from Golden Ridge, Freshwater, who was known to friends and family as Bill.

He was a driving a blue Ford Fiesta on Newport Road at Freshwater on Tuesday, October 22, when at around 8.37am he was involved in a collision with a school bus and a Volkswagen Polo.

Bill was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital but was later pronounced dead.

In a statement, his family said: “Bill Watson sadly passed away following a collision on the Middle road, Isle of Wight, on Tuesday, October 22, 2013. He was a loving father to two children, seven grand children and seven great grandchildren.

“Bill enjoyed good health and a happy retirement on the Isle of Wight when he and his late wife Ivy, moved here in 1993 from London.

“He will be sadly missed by all that knew him.”

William Watson, 93 The 54-year-old woman driving the Polo suffered multiple fractures and remains in a stable condition at St Mary’s Hospital.

Police are continuing their appeal for witnesses to the collision or anyone who saw any of the vehicles driving prior to it.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Dave Sanderson at Shanklin Roads Policing unit, quoting Operation Doppio on 101 or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

Knackered Mothers Wine Evening at The George Hotel, Yarmouth A light hearted evening for the all those knackered mothers and fathers with TV wine expert Helen McGinn, who appreciate a good glass of wine!

When it comes to wine we often think we know what we like, or like what we know. But if you fancy an entertaining insight into some different and very drinkable wines join the George Hotel for an evening with Helen McGinn, author of the Knackered Mothers Wine Club, columnist for the Daily Mail’s Femail wine column and resident wine expert on itv’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show.

Helen McGinn will be the host at The George Hotel in Yarmouth on Friday 29th November 2013. She takes a no-nonsense approach to choosing fridge door whites and in the rack reds and will talk us through some tips for finding better wines without the pomp.

Helen has a wealth of expertise and her mission is to share her knowledge with other knackered mothers (and indeed fathers!) and anyone else who loves wine and wants to know more. She spent the best part of a decade travelling the globe sniffing out wines for a

living as wine buyer for a big supermarket. Then spent most of the next half-decade pregnant.

She has an award-winning wine blog and published her first wine book earlier this year, ‘The Knackered Mother’s Wine Club’, now a bestseller.

Helen explained, “I began writing the blog for friends, telling them what to look out for – new wines, great offers – and it took off from there. The blog was discovered by a publisher, and they asked me to turn it into a book. That led to a newspaper column and now TV – it’s really exciting and best of all, comes from my love of good wine!”

To book your place for this fun tasting with a delicious two course supper contact The George Hotel on 01983 760331 or visit the website www.thegeorge.co.uk

Restart a heart day CPR & defribrilators help people ‘Stay Alive’

The very first European “Restart a heart day” was held this month.

The aim of the day, held on 16th October, is to raise public awareness of the importance of early Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation in an out of hospital cardiac arrest situation.

Anyone can suffer a cardiac arrest.

Last year more than 100,000 people in the UK died from a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), that's over 200 people every day.

In an out of hospital cardiac arrest, with CPR alone, the chance of survival is around 5 per cent, but with CPR and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) the chance of survival can increase dramatically, in some cases up to 74 per cent.

Louise Walker, Commercial Training Officer at the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service explains: “Without CPR oxygenated blood is not being pumped around the vital organs and for every minute we delay defibrillation of the person that requires it their chance of survival decreases by around 14 per cent.”

Louise continues: “You will do more harm to a person in cardiac arrest by not doing anything. It's so important that people think and act quickly, by phoning 999 or 1122 as soon as they recognise that a person is unconscious and not breathing normally.

Commencing CPR will buy the

patient time until the emergency services arrive.”

By performing CPR you can do nothing wrong, the only thing that can be wrong is doing nothing!

Saving a life is as easy as 1,2,3 1 Phone for help 999/112 2 Commence CPR 3 Defibrillate safely if there is an AED available The Isle of Wight Ambulance service now has many static AED sites across the Island with staff trained on how to use the equipment safely and efficiently.

“I am relieved to have a defibrillator on site” said Alan Doe, Operating Manager at the IOW Steam Railway. “Staff have been trained by the IOW Ambulance Services on how to use the defibrillator so that we are . prepared in the case of an always emergency, and during busy periods you never know what might happen. It’s good to know that we are well equipped to help the public if needed.”

If you would like to find out more about how to apply for an AED and training please contact Louise Walker, Ambulance Commercial Training Officer at Ambulance HQ 01983 534111.

The majority of services provided by Isle of Wight NHS Trust are commissioned and funded by Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), NHS England and Isle of Wight Council. You can find out more about Restart A Heart Day at http://www.restartaheart.eu/.

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

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

Hovertravel improves communication with passengers via M:Science text messaging service M:Science, a pioneer of SMS software and services revealed that Hovertravel, the world’s longest running commercial hovercraft service and only scheduled passenger hovercraft service in Europe, has significantly improved communication with its customers following the integration of M:Science’s SMS Web Service. The SMS service enables Hovertravel to instantly contact passengers with up to date information regarding delays or cancellations to its service.

“If a crossing is going to be cancelled or delayed, or a craft is having technical issues, we automatically send a text to the customer informing them of the issues and operational changes.

The use of SMS allows us to reach customers when they are mobile so we are encouraging our customers to sign up to the service as much as we can,” explained Julie Robson, Sales Development Manager, Hovertravel. “If we stopped providing the SMS service our commuters would be very unhappy. They rely on the updates when there is a disruption and text messaging seems to be one of the best communication methods. It also integrates seamlessly with our web communications.”

In 2011, Hovertravel embarked on a complete overhaul of its website and decided that it wanted to integrate a bespoke email and SMS service for customer notifications. Following some due

diligence, Hovertravel selected M:Science SMS Web Service to provide SMS capabilities, which could be integrated into its website, created and developed by Correl8.

“We chose M:Science as it was attractive for cost reasons, the amount per text credits, and the SMS Web Service offering could be easily integrated into our website,” said Robson. “The product also provides inbound messaging allowing us to offer the obligatory STOP facility for customers wishing to opt out of the SMS notification service.”

Utilising the simplicity of SMS Web Service, Hovertravel has created a dedicated SMS registration page and added links on numerous pages, especially the service status page, encouraging customers to sign up to the service. The database now contains over 1400 registered users that now receive operational updates as and when necessary as well as any promotional offers generated by Hovertravel.

“We find the SMS solution very easy to use and we are really happy with the service. We have had no real problems at all. It’s a perfect solution for us,” said Robson. “We receive an automatic email when we are running low on credits, which is really handy as we don’t have to keep an eye on it, and M:Science is also extremely accommodating and flexible regarding credits and payment occasionally providing us with emergency credits if we suddenly have bad weather and we need the text messages urgently.”

‘Extending badger cull is essential’ The CLA backed Environment Secretary Owen Paterson’s decision to consider extending the badger cull. The Association said the move highlighted undoubted commitment to eradicating England of bovine TB. CLA President Harry Cotterell said: “It is absolutely right that Mr Paterson is considering extending the pilot badger cull in Gloucestershire, which has proved to be safe and humane.

“This area was always a testing ground to establish an effective method of ridding England of the devastating effects of bTB and it is clear we need to allow more

than six weeks to achieve the best results.

“While the cull has been challenging, and progress was initially slow, extending the cull is crucial if we are going to see an impact on the disease.”

The Association said the pilot culls were just the first step in a 25-year action plan to rid England of a disease which led to 38,000 cattle being slaughtered in Britain in 2012.

Mr Cotterell added: “The appalling effects of this disease cannot simply be ignored.

Government and farming must continue to work together if we are to win the fight against bTB.”

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th 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 25th 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

Pictured above working on their model of a giant Tiger Moth are (clockwise from left) Jo Treagus, Penny Verity, Gina Dyer, Karen Mason and Steph Edwards

Busy Bees making Big Bugs!

Oakfield, Ryde Sat 26 October Giant bugs, beetles and butterflies are soon to be found hiding in open public spaces around the Oakfield area of Ryde, as part of Big Bug Day - an environmental arts collaboration between Natural Wight and The New Carnival Company.

During October, The New Carnival Company worked with eight school and community groups to create giant sculptures of selected invertebrates – from the Acorn Weevil and the Glanville Fritillary to the Jersey Tiger Moth and the Hairy Legged Mining Bee! Big Bug Day aims to raise local awareness of many endangered and unusual Island invertebrates whilst going on a one-mile trail around the streets of the estate. Frankie Goldspink, Participation and Learning Manager for The New Carnival Company explained “groups taking part will adopt a Bug, learn all about it its habitat, life cycle and distinctive features, before working with one of our artists to make a giant replica of it” she continued “we are using

a number a creative arts skills to make the giant bugs from the relatively simple technique of using cane and paper mache to the traditional carnival craft of wire bending.”

The finished bugs will be sited around the Oakfield area and members of the public are invited to join us on the Big Bug Hunt. Just come down to the ARC playsite at Slade Rd on 26 October between 11am and 3pm, collect your free map and guide, seek out the creepy crawlies and get a chance to enter our free prize draw! Everyone is welcome to take part. Chris Slann, Executive Director of the New Carnival Company, said “this unusual and imaginative project with Natural Wight is a great way of letting lots of people know about our Isle of Wight buglife whilst taking part in a great autumn walk.

Oakfield has been a brilliant place to base this project and we have been delighted at the amazing community involvement – hopefully this is a project that can grow in future years”

‘Happy Ending’ – new album release January 2014 Thursday, 7th November at Shanklin Theatre (www.shanklintheatre.com) Tickets: £17.50 Glenn Tilbrook has announced an extensive acoustic tour for 2013. The ‘Happy Ending’ tour will see Glenn return to his totally stripped down solo acoustic show, the first time he has toured completely solo in the UK in 4 years.

Glenn will be showcasing songs from his new album which is due for release in January 2014. CD copies of the album will be available

initially at shows during the tour and in January the album will be released as a vinyl, CD, and download card package. Glenn’s first solo album since 2009, is stripped back and beautifully layered with a totally different feel to anything he has released before. Glenn’s 2011 tour, on which he was joined by Simon Hanson and Chris McNally, was recorded live each evening and made

available at the end of the night from the merchandise stand. Speaking of the idea Glenn said “Over the years so many people have asked for recordings of the acoustic shows and we made it possible for the audience to take home a recording of the show that they had just enjoyed and were a part of”.

Squeeze repeated this directto-fan concept on their 2012 Pop Up Shop Tour.

Clearly, for Glenn Tilbrook playing is about enjoying the moment and it’s that desire and enthusiasm that sets him apart from so many of his peers. Whether he’s playing to a club audience or to a festival crowd, Glenn Tilbrook still gets the buzz from playing and making music. Catch this tremendous performer while you can as 2014 is shaping up to be a very busy year for Squeeze.

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

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Island Arts

The Apollo goes fast forward 40 years for its next production.

'Really Old, Like 45' takes a no holds barred look at a country grappling with the problems of an ageing population, through three generations of a family.

The issue is of special significance for the Island, which has one of the highest percentage of older people in the country.

Tamsin Oglesby's play imagines a future where life is long, as well as tough, and officials are drawing up radical plans to deal with the problem - including sending those with dementia to state hospitals to undergo drugs trials.

The play provokes laughter and tears, as it reminds us that old people are people - not a social condition.

The play features a cast with a wide range of ages, and some new faces! The cast includes Imogen Stone, Charlotte Bell,

Robbie Gwinnett, Joni Mansell (who is also assistant director), Glenys Williams, Chrissie Blow, Selwyn Hawtin, Rod Jones, Fiona Gwinnett, Joe Plumb (who is also directing the play), Amber Bourne, and Chris Whiteley.

Joe said: "Oglesby writes with a controlled anger about the 足 treatment of the old as a social affliction, and the play is about 足 treating the old as people, rather than as a perpetual problem. Her play has something of the badtaste zaniness of Joe Orton, but she makes it both moving and upsetting by depicting three generations of a family facing up to the realities of age."

'Really Old, Like 45' runs from October 23 to 26, and October 30 to November 2.

The box office opens on Saturday October 19. Telephone 01983 527267.

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

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

Island Arts Sherika Sherard returns to Ventnor Saturday 26th October 8pm

Julian Smith at Medina Theatre

In spring of this year the very talented singer songwriter Sherika Sherard played her debut performance at the then, brand new Ventnor Arts Club. The audience was completed engaged with not only her beautiful songs and guitar playing but with the stories she told around them; making each song even more powerful. Although it's true to say her one cover of the evening, Jackson five's 'I want you back', needed no introduction and had everybody just enjoying the disco moment.

Born and raised in South London, this 21 year old has been gigging for 6 years and has already played at top venues like Ronnie Scotts and the Jazz Cafe in Camden. Her rhymes speak with the authority of a seasoned wordsmith within tunes that are destined to become hugely familiar to anyone with an ear for melody and an emotional core. But she also has a real knack for tackling pretty tough subjects with a wit and a levity that makes for a great evening's entertainment. It's a gig not to be missed in a really intimate and luxurious venue.

To find out more about Sherika and her music go to fb.com/sherikashrardmusic and about the venue at www.ventnorartsclub.com All welcome members free, guests £3.

Please book ahead on info@ventnorartsclub.com

COMMUNITY OF ENQUIRY Saturday 26th 2.30 - 4.00pm This Saturday sees the beginning of a series of discussions at Ventnor Arts Club led by Lizzie Flynn, expert facilitator and 'a woman in search of the truth'.

The sessions will be conversations stimulated by pieces of film, newspaper reports, a picture or even a piece of philosophical writing.

The group then, sustained by a delicious afternoon tea, goes on to have a proper conversation about life, love and the meaning of the universe. Or it might just take a tangent and end up debating the impact of Strictly Come Dancing on the traditional Saturday night out.

Whatever turn the conversation takes it is unlikely to be small talk and it will be a certain way of getting to know and understand your coconversationalists and where they are coming from.

The first in the series which is entitled Afternoon Antithesis

will be accompanied by tea, savouries and cakes and can be booked by emailing info@ventnorartsclub.com. All are welcome, the more the merrier and more meaningful the conversation.

Members £10 guests £12.50

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

Island Arts

HOLIDAY FUN FOR ISLANDERS WITH DISABILITIES

Fashion, Photography and Musical Theatre are just some of the exciting free activities on offer for Islanders with learning or physical disabilities and autism, this half term.

The programme of events which includes Art, Dance and Comic Book Writing, is being organised

by Way Forward, a local charity based at Downside Community Centre in Newport.

Several of the activities will also run from their outreach scheme at West Wight Sports Centre.

“We hope the week will demonstrate the wide variety of activities we run for those on our programme” explains Programme Lead, Lee White. “As well as being fun, the taster sessions are an excellent way to demonstrate how we work with Islanders with long term disabilities including autism to build their skills and confidence to help them live as independently as possible.”The charity provides support on both a one to one and group basis and runs 52 weeks of the year, including evenings & weekends.

The full schedule of activities planned for the October half term is: Monday 28th Oct – 10am to 12noon – Musical Theatre at West Wight Sports Centre Monday 28th Oct – 1pm to 3.30pm – Art at West Wight Sports Centre Monday 28th Oct – 1pm to 3.30pm – Dance at Downside Activity Centre Tuesday 29th Oct – 9.30am to 3.30pm – Art at West Wight Sports Centre Wednesday 30th Oct – 10am to 3.30pm – Fashion at West Wight Sports Centre Wednesday 30th Oct – 1pm to 3.30pm – Comic Book Writing at Downside Activity Centre Thursday 31st Oct – 10am to 12noon – Digital Photography at Downside Activity Centre Thursday 31st Oct – 1pm to 3.30pm – Drama Group at Downside Activity Centre Friday 1st Nov – 1pm to 3.30pm – Drama Production at Downside Activity Centre For more information or to book a place, contact Way Forward on 523000.

TOURING TITANIC ART DISPLAY TO VISIT ISLE OF WIGHT LIBRARY An Isle of Wight library has been chosen as a venue for a UK touring art display which is all about the Titanic.

Cowes Library will host a exhibition called 'Funnels and Butterflies' between 25 October and 19 November.

The display has been created by artist Bonny Cummins and features original paintings and prints of the Titanic by Bonny as well as specially commissioned music.

Also on display in the children’s library will be vibrant butterflies and memory gardens created by Bonny and the pupils of Medina House School.

On Monday 28 October, Bonny will also host a free art workshop for over eights at the library between 2pm and 4pm, with the theme being animation and stained glass. Booking is essential in person at the library.

For more information call 293341.

The workshop will also be held at Ryde Library on Wednesday 30 October between 10am and 12pm. Again booking is essential at the library and more information is available by calling 562170.

Bonny will be at Cowes Library on Tuesday 29 October giving visitors a tour if the exhibition.

Also on this day between 7pm and 9pm, she will give a free talk about the installation and show a film featuring her friend Millvina Dean who is the last survivor of the Titanic. She will also share with the audience some of her Titanic collectibles.

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

The Quintinshill Conspiracy The Shocking True Story Behind Britain's Worst Rail Disaster It was the railway’s 'Titanic'. A horrific crash involving five trains in which 230 died and 246 were injured, it remains the worst disaster in the long history of Britain’s rail network. The location was the isolated signal box at Quintinshill, on the Anglo-Scottish border near Gretna; the date, 22 May 1915. Amongst the dead and injured were women and children, but most of the casualties were Scottish soldiers on their way to fight in the Gallipoli campaign. Territorials setting off for war on a distant battlefield were to die, not in battle, but on home soil – victims, it was said, of serious incompetence and a shoddy regard for procedure in the signal box, resulting in two signalmen being sent to prison.

However, startling new evidence reveals that the failures which led to the disaster were far more complex and widereaching than signalling negligence.

Using previously undisclosed documents, the authors have been able to access official records from the time and have

BOOK COMPETITION Win a copy of the Quintinshill Conspiracy Question: How many trains were involved?

TEXT THE ANSWER TO 07413 599 446 OR EMAIL PRESS@IWMAIL.CO.UK

The new book from Isle of Wight Authors

uncovered a highly shocking and controversial truth behind what actually happened at Quintinshill and the extraordinary attempts to hide the facts.

‘Planning proposals could help solve the rural housing crisis’, says CLA The CLA said the Government’s proposals to deregulate the planning laws will provide critically needed new housing in rural areas.

The Association said new housing, and the families that will be accommodated in them, will stimulate the rural economy, helping to provide for more sustainable communities.

CLA South East director Robin Edwards said: “There is a critical need for housing in rural areas and these proposals could be part of the solution to the current crisis.

“Providing accommodation that allows people to both work and live in the countryside will create new employment opportunities,

stimulating the rural economy.

“A more vibrant and sustainable rural economy will, in turn, provide environmental benefits, assisting the delivery of enhanced landscape and biodiversity.”

Heritage will also be protected through the modernisation, and continued use of traditional farm buildings, retaining them for future generations.

Mr Edwards added: “Environmental and recreational benefits cannot be delivered without a sustainable economic return for those who manage our countryside.

“There is still work to do if we are to achieve these outcomes.”

Adrian Searle was born and bred on the island, beginning his career as a journalist with the Isle of Wight County Press. He left the island in 1971 to pursue career development in various parts of the country, returning in 1984 to edit the (now defunct) Isle of Wight Weekly Post.

While not a native of the island, Jack lived there for virtually all of his life and was still an island resident at the time of his sudden death in April. He was well-known in many spheres of activity, principally as a music teacher but also for his work over many years for railway development and passenger interests, and his research into complex historical rail issues.

CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARMS WHEN CLOCKS GO BACK The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is asking all homeowners to remember when they put their clocks back this month, take time to check your smoke alarms.

Clocks go back an hour on Sunday 27 October and residents are encouraged to take just a few minutes at the same time to test their alarm and check they are working properly.

Nationally, 80 per cent of the population own smoke alarms, but statistics show that one in every eight house fires attended by fire and rescue services, the smoke alarm failed to work largely due to flat or missing batteries.

Trevor Moyce, the fire and rescue service community prevention and protection manager said "Most fires start at night and the real killer is smoke. If you are asleep and you do not have a smoke alarm to wake you up, your chances of survival are virtually zero.

"If you have smoke alarms, check the batteries once a week

or consider buying a 10-year alarm, otherwise change the batteries every year. Remember, 'push the button, not your luck'.

"Smoke alarms cost as little as £5 each but the cost should not matter because you cannot put a cost on someone's life."

The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service offer local residents free home fire safety checks, prioritising those who are more vulnerable. These checks provide advice to residents on general fire safety awareness, smoke alarms and escape routes. To apply for a free home fire safety check, log on to www.iwight.com and complete the application form provided in the fire service section.

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

15

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

Family fun night to support cancer patients Families affected by cancer are being offered a special evening of fun, relaxation and information.

The West Wight Sports Centre and the John Cheverton Centre are hosting the event in Freshwater on 2nd November. As well as a host of activities on offer including swimming, trampolining, short tennis, badminton and table tennis, there will be soft play for the younger children and arts and crafts.

It’s hoped mini complementary therapies sessions will also be available.

"We are delighted to have teamed up with The John Cheverton Centre and Macmillan to provide specialist sessions at the Centre for families affected by cancer” says West Wight Sports Centre manager Clare Griffin.

“We have staff trained in providing exercise to

people living with cancer and all the facilities will be available to them and their families. It will be an opportunity for families to do some exercise in safe surroundings, relax and have fun all together. The emphasis will very much be on fun, fitness and health - as it always is here!"

The event is being backed by other groups including the Wessex Cancer Trust who run the Cancer Support Centre in Newport. While dietary advice and cookery demonstrations will be on offer through the Four Season Cookery Academy.

The evening runs from 5.30 to 8.30 and tickets are £15 for a family of 5 or £5 per adult and £3 per child. For more information contact the sports centre on 01983 752168.

MP Welcomes new Business Forum The Island’s MP has welcomed the formation of a new Islandwide Business Forum which is due to meet for the first time on 8th November. The brainchild of Ryde North East Councillor Wayne Whittle it is designed to bring together existing business groups and individual companies to give a united voice for Island businesses and a forum for consultation on issues that affect them. The first meeting will be held at the Riverside Centre at 10.30 on 8th November. All businesses are welcome but it would be helpful if they could let the MP’s office know in advance that they intend to be present.

Mr Whittle said: “I am delighted to be working with our MP on this important initiative. I already have the support of the Island’s Chamber of Commerce and the local branch of the Federation of Small Businesses as well as the local business associations. They are all excellent organisations, who do sterling work for their members – but I felt the Island needed a body where they could all come together and speak with a united voice. There will be no membership fee and anybody who is involved in an Island business will be very welcome to come along.

“At our first meeting we will be

discussing the new Council licensing policy for temporary traders and answering the local needs questionnaire. We will also be forming a small group to represent the Island Business Forum at the Council’s scrutiny meeting on cross-Solent ferries. It is vital that the needs, views and suggestions of local businesses form part of that important Mr Turner echoed his remarks adding: “I look forward to working with Wayne and this new business group which is a great initiative. I wanted very much to be present at the first meeting, but there is a Bill going through the Commons on that Friday to bring in a referendum on the European Union – so I have to be in Westminster to support that.

However my office will be providing administrative support to the group and some of my staff will be present at the meeting. I hope that this group will both provide a useful consultation body and perhaps it will also take on some new projects – for example there are a number of ideas that came up at the recent meeting I organised with the New Economics Foundation that they might be keen to work on with us.”

Please contact Mr Turner’s office on 530808 or mail@islandmp.com if you wish to attend the meeting.

Energy Price Hikes Very Disappointing

Consumer groups believe that recent price rises announced by SSE meaning that energy bills will rise by 8.2% pave the way for other energy suppliers to do the same. The Island’s MP Andrew Turner agrees with their analysis and he has called the move very disappointing and frustrating..

Mr Turner said: ”We are working towards a position where consumers pay the best possible prices for the energy they consume, and measures in the Energy Bill, due to pass into law soon, will be make sure this happens. The reforms will force energy suppliers to put customers on the lowest available tariffs unless they choose otherwise. This will be of benefit to many Island people, particularly those on low incomes. Ofgem the regulator is also introducing radical reforms so that that the market works better for customers. “It is therefore very disappointing and frustrating that some suppliers are now increasing prices so much.

People should look at switching supplier and fixing their tariff to protect them from further price

hikes. ‘Which Switch’, is the only not-for-profit accredited energy switching service in the UK – and by answering a few easy questions you may be able to save hundreds of pounds a year.

“There is also help available for the poorest Islanders. The Government’s Warm Home Discount Scheme will provide over 2m households, including 600,000 vulnerable pensioners, with a £135 discount on their electricity and spending is being maintained on Winter Fuel Payments.

Following my lobbying of Ministers in 2012 cold weather payments will be available uniformly across the Island when the temperature drops, instead of only certain postcodes, and they have been permanently increased from £8.50 to £25 a week, helping the most vulnerable when extremely cold weather strikes.

The Prime Minister has given his personal commitment to do what he can to help get energy bills down and we must keep looking at ways to do that”.

For more information on switching energy suppliers, go to: www.which.co.uk/switch

Memorial Ploughing Match Sunday 6th April 2014 (9.30am to 4:30pm) New Wolverton Farm, Shorwell, PO30 3LH (by kind permission of Prof and Mrs Williams) Watch vintage and conventional tractors ploughing alongside heavy horses. Entry is FREE, but any money collected on the day will go to the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. Refreshments available.

www.memorialploughingmatch.co.uk

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

Cowes Heritage Exhibition Gets Off to Promising Start

Cowes Heritage's latest exhibition 'Who Do You Think Lived Here?' looks set to be as popular as the organisation's previous major annual exhibitions.

As the title suggests, the three week event focuses on the story of former residents of Cowes, Northwood and Gurnard, and the homes they lived in. Well over 40 residents are being highlighted through text and photographs on display boards and in many folders.

In addition the sort of items that could well have been found in

local homes of yesteryear were on display, including several loaned by the Island's Museum Service through Carisbrooke Castle Museum. The exhibition also sees the launch of two new Cowes Heritage books: 'Freddie Dinnis of Cowes', written by his son, Alan Dinnis, and 'Reflections and Memories of a Withyskinner and Apprentice, 1931-1952', by Bob Burton. At a pre-launch reception attended by specially invited guests including town mayor Geoff Banks, an official opening was performed by Janet Griffin, a

vice president of the Isle of Wight Family History Society. Although now living in East Cowes she previously resided in Cowes where her father was a local policeman.

She was presented with a pot plant by the Cowes Heritage chairman, John Groves (pictured).

The exhibition, which opened tothe public at the Regatta Centre, Bath Road, last Saturday (19 October), is open daily, 10 am - 4 pm, until Sunday 10 November.

Admission is free, although donations are welcome.

NEW LOCAL RATE PHONE NUMBER FOR CHILDREN'S SERVICES A new telephone number for members of the public to call if they are concerned about a child or need information about children’s services is being launched by the Isle of Wight Council.

From Monday 4 November, people should call 0845 650 0097, a 24-hour number dedicated to children’s safeguarding matters.

The existing duty number (01983) 814374 will remain in use until Monday 4 November.

The change is one of a number of measures being introduced since the Isle of Wight Council entered into a strategic partnership with Hampshire County Council on 1 July. Children’s Services was

judged as inadequate by Ofsted following an inspection in November 2012.

Ofsted was critical of the way in which concerns about children were being handled when they were reported to the authority.

The new number will ensure that callers are directed to the service most appropriate for their needs.

Councillor Richard Priest, Cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We have made good progress since entering into partnership with Hampshire County Council, although there is still much work to do. This latest step is another of the measures we are putting in place to drive up standards and make sure concerns raised by members of

the public are responded to appropriately.” If anyone is concerned because they think that a child might be being abused and would like to talk to someone or ask someone to find out what is going on, they should call (01983) 814374, or 0845 650 0097 from Monday 4 November.

For all emergency situations call 999.

Police continue their investigation Police are continuing their investigation into the death of a woman in a collision in Yarmouth on October 11.

Rachel Titley, 28, of St Saviours Road, Totland, died after the blue Daihatsu Quore she was driving was in collision with a red Citroen Xsara on the A3054 The 26-year-old man driving the Citroen was arrested on Wednesday, October 16, on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He was bailed until March 12, 2014.

Police are continuing their appeal for witnesses and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or saw either vehicle driving prior to it.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sergeant Andy Lynch at the Road Death Investigation team on 101 quoting Operation Bach.

Undercliff Drive closed for months

Undercliff Drive, St Lawrence will be closed from 6am on Monday 4th November until 6pm on Wednesday 30th April 2014 and a diversion will be in place for route 6 buses.

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

SECOND MAJOR CAREERS FAIR FOR ISLAND For the second year running a major careers and jobs fair is being staged to give key advice to young people and adults on the Island.

The ‘Your Future’ event is being held at the Isle of Wight College, Newport on 31 October – and will feature more than 45 employers and eight universities, together with training providers and Job Centre Plus running CV and interview workshops.

The event, organised by the Isle of Wight College and the council, will also be attended by organisations including the Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust, the National Apprenticeship Service and the Careers Development Group.

Companies looking for staff have informed event organisers of their vacancies and Job Centre Plus staff will be looking to match up their clients with the prospective employers at the event.

The event runs between 11am and 3pm and a free shuttle bus service is available from the library stand at Newport bus station to the college and back from 10.30am on the day.

Isle of Wight Council Cabinet

member for tourism and economy, Councillor Shirley Smart, said: “This is an excellent event which after just one year has an established and important place in the Island’s calendar.

“It provides our young people with key advice and opportunities as they are considering or about to embark upon their future careers or their continued educational and professional development.

“I would encourage as many young Islanders as possible to attend the event and make the most of a key opportunity to develop and enhance their future prospects.”

Isle of Wight College principal, Debbie Lavin, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Isle of Wight Council with this important event.”

More than 500 young people attended the 2012 event, as well as national and local institutions, organisations and businesses.

For 2013, those attending will include Oxford, Exeter, Southampton and Portsmouth universities; GKN, Vestas, Liz Earle, Wight Salads, Rapanui Clothing, BT Openreach and Navitus Bay Wind Park.

Technology Group Enrols Student Ambassadors A lively meeting of the Island Technology Group took place at the Landguard Manor home of Innovative Physics recently, which was attended by a number of students and staff from Christ the King College to discuss how they can become ambassadors for the Group.

The Technology Group was formed last year by the Island’s MP, Andrew Turner, when it became clear that many Island engineering, electronics and advanced manufacturing companies shared similar challenges, an important one being the recruitment and retention of suitably qualified employees and appropriate local training.

Chairman, Geoff Underwood, Managing Director of In Flight Peripherals Ltd and Chairman of the Island Technology Group said: “Our main issue seems to be attracting people into engineering. The many

innovative technology companies over here appear to be one of the Island’s best kept secrets. Many young people go off to university and just don’t return after their degree, thinking there is nothing suitable for them here.

“Collectively the group’s main aims are to raise the profile of these Island companies and to change young people’s perception of engineering. We are very lucky to be working with a group of enthusiastic students from Christ the King College, who will be our ambassadors in spreading the word to local young people in an effort to generate more interest in engineering and manufacturing as a career choice.”

Any Island company interested in getting involved with the Technology group should contact Andrew Turners office on 01983 530808 or email: mail@islandmp.com

FROM A FAMOUS BEAR TO DINOSAURS SPECIAL FUNDRAISING WALK TO BE HELD A walk, raising money for a famous appeal and being held in conjunction with a forthcoming Hollywood movie, will be part of the Isle of Wight Walking Festival Autumn Walking Weekend.

On Wednesday 30 October, a dinosaur walk in aid of BBC Children in Need will be held from Blackgang Chine viewpoint car park and is for all the family.

The walk will be led by knowledgeable walk leaders, starting at Blackgang through to Hanover Point, taking in two Dinosaur Island meteor sites where you can have your photograph taken with a dinosaur* (*walkers will need a Smartphone or tablet device and to have downloaded the Dinosaur Island app to use this).

The walk is being held ahead of the December release of Walking with Dinosaurs: The 3D Movie, from BBC Earth Films and Evergreen Studios, presented by Twentieth Century Fox in association with IM Global.

This walk is a great opportunity to have a lot of fun – taking in some lovely fresh air along the

Island's beautiful coastline. A bus will take walkers back to the start.

Fancy dress is encouraged and there may even be a special appearance from Pudsey!

All walkers will be entered into a competition to win two pairs of tickets to the Walking With Dinosaurs: The 3D Movie Gala Premiere at Cineworld in Newport, which is being released worldwide in December.

Registration for the walk is essential. To register and for full sponsorship details contact www.visitisleofwight.co.uk.

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

THE OFFICIAL ISLE OF WIGHT CHRISTMAS TOY APPEAL REACHES OUT TO ISLANDERS With Christmas fast approaching, our thoughts naturally turn to the festivities ahead. But we should also try and spare a thought for those children for whom Christmas isn't quite so special and indeed might even be a very difficult time (this could be for a variety of reasons such as sickness, a recent bereavement or another crisis in their lives - or perhaps their family just can't afford presents this year).

Following 2012’s recordbreaking first year, The Official Isle Of Wight Christmas Toy Appeal (powered by Bestival) is back and needs your help to brighten up Christmas for less fortunate children living here on the Island.

In December 2012, the first Official Isle of Wight Christmas Toy Appeal launched, collecting and distributing an astonishing 2,233 toys to local children thanks to the generosity of Islanders. This year we are making it even easier to participate, with 13 x Official Drop-Off Points spread right across the Island - from Tesco to Mothercare, Argos, Toymaster & The Entertainer (full list below).

Organisers are reaching out to Islanders to smash 2012’s final figure of 2,233 presents and help try to reach our new 2013 target of 2,500!

You can donate a new and unwrapped toy or gift suitable for a child aged 0-16 via one of these outlets between 15th November 13th December 2013.

Whilst recognising that everybody’s budgets are particularly tight at this moment in time, organisers do suggest a value of £10.00+ for any toys or gifts donated (please no second hand toys – and don’t forget the batteries if your gift requires them). Toy Appeal volunteers will then wrap your gift and ensure that it is delivered in time for Christmas.

The Official Isle of Wight Christmas Toy Appeal is a local charity and is run to exclusively benefit Island children. The Toy Appeal is organised by local couple Deborah & Daniel Rooke and is powered by Bestival. It is supported by official media partners Isle of Wight Radio & the Isle of Wight County Press, as well as many other local businesses & individuals.

The Toy Appeal will again be working closely with the IW

Council plus more than twenty local charities & organisations to ensure that the Island’s most deserving children will all receive a gift from the Appeal this year.

We believe that every child deserves to feel special at Christmas!

Deborah & Daniel Rooke (Isle of Wight Christmas Toy Appeal organisers) said today; “Though we may not always be able to mend the problems in these children's lives, we can show them love and kindness through the simple act of giving. The Isle of Wight Christmas Toy Appeal gives us all the opportunity to demonstrate the true meaning of Christmas.”

Bestival founder & BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank said; “Josie, myself & the whole Bestival team are delighted to help power Daniel & Deborah’s Isle of Wight Christmas Toy Appeal again this year. You lovely bunch helped put smiles on the faces of 2,233 local Island kids in December 2012 and I feel pretty confident that, even though times are tough for everybody at the moment, we can really smash that total this year.

Bring on the rolls of wrapping paper and Sellotape!”

Isle of Wight Radio Programme Director Paul Topping said; “Isle of Wight Radio is delighted to be supporting the official Isle of Wight Christmas Toy Appeal for the second year. Being the only local radio station, we are all about supporting the Isle of Wight and this Toy Appeal ensures that your donation will stay here on the Island. We know from last year that your contribution will make such a difference to an Island child” Alan Marriott (Editor of the Isle Of Wight County Press) said; “The County Press are delighted to get behind the Christmas Toy Appeal once again this year and hope that it can bring some muchneeded joy to Island children this year.”

Official IOW Christmas Toy Appeal 13 x Drop-Off Points Newport: IW Radio, County Press, The Entertainer, Mothercare, Argos, Ryde: Tesco Extra, Toymaster Sandown: Rapanui Shanklin: Toymaster, Ventnor: Royal Hotel Cowes: Charlotte's Academy, Red Jet Terminal Freshwater: West Wight Sports Centre

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

Fatal collision near Freshwater A man has died following a collision near Freshwater on the Isle of Wight.

Emergency services were called at 8.37am on Tuesday, October 22nd following a collision on the Newport Road near Freshwater, known to locals as Middle Road.

The investigation is still in its early stages but police officers believe that a school bus carrying children was pulling over to a bus stop when the collision occurred between an overtaking car and an oncoming car.

As a result of the impact between the two cars, a 54-year-old woman driving a black Volkswagen Polo sustained multiple fractures and is in a stable condition at St Mary’s Hospital.

The driver of a blue Ford Fiesta, a 91-year-old local man,

sustained fatal injuries. He was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10.45am.

No pupils on board the bus were injured and were transferred by another bus to their school.

Sergeant Dave Sanderson, senior investigating officer, said: “We would like to apologise for any inconvenience to locals whilst the road was closed but it is essential for a thorough investigation to be carried out into this very serious collision.

“We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed this incident and can help us establish a clear picture of the circumstances.” Anyone with information is urged to call 101 and ask for Sgt Sanderson at Shanklin Roads Policing Unit, quoting Operation Doppio.

Councillor takes Save our Supplements Campaign to Westminster

L-R: Marcus Jones MP (Cons. Nuneaton), Public Health Minister Jane Ellison MP, Kate Hoey MP (Labour, Vauxhall), Mike Peet Chair of Consumers for Health Choice, and Cllr Chris Whitehouse.

Chris Whitehouse who is the Conservative Councillor for Newport West Ward, attended a major Parliamentary event on Tuesday 22nd October to urge the Public Health Minister, Jane Ellison MP, to continue to defend the right of British consumers to have access to safe, popular and effective food supplements, especially vitamins and minerals.

Chris is Director of Strategy of the campaign group, Consumers for Health Choice, whose Save our Supplements campaign organised the Parliamentary event to remind politicians that millions of consumers daily take food supplements to help them achieve and maintain good health.

Speaking at the Reception, Chris said: “For decades, tens of millions of

people in this country have been taking vitamins and minerals.

Our hospitals are not full of patients suffering from vitamin poisoning, but rather with patients many of whom are nutritionally deficient.

The European Union is threatening the future availability of such supplements by limiting their potency under the provisions of the Food Supplements Directive.

We are determined to resist this measure and are redoubling our efforts in the run up to next May’s elections to the European Parliament.”

The Parliamentary event was sponsored by MPs from three political parties: Kate Hoey MP, Marcus Jones MP and Dr John Pugh MP. Island MP, Andrew Turner, is also a longstanding supporter of the campaign.

Support for new School League Table Rules Changes to school league tables and examination re-sit arrangements have been welcomed by elected representatives on the Island.

Changes introduced by Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Education mean that from next year ‘softer subjects’ and exams that lack proper academic content – previously counted as ‘equivalent’ to up to four GCSEs – will no longer be included in school league tables. The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) was also introduced – a measure showing the percentage of children achieving A*-C grades in the core academic subjects of English, maths, two sciences, a language and either history or geography.

It was announced that in future schools will be judged on the best eight GCSE’s taken by students (five are currently included) and a further refinement was introduced yesterday so that only a student’s first entry into any GCSE examination will be counted in school performance tables.

Andrew Turner welcomed the changes: “In the past the system encouraged schools to focus on the small number of students

on the borderline of a C/D result in GCSE exams, disadvantaging the majority and high and low achievers. It also masked the achievement of schools doing a great job with challenging youngsters and allowed schools with bright students simply to coast along. The EBacc has already had an effect; this summer’s GCSE results show a marked increase in entries to languages, separate sciences, history and geography. It is not only children that lost out; local employers were also shortchanged. There will be much more information available in future, we must make sure that those that need it are given any help they need to interpret it.”

The Island’s Cabinet member for Children’s Services Cllr. Richard Priest said: “We welcome recognition that Ofqual has said that ‘trends towards early and multiple entry increase the risk of unfairness for candidates overall’, and that new guidance reflects this; particularly as Ofsted has also said that some schools are using ‘high levels of early entry’ with limited or no evidence of impact on raising standards.”

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

Dog Rescue Gives Patricia Much Food for Thought Gratitude from the public after lifeboat rescue takes several forms

After Patricia Legg said it with food Cowes RNLI lifeboat station said it with flowers. Also in this 'thank you' picture are Richard Weeks (left) and Mark Southwell. Photographer: Nick Edwards

PUBLIC NOTICE MARINE AND COASTAL ACCESS ACT 2009 APPLICATION FOR LANDING STAGE AND SLIPWAY REPLACEMENT, SEAVIEW Notice is hereby given that Sea View Yacht Club Limited has applied to the Marine Management Organisation under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, Part 4, for a marine licence to undertake construction of a landing stage and slipway replacement. Plans showing the position of the works may be inspected at Ryde Library, 101 George Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 2JE. Library opening hours; Monday 9.00am – 5.30pm, Tuesday 9.00am - 5.30pm, Wednesday 10.30am – 7.00pm, Thursday CLOSED, Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm, Saturday 9.00am - 5.00pm and Sunday CLOSED. Copies of the Application and associated information may be viewed on line in the Public Register at www.marinemanagement.org.uk/publicregister.

Representations or objections in respect of the application should be made in writing, giving an address to which correspondence relating to the representation or objection may be sent, to the Marine Management Organisation, Lancaster House, Hampshire Court, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7YH, or alternatively emailed to siobhan.sherry@marinemanagement.org.uk, within 28 days of Friday 25th October, quoting reference MLA/2013/00403.

The Marine Management Organisation will pass to the applicant a copy of any objection or representation we receive.

While donations and letters of thanks are the norm, Patricia Legg decided to be more practical, by providing a substantial buffet at Cowes RNLI lifeboat station on the 19 th October. The occasion was a Solent district search and rescue operations (SAROPS) meeting attended by over 40 representatives of the RNLI, HM Coastguard and Hampshire's marine police.

Patricia, who lives in Hefford Road, East Cowes, explained she had been most appreciative of the work of Cowes lifeboat since an incident in 2005 involving a rescue dog she had.

"I was taking him along East Cowes seafront to strengthen him up, when he chased a seagull on the breakwater and then jumped into the sea.

"I immediately tried to wade out to him. But then he was picked up by Cowes inshore lifeboat which operated independently of the RNLI at the time. Since then I have been only too pleased to fund-raise, and I now support the RNLI through the East Cowes branch."

As at the end of the meeting conference members tucked into appetising food stretching along three tables Mark Southwell, Cowes lifeboat operations

manager, said, "It is extremely generous of Patricia. She had made it plain to me she wanted to do something for the station when it hosted such an important regional multi-agency event."

Jointly chairing the conference were HM Coastguard's Lee on Solent based rescue coordination centre manager Lee Fisher and the operations manager of the RNLI's Channel Division, Richard Weeks. The RNLI was also represented by technical experts from Poole headquarters and no fewer than ten of their lifeboat stations along the south coast, two via a video conference link.

Subjects covered ranged from an update on Hampshire police craft, significant future operational changes within HM Coastguard including Solent Coastguards, offshore firefighting, and future technical improvements planned by the RNLI.

22

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

THOUSANDS TAKE PART IN SUMMER READING CHALLENGE Over 2500 children took part in the library service's Summer Reading Challenge which ran throughout the summer in all eleven of the Island's libraries and on the mobile library.

The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children aged four to eleven to read six books during the summer holiday and over two thirds of the children who took part successfully completed the challenge. This was a finishing rate that is significantly higher than the usual national average, while participation was also up by more than 18 per cent compared to 2012.

The challenge is responsible for keeping thousands of children reading over the school holidays.

The vast majority of children surveyed felt that they were better

readers at the end of the summer than they were at the start, and many parents commented that they had never seen their children so keen to read.

National research shows that taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge can help boost a child's achievement when they return to school in September, with parent commenting that here son's reading had come on leaps and bounds.

All children who earned a medal were invited to write a review or draw a picture of their favourite book of the summer. The best entry from each library has been selected, and the winning children have been invited to a prize-giving on Saturday October 26 at Lord Louis Library in Newport.

Hovertravel become rail agents

Hovertravel has recently become rail agents to make travelling off the island as simple as possible for their customers.

As of now, customers travelling to any location off the Island can buy all of the necessary tickets to get them to their final destination from Hovertravel. This includes both travel tickets for the hovercraft and train. The service is available across all 5,900 train stations throughout the UK. The customer just needs to tell Hovertravel the destination they would like to visit, and with that information Hovertravel will give them all the relevant travel tickets to get them to their destination in the most convenient route possible.

The benefits of this new scheme, allows customers to save time from not having to plan a route for their journey and also prevents them from having to queue for tickets at numerous points throughout their travel.

As part of the official rail ticketing system, Hovertravel will be able to offer customers the best possible deals. Loretta Lale, Head of Marketing and Commercial at Hovertravel said:“ All of our staff have been trained to be able to provide advice on complex multidestination journeys, as well as simple point to point trips.�

Hovertravel also offer coach travel in partnership with National Express.

23

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

FROM FUNGI TO FOSSILS DURING WALKING WEEKEND This year’s Autumn Walking Weekend promises more than 100 walks to suit all ages and abilities.

Organised by the Isle of Wight Council, the weekend festival between 25 and 28 October promotes a healthy and fun way for residents and visitors to explore the Island’s natural beauty, stunning coastline and rich history and its comprehensive network of footpaths.

The weekend complements the annual Isle of Wight Walking festival held each May – the largest event of its kind in the UK – and seeks to bring visitors to the Island outside of the main tourism season.

This year, the event is dinosaur themed with a number of walks, supporting the Isle of Wight's status as 'Dinosaur Island', with diverse events ranging from fossil hunts to walking with dinosaur plants at Ventnor Botanic Garden.

A special BBC Children in Need dinosaur walk is also taking place which will raise money for the appeal.

Shirley Smart, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member responsible for tourism said: "The Isle of Wight has such a wonderful, varied geography with many areas of outstanding natural beauty. This allows for such a diverse walking programme and the council is delighted to organise the walking weekend.

"The dinosaur theme, ahead of the premiere of the Walking with Dinosaurs film which comes out in December, celebrates the Island’s importance as a source of prehistoric remains and is especially exciting. I am sure many people will enjoy the walks that are available."

All walks across the weekend range in difficulty, with short strolls such as the giant toddle

which is aimed at young children, a unique fungi walk in Parkhurst Forest where participants learn about different types, and the 72 mile round the Island walk which is split over three days.

Elsewhere during the festival, you may be tempted to join our local ramblers as they take you on journeys of mystery, intrigue and exploration as you traverse the Island’s countryside, woodland, pastures, meadows and footpaths of the Isle of Wight.

There is also the famous speed dating walk, which has received national press coverage over the years and has been responsible for five weddings and a baby.

All walks are led by knowledgeable walk leaders, and full details are available at www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.c o.uk. A programme can also be picked up in council help centres and other local tourist attractions.

Alternatively, to request a programme email elaine.cesar@iow.gov.uk

Ningwood Hill, Shalfleet Closure

Ningwood Hill, Shalfleet will be closed from 6pm on Friday 25th October until 6am on Saturday 26th October and a diversion will be in place for route 7.

The diversion for route 7 from Newport will be Shalfleet Main Road, left into Station Road, right into Wellow Road, Wellow Main Road, Thorley Street, right into Wilmingham Lane, Thorley Road and left into Tennyson Road to rejoin the normal journey.

The diversion will operate in both directions.

Man sustains leg injuries following collision Police are appealing for a motorist to contact them following a road traffic collision in Freshwater on Sunday, September 29.

The incident occurred after midnight, at about 12.30am in the vicinity of Gate Lane in Freshwater Bay. The victim, a 43year-old man, was walking in the middle of the road when he was in collision with a car.

The driver of the car did not stop at the scene.

The man was later found to have sustained a broken right leg and a crushed heel bone on his left leg.

Anyone with information can contact PC Scott Cooper at Newport Police Station by phoning 101. Information can be given anonymously by phoning the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

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24

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

Isle of Wight homes identified as ‘most vulnerable’ as PassivSystems launch new campaign PassivSystems have launched a campaign to help the Isle of Wight’s home owners tackle rising energy costs and heat their homes ahead of the winter chill.

As one of the UK’s leading home energy management companies, PassivSystems have launched their “Heating the Community” campaign as they seek to empower off grid communities in the Isle of Wight who are most affected by escalating oil prices by supplying heating control systems to some of the most deserving homes in the region.

Statistics gathered by PassivSystems show over a quarter (26%) of households on the Isle of Wight are not connected to the national grid and rely purely on domestic oil and LPG to fuel their homes.

Chris Pomfret, Founder of Community Buying Unlimited, works closely with Isle of Wight residents through his successful community oil buying scheme and has given his backing to the campaign. He says, “We are on the cusp of a massive energy catastrophe, in which normal people will sit in their homes and freeze to death this winter. Age UK can verify that thousands of needless deaths occur every year, and we must empower people to take ownership of the energy use in their own homes. PassivLiving is a great way to achieve this and help home owners to take control of escalating energy costs.”

PassivLiving from PassivSystems is an in home system designed to transform the way the home uses energy by helping people to better control their existing heating systems and is has been shown to reduce energy bills by an average of 23%. PassivLiving replaces existing heating controls and can be controlled and monitored in and away from home through mobile apps, the In-Home Display and the PassivLiving online portal.

Colin Calder, founder and CEO of PassivSystems says, “The time is right to help reduce energy costs for oil and LPG users who are held to ransom by escalating prices. We want to work closely with households in the Isle of Wight, where our research tells us there is an urgent need for change. Our campaign will help those who are most deserving, who are cut off from the grid and forced to pay high fuel prices, and start a revolution against unaffordable energy costs.”

Chris continues, “The price of oil is volatile and subject to global trends, political pressure and, in extreme situations, oil theft; all of which translates into a desperate lack of affordable heating – which is surely a basic human right.”

Technology Group Enrols Student Ambassadors A lively meeting of the Island Technology Group took place at the Landguard Manor home of Innovative Physics recently, which was attended by a number of students and staff from Christ the King College to discuss how they can become ambassadors for the Group. The Technology Group was formed last year by the Island’s MP, Andrew Turner, when it became clear that many Island engineering, electronics and advanced manufacturing companies shared similar challenges, an important one being the recruitment and

retention of suitably qualified employees and appropriate local training.

Chairman, Geoff Underwood, Managing Director of In Flight Peripherals Ltd and Chairman of the Island Technology Group said: “Our main issue seems to be attracting people into engineering.

The many innovative technology companies over here appear to be one of the Island’s best kept secrets. Many young people go off to university and just don’t return after their degree, thinking there is nothing suitable for them here.

“Collectively the group’s main aims are to raise the profile of these Island companies and to change young people’s perception of engineering. We are very lucky to be working with a group of enthusiastic students from Christ the King College, who will be our ambassadors in spreading the word to local young people in an effort to generate more interest in engineering and manufacturing as a career choice.”

The Island’s MP, Andrew Turner added: “I am pleased that the Technology Group is working with Christ the King College and

I know they intend to carry out similar projects with other schools in the future. We have many great companies here on the Island who are sometimes forced to employ mainland staff. I would like to see more of these jobs going to Islanders and I am sure once there is this greater understanding of what is involved and what companies here have to offer prospective employees, this situation will change."

Any Island company interested in getting involved with the Technology group should contact Andrew Turners office on 530808

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

What the weather has in store for Sainsbury's Weather is a significant driving force behind consumer purchasing behaviour, affecting what people buy, when, where and how much. In order to maximise customer satisfaction and minimise waste it is vital that Sainsbury's stock the right goods, in the right quantities at the right time.

Accurate and reliable Met Office forecasts and advice help Sainsbury's make informed ordering decisions meaning they can plan for fluctuations in demand due to the weather both in the short- and long-term.

Karen Whitworth, Director of Supply Chain at Sainsbury's, said: "We really appreciate the valueadded services the Met Office provides.

Their forecasting services have given us the confidence that we need to make better ordering decisions."

Sainsbury's serves 23 million customers a week* and planning for and managing the impacts of weather is one of its many challenges.

Met Office forecasters have spent time with teams from Sainsbury's

in order to fully understand the types of decisions they have to make, from replenishment through to staffing levels.

Met Office Forecaster Alex Fox said: "We're really pleased to be working with Sainsbury's. By working so closely with them we've been able to refine the bespoke service we provide to ensure that they have the right information, at the right time in the right format. Accurate, timely weather information and advice has proved vital in assisting them to make the right operational decisions."

With this detailed understanding the Met Office has developed bespoke services that are helping Sainsbury's to stay one step ahead of the weather. This includes historic, observed and forecast information in the form of maps, tables, graphs and data.

HELPING HANDS HOME CARE SERVICES

WHERE YOU COME FIRST

Great South Runners Ambulance Service running in the Great South run

Rear L-R: Jim Diviney, Steve Smith, Cathy Letrizza, Alistair Drover, Alan Peach. Front Row: Martin Thearle, Tracy Bennett, Joanne Moore, Claire Bennett, Graham Thompson.

Twelve members of staff from the IOW Ambulance Service are running in the Great South run on Sunday 27th October 2013.

The Team got together and will run in memory of a retired paramedic, Mr Ray Butcher, who passed away earlier this year. Ray was a paramedic for over 30 years with the IOW Ambulance Service.

The team will attempt to raise money for two charities which were close to Ray's heart. These are Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and a charity cycling cause called SUSTRANS. Ray was a very keen cyclist and cycled everywhere, to work and back in all weather conditions, and he even had a trailer on the back of

his bike in order to do the shopping.

Ten of the 12 strong team can be seen in the photo sporting the distinctive vests donated by the Air Ambulance to help them stand out. Some of the runners have previously competed in the South Run and will be passing on sound advice during the rigorous training sessions which they complete in their spare time. The team jointly have two goals, one is to finish and the other is raise lots of money. If any one wishes to make a donation this can be done by logging on to http://iow.me/12 or come to Newport Ambulance station at St Marys Hospital and see one of the Performance Support Managers.

FIRE SERVICE ISSUES SAFETY ADVICE FOR VEHICLE OWNERS

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR HOME HELP?

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The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is reminding drivers to be aware of the dangers of car fires.

It comes after a recent incident in Ventnor where a woman smelt burning from her car and managed to pull over and take her child out of the back seat before the car caught fire.

Trevor Moyce, the fire and rescue service community prevention and protection manager said: "Although relatively rare, car fires can and do happen and it is important drivers are prepared. When a vehicle catches fire, it happens very quickly.

"Vehicles are very complicated pieces of equipment with lots of electrics and combustible liquids such as fuel, so we ask that all motorists take note of simple safety tips to prevent life threatening incidents."

If you smell burning in your vehicle, pull over in a safe place, turn the engine off and get out the vehicle. Move a safe distance away and call 999.

Never return to the vehicle to try and put out the flames yourself. Lifting the bonnet of the vehicle is also dangerous as the severity of any flames can quickly increase when exposed to fresh air.

Try to stand upwind from a fire which will help prevent breathing in any fumes from the smoke.

A key piece of advice is to never leave your vehicle running while unattended, especially with a child or other people in the car.

The fire service is happy to offer advice and guidance on car safety.

Log on to www.iwight.com for more information.

26

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

Wightminster Day a Resounding Success!

Feedback from participants and visitors alike has judged the Wight in Westminster Day (dubbed Wightminster) which took place on Thursday (17th October) a resounding success.

The event, organised by the Island’s MP, Andrew Turner, in conjunction with Visit Isle of Wight’s Chief Executive, David Thornton, was designed to showcase all that is great about the Isle of Wight to leading travel and food journalists, prospective investors, Ministers and MPs and other strategically invited guests.

Mr Turner said: “Lots of careful planning went in to the day to ensure we had the right mix of commercial opportunities, food and drink and tourism to show invited guests that the Isle of Wight is not just a great place to visit but also a fantastic place to live, work and play. I think we did that and did it very well. It was hard work but all the feedback from everybody has shown it was well worth it. This was the first such event put on by the

Island but I’m sure it won’t be the last.

“We also caused much amusement with the Parliamentary authorities when trying to get permission to get a 6ft high dinosaur through security into Westminster Hall.

In the end that proved impossible – but it certainly raised the profile of the event.”

During the course of the day over 200 visitors were able to talk to representatives from Visit Isle of Wight, the Isle of Wight Council, the Island’s Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses whilst sampling the finest Isle of Wight food and drink prepared by local chefs.

Ventnor Business Association put together a stand in the form of a beach hut demonstrating a sample of what just one of the great resorts on the Island has to offer.

Paul Topping interviewed key people throughout the day, including new Tourism Minister, Helen Grant, and kept Island listeners abreast of what was going on.

The Wight Strollers in the form of Queen Victoria and her entourage kept visitors ‘not amused’, and Charles Dickens told them about his love for the Island.

Havenstreet Steam Railway volunteers dressed in period costume as a station master and ticket collector, policed the door to check the invitations of those coming into the event. Outside the Palace, Shadow, one of the Blackgang Dinosaurs, drew huge crowds of tourists and commuters, and virtually brought traffic to a standstill when he emerged from the Southern Vectis Dinosaur Bus on Westminster Bridge. Mr Thornton said: “The recent Westminster event in London was a huge success – and shows what is possible when Island’s businesses and organisation work together. We introduced over 200 Westminster visitors the sight, tastes and themes of the Island and were bowled over by the enthusiasm and affection that our London guests had for the Isle of Wight.”

THE T REX DAY TRIP

A baby T REX left the Isle of Wight on the 17th October, heading for the palace of Westminster.

The prehistoric creature has become one of the top attractions at Blackgang Chine on the Isle of Wight, also celebrating its 175th birthday as the oldest theme park in the UK this year.

The park’s owners joined forces with other tourist attractions, food producers and industry representatives to host an “Isle of Wight Day” in Westminster Palace in association with the Island’s MP, Andrew Turner, and the Island’s newly formed Destination Management Organisation, Visit Isle of Wight Ltd.

Earlier this year, the Isle of Wight was named the Dinosaur Capital of the UK by the Natural History Museum, noted for the number of fossils found on the Island over the years. This summer the Island teamed up with Twentieth Century Fox and the BBC to create a walking with dinosaur trail where walkers can download augmented reality dinosaurs on their mobile devices and smart phones when visiting the Island.

27

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

National Express - Post Office partnership National Express and the Post Office have joined forces to launch the sale of coach tickets at over 11,000 Post Office branches nationwide , including in branches throughout the Isle of Wight.

National Express tickets can now be purchased at Post Office branches across the country, allowing customers to take advantage of affordable coach travel at the same time they buy a stamp, pay a bill or purchase travel money.

The move sets the wheels in motion for more customer choice and convenience.

Customers simply need to provide their travel requirements at their local Post Office and they will be advised on journey details and best available fares before purchasing their ticket.

National Express serves around 1,000 destinations in England, Scotland and Wales.

The partnership further strengthens the wide-ranging services already offered by the Post Office, increasing the variety of choices available to the tens of millions of customers who walk through its doors each year.

It is likely to be particularly welcomed by people including students and holidaymakers travelling abroad. Approximately a third of all journeys taken with the UK’s largest coach operator are to airports.

The link-up will enable people to purchase coach travel straight to the airport terminal along with their travel insurance and foreign currency, saving the time and hassle of multiple transactions.

Alan Smith, Head of Payments at the Post Office said: “Our work with National Express is a shining example of how we are committed to our customers and enhancing our services within the network, enabling people to arrange their coach travel with unbeatable accessibility and ease. The partnership offers more choice and flexibility to our customers and by walking into any one of thousands of participating Post Office branches, they can now benefit from coach services that can take them all over the UK and beyond.”

Tom Stables, Managing Director UK Coach said: “In this day and age, some businesses overlook the importance of face-to-face bookings, weWight are Council all about Creditbut Isle of increasing the options on offer for our customers. We want to make it as convenient as possible for people to take advantage of affordable coach travel and are thrilled people can now pop into Post Office branches to get their coach ticket. The Post Office is a fixture of the UK high street and we hope the partnership helps give high streets up and down the UK a welcome boost.”

Whitehouse to tackle cerebral palsy policy alongside REACH The Westminster based public affairs and communications business run by Isle of Wight Councillor, Chris Whitehouse (Conservative Newport West), The Whitehouse Consultancy, has announced that it is to represent REACH as its probono client for 2013-14.

Following a competitive application process, Whitehouse is to provide REACH, a consortium representing the leading specialist centres working with children with cerebral palsy across the UK, with free public affairs and communications support over the next 12 months.

REACH, whose members include the cerebral palsy charity the PACE centre, hopes to make a noticeable improvement in the quality of life for children with cerebral palsy by tackling the specific issues which they and their families face.

The Whitehouse team will be working with REACH to develop a national cerebral palsy taskforce, which will work with central government departments to deliver a strategy that will secure early intervention for these children as well as ringfenced funding for the training

of professionals working with them. Whitehouse will also be working to increase awareness of the issues facing those affected with cerebral palsy among political leaders and the public.

Chris Whitehouse, Managing Director of The Whitehouse Consultancy, said: "The importance of giving children with cerebral palsy, and their parents, a voice really struck a chord with our team. There are an estimated 30,000 children in the UK suffering from this disability, and REACH hopes to make a real difference to the quality of life of these children.

We are delighted to be working with them on this important project with the aim of transforming the policy landscape for cerebral palsy in the UK.” Amanda Richardson, Chief Executive of PACE said: “On behalf of the many children with cerebral palsy in the UK and their families, we are extremely excited to have this opportunity to work with The Whitehouse Consultancy. We are confident that together we can make a real difference in the way that they are treated and in what they can achieve in their future lives”.

28

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

RNLI on the Isle of Wight Was In Buoyant Form The RNLI's good reputation and credibility on the Isle of Wight was alive and well as a result of the efforts made by stations, branches, guilds and the Inshore Lifeboat Centre, it was reported at the 151st annual meeting of the Island's Lifeboat Board.

"Excellent press coverage, almost every week, is maintaining great respect for the professionalism of our lifeboat crews," board Hon Secretary Lesley Myland said. As far as fund-raising was concerned, the Isle of Wight accounted for nearly 50% of RNLI income of the six cluster groups in the south region.

This was an encouraging statistic, even allowing for the fact that there was a concentration of stations etc in a small area.

The RNLI's Business Support and Development Director Angela Rook said nationally the RNLI had its busiest summer for 24 years, with 3,500 call-outs and 14,500 lifeguard incidents.

The Island's craft were called out 96 times.

The RNLI plans to build and repair all-weather lifeboats at its own factory currently being built in Poole. "The RNLI is moving forward and meeting challenges, none of which would be possible without the support of the fundraisers."

Tim Woodcock, the board's Hon Treasurer, revealed in his report (he was absent for health reasons) that gross receipts during 2012 (not including Cowes Station Appeal receipts) increased by some £12,000 to £335,000 (including souvenir sales of £102,330).

Of the station reports for the current year, Michael Samuelson, Bembridge's Lifeboat Operations Manager, said the 19 shouts so far included the challenging task of evacuating a workman suffering a minor stroke, from No Mans Fort. In addition an 81 year old Austrian woman with a suspected heart attack had to be taken off a cruise liner.

Members were very pleased with the refurbished inshore boathouse at Bembridge, opened in early June. A large display screen for the offshore

boathouse was a great hit with visitors. Also now opened was the new shop.

Mark Southwell, Cowes' Lifeboat Operations Manager, said like all Island stations, Cowes had a quieter time this year, with 40 call-outs so far. It now had 25 boat crew, and was involved in a number of nonoperational events including festivals, the Cowes carnival.

Some crew members boarded Dover lifeboat to greet Natasha Lambert when she finished her cross-Channel sail.

Public openings of the station were being extended.

Jeremy Willcock, Deputy Launch Officer at Yarmouth station, recalled how the lifeboat was involved in five incidents within one hour during this year's Round the Island Race.

More recently, the great value of film-footage was demonstrated when the crew of a fishing boat were rescued from a life raft after their fishing boat sank near Christchurch Ledge.

The board meeting learned that the Inshore Lifeboat Centre at East Cowes had built five Atlantic 85 RIBs and seven D Class craft, as well as refitted or modernised over 50 craft.

The Bembrdge Guild (John Gulliver) said thousands of visitors visited the new station, and an opera evening in the new inshore boathouse proved such a success that the performers want to come back. Cowes Guild (Diana Chillcott) disclosed the final sum raised for the local station appeal was £850,000 of which nearly a quarter was raised on the Island, with the guild collecting over £71,000 of this. East Cowes Branch (Helen Wilkinson) boosted its local money-raising with popular fish and chip suppers.

The board President, the Island's Lord Lieutenant, Major General Martin White, presented a bronze badge to long serving Cowes guild member Marilyn Rose. Other bronze badges, to Cowes Guild Hon Secretary, Sandra Fussell, and Back of Wight Chairman, Michael Hammond, were presented elsewhere.

Also attending the board meeting was the Chairman, Lady Sally Pigot.

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

Marilyn Rose receives her bronze badge from board president Major General Martin White.

Progress on paperless journey Isle of Wight NHS Trust is sending discharge summaries and A&E letters electronically through PCTI’s clinical correspondence Hub to 17 practices on the island.

The solution is part of the Trusts objective to become paperless and to send all clinical documentation to practices electronically. The project went live in April 2013.

PCTI’s Electronic Document Transfer (EDT) Hub integrates with the Trusts electronic patient record (EPR) to enable an electronic letter to be transferred to the GP practice once a clinician or user clicks the complete button.

The letter is transferred seamlessly to the GP practice, automated by ‘meta-data’ to pre-populate the filing fields before being electronically workflowed around the practice utilising Docman’s intuitive one click workflow system. Barbara Gove, IM&T Project Manager, said: “we previously sent discharge summaries and A&E letters by email or post which was a clunky and manual process. To send an A&E letter it would mean we would have to batch print to a folder, a receptionist every evening would sort and change them to a PDF, before going on to sending them by email to a GP practice. This was all a manual and time consuming process. Now in the EPR the document is created and a Doctor clicks the complete button and the letter is sent to the GP practice and delivered into Docman when the practice schedules to do so. This ensures we deliver these letters to GP practices in an efficient manner.”

“The postal method would mean a letter is printed and transferred in our internal mail process to the mail room to then be collected and delivered to GP practices. We have seen a reduction in the paper we send to practices and GP practices have benefited by removing the need to handle paper because of the electronic process.”

“Overall the benefits to the practice are huge. By enabling information to be delivered into Docman, workflowed around the practice and electronically coded all without the need for paper and is then saved back to the patient’s medical record has saved a lot of time and improved process.”

Sarah Sharp, The Information Systems Manager said: “Patients benefit because their discharge information is delivered on time to a GP. This enables the practice to respond quickly to the letter and all stakeholders have the knowledge the letter has been transferred safely and securely.”

“We now plan to extend our use of the EDT Hub even further to deliver more clinical correspondence to practices on the island and further afield. This will greatly improve our efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint.”

Ric Thompson, Managing Director, PCTI said: “delivering clinical correspondence electronically across a health community is making a considerable impact in driving efficiencies and lowering costs.

100 NHS Trusts have adopted EDT Hub to facilitate their health economy in becoming paperless.”

29

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

Isle of Wight Tourism Economy grows by £20million According to the latest peak season statistics, tourism visitor spending has pumped an extra £20 million into the Isle of Wight economy this summer.

The headline figure in the quarter three report for the Island, put together by Tourism South East (TSE), also shows the highest number of shortbreak (one to four nights) visitors in 8 years – 37% more than 2012. The news comes near the end of the first year that David Thornton has been at the helm of Visit Isle of Wight (VIOW), the Island’s tourism organisation responsible for developing tourism and attracting more visitors to the Island.

In addition, the current projections – based on extensive surveys – reveal that the Island is on course to reach the target set by the DMO’s Chief Executive 12 months ago of an extra 300,000 visitors a year within five years.

David Thornton, CEO, Visit Isle of Wight, said: “Whilst the Island’s fortunes have no doubt been buoyed by the brilliant weather, initial results in from other regions indicate that our leap in short breaks activity is the exception rather than the norm and this year’s summer performance is a significant step forward.

“But we do recognise that not all sectors have done so well and we still have a way to go; the static caravan market for example needs further encouragement, and we intend to focus our efforts on widening the appeal and lengthening the season next year.

“We will continue to address weaknesses and maximise opportunities as we move into our second year. There is a long road ahead, but this is a good start and demonstrates that we can be greater than the sum of our parts if we work together to promote the Isle of Wight under one banner.”

James Berresford, VisitEngland’s Chief Executive commented: “These results from the Isle of Wight are very encouraging to see. Without doubt the great weather this summer has given the tourism industry a real boost but the efforts of Visit Isle of Wight have obviously been key to the island’s successful season. I’m delighted to see the number of

overnight visitors is so strong as this is what helps drive growth and ensures a greater contribution into the economy.”

Headline figures for Quarter 3 (Mid June / End of August) include: * Visitor spending up £20 million compared to 2012 * Highest number of shortbreaks in eight years - up 37% * Overall passenger volumes during Q3 were up 4% * Total visitor trips were up 3% compared with Q3 last year. * Domestic overnight trips accounted for 89% of overall visitor expenditure during Q3 2013. This represents a significant shift from day trippers to overnight visitors, generating far more for the local economy. * Domestic short holiday trips (1-4 nights) during Q3 2013 were up 37% compared with Q3 2012, however, domestic long holiday trips (5+ nights) during Q3 2013 were up 3% compared with Q3 2013 and relatively low compared with Q3 in previous years. * 96% of all trips during were domestic visitor trips, 4% were overseas visitor trips * 67% of domestic visitor trips were staying trips. * Domestic overnight trips were up 16% compared with Q3 2012 (the highest volume recorded during Q3 over the last 8 years at 374,850 trips), however, domestic day trips were down 11% compared with Q3 2012 (the lowest they have been during Q3 over the last 8 years at 183,264 trips) The data, collected on behalf of Visit Isle of Wight Ltd and cross-Solent transport companies, share their traffic data with TSE and additional questions are asked on board which helps in understanding behaviour and spend.

The Chairman of Visit Isle of Wight, Simon Dabell, said “These are an impressive set of figures by anyone’s standard.

Visit Isle of Wight’s joined-up approach to tourism, which led to the hugely successful Walking with Dinosaurs TV and radio marketing and PR campaign as well as innovative new events like the Festival of the Sea and the Isle of Fright, has provided a range of compelling reasons for people to come and see what the Island has to offer.”

Cllr Chris Whitehouse

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

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 25th October 2013

Isle of Wight Sports