A launchpad for positive thinking

RIBA AWARDS CELEBRATES

ISLAND BUSINESSES

The RIBA design awards, held in conjunction with the Isle of Wight Conservation Society, took place at Northwood House this August. It was the first awards held since 2018 due to the pandemic and there was a great selection of excellent architecture put forward.

There were two new awards this year in honour of two cherished architects, Chris Butterworth and Martin Pearce, who have recently passed away. Both Architects were outstanding men in their field and are sorely missed in the Island’s small architectural community. The Chris Butterworth award for Works to Existing Buildings went to Rose Cottage in Shorwell by HMS Architects for owner Lisa Toyne. The builder was LSC Builders and the award was kindly presented by Chris’s son, Tim Butterworth.

The Design Awards Commendation went to Howgate Orchard, designed by Modh for Mr and Mrs Andrew Watt and built by J.R Buckett and Sons. The Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Sheldon, kindly presented the award.

Overall Winner, Providence Farm, by Modh. Judges commented on ‘A careful considered approach to reinterpreting this agricultural building in its natural environment, really sensitive consideration of details, use of materials and design considered views from the building to the surrounding landscape.’ The Martin Pearce Award for Architectural Integrity and The Overall Winner of the RIBA Design Awards 2022 went to Providence Farm by Modh, for Keith and Sarah Davey, built by J.R Buckett and Sons. The Martin Peace award was kindly presented by Martin’s wife, Lorraine Pearce and the Overall Winner award presented by the Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Sheldon. Leah Mew, Chairwoman of RIBA IOW, closed the awards by thanking all the nominees, architects, owners, builders, committee members and supporters for their ongoing contribution to the awards and congratulating them for all their hard work and dedication to creating outstanding architecture on the Island.

A LAUNCHPAD FOR POSITIVE CHANGE

By Dale Howarth BUSINESS MENTOR AND CONSULTANT

In today’s turbulent and competitive times, the fear of making mistakes can become the biggest obstacle to moving forward in business and life. With constant negative stories across the media, it’s easy to understand why self-doubt is consuming so many, eroding confidence at a time we need all the confidence we can get to make the right decisions and navigate the troubled waters ahead.

We are not born with a fear of failure and making mistakes, it’s something that develops in all of us as we get older. In fact, very young children have no fear of failure at all. They have great fun trying new things and learning very fast – through failure and the mistakes they make. Positively embracing the concept of failure can become a launchpad for positive change. As John Backus, the American computer scientist responsible for the first computer programming language said, “My willingness to fail, gives me the ability to succeed.” Business and life is all about pushing your limits and taking risks. Making mistakes should be expected; it’s natural. I am not proposing that you make them on purpose. But if they happen (and they will), they should not simply be ignored or dwelled on and panicked over. It isn’t so much about avoiding mistakes but rather embracing the idea that they will happen and when they do, being willing to learn. It’s not necessarily the mistake that causes us the issue, it’s how we perceive and react to it that can be the real and often long-term problem. With every mistake, we discover more about our business and ourselves. Our limits, capabilities, and what we can and cannot do. The more practice we get at failing, the better equipped we are to deal with it. We also start to understand how to better frame problems and convert setbacks into opportunities. Too many allow the fear of failure to paralyse them, something few of us can afford. How can we expect to develop and learn anything new if we don’t allow ourselves to make mistakes? I have seen the fear of failure cripple businesses and paralyse individuals, preventing them from taking any risks at all - which simply works to automatically cut off new opportunities. If you simply play it safe you will have more and more regrets about the things you didn’t do rather than the things you did, ultimately you will regret not having made more mistakes. The fear of being nothing and achieving nothing should be far more important than the fear of making mistakes.

Dale Howarth is a Business Mentor and Business Growth Consultant. Working with individuals and companies to make the business leaders and businesses successes of tomorrow. To find out more visit www.dalehowarth.com

JOURNEY’S END

- Apollo Theatre, Newport

Are you looking for a genuine experience that draws you in, envelops and enthrals you - before making a point you’ll never forget? Come to R.C. Sherriff’s anti-war classic JOURNEY’S END at the Apollo Theatre – November 1st to 5th. It’s an amazing coup for the Apollo that IW-based professional theatre company Theatre Reviva! are to open their new immersive, gripping production of Journey’s End on November 1st before touring on the mainland.

Set in an extraordinarily realistic frontline dug-out during the First World War, the story plays out over four days in March 1918, as five British Officers wait for an upcoming attack. Full of beautifully observed humanity and understated heroism, R.C.Sherriff drew on his own experiences in the trenches whilst a Captain in the East Surrey Regiment. Journey’s End is especially poignant now, as Russia continues its Ukraine invasion. Lest we forget. “No other British play about the Great War by a veteran, has ever topped it,” declares Director, and IW resident, Graham Pountney. “We are delighted to bring this amazing production to the Island, after Covid postponed it over a year ago! It’s also very fitting in the lead-up to Remembrance Week and Poppy Day. Not to be missed.”

With this production Theatre Reviva! is helping two veterans’ charities - the RBL Poppy Appeal and SSAFA – to raise funds and awareness of their military families’ welfare work. Tickets from www.apollo-theatre.org.uk and Box Office: (01983) 210010