Issue 25 - The Isle of Wight Mail

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

The Island's free community newspaper

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POTHOLES!

“sudden increase” due to weather Southern Water helps Chelsea

K9 friends bring smiles to faces

Award for Island NFU man

lsland Roads is continuing to take action to treat hundreds of potholes caused by the recent stormy weather conditions... Page 2

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ISSUE NUMBER 25 24th January 2014

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

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“Sudden increase in potholes” lsland Roads is continuing to take action to treat hundreds of potholes caused by the recent stormy weather conditions.

The prolonged periods of heavy rain, wind and flooding has taken its toll on the Island’s road network – as it has throughout the country – and, alongside the long-term highways upgrade programme, a number of immediate steps are being undertaken by Island Roads to tackle those sections of the highway that have been most badly affected.

Island Roads Operations Manager, Steve Jenkins said, “To respond to these challenges, and alongside its existing practices, Island Roads will be bringing in additional resources and specialist equipment to enable us to target the worst of these defects.

“We are working extremely hard to prioritise and tackle these repairs and at the same time continuing with our scheduled programme of work to upgrade, maintain and manage the highway network. We have received in the region of 200 calls alone to report potholes in the two weeks since the beginning of the New Year and are dealing with in the region of1,500 different defects each month alongside our continuing work to undertake street and gully cleansing, drainage, hedge cutting, signage, lighting installation, pavement works, road surfacing and other planned activity.

“With the prospect of colder weather ahead which will cause saturated ground to freeze and expand any defects, potentially weakening the roads further, we are committed to doing our upmost to treat as many of these as possible. It is a colossal task and we appeal to residents to be patient with us as we undertake this extensive programme of work.”

Councillor Jon Gilbey is the Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet member responsible for highways and said: “We do recognise that many roads on the Island are in a poor condition and the recent adverse weather has exacerbated this problem. In April last year, Island Roads began its seven-year core investment programme to upgrade the highways network across the Island as part of

the Highways PFI and significant improvements have already been seen in many areas. “Running alongside this improvement programme is other regular work to maintain the highway network. Island Roads undertakes a regular inspection and monitoring programme, in line with national codes of practice, to manage the condition of the roads and to put in place repairs where these may be required ahead of scheduled longer-term improvement works.

“Over the festive period, the unprecedented weather conditions led to a considerable amount of deterioration to the highway network from potholes and collapsed drains to significant ground movement. The council is now working with Island Roads to try and address these issues.”

Sgt Dave Sanderson, of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Roads Policing Unit said, “Whilst the weather continues to create difficult driving conditions, we ask the public to take the upmost care when driving on the roads and to respect the traffic management measures put in place around the Island to enable work to take place on the highways network.”

£2.46m fund launched for Isle of Wight businesses Businesses in the marine, maritime and advanced manufacturing sectors on the Isle of Wight are being urged to apply for grants from a new £2.46m fund set up by the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in collaboration with the Isle of Wight Council.

The Isle of Wight Expansion Fund, which is also open to firms specialising in composites engineering, is designed to help companies expand, start up new activities or diversify with the aim of creating or safeguarding jobs.

The fund was launched at an event that had to be relocated to a larger venue, the Quay Arts Centre in Newport, due to the scale of local interest.

Cllr Ian Stephens, the leader of the Isle of Wight Council said: "These sectors are of vital importance to the future of the Isle of

Wight economy and this fund will drive growth, investment and job creation.

"The council has been working very closely with the Solent LEP in applying for the funding and is now keen to get on with delivering the scheme for local businesses."

Gary Jeffries, chairman of the Solent LEP, said: "There are huge economic opportunities for the Island, especially in the areas of composites, marine, maritime and advanced manufacturing.

"These are areas with significant potential for growth where the Island has a long history of expertise. This fund is looking to capitalise on that knowledge base, support new projects, generate opportunities for employment and drive development of the Island's economy." visit: solentlep.org.uk

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

IMPROVEMENT IN GCSE RESULTS FOR ISLE OF WIGHT STUDENTS The 2013 School Performance Tables published today have confirmed GCSE results on the Isle of Wight improved in 2013 when compared to 2012.

The figures show that 49 per cent of 16 year olds achieved five or more A*-C GCSE passes including English and mathematics, compared to 45 per cent in 2012.

English results have improved, up to 59 per cent achieving an A*-C grade compared to 53 per cent in 2012, while mathematics performance is also up to 63 per cent achieving an A* to C grade compared to 61 per cent in 2012.

Many students also studied for a range of other qualifications including diplomas, BTECs and national vocational qualifications.

The results mean that no secondary school on the Island is below the government’s minimum standard - known as a 'floor standard' - of 40 per cent achieving five A*-C GCSE passes, including English and

Mathematics.

Councillor Richard Priest, cabinet member for children’s services on the Isle of Wight Council said: “Those who sat GCSE exams last year are now firmly established in the next phase of their education and they will be reaping the rewards of their efforts.

"We appreciate the support of parents and the work of the teaching and support staff in helping these students to do well and we are working closely with all schools to help them to continue to improve.

"Plans are now in place and we are strongly committed to improvement and working with our strategic partner Hampshire County Council to implement the action plan. With a new administration and the expertise of Hampshire, we are already starting to turn things around and drive up educational standards to ensure our schools provide high quality teaching and enable our children to do well."

** ARE YOU INTERESTED IN **

EXTREME WEATHER www.vectisweather.com

www.facebook.com/islandweather

VISIT ISLE OF WIGHT TO PRESENT TO NEW ISLAND BUSINESS FORUM The Chief Executive of Visit Isle of Wight, David Thornton, is set to deliver a major presentation to the recently launched Island Business Forum setting out the tourism promotion organisation’s strategies to attract more visitors to the Island and to discuss ways in which businesses across the Island can join in and do their own bit to boost the tourist economy.

The Forum was launched by Cllr Wayne Whittle to be a platform to enable businesses to come together, to discuss issues of common concern, to find solutions to challenges they face, and to work together to promote the Island economy.

Cllr Whittle said: “The Visit Isle of Wight Destination Marketing Organisation is a key player in the drive to boost our Island economy, but there is a role for each and every business on the Island.

We’re delighted that David Thornton will be contributing to our next meeting.”

David Thornton added: “I’m looking forward to meeting the IBF and understanding more about their organisation. The DMO is keen to work with every organisation and company which recognises that growth and development on an Island wide scale comes through everyone working together.”

The meeting will also be attended

by Island MP, Andrew Turner, who backed the project enthusiastically saying: “Nationally there is increasingly

good news on the economic front.

Businesses working together can help ensure the Island doesn’t miss out as we return to growth, that is why this is such an important initiative.”

The Agenda for the meeting also proposes that the Forum should now elect its own Chairman and Vice Chairman from among its members and provides for a discussion with Cllr Jonathan Bacon who leads for the Independent Group on the Isle of Wight Council in such areas as planning consents and the Temporary Trading review. “These are crucial areas for Island businesses” adds Cllr Whittle “I’m really grateful to Cllr Bacon for taking part and for undertaking the reviews of planning and trading which were raised with him by the Forum.”

A new website for the Forum, which Cllr Whittle describes as “really professional”, is on the brink of being launched by the leading Island agency, Solent, run

by Tim Addison. The Forum has taken to twitter as @IW_Business and #IBF. The meeting will be held on Friday 7th February 10.30am at The Riverside Centre, Newport and it’s “full steam ahead” with this innovative and exciting project concluded Cllr Chris Whitehouse. “Congratulations to Wayne on what he has achieved in such a short period of time.”

Businesses wishing to attend should contact Cllr Whittle: waynecwhittle@tiscali.co.uk

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

GARMIN® ANNOUNCED AS HEADLINE SPONSOR OF ISLE OF WIGHT WALKING FESTIVAL Garmin, the global leader in satellite navigation, is delighted to announce its sponsorship of the annual Isle of Wight Walking Festival. The partnership sees Garmin become Title Sponsor of the 2014 event, which takes place from 3-18 May. Billed as the UK’s largest walking festival, it features over 250 different walks and attracts more than 20,000 participants. Events taking place include geo-cache walks, the popular Speed Dating Walk, and other themed walks focusing on the Island’s heritage and areas of outstanding beauty.

Garmin will be showcasing the company’s latest GPS innovations to walkers throughout the festival, with product demonstrations, competitions and hands-on training sessions held at key locations during the event.

Popular Garmin products for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts include the Monterra and Montana hand held GPS receivers with built-in colour maps, VIRB action cameras with built in Wi-Fi and GPS, and the rugged tactix® GPS wristwatch.

Dawn Ramsay, General Manager at Garmin, commented on the sponsorship saying, “We’re proud to become the headline sponsor of the Isle of Wight Walking Festival for 2014. The growth of the festival in recent years shows that more and more people are keen to experience the great outdoors, having fun and getting fit at the same time. Supporting family and mass participation events is always highly rewarding for all concerned, and Garmin is pleased to be a major supporter of this year’s festival.”

While many people understand and use GPS satellite navigation in their vehicles, Garmin’s extensive range of leisure and outdoor products combine mapping with hundreds of useful day to day fitness and lifestyle features. Throughout the festival Garmin’s friendly team of experts will be on hand to show participants how to make the most of integrated products such as GPS wristwatches and action cameras, through to using helpful online services such as MyGarmin and Garmin Connect.

With the emphasis on how to get the ‘fun’ out of the many GPS

functions available, Garmin will be holding an evening session on Saturday 10th May at Quay Arts in Newport. Only 150 places are available, so booking for this event will be essential via the Walking Festival website.

As part of Garmin’s 25th anniversary celebrations, the company will be giving away one of its revolutionary VIRB EliteTM HD action cameras, worth £349.99, to one lucky competition winner at the festival.

Senior Events Officer, Elaine Cesar, is organising this year’s Isle of Wight Walking Festival.

Elaine says, “I’m absolutely thrilled to have the support of Garmin for the 2014 festival. To have such a major player in the international outdoor market endorse the event really means a lot. The Garmin brand is extremely well-regarded amongst our walkers and I know this will be a huge boost in raising the festival’s profile.”

Garmin’s outdoor business segment is a leading provider of navigation and communication equipment to retail and OEM customers. Garmin’s portfolio includes the industry’s most sophisticated array of touchscreen navigation tools, action cameras, mapping systems and other products and services that are renowned for innovation, reliability, and ease-of-use.

Shirley Smart is the Isle of Wight Council's cabinet member responsible for tourism and commented: "It is very pleasing to have such a high profile and world famous company supporting the 2014 Isle of Wight Walking Festival.

"The event continues to grow each year and attracts thousands of participants both from the Island and the mainland.

"A lot of the walkers who take part in events use GPS to help direct them and I am sure Garmin supporting the festival will be welcome news to many!"

The 2014 Isle of Wight Walking Festival is also supported by the Local Sustainable Transport Fund and details of the event, including scheduled walks and information on how to book events, can be found online at isleofwightwalkingfestival.com.

Affected by landslide Island Roads has begun work to rebuild a section of Alum Bay New Road in the West Wight, following significant damage to the highway and adjacent land in the recent storms.

Heavy rain and winds on already saturated ground had caused a substantial section of the highway and land beneath and adjacent to it, to collapse and slip away from the road over the festive period. This left Island Roads with no option but to reduce the section of carriageway to one lane whilst

investigations took place.

Decisions about the work have been further complicated by the fact that the highway section is situated adjacent to a site of special scientific interest The majority of works, which commenced on Wednesday (22 January) will be carried out using temporary traffic lights, allowing single file traffic access through the road. A road closure will then be required from Monday 27th for a period of up to a week.

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

Southern Water helps Chelsea’s Wishes Chelsea’s Wishes, a charity set up by the family of a little girl with a life limiting illness, has been given a boost by Southern Water.

Two-year-old Chelsea Turner was born 11 weeks early with extensive brain damage which left her blind and with cerebral palsy affecting her whole body.

Despite these challenges, Chelsea and her parents Matt and Angie, from Sandown, are battling not only to give her as normal a life as possible but also to help other families in a similar situation.

With Chelsea’s interaction with the world limited by her blindness, Matt and Angie are creating a sensory nursery and garden at their home to help stimulate her.

They are seeking help from tradesmen who may be able to help with the construction to allow them to spend as much as possible on the nursery’s interior.

Southern Water supplier Clancy Docwra has already offered to dig the footings for the building which, once complete, will be available to other children on the island with similar conditions.

The charity has been chosen by Southern Water’s employees on the Isle of Wight as one of the

beneficiaries of their fundraising efforts for last year and this year.

Matt said: “The help we have had from the community on the island has been amazing and to have Southern Water supporting us has been incredible – we were not expecting anything like this.

“It means Chelsea will have somewhere she can learn to see, touch and feel. But it’s not just for her. We have learned a lot through Chelsea and her condition and want to help other children and their families on the island so we’re so excited about doing it.”

Southern Water distribution inspector Chris Weeks has been central to the company’s fundraising drive.

He took part in a banger race to Barcelona with his father Nick last year, raising £1,300. That figure was boosted by a £500 match-funding donation by the company to bring the total raised to £1,800 so far. Chris said: “Chelsea and her family are an inspiration and we’ll do anything we can to help.” This year, Chris has set up his own banger rally from Land’s End to John O’ Groats in aid of Chelsea’s Wishes.

To find out more and sign up, visit chelseaschallenge.co.uk

IS IT A 'NO GO' FOR WIGHTLINK ISLANDERS? At a meeting of the shareholders at Smallbrook Stadium there was much discussion as to whether or not it would be feasible for speedway to run at the venue this year.

There were many differing views expressed with a considerable amount of passion on both sides of the equation with club chairman Brian Ginders stressing the view of both himself and the board of directors that whilst the company would be and was profitable excluding the speedway side of the business, profit made from all the other aspects of the business at the venue were not sufficient to cover the losses made by that speedway operation.

A proposal was subsequently put forward by ex-director Martin Newnham and seconded that the club's licence to run speedway be 'put on ice' for this season at least bearing in mind a decision as to whether or not the Wightlink Islanders will be applying for membership of the 2014 National

League has to be conveyed to the BSPA (British Speedway Promoters Association) by January 31st.

The vote was taken and Martin Newnham's proposal was approved by 47 votes to 8 and a date of October 14th decided upon for the next shareholders meeting to be held, again at Smallbrook.

The prospects of National League racing being witnessed this year on the island look bleak to say the least BUT there maybe just a glimmer of hope to cling onto for I (Bryn Williams) can reveal that club chairman Brian Ginders sent me a message at 11.06pm last night which reads, "Just to say I am not informing the bspa until the 30th (January) just in case there is a God out there."

Whitehouse Consultancy reappointed for National Obesity Awareness Week Westminster-based communications agency the Whitehouse Consultancy, which is run by Isle of Wight Councillor, Chris Whitehouse (Conservative, Newport West) has been reappointed by the National Obesity Forum to manage National Obesity Awareness Week 2015.

The announcement follows the successful inaugural awareness week, which was reported on the front page of three national newspapers and extensively across the media following the publication of a National Obesity Forum report warning that UK obesity rates could exceed the prediction of 50 per cent of the population by 2050.

The awareness week focused on promoting a National New Year’s Resolution to turn obesity around.

Other initiatives undertaken for the week included a national schools competition to promote healthy living among children and securing the involvement of Premiership football clubs.

Whitehouse will repeat its brief of building a coalition of organisation to support the week and delivering a programme of public relations and public affairs activity to highlight the obesity issue and promote ways in which it can be addressed.

Professor David Haslam, Chair of the National Obesity Forum, said: “This year’s National Obesity Awareness Week has

been a resounding success.

We have been delighted and astounded by the attention it has attracted, which has helped spark a debate not only about the scale of the obesity problem in this country but how it can be addressed. The Whitehouse team have been tireless in their efforts to create a broad coalition of supporters working towards a common goal, which is to support the health of the nation.

We’re delighted that they will be organising the awareness week for 2015 and have no doubt it will be as big a success.

Chris Whitehouse, Managing Director of the Whitehouse Consultancy, said: “Creating an awareness week for such a major public health issue from scratch has been a challenging and enjoyable project. We are delighted by the success of this year’s obesity awareness week and believe it has met the goals we had almost 12 months ago, which were to raise awareness of how obesity can be addressed and to ensure this week was firmly established in the calendar for years to come.

We’re looking forward to 2015 and emulating this success.”

Island Arts The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

Your Fortnightly Arts Guide

Send your arts news to kevin@iwmail.co.uk

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

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

Great music for a good cause The Medina Community Choir and St Francis School will be singing songs from musicals and movies, as well as classic gospel and love songs, in a special concert at St Catherine's Church, Ventnor, on Friday, February 21.

The Song for Syria Concert starts at 7pm and will be followed by a wine reception, sponsored by The Island Wine Company. All proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross

Syria Crisis Campaign.

Advance tickets cost just £6 adults and £4 children at the Diabetes charity shop in Ventnor, and My House in Newport. Or pay on the door for £7 and £5.

Meanwhile, Lucid and Crossfire will be raising the roof as well as raising money for victims of the Philippine typhoon, in a charity concert at Shanklin Theatre on Sunday, February 23.

Texas in Newport

Texas bluesman Eugene 'Hideaway' Bridges takes a bow at Quay Arts on Friday, March 14.

Eugene is permanently on the road, and is in Newport as part of his UK tour.

His style is reminiscent of BB King and Robert Cray, and he laces the blues with soul, funk, gospel and rock.

Get on the Carnival Trail The Island is famous for the quality of its carnivals, and its fame is about to spread after news of a successful funding bid.

An award from Arts Council England lottery funds means that plans for a new Carnival Trail can go ahead in May. The trail is a 100 mile, five day walk across the Island, stopping at nine carnival towns and villages for a display, performance and flag handover ceremony to celebrate 125 of carnival tradition here.

The project, bid for by the IW Walking Festival, will

record carnival stories and images accessible for walkers and anyone interested through smartphones and tablets.

The walk will start on Saturday, May 3, at Appley, Ryde, and end with a grand finale performance on Ryde Sands the following Wednesday.

More information on this innovative project will be available from the New Carnival Company at a project launch at the Learning Centre at Westridge in Ryde, on Saturday, February 15, starting at 10.30am.

Original production Original Theatre – which specialises in bringing new plays and new people to the stage on the Isle of Wight and South Coast of England – is currently maintaining its reputation for originality in a different way.

It is directing a production of Agatha Christie's classic whodunit The Hollow at Shanklin Theatre, in a new initiative that brings together a cast and crew drawn from theatre groups all over the Island.

Kevin Wilson, Director of Original Theatre, said: “Our focus is on delivering new and high quality productions, but we are also about giving people a chance. This is a small Island with a very high number of drama groups, and

we know from our own experience that it's not easy to make a breakthrough.

“So we were delighted when Shanklin Theatre chose us to work with them on this new idea. It's exciting bringing a new team together, and as well as being great fun, we are all learning from each other, too. We take pride in being different, and The Hollow really fits the bill!”

The Hollow is being staged at Shanklin Theatre from February 19 to 22, with an additional matinee performance on Saturday the 22nd.

To book online, go to www.shanklintheatre.com For more details about Original Theatre, go to www.originaltheatre.net

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

Island Arts Holly at the Club

The deadline for the Young Quay Open Exhibition 'self' runs out at 5pm on Saturday, January 25.

Full details are on the Quay Arts website, and organisers say applications can be submitted as work in progress, which means only basic information is needed at this stage.

Entry is free and there is no limit on the number of pieces that can be submitted.

Ventnor Arts Club opens its new season with an evening with singer/songwriter Holly Kirby.

Holly, an Islander, has played support for Joan Armatrading and Amy MacDonald, and her YouTube videos have pulled in around two million views.

Holly will be playing a set made up of Celtic, folk and pop style songs. Her gig starts at 8pm on Saturday, February 1.

The club says future events include cabaret, life drawing, talks, jazz, blues, and a wide range of films.

Big name signing

Send your 2014 event details and press releases

kevin@iwmail.co.uk

Ventnor Fringe unveils plans to open theatre and record store; the ‘Ventnor Exchange’ The team behind the award winning Ventnor Fringe Festival is delighted to announce an ambitious new project to create a year round multi use arts venue and independent record store on the Island.

The Ventnor Exchange, which it is hoped will be located in the former Ventnor Post Office on Church Street, will provide a unique cultural centre for the town and provide a year round base for the Fringe and it’s activities.

Subject to obtaining relevant permissions, the Fringe hope to open the Exchange in April 2014 with a weekly vinyl market on Fridays and Saturdays stocking both the latest releases and vintage classics. The store would also host special ‘in store’ performances, talks and debates as well as serve fresh coffee and even contain a small bar open into the evening. From May 2014 the building will also be equipped to transform into a Studio Theatre with a full programme of performances during the week.

Hosting work from both visiting companies and work produced by the Exchange and it’s team of associate artists, it is planned to be a unique venue showcasing emerging talent.

Inspired, as the festival was, by Edinburgh, where the Traverse Theatre (now housed in a purpose built £3.3 million building) was first formed in 1963 in an abandoned brothel, and has gradually developed into an internationally recognised venue specialising in staging new writing.

Young art

Poet Roger McGough is one of the big names heading to Ventnor for this year's Isle of Arts Festival, which runs from May 2 to 5.

Other highlights include the Kyle Eastwood Band, Tenors Unlimited, and The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain, and an evocative portrayal of war through words, music and recordings, featuring the actor Timothy West, in The Pity of War, produced in association with the Imperial War Museum.

Up to date information at www.artsisle.org

Bennett classic

Initial plans for the venue were announced by the organisers at a Christmas party held at East Dene Mansion in Bonchurch where the Festival Director, Jack Whitewood, described the project as the ‘Next exciting steps in our journey to develop a unique creative hub in Ventnor’ Regular updates on the progress of the project will be available on the Ventnor Fringe’s website and social media.

It also marks the opening of applications for the fifth Ventnor Fringe Festival which this year is expanding to six days running from Tuesday 12th – Sunday 17th August 2014 and will once again also coincide with both the Ventnor Carnival and Isle of Wight Film Festival. Artists of any creative medium invited to apply and artists are entitled to keep 100% of their own ticket sales. Last year more than 350 artists performed at the Festival travelling from across the world. For more information please visit www.vfringe.co.uk

The Alan Bennett classic 'Lady in the Van' gets a two week run at the Apollo in Newport next month.

The play is based on Bennett's diaries and tells the story of his relationship with Miss Shepherd, who lived in her broken down van in his garden for 15 years.

Billed as 'funny, touching and unexpectedly spectacular', the play runs from February 5 to 8, and 12 to 15.

Directed by Marylyn Ford, the cast also includes her husband Colin Ford, husband and wife Fiona and Paul Gwinnett, Helen Clinton-Pacey, Matt Cole, Jonie Mansell, Chris Giles, Rod Jones, Peter Boffin, and Mike Whitehead.

More details at www.apollo-theatre.org.uk

Tell us about your

production!

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Whatever your town or village or group is doing, we want to know about it, and we can help you promote it, too

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

Island Arts

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

K-9 friends bring smiles to faces on the Rehabilitation Unit An initiative to encourage a sense of wellbeing, increase physical movement, speech and brain activity in people who are normally not active in hospital has been introduced at St. Mary’s Hospital through patients having direct contact with dogs.

The simple act of petting a dog has been shown to decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure and stimulate the brain to release the ‘feel good hormones’ called Endorphins. Therapy dogs can alleviate stress, increase confidence, give a sense of purpose and give comfort to those who are missing/no longer have their own pet.

Rehabilitation Unit Matron, Marie Gasior and Sister, Natalie Mew, have been working with St. Mary’s Infection Control Team , Patient Experience Officers and the Pets As Therapy (PAT) Dog Voluntary Service to introduce PAT dogs into the Rehabilitation Unit. Pets As Therapy (PAT) is a community based charity providing therapeutic visits to hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, special needs schools and a variety of other establishments from volunteers with their pet dogs and cats. PAT teams bring comfort and companionship to 1,000’s of people, both young and old, by giving them the opportunity to stroke, hold and talk to a calm and friendly dogs and cats. They also provide individual Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), working with stroke patients and people with dog phobias.

The first visit took place on Monday 13th January and proved very successful with a visit from two dogs, Tiger and REME, both retired Greyhounds from the racing circuit, but now follow a very different working environment. Owners Mr & Mrs

Marshall and their two dogs visited a number of patients and the reaction was very encouraging with one patient saying “This has been one of the best days I have had in a very long time”.

Marie Gasior, Matron said: “The improvement in the moral of our patients on the Unit was noticeable in a very short time, it was brilliant, lots of patients with smiling faces which lasted the rest of the day. The visit was so successful that it has brought the potential for the dogs to be used in other units in the hospital. We are already looking forward to the next visit; we are beginning with fortnightly visits for two months if they prove to be a success which I am sure they will we will be inviting the PAT dogs back weekly. Success to me is a smiling face, conversation, and group interaction. These are the things I noticed on Monday and will effect the wellbeing of our patients.”

Mrs Audrey Powell, IOW Coordinator for PAT, said “We have 16 dogs operating on the Island. Over the 17 years we have been active all dogs are rigorously tested, not only for tolerance and temperament, but medically examined and inoculated to the highest standards required by the PAT. The ability of a dog to know and react to the feeling of a human has been known for centuries.

For many, life without a dog is unthinkable, but being parted from your K-9 partner can be the unfortunate result of hospitalization or going into a residential/nursing home.”

The introduction of PAT dogs to the Rehabilitation Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital is supported by wider ongoing Research and is in line with other Trusts.

Slinger Signaller Required For 9 months on site in Bembridge.

Contact Caroline Dey @ Workmates for more details

0118 952 1053

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

AWARD FOR ISLAND NFU MAN An NFU representative who works tirelessly for farmers and growers on the Isle of Wight has been recognised for his sterling efforts.

Island NFU Group Secretary John Heather has been honoured with an NFU High Achiever award during a prestigious ceremony at the Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel in Meriden, West Midlands last week.

The NFU is a membership organisation and these annual NFU awards are given in recognition of outstanding achievement and excellence in membership retention and recruitment.

NFU director of regions Kevin Pearce said: “This award is well deserved and I would like to thank John for his outstanding services to our members on the Isle of Wight.

All of our group secretaries do a fantastic job representing existing members and

recruiting new members.

These awards are a real testament to their dedication and commitment to the role.”

John Heather is based at Agriculture House, 2 Langley Court, Pyle Street, Newport, from where he and his staff look after the interests of NFU members on the Isle of Wight and handle NFU Mutual insurance customers.

Plans for Ferry Company A group of Island businessmen working with the support of the Island’s MP Andrew Turner have developed plans to negotiate with the current owners of Wightlink, Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund (MEIF) and their banks to write down their massive debts and recapitalise the company in the ownership of a Community Interest Company (CIC). A CIC would be overseen by a regulator to ensure that the company operated in the interests of the Isle of Wight community and stakeholders and involvement would be sought from as wide a base as possible on the Island.

Some of the businessmen involved in the campaign are : Patrick Seely, owner of Dunsbury Farm in Brook and Senior Partner in a company offering global mergers and acquisitions advice; John Buckland, the former Chief Executive of Liz Earle Beauty Co, now involved in several Island based companies including West Bay Club in Yarmouth and the Perpetuus Tidal Energy Centre; Nicholas Finney OBE, Bembridge resident and specialist in port legislation, former Director General of the British Ports

Federation and former member of the Monopolies and Merger Commission Andrew Palmer, one of the founders of the New Covent Garden Soup Company and owner of the Priory Bay Hotel in Seaview.

Patrick Seely said: "It has been clear to me and the Island Community for some years that the price paid for Wightlink by Macquarie was far too high. The interest payments would ultimately be paid for by Island residents and all those people wanting to spend time on the Island. It is time to deal with this matter so that the situation does not get even worse. This proposal tries to offer something to all the parties involved, leading to a true partnership of interests between the Island community, the shareholders and the employees.”

Mr Turner said: “We must demonstrate that we have the support of the Island community to encourage Wightlink’s owners to start talking to us – that is why we need Islanders to sign up to show they think this is a good idea.”

You can find out more about the campaign by logging on to betterferrycampaign.co.uk

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DATES AGREED FOR YARMOUTH POST OFFICE AT NEW LOCATION WITH LONGER HOURS Dates have now been agreed for relocating Yarmouth Post Office next door to Holdings, Quay Street, Yarmouth. It will be a new ‘local’ style open-plan branch with significantly longer opening hours for customers.

The Yarmouth branch will close at its current location on Tuesday 18 February at 17:30 and will open at the new location located next door, on Wednesday 19 February at 13.00 During the short period of closure, an alternative branch is Freshwater Post Office, Hooke Hill.

The new opening hours at the new location will be Monday to Friday 06:30 - 18:00; Saturday: 07.00 18.00; Sunday: 07.00 – 17.30.

These hours mean customers will have access to Post Office services for 34 extra hours a week including Saturday afternoons, Sundays.

The new local style Post Office will operate from two open

plan tills, located at the shop counter, enabling customers to carry out a wide range of Post Office products and services alongside retail transactions.

Post Office Regional Network Manager – South, Will Russell said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in Yarmouth and we are confident that this new modern Post Office service will meet the needs of the local community and secure services for the future. The modernisation is part of a major investment programme to convert the Post Office network to newstyle branches. This investment, the largest in the history of the Post Office, makes a commitment to no more branch closure programmes.”

The Post Office, now independent of Royal Mail, is the largest retail network in the UK, with over 11,500 branches.

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

EVENTS ACROSS THE ISLAND First bands for Rhythmtree Festival 2014 Rhythmtree is again widening its branches to bring its signature eclectic mix of afro/jazz/soul/reggae/balkan/blue s/klezmer/cajun and folk music to Three Gates Farm this July.

Friday’s main stage will be headlined by the ‘lovechild of soul music’ Myles Sanko taking a break from his busy recording schedule to bring his new big band and songs from his latest album. He will be joined by the electric five piece jazz/funk/soul band The Outlanders spotted by the Rhythmtree scouts at last years Love Supreme Jazz Festival. Saturday will feature the dynamic stage show of 10 piece Cuban band Warra bubbling from their highly acclaimed album launch at London’s famous Jazz Cafe. Adding to the Rhythmtree’s typical musical contrast will be brass juggernaut The Hackney Colliery Band, the best of British reggae from the Resonators and the infectious rhythms of Senegalese sabar-dance band Batch Gueye.

Sunday will bring together three top bands who are supreme examples of the cultural fusions heard in so much of the 'below the radar' world music found here in the UK and on which the Rhythmtree has built its reputation and unique character as a festival.

Lokkhi Terra are an Afro Cuban Jazz Funk band led by in demand Bangladeshi jazz keyboard player Kishon Kahn and Funkshy formed by top London producer and session drummer Tansay Omar who will be fronted by the amazing vocal talents of gospel singer Debbralee Wells.

Then there is the newly reformed Afro/Brazilian infused music of Da Lata whose long awaited album Fabiola went straight into the world music top ten charts after its international release last year.

“Unlike many festivals the Rhythmtree uses a scouting system which means that very few of the bands on our mainstage have not already been seen

live by us at some event or other around the country. That is why we are always confident that we bring to our audience high quality original music for them to discover performed by some of the most talented musicians working in the UK’s underground world music scene.

Quote...

"Da Lata is real coup for the festival booking team this year made easier by the fact that the band’s management recognised what we do here at the Rhythmtree and then were more than willing to fit us into their busy UK summer tour. The Rhythmtree is now gaining a reputation for programming a consistently high quality line-up of excellent bands that all seem to relish coming together to share a stage here on the Isle of Wight” The full line-up will be on the festival website www.rhythmtree.info later this year. Early bird week-end tickets at £70 now on sale through the website with no booking fees.

Shake Up Your Wake Up with a Farmhouse Breakfast To celebrate Farmhouse Breakfast Week, West Wight Sports Centre, in conjunction with Natural Enterprise will be hosting a special free event on Saturday 1st Feb. The highlight of the event will be a West Wight Primary School 5-aside Football competition, which is being kicked off the IW Vice Lord Lieutenant, Sir Guy Acland, Bt. Each boy and girl taking part will receive a free breakfast made from locally produced Isle of Wight food.

Sponsored by the NFU, it’s the third year the West Wight Sports

Centre has taken part in the nationwide event, aimed at celebrating the range and wealth of local food and highlighting the importance of a healthy breakfast. The free farmhouse breakfast will be a bacon roll, sausage bap, scrambled eggs on toast or a bowl of Calbourne Mill muesli – all locally produced of course. Anyone doing sport at the centre during the morning, including swimming lessons or the circuit class, will also receive a voucher for a free breakfast.

For those not involved in the

football there will be the chance to see where chickens come from with a chicken (real chickens!) show taking place, look around farm machinery from Kings Manor Farm, get up close with bees from Quarr Abbey and the opportunity to buy from Briddlesford Lodge Farm Shop who will be on site and are supplying most of the produce.

The event also launches the build up to this years’ Royal Isle of Wight County Show on 28th June at County Showground, Northwood.

Yarn Craft at Quay Arts Centre Join Tracy to learn and develop your crochet and knitting skills and techniques, with tea and cake thrown in for good measure!

Sun 12 Jan – Sun 30 March (12 weeks), 1 – 4pm £15 per session Call 01983 822490 to book

Jayne's Vintage & Retro monthly fayre Wonderful vintage & retro fayre with lots of lovely stalls to browse, along with our vintage pop up tea parlour and vintage hair stylists. Admission and parking free we look foward to seeing you all there.

Takes place on Sunday 2nd February at Wootton Community Centre, Brannon Way, Wootton Bridge Details: 07543 794054

Truffle & Muhroom Cooking at The George Hotel Truffle & Mushroom Cooking Demonstration and Supper, Another fun informative cooking demonstration and two course supper. Arrive at 7.15 pm The Demonstration takes place on the 7th Feburary and priced at £27.50 per person. Call 760331

Jewellery Weekend with Nina Bulley

Sat 1 & Sun 2 Feb 10am – 4pm £106 / £96 – Quay Arts Centre Students will learn all the basic jewellery making techniques to make a simple ring and a pendant and earring set from sterling silver. You will learn how to saw, shape, file, solder and polish the pieces to make your own unique pieces. Call 01983 822490 for more information or to book.

SEND YOUR EVENT DETAILS TO PRESS@IWMAIL.CO.UK

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

THIS IS AN ORANGE ALERT – WE NEED YOUR HELP! Three Isle of Wight lifeboat crews will be among around 67 nationwide joining forces on February 21st to raise awareness for Independent lifeboat stations that operate outside the jurisdiction of the RNLI. Sandown and Shanklin Independent Lifeboat, Ryde Rescue and Freshwater Lifeboat are all independent stations, relying on donations and charity to continue the valuable work they carry out in waters around the Island.

Often the independent lifeboats, both on the Island and on the mainland, are confused with the work carried out by the RNLI so February 21st has been pencilled in to raise awareness of the ‘independents’. That is when they need YOUR support for their major fund-raising “Go Orange” Day. The crews, all volunteers who give their time and effort for nothing, want Island businesses, schools and even individuals to come up with zany ideas to help keep them afloat.

Most independent lifeboat crews

are more than happy to visit local schools and youth groups and educate children on sea safety.

Many of these units open their doors and invite the groups to them to promote safety at sea through education.

In return they would love your help in making it a hugely successful “Go Orange” Day. Here are a few suggestions – but can you think of even better ones?

Mark Birch, operations manager of Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat, is event co-ordinator for Go Orange Day. He said: “We want everyone to know that we are independent, and need funding to keep going.

If you visit the coast for a day out or holiday you never know when you may have to call upon lifeboat volunteers, so to ensure that they are there please show your support.”

Anyone wanting to get involved with Go Orange Day or needing more details should contact Barry or Judy on 401791 or 07821 854882.

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Mud Slide Puts end to Students’ Fossil Hunt Two students, trapped by a mud slide while fossil hunting, had to be rescued by Cowes RNLI lifeboat yesterday (23 January).

The students, from Southampton University, a 20 year old female studying marine biology and a male aged 21 studying geology, had decided to explore the shore of Thorness Bay which they believed was rich in fossils. But when they discovered their way was blocked by a mud landslide near Quarry Ledge they felt obliged to seek help through

Solent Coastguards.

First on the scene were members of the Needles coastguard unit.

Then Cowes lifeboat, launched just before 2 pm, also arrived.

The mud-spattered students and their bikes were taken aboard and brought back to Town Quay, Cowes, where first on the agenda was a thorough wash-down.

The lifeboat, helmed by Max Rimington, had been away from station for 45 minutes.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Get your business or school to wear an orange piece of clothing for the day.

Dye your hair orange.

Sponsor someone to sit in a bath of “orange” baked beans for the day.

Hold a coffee and cake morning.

Wear an orange ribbon in support.

Hold a party evening wearing a bright colour...such as orange!

Arrange a collection in your community for your local independent lifeboat.

Hold a sponsored walk, silence, dance or anything that raises funds for these units.

17

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

CHARITY TREKKERS TAKE ON HADRIAN’S CHALLENGE 4 Island charity workers will be stepping into the past to raise money for new equipment.

Lee White, Mandy Morritt, Anna Newton and Krissy Lloyd will be walking the 84 mile Hadrian’s Wall National Trail to raise money for the Way Forward Programme.

The charity, based at Downside Community Centre, runs a range of activities to support Islanders with physical and learning disabilities and autism. The 4 hope to raise over £2,000 to purchase new music and IT equipment.

Ryde Demolition are the first Island company to sponsor the trek, with a donation on £250.

“We’re delighted to be supporting such a fantastic Island charity” says manager Neil Harrison. “All the staff do a wonderful job and make a real, positive difference to the lives of the people they work with. This challenge shows just how dedicated they are to the charity.”

“We already support over 100 people, but are getting new referrals every week” explains Way Forward programme lead,

Lee White. “The new equipment will enable us to support the needs of those with more severe disabilities, as well as increase the range of activities we can offer our existing clients. We are very grateful to Ryde Demolition for their sponsorship, and hope other local companies will follow their lead.”

Way Forward provides support 7 days a week and offers activities including cookery skills, equine therapy, digital photography, and full scale drama productions. It also runs an out-reach programme at the West Wight Sports Centre for those wanting to do art and fashion design.

It is part of the same charity which runs Wight Crystal Spring Water, which provides employment opportunities to Islanders with a learning disability. You can follow the team’s progress as they train for the Hadrian’s Wall Challenge on Facebook For more information on the activities run by Way Forward visit the website wayforwardprogramme.co.uk.

Incident Response Exercise A test of the Emergency Department at St. Mary’s Hospital took place on Thursday 16th January. The incident involved 14 mock ‘patients’ made to look like real casualties. The ‘casualties’ arrived over a two hour period at the Main Entrance at St. Mary’s Hospital.

The casualties did not arrive in

ambulances with ‘blue lights’ or sirens sounding.

Alan Sheward, Executive Director of Nursing and Workforce with the lead responsibility for emergency planning at Isle of Wight NHS Trust says: “It is important that we test our systems for responding to a major incident.”

Lee White, Mandy Morritt, Anna Newton and Krissy Lloyd will be walking the 84 mile Hadrian’s Wall National Trail to raise money for the Way Forward Programme.

SEND YOUR NEWS AND PICTURES TO PRESS@IWMAIL.CO.UK

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18

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

Crown Censure on safety for English Heritage English Heritage has accepted a Crown Censure, equivalent to a criminal prosecution, for safety failings after a 12-year-old boy was badly cut when a glass floor panel broke during a family visit to Yarmouth castle on the Isle of Wight.

The youngster was with his brother and two friends in the 17th century exhibition room when he jumped on a glass viewing panel set into the floor, designed to show stonework beneath.

The panel, which had been in place for many years and walked on by thousands of people over that time, splintered into shards and the boy suffered severe lacerations to his left leg from the jagged glass. He needed surgery twice, but is now recovered, and back at school.

The incident, on 5 September 2011, was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which formally administered a Crown Censure of English Heritage for failing to take reasonable steps to protect members of the public from risk.

This is the first censure recorded against English Heritage since its inception 30 years ago.

HSE found the glass floor panel broke because it was not made of toughened or laminated glass.

English Heritage had not assessed specifically the risk of glass floor

panels breaking at any of its properties since it was created as a body in 1984 and given responsibility for around 400 historical sites, although there had been regular visual inspections of the glass panels which would have identified any obvious damage.

HSE’s investigation showed two of the young boys had jumped on the panel before the 12-year-old said he would also do so to prove it would not break. Moments later his father was raising the alarm while the mother of the boy’s two friends gave him first aid until paramedics arrived.

After the incident, English Heritage took immediate action to cover all similar glass floor panels whose strength could not be determined easily, or cordoned off the panel area, and used warning signs to alert the public. It also identified and recorded the location of glass floor panels and low-level glass wall panels in all its properties and ensured they were safe.

Tracey Wahdan, Historic Properties Director at English Heritage, attended the Crown Censure meeting on 14 January at the HSE premises in Basingstoke, and accepted the findings and the Censure, thus formally acknowledging there were health and safety failings.

English Heritage cannot face

Standardised packaging of tobacco Public Heath England has made a submission to the independent review into standardised packaging of tobacco products being led by Sir Cyril Chantler.

PHE believes there is substantial and compelling evidence to support the introduction of standardised packaging as an effective measure to tackle the serious public health problem of smoking There is strong evidence from recent literature reviews that standardised packaging reduces the attractiveness of cigarette packaging, increases the salience of health messages and increases people’s intention to quit. This is particularly important when considering that most smokers take up smoking as children and become addicted to nicotine before they are adults. The evidence indicates that young people are markedly affected by standardised cigarette packaging and will be less likely to buy

standardised packets of cigarettes.

A recent survey of Directors of Public Health in England conducted by PHE, the Association of Directors of Public Health and the Faculty of Public Health showed 100% support for the introduction of standardised packaging. 94% considered that they would contribute to a reduction in health inequalities, particularly in relation to children and young people, and those living in deprived communities and with health needs.

prosecution from HSE in the same way as non-Government bodies.

Crown Censures are agreed procedures applicable to Crown employers instead of HSE criminal proceedings.

Stephen Williams, the Head of Southern Division for HSE, who chaired the Crown Censure meeting, said: “Our investigation into the details of this young boy’s injuries at Yarmouth Castle found that the failings by the English Heritage were serious enough to warrant this course of action, and, in other circumstances, prosecution.

“The evidence brought to light by the HSE investigation would be sufficient to provide a realistic prospect of conviction of English Heritage in criminal courts. This Crown Censure is the maximum enforcement action that HSE can take and should serve to illustrate how seriously we take the failings

we identified.”

Mike Wilcock, HSE’s Head of Operations in the South East added: “This was an absence of any proper identification and assessment of the risks posed by glass floor panels to visitors and members of the public, coupled with a failure to install the correct type of glass such as toughened or laminated glass.

“It was completely foreseeable that a tourist site attracting school groups could lead to children walking or jumping on glass floor panels – that is just the nature of children. Indeed the same thing could have happened to any adult who might have slipped or fallen heavily on one of these panels.”

The Crown Censure proceedings relate to English Heritage’s discharge of its duties as an employer, under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Ryde leads the way towards a Dementia Friendly Isle of Wight Emma Lincoln, Health and Wellbeing Development Officer at Age UK Isle of Wight, is working with local organisations, businesses and key partners towards creating a ‘Dementia Friendly Isle of Wight’, with Ryde taking the lead as the first pilot town for this ambitious project.

In March 2012 David Cameron boosted the National Strategy on dementia by setting his own personal challenge that ‘Communities need to be more dementia friendly’. He offered an initial challenge for 20 cities to become dementia friendly from 2015.

This has been widely extended through the promotion of Dementia Action Alliances across the country and their commitment to the National Dementia Declaration. The Isle of Wight is one in four Dementia Action Alliances set up in the South East region.

Throughout February 2014 Ryde will take up the Prime Minister’s challenge to establish itself as the Island’s first Dementia Friendly Community, helping to raise awareness around the needs of people with dementia, whilst also helping local people with dementia to live as independently as possible.

Emma Lincoln, said of the project said: “Our pilot town Ryde will be an exemplar town,

we would hope to take lessons learned in this project and to encourage other towns and villages across the Island to continue to embrace the drive to make the Island a dementia friendly community.

“By creating a dementia friendly Island we will be having a huge effect not only on the people with dementia but also their carer’s.

Quality of life for everyone involved will be increased and fear and denial reduced within the communities.

We believe minimising stress on the carers will help reduce medical costs for them and also delay the costs relating to hospitalisation or nursing home care.

“This project is about a shift in cultural attitude, we ask people to: ‘Stop, think, Change’.

Which in time will create a Dementia Friendly Community.”

Local businesses have been invited to sign-up to become dementia aware, and have been given the opportunity to join the national Dementia Action Alliance; all businesses meeting the required criteria will be recognised with a Dementia Friendly Isle of Wight logo.

There will be a celebration evening taking place on Wednesday 5th February in Yelfs Hotel, Union Street, Ryde.

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

High-income Child Benefit parents urged to register for Self Assessment Online HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging high-income Child Benefit parents in the South who have not yet submitted their tax return to take action now, or face penalties.

Parents with incomes above £50,000 who continued to receive Child Benefit after 7 January 2013 have to pay a tax charge. This is based on their incomes and how much Child Benefit they received in the 2012-13 tax year.

Those who have already registered must now file a return before 31 January. Those who have neither registered nor opted out must register for Self Assessment Online now, to enable them to send an online return by the 31 January deadline. This is because online registration can take up to seven working days to complete, as HMRC has to send an Activation Code in the post.

The deadline for paying any tax owed for 2012-13 also falls on 31 January.

HMRC Chief Executive Lin Homer said: “The registration process is easy. We know that

many parents are newcomers to Self Assessment, so it is really important they register and file online to avoid getting a penalty.”

To register for Self Assessment online, visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/signup and follow the on-screen instructions.

Taxpayers will immediately get a User ID and, once they’ve received an Activation Code, they can activate their account. They can then complete their tax return online.

A short You Tube question and answer video with HMRC’s Ruth Owen can be viewed at http://youtu.be/WmDDnSAUANc Around 350,000 people with higher incomes opted out of receiving Child Benefit by 7 January 2013, and these people do not need to complete a return.

For general help and advice on completing a return, visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa or call the Self Assessment helpline on 0300 200 3310 (open 8.00am to 8.00pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8.00am to 4.00pm on Saturdays).

Good News for Pet Owners Red Funnel has started the New Year by announcing major changes to its policy with respect to the carriage of pets: Dogs (and pets carried in suitable RSPCA approved containers) can now travel free of charge on the Red Jet Hi-Speed service.

On the passenger vehicle ferry service, dogs can travel in a designated area of the main passenger lounge on B Deck – this is in addition to the pet area on A Deck.

Jonathan Green, sales & marketing director commented “Red Funnel welcomes pet owners and to help cope with

growing demand on the East Cowes/Southampton route we are waiving charges for pets on the Red Jet’s from West Cowes.

On the vehicle service, we have listened carefully to customers and the new policy will improve the experience for pet owners ahead of the new high-spec pet lounge announced for Red Falcon as part of her new look in April”.

Although the changes apply with immediate effect pet owners are advised to read the Company’s pet policy before travelling www.redfunnel.co.uk/petpolicy.

ISE OF WIGHT FREEADS Street Dance classes starting in Newport, Bembridge & Brading. Ages Groups from 69, 9-14 and 14 Plus.. Hope all can come, unlock the street dancer in you!! Tel: 07732 155 439 Blues at Quay Arts with award winning Texas Bluesman Eugene Hideaway Bridges + The MoonShiners. Friday 14th March.

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

2014 Prize Draw Winners Announced Entries for Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2014 were launched at the end of the 2013 regatta and over a hundred have been received already. Of the entries received to date, the Squib class enjoy a position as one of the most organised, with 14 boats entered into the Class so far.

In celebration of those entries received before the end of 2013 and to provide an added incentive for competitors to do some early planning towards Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2014, a fantastic prize draw was open to all eligible entries received before the end of last year. The great prizes on offer included: Top Prize: An entry fee rebate Free berthing (at either Cowes Yacht Haven, Shepards Wharf Marina, or East Cowes Marina) Use of a Volvo for a weekend - A 25L Gill dry bag for all the crew Chatham Marine shoes for all the crew - Laithwaite’s Champagne Brut Premier Cru Magnum NV Runner’s up prizes: For the first runner-up: A bar tab of £150 at the Spinnaker bar on Cowes Parade A bottle of Mount Gay Extra Old Rum - An Icom handheld radio - A copy of the Reeds Almanac (courtesy of Aberdeen Asset Management). For the second runner-up: A bar tab of £100 at the main bar at Cowes Yacht Haven A bottle of Mount Gay Extra Old Rum - Tickets to one of the Britannia Events’ Cowes Week Receptions in the Dream Yacht Charter Hospitality area. For the third runner-up: A bar tab of £75 at Shepards Wharf Marina - A bottle of Mount Gay Extra Old Rum - A RIB ride for 2 with Solent Events.

The winners were announced at the London Boat Show at a drinks reception hosted by Cowes Week Limited and the event’s clothing partner, Gill, on Saturday 11 January.

Entrants eager to hear whether they were the lucky winners were in attendance, but it was the crew of the J/70 Wilson Covers who ended up bagging the top prize this time around with their entry which was submitted within 2 weeks of the 2013 regatta following a podium position finish in the overall class results.

Commenting on his prize draw win, Ian Wilson, owner of Wilson Covers, said: “The crew and myself are absolutely delighted to have won the prize draw. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the team at Cowes Week Limited for continuing to organise such a cracking regatta, to theCouncil sponsors Credit Isle of Wight for making up the prize haul and a massive thank you to Aberdeen Asset Management for their support in making it all happen.

After 14 Cowes Weeks I have seen the event develop into the World Class regatta it is today. Keep up the good work! Now to see if we can replicate this winning result on the water.”

The runner’s up prizes were drawn respectively by Nick Fletcher with Widegon in the Cruiser class, David Biddle and Mike Brown with their Squib, Corsair, and Aasmond Drolsum with Magic in IRC. The early bird entry fee applies until Monday 26 May 2014 at midnight, after which time the standard entry fee will apply. The 2014 regatta dates are 2-9 August.

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UKSA Appointed Official Event Charity Cowes Week Limited (CWL) and Aberdeen Asset Management (AAM) are delighted to announce that, following an extensive evaluation process, they have jointly selected UKSA as the official event charity for AAM Cowes Week for the next two years.

Encouraging youth participation in sailing will play a vital part in the continued success and popularity of the sport and more specifically of events like Cowes Week. CWL and AAM therefore felt the time was right to appoint a national charity based in Cowes whose primary aim is to provide young people with opportunities in sailing.

Commenting on the decision, Michelle Warner, Sales and Marketing Director at CWL, said: “Supporting youth sailing is important for the future development of AAM Cowes Week and therefore it’s fitting to focus the charitable objectives of our event on this inclusive approach. Any funds raised during the regatta will support specific youth development initiatives to benefit children on the Island as well as further afield. UKSA has great resources in place on the Island and a local presence in Cowes; we’re delighted to be working with them”.

Lynda Affleck, Head of Charitable Giving at AAM, added: “As part of our sponsorship investment in Cowes Week we’re fully committed to providing opportunities for the next generation.

This is demonstrated by the support we already provide to crews of under 25 year-olds at the regatta through the highly successful

youth initiative we introduced in 2012. This new relationship with UKSA further cements our commitment to promoting youth participation in sailing and we’re looking forward to working with them in their capacity as AAM Cowes Week’s official charity.”

As part of UKSA’s involvement with the regatta, they will be providing opportunities for allcomers to get afloat and experience the excitement of sailing at this iconic event. In addition, they will be engaging with the public shore-side with a presence at one of the main exhibition sites and working closely with the local business community and event sponsors.

Richard Thornton, CEO of UKSA said: “We are extremely proud and excited to be chosen as the new Cowes Week official charity. The core values of our organisation fit seamlessly with Cowes Week: challenge on the water while also having fun.

Being the chosen charity is a big step forward for UKSA, and falls nicely in line with our strategy to massively increase the number of young people on our youth development programmes from 200 a year to 2,000 - the boost from being Cowes Week’s chosen charity will be a huge help towards this. We have a range of exciting activities planned for the regatta, designed to promote inclusivity for all. We want to show that sailing is more than just a hobby; it is a catalyst that transforms people’s lives.

One of our key aims as official charity will be to raise enough funds to offer every Year 6 primary school child on the Island the opportunity to get on the water with UKSA”

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

Decoration delight for local Primary Schools A local supermarket team has begun their community work in 2014 by putting their Christmas decorations to good use.

The team at Sainsbury’s Newport have provided Hunnyhill & Chillerton & Rookley Primary Schools with a selection of colourful decorations which were hung over the store’s shop-floor throughout December.

On 20th January, colleagues Tanya Blake visited the 2 Primary Schools situated in Newport & Chillerton. The larger-than-life decorations being donated include 3D Christmas Trees, 3D Robins, 3D Snowmen, 3D Christmas puddings, 3D Present shapes plus hanging Snowmen, Christmas Trees, Christmas puddings, Robins, & Bunting.

Sainsbury’s, Newport Store Manager Paul Dyer said: “We’re delighted to donate these decorations to both Schools. We received great feedback from our customers on this year’s decorations and it’s great to ensure they’ve found a good home in the community”.

Head Teacher Mrs Evans from Hunnhill Primary School

added: “After our Christmas activities, we definitely needed some new decorations and these new ones look fantastic! I’d like to say a big thank-you to the team at Sainsbury’s Newport for this generous donation. We’ll certainly be putting them to good use!”.

Mrs Tillbrook Head Teacher of Chillerton & Rookley Primary School said, “I would like to thank Sainsbury’s Newport for their kind donation. “We are looking forward to using the decorations next Christmas, it will make a stunning display in our hall.” The donation helps to ensure Sainsbury’s maintain its commitment to ‘No Waste to Landfill’. The retailer achieved zero waste to landfill at all stores in 2013 and customers can also recycle batteries, mixed paper and card, mixed cans, mixed glass and plastics throughout 2014 at the Newport store’s recycling centre, which complements existing kerbside collections.

Meanwhile, customers can also recycle their clothing and other items like DVDs and books at the recycling centre to support Oxfam.

Lifeboat Recovers Body in the Solent Cowes RNLI lifeboat assisted in the recovery of a body spotted in shallow water off East Cowes on the morning of Janurary 14th.

The body, of a middle aged man, was in about two feet of water at Old Castle Point. The lifeboat helm, Patrick Moreton,

said later, “Two members of the crew, Heather Boden and Graham Creagh, went into the water to assist the police to recover the body which was taken to a nearby police van.”

The lifeboat, which had launched at about 10 am, returned to station an hour later.

Station needs your support Wight Island Radio, the Island’s community radio station is reaching out for more volunteers to help run its Sandown based station.

The station launched in March 2012 and from then has gone from strength to strength with a good core listener-ship with community focused radio shows through to different tastes in the evening from MOD classic local bands and blues rock and soul to mention a few.

Now the station is looking for people to join in the following areas Presenters, Programme Producers, News gathering and reporting and Outside Events

Team, mid morning host Andy Knight has said “Don’t worry if you’re unsure about the technical side of things, we can show you what buttons to press, or even get someone to press the buttons for you.

We are not just another music station – we have programmes covering topics as diverse as eating out locally and the latest technology – so whatever your ideas, we’d like to hear them.

Local politics, local history, local sport – just a few ideas that might get you thinking” Email your name and some short information about yourself to paul@wightislandradio.com

Listen online

www.wightislandradio.com New campaign urges people to be 'Cyber Streetwise' A new campaign to change the way people protect themselves from falling victim to cyber criminals has been launched.

The ‘Cyber Streetwise’ campaign aims to change the way people view online safety and provide the public and businesses with the skills and knowledge they need to take control of their cyber security. The campaign includes a new easy-to-use website and online videos.With more than 11 million internet-enabled devices received as gifts during the Christmas period, Cyber Streetwise will help in the fight against online criminals. People are encouraged to protect themselves and their families online by visiting the website for tips and advice.The new website (cyberstreetwise.com) offers a range of interactive resources,

tailoring an individual’s visit to provide clear advice on the essentials for enjoying a safe experience online.

The launch of the campaign is part of the government’s National Cyber Security Programme and comes at a time when an increasing number of people use the web on laptops, tablets and smartphones. Findings from the government’s most recent National Cyber Security Consumer Tracker suggest more than half the population are not taking simple actions to protect themselves online.

The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

Fracking: UK government doesn’t seem to have thought things through…again SF Fundamental Energy Fund, which invests in the key providers of equipment and services to global energy markets questions the viability of fracking in the UK. Christopher Boxall, Director of Fundamental, says: “Large scale fracking lends itself to countries that have the desired resources to support it, specifically freely available quantities of sand and water, to effectively support the process; the UK does not possess these resources, at least not in the required quantities” Fundamental Asset Management is a specialist investor in providers of equipment to the energy sector, including fracking, and has seen at first hand the big demands on raw materials and space from fracking. The fracking process requires huge quantities of sand

(proppant) and water which are pumped into the ground at high pressure. The water, which is mixed with other chemicals, subsequently has to undergo considerable treatment. North America has a vast infrastructure to support the delivery of sand, which is generally transported by rail. It also has vast amounts of space to cater for the treatment of waste water.

Christopher Boxall, Director of Fundamental, adds, “Total’s proposed investment of £30m in a shale gas project in Lincolnshire is a token gesture compared to the US$billions that have been committed to fracking in other parts of the world, notably North America, and the £billions that would ultimately be needed to commercially exploit shale gas in the UK.”

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Diabetes, getting back on track Dear Editor, For many of us there have been indulgences over Christmas with a little too much food and not enough exercise. The first few months of the New Year are a time for getting things back on track – eating more healthily and taking more exercise. Many of your readers will have diabetes so getting back on track is particularly important for them, whether they have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

They have to manage their medications, diet and exercise all the time to stay well. We know that this can be difficult.

As a charity for people with diabetes, we have put together some helpful information leaflets, including our booklets, ‘Weight and Diet’, ‘Exercise, Blood Pressure and Your Heart’ and ‘Diabetes – Everyday Eating’ which provides inexpensive menus for breakfast, lunch and evening meal for 28 days to help

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people to know what they can eat, rather than what they can’t! We hope that this information will be useful to your readers and will make getting back on track a little easier for them.

We are happy to send your readers these publications free of charge and as an incentive to increase their exercise, a FREE pedometer, while stocks last. Readers just need to contact us on 01604 622837, e-mail jenny@iddtinternational.org or write to IDDT, PO Box 294, Northampton NN1 4XS Jenny Hirst InDependent Diabetes Trust [IDDT] PO Box 294 Northampton NN1 4XS

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The Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 24th January 2014

Isle of Wight Sports