Issue 34 - The Isle of Wight Mail

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

The Island's Community Newspaper

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WINNERS! The Island’s own Bestival voted one

of 10 BEST FESTIVALS IN THE WORLD Celebrating With Gus McKechnie Page 02

See inside for your chance to

Time Travel On The Isle of Wight

WIN Weekend Tickets

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Promotion Will Boost Tourism Page 06

With 10 fields of wonderment filled with amazing music, insane sideshows and magical happenings, Bestival 2014, is jam-packed with party flavours and escapist action.

This year’s gargantuan line-up features headline sets from OutKast, Foals, Chic featuring Nile Rodgers and Beck, plus live sets from Busta Rhymes, Disclosure, Paloma Faith, Basement Jaxx, Major Lazer, London Grammar, Sam Smith and Candi Staton among many others..

* 10 Best Festivals In The World (the only UK winner!) Daily Mail * 20 Best Family Festivals In Britain The Times * Top 50 Festivals Sunday Times * The Best Music Festivals Daily Telegraph *

BOOK OF THE FORTNIGHT: VETERAN VOLUNTEER Memoir of the Trenches, Tanks and Captivity

ISSUE NUMBER 34 Friday 30th May 2014

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

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NEWS

Red Funnel celebrates with Gus McKechnie on completion of his 50,000 mile static cycle ride Red Funnel celebrates with 38-year-old Gus McKechnie on completion of his 50,000 miles cycle ride on a static bike – the equivalent of cycling twice round the equator.

For the last seven years Cerebral Palsy sufferer Gus has been a familiar sight on board Red Funnel Isle of Wight Ferries crossing the Solent more than 4,500 times!

Gus has used the same Giant bike for the whole 50,000 miles, but has gone through eight rear tyres, and the rear wheel has had to be repaired five times. He has also managed to wear out two saddles, two bike chains, five pairs of cycling shorts and 12 hats during his impressive feat! His cycling gear isn’t the only thing to change - his music taste has altered too, with his latest favourite being Olivia Newton John and, unsurprisingly, the iconic 80’s track “Let’s Get Physical”.

Gus has raised thousands of pounds for charity, in the memory of his late father, mother, and brother. However, that’s not all not only has Gus raised money, he has also spoken to and inspired over 2,600 people who have been affected or treated for cancer or haemochromatosis.

Gus is no stranger to fundraising through carrying out amazing physical challenges. He has performed a number of rowing challenges, including being the first adaptive rower to row all the way around Isle of Wight in 2005, and he has set two adaptive LTA (legs, trunks and arms) world records in 2011 and 2012, for 24 hour rowing on a rowing machine, both at Red Funnel’s Southampton terminal. He has also been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from Southampton Solent University in 2005, for his contribution to the community and still actively plays for local wheelchair rugby side, Solent Sharks who are affiliated to the University.

In 2009 he was picked to trial for British Paralympic Sports and on 15 July 2012 he carried the Olympic Flame in Southampton.

This same year he also received the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Award for Sporting Achievement. This latest cycling challenge marks the pinnacle of his cycling career and he is planning to continue past the 50,000 mark to reach 75,000 miles!

Kevin George, CEO of Red Funnel said: ‘We are delighted to join Gus’s celebrations on what is an amazing day. To cycle the equivalent of twice around the equator is a fantastic achievement and Red Funnel has been very happy to host Gus on board since 2007. It has been humbling to watch him put himself through this gruelling physical challenge to raise money for charity. He has become a regular sight on board and our customers and crew have been very generous in their donations and very supportive of his efforts.’

Gus McKechnie added: ‘When I set out to complete this challenge I was just looking to raise vital funds for charities that had worked so hard to help my family and that close to my heart. Red Funnel had kindly offered me the space onboard their ferries and soon after I started onboard it became clear it was more than just a fundraising mission, I was often a sign of determination to those suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

There were times when the journey seemed so long and I thought about stopping, but the overwhelming support and encouragement from customers and staff at Red Funnel really kept my focus and resolve. I am absolutely chuffed to be completing the full 50,000 miles, particularly as Southampton celebrates its 50th year as a city.’

One of Gus’ next challenges will be to complete this year’s Challenge Weymouth Triathlon on 14 September, during which he plans to complete the entire marathon section of the triathlon in a racing wheelchair. The event involves a 3.8km swim in Weymouth Bay, a 180km bike ride, and a 42km run along the seafront and through the town centre.

For further information about Gus McKechnie, visit www.redfunnel.co.uk/gus

Aswad and The Bees headline this year’s Rhythmtree Festival The countdown has begun for this year’s Rhythmtree Festival – a three day celebration of musical diversity that takes place from 18-20 July, in Calbourne on the Isle of Wight. Located in beautiful farmland, surrounded by trees, the festival offers family-friendly entertainment in an idyllic, safe setting. For the fifth Rhythmtree Festival – which is appropriately our ‘wood’ anniversary – we are hosting an exciting line-up of established and upcoming talent, spanning afrobeat, reggae, funk, blues, folk, Latin and country music.

Topping the bill on Saturday night is reggae supergroup Aswad – this band continues to innovate after 40 years in the music business, during which time they’ve released 21 albums and hit records including the UK number one, Don’t Turn Around. They’re known for their charismatic performances and catchy tunes that make dancing compulsory.

On Friday night, there’s a showcase for Island talent, headlined by The Bees.

Originally from Ventnor, they blend a range of musical influences into a

Reggae Supergroup Aswad

shamanic brew, to create perfect, indie rock with a psychedelic kick. Known throughout the globe, their hit tracks include A Minha Menina and Chicken Payback. This summer marks 10 years since their release of their landmark second album, Free the Bees, which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios. It’s also their only festival appearance this year – and their first live gig for 12 months – so book tickets as soon as possible for this landmark celebration.

Also on Friday’s bill is CHAMPS – acclaimed folksy brothers whose new album Down Like Gold has been getting rave reviews in the music press. They will be joined by Plastic Mermaids, local surfer boys who play their mesmerising trip-pop to packed venues.

Says a spokesperson for Rhythmtree: “This is the Island’s fun, family festival – and we’re all about having a great time on a budget while listening to the best bands around. Free camping and parking is included in weekend ticket prices and children aged 12 and under are free. So come along and join the party!”

NEWS

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

UNDERCLIFF DRIVE REPORTS PUBLISHED The Isle of Wight Council is considering three reports from Island Roads about sections of Undercliff Drive affected by ground movement earlier this year.

Under the highways PFI contract, should a section of the highway fail for geological or geotechnical reasons, Island Roads must provide the Isle of Wight Council with a technical report, known as a failure report.

The three failure reports submitted by Island Roads relate to geological failures to sections of road in the Undercliff area between Ventnor and Niton. The reports, which can be found on iwight.com, outline: ● how the geological failure has impacted on the activities of Island Roads; ● how the geological failure has affected the highways PFI project network; ● what actions Island Roads has taken in the lead up to and following the geological failure; ● what actions Island Roads proposes to rectify, manage and/or mitigate the geological failure; and ● a financial estimate of costs of proposals.

The Isle of Wight Council will now need to consider the contents of the reports before recommendations about the future of the site can be put before the council’s Executive.

Councillor Steve Stubbings, deputy leader and local member for Ventnor West, said: “It remains a very anxious time for residents directly affected by the ground movement along the Undercliff and we would like to assure all those affected that we are doing all we can to reach a point where we can make a decision on the road’s future as quickly as possible.”

Although the reports outline potential solutions to the failure, they indicate that it will not be possible to carry out a detailed

NEW APPOINTMENTS ADD VALUE TO COWES HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS Cowes Harbour Commissioners (CHC) has appointed two new Board members, Howard Pearce and Andrew Cooper. The new Commissioners will be introduced to stakeholders at the Harbour Commission’s Annual Public Meeting at the Island Sailing Club in Cowes on Wednesday, 18th June from 7pm.

Howard Pearce is a former senior executive at the Environment Agency, with experience in business planning, funding, investment and commercial contract management. His career has encompassed the water, leisure, sport, and environmental sectors. Howard said: “My connections with Cowes and the Isle of Wight go back to the 1980s and I am delighted to have been invited to join CHC at this time. Cowes is a vital economic and leisure gateway to the Isle of Wight and I look forward to working with my fellow Commissioners to further develop our strategy to deliver benefits to our stakeholders and the Island that we serve.”

Following 35 years of public service in the Royal Navy and Foreign Office, with the last six years in the private sector at an aerospace and defence company, Andrew Cooper brings considerable experience in maritime safety to his new role. He said: “Having enjoyed a close association with Cowes as a yachtsman for 40 years, it is very rewarding to be able to put something back into the local community, and I hope to play an active role in promoting and securing the future of Cowes as a major international venue.”

Commenting on the appointments, Roger Mathias, Chairman of Cowes Harbour Commissioners, said: “I welcome our new appointees who bring extensive experience and will really add value and complement our existing Board members’ breadth of skills. We will shortly be carrying out a review of Commissioner responsibilities, therefore, portfolio roles for our new Commissioners will be assigned at the review and I look forward to Howard and Andrew making a full contribution to the CHC Board.”

Harbour Master, Captain Stuart McIntosh said: “I am very pleased to welcome our new Commissioners and I am confident that, under the leadership of our Chairman Roger Mathias, the strengthened Board will provide the strategic direction necessary to encourage the continued growth and success of Cowes Harbour.”

Capt. McIntosh also paid tribute to the outgoing Board

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assessment of the potential solutions until it can be confirmed that ground movement in the area has ceased.

Councillor Phil Jordan, Executive member for public protection, said: “We felt it was very important to publish the failure reports online as soon as possible so that residents have access to the same information as the council on this matter. It is likely that the reports will generate questions for residents – who quite rightly want answers on the future of the Undercliff - but it is important that we take the time to consider all of the technical information in detail, and seek further advice if required, before commenting on any of the proposals put forward by Island Roads. The reports raise some complex and detailed issues and we are correctly seeking clarification on those issues without further delay.”

The council’s building control officers are inspecting properties in the affected area weekly to check for new movement and Island Roads continues to undertake detailed monitoring of ground movement and ground water levels. Current data shows that the ground is continuing to move although it has slowed significantly from the rates experienced earlier in the year.

The three failure reports have been posted on the council’s website so that residents and affected parties can study the thoughts of Island Roads and its specialist geotechnical consultants.

A report will go to the council’s Executive once officers have had time to consider the failure reports. It will be for the Executive to decide which, if any, of the solutions put forward by Island Roads can be implemented.

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INFORMATION EVENT TO BE HELD AT CREMATORIUM Howard Pearce

Andrew Cooper members, Peter Jackson and Peter Morton, and added: “I am very grateful for the hard work and commitment of those Commissioners who are stepping down. Their contribution to our Board has been invaluable and I wish them both well in their future endeavours.”

Parents are being invited to an information evening at the Isle of Wight Crematorium which focuses on future plans for the memorial garden including the born too soon area.

The purpose of the evening, which is being held from 6pm on Thursday 5 June, is to give parents a brief history and purpose of the garden of remembrance and future options for improving and managing the area.

It will also outline current management and maintenance responsibilities and any issues that have been identified.

Councillor Phil Jordan is the Executive member whose portfolio includes the crematorium. He said: "There have been reports in the local media recently about the memorial garden and there have been lots of rumours and inaccurate information about what the future plans are.

"It is important parents have the opportunity to speak directly to the staff and management at the Crematorium about the plans for the garden and to raise any concerns they may have.

"The purpose of the evening is to outline what will be happening at the crematorium and how families can get involved and help shape its future. I would encourage anyone who has loved ones laid to rest at the memorial garden to come along to the evening so the council can discuss the proposals and show families how they can take part in any consultation."

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

Family fun at Needles Half Marathon This years Needles XC Half Marathon on Sunday 8th June, is set to be one the whole family can enjoy with the introduction of a new junior fun run.

Organised by the West Wight Sports Centre and Love Running, the new 1.5k course around Jubilee and Stroud Fields, is open to youngsters aged 4 to 11. It’s a free event thanks to sponsorship from the County Press and Crossprint and everyone who takes part will receive a medal and certificate.

It’s the second year the centre have taken on the running of the half marathon. “It’s already a very popular event but we wanted to add something this year to encourage even the youngest of runners” explains centre manager Clare Griffin. Clare will be competing in the main event this year as part of her 'Flipping Fit for 50' challenge to raise money for the centre .

For those who fancy something a little less strenuous on a Sunday morning, a craft market will be running throughout the day in the sports hall.

There will also be a book signing event by Islander Dave Berridge who has published a book detailing his exploits as an extreme runner, adventurer and ultra-distance athlete.

Registration for the Fun Run is on the day and opens at 9am. A FYT bus shuttle service will be running between West Wight Sports Centre and Yarmouth car park throughout the day. More information about the event can be found at www.westwight.co.uk/needles-half “Local pages are updated every 15 minutes”

NEWS

Health and Care Watchdog Study on Maternity Services Welcomed Healthwatch IoW have carried out a new health and care survey on Maternity Services provided on the Island by the Isle of Wight NHS Trust.

The major new study has reported that the majority of mothers are happy with the Maternity services provided. Ninety per cent of mums rated ante natal care and post natal care as either satisfactory, good or very good, while 92 per cent rated care during labour and birth as either satisfactory, good or very good.

The Trust will be responding to the five recommendations that Healthwatch IW believes will improve our services further.

Welcoming the announcement of the first Health and Care Watchdog Study by Healthwatch IoW, Alan Sheward, Director of Nursing and Workforce at Isle of Wight NHS Trust said: “It is important to us that our patients, our members, our staff and all Islanders have confidence in the NHS. These surveys and visits to our services, provide assurance that we are meeting the needs of patients and we shall welcome future studies on more of our services.”

Annie Hunter Head of Midwifery said: “It is always good to read positive comments on the service and also identify where we need to focus to make it even better. We get a lot of feedback from our families in various ways and we welcome healthwatch as another source to gain valuable insight”

Police confirm body found in Totland

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Police searching for a missing woman on the Isle of Wight have discovered a body on the beach below High Down Chalkpit.

The family of missing woman Patricia Anne Tolfree, who was reported missing on Saturday 24 May, has been informed.

The body has not yet been identified.

TIME TRAVEL ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

Visit Isle of Wight (VIOW) – the Island’s tourist board – has announced an investment of half a million pounds in this year’s summer marketing campaign. The new campaign includes a TV commercial voiced

by Celia Imrie, a time traveller’s passport that encourages visitors to explore iconic visitor attractions around the Island, new time trail features on a mobile phone app and enhancements to the existing Dinosaur trail app launched last year.

Central to the brand’s overall marketing strategy is a partnership with Paramount Pictures and in particular TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION (2014), an action adventure film, which is being released in the UK on July 10th.

It is the fourth installment of the live-action TRANSFORMERS film series and stars Mark Wahlberg in the lead role and introduces new prehistoric robot characters, including the Dinobot t-rex GRIMLOCK. The asset value of the new partnership with Paramount Pictures, which includes investment in the revised Dinosaur Island app, online promotion across Transformers 4 related social media platforms and the

provision of prizes and other promotional materials is seen as a major coup for the Island as it effectively doubles the value, impact and reach of VIOW’S summer campaign.

David Thornton, CEO, VIOW, said: “Following in the giant footsteps left behind by the last year’s successful Dinosaur Island campaign, VIOW is looking to now capitalise on the upcoming Transformers movie to send visitors on a journey back to the future and continue the story we began last year. Our dinosaur heritage is just the first step in an Island story that includes Romans, Victorians, and Medieval castles.

This year we’re emphasizing a wider range of Island experiences and encouraging people to drive less and see more as they travel from one attraction to another”.

A new 30-second television commercial, voiced by stage and screen actress Celia Imrie and produced by VIOW using actors and technicians from the Island and a soundtrack by Island musician, Holly Kirby features iconic island locations in different time periods as well as glamping, beach holidays, luxury hotels and spectacular scenery.

NEWS

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR NEW APPROACH TO YOUTH SERVICE Applications are being invited from the business, community and voluntary sectors for funding to deliver the Island’s new-look youth services from 1 October this year.

Successful applicants will be expected to deliver universal youth opportunities and positive activities for young people aged 11 to 19, and up to 25 with additional needs within a safe and secure environment. This will include the ability to offer impartial advice, referral routes to support individual and group need, and activities which will help to reduce the demands on social care.

All future services need to be universal for young people in these age groups, but there is a particular emphasis on concurrent provision for disadvantaged groups across the Island.

Isle of Wight Council Executive member for children’s services and education, Councillor Richard Priest, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for the community, voluntary and business sectors to become involved in developing an innovative and tailor-made youth offer for the Island.

“This new approach has been developed to create a modern and varied youth service that is inclusive and accessible for our young people. It will also ensure our young people get the appropriate support where and when they need it, supported with the right information and advice.”

“I would wholeheartedly encourage any interested groups to get in touch and find out about how they could play a positive role in the lives of our young people.”

The closing date for all applications is 30 June 2014. Interested parties and successful applicants will be supported by Trudy Shephard, community youth offer development officer, who can be contacted on (01983) 539375.

The Youth Offer Prospectus and application form can be downloaded from communityactionisleofwight.org.uk

on twitter?

@iwmail Wight Marque - truly local food and drink Just a few weeks after the launch of the Wight Marque to the food and drinks trade on the lsle of Wight, the first two Island businesses have been fully accredited as Wight Marque audited members. This means that the produce is certified as coming from the lsle of Wight and can be considered as truly local.

Knox Farms, producers of Oil of Wight and Jasper's Artisan Coffee are the first companies to have their applications audited by a team from the Royal lsle of Wight Agricultural Society which has developed the Wight Marque.

Deputy Chairman of the Society Graham Biss commented: "The Wight Marque is a sign of origin and consumers can be confident that produce carrying this branding really does come from the lsle of Wight. Where the original commodity, such as coffee clearly wasn't grown here, you can be assured that it has been selected, roasted and blended right here on the Island. So in that sense it's definitely authentically from the Island."

The scheme is based on a successful project that has been running for several years on the mainland called the New Forest Marque, although a number of modifications have been made to suit the Island's requirements. Caroline Knox, of Knox Farms, is also the local Chairman of the NFU and commented: "There have been previous attempts at establishing a marque of origin for the lsle of Wight and I'm pleased that the Wight Marque not only has the backing of the Society, but also has taken the time to

consult widely with producers and associations. Taking the time to gain this important feedback before implementing the project could be the key to success. I'm delighted to have been audited so quickly and that Oil of Wight is now a certified Wight Marque product. Wearing my NFU hat, I'll be looking for ways in which this initiative can further support and promote the work of our membership in providing quality local produce."

Graham continued: We have been delighted with the response from farmers, growers and processors on the lsle of Wight and the next group of audited and approved members will be announced shortly. We then plan to offer a similar service to the hospitalitysector. Hotels pubs and restaurants can all be audited and approved as Wight Marque members. This will show their customers that there is a real commitment to serve food and drink that come from the lsle of Wight."

The Wight Marque will be publicly launched at next month's Royal lsle of Wight County Show on Saturday, 28th June. For the first time there will be a food pavilion on-site managed by the scheme's marketing partner Taste of the Wight. Lindsay Becker from Taste of the Wight said: "With the introduction of the Wight Marque this year, ifs the perfect opportunity to create a food experience at the County Show, something perhaps that's been missing in the past. Alongside a farmers' market section, there will be a pop-up farm shop and a Wight Marque stage. We plan to showcase a fantastic range of lsle of Wight food and drink

as well as providing opportunities to visitors to taste some for themselves."

Full details of the Wight Marque scheme together with the latest audited members can be found at wightmarque.co.uk

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

Wightlink promotion will MP responds to EU poll result boost island tourism Wightlink has embarked on a major campaign aimed at publicising the Isle of Wight’s summer festivals, bringing more tourists across the Solent and boosting the Island’s economy. #wightlive is both a fun-to-enter competition with more than £3,000 of prizes and a social media promotion using cutting-edge technology to spread the word about entertainment on the island. #wightlive is the largest initiative ever launched by the ferry company. In collaboration with Visit Isle of Wight, it will promote all cultural and sporting events by encouraging people to upload pictures of their activities to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram via wightlive.co.uk.

It will also focus on six key festivals: ● Isle of Wight Festival 12-15 June ● Isle of Wight Festival of the Sea 16-23 June ● V-Dub Island 14-18 August ● The Garlic Festival 16-17 August ● Bestival 4-7 September ● Isle of Wight Cycling Festival 13-28 September Festival-goers will be invited to submit their photographs to #wightlive at wightlive.co.uk using a Polaroid-style frame which is part of the website - it features a cheering crowd in silhouette form and means anyone in the frame will ‘take centre stage’ in the picture. All the photos will be entered into a contest with the winners chosen by an online public vote. The grand prize will include tickets to six major festivals in 2015.

“This is the most comprehensive campaign we have ever run to promote the festival season,” comments Mark Persad, Wightlink’s Head of Marketing. “It is the first time we have really joined up social media with Island events in this way and we are overwhelmed by the excitement and support we are already receiving from the Island and Festival organisers. Wightlink is committed to supporting the cultural activities of the Island, we are a key part of Island Life and our #wightlive campaign proves that.”

Sainsbury’s Newport are looking for a new Charity partner Sainsbury’s (Newport) are calling on customers to cast their votes and help a registered local charity receive a year’s worth of fundraising and awareness support. Customers can now vote for their favourite local charity either instore or by visiting www.sainsburys.co.uk/localcharity The retailer’s Local Charity scheme is now in its sixth year and gives customers the chance to vote for their favourite local charity to be considered to receive a year’s worth of support from their nearby Sainsbury’s store.

This year’s voting ends on Sunday 8 th June. After voting closes, a shortlist of nominations will be drawn up and the store colleagues will then invite the three charities that they feel best fit the needs of the community into store to talk about how Sainsbury’s can support them. The chosen charity will be selected based on the reasons given and the store will announce their chosen charity in July.

Local charities that have benefitted from the scheme in previous years at Sainsbury’s Newport Isle of Wight include Breathe Easy, St. Catherines School & YMCA which was Newport Isle of Wight’s store’s Local Charity partner between in

previous years Over £4,652.00 was raised from the partnership with Breathe Easy, which helped towards purchasing various items of medical equipment including specialist oxygen sats monitors, nebulizers, inhaler technique machines.

Meanwhile, the store’s Local Charity partner last year was YMCA which supported Young Carers across the island for respite care from their role as a carer for a family member..

Sainsbury’s (Newport) Store Manager Paul Dyer said: “We’re looking forward to supporting a local charity which touches many of our customer and colleagues’ hearts. The scheme gives us the chance to make a real difference to important causes in the community and we hope our customers get behind this year’s voting stage and nominate their favourite local charity from”.

Andrew Turner has congratulated supporters of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) for a ‘remarkable’ result in the European Parliament NEWS elections held last week, with the results announced over the weekend. UKIP topped the polls nationally and in the South East region they returned four MEPs; Conservatives won three, with Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party winning one seat each.

Mr Turner said: “It would be disingenuous to try to pretend that this is anything other than a remarkable result for UKIP, both nationally and in the South East. I am of course very glad that three of my Conservative colleagues Dan Hannan, Nirj Deva and Richard Ashworth were reelected; they have an excellent track record of hard work for the region. However, for UKIP to increase their number of seats to four is testament to the disillusion and disconnection that many people feel from mainstream political parties. I know from speaking to Islanders that two UKIP policies in particular find resonance with Island voters – they want a say on our relationship with the EU and they don’t like the way in which we have no say on who comes into our country. Let me be clear – I share those concerns, but believe that the way to achieve change is to support the Conservative Party, campaigning for change.

“In relation to the EU – I voted NO to membership of the Common Market in 1975, and have seen nothing since to change my mind. I want an in/out referendum, and I will campaign for a NO vote.

My record on that is unequivocal. It is also clear that the only way to get that referendum is with a Conservative Government. We tried last year to get it passed into law, but Labour and Liberal Democrats united to block the legislation in the House of Lords.

“Back in 2003, under the Labour Government, amid growing concern about support for the British National Party (BNP) I won a ballot to hold a debate on immigration. I said then that immigration was an issue in which ‘both major parties have performed spectacularly badly over the last 40 or 50 years’ and pointed out that ‘British people have never voted for mass migration and the longer we in respectable political parties ignore these issues, the more people will feel excluded from the political process.’. Thankfully the threat from the BNP has subsided – but because the issues have not been dealt people still feel that exclusion, indeed it has increased as the EU has expanded. Although the Conservatives have successfully brought in policies to cut immigration from outside the EU, not enough has been done to curb the free movement of people within its borders. We can hardly be surprised when people turn to parties who say they will deal with those issues.

“One good thing about the vote last week (whether or not it was the intention of those who voted UKIP), is that the major political parties are at last taking those concerns seriously. There will doubtless be new announcements from both parties over the coming weeks and months due to this result. Indeed shockwaves from anti-EU results are being felt across Europe.

“Finally, I would like to say that I very much dislike the view that somehow UKIP has ‘borrowed’ votes from other parties. Votes belong to voters, not parties – and if they want to vote for UKIP, other minority parties or even the Monster Raving Loony Party that is a failure of those of us in mainstream politics to convince people that we can represent their interests. I am certainly conscious that I need to continue to work to get that message across until the General Election in May next year.”

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

VETERAN VOLUNTEER

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Missing Numbers

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Memoir of the Trenches, Tanks & Captivity 1914-1919

by Frank Vans Agnew MC

-------------------------------------------------Edited by Jamie Vans & Peter Widdowson

To celebrate the new book release we've teamed up with Pen & Sword Books

FOUR COPIES TO GIVE AWAY! To enter the draw to win a copy, all you have to do is answer this simple question: “Frank Vans Agnew left America in 1914 after successfully claiming to be only 40, but how old was he?”

The author was an adventurer who serived in the Cavalry and newly formed Tank Corps before becoming a POW. As a result,Veteran Volunteer is a Great War memoir of excpetional scope and interest.

Frank Vans Agnew left America in 1914 and, after successfully claiming to be only 40, when he was actually 46, enlisted in 2nd King Edward’s Horse. He arrived at the front near Albert in 1915 and was soon given a commission. After attending the Machine Gun School he took part at the Battle of the Somme before volunteering to join the Tank Corps. In 1917 he was wounded at Messines and was awarded the Military Cross.

His accounts of early tank warfare are particularly valuable and rare. He demonstrated his tank for King George V; at 3rd Ypres he was again wounded and, in November 1917, was captured at Cambrai. Over the next 12 months he was held as a POW at Hanover, then Karlsrihe, Heidelberg and Furstenberg.

His extraordinary and varied experiences and impressions of life in the front line, and in captivity, are superbly recorded in this outstanding war memoir, which will be of interest to even the most well-read historian.

The missing numbers are integers between 0 and 9. The numbers in each row add up to totals to the right. The numbers in each column add up to the totals along the bottom. The diagonal lines also add up the totals to the right.

MAZE ESCAPE

Just email your answer to press@iwmail.co.uk to be entered. Draw closes at 23:59 on May 31st 2014.

Pen and Sword Books LTD

http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/

CAN YOU SPOT THE THREE DIFFERENCES?

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

BESTIVAL

CHIC LEGEND NILE RODGERS

CHALLENGES BESTIVAL TO CREATE WORLD’S BIGGEST DISCOBALL! Watch Nile challenge Rob da Bank at http://youtu.be/bStS1t81h2Y Red hot news from the Ivor Novello Awards red carpet in London, where disco legend and super producer, Nile Rodgers, who was at the event to collect the PRS For Music Special International Award, revealed that he has challenged Bestival to create the world’s largest ever discoball.

Nile, who is headlining Bestival’s Desert Island Disco finale with his world famous band Chic, revealed to Bestival head honcho Rob da Bank that the band was preparing an extended hit-packed set for their Sunday night Bestival headline slot and that he wanted to create the world’s largest disco party.

He then challenged Rob to create the world-beating discoball.

Speaking to Gigwise, Nile Rodgers said, “We're going to

do an extended set and I actually just made a challenge to the head of Bestival - I said that I would like to create the world's largest disco party of all time. So he says 'how do we do that?'

"So then I was like 'I want you to create the world's largest discoball. He says 'do you know how big that is?' I say 'I don't know - I'm just making it up'. He said it would have to be 10 metres in diameter, so I said 'great - the challenge is on”.

Never ones to shy away from a record breaking opportunity, Rob has accepted on Bestival’s behalf and the quest starts here!

Watch this space for more information...

Data Interfaces for Sonic Celebration Opportunities:www.bestival.net / Facebook / Twitter / Tumblr

Chic feat Nile Rodgers

WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO BESTIVAL 2014 The Isle of Wight mail has teamed up with Bestival to offer a pair of tickets to their Desert Island Disco on the Isle of Wight this September.

With 10 fields of wonderment filled with amazing music, insane sideshows and magical happenings, Bestival 2014, taking place at Robin Hill Country Park from September 4th- 7th, is jam-packed with party flavours and escapist action. This year’s gargantuan line-up features headline sets from OutKast, Foals, Chic featuring Nile Rodgers and Beck, plus live sets from Busta Rhymes, Disclosure, Paloma Faith, Basement Jaxx, Major Lazer, London Grammar, Sam Smith and Candi Staton among many others. There will also be DJ sets from Sven Vath, Annie Mac, Chase & Status, a Ram Records takeover, Skream, Derrick Carter, Eats Everything, Green Velvet, Boyz Noise, Jaguar Skills, James Blake’s 1-800 Dinosaur and lots more. And the Bestival Big Top hosted by BBC Radio 6 Music will see the cream of their presenter team introducing the likes of Bonobo, SBTRKT, Temples, dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip, Peter Hook & The Light and more.

The music line-up might be massive but anyone who’s been to Bestival knows it’s not all about the music, there are incredible must-see attractions like The Port, the Wishing Tree, The Grand Palace of Entertainment, Come Dancing, Reggae Roots, Club Dada, The Ambient Forest, Caravanserai and the legendary Bollywood Cocktail Bar, offering out-of-this-world entertainment, all topped off with a truly mesmerising fireworks finale.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning a pair of Bestival Tickets is share issue 34 of the Isle of Wight Mail and tell us who's headlining Friday night?

FACEBOOK USERS

For more information and to book tickets go to www.bestival.net or call 0844 888 4410

Like our facebook page: (www.facbook.com/isleofwightmail) Share Issue 34 of the Isle of Wight Mail Post on our wall “The answer to the 2014 Desert Island Disco #bestival competition is...” – followed by your answer

TWITTER USERS Follow @iwmail on Twitter (http://twitter.com/iwmail) Re-Tweet Issue 34 of the Isle of Wight Mail Tweet Us “@iwmail, the answer to the 2014 Desert Island Disco #bestival competition is...” – followed by your answer

Tickets on sale right across IOW now to personal callers – from; The Bugle Inn, YARMOUTH Harwoods, YARMOUTH The Bonchurch Inn, VENTNOR Lugley’s, COWES The White Lion, NITON Old Village Inn, BEMBRIDGE The Pointer Inn, SANDOWN Caulkheads, SANDOWN County Press Shop, NEWPORT Robin Hill Park, NEWPORT Valentine Gray Bar, NEWPORT

BESTIVAL

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

THE AMPHITHEATRE LINE-UP HAS BEEN REVEALED All true Bestivalites know that our Desert Island Disco’s not just about the music - dig a little deeper and there’s wild entertainment to be had. With untold opportunities for madness and mayhem, Bestival gives you 24-hour escapism across more than 20 stages, mega soundsystems and non-stop parties in 10 fields of wonderment, so you’ll never know quite what lurks beneath Bestival’s fiendish underbelly.

And so it is with the magnificent Amphitheatre stage, concealed within the depths of the Ambient Forest, it’s a haven of twisted treats, extraordinary spectacles & eclectic joys. With smash hit Edinburgh Fringe shows, award-winning comedy, exclusive spoken word performances and enlightening talks, it’s mindexpanding fun for the more discerning festivalgoer and definitely something to seek out on your desert island trip…

Rob da Bank says, “If you go creeping about in the woods at Bestival-time you never know what you’ll find. We’ve got all sorts going on in there this year, not least at the Amphitheatre, which has got some brilliant entertainment, like my compadre Scroobius Pip who has pulled together another fantastic Satin Lizard Lounge line-up and the shockingly good Sh*tfaced Shakespeare amongst it all”.

With a wealth of amazing shows, you can catch the truly unique Edinburgh Fringe smash Sh*tfaced Shakespeare, featuring at least one completely smashed actor and it’s a festival exclusive at Bestival to boot! Plus we’ll have two actors, one musician and forty-four characters in Captain Morgan And The Sands Of Time, the heartstring tugging interactive play Every Brilliant Thing, hilarious sci-fi musical I Need A Doctor: Whosical, gender-bending cabaret in Milk Presents: Self Service, comedy, poetry and music showcase Save The Male and Lost Boy Sketches By Fatlip a lo-fi spoken word show that uses storytelling, trainers and mixtapes. We’ll also have comedy from winners of the Funny Women Awards 2013, Twisted Loaf, and three-man-comedyduo So On And So Forth.

Curated by well versed rhapsodist Scroobius Pip, The Satin Lizard Lounge has become a Bestival institution that showcases some of the most exciting spoken word talent in the UK. This year’s line-up is as super-hot as you’d expect and features Ted Hughes Poetry Award winner Kate Tempest, Josh Idehen, John Osborne, Tim Clare, Musa Okwonga, Jess Green, Jodi Ann Bickley and John Berkavitch. This line up is big on the crowd pleasers, so come and get a spot early, it’s going to be packed. And if poetry is your thing then look out for the Amphitheatre playing host to lyrical ambrosia from the Roundhouse Poetry Collective and Soapbox Poets, too.

As if that wasn’t enough to get you clambering through the undergrowth, the Amphitheatre will also feature the aforementioned Kate Tempest discussing the mastery of the modern word in Kate Tempest: How To Rule The Word and erstwhile Slits guitarist and preeminent punk, Viv Albertine who will discuss Clothes...Music...Boys.

SHOWS: SH*TFACED SHAKESPEARE (FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE), CAPTAIN MORGAN AND THE SANDS OF TIME, EVERY BRILLIANT THING, I NEED A DOCTOR: WHOSICAL, Milk Presents: Self Service, SAVE THE MALE & LOST BOY SKETCHES BY FATLiP SKETCH COMEDY LINE UP: TWISTED LOAF & SO ON AND SO FORTH SPOKEN WORD: SATIN LIZARD LOUNGE (A FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE)…. FEATURING:

Scroobius Pip , kate tempest, Tim Clare, Musa Okwonga, John Osbourne, JOHN BERKAVITCH, Jodi Ann Bickley, Joshua Idehen, ROB AUTON & Jess Green

PLUS ROUNDHOUSE POETRY COLLECTIVE SOAPBOX POETS LIVE INTERVIEWS: KATE TEMPEST: HOW TO RULE THE WORD & VIV ALBERTINE: CLOTHES...MUSIC...BOYS

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The world record attempt is on!

The architect of pop music as we know it, one of party-music’s most influential men and the hottest producer on the planet, Nile Rodgers and his Chic Organisation will be performing a mindblowingly amazing set to bring Bestival 2014 to a close.

Not content with merely closing the show, Nile Rodgers has told us that he wants to create the world’s biggest ever disco-party, and that’s just the sort of behaviour we can get right behind at Bestival! As a centrepiece to the party, Nile has challenged Rob da Bank and Bestival to create the worlds largest discoball.

Music to our ears, the challenge is on! And we’re going to make it official by breaking the Guinness World Record for the ‘Biggest Discoball Ever’!

So, to get things warmed up for our jumbo dancefloor denouement this September at Robin Hill, we’ll be flying in legendary Studio 54 resident and Gallery founder Nicky Siano for your dancing pleasure. The man responsible for spinning the floor-fillers at Bianca Jagger’s iconic & infamous Studio 54 birthday party, Nicky is part of the true fabric of disco and was a driving force who brought the sound to worldwide acclaim, guaranteeing that our Desert Island Disco Spectacular will get off to a brilliantly boogie-tastic start.

Then it’s the real deal... Specially themed and extended for our Desert Island Disco spectacular, Chic’s live set will chart Nile’s dancefloor dalliances through the ages; from the band’s own era-defining debut Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah) right up to Nile’s chart conquering present day collaborations.

Featuring at least one VERY special guest, it will be an explosion of sight & sound, featuring a jaw-dropping creative from Josie da Bank, with a stunning light show, mind-altering visuals & incredible pyrotechnics!

So, get your gladrags on, break out the sequins, grab your ostrich feathers - hell, you could even come dressed as Bianca’s big white horse - but don’t miss out on the most inconceivably amazing disco extravaganza of your lifetime. We’re going to make history!

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

ARTS

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, yourneed 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

Popping up at the Garlic Farm Pop Up Opera bring their version of 'Cosi fan tutte' to the Island next weekend.

Taking inspiration from our love of costume dramas, Mozart's comedy is being set in an English estate with a posh picnic, croquet, cricket and a few surprises.

The story is about the two fiances of two sisters who are motivated by the cynical Don Alfonso to test the girls' faithfulness by posing as strangers and trying to seduce them.

As you do.

It is being staged at the Garlic Farm on June 6 and 7 as part of a UK tour that runs until the end of July. More info at http://popupopera.co.uk/whats-on

Mr Laurel xxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hi de Hi star Jeffrey Holland makes his first visit to the Island for his one man show 'and this is my friend, Mr Laurel' at the Apollo Theatre, Newport, on Thursday, June 5.

Stan visits a sick Oliver Hardy and recounts some of the highlights of their career, including some of the most famous scenes from the movies they made.

After the interval, Jeff will be back on stage to host a question and answer session about his own life and career, and the people he has worked with over a long television and stage career that began with an appearance in 'Dixon of Dock Green' and included Dad's Army, and many other classic shows. More info at www.apollo-theatre.org.uk Tickets are £10 on the door, or by calling 01983 304130.

The Orpheus Singers are on Tour and visiting the island from Friday 30th May to Sunday 1st June.

45 ladies will be singing at All Saints Church in Ryde on Friday evening and staging a concert at The Medina Theatre in Newport on Saturday 31st May. You may even catch them singing in the grounds of Osborne House on Sunday 1st June!

On Saturday 31st May the concert at the Medina Theatre will be in support of the Isle of Wight’s Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

The concert commences at 7.30pm and tickets, priced at £8, are available now from the Medina Theatre Box Office 01983 527020 or www.medinatheatre.co.uk

Original Theatre has been getting rave reviews for its production of the new play, The Truth Untold.

The group is making its first appearance on stage at the Trinity Theatre, Cowes, on Friday May 30, at 7.30pm, which is also the last chance to see this one hour play. It tells what happens when two former school friends meet again in a very tense situation, and face each other across the divide that has opened up between them.

Tickets are £6 from www.wegottickets.com/originaltheatre, or call 01983 304130, or pay on the door. Ten per cent of ticket sales are donated to Combat Stress, the armed services veterans mental health charity.

Picture shows cast members of The Truth Untold in action at the Depozitory, in Ryde, on May 10.

Now waiting at Platform One Platform One music college has what it calls a 'mini big top' – small top? - at the Isle of Wight Festival.

Whatever you call it, it will be a showcase for some amazing young Island talent, and will include sets by bands from this year's Wight Noize auditions, as well as past and present students.

The Platform One Stage sounds like the place to be, and college director David Pontin said: “The Festival has had a profound impact on the aspirations of young musicians, and it is incredible to think that they have an opportunity to perform at such a prestigious and internationally acclaimed event.”

Meanwhile, the winner of Wight Noize will get a main stage slot on Festival Sunday

Start writing The library service is running a writing competition to mark the First World War centenary.

The challenge is to write orinal stories or poems that have a connection to the First World War. It is open to everyone and entries will be judged in three categories: up to 11 years old; 12 to 17; and over 18s.

The genres allowed are short story, flash fiction or poem, and prizes will be awarded to the top three entries in each category, regardless of the genre.

The closing date is July 12. For more info, go to your local library or send an email to libraries@iow.gov.uk

Prize winning play Original Theatre's prize winning play, 'Music on a Distant Shore', opens at the Apollo Theatre, Newport, on June 12, before appearances at the Depozitory in Ryde on June 19 and Chale Church on June 20 – a special performance to help mark the church's 900th anniversary.

Written by David Weir, the play was runner up in the international From Page to Stage playwriting competition last year. It tells the funny and at times poignant story of how bereaved wife Elaine and her teenage son Kevin are struggling to come to terms with life without Malcolm, who had such an influence on them, and who they miss so much.

The play is set in Scotland and features music played live by members of the Isle of Wight Scottish Fiddlers.

Book online with no booking fee at wegottickets.com/originaltheatre Tickets cost £7.50 and tickets for the Chale Church performance can also be bought from Chale Green Stores.

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

@ EVENT GUIDE List your local event for free

www.iwmail.co.uk

NEWS

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Wightlink to support Mardi Gras Thousands of Isle of Wight young people, family and friends will be enjoying the magic of carnival this summer, thanks to a £2,973 donation from Wightlink through the Isle of Wight Community Fund.

The New Carnival Company will use the money from Wightlink to support additional enhancements for the annual Mardi Gras which now includes a cultural music stage, carnival showcase and family fun event at Eastern Gardens throughout the day.

More than 25 schools and community groups are taking part in this year’s Isle of Wight Mardi Gras in Ryde on Saturday 28 June. The colourful theme for 2014 will be National Geographic - groups of young people will be challenged to research and create costumes capturing the essence of the polar ice cap, Amazon rain forest, Great Barrier Reef and other global features. The NCC is one of more than a hundred community groups and organisations supported by Wightlink.

Executive Director at the NCC Chris Slann says: “As a Community Interest Company, we appreciate the help we receive from organisations like Wightlink, their support is crucial for our survival.”

Wightlink Customer Relations Manager Daisy Dawes presented the cheque to Chris Slann and Frankie Goldspink from the NCC. She adds: “We are delighted to support the Mardi Gras and hope everyone has a fantastic time at the event on 28 June”. NCC’s application to the IWCF for money was approved by an independent panel and confirmed by Wightlink to be paid from its fund held within the IWCF. Fund Development Manager Ian Jenkins says: “These grants really make a difference to the Island groups who do such great work within the community. We are grateful to Wightlink for supporting this scheme.”

Left to right: Chris Slann, Ian Jenkins, Daisy Dawes and Frankie Goldspink at the Official Presentation of the Grant Award at Ryde Pier, during the Walking Festival last week.

Simplify Underground Drilling Access

Fantastic Father's Day Treat your father to a day out to remember this year and create marvellous memories for you all to cherish.

Whether he’s a nature lover, a foodie aficionado or he’d like to learn something such as photography, blacksmithing or sailing, the Island has something for every dad to enjoy.

Fabulous Food: Father’s Day Sunday lunch at The Seaview Hotel will be a tasty feast in comfortable surroundings (seaviewhotel.co.uk). After eating you could wander down to the shore, or visit nearby Seaview Wildlife Encounter where dad could become a Keeper for a Day (seaviewwildlife.com).

The Taverners at Godshill is a real country pub that has locally sourced food, good portions and great reviews. A list of Island eateries can be found at visitisleofwight.co.uk Got a green fingered and food loving father? There’s a special Father’s Day picnic on June 15th with yummy packed lunch provided by the stylish Edulis restaurant (botanic.co.uk).

Maybe he’d like the nautically themed Real Ale Festival at Cowes Ale House, a Sunset Cruise to the Needles or for a real treat the Tasting Menu at The Hambrough hotel in Ventnor.

Shakespeare al fresco: Is your father a theatre buff? For the first time ever on the Isle of Wight Shakespeare’s Globe are bringing the accessible comedy Much Ado About Nothing to the lawns of Osborne House from Wednesday 18th – Saturday 21st June.

Finding Out Something New: The Really Wild Photography workshop at IW Zoo photographs big cats with professional wildlife photographer Karen-Jane Dudley k1photography.com, and is a must for photography and/or wildlife loving dads. (isleofwightzoo.com).

Does he have an interest in ironworking, horses or both?

Then buy him a Blacksmith Experience at J R Phillpott and Dad Traditional Blacksmith and he will be able to create his own poker or similar piece of work. Book by calling 01983 812297 Getting at one with nature: A must for a birding dad is a twilight stroll through the Mottistone Estate listening for the churring nightjars and looking for them displaying in the trees as the sun goes down on June 11th at 8.30pm.

Mottistone Common Nightjar Walk, tel 01983 741020.

Or he might like to climb an enormous oak tree with award winning Goodleaf Tree Climbing. Learning to use the latest climbing gear with a qualified and experienced instructor he’ll ascend into the canopy to enjoy beautiful sea views from a tree hammock at the top (goodleaf.co.uk).

Having a Vintage Day Out: Steam Trains are just made for Dads and your dad, whatever his age, will enjoy a day out at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. All dads travelling on the train will get a free gift. Tel 01983 882204.

Carisbrooke Castle museum has a WWI exhibition focussing on the lives of three Island men who went to war in 1914: Reginald Denham, Yeoman J. Attrill and Jack Seely, including the story of his horse Warrior the War Horse(wightatwar.org.uk).

www.wightislandradio.com

HILL FARM STABLES Riding school and pony club centre 01983 752502 / 07748 253899 www.hillfarmstables.com The Isle of Wight Mail Follow us on Twitter: @iwmail

The Government is launching a consultation on proposals to simplify the existing procedure for shale gas and oil and deep geothermal underground drilling access.

The new proposals would simplify procedures which are costly timeconsuming and disproportionate for new methods of underground drilling. Oil, gas and deep geothermal companies will be able to explore their potential, and will in return provide a voluntary community payment for access.

The proposals are: ● Underground right of access for shale gas and deep geothermal operations only below 300m (nearly 1000ft); ● A voluntary community payment of £20,000 per lateral well; and ● A clear notification system to alert local people.

Business and Energy Minister Michael Fallon said: “Britain needs more homegrown energy. Shale development will bring jobs and business opportunities.

“We are keen for shale and geothermal exploration to go ahead while protecting residents through the robust regulation that is in place.

“These proposals allow shale and geothermal development while offering a fair deal for communities in return for underground access at depths so deep they will have no negative impact on landowners.”

A company looking to develop shale or geothermal will still need to obtain all the necessary permissions. There are controls in place to regulate seismicity, environmental impacts and planning impacts and there are numerous opportunities for local communities to engage ahead of any development.

Many other industries already access underground land beneath people’s homes in order to lay cables and build infrastructure such as water pipes and tunnels. These are much closer to the surface than the access concerned here. For example the deepest Tube station is around 32m below ground - drilling for gas, oil and deep geothermal energy is much deeper and these proposals would only apply from 300 metres down. Any hydraulic fracturing would only occur at far greater depths of 1.5 kilometre (around 5000ft) or more.

This consultation will be open for 12 weeks. Once feedback has been considered, the Government will announce next steps.

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

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NEWS

Assisted Area Status Confirmed The Island’s MP, Andrew Turner has welcomed confirmation that the European Commission has approved the final map for Assisted Area Status, with no changes to the version submitted to the Commission on 30th April. Twenty-eight of the Island’s 39 electoral wards are included.

An interactive map can be consulted at www.ukassistedareasmap.com.

Mr Turner said: “This is great news for the Island. This designation lasts for the next seven years and the Government can start to implement it into UK legislation

by July. This will provide a platform for local businesses to bid for additional funding and tax breaks in order to protect and create jobs and invest in new premises or equipment in order to expand.

“It is a tribute to the Isle of Wight pulling together and I would like to pay particular tribute to Cllr. Ian Stephens the Leader of the Council for all the hours he has put in and to Cllr. Harry Rees, who represented the IW Association of Local Councils during the negotiations.

Although we all tried to get the whole Island included, had the Government put forward that proposal it could have been thrown out – with the whole Island losing out, but of course new jobs in the included areas will potentially benefit all residents.

“I will now be working with others to make sure that information is made available to businesses so that they can take best advantage of this news.”

ONLINE VEHICLE FRAUD COSTS UK VICTIMS £17.8 MILLION PER YEAR According to the latest figures from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) and Get Safe Online today, online vehicle fraud costs the UK £17.8 million each year. Nearly half of frauds involved used car buyers losing part or full payment for a vehicle and then loss of contact with the “seller”.

HPI, the provider of wwwhpicheck.com, reminds consumers to remain vigilant, especially when it comes to buying online, as fraudsters have a whole range of tricks they use to con people out of their money.

“The latest figures show that too many used car buyers are being duped by crafty fraudsters out to make a quick profit,” says hpicheck Senior Consumer Services Manager, Shane Teskey. “Online car buying is fast and convenient, but it also gives scammers somewhere to hide.”

PANASONIC TOUGHPAD TABLETS DONATED TO HELP PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES Rugged Panasonic Toughpad tablets have been donated to three Isle of Wight organisations to help children and adults with learning difficulties. The 25 Panasonic Toughpad tablets are now being used at a school, respite centre and holiday home on the island.

The super tough tablets, usually used by organisations such as the military, utility companies and the NHS have found another ideal use for those with learning difficulties. Newport’s St George’s School, the only maintained secondary special school on the Isle of Wight for students with severe and complex needs, is using the devices to help its students learn. In the same city, Westminster House respite centre for adults with learning difficulties is making good use of the tablets, along with Spectrum Breaks, a Shanklin holiday home for families with autistic members.

Sue Holman, Headteacher at St George’s School, said: “The young people using them so far are students with high profile needs and so the robust nature of the Panasonic tablets enables them to be used without fear they will be broken. We have found other commercial tablets are seen as toys or leisure articles but the students are accepting these as a form of communication and staff are not over protective in case they are dropped or thrown when a student is highly anxious, frustrated or upset.”

The speech and language department at the school is using the tablets to display symbols to help as speech aids for students. The science department is using the tablets to provide visual information and to help the students write up experiments. One non-verbal student at the school is also using a tablet to capture his handwriting to express himself.

At Spectrum Breaks the aim is to provide an environment where autistic children and their parents can relax and learn whilst on holiday. The Panasonic Toughpad tablets allow autistic children access to the world of modern tablet technology without the need for the constant supervision often required with normal consumer devices for fear of accidental damage.

“With the Panasonic devices there is no longer the fear of breakage, so the children can be left alone to explore the device in their own time and in their own space,” explained Colin Pratt, of Spectrum Breaks. “By utilizing the touch screen technology, we can also set-up the devices to display familiar pictures that when touched by the children create a desirable effect, such as playing music or showing pictures. This we hope will encourage the children to further explore the device and

become more familiar with the expansive world of technology that we all take so much for granted.”

Although designed for mobile workers in business, Panasonic Toughpad CF-H1 tablets are proving ideal for those with learning disabilities and autism. The devices are touchscreen for easy interaction, rugged to protect against any knocks, drops or spillages and designed to work for long periods on their batteries.

“When we heard how our Panasonic Toughpad tablets could be of great value to children with learning difficulties on the Isle of Wight we were pleased to be able to help,” said Tom Szwed, Customer Relationship Manager for Panasonic Computer Business Solutions. “Our tablets are designed for ease of use and reliability in some of the most testing business environments and now the students can put our devices to the test.”

NEWS

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

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Adventurous Teenagers Marooned on a Wreck Exploration took on a scary turn for two teenagers on the 25th May, resulting in Cowes lifeboat having to come to their rescue.

The incident occurred after two 16 year boys had put planks across mud in the River Medina to reach an historic wreck of a vessel off the west bank. However, while on the wreck they suddenly found their route back to dry land had been cut-off by an incoming tide.

A passerby raised the alarm with Solent Coastguards and the lifeboat eventually landed the youths at the Folly pontoon on the east bank. There they were met by mobile coastguards from Newport, who took them back to their Island homes.

The lifeboat was launched at 7.58 pm and returned to station at 8.34 pm.

FREE DRIVING THEORY TEST TOOL The IW Council's library service is providing a new web based facility to help people preparing to take their driving theory test.

The new service, called 'Theory Test Pro', is now available which gives people an online resource where they can practice Driving Standards Agency approved test questions and also learn the Highway Code.

The online tool also includes hazard perception videos and speech-enabled tests so you can listen to the questions.

The aim is to help drivers practice their theory test before taking the real thing.

To access the tool, log on to iow.theorytestpro.co.uk. To use the service, you will need to register your details and have a valid library card which includes a number.

If you do not have one, library cards are free and are available in any of the Island's 11 libraries and the mobile libraries.

As well as the online driving theory tool, the library service website also includes audio books, online courses, dictionaries, encyclopaedias, language courses, newspapers and magazines. A valid library card provides free access to all these and more.

The two boys being taken across the river to the Folly.

NEW SYSTEM OF BATHING WATER UPDATES Additional bathing water information is now being provided at five locations to help ensure their beaches meet new quality standards.

The information is designed to keep the public updated on increased pollution risks at beaches subject to risk of pollution where rainfall causes a run off over land or through rivers and streams.

The locations included under the new requirements of the European Union revised bathing water directive are Cowes, Gurnard, Ryde, St Helens and Shanklin.

From May it has become a requirement to provide additional information – Short Term Pollution Warnings - so the public can make an informed decision whether to bathe or not. Prior to this month, and continuing in addition to the new warnings, the IW Council has displayed weekly sampling results at each beach location, as well as on the council’s iwight.com website.

Sainsbury’s are looking for new Local Charity partner Sainsbury’s West Cowes are calling on customers to cast their votes and help a registered local charity receive a year’s worth of fundraising and awareness support. Customers can vote for their favourite local charity either instore or by visiting www.sainsburys.co.uk/localcharity.

The retailer’s Local Charity scheme is now in its sixth year and gives customers the chance to vote for their favourite local charity to be considered to receive a year’s worth of support from their nearby Sainsbury’s store.

This year’s voting ends on Sunday 8th June. After voting closes, a shortlist of nominations will be drawn up and the store colleagues will then invite the three charities that they feel best fit the needs of the community into store to talk about how Sainsbury’s can support them. The chosen charity will be selected based on the reasons given and the store will announce their chosen charity in July.

Local charities that have benefitted from the scheme in previous years at Sainsbury’s West Cowes include Layla’s Trust, which was the store’s Local Charity partner between 2011 and 2012. Over £500 was raised from the partnership, which helped towards offering respite care for terminally ill children. Meanwhile, the store’s Local Charity partner last year were brainstrust and the partnership helped to raise funds and awareness

for the diagnoses and aftercare of brain tumours.

Sainsbury’s West Cowes Store Manager Charlie Bird said: “We’re looking forward to supporting a local charity which touches many of our customer and colleagues’ hearts. The scheme gives us the chance to make a real difference to important causes in the community and we hope our customers get behind this year’s voting stage and nominate their favourite local charity”.

The new warnings are based on daily pollution risk predictions from the Environment Agency, which monitors the daily rainfall and issues a warning when the rainfall exceeds the amount considered to adversely affect water quality.

Notifications on any affected day will be sent from the Environment Agency to the council, which will then arrange for a notice to be displayed at the information point on the relevant esplanade by 10am that day.

The notice will be removed the following day unless there are further warnings – in which case the date will be amended accordingly.

Executive member for public protection, Councillor Phil Jordan, said: “This extra water quality information from the Environment Agency will prove valuable for bathers and other beach users and will contribute to our beaches qualifying for quality beach status.”

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

MP encourages local ‘Living Well with Dementia groups to apply for Social on the Isle of Wight’ Justice Awards Local charities and voluntary organisations working to help those in poverty transform their lives should enter the Centre for Social Justice Awards says the Island’s MP, Andrew Turner. The awards recognise the success of not-for-profit organisations fighting the root causes of poverty and social problems in local communities across the UK. The winning organisations will receive a £10,000 prize and their work will be highlighted at a prestigious ceremony in the Royal Horticultural Halls in London in October. Applications are welcome from charities, small voluntary organisations and other not-for-profit local groups and can be made using a simple on-line form until 6t June.

Last year’s winners include Rotherfield St Martin, a church-in-thecommunity project in East Sussex providing social care and support to local senior citizens and Exairio which provides practical support to homeless people in North West Leicestershire.

Mr Turner said: “These awards are

specifically aimed at small, local initiatives and as well as the prize money they give public recognition of the good work taking place in communities up and down the country. We have lots of groups on the Island that are eligible to enter and I hope many will consider it, as the application process is straightforward and simple.

There are just 12 questions to answer about the organisation, its background, aims and how it fulfils its objectives – and of course they want to know how the prize money would be spent!.”

More details about the awards can be found at centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/awards where an application form can be downloaded which includes details of what the judges are looking for.

The Centre for Social Justice is an organisation aiming to put social justice at the heart of British politics, developing innovative and radical policy ideas based on sound research to help create a fairer society and address the root causes of social problems and poverty.

Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and partner agencies, Isle of Wight Council (including social care and public health) and Isle of Wight NHS Trust have launched a public consultation on a strategy called ‘Living Well with Dementia on the Isle of Wight’ It is the aspiration of the My Life A Full Life Programme for the Island to become dementia friendly, allowing people to live well with dementia on the Isle of Wight.

The aim is for the Isle of Wight to be a place where communities encourage people with dementia and their carers to seek help and feel supported to go about their daily lives safely and free from stigma; where people are empowered to have high aspirations and have the confidence to participate in meaningful activities; and a place where people and their carers receive high quality compassionate care, whether at home, in hospital, or in a care home.

The strategy is being monitored by the Dementia Steering Group which includes representatives from public sector organisations such as Hampshire Constabulary, and private sector organisations including Island residential homes, nursing homes and voluntary sector organisations, including representatives from the Dementia Alliance: Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer Café, service users and carers.

Dr Michelle Legg, The Clinical Lead for Dementia on the Island said: “Dementia is becoming the UK’s largest health and

social care challenge. It is likely, at some point in our lifetime, it will impact us directly or through a family member or close friend. There are one thousand, seven hundred and seventy seven people living with dementia on the Isle of Wight that we know of, and due to our ageing population, this is predicted to increase by twenty three percent over the next ten years.

Diagnosis of Dementia is the gateway to making informed personal choices, providing access to a range of post diagnostic support and services, ensuring people live well with dementia and delaying the need for more intensive packages of care.

By raising awareness of dementia, ensuring people have a timely diagnosis and appropriate post diagnostic treatment and support and by creating dementia friendly communities on the Island we can support people to live well with dementia on the Isle of Wight.”

The ‘Living Well with Dementia on the Isle of Wight’ Strategy can be downloaded from the ‘Get Involved’ section of the Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) website Comments on the strategy should be emailed to dementiastrategy@iow.nhs.uk or sent to Dementia Strategy, Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Building A, the APEX, St. Cross Business Park, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 5XW by Tuesday 15th July 2014.

HAVE YOUR SAY ON AREA PLANNING DOCUMENTS Public comment is being invited on three new planning discussion documents for the areas of The Medina Valley, Ryde and The Bay. The consultation responses will be used to help develop Area Action Plans which are being prepared for each of the three areas.

Once adopted, the action plans will become formal documents designating uses for areas of land and to help determine planning applications The consultation on the discussion documents will run until midday on Monday 7 July.

The documents and a comments form can be viewed at and downloaded from www.iwight.com/aap.

Copies are also available for inspection at the Isle of Wight Council’s Seaclose office reception and County Hall reception in Newport, and at libraries at Cowes, East Cowes, Newport, Ryde,

Sandown and Shanklin.

Comments should be sent to: Planning Policy, Isle of Wight Council, Seaclose Offices, Fairlee Road, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 2QS or by email to planning.policy@iow.gov.uk Executive member for planning, Councillor Jonathan Bacon, said: “The discussion documents and the Area Action Plans are an important step forward in the process of the regeneration of these key areas of the Island as well as protecting and enhancing the environment and sustainable growth in the right areas.

“I would strongly encourage people to take the time to have a look at the documents and respond with their views before the consultation closes on 7 July.”

If anyone has any queries about the consultation they should contact Planning Policy, tel: 823552, email: planning.policy@iow.gov.uk

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

NEWS

Park Lifts Unemployed to New Heights As part of a continuing commitment to focus on employee development, together with a proactive involvement in the local community, The Needles Park is proud to have taken part in a course which gives some of the Isle of Wight’s unemployed the chance to learn valuable new skills, to gain significant interview experience and, most importantly, to secure meaningful long-term employment.

For the third year running, The Needles Park has worked with Jobcentre Plus (JCP), Isle of Wight College and Tourism South East (TSE) to play an integral part in this beneficial and rewarding scheme.

Marino Zanti, General Manager at The Needles Park, is hugely impressed with the scheme as it gives his business a chance to help local people gain employment and shows that, ‘When you work together with other like-minded and committed organisations, you can really make a difference to the lives of young people and the prosperity of the local community.’

Kerrie Honey from Jobcentre Plus has been involved with this programme from day one and is rightfully proud of the scheme’s achievements, 'Filling local employers’ vacancies is what we do every day and working in partnership enhances this service, giving the employer exactly what they need from a member of staff and helping our customers to get into work.'

The Island’s College plays a vital role in helping young people to understand their own talents and to be the best they can be. With this in mind, working in partnership with JCP and local employers was a natural progression. Speaking on behalf of the college, Hannah Chessel commented, ‘This scheme is hugely beneficial for all parties and opens-up real opportunities for people to gain employment and skills. This is the third consecutive year that we have worked with the Needles Park and JCP on a successful sector-based work academy, which has benefited the local community

and created employment opportunities. I would really like to see more local businesses taking the lead from The Needles Park as employers rarely get the opportunity to tailor a pre-employment package to ensure that potential employees have the training and skills required before they reach interview stage.'

Tourism South East provides training for the programme via the Welcome Host Gold course taught by Marilyn Hughes.

During the course, the candidates learn valuable customer service skills which are very beneficial in any industry, let alone an island environment that relies so heavily on the tourism industry.

Customers are the most important part of any travel and tourism business, especially when it comes to destination management. Quite simply, without customers there would be no viable destination, so it is vitally important that customers are looked after well and given the highest standards of service.

So, it was an easy decision for Tourism South East to be one of the partners on this scheme.

Peter Colling, Managing Director at Tourism South East, added ‘'I am delighted that TSE is playing its part in such a worthwhile initiative. It's great that we are able to get unemployed people onto the career ladder of the Island's and the UK's biggest and fastest growing industries. All seven participants impressed The Needles Park so much with the skills they acquired on the Welcome Host Gold course that they have all been offered jobs. This is a fantastic achievement for them and with hard work, I am sure they will all go on to make very successful careers for themselves.'

The scheme has been so successful that many of the original candidates from year one are still employed by The Needles Park and continue to grow and develop their skills, which can only strengthen the island’s tourism economy in the long-term.

From Left to right: All at Sea in front of Trinity Lighthouse at The Needles Park.

Peter Colling, managing director of Tourism South East, with 3 new Needles Park employees who have graduated through the Jobcentre Plus partnership scheme: Adam Forehead, Susan Fever and Jedi Bird. Marino Zanti, General Manager at The Needles Park & Naomi Sondergaard, Training Manager at The Needles Park.

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Lake Hill to be resurfaced Island Roads will begin surfacing a section of road along Lake Hill between Lake Green Road and Ranelagh Road on the 3rd June with the works taking between four and five nights to complete. The works, which will substantially improve and upgrade this section of road, have been scheduled to take place after half term and ahead of the main tourist season and will be completed between the hours of 18:00 and 06:30 each day to minimise travel disruption.

The road will be closed during the works with restricted access for properties and businesses located within the closure and diversion signs will be in place directing traffic via Newport Road, Lake, Apse Heath, Arreton, Downend Road, Morton Common and Avenue Road, Sandown. Island Roads Construction Manager Keith Gourlay said: “We recognise that this is a well-used section of road and we have worked hard to programme our road improvement works to minimise travel disruption for residents, visitors and local businesses by working overnight and by working closely with utility companies to ensure their equipment beneath the road surface has been upgraded in advance of the works.”

As part of a range of measures to keep everyone informed, letters have been issued to residents, schools, businesses and town and parish councils in the area explaining the road closures and providing details regarding access arrangements for those living in the closed section of the road. Posters have also been placed in key local outlets eg doctors surgeries and leisure centres to alert local residents and other service providers have been notified of the planned works.

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

PARKING CONSULTATION DEADLINE NEARS There's less than a week until consultation closes on proposals relating to parking.

The consultation runs until Friday 6 June and the council is keen to hear the views of Islanders ahead of any final decisions being made.

Following the budget this year, the council is proposing changes to many aspects of parking.

These include some charges rising although many will stay the same, the removal of free parking in some areas, and extending the charging period during the day. The last time charges were increased was in 2008.

To take part in the consultation, people should log on to www.iwight.com/consultations and scroll down to the 'Parking Places Order'.

Councillor Jon Gilbey is the Executive member for resources and said: "Parking is an area that generates a lot of discussion across the Island and it is understandably something that a lot of people care about. In an ideal world we would not be proposing changes to parking but it has been well documented that the council is facing severe financial pressures and difficult decisions need to be made.

"We have already shown with areas such as the music service that we do listen during consultation and are prepared to make changes to original proposals. I can assure residents we will listen to every comment submitted to the council during the current consultation and I encourage anyone who has not sent in their views to do so before the deadline next Friday."

Following the consultation, a report will be prepared and is likely to be presented to the Executive in July before going to the Full Council.

£5,000 charity grant awarded by Wave 105 Cash for Kids Isle of Wight based charity, Challenge and Adventure, is thrilled to have received a £5,000 grant from Wave 105’s charity, Cash for Kids. The money will go towards funding the ‘Wilderness Challenge’ which the Challenge and Adventure team run every year for disadvantaged children on the island.

Challenge and Adventure was set up in 1992 to support less fortunate young people, and those with demanding behaviours, on the Isle of Wight. The charity uses adventurous and inspiring outdoor activities alongside tailored support, to encourage children to improve their self-confidence, self-esteem and their aspirations. The charity’s aim is to help young people to re-engage at school, home and in the wider community to get their lives back on track.

The annual ‘Wilderness Challenge’ sees a group of eight young people trekking across Scotland’s rugged landscape without any everyday luxuries or contact with home.

Phil Wells, assistant project manager from Challenge and Adventure, said: “The aim of our annual challenge is to show these youngsters that they can achieve anything they put their minds to. By taking part in both a physically and mentally demanding event, they learn to deal with many of the issues they may be facing, and the life skills they learn are invaluable. We are absolutely thrilled with the extremely generous donation from Wave 105 Cash for Kids, the money has helped us to fund our trip.”

Wave 105 Cash for Kids charity manager, Gloria Hill, said: “The Challenge and Adventure team do some fantastic work with vulnerable young people and really help to turn their lives around. Huge thanks to our loyal listeners and supporters for enabling us to award this grant.”

For further information on Challenge and Adventure visit: http://challengeandadventure.wordpress.com/

Wave 105’s Rick Jackson (front right) is pictured with Gary Meek, project manager and Phil Wells, Assistant project manager along with Charley Harris and Jaq Dyer.

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

Keeping Island streets cleaner and greener A new approach to the way the Island’s streets are kept clean has led to a dramatic decrease in the amount of waste material being sent to landfill.

In the last year alone, Island Roads have cleared over 5,000 tonnes of litter, dog waste and leaf fall to help keep roads on the Island clear of rubbish and more than two thirds of waste collected has been diverted from landfill for recycling.

The cleansing teams, who start work before most residents are awake each day, working in allocated zones across the Island, collect a large proportion of the waste by hand from litter bins, dog bins and using barrows on the streets.

Mechanical sweepers are also used where more practical and are often carried out twice a day and three times during the peak summer period, particularly in town centres and along seafront areas. The work also involves cleaning graffiti from public areas, clearing dead animals from the roadside and the disposal of scrap metal, plasterboard and soils – much of which can be taken to specialist recycling location to ensure the safety of passing traffic.

In terms of litter bin emptying, the busiest month is July when over 75 tonnes were collected while nearly 30 tonnes of dog mess was cleared from bins in the busiest month of August. The largest volume of leaf litter - some 226 tonnes – was, not surprisingly, collected in November while the most monthly debris yielded from mechanical sweeps was the 431 tonnes processed in March.

“Street cleansing is a year round operation and the demand on the services changes month by month for example during the summer months when more people are out walking their dogs, and when the volume of people visiting the island increases,” said Dave Wallis, Island Roads Environmental Manager.

“Island Roads has invested heavily in the latest equipment to ensure we are able to keep our streets clean as efficiently and as effectively as possible. We are also required to dispose of the materials collected in the most environmentally-friendly way and we are pleased that there has been a dramatic drop in the amounts of waste disposed to landfill.”

With many of those employed in this role having lived on the Island all their lives they take great pride in the work they do to keep the Island streets clean and free from litter.

Street Cleansing Supervisor Nigel Smith said: “Our teams work from early in the day until late into the evening to try and ensure that the Island is kept looking smart for the visitors that come to the Island and for residents living here and the teams take great pride in the work that they do.”

Island Roads Sweeper

Special fares for participants Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life returns to Southampton on Sunday 6 July 2014. With no race on the Isle of Wight this year, Red Funnel is pleased to offer Island residents wishing to take part an exclusive ferry discount. On race day, runners can get Red Jet or vehicle ferry foot passenger day return crossings for just £5 for adults and £2.50 for children*.

In addition to discounts specifically for runners, each Race for Life participant can get up to three discounted day return tickets per race number, allowing friends and family to come along to cheer them on. To claim the offer, race participants simply need to show their Race for Life race number on Sunday 6 July 2014, when travelling from East Cowes or West Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is a 5k or 10k women-only fundraising event, which raises money for research to help beat all 200 types of cancer. Race for Life Southampton will begin at Southampton Common, starting at 9am for the 10km race and at 11.30am for the 5km race, on Sunday 6 July 2014. To sign up for Race for Life visit http://raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org.

Court should be the last resort Disputes should be kept away from court and resolved using better, quicker and more efficient ways, Justice Minister Lord Faulks declared Lord Faulks repeated the government’s commitment to delivering a justice system that prevents the unnecessary escalation of disputes and makes more use of out-ofcourt alternatives like mediation, arbitration and conciliation.

Speaking at the Civil Mediation Council annual conference, Lord Faulks called on the mediation community to help people to resolve their disputes effectively, efficiently and fairly. He Said: “Government is leading by example by resolving issues away from court using alternatives which are usually quicker, cheaper and provide better outcomes. We are continuing to encourage others to do the same.”

Mediation is one of several forms of resolving disputes away from the expense and confrontation that going to court can cause. Mediation involves the two parties taking part in negotiations led by a qualified independent mediator to reach a solution they are prepared to keep.

CAMPAIGN URGES RESIDENTS TO BECOME DEMENTIA FRIENDS The IW Council is supporting a new national Dementia Friends campaign which aims to help people develop an understanding of dementia so that they can help people in their communities.

Dementia is one of the biggest health challenges facing the UK. On the Island it is estimated that around 2,500 people are living with dementia. The campaign, launched by Public Health England and Alzheimer’s Society, is encouraging people on the Isle of Wight to become a Dementia Friend. By watching a short video online or by attending a face-to-face information session, people will be able to increase their understanding of the condition and help those affected by it.

Work is already underway to make the Isle of Wight a Dementia Friendly Island, through a pilot project run by Age UK Isle

of Wight, supported by My Life A Full Life (MLAFL). The My Life a Full Life programme is a new way of delivering health and social care services on the Island to improve the lives of people needing care and support and help people families and carers to stay healthy and well.

Age UK have been working with Island businesses, organisations and services to raise awareness of the needs of people with dementia. To date dementia awareness training has been delivered to nearly 300 people working for Southern Vectis, the fire and rescue service and the library service. A ‘Safe journey card’ developed with Southern Vectis for a person with dementia to carry was launched to coincide with Dementia Awareness Week.

Councillor Steve Stubbings, executive member for adult social care and

community wellbeing, said: “There is some excellent work being undertaken on the Island to support residents with dementia and to raise awareness about how we can all play a part in supporting these residents.

This work is particularly important given the Island’s large elderly population and the more we all understand about the condition, the more we can do to support those living with it.”

Doctor Michelle Legg, clinical lead for dementia and older people at the Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group, commented: “One in three of us over the age of 65 will develop dementia, which is an incredibly high statistic. But people with dementia can live well, and it is the responsibility of the rest of the community to help them do so.

“It is only by personally understanding the

issues that people living with dementia face, can we fully appreciate the challenges they have to overcome on a day-to-day basis. By becoming a Dementia Friend, you are playing crucial role in helping us take one step closer to creating a dementiafriendly society on the Island.”

Dementia Friends is an Alzheimer’s Society initiative launched in 2013 to increase understanding and awareness. The new campaign aims to raise awareness and help create a network of one million Dementia Friends across England by 2015.

As part of the campaign, adverts are appearing on TV and online.

For further information on the campaign and how to become a Dementia Friend and how you can support dementia friendly communities on the Isle of Wight contact emma.lincoln@ageukiw.org.uk

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

ISLE OF WIGHT IS KING OF THE (SAND) CASTLE AGAIN FOR TOP BEACHES The Isle of Wight is once again top in the country for the amount of award winning Blue Flag and Seaside Award beaches.

The Island has retained the same four Blue Flags and 13 Seaside Awards it received in 2013, giving a total of 17 awards.

The prestigious Blue Flag scheme and Seaside Awards – which were previously known as Quality Coast Awards - are run by the Keep Britain Tidy Group. On the Blue Flag website, it describes itself as a prestigious, international award scheme which acts as a guarantee to tourists that a beach or marina they are visiting is one of the best in the world.

Sandown, Ventnor, Yaverland and Colwell beaches have all retained their Blue Flags as well as being given Seaside Awards. Other beaches to be given Seaside Awards are Cowes, East Cowes, Springvale,

Seagrove, Gurnard, Ryde East, St Helens, Totland and Shanklin.

Councillor Shirley Smart, Executive member for tourism said; "Yet again the Isle of Wight comes out top in the prestigious Blue Flags and Seaside Awards scheme which is excellent news.

"With the increase in tourists we have seen over the last year, this can only further enhance the Island's reputation as a top holiday destination.

David Thornton, the chief executive officer of Visit Isle of Wight said: “It is great to see that the Island’s beaches have once again achieved these seaside awards.

"Tourists pay special attention to Blue Flag beaches and Seaside Awards and this sends out a clear message that we’ve got some of the UK’s best beaches and is a great start to the summer season.”

OPEN DAY TO BE HELD AT CREMATORIUM The Isle of Wight Crematorium is hosting an open day for people to find out much more about the service.

It is also a chance to hear from the staff about how they approach helping families to commemorate the passing of their loved ones and maintaining the site as a memorial to those that have been passed through it.

The open day is being held on Sunday 1 June between 11am and 4.30pm and visitors will be given tours of the building and grounds and have the chance to ask any questions.

Recent improvements at the crematorium include new bridges in the Woodland Walk, which were damaged during the adverse weather earlier this year. The bridges mean visitors can now walk in areas near the copse that had been blocked off.

There will also be an opportunity to see how The Friends of the Crematorium are progressing with the transformation of the pond area into a Japanese style memorial garden for quiet reflection.

The day will conclude with a memorial service which will be held in the crematorium chapel at 4.30pm which will be led by Rev. Canon Graham Morris, to give families the opportunity to remember those they have lost.

NEWS

Red Funnel awarded its fourth President’s Award

For the fourth year running, Red Funnel has received the prestigious President’s Award for Occupational Health and Safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Awards 2014.

The award is presented to companies that have demonstrated a continued dedication to health and safety in the work place. Red Funnel is delighted to receive the prestigious award for the fourth year, after achieving 13 consecutive gold awards over the past 13 years.

Kevin George, CEO at Red Funnel, who attended the awards ceremony in Birmingham on 14 May, said: “Red Funnel is incredibly proud of this award which I have accepted on behalf of all our staff. The safety of our customers and staff is, and will remain, at the heart of everything that we do and it is a responsibility which we take incredibly seriously.”

The RoSPA Awards marks the largest and

longest-running programme of its kind in the UK, dating back 58 years. The scheme was formed to recognise and reward commitment to accident and ill health prevention by businesses and organisations of all types and sizes, both from the UK and abroad.

Bronze, silver, or gold merits are awarded across 20 categories, following careful scrutiny of the entrants’ accident records and health and safety management systems, along with leadership and involvement of the workforce in policy making.

PHOTO: The Red Funnel team receiving the President’s Award at the RoSPA Awards Presentation at the Birmingham NEC on 14 May 2014. Top row, left to right: Richard Holehouse, Kay Wheeler, Stacey Stanley, Angela Russel and Alistair Murdoch. Seated, left to right: Carl Hall, Richard Watts, Kevin George (Red Funnel CEO) and Chrissie Mullen.

The Isle of Wight Mail

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Isle of Wight showjumper Hayley Webster wins the KBIS Insurance Senior British Novice Second Round

26 year-old Hayley Webster from Ventnor with her mother Dawn’s 5 year-old skewbald gelding, LK Ten Cents won the 2014 KBIS Insurance Senior British Novice Second Round that continued this weekend at Crofton Manor Equestrian Centre in Stubbington, Hampshire. The second round was held on Saturday 17th May 2014 and seventy-one combinations battled it out with the aim of getting to the Championship Final.

All of the combinations were competing with the end goal of producing a treble clear in mind in order to qualify for the KBIS Insurance Senior British Novice Championship Final, which will be held at the Alexanders Horseboxes British Showjumping Scope Festival.

After producing two clear rounds, fifteen combinations made it through to the final jump off where five of these combinations then went on to produce the all-important treble clear.

Hayley and LK Ten Cents were was the penultimate combination to go in the jump off in which they took the win by posting their treble clear in 42.46 seconds.

Commenting on her win, Hayley said "It was such a surprise to win! I was very pleased with LK Ten Cents’ performance, he’s a home bred and we’ve really focussed on bringing him on slowly over the course of the past year.”

The Alexanders Horseboxes British Showjumping Scope Festival 2014 will take place from the 24th – 30th August 2014 at Staffordshire County Showground.

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

UNDERWATER STUDY OF WARSHIP WILL REVEAL HISTORICAL SECRETS A SCUBA diver is leading an underwater study of a Crimean warship which is one of the earliest examples of naval steam power.

Jane Maddocks, Underwater Heritage Advisor for the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), is hoping to unravel the secrets of SS Faith, which sunk in heavy seas in the English Channel, 12 miles south of the Isle of Wight, on December 30, 1855.

The cargo ship, which was built in a Birkenhead ship yard, belonged to the Turkish government and was on a delivery voyage to Constantinople when it floundered in stormy seas at the height of the Crimean War almost 160 years ago.

All of the crew were saved apart from one who sadly returned to his berth feeling unwell and wasn’t missed until it was unfortunately too late.

The wreck of the Faith now lies 39 metres down and marine archaeologist and BSAC First Class Diver and National Instructor, Jane Maddocks, is set to lead a project, backed by a £2,000 British Sub Aqua Jubilee Trust grant, which will plot what Jane believes is an important wreck historically.

BSAC is the national governing body for scuba diving and is made up of 120 dive centres and 1,000 plus family friendly and sociable clubs, run by volunteers, up and down the country and abroad.

It represents more than 30,000 scuba divers and snorkellers and welcomes new members from complete beginners upwards including those who have trained with other agencies.

Jane, 66, said the SS Faith is an unusual ship and a very early example of a steam powered ship that was also rigged out with full sails too.

She said: “It’s a fascinating wreck and I’m really looking forward to the project. She actually belonged to the Turkish government when she floundered in heavy seas and went down.

“Her bell was raised a few years ago and is in the Isle of Wight’s Shipwreck Museum. And although she lies in the English Channel, she is crucially in English waters. She was carrying a pretty ordinary cargo and on her way to Turkey when she sank.

“She was built in 1852 by Laird and Sons of Birkenhead and although built of iron and a steamship she had full sails too.”

Jane added: “She was built right on the cusp of the time when steam was replacing sail power.

But because she had both, and was propeller driven, she had flexibility.

“And although primarily a cargo ship she had been used as a troop ship taking soldiers to the Crimean War which is something we want to further research.”

Jane, who is a member of a number of BSAC affiliated clubs including Gosport Sub Aqua Club and Solent Archaeological Divers, said the diving expedition to map the wreck of the SS Faith has been made possible thanks to the £2,000 BSAC Jubilee Trust grant.

She said: “It is an important and rarely visited wreck. I have a core team of around 10 archeologically trained divers but there are up to 24 places available for BSAC divers to join us for two of the dives, on Thursday, July 3rd and Friday, July 4th.

“I really want sport divers to see that they can dive on important wrecks and contribute to archaeological projects without being highly trained or qualified.

“There are so many things we want to do and need good underwater photographers for example as well as engineers who know what they are looking at when it comes to engine parts for instance.”

She added: “Diving on wrecks at this depth might not be for everyone, it is pretty dark to be honest. The wreck of the SS Faith is pretty spread out and damaged by nature and the fact she has been submerged for almost 160 years.

“BSAC divers wanting to join us and get involved need to be able to dive using nitrox and be qualified to at least Dive Leader or a Sports Diver qualified to Accelerated Decompression Procedure (ADP) level or any diver qualified to use rebreathers.

“What is more important is that we get ordinary divers involved and appreciating important

wrecks, such as the SS Faith, and ensuring we learn as much as possible about them.”

Mary Tetley, BSAC Chief Executive, said: “Being a BSAC diver opens so many opportunities to get involved in fascinating underwater projects such as Jane’s and it will be fascinating to learn what her study uncovers.

“BSAC divers not only feel passionately about their sport but are motivated to also play their part in conservation projects to protect the underwater environment and historical studies such as this one which records important information for future generations to learn from.”

Dave Wendes, who will skipper the dive boat, Wight Spirit, for the project said he has researched the SS Faith which he describes as a fascinating vessel.

He said: “She is a very early example of a ‘screw’ (propeller driven) steamship and she was built just nine years after Brunel’s famous steamship SS Great Britain.

“She was kitted out with full sails. The problem being that steam engines, at that time, were pretty inefficient and the ship simply couldn’t carry sufficient coal to enable the ship to reach its destination port.

“And it needed sails in case the engine broke down, and they frequently did at this time. And she was made out of iron, again this was a time when iron was beginning to replace wooden ships.

“Interestingly all the riveting would have been done by hand too and that may have contributed to her loss. Apparently she had been at anchor in pretty rough weather a few days before she was lost and the chances are one or two of her seams opened up allowing her to take on water.

“After she set sail for Constantinople it seems bad weather returned and she quickly went down, nose first, with the loss of one life.”

He added: “It seems the crew all abandoned ship save one man who had gone to his berth feeling unwell. He was only missed when the crew, of around 20, did a head count and realised he was missing.”

Dave, who is the author of a book ‘South Coast Ship Wrecks off East Dorset and Wight’, says dives are planned on the SS Faith during June, July, August and September.

He said: “The wreck is pretty spread out on the seabed but there is plenty still to see and to be recorded. There are no builders’ plans left for the Faith so we want to look at what remains of the engine and its unusual square boiler. The cargo she carried was pretty ordinary and she was on her first voyage under new ownership after just having been sold to the Turkish government.

“It’s certainly an interesting wreck and I think the fact she was used as a Crimean War troop carrier adds quite a lot to her story. It is going to be an intriguing project.”

Any BSAC diver wanting more information about the SS Faith project can contact Jane Maddocks, e-mail jmaddocks25@gmail.com

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

NEWS

Charity begins at home for Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week As a local charity based in Cowes, but with an ever increasing national penetration, UKSA’s primary aim is to provide young people from all over the UK with transformational opportunities via sailing – and CEO Richard Thornton believes the core values of the organisation fit seamlessly with Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week: challenge on the water while also having fun.

He explained: “Being the chosen charity for the next two years 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 pioneering youth development programmes*. We have a range of exciting activities planned for the regatta, designed to promote inclusivity for all, and 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. That’s some 1,600 children we would love to get afloat! It’s often an exciting yet challenging time for pupils, on the cusp of transition from primary to secondary school, and the confidence gained by new experiences such as those provided by UKSA can be really helpful.”

Michelle Warner, Sales and Marketing Director at organisers Cowes Week Limited, said: “Supporting youth sailing is important for the future development of Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week and therefore it’s fitting to focus the charitable objectives of our event on this inclusive approach.”

Lynda Affleck, Head of Charitable Giving at title sponsors Aberdeen Asset Management, added: “As part of our investment in Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week we’re fully committed to providing opportunities for the next generation – as demonstrated by the highly successful youth initiative we introduced in 2012 to support crews of under 25 year-olds at the regatta – and this exciting new relationship with UKSA further cements our commitment to promoting youth participation in sailing.”

During the internationally famous regatta (2-9 August), UKSA will have a marquee at Cowes Yacht Haven where anyone can jump onboard one of three keelboats that will be regularly be setting sail. Learn the ropes from the best instructors around and experience an hour’s top sailing for just an affordable suggested donation.

Two of UKSA’s Farr 65 yachts are racing every day with a selection of celebrity skippers, from soap stars to Olympians, along with some of the youngsters who have transformed their lives through UKSA. Representatives of the media are also welcome to come and sail.

Three evenings of the week one of these ocean-going Farrs will be moored in the Yacht Haven for a ‘Boss up a Mast’ fundraising spectacle, whereby senior executives locked into a Spinlock Mast-Pro harness 100 ft up can only come down once they’ve gone through their mobile phone and urged their contacts to pledge some donations to UKSA. Aberdeen Asset Management has also agreed to donate £1 every time a race boat passes the Aberdeen Alpha mark for a start or finish, while UKSA are bringing dry-land miniature racing to the marquee in the form of little boats that are blown along gutters filled with water. Teams of competitors, spectators, businesses and the local community will be able to challenge each other.

All-comers to the event can make their own gutter boats using any material they like, with the only specification that the gutter boat must fit within the dimensions of an A5 piece of paper, so they fit in the guttering. A Top Gear style scoreboard will keep a record of who the champions are - and readymade gutter boats will also be provided for charter for impromptu racing.

Mr Thornton adds: “For all these activities we will ask a small donation from participants but the ultimate aim is to get people engaged and involved. We do need support, we welcome enquiries from potential volunteers and there are still some sponsorship opportunities to support us as official charity.”

If you’d like to volunteer anyone from your own organisation into the ‘Boss up a Mast’ fundraising event please let the UKSA know on 01983 294941.

The 2014 AAM Cowes Week runs from 2 – 9 August and entries are accepted for the full regatta or individual days. For further information please visit www.aamcowesweek.co.uk

Double Olympic Gold Medallist Shirley Robertson is joined by Richard Thornton (UKSA), Stuart Quarrie (Cowes Week Limited), Ellie Mainwaring (Aberdeen Asset Management) and UKSA ambassadors

HUNDREDS TAKE TO THE WATER ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

Glorious weather encouraged hundreds of people to come and celebrate RYA Push the Boat Out weekend on 17 and 18 May. Four clubs on the Island opened their doors at the weekend to invite people of all ages and abilities to come along and have a go at sailing and windsurfing, including Gurnard Sailing Club (SC), Royal Victoria Yacht Club, Brading Haven Yacht Club and Medina Valley Centre. Shanklin SC will be holding their event next weekend.

The clubs put on a mixture of opens days, demonstrations, have a go sessions and fun events for all the family. At Gurnard SC, like the others, the event was a resounding success.

“We ran a 'try a boat day' and invited new club members as well as the public,” reported the Club’s Liz Harrison.

“Our kitchen was open for tea and coffee, and we had various classes of dinghy available for people to take sailing. Twenty two people went afloat, and thirty six turned up altogether. We had around six membership applications as a result of the day, plus a number of children who want to sign up to our cadet programme and some adults who were interested in sail training.”

She added “It was a beautiful day, and while we waited for the afternoon wind to arrive we were able to show people around the club, and get them enthusiastic about joining, Our lovely location encourages them. One little girl, Christina, aged 7 told us it was the best day she had ever had!”

The Royal Victoria Yacht Club, near Ryde welcomed 21 visitors, laying on a number of different types of dinghies and offering RIB rides too. Steve Sheridan reported “We had one family join and another expressing a strong interest.”

At Brading Haven the Push the Boat Out Weekend 180 people visited the club on Saturday over the weekend with 69 people taking to the water. Robin Lobb reported “We had all our club boats available for members to take out including Optimists, Picos, Wayfarers and the Club Swan, which is a local boat. A fun race was held on the Saturday using a short course with a couple more serious races on the Sunday for people to join in or at least watch.”

The national event saw over 260 sailing clubs and centres up and down the country opening their doors to their local communities with Push the Boat Out ‘have a go’ sessions and open days.

RYA Club Support Advisor Jackie Bennetts said: “Push the Boat Out is all about giving people the opportunity to discover the sport at their local sailing club and to find out just how easy it is to get involved.

“We were delighted to see so many clubs and centres taking part in the weekend, running fantastic events for their local communities. Thank you to everybody involved for all of the hard work.”

For more information on RYA Push the Boat Out visit www.rya.org.uk/go/ptbo

COMMUNITY

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

COMMUNITY RESEARCH AND INFORMATION INTO EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS 29

VectisWeather Research into Extreme Weather on the Isle of Wight

WE JUST CAN'T DO THIS ON OUR OWN DONATE FROM £1 & BE PART OF THE LIGHTBOX PROJECT

projectlightbox A Public Lightning Detector for the IOW Can you help us kick-start this project?

“The Lightbox Project is a crowdsourced venture to raise funds for a long range lightning detector.”

Project Expenses: NEEDED: Lightning Detector £1,000 NEEDED: NexStorm Software £100 NEEDED: Local Background Maps £100 FUNDED: Website Design &Hosting £500 FUNDED: High Speed Broadband £800 FUNDED: Personal Lightning Detector £180 FUNDED: 2 HD Streaming Cameras £700 FUNDED: Computer Hardware £450 FUNDED: Android App Development £100 “We currently monitor lightning strikes within a 40 mile radius of the Island. With your help we can extend that to 300 miles and publish the real-time data online”

We’re hoping to raise enough money to purchase the Boltek 350 that will not only benefit the Island community and surrounding areas, but also provide the opportunity to expand on the current educational offerings and provide a look into atmospheric sciences using real, live weather data. For more information about our weather station and the equipment we currently use visit http://cowesweather.co.uk.

Follow @iowpl on twitter for all the latest updates http://www.twitter.com/iowpl

For more details please email vectisweather@gmail.com

VectisWeather and our affiliated websites are set up as non profit projects. We don't make any revenue from them and we don’t intend to. Make a donation today and help us get the project to the final stage.

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Data provided from the lightning detector will be made publicly available in real-time for the Isle of Wight Community to use.

Over £1 – Feel good knowing you’ve helped us research extreme weather conditions on the Isle of Wight Over £5 – Get your name/company listed on the website supporters page (links to a website if required) Over £10 – Get your name/company, logo and website listed at the top of the supporters page Over £50 – Get your name/company, logo and website listed at the top of the supporters page. You’ll also receive a ‘rotating banner’ on the side of the website Over £100 – Get your name/company, logo and website listed at the top of the supporters page. You’ll also receive a ‘static banner’ on the side of the website Over £200 – Get your name/company, logo and website listed at the top of the supporters page. You’ll also receive a ‘fixed banner’ on the front page of the site, a ‘rotating banner’ on the side of the website and a half page advert in the Isle of Wight Mail for 12 Issues Over £300 – Get your name/company, logo and website listed at the top of the supporters page. You’ll also receive a ‘fixed banner’ on the front page of the site, a ‘rotating banner’ on the side of the website, a half page advert in the Isle of Wight Mail for 12 Issues., a link on our twitter description and a tab on our facebook page

BE PART OF LIGHTBOX PROJECT: www.vectisweather.com/lightbox

ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT MAIL Visit www.iwmail.co.uk/advertising to see the new summer 2014 rates, sizes and special offers.

Call our sales team today on 01983 242095 / 07413 599 446 or email us via sales@iwmail.co.uk

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Appeal for information after flat fire Police are appealing for witnesses following a fire in a flat in High Street, Ventnor.

Officers were alerted to the fire just after 10.43pm on Wednesday, May 21.

Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service were on the scene. They had extinguished the fire and evacuated residents, none of which were injured.

Police are working with IWFRS in order to establish the cause of the fire and would be keen to speak to anyone who may have any information that could assist with those enquiries.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Isle of Wight Investigation Team at Newport police station by phoning 101 quoting crime ref 44140179072. Mini-Com users can call the police on 18001 101. Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

CALLS FOR UTURN ON CHARGES A Member of the Isle of Wight Council has written to the Cabinet Member responsible for parking charges calling for a u-turn on plans to raise charges and accusing the Independent Administration of treating motorists as “cash cows” to be milked for their money by the Council.

In a forthright letter to Cllr Jonathan Gilbey, who is Cabinet Member for Finances, Cllr Matthew Price (Conservative, Newport North) says: “Many of my local residents have told me that they are outraged at the proposal to charge the public to park until 8pm, this is unacceptable and extremely unfair. The residents and visitors which rely on parking in these public places will effectively have to pay to park when their day ends, the businesses which rely on people using them after or on the way home from work will suffer terribly. Businesses such as chip shops, takeaways, pubs, restaurants, convenience stores and other businesses which operate during the evening will have yet another disadvantage which I believe is likely to cause many of these businesses to cease trading.

“Frankly charging to park until 8pm is a disgraceful way for the IOW Council to make money, which is basically what this charge is for. Motorists, whether visitors or residents, should not be seen as “cash cows” to be milked in this way.”

The Medina Campus in Cllr Price’s ward has been the focus of particular concern, leading to the councilor adding: “I have been inundated with approaches from teaching and nonteaching staff of Medina College pointing out that the introduction of charges in the car parks will hit them hard. The same goes for users of the leisure centre.”

Cllr Price also goes on to highlight the record of the previous Conservative Administration saying: “The previous Conservative Administration managed to avoid any increase in parking charges and any reduction in free parking provision for six years in succession. In the interests of the Island economy we should be striving to match that restraint. These proposals should go back before the Full Council for reconsideration.”

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

Get 20% off Hovertravel with your Blue Card!

Island residents can now apply for a Blue Card which will make claiming a discount at Hovertravel even easier. The Blue Card entitles anybody that can prove residency in the Isle of Wight to an exclusive 20% off discount on day return fares.

Loretta Lale, Commercial & Marketing Manager at Hovertravel explains, "We have always offered a discount to Island residents and we wanted make claiming that discount even easier. By launching the Blue Card we can also start to introduce the ability to book online."

To get your Blue Card, simply take a proof of address to either the Ryde or Southsea terminals and request a sign up form at any of the counters. You can also apply online by searching ‘Blue Card’ in the search field on www.hovertravel.co.uk and then follow the required steps.

For now Blue Cards can only be used on bookings made inside the terminals, but very soon card holders will also be able

to claim their discount when booking online. Blue Card holders will also be sent additional special offers throughout the year!

■ For more information or to claim your

Blue Card now, please visit either of the Hovertravel terminals or go online at www.hovertravel.co.uk.

Yacht Francais Given Enough Rope to Float Free

Entente cordiale came by way of a tow rope in the Solent on Saturday 17th March, when Cowes lifeboat came to the rescue of a grounded French yacht.

The 29 foot Gavot II, with a couple and their two children aboard, had come to an abrupt halt on shingle and mud just west of the entrance of Newtown Estuary yesterday evening.

Responding to a Solent Coastguards

request, Cowes lifeboat was launched at 6.20 pm and on arrival on the scene found the yacht leaning at an acute angle.

Lifeboat helm Neil Archer put Tony Harris aboard with a tow-rope, and through some judicious manoeuvring by the lifeboat the yacht was eventually refloated. It was then free to return to its port of Lymington.

NEWS

IT'S “BLATANT DISCRIMINATION” A Councillor has written to senior education officers of Hampshire County Council complaining about “blatant discrimination” against an Island high school in the allocation of financial resources.

Cllr Chris Whitehouse, has rebutted claims

by Hampshire’s Assistant Director of Children’s Services, Felicity Roe, that the College’s budget lacked clarity and in which she was unable to offer any financial help, for which the College had been pleading, to assist it with the costs of its new sixth form building.

Cllr Whitehouse says: “Ever since its inauguration, Christ the King College has been blatantly discriminated against in the allocation of financial resources on the Island. This must now stop and Christ the King students should be treated equally to students in other schools where vast fortunes have been spent on under-occupied buildings which have led to a staggering 3,000 surplus high school places on the Island.

“Christ the King, a school which is knocking on the door of outstanding according to Ofsted, is understandably bursting at the seams and some of its classrooms were wholly inappropriate for the age of the students and the stage of their studies. That the Local Education Authority has systematically refused any significant funding for the new 6th form building is the latest example of this discrimination.”

In a letter copied to the Island MP, Andrew Turner, as well as to both the Anglican and Roman Catholic Bishops of Portsmouth, Cllr Whitehouse argues: “Given the many millions of pounds that officers are pushing to be spent on Cowes Enterprise College, which is hugely undersubscribed, it borders on the obscene that Christ the King College continues to be unfairly treated as it has been since the College was launched.”

Christ the King College, a joint Catholic and CofE School, is the only faith High School on the Island and provides places for Christian children from all over the Island as well as “community places” for children who are of other faiths and none. Hampshire County Council is now running education for the Isle of Wight Council under a Direction from Education Secretary, Michael Gove. Whitehouse was, however, at pains to make it clear that this is not a party political dispute, saying: “I have been at meetings with Cllr Richard Priest, who leads for the Independents on this issue, and I know he has considerable sympathy for the plight of Christ the King. It is just so frustrating that officers have been focusing on securing millions for Cowes Enterprise College whilst failing to acknowledge the needs of other high schools which are in awful situations.”

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NEWS

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

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Oar-some Memories Challenge sets sail for Dementia Awareness

eBay Hacked: Users requested to change their passwords eBay Inc said it will be asking eBay users to change their passwords because of a cyberattack that compromised a database containing encrypted passwords and other nonfinancial data. After conducting extensive tests on its networks, the company said it has no evidence of the compromise resulting in unauthorized activity for eBay users, and no evidence of any unauthorized access to financial or credit card information, which is stored separately in encrypted formats.

However, changing passwords is a best practice and will help enhance security for eBay users.

Cyberattackers compromised a number of employee log-in credentials, allowing unauthorized access to eBay's corporate network, the company said. Working with law enforcement and leading security experts, the company is aggressively investigating the matter and applying the best forensics tools and practices to protect customers.

The database, which was compromised between late February and early March, included eBay customers’ name, encrypted password, email address, physical address, phone number and date of birth. However, the database did not contain financial information or other confidential personal information. The company said that the compromised employee log-in credentials were first detected about two weeks ago. Extensive forensics subsequently identified the compromised eBay database, resulting in the company’s announcement.

The Oar-some Memories Challenge 2014 will see 12 intrepid amateur kayakers paddle their way around the Isle of Wight to raise awareness of, and funds for, services for those affected with dementia on the island.

The team, led by Rob Prewer, will set off from Newport on Saturday 13th September and make their way around the Island’s coastline in stages over the next 7 days, with the goal of returning into Newport by the River Medina on Saturday 20th September. They will also be hosting a series of ‘pop-up’ fundraising events to coincide with their stops along the way.

Rob explains how the idea for the challenge came about: “The original idea to do a kayaking event came from Adrian and Dave, the first two members of our group. I picked up on this and the concept went from 'a great idea over a pint' to the reality of the 'Oar-some Memories Challenge'.

“We quickly gathered forces and support, and now we have 12 kayakers (some of whom are novices at the moment), friends and colleagues from East Cowes and Age UKIW who have committed themselves to this cause.

“We all wanted to raise awareness and support dementia services because it is amazing to realise that some 3,500 people are directly affected by dementia on the Isle of Wight. BUT the true figure of those affected is many thousands more when family and friends are included.”

To officially launch the challenge, and to kick-off a very full summer of fundraising, the team organised a run of events to coincide with national Dementia Awareness Week.

Amongst other fundraising the group will be selling raffle tickets for the chance to win the Oar-some Kayak Package, which consists of everything you need to get out on the water. Including a Tootega Pulse 95 Kayak with paddle and seat generously donated by Earth, Wind and Water; Voucher for a wetsuit, wetsuit shoe and buoyancy aid from BMS Marine Engineers; Kayak wheels, dry bag and other accessories from Wight Island Kayaks and a set of Kayak Lessons with Tackt Isle Adventures I.O.W. Ben Rust, Age UK Isle of Wight’s Fundraising Coordinator said: “The amount of work the team have put into organising everything so far has been amazing, they’re so driven and dedicated to making this a success and it’s going to be great fun working with them over the next few months. All of us at Age UKIW are incredibly grateful for their support and we really hope that the Island will get behind the team as they take on their challenge.”

The Oar-some Memories Team will be at a range of events over the coming months, including the Old Gaffer’s Festival (30th May – 1st June), the Festival of Flowers at Barton Manor (8Th June), Cowes Week and the Wolverton Manor Garden Fair (30th – 31st Aug).

■ To keep fully up-to date with the challenge, and to find out what other events they have planned please find them on Facebook/oar-somememories or give Age UKIW a call on (01983) 525282.

The company said it has seen no indication of increased fraudulent account activity on eBay. The company also said it has no evidence of unauthorized access or compromises to personal or financial information for PayPal users. PayPal data is stored separately on a secure network, and all PayPal financial information is encrypted. eBay users will be notified via email, site communications and other marketing channels to change their password. In addition to asking users to change their eBay password, the company said it also is encouraging any eBay user who utilized the same password on other sites to change those passwords, too. The same password should never be used across multiple sites or accounts.

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Isle of Wight Mail | Friday 2 May 2014 Isle of The Wight Mail – Friday, 30th May 2014

Isle of Wight Sports

ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT MAIL Visit www.iwmail.co.uk/advertising to see the new summer 2014 rates, sizes and special offers.

Call our sales team today on 01983 242095 / 07413 599 446 or email us via sales@iwmail.co.uk