Style scoop: our seasonal round up of places to go, people to meet, and things to know

the Style scoop Welcome to the Style of Wight team’s seasonal roundup of places to go, people to meet, and things to know across the Isle of Wight ‘Tis the season for….

Art, with feeling “…from whence things emerge from the hidden into the seen…” says Island artist Freya Purdue, who presents a major solo exhibition of work created over the last 10 years at Quay Arts’ Clayden Gallery this autumn. The exhibition – Murmurs from the Wide River – refers to the quiet calling sounds that flow like a vein of gold through us all, runs from 4th September to 23rd October.

Pumpkin picking

Join Wanda the Witch and her team of Scatty Scarecrows in the Magical Pumpkin Patch at Tapnell Farm Park this Halloween half term.

For a real whopper, a trip to Farmer Jack’s famous pumpkin hut at Arreton Barns Craft Village is a must. Starting something new: we’re quietly working up the courage to join the informal and welcoming Ventnor Exchange Poetry Collective, a new space for writers and performers to experiment and develop their craft in a supportive environment under the guidance of champion Island poet King Stammers.

Getting lost in literature

At the time of press, Style of Wight was eagerly awaiting the announcement of this year’s Isle of Wight Literary Festival Lineup. Watch this (bookish) space! We’re looking forward to getting our hands on the latest issue of Brevity, the Isle of Wight’s literary handbill of flash fiction. P.S. If you’ve ever wondered where offduty Editors hang out, make sure you check between the spines and betwixt the shelves at St. Helens recently refurbished second-hand bookshop The Goose, where a Sea of Adventure (signed by Enid Blyton herself) and more awaits.

Consuming cosy culinary curries

Taking the slow train

(we’ll let you into a Style secret: Masala Bay in Ventnor does the best Lamb Paprikash on the Island. Fact.) And chilli and coriander spiced cocktails, like this Pink Gin Picante at Isle of Wight Distillery’s The Mermaid Bar.

Top of our reading list Personally recommended by Lucy Davies at Medina Books in Cowes, Island Dreams by Gavin Francis examines our collective fascination with islands through psychology, philosophy and literature.

Discover the history of the Island’s oldest locomotives at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway’s popular Heritage Days, on 19th September and 17th October.

And take part in Independent Arts’ exciting new living social history project ‘8 Miles’ by sharing your memories of the Isle of Wight’s Island Line @independentartsiow

Heavenly music Soul-lifting music returns to the Island with the seventh annual Harp on Wight International Festival taking place in Ryde from 22nd to 26th October. A diverse range of concerts, teaching workshops and harp exhibitions will showcase this beautiful instrument.

Let’s make it happen

The Isle of Wight could be home to an Afghan family in need of safety, if a property can be found. Island landlords with a property they could make available can find out more about the government’s relocation scheme by contacting hello@actioniw.org.uk

Well done Team Glanvilles Damant

For jumping out of a plane to raise money for the Wessex Cancer Trust 40th Birthday Fundraiser. Partner Hannah Lisseter says “We are so proud of our team: always putting others first, they are an absolute inspiration to us all.”

Walking the Wight

Four months later than usual, the iconic annual 26 mile Walk the Wight in aid of Mountbatten returns on 12th September. Nigel Hartley, Mountbatten CEO says “It will certainly be an inspiring and emotional sight to see”