Style of Wight MARCH APRIL 2024

ATLANTIC CROSSING

3 Men in a boat

S unday lunches

SPRING INTO... FAMILY FUN

I. ST HELENS £1,750,000

Stunning period home and separate cottage overlooking a beautiful nature reserve, Bembridge Harbour approach and the eastern Solent. EPC D

II. CALBOURNE £975,000

Stone-built period detached four bedroom home with paddocks (approx. 6.5 acres), heated swimming pool and outbuildings. EPC F

III. BEMBRIDGE £535,000

Charming period home with light and comfortable accommodation, off road parking and enclosed landscaped gardens. EPC D

IV. TOTLAND BAY £799,950

Recently upgraded five bedroom detached house. Sea views to the rear, good sized gardens, garage and parking for several cars. EPC C

II

IV

Guide Price £1,200,000

Cowes, Isle of Wight

Complete renovation and largely extended, designed by the well regarding local company Modh Design. This home gives flexible accommodation with flair, offering 4/5 bedrooms, super open plan living space, driveway and a good size garden backing on to Cowes Golf Course. MUST BE SEEN.

Guide Price £1,225,000

Cowes Seafront, Isle of Wight

3 storey townhouse with front row sea views just a short flat stroll into Cowes past the Squadron. 4 bedrooms, one with vaulted ceiling and ‘Juliet’ balcony, super sitting room with clear sea views and well equipped kitchen. Great full time or part time home with rental opportunity. CHAIN FREE.

Guide Price £1,200,000

Bonchurch, Isle of Wight

Currently run as a super successful holiday let giving a great investment opportunity, Haviland Cottage oozes charm in every corner with 4/5 bedrooms, 2/3 receptions, parking and a wonderful mature garden with outbuildings. CHAIN FREE.

Guide Price £995,000

Cowes Old Town Seafront, Isle of Wight

Tucked away just off the High Street, this large 4/5 bedroom split level apartment has direct access to the sea with ample outside space on three levels including a terrace, large balcony and roof terrace with FANTASTIC harbour views. CHAIN FREE.

FABULOUS MODERN HOME

FANTASTIC SEA VIEWS

DELIGHTFUL COTTAGE WITH LARGE GARDEN

ROOF TERRACE WITH HARBOUR VIEWS

Helping you find your perfect home...

Guide Price £699,950 Gurnard, Isle of Wight

Detached home nestled in a superb spot with westerly far reaching sea views across open countryside taking in the glorious Gurnard sunsets, this home has just come back to the market. Good sized rooms over two floors, double garage, large garden with detached annex.

NOT TO BE MISSED.

Guide Price £450,000 Cowes, Isle of Wight

Detached home with 4 bedrooms and easily two possible home offices in addition to 2 receptions, kitchen and utility. Driveway parking and easy access to local green space.

GREAT FAMILY HOME.

mccarthyandbooker.co.uk

Guide Price £550,000 Blackwater Hollow, Isle of Wight

Very well presented home with character and a super garden leading down to a brook. Annex potential, two reception rooms one with a wood burner, gorgeous kitchen, utility and 4 bedrooms and a drive in-out driveway. MUST BE SEEN.

Guide Price £575,000 Ventnor, Isle of Wight

This home offers SO MUCH opportunity! Arranged over 4 levels and 4 possible separate living spaces, can be lived in by a muti generational family or run as a fabulous self contained apartment style holiday let with generous owners accommodation. With gorgeous SEA VIEWS, six parking spots and a terraced garden, this should be on your MUST VIEW list.

BOULDNOR

■ Wonderful, detached farmhouse in Bouldnor

■ The property extends across 1 acre.

■ Short distance from harbour town of Yarmouth.

■ Situated nearby a beautiful nature reserve.

THE LAKEHOUSE

Bathingbourne

BATHINGBOURNE

■ A stunning and secluded property set in the hamlet of Bathingbourne.

■ An energy efficient home spanning 2700 sq. ft .

■ 4.5 acres of grounds including two fishing lakes.

■ An additional paddock of 1 acre available by separate negotiation.

TOTLAND BAY

■ Situated in the rural outskirts of Totland Bay.

■ A wonderful semi-detached family home.

NODEWELL

■ Includes recently built garden accomodation.

■ This property also benefits from a separate recently constructed garden building.

Bathingbourne, Sandown, PO36 0LU

BRADING

■ A large, well appointed manor house.

ROWBOROUGH MANOR

■ Undergone major refurbishment, creating a modern living space.

■ Complemented by a studio and large garage.

■ The property extends across 1.65 acres.

£1,250,000

Set in just under five acres surrounded by stunning countryside is this charming barn conversion. The current owners have completely transformed the property to create a spacious yet homely dwelling.

£500,000

*CHAIN FREE* Situated in sought after Upper Lane in the West Wight village of Brighstone is this detached property with accommodation comprising entrance porch, hall, living/dining room, kitchen, breakfast room, shower room and WC on the ground floor.

£1,050,000

Superb sea views, predominantly a single-story home, extended and upgraded throughout. Slightly elevated and overlooking the mature grounds that measure just over 1 acre. A sociable property with a large sitting room that maximises the reach of the vista across the English Channel.

Situated in a private cul-de-sac and near to the beach and local amenities. This three bedroom detached bungalow has a large living room that opens to the sunny patio and enclosed secluded garden.

Hunny Hill, Brighstone, PO30

4/5 | EPC E

Upper Lane, Brighstone, PO30

4 | EPC C

The Brambles, Bembridge, PO35

3 | EPC TBC £550,000

Newport Road, Godshill, PO38

3 | EPC F

Pic:

Note from the Editor

Three is the magic number…

As you browse this edition, you’ll discover that spring has arrived on our pages. We are all getting ready for new beginnings and Easter alludes to the promise of renewal, as we bring families together, embracing warmer weather and lighter evenings as our diamond of a home starts to sparkle that little but more.

Editor

Christian Warren christian@styleofwight.co.uk

Sub Editor

Helen Hopper

Production Assistant office@styleofwight.co.uk

Writers

James Rayner, Rebecca Lawson, Roz Whistance, Dale Howarth

Design and Creative

Tim Mander, Christian Warren, Lauren Fry

Photography

Christian Warren, Julian Winslow

Sales

Christian Warren

christian@styleofwight.co.uk

Distribution

office@styleofwight.co.uk 01983 861007

We

Every

Our lead interview sees us catch up with three intrepid adventurers as our local Mermaid returns from an epic Atlantic row. We ask them how friendships were tested and camaraderie deepens with the sharing of such an intense and intimate journey.

Our Easter-themed kitchen masterclass showcases an inventive take on dippy eggs and soldiers, with Liam Howes of the Heron Restaurant in Ryde. Three is the magic number for a special reunion at the Seaview Yacht Club for the Hayward family of chefs – see page 53. When we think of family celebrations around food, it has to be the traditional Sunday Lunch – we reveal special feasts for all to enjoy on pages 56 to 59.

Flowers are blooming in our garden section, with Ventnor Botanic Garden curator Chris Kidd who highlights three diverse and decorative spring flowers to keep your eyes peeled for. Homes and interiors sees a spring awakening with new trends and fresh inspiration. And our Destination Cowes feature reveals some new independent retailers and dining destinations on pages 48 to 51.

A bee once whispered in my ear, “Open the window and let spring fall in,”* and in turn I say to you, open the pages of Style of Wight and let spring fall out.

Christian Warren

Editor

*a very personal music reference for some dear friends of mine that are bringing their family back together after a 13 year break – I Love You.

Christian Warren

Get in touch

8

www.styleofwight.co.uk

Cover

Holly Kirby see page 30

...easter

gift hunt

With Easter well on its way, we decided to fill this issue’s basket with a fresh and vibrant selection of goods from some of our favourite local makers and sellers. From cleansing tonics and fragrant flowers to stripy curtains that seem like a breath of fresh air, this handpicked selection should feel like a little spring clean for mind, body, and home.

CUSHIONED COMFORT

Fit for any chair, bed, or settee, liven up your living areas with this hand-printed cushion, inspired by the seaweeds of Bembridge Beach. Made in a studio on St. Helens Duver by textile designer Jane Crofts, this inky blue and white combination will bring a little of the outdoors in, whilst being super stylish and comfy too.

janecrofts.co.uk

JOYFUL JUICES

Cleanse your way through the spring with these invigorating, cold-pressed juices, tonics and shots from Elixir Freshly Frozen. Made on the Island by Kate and Lauren and delivered frozen for maximum freshness, the options include an anti-inflammatory Celery Tonic, a toxin removing Charcoal Lemonade or a hydration boosting Pumpkin Spice.

elixirfreshlyfrozen.com

MOTIVATION IN A MUG

If it’s time to knuckle down with those projects you’ve been putting off forever and a day, then fill up this tasteful mug from Nervous Wreck Designs. Powered by the strongest of coffees you should be ticking things off in no time at all. Pop into the delightful Bath Road shop of Sarah James-Booth to snap yours up.

Nervous Wreck Designs, Bath Road, Cowes

CORDIAL MOMENTS

If you haven’t already tried Ventnor Botanic Garden’s Eucalyptus Cordial, then you’re certainly missing out. Made from the garden’s very own eucalyptus leaves, it’s full of antioxidants and makes a great mixer for cocktails or mocktails. Try with orange juice and a slice of lime, or mix with gin and a splash of dry vermouth for a different take on a martini.

hillhassall.co.uk

HEAVEN SCENT

Bursting with fresh, sparkling aromas of grapefruit, sweet orange and a hint of mint, this mood-boosting diffuser from Duxmore Botanics is just the thing for any spirits in need of a lift. Made on a downland farm near Ashey, Charlotte Legge uses her aromatherapy skills and beauty industry background to create healing, botanical-based products (like this one) that are pretty hard to beat!

duxmorebotanics.co.uk

STYLE PICKS

BAGS OF SPRING STYLE

If some new additions to the wardrobe department are on the cards, then take a look at the bright and finely crafted crossbody bags from RheAmore. Founded on the Island in 2018, each bag is made from scratch by owner Rheanna, using top-notch leather and the same techniques as the big luxury brands. Not just a local secret, the company even made a recent pop-up appearance at John Lewis in Kingston.

rheamore.myshopify.com

MAKE A NOTE

Time to start making plans?

Well maybe invest in a crisp new notebook to start writing them down in. Try these stylish ones from Eastbourne-based stationery designers Sukie, for example. Manufacturedin the UK and covered with a unique hand-marbled design created by artisans in India, you can find them on sale in the inviting emporium that is Shanklin’s Babushka Books.

Babushka Books, 67 Regent Street, Shanklin

SPRING CLEAN FOR SKINCARE

Perhaps after all that spring cleaning it’s time to level up your skincare routine. Try this Daily Revival Edit from Nature’s Journey, for example, including a nurturing day cream, conditioning lip balm, and radiance face oil, each infused with calming American-grown CBD. The company (which counts an Islander or two amongst its top team) is also ethical, sustainable, and a certified B Corp, so it’s a win-win all round.

naturesjourney.co.uk

STYLE NEWS

Get that sharpener at the ready, because there are plenty of dates you’ll be wanting to pencil into your calendar this spring! From immersive theatre to seaside fossil walks, the Island has all sorts going on this March and April, perfect for keeping every member of the family entertained (plus they’ll make that long school break feel a bit less of a drag too!)

Island Car Centre Sandown Sprint

20th - 21st April

Culver Parade, Sandown

Returning to the seafront of Sandown for 2024, the Sandown Sprint sees up to a hundred cars, both vintage and modern, speeding along the Parade in meticulously timed trials - all with the chalky cliffs of Culver Down as the backdrop. Organised by Tim Addison and the Isle of Wight Car Club, the event revives the Island’s long history of speed trials and rallies that were a frequent occurrence up until the late 1950s. Expect purring engines, shining car mascots and a healthy burst of car-fuelled adrenaline. isleofwightspeedtrials.co.uk

Compton Bay Fossil Walks

9th and 23rd of March

Compton Bay

In collaboration with the National Trust, Wight Coast Fossils are sharing their expertise in palaeontology (the study of dinosaurs and other ancient life) with two fascinating fossil walks at Compton Bay. Once wellies are donned and macs zipped up, guide Megan will set the scene with an engaging talk before leading the group to see the famous Hanover Point dinosaur footprints. After that, she’ll help visitors to scan the shoreline themselves, and hopefully some lucky participants will find their own fragments of fossilised bone, teeth or wood. Booking is essential so reserve your spot now to avoid disappointment.

wightcoastfossils.co.uk/national-trust-fossil-walks/

.co.uk

Photo Credit - Tim Jeffreys

Family Supper with Magical Entertainment

3rd and 11th of April

The Garlic Farm, Newchurch

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

5th April

Quay Arts Centre, Newport

For one day only, the Anthony Minghella Theatre hosts a magical 55-minute theatrical adaptation of Alice in Wonderland — including a dozen colourful handmade puppets. quayarts.org/events

Delicious food and an evening of magic and mystery are on offer at the Garlic Farm this April, with entertainment provided by the talented (and hilarious) local magician ‘Huxley Magic’.

thegarlicfarm.co.uk

Easter Egg Hunt

31st March

Ventnor Botanic Garden

From 11am to 2pm on 31st March, amongst the eucalyptus bushes and elegant palms of the Ventnor Botanic Garden, families can hunt for a hidden array of delicious Easter eggs, scattered by the Easter Bunny himself.

botanic.co.uk/whats-on

Pirate Taxi

10th - 14th April

Ventnor Exchange (On Tour)

Monster Mayhem

26th and 27th March

Shanklin Theatre

With a lineup that includes vampires, werewolves and zombies, fans of all things spooky won’t want to miss this freakishly entertaining theatre show in Shanklin. Beginning with a lighthearted storyline, followed by a monster cabaret in the second half — it’s sure to give you a goosebump or two.

shanklintheatre.com

Keep your eyes peeled across the Island as the Pirate Taxi circus show makes its way across the local area. Taking place in and around an old London taxi, the show includes humour, live music, and an extraordinary aerial performance. ventnorexchange.co.uk/whats-on

Three Men

The Highs and Lows of a Cross-Atlantic Rowing Challenge

Words: James Rayner | Photography: Julian Winslow

Men in a Boat

Safely back home, after 43 days, 17 hours, and 58 minutes of rowing the high seas, the events of the Mermaid Atlantic challenge are still sinking in. With their chafe marks healing and former weight returning, its three Isle of Wight rowers now have a chance to process the enormity of the challenge they took on and everything it threw at them along the way.

Wanting to know what happened — from the moment their oars first touched the waves, off the Spanish island of La Gomera, to the point they finally glided into the crystal clear Caribbean waters of Antigua — we took a trip to Mermaid H.Q. Here, rowers Xavier Baker and Paul Berry filled us in on their epic adventure, with the third, Chris Mannion (a.k.a. Manni), joining by phone.

Their challenge — Mermaid Atlantic 2023 — saw them race 3,000 nautical miles across the choppy Atlantic Ocean in an endeavour notoriously labelled the world’s toughest row. “It was certainly brutal,” Xavier laughs, “sometimes we were thinking, ‘it can’t get much worse than this,’ but mother nature would throw a curve ball, and it would then get even tougher.” Facing twenty-foot waves, unpredictable weather, and being separated from family and friends for more than six long weeks, the trio took on the mission to raise awareness of how human interference

is threatening our seas, all whilst raising thousands of pounds for environmental charities too.

“We’d barely set off when we were nearly hit by a tanker,” Paul adds, “and, for the first week, we all had hallucinations. Sleeping in the forward cabin — which feels like you’re inside a washing machine at the best of times — you could hear the weirdest sounds, like dogs barking and music playing. Sometimes you’d convince yourself the others were complaining about you, but once you leaned out of the cabin, you’d realise it was completely in your head.”

The rowers had to quickly adapt to all sorts of challenges and hardships, from washing in a bucket to a lack of sleep and next to no privacy — a million miles from their daily lives back on the Island, as a gin distiller, firefighter, and surf school instructor. “The food was a real struggle,” Xavier adds. “Paul didn’t eat a lot of it. We’d bought these

Seeing the Milky Way stretching from one horizon up and over 180 degrees to the other horizon — it certainly put me, life, and a lot of other things into perspective.

packs of dehydrated food, many of which were acidic, tomato-based meals which led to some pretty unpleasant reflux. On Christmas Day, though, we had gravy and croutons while wearing our elf hats, which definitely helped lift the mood.”

Reaching the middle of the Atlantic, the remoteness and isolation began to sink in for the Mermaid crew. Not seeing passing ships or even much wildlife for days on end presented a serious mental challenge. “I definitely underestimated how the remoteness would affect me,” explains Chris. “It made me question why I was putting myself and my family in this situation as the Atlantic is huge and so much could go wrong. Maybe that’s why most people choose not to do it!”

Meanwhile, for Xavier, the insignificance of their bobbing fibreglass boat in contrast to the mighty Atlantic Ocean certainly got him thinking. “One of the things I wanted to understand during this row was the true sense of the word ‘vast’. Rowing at night and seeing the Milky Way stretching from one horizon up and over 180 degrees to the other horizon whilst sitting in the middle of the ocean — it certainly put me, life, and

The Atlantic is huge and so much could go wrong. Maybe that’s why most people choose not to do it!

a lot of other things into perspective. An absolutely incredible thing to experience.” Whilst at sea, the team set themselves two main aims, to cross the finish line and not to fall out with each other along the

way. Initially planning to do everything by committee, they soon found themselves falling into different roles, which led to a generally tension-free row. “From my time in the Royal Navy and working with the Coastguard, I found myself in the role of skipper,” Paul tells us, “whilst Manni helped keep everything clean and sterilised, and stopped any annoying squeaks the boat would start making. We took it in turns to row, an hour and a half on, an hour and a half off, as well as taking turns to sleep in the cabin.”

With albums of reggae music keeping their spirits high, Xavier, Paul, and Chris powered through and reached the island of Antigua late at night on the 26th January, forty-three days after they first set off. At their weakest and most exhausted, they had to contain their excitement whilst navigating headlands, reefs, and shipwrecks, before finally coming into harbour. “We’d been at sea for so long, and it was 11pm, pitch black,” Xavier explains, “then all of a sudden a race boat appeared from nowhere with a spotlight and tannoy to welcome us; we felt like a rabbit in the headlights.”

Shuffling onto dry land, the team had an emotional reunion with their families and were soon tucking into their first proper meal for weeks — a burger and chips, provided by the race sponsors. “The first thing I said to my family was, ‘I’m never going away from you all for that length of time again’,” says Chris, “which I think speaks for itself.” Soon, they were dropped off by taxi at their Antiguan AirBnB to begin their rest and recuperation, building up their strength before heading home to Britain a few days later.

Now, a month on, there’s still a lot to process for the rowers. “During the challenge, I was expecting to be pulled apart brick by brick,” Xavier smiles, “and then put back together, rebuilt. However, whilst I definitely felt pulled apart, I think the reconstruction is still ongoing, there are a lot of thoughts and emotions still to process. Now on dry land again, I’m rebuilding myself with a fresh outlook on life and how to deal with all the different situations life throws at you.” Looking back though, one thing’s for sure, and that is the trio’s unwavering commitment to the environment. “We’ve been told,” adds Paul “that the weather during the race was more unpredictable than ever. We were rowing to catch trade winds and they just weren’t there.”

So far, through their joint efforts, and the help of their sponsors, the Mermaid Atlantic crew has raised over £20,000, with more still to come from their sales and auctions. This will be split between their three chosen environmental charities: The Seahorse Trust, Surfers Against Sewage, and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Meanwhile, Xavier, Chris, and Paul will be visiting schools to inspire pupils and teach them about the importance of seagrass in tackling climate change.

To add your donation to the Mermaid Atlantic 2023 Challenge visit their website and click through to the givewheel funding page.

mermaidatlantic.com

How we deliver our service...

Age UK Isle of Wight believes that everyone deserves to enjoy a fulfilling and happy life, regardless of their age. Our range of services are designed to meet the unique needs of individuals as they navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with aging.

50th Anniversary

Established 1973 we celebrate 50 years of supporting older Islanders to love later life.

‘Infinite Skies’ A beautiful homage to brighten your day – and lift your mood

We often use the weather as a clue or metaphor for our mood, but that’s not the main reason that Independent Arts exhibition ‘Infinite Skies’ came to be.

Arguably it stems from 1826, when John Constable, bereaved father and painter, created ‘The Cornfield’. This evocative, imagined landscape became a masterpiece of sky.

In June last year, Newport on the Isle of Wight was proud to host ‘The Cornfield’, and local, small charity Independent Arts was delighted to partner with The National Gallery, to ensure that those least likely to be able to see an original masterpiece up close, could do so.

Just one amazing artwork. Two thousand five hundred people did see it. In six days. Then it went on tour to five other town centres.

Infinite Skies is a homage to, and a legacy of, that eventful week. It showcased the responses from adults with severe mental health problems; older people living alone (many who would never visit a London museum or gallery) attending weekly Creative Café (some with dementia); and teenagers from Sandown, supported via our public health prevent project.

Drawing inspiration from Constable’s profound fascination with the ever-changing

skies, this exhibition captured the diverse moods and poetry of the celestial canvas.

Independent Arts is a small island-based creative health charity. From their Creative Hub on Newport High Street, the charity offers a wide range of projects aimed at supporting those with complex vulnerabilities to benefit from arts-based activities and companionship through mutual creativity. During 2023, the charity helped to facilitate the visit of John Constable’s ‘The Cornfield’ (1826) original painting to Newport, where it was displayed for six days by The National Gallery at Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council’s building at 64 High Street. Independent Arts were part of the official community engagement process that followed.

The visit certainly inspired a lot of creativity and, as a result, Independent Arts has curated Infinite Skies to showcase the response. It has drawn on influences from other artists too, such as Olafur Eliasson’s The Weather Project (2003) exhibited at the Tate’s Turbine Hall. Artwork and poetry is displayed showcasing creativity thriving in young and old alike on the Isle of Wight. Regular participants in Creative Café, Mindful Moments, and Sandown Art Club have their artwork on display.

Supported by professional artists Trudie Wilson, Lou Elliot, and the charity’s talented in-house team Joanne Rigby, Kerry Tindall, and Evie Clarke, with volunteer artist

Melissa Penn, the exhibition has been lovingly created from a mixture of mediums. Exhibitions in March and April include collaborative work with textile artist Jan Frith, working alongside young people as part of Arts Lab, an experimental youth project, and further community-themed art in partnership with Artswork.

Entry to see art exhibitions at Independent Arts is free, and you’re invited to experience the exhibition’s magic at The Creative Hub, 48 High Street, Newport, from Monday to Friday, 10:00 - 4:30 pm and Saturdays from 12-4pm.

Donations, whatever you can spare, helps the charity to do more to support vulnerable residents through arts-based activities. independentarts.org.uk/donate

With Arts Educator

Have you ever thought of using bouncy balloons and bold paints to create abstract contemporary art?

Amaze your friends and family with the stunning and breathtaking prints produced with this simple and highly addictive technique.

You will need:

• Balloons

• Old plate or bowl

• Acrylic/poster paint

• Coloured card

Wren’s Top Tip

To create a really eye-catching effect try using a dark-coloured card with bright, bold, and metallic paints

Step 1: Choose a selection of colours, and squeeze a blob of each into a pile on your plate/bowl

Step 2: Dip your inflated balloon into the paint, gently press down to spread the colours over the surface

Step 3: Press your paint-covered balloon carefully onto your card…and voila!

Meet the Maker Holly Kirby

Words: James Rayner

Living in Freshwater with her other half, her daughter, and an Italian greyhound, needle crafter Holly Kirby makes miniature felt animals from soft Yorkshire wool. Known as Woodlanders, they’ve become popular with customers across the globe, with demand often outstripping Holly’s felt-stabbing capacity. Intrigued to find out more, we took a seat with Holly to discover how her Woodlanders came into being.

Growing up on the Island, were you always into crafting? And when did you first start working with wool?

I’ve definitely always enjoyed creating things. I actually discovered needle felting when I was browsing Pinterest one day — and when I saw that people were using wool to make their own felted animals, I had to try it! I think I first picked up a felting needle in 2015, then put it back down again as I couldn’t get the hang of it. Then, a few years later, I gave it another go and persevered.

Now I’m a full-time needle felter, which is not something I intended to do — I was previously very happily working as a graphic designer!

If you were to make a new Wilf the Whippet or Tabitha the Terrier, starting from scratch, what would the process be?

I always start by sitting down and sketching out what I want the Woodlanders to look like. Sometimes I’ll do four or five little sketches to get the shape of the head and body and the positioning of the eyes right, then I’ll choose my wool colours.

Starting with the head, I’ll begin by rolling up the wool tightly into a shape that’s as close to my little sketch as possible. Then I’ll take a felting needle and start stabbing the wool. The needle has little notches cut into it that tangle the wool fibres as it’s pushed in. This secures the shape that I’ve rolled (and turns it into felt) and allows me to add detail or refine the shape.

I tend to go for a firm finish, which means lots of repetitive stabbing and trying not to catch my fingers! I usually add in detail at the end — including ears, tails and coloured markings. I stitch in their eyes and make a little felt and leather backpack or satchel, then make either a tiny teddy friend or baby animal for them to carry.

You’ve now got an Instagram following of over 128,000 and with such high demand for your shop, you’ve had to introduce limited pre-order times and an email waiting list too. How did your Woodlanders become so internet famous?

While I was working as a graphic designer, I had an Etsy shop on the side where I’d sell my needle-felted animals in my free time. I had an Instagram account that was steadily increasing, but not in big numbers.

One day, I decided to experiment with the way I photographed my animals, and my Instagram following suddenly grew. The demand to buy them also grew, to the point where I’d upload items to my shop and they’d all be gone within seconds. I started receiving emails from people who were disappointed not to have been able to get one. This led me to set up my own website and begin holding monthly shop updates, where I’d spend a month making animals and then upload them all at a specific date and time, so there would be a bigger selection and more chances for people to get one.

BAILEY NEEDLE FELTED BEAR

However, the demand remained, and my larger shop updates were selling out in the same amount of time, so I decided to go felting full-time in April 2023. To be able to make something with my hands every day is my dream job, and I feel incredibly lucky that it’s what I do for a living.

We’ve seen your posts get comments from customers located in Germany, Australia, and the USA. Where have been the most unusual locations you’ve been asked to post your creatures to? And where in the world are your Woodlanders surprisingly popular?

I send the majority of my Woodlanders to the USA, where I have a collector who owns over 50! I think German-speaking countries are second-most popular, then the UK. Other places include Mexico, Taiwan, France, Ireland, Spain, and Singapore. I send quite a few to Japan, too, as I collaborated with a lovely company called Aoyama Decarbo

that featured photos of my Woodlanders on their vegan sweet tins. They actually came to visit me from Tokyo last summer and we explored the Island together.

You’ve said it took a few failed attempts before you mastered the art of felting. What would you say to anyone thinking of picking up a needle and starting to work with wool?

Have a look at some videos online to decide the kind of things you’d like to felt. There are loads of tutorials out there to show you the basic equipment and to guide you through specific projects. The continual stabbing can be hard physically and mentally as it’s very repetitive and takes hours, so it’s key to be excited about what you’re making.

ROLY THE RACCOON

FLICK THE FOX

woodlandersonline.com

holly@woodlandersonline.com

@woodlandersonline

BAILEY NEEDLE FELTED BEAR

GEOFF THE GIRAFFE

Spring on the River Yar

Margaret Johnson

Amanda Rachel Toms

Dennis Fairweather

STYLE SPECTRUM

Mike Osborne

I am M.P. Osborne, (@mikeophoto) an Isle of Wight-based photographer with over 26 years’ experience behind the lens. I love to wander about and photograph things that interest me, exploring the mundane every day to create a new way of seeing the familiar.

Originally, I taught myself photography back in the late ‘90s, photographing mountain biking and sailing. As time and technology moved on, I moved to landscape photography and later commercial photography, along with the odd wedding. Today I mostly use digital but do still photograph in 35mm and medium format film, and very rarely in large format.

Above:

Sandown Promenade. I don’t usually take photographs of people. However, this couple were just too good an opportunity to pass up. I like their differing body language, but also how they fit into the overall picture against the strong horizontal elements of the paint on the shelter, sea wall, and road.

My current work is situated between social documentary photography and traditional landscape photography, combining memory, history, narrative, and place. Since completing my BA and MA degrees, I use a lot of theory to underpin my work, which I appreciate is not for everyone, but I find it completely fascinating. That said, it’s often the simple pleasure of discovering an old building, researching the history of an area, or even just how the light falls on some brickwork that drives me to keep doing what I love doing.

mposborne.com

Above:

Brighstone Holiday Centre A relic of a bygone era with the 1950s holiday camp styling, Brighstone Holiday Centre is a step back in time, but it is also unable to withstand the future in the form of erosion encroaching on the chalets. The two birds that flew in shot managed to balance the composition perfectly!

Right:

K6 Telephone Box, Ventnor. These old red telephone boxes are a common site around the country. I particularly noticed how contrasting the red of the box was against the green of the landscape behind it. This is also mirrored in the red of the only flowers in the photo, and the red labels on the telephone pole to the left.

Above:

Allotments, Ryde. I like the juxtaposition of the contemporary housing at the top of the ridge, with clean lines and matching styles, compared to the rough and ready mix of sheds, greenhouses, and vegetable patches below.

Left: Ventnor Fisheries. Taken on a rather pleasant summer afternoon, this photo was an aim to capture a different way of looking at Ventnor; the only harbour on the southern coast of the Island with a vibrant local fishing industry. I’ve been told this looks like Cape Cod – I’ll take their word for it!

Sandown Beach. A good example of my photographs of ‘the mundane every day’. This water bike was up on the beach with its bright orange wheels which stood out against the blue-green sea. There is nothing particularly special about this view; however, in framing and photographing it, along with the empty sunloungers pointing towards the water bike, it suddenly gives it some form of status or aura, making it seem somehow special.

Freshwater.

I heard some loud music from along the causeway where some people were finishing their all-night party. I framed everything, then, just as the sun rose, it streamed in through one of the small windows, casting a deep orange light on the opposite wall. A very lucky occurrence that I probably couldn’t have planned for.

I

.co.uk

Above:

Right: Pillbox, Freshwater. This was one of the rare occasions I was up well before the sun during the summer. I’d always wanted a nice photograph of this pillbox, which is very familiar to anyone walking around

When

arrived,

The following lines are from a very touching collection called ‘Ampersand’ by local poet Lydia Fulleyove and her late mother Evelyn M. Wilkinson. The writing in the book alternates between extracts from Lydia’s mother’s WWII war diaries as a WAAF and her own poems written in response.

Poetry corner

with Medina Bookshop

Ninth April 1943,Downderry

And still this premature summer continues. The skies, a clear blue haze, the sea their counterpart, licking lazily at the long reefs of black rocks, the sea gulls wheeling white against the sky. The full riot of spring has burst around us. I’ve never known weather so hot in April before. The sun has streamed down all day on the hot pink earth.

The young corn is leaping up to meet the sun, & the trees wore their hazy green spotted branches between the ethereal blue above & the solid red beneath.

Ninth April 2020, Isle of Wight

Today relentless sun not meant for spring

the sky’s blue helmet shuts us in

I long for April showers and shifting cloud

instead we’re locked down by heat

the tractors mash red earth to dust

the chine clay set to rock

I turn my mind to sea

take my first chill swim my limbs are silver-cold

Lydia Fulleylove is a freelance writer and teacher who lives on the Isle of Wight. ‘Ampersand’ was published in 2022 by Valley Press and is available from Medina Bookshop in Cowes.

Medina Bookshop is a proud supporter of local authors, pop in and visit them in Cowes, check out their website, or call them on 01983 300044.

Style Kitchen Masterclass

DIPPY EGG & SOLDIERS

By Liam Howes of Heron | Photos by Julian Winslow

With the blossom on the trees and the scent of hot cross buns in the air, we decided to take this issue’s Easter-themed Style Kitchen Masterclass through the doors of the Heron Restaurant in Ryde.

Here, Head Chef (and Alex’s right-hand man)

Liam Howes shares an inventive take on dippy eggs and soldiers — something he had every Easter Sunday while growing up on the Island.

Swapping standard toast for brioche fingers and using duck egg, wild garlic and a smoked bacon jam, this recipe offers the perfect way to make something truly delicious and memorable for that long Bank Holiday weekend.

Brioche (to begin the night before)

45ml water, 5 large eggs, 15g yeast, 500g flour

10g salt, 60g sugar, 250g unsalted butter, cubed

Mix together all the ingredients apart from the butter for ten minutes in a kitchen mixer using the paddle attachment.

Add the butter and mix for a further ten minutes until smooth and glossy.

Prove in a bowl overnight in the fridge.

The next day, place the dough into two loaf tins and prove again until doubled in size.

Finally, place in the oven at 180°C/Gas Mark 4 for about 30 minutes. Once cooled, cut into fingers.

Wild Garlic Purée

150g wild garlic, 50g spinach

500ml vegetable stock, 100g cooked potato 1 shallot, 1 clove garlic, 150ml cream

In a pan, reduce the stock, potato, shallot, garlic, and cream until very thick. Make sure to blanch the garlic through to eliminate that raw, punchy flavour.

Transfer to a blender, adding the wild garlic and spinach. Blend until you’ve made a very smooth consistency.

Taste and season with salt as needed, before passing through a fine sieve.

Duck Egg Yolk

4 duck eggs

Separate the yolks from the whites. Reserve yolks until ready to use.

Smoked Bacon Jam

1.1kg smoked streaky bacon, finely chopped

200g shallots

4 cloves of garlic

1 tsp chilli powder

½ tsp smoked paprika

100ml bourbon

120g maple syrup

1 tsp black treacle

50ml balsamic vinegar

100g brown sugar

Cover and cook the bacon over a slow heat.

Add the shallots and garlic and continue cooking until lightly coloured.

Add the spices and then the bourbon a couple of minutes later.

Add the rest of the ingredients and cook to a jam.

Finally, plate the duck egg yolk, wild garlic purée, brioche fingers, and smoked bacon jam as shown.

Step Aside Mr Whippy!

Why Choosing Local is the Best Option for Ice Cream this Spring

You could be forgiven for thinking that an ice cream is just an ice cream but before deciding which one to stick your flake in this year, consider the benefits of a locally churned rum and raisin over a mass-produced one. From lower food miles to supporting local employment and continuing a rich (and creamy) history, we’ll take you through the many tasty reasons why Isle of Wight-made ice cream should be your first choice treat.

A Long Local Heritage

The Isle of Wight has had a thing for ice cream for more years than we care to think about. Back in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, local Swiss and Italian ice cream sellers set up their stands and pushed their handcarts around many of the Island’s seaside towns. More recently, in 1950, Edward and Gloria Minghella established their own Italian-inspired gelateria in Ryde, which would grow to become the nationally renowned brand of Minghella Ice Cream. By plumping for an Island-made ice cream you’re helping maintain this long local tradition for many years to come.

Supporting Island Dairy Herds

In the 1970s, there were over 365 dairy farms on the Isle of Wight, but now there are just ten. Supporting the remaining herds, our local ice cream makers work closely with the Island’s family-run dairy farms — ensuring they get a higher price for their milk than they would by selling it to national wholesalers, too. One such dairy farm is the fantastic Briddlesford Farm near Wootton, whose family have been grazing their pedigree Guernsey cows on the same site for a hundred and one years.

Creating Local Jobs

Although some things have to be sourced from the Mainland (such as the crunchy wafer cones, for example), Isle of Wightmade ice cream producers tend to keep as many of their processes local as possible. This supports local jobs at every stage of the process, from supplying ingredients to making and selling the products. This is especially important on the Island, which in September 2023 had an unemployment rate of 4.2% (compared to 3.8% in Portsmouth and 2.5% in Dorset).

Keeping it Low-Impact

By making, storing, and selling products solely on the Isle of Wight, local producers can keep their food miles to a minimum — in stark contrast to the international supply chains of giants such as Unilever (who make Magnums and Carte D’or). Lower food miles mean a lower carbon footprint, which in this day and age is vitally important. On top of that, by buying from dairy herds grazing on Island fields, you can help ensure the distinctive patchwork green landscape of the Island is retained for years to come.

Small Batch, Superior Taste

Compared to the industrial quantities manufactured by the big boys of the ice cream world, Isle of Wight-made products are created in small batches — allowing the makers to keep a close eye on quality and taste. These smaller kitchens also have a closer working relationship with their suppliers, meaning each scoop is traceable from the ice cream parlour all the way back to the milking parlour.

Are you Team Home or Away

Home

For your Ice Cream treats this summer?

Ice Cream made on the Isle of Wight MILK SUGAR CREAM

Home Home AWAY

Home WORKFORCE Home DISTRIBUTION

Home MARKETING

Home Local workforce serving you

Home STORAGE

Cones made in factories

AWAY

Packaging from national suppliers

AWAY

Away

Ice Cream made off the Island MILK SUGAR CREAM AWAY AWAY AWAY

AWAY WORKFORCE AWAY DISTRIBUTION

AWAY MARKETING

AWAY STORAGE

SORREL

With Will Steward, Living Larder

Sorrel Salsa Verde

Ingredients:

1 small clove garlic, peeled and crushed/finely grated

1-2 handfuls young sorrel leaves

1 pinch of rock salt

1 small bunch flat-leaf parsley, stalks removed 1 tbsp of capers

2 tbsp of rapeseed oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Method:

In a pestle and mortar, grind the parsley and sorrel leaves together; I use a pinch of rock salt here as it helps to grind up the leaves.

Add the garlic paste and the capers – continue to grind together.

Slowly add your oil of choice, we choose to use rapeseed oil as the flavour is neutral.

Serve with your favourite vegetable steaks – slices of roast Crown Prince squash, celeriac, or cauliflower are delicious and in season – alongside some butter bean mash.

Sorrel has a very distinctive sour flavour, with an almost lemon-like zing. We grow sorrel from winter through to spring for our salad mixes. As spring develops, the sorrel begins to grow too quickly for salad use and the leaves become much bigger and fleshier. It is at this time of year when we like to use sorrel for soups and sauces. If left too long, sorrel will start to run to seed, so be sure to take advantage in the early spring months.

Living Larder is a family-owned, Soil Association certified Organic farm. supplying local fruit and vegetable boxes. livinglarder.co.uk | Instagram: @livinglarder

DESTINATION COWES

By Rebecca Lawson

Cobbled, quaint, bustling, and prosperous — Cowes High Street offers visitors a quintessential English seaside shopping destination that would be equally at home on the shores of Cornwall. You don’t have

to

go that far, however, because it’s all right here on the north coast of the Isle of Wight.

Most famous as one of the world’s great sailing meccas, Cowes definitely comes alive in the summer, and it isn’t unusual to see a famous face or two pop up in the crowd. Nestled on the northern coast of the Island, this picturesque maritime town boasts a rich history and vibrant atmosphere. Cowes Week, run in early August, attracts sailors and spectators from around the world, but the bustling marina is adorned with yachts of all sizes year-round. This all adds to the town’s nautical charm, making leisurely strolls along the promenade a delight.

But Cowes has much more to offer visitors than yachts, and you certainly don’t have to wait for the warmer months to enjoy it!

Cowes High Street has become a shopper’s paradise and is home to a unique mix of quirky independent stores and high-quality brand names.

With rarely an empty shopfront in sight, visitors to this saltwashed high street will find an artisan butcher, baker, and candlestick maker (well candle sellers anyway), as well as a grocer and a fishmonger. Gifts and homewares are also readily available and adorn creatively displayed shelves, while arts and crafts made by local craftspeople snuggle next to delights sourced from exotic destinations like Morocco and Turkey. There’s a great variety of shops selling everything from guitars to wellbeing experiences, so you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for here — and if you’re

Drop anchor in Cowes to discover its diverse delights

just looking for a lovely day out, you’ll find that too!

With such a treasure trove of stores to explore, it’s hard to know where to start, but we suggest Shorelines of Cowes. The problem is, you could very well spend the whole day in this one shop. Predominantly a picture framer, Shorelines is full of items that you never knew you desperately needed until you walked through those enchanted doors. Brightly coloured homewares and delicious Jellycat plushies are beautifully displayed next to boldly coloured water bottles and muted prints of Island locations from Stripey Art. Earrings and cards, homewares, and luxurious toiletries are all here just waiting for the

discerning shopper to snap them up.

A little further along the high street, visitors will spy the gleaming shopfront of Cowes Gallery. Featuring a beautifully curated collection of paintings, sculptures, and vases, this lovely art gallery offers artwork on a wide selection of themes. With wind-whipped paintings of yachts and dramatic views of the Needles, or bustling and bold depictions of the big city of London, this is fine art at its finest.

Bringing a little glamour to the mix along Cowes High Street, the Earring Collection showcases a sparkling display of, you guessed it, earrings (and other jewellery). The Earring Collection and its sister gallery Drift, in Yarmouth, have designed and curated unique jewellery for over 18 years. The owners travel the world to source unique pieces and have just returned with a trove of gorgeous designs by artisans in Greece, Slovenia, Poland and Turkey to go with their recent commissions in the UK. The developing international scope of the business has led to a rebrand in 2024, and in the meantime, to make room for the new treasures, the Earring Collection will reopen with 60% off all jewellery, so jump in while you can.

You’re definitely going to work up

an appetite while grabbing all those purchases, and if it’s a relaxing sitdown meal you’d like to enjoy, then the exciting culinary news in the town is the opening of Heron with Executive Chef Alex Kimber at the helm. If you’re lucky enough, you may have already dined at their flagship Ryde restaurant. Chef Alex tantalisingly describes the new Cowes premises as “fun, trendy and inventive”, but he isn’t giving anything else away. In the location of the old Gastronomy restaurant, this exciting new venue has an opening date in early April, so stay tuned!

If you’d rather have a simpler lunch, stop in at Well Bread. A casual, home-away-from-home atmosphere greets you along with the divine smell

Keep energy levels up with a cookie...

Shorelines is packed with innovative gift ideas...

...including beloved plushies.

of freshly baked bread and crunchy bacon to stuff into it. Help yourself to scones, doorstop toast, or a Chelsea bun straight from the oven. You see, Well Bread has a very unique strategy for serving food — they don’t! Customers help themselves to an organic, seasonally inspired selection laid out on a large table (just as if you were at a friend’s BBQ), then let the cashier know what they had when it’s time to leave. It’s all done on trust which, along with huge scrubbed wooden tables to enjoy your meal at, adds to the community vibe. Better yet, service continues throughout the whole day with supper served until 7.30pm (or the chefs have had enough, as the sign says). If it’s your first time

Find something unique and special at Joli...

visiting, just read the instructions on the Nammet Guide out the front, then get stuck in with the rest of the locals — you may even make a new friend!

For those of us with a sweet tooth, you won’t need to go any further than Baked by Jen. Easy to find with its baby pink exterior, this bakery is all things cake at its finest. A cacophony of colour and crunch, this feast for the senses would be perfectly at home with the name Willy Wonka above the door. You’ll have to choose between such delicacies as Kinder cream brownie bars, Oreo truffles, Milka and Biscoff cookie toast, Cherry Bakewell Blondies, Freddo cookie cups — the list is never-ending!

After that massive sugar hit, you’ll want to rejoin the other busy shoppers weaving their way along the street, where you’ll come across Joli. This lovely store is renowned for its exquisite collection of gifts from local artisans and beyond. They offer a diverse range of products, including homeware, clothing, nightwear and accessories, all meticulously compiled for loyal local customers and visitors to Cowes alike. Joli’s delightful products are constantly evolving, but always maintain the shop’s charm and appeal.

Of course, shopping is often about

fashion, and you’ll find a wonderful selection hanging on the racks at Mia’s. Selling dresses, tops, trousers, and accessories, this finely curated collection of clothing was all chosen by owner Maria, formerly head buyer at House of Fraser. From casual everyday wear to elegant evening ensembles, Mia’s offers something for every taste and occasion. The store’s inviting ambience and attentive staff make for a delightful shopping experience, ensuring that each visitor leaves feeling confident and relaxed. Even Cowes’ perfect atmosphere can sometimes be marred by rain, however, so it pays to look out for indoor pursuits. You’ll find these aplenty in Medina Bookshop. With its

Treats ‘Baked by Jen’ satisfy sweet cravings...

...while Medina Bookshop has food for the soul(mate).

... from quirky ceramics to stylish accessories

whimsical shopfront and well-stocked shelves, the independently owned store is what bookshops used to be — a treasure trove of works by local authors lined up next to classics and main-stream latest releases. Author signings and book launches are held regularly, as are other storytelling and literary events.

Of course, a quirky collection of shops wouldn’t be complete without some tunes thrown into the mix, and you’ll find those at Willy’s Guitar Shop, where they sell quality vintage and preowned guitars, electric, acoustic, bass, amps, and string accessories. You can book adult or children’s lessons including ukuleles! If all that wasn’t

cool enough, Willy’s adds to Cowes’ laid-back summer vibe by hosting local musicians such as Andy Roberts and Beth Brookfield for live gigs out the front of the store.

When it’s time for a little break from all that shopping, eating, and live music, BeCalmed is an oasis of peace on the bustling high street. Boasting multiple awards and renowned for offering premier spa treatments featuring the esteemed brand ESPA, they specialise in wellbeing treatments, holistic therapy, prenatal treatments, and beauty therapy. From rejuvenating facials to indulgent massages, every treatment is designed to leave guests feeling relaxed, refreshed, and radiant — the perfect end (or beginning) to a perfect day’s shopping!

But it isn’t time to go home yet! When the shops are all closing and the retail day is winding down, there’s still plenty to do in Cowes. A plethora of pubs and restaurants are open well into the evening or try one of the events held a little further up the hill at Northwood House. This elegant Georgian mansion sits amidst the lush greenery of picturesque grounds — a testament to the area’s rich heritage. Visitors are greeted by majestic architecture adorned with intricate details, evoking a sense of grandeur

and nostalgia. Stepping through its doors, guests can explore beautifully preserved rooms adorned with period furnishings and artwork. Throughout the year, Northwood House hosts a variety of events including the Great Wight Bite culinary fiesta and the Isle of Wight Literary Festival in October. Ghost tours, gin festivals and spring fetes are all scheduled, and a glass of something cold in the Lawn Bar is a lovely way to round off your visit to this beautiful town.

Make your own music... ...or let a Northwood House event entertain you.

...and rock out at Willy’s Chill out at BeCalmed... Cowes has you covered - body and soul

DIVE

Three is the Magic Number

This was certainly true when three family members came together for an exclusive dining event at the Seaview Yacht Club, as the magic was revealed on the plates.

Paul Hayward, the recently appointed new head chef for Seaview Yacht Club, has already hosted successful events and introduced diners and members to new culinary delights. His son Chris works with the esteemed Island venue Smoking Lobster, while daughter Sarah works with the illustrious two Michelin starred British chef Tom Kerridge, where she heads up The Coach in Marlow.

The menu for the evening was carefully considered, with each chef taking the helm for one course. Chris started the affair with Isle of Wight crab and a peanut bavarois with flavours of lemongrass, chilli, and coriander. Light and fragrant with creamy richness, this dish lets the crab shine – ideal to whet the appetite.

Sarah’s treacle-cured ribeye pork follows. This is a technique she has mastered under the guidance of Tom Kerridge at The Hand and Flowers in Marlow. A less traditional cut which is always exciting to see, this dish delivers a smack of sweet, fatty pork, sticky and deep, rich and salty and very easy in the mouth. A cider braised cabbage offers some acidity and balance, with a masterfully

executed pommes Anna to help in mopping the plate clean.

Dad Paul signs off in his own style with a more traditional dish, which is beautifully presented and carefully considered. A pastry tart champions the beautiful English ‘Rose’ apple variety, sourced from local suppliers and delivering sweetness and colour. His

plating shows his skill in crafting food and I imagine he would have been an inspiration for Chris and Sarah when they were growing up.

We’re looking forward to the club’s future events and opportunities.

See the website for more details svyc.co.uk

Mexico Cerro del Cuervo

Sierra Juarez, Oaxaca

Producer: Smallholders

Altitude: 1300 – 1700 masl

Varietal: Typica, Mundo novo, Bourbon

Process: Washed

Roast: Light

This micro lot originates from the same cooperative we partnered with last year. Cafe El Zapotecto, led by Romulo Chavez, comprises 180 coffee-producing families in the Sierra Juarez, a temperate mountain range north of Oaxaca city. Chavez has worked diligently to establish direct relationships with buyers, securing better prices for Cafe El Zapateco’s producers. The cooperative, centred in Santo Domingo Cacalotepec, fosters a strong communal outlook, symbolised by a raven with a coffee cherry in its mouth, depicted on their bags.

During the harvest, instead of hiring pickers, neighbours assist each other in harvesting. The producer being helped is expected to reciprocate by cooking lunch for the helpers and assisting in their own harvest later. Farm sizes vary from 0.5 to 5 hectares, with the average Los Machos member having less than one hectare and producing 100 to 150 kilos of parchment yearly. Coffee is pulped and fermented in hand-built wooden tanks then dried on traditional woven mats. Washed coffees undergo fermentation for 12 to 36 hours and sun-drying on rooftops. The Cerro del Cuervo title is a mark of excellence reserved for exceptional coffee lots from El Zapateco. It signifies meticulous selection, limited volumes, and a commitment to quality that often involves microlot blending to ensure consistency and availability.

Cupping Notes: red apple, milk chocolate, prune

This coffee is great in many manual brew methods, our personal favourite is the

aeropress. The aeropress is a versatile and cost effective brew method that is also great for travelling due to its compact size and ease of use.

Aeropress Brew Guide

Equipment

A set of weighing scales (preferably to weigh 0.00 of a gram and a built in timer )

A grinder (or pre ground coffee for AeroPress)

An AeroPress brewer and filter paper

A timer ( you can use your phone or a kitchen timer, if your scales don’t have built in timer)

A kettle (preferably a goose neck)

Recipe

15g of medium/fine ground coffee

250g/ml of filtered water heated between 93-94 degrees celsius

Brew time in total 1mins 30secs

Method

(Inverted)

• Pre-heat the brewing chamber and rinse the paper filter disc (inside filter cap).

• Using the funnel provided pour the coffee grounds into the chamber. Level by tapping the side of the chamber.

• Pour half the heated water (125g/ml) onto the coffee grounds and brew/bloom for 30secs then stir 3 times ensuring the spoon/paddle touches the rubber on the plunger.

• Pour the remainder of the water and brew for a further 30 secs. Place the cap (with filter) on the chamber. Flip the aero press over and press to finish to the total time at 1 min 30seconds.

The I.O.W Espresso Co.

www.iow-espresso.co.uk

www.islandroasted.co.uk

Bring on the ROAST

Ah, the Sunday roast. That special feast, fit for a king, where tender meats, crispy potatoes, and fluffy Yorkshire puddings unite. Though a time-honoured tradition, filled with nostalgia for many, choices on the Isle of Wight these days are much more varied — from loins of local venison to beef and ale stews and even vegan nut roasts too. So, gather your nearest and dearest, pick up that knife and fork, and let’s dive into the delicious world of local Sunday roasts.

Bucking the Trend

If you’re taking your Sunday seat in the nautical-themed interior of Seaview’s The Boathouse, you’ll find something a bit different on their latest menu. Devised by Executive Chef Joel Yearsley, current options include a loin of Island venison, with pomme purée, pickled chanterelle mushroom, and purple sprouting broccoli, finished with a dash of Stilton purée and a rich red wine sauce. Capturing the flavours of spring, this warming dish of seasonal produce offers an unusual take on the Sunday lunch norm. Plus, with views across the pebbly beach to the Solent beyond, it makes for a pretty unbeatable location to dine in. theboathouseiow.co.uk

Roast with the Most

If crisp white tablecloths and impeccably shiny cutlery are more your bag, then make your Sunday lunch booking at the Seaview Hotel’s award-winning restaurant. Set on the village High Street, within sight and sound of the sea, guests are sure to be impressed by the culinary creativity of Head Chef Mark Wyatt (who has earned the establishment two coveted AA rosettes). Unfurling your napkin on a Sunday, choices include roast rump of beef with crispy potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and a side of cauliflower cheese — with as many ingredients sourced locally as possible. For the vegans amongst us, fear not, as the restaurant also offers a year-round nut roast, combining a mixture of tasty plantbased ingredients.

seaviewhotel.co.uk

Stew Good To Miss

On the Island’s southern shore, you can’t go wrong with a Sunday feast at the Ventnor Botanic Gardens. After finding yourself a table overlooking the lush, palm-studded gardens, consider trying out the beef and ale stew — an indulgent dish combining 12-hour roasted beef and the garden’s very own beer. Brewed using hops grown in the warm microclimate of the Undercliff, the Botanic Ale adds a sweet malty undertone to this already sumptuous dish. If that’s not quite your cup of tea, then take a look at the herby Italian frittata or the Oriental pork stir-fry instead.

botanic.co.uk

Make No Mis-Steak

Meanwhile, over amongst the green fields and criss-crossing hedges at the centre of the Island is Briddleford Farm. Here, their smart Bluebells Café (housed in an immaculately converted cow shed) offers rich and nourishing Sunday meals — including some made with their ethical rosé veal. Using the meat of male dairy calves (normally wasted on industrial farms), it makes a sustainable as well as delectable option to lunch on, with dishes including their homemade veal pie. Alternatively, head over to their friendly in-house butcher and pick up some ex-dairy beef to make your own braised steak or stews at home. briddlesford.co.uk

All the Trimmings

If you’re taking a more traditional route with your Sunday roast, then follow that route down into Shanklin Old Village and the rustic, thatch-topped Village Inn. Inside these sturdy stone walls, the Ottley family rustles up a hearty and wholesome roast — featuring either beef, pork, turkey, or gammon. When it comes to trimmings, you’ll be spoilt for choice, with crispy roast potatoes and creamy mash on offer, as well as honey-roasted carrots and parsnips, homemade apple sauce, and silky smooth gravy. As if that wasn’t enough, the Ottley ovens are also well-known for producing their supersized homemade Yorkshire puddings — gnarled and crunchy, containing a perfectly fluffy centre.

Village Inn, Church Road, Shanklin, PO37 6NU

AROMATHERAPY FOR MOVEMENT

With Caroline Hurley Wellbeing Practitioner at BeCalmed and Healthwell Solutions

Whether you choose to do a high intensity workout or gentle stretching, you can also give a full work out for your wellbeing with Aromatherapy. Using Aromatherapy can enhance your work out and help you and your body recover.

Exercise is not just about your physical health, as the emotional and mental benefits are just as important.

These include:

Your physical self-care

The movement of your body improves your fitness and sleep pattern, your health and rest.

Your emotional self-care

Movement helps you to acknowledge your feelings, love and kindness for yourself and those around you. It helps you deal with stress effectively and develop compassion and forgiveness.

Your social self-care

Surround yourself with people that support you and make you feel good, building relationships with people that you can trust and talk to, enjoying positive social media and setting boundaries.

Your spiritual self-care

Spending time improving your health and wellbeing will strengthen your values, beliefs and the practices in your life that nourish your soul and allow you to pursue your goals and seek understanding. Try

spending time alone, journalling and meditation.

Your intellectual self-care

Improving your self-development and personal growth, learning new things and having a strong and positive mind will give you a greater sense of health and wellbeing.

So how can Aromatherapy help? It can stretch the senses, mellow the mind and balance the body. Rosemary helps circulate energy through the head, improving mental clarity to stay focused, helping you be motivated to exercise. Eucalyptus can support your breath and is a cooling oil so perfect for post work out. It is also used in massage to help get rid of any post work out knots or sore muscles. Lavender contains relaxing components that can soothe your body and mind. Lavender is perfect to get rid of stress and get some deeply restorative sleep after a strenuous workout.

ESPA have powerful naturals to match your movement. Refreshing formulas for every lifestyle and every activity. A workout for the mind, body, and spirit, the perfect offerings for your individual needs.

ESPA’s Fitness collection is a lineup of luxurious body care to support you pre and post-workout.

A firm favourite is ESPA Muscle Rescue Balm which will soothe aches and tension. This can be added to a massage treatment

and used at home. Cool and revive with Isotonic products. Sink into sensorial restoration with Bath and Body Oils and Salts.

ESPA also can help with Inner Calm Fitness Massage at BeCalmed. Quieten your mind, release tension, and nourish the skin with this holistic, restorative experience. Advanced massage techniques alleviate muscular pressure, soothe stress and evoke the feeling of profound relaxation.

Listen to your body and mind and recharge your routine with aromatherapy to support you inside and out. A full workout for your wellbeing.

Recover. Detoxify. Scrub. Cleanse. Soak. Nourish

Offering

monthly painting

DIGFORVINTAGE.CO.UK

55 High Street Cowes Isle of Wight PO31 7RR @jolicowes

Book a painting experience with us today!

The Colonnade, Lind Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 2NE Tel. 01983 719433

The Colonnade Ryde PO33 2NE

T 01983 719433 E info@digforvintage.co.uk

of beautiful unspoilt countryside on the outskirts of Newport and offers a backdrop to your special day like no other. With the ability to create weddings that suit all tastes from a grand summer wedding in The Marquee to a very intimate wedding in The Pavilion.

• Up to 300 guests

• Weddings, Functions /Meetings

• Free Parking

• Catering provided by The Seaview Hotel

Blackwater Road, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 3BE

Tel: 01983 824570

Email: info@newclose.org

Medina Bookshop also has an exciting programme of musical and literary evening events, see online for details.

www.medinabookshop.com

Elevate Your Influence: A Strategic Guide to Personal Branding

By Shereen Hoban, Business Coach

Let’s get real about personal branding it’s not just a buzzword for influencers and CEOs. It’s your secret sauce, your career superpower, the dynamic force that can catapult you from being another face in the crowd to a standout leader in your field. And guess what? It’s not reserved for the select few. Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder, running your own show, or anywhere in between, mastering your personal brand is your ticket to making waves and leaving a mark that’s uniquely yours.

The Magic of Personal Branding

Imagine having a magnet that attracts opportunities, opens doors to new ventures, and spells out your strengths, values, and vision without you saying a word. That’s the power of personal branding. It’s your professional DNA, the essence of who you are, woven into a narrative that resonates, connects, and impresses. When you nail your personal brand, you’re not just seen; you’re remembered. You’re not just another professional; you’re a force to be reckoned with, known for your unique talents, insights, and the undeniable value you bring to the table.

Dive Deep and Embrace Your Uniqueness

The journey to a killer personal brand starts with a look in the mirror. It’s about embracing your quirks, celebrating your achievements, and owning your story. Your blend of experiences, strengths, and dreams? That’s gold. The key is to stand in your truth, recognise your worth, and shine a light on the distinct flavour you bring to your industry.

What Do You Want to Be Known For?

This is where the plot thickens. Beyond your professional expertise, what fires you up? Is it driving sustainability initiatives, advocating for women in leadership, or dedicating yourself to mentoring the next generation? These passions aren’t just hobbies; they’re the vibrant threads of your personal brand tapestry. They offer unique angles to attract your people, whether it’s clients, collaborators, or champions of your cause.

Crafting Your Personal Brand: A Blueprint for Success

1. Define Your Values

Your personal brand is a reflection of your core. What values light your way? Let them be the north star of your brand, guiding how you communicate and connect. Your values are your brand’s heartbeat, make them pulse vividly through every word and action.

2. Unlock Your Personality

Who are you, really? If you’re thinking, “Well, I’ve been me my whole life,” dig deeper. How do others see you? Are you the strategist with an uncanny knack for seeing the big picture, the creative whirlwind whose ideas spark innovation, or the heart-centred leader who nurtures growth? Embrace your natural style; it’s what sets you apart.

3. Tell Your Story with Gusto

Your story isn’t just a timeline of your career; it’s a mosaic of your journey, beliefs, and the moments that shaped you. It’s your chance to captivate, to share your vision, and to show the world the powerhouse you are. Make it authentic, make it engaging, and most importantly, make it yours.

Amplify Your Brand, Amplify Your Impact Shine Online

In today’s digital age, your online presence is your global handshake. Whether it’s LinkedIn, your blog, or Instagram, ensure your digital footprints echo your brand’s essence. Different platforms, same authentic you—creative, consistent, and compelling.

Why It Matters More Than Ever

In a world where everyone’s vying for attention, your personal brand is your flag on the mountain. It’s what makes people lean in, listen up, and remember you. It’s about making a statement, owning your space, and, yes, attracting the kind of opportunities that make others wonder, “How do they do it?”

Your Personal Brand: The Ultimate Expression of You

Creating a personal brand that’s as unforgettable as your favourite song isn’t just about professional gain; it’s about crafting a legacy. It’s about being known for what matters to you, whether that’s your unmatched expertise, your advocacy for women’s rights, or your passion for guiding tomorrow’s leaders. Your personal brand is the essence of your journey, your aspirations, and the

impact you dream of making. So go ahead, unlock your personal brand, and watch as doors open, relationships blossom, and your career and business take off in ways you never imagined.

10 Moves to Elevate Your Personal Brand

LinkedIn Makeover: Refresh your profile with a professional headshot, compelling summary, and detailed achievements.

Start Blogging: Enhance your online visibility and establish expertise by sharing insights and experiences on a personal blog.

Social Media Engagement: Participate in industry discussions, share your views on trends, and ensure your posts reflect your brand.

Build Your Website: Create a central hub for your personal brand, showcasing your portfolio, blog, and key accomplishments.

Strategic Networking: Attend industry events and use social platforms to connect with peers, unlocking new opportunities.

Speak at Events: Share your expertise at conferences and webinars to boost visibility and affirm your thought leadership.

Gather Testimonials: Enhance credibility with endorsements from colleagues, clients, or mentors on your LinkedIn and website.

Consistent Brand Voice: Ensure all communications, from articles to social posts, mirror your personal brand’s tone and style.

Online Presence Check: Regularly monitor your digital footprint to ensure it aligns with your personal brand and remains positive.

Continuous Learning and Development: Stay ahead by constantly upgrading your skills and knowledge. Attend workshops, take online courses, and read widely in your field. This not only broadens your expertise but also provides fresh content and insights to share under your personal brand.

Shereen Hoban is a transformational executive and business coach. Find out more about her coaching services and programmes here: www.shereenhoban.com

Illuminating Wellness: The Lantern Clinic’s Year of Transformative Functional Medicine

With Dr Margarita Kitova-John, Functional GP on the Isle of Wight.

“At the Lantern Clinic, we focus on discovering the root of the problem and treating the cause of the disease. Functional Medicine is a remarkable practice and gaining in popularity as it’s patient-centred and involves understanding the origins of illness and the prevention and treatment of complex symptoms.”

New private medical practice on the Island Precise medicine to get to the root cause of your symptoms.

Navigating the Path to Health and Vitality on the Isle of Wight and Beyond

Lighting the Way to Holistic Health:

In the heart of the Isle of Wight, Lantern Clinic stands as a beacon of hope for those seeking a holistic approach to well-being. Inspired by the serene beauty of the island, we celebrate a year of transformative healthcare, illuminating the path to optimal health through the principles of Functional Medicine.

Dr. Margarita Kitova, our visionary founder, seamlessly blends ancient healing wisdom with cutting-edge Functional Medicine principles. Drawing from extensive clinical experience in general practice and former Chair of the Island GP Federation, Dr. Kitova is committed to addressing the root causes of diseases, restoring trust in medicine as a vocational calling. Emphasising the importance of time in healing, she opposes the industrialisation of medicine, advocating for personalised and patient-focused treatment at Lantern Clinic.

No two individuals are alike, and neither are their health journeys. Explore the personalised wellness plans crafted at Lantern Clinic, where we delve into the unique genetic makeup, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors to create a roadmap to vitality tailored just for our patients.

Bridging Distances: Telehealth Revolution post COVID pandemic:

While rooted in the Isle of Wight, Lantern Clinic’s influence extends beyond the island’s shores. Dr. Kitova’s vision includes the expansion of Functional Medicine across the UK and beyond.

Join us in breaking down geographical barriers to healthcare as we pioneer a future where the transformative power of Functional Medicine knows no bounds.

Functional Medicine is not just a new specialty; it’s a philosophy that seeks to uncover the root causes of health issues, viewing the body as an interconnected system. At Lantern Clinic, Functional Medicine involves in-depth patient assessments, exploring genetic predispositions, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors. This comprehensive understanding allows us to craft personalised wellness plans, addressing the underlying imbalances rather than merely alleviating symptoms. It’s a transformative journey that empowers individuals to take an active role in their health, promoting lasting well-being.

Glowing Testimonials: Stories of Transformation:

Step into the lives of those who have walked the path of Functional Medicine at Lantern Clinic. Real stories, real results – witness firsthand the impact our approach has had on individuals grappling with a range of health challenges.

One Year, Countless Successes:

As we mark our first year anniversary, we reflect on the lives touched, the journeys taken, and the victories celebrated. Join us in commemorating a year of innovation, compassion, and dedication to empowering our community with the tools for a vibrant and healthy life.

Embark on a journey toward optimal health with Lantern Clinic. Visit our website at www.lanternclinic.com to learn more about our preventative approach.

Illuminate your life with the power of holistic healthcare at Lantern Clinic – where the future of medicine meets the individual needs of today.

Address: Gurnard Pines, Cockleton Ln, Cowes PO31 8QE info@lanternclinic.com

Tel: +44(0)1983 685667 | lanternclinic.com

If you are interested in learning more about our services and would like to book an appointment, kindly scan the QR code or visit our website at www.lanternclinic.com

NEW LOOK LADIES VISUAL IMPACT

Ladies Visual Impact has undergone a mini refurb and refresh ready for the Spring/ Summer season. With a focus on modern trends and innovative designs, the revitalised store sets the stage for a vibrant and exciting shopping experience.

In 2024, the fashion industry predicts a triumphant return of florals, defying the trend of “quiet luxury” that dominated previous seasons. Rather than subtle and understated, the key to embracing floral prints this year is to make them loud and bold. Whether through vibrant colours, exaggerated patterns, or daring combinations, this approach ensures that florals will command attention and reclaim their place in the fashion spotlight.

Dress from £120, available from Ladies Visual Impact

2024 Colour Trend: Cream de la Crème. We’re looking toward a warm-toned cream — think of this one as a latte with a bit too much oat milk added.

From £129.95 available from a selection at Men’s & Ladies Visual Impact

Stripes are a versatile and timeless addition to anyone’s wardrobe. They are a great choice for both men and women.

Oversized Elegance: The oversized trend continues to dominate in 2024, and shirts are no exception. Women are embracing loose-fitting garments, creating a laid-back yet stylish look.

Men’s Utility Overshirt £120 from a selection at Visual Impact

Flowers by Ellie

Welcoming a Dash of Floral Colour this Easter

At Bembridge Flower Shop, you can always tell when Easter is on the way as a wonderfully fresh springtime smell arrives with our floral deliveries. At this time of year, it’s all about tulips, daffodils, narcissi, and ranunculus, each giving off a fresh, heady aroma that’s sure to bring a smile to your face. Just what we all need after this long, chilly winter.

Tulips, in particular, are always something of a showstopper when it comes to Easter arrangements. Native to Central Asia, these vibrant blooms get their name from the Persian word for ‘turban’, and whether it’s muted pinks or deep, rich purples, a vase of tulips never fails to impress.

Daffodils, meanwhile, are a symbol of new beginnings (which is apt for the time of year). Their intense yellow petals are associated with joy and happiness, plus they look great as a focal point in a handpicked, seasonal arrangement. Narcissi are from the same plant family but offer a smaller, more delicate flower, whilst ranunculus (originally members of the buttercup family) add a touch of decadence with their thick layers of silky-smooth petals.

In the shop, we love popping on our aprons and getting to work with our Easter commissions. Often our customers are looking for pastel-themed floral bouquets to give to someone special, or sometimes smaller arrangements to sit on their Easter Sunday dining table. We also create dried Easter wreaths, fit to hang on any door, with rustic-style foliage, delicate dried buds, and a few ornamental eggs tied on for good measure.

Out of all the projects we sharpen up our secateurs for though, it’s no secret that here in Bembridge we love a spring wedding. For the lucky couples who get to tie the knot at this time of year, you’ll often find vivid yellows, pinks, and pale blues amongst their wedding flowers — quite a contrast to the ‘all-

white’ or pastel weddings you find at other times of the year. A bride’s springtime bouquet made up of soft blue and vibrant yellow makes a striking contrast against a white wedding dress, and we love to see pink or powder blue flowers wrapped around church pillars or spread across a floral archway.

So, to sum things up, whatever you’re looking for this Easter, whether a vibrant mantelpiece arrangement or a rustic dried wreath for your door, come and see us at Bembridge Flower Shop and we’ll help you add that touch of spring colour just in time for Easter.

bembridgeflowershop.co.uk

THREE PLANTS TO LOOK OUT FOR THIS SPRING

Ventnor Botanic Garden Curator Chris Kidd

Style of Wight asked our resident garden authority Chris Kidd, from Ventnor Botanic Garden, what flowers we might find appearing as spring unfolds. Keep your eyes peeled for these diverse and decorative delights, some very specialist, some regional, and some tropical…

is a modestly flowering

in the Medicinal Garden of VBG. A visitor will smell the plant before seeing it as the

scent is carried on the breeze. In its native California, indigenous peoples used it for medicine as a cure-all, yet as a scented springflowering shrub it is underused. Male and female parts are on different plants, so not all will bear fruit later in the year.

MEDICINAL MARVELS — AT VENTNOR BOTANIC GARDEN

Oemleria cerasiformis

shrub

heady

EXPLOSIONS OF COLOUR — ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

Geranium maderense, originally from Madeira, can be found in gardens in milder areas of the Isle of Wight. It surely is the most spectacular geranium, effused with hundreds of individual flowers in a giant cluster. These plants hide in plain sight until flowering, when they suddenly explode into a mushroom cloud of colour, shed seed, and then die just as suddenly as they appeared.

GHOST GIANTS — IN PARKS AND GARDENS IN BRITAIN

Davidia involucrata is sometimes known as the pocket handkerchief tree; the bracts surrounding the ball of flowers look like white hankies that have blown onto the tree. It is also called the ghost tree, for the same reason. The longer a plant is known to man, the more common names it has, and this tree has been known from China since 1869, and planted in gardens since 1904. Usually grown as a specimen it can attain huge size and is stunning to see.

MINI MAGIC IN GODSHILL

By Rebecca Lawson

Godshill Model Village is an Island favourite, with many locals and holidaymakers visiting again and again, but you’ll find more than just miniature replicas of the local area in this stunning little corner of Godshill.

Thatched cottages, the Old Vicarage, and of course Godshill’s stunning All Saints Church in miniature — this model village has certainly captured the local area beautifully. Wandering through the village, visitors can admire scaled-down versions of famous Isle of Wight landmarks, including historic castles, lighthouses, and wind turbines (the blades of which are manufactured on the Island even if none have been erected here). There is even a miniature train shepherding miniature passengers from a miniature Shanklin station.

These perfect replicas are wonderfully whimsical but there is much more to see here. Many guests are not aware that Godshill Model Village is also an RHS Partner Garden, placing this quintessential visitor attraction in the same esteemed company as Blenheim Palace and Ripley Castle. These larger properties are famous for their formal gardens, but Godshill Model Village is about all things small, and their plants are no exception. They have developed their own unique gardening style, which has allowed a range of plants to thrive, and many shrubs

and trees have been sculptured to fit into the miniature village itself.

Separated from the bustling miniature village by a high stone wall, the peaceful grounds stretch out behind the village. Here, you can aimlessly wander as you enjoy over 3000 conifers, acers, sycamores, elms, and oaks that call the garden home. Of course, all that exploring will no doubt make you hungry — the Nammet Hut is here to help you keep up your energy with a simple but delicious range of cakes, ice creams, and a lovely cup of tea or coffee.

A popular destination since the 1950s, Godshill Model Village offers a delightful experience for visitors of all ages. Where else can you marvel at such intricate details of miniature replicas while enjoying the beauty of the landscaped gardens? Opening for the season on March 25th, the grounds will be open daily from 10am till 4pm, so make your way to this miniature marvel and enjoy a gloriously green RHS gem.

Local man takes on 100km Cambodia Trek to raise money for Springboard

This April, Shaun Warren and 29 others will be heading to Cambodia for the adventure of a lifetime, for the Angkor Wat 100km Challenge – to help raise funds for Springboard Charity.

This charity is close to Shaun’s heart, as Springboard helps young and disadvantaged talent get into hospitality, Shaun’s industry. Born and raised on the Isle of Wight, and having attended the Isle of Wight Catering College, Shaun grew up working and gaining invaluable experience in hotels and sailing clubs on the Isle of Wight. Thanks to this, Shaun has now gone on to become the Operations Manager at

one of the industry’s leading hospitality and culinary leaders, BaxterStorey.

Shaun and his fellow trekkers will take on the challenge of 13 days (12 nights) from 26 April to 8 May 2024, trekking 100km through the Cambodian Wilds, from Siem Reap to Wat Preash Bat Bun Tham, to Kulen Mountain, and finally Angkor Wat.

Last year, Springboard trained 3,357 unemployed people and supported 73% of them into work in hospitality. Every £1,500 raised puts a disadvantaged person through a training course and gets one new person into work in the industry.

Find out more here springboard.uk.net/events/cambodia-trek-2024/Thank you for your support.

.co.uk

The team will also aid in constructing eco bungalows in and around Siem Reap to enable those living there to benefit from easy access to careers in the city’s flourishing tourism and hospitality industry.

The team will also aid in constructing eco bungalows in and around Siem Reap to enable those living there to benefit from easy access to careers in the city’s flourishing tourism and hospitality industry. Please help Shaun and Springboard if you can, by donating here: justgiving.com/page/ shaunwarren-1699982722018

CHLOE DOVE PHYSIO

About

Chloe is an experienced Chartered Physiotherapist who specialises in women’s health, supporting every stage in a woman’s life from fertility, through pregnancy and postnatal recovery, right through to the menopause. She has a purpose-built studio clinic in Gurnard where her clients receive a wide range of treatments.

Chloe’s services include:

• Pregnancy assessment

• Postnatal assessment

• Post-hysterectomy support

• Musculoskeletal Therapy

• Specialised pelvic health treatment

• Pregnancy Yoga

Chloe focuses on providing holistic support to women as they journey through pregnancy, supporting their changing bodies in preparation for birth. Postnatally, when a woman has birthed her baby, she supports every element of recovery, including healing from caesarean birth.

While Chloe’s specialism is in women’s health, she is able to provide Physiotherapy treatment for all musculoskeletal conditions and injuries.

Call to action

If you are a woman looking for holistic support through pregnancy, postnatally or

for your general health, you can book a consultation with Chloe at her studio in Gurnard through www.chloedovephysio.co.uk

From Chloe

I developed a passion for physiotherapy that supports women’s pelvic health after I had my two lovely daughters. Whilst I was pregnant, I had a new-found respect for the female body, and after spending some time researching physio for women’s health, I found it was an area really lacking in information. Women weren’t getting the support they both needed and deserved.

I was shocked to think how many women struggle through pregnancy, postnatally and throughout life believing that pelvic floor dysfunction after having a baby, or after the menopause, is “normal”. It is common, yes, but not normal and women really don’t have to suffer.

I now run a busy private clinic from my home in Gurnard, where l offer pregnancy, postnatal and general women’s health assessments. My most popular appointment is the postnatal assessment, which is a top-to-toe treatment six weeks after birth. I look at the breath, whether there is separation of abdominal muscles, scarring, and pelvic floor function. This helps me formulate a restorative exercise programme that supports women to feel

comfortable and confident in their bodies. Pelvic floor dysfunction isn’t only for women who’ve had a baby. I enjoy helping all women with any pelvic health concerns at any stage of life including incontinence, prolapse, sexual dysfunction and peri-menopause/menopause symptoms.

More recently I qualified in pregnancy yoga, and offer sessions twice a week. Pregnancy yoga is a gorgeous practice that focuses on breathing to manage pain and anxieties, movement and stretches to support the changing body, and a space to connect and feel confident with movement whilst preparing for pregnancy, birth, and the fourth trimester.

In 2023, I co-founded The Birth Hub, which connects perinatal experts across the island and helps parents find a wide range of support on the Island. We have a growing network of specialist small businesses in the perinatal sector, and it has been amazing to connect with a group of people who share my passion for mothers and their growing families. Every Monday, we run The Birth Hub Baby Café, where pregnant and new families spend time with other parents and receive professional infant feeding support. We are also running sell-out Antenatal Education courses every month.

www.thebirthhub.org

@thebirthhubiow on Instagram & Facebook

Chloe Dove Physio Specialist Women’s Health Physio www.chloedovephysio.co.uk | @chloedovephysio on Instagram and Facebook | Email: info@chloedovephysio.co.uk

BTHE ENDURING INVESTMENT APPEAL OF LAND

Written by James Attrill Partner Rural Consultancy

CM operate at the heart of the rural economy and manage, develop, let, buy and sell land assets for clients year in year out. Here we look at how the market is performing.

The last 2 years have seen farmland prices strengthen to levels above the last peak of 2012. Despite the headwinds of Basic Payment erosion and higher interest rates, prices have held well. Positive planning changes – particularly for Permitted Development under Class Q –have added value to farm buildings in the right position/ condition. While the frenzy of the immediate post-Covid market has calmed a little, residential values remain above pre-Covid levels and quality farmhouses, manors and cottages still attract good figures.

Buyers continue to come from both the Island and beyond. Our Hampshire and Oxfordshireoffices have been busy with farm and land sales. With shortage of supply across the South/South-West more

mainland buyers are looking at the Island as a place to invest. While banks are still ready to lend to land purchasers, seeing farms and land as lower risk security, many purchasers are now cash driven. Demand, as ever, is from mixed sources – farmers, private investors, amenity and environmental.

The Government have pressed on with the legal framework for nitrate/phosphate/ biodiversity off-setting; this has created an active market with pent-up demand from developers seeking these off-setting credits. Coupled with the back drop of decarbonisation and corporate investors looking to satisfy ESG goals. These new markets offer considerable scope to bolster land values, especially for the less productive parcels with latent scope to generate off-set credits. We are seeing significant buyer interest in land as an investment fuelled by future environmental income streams.

Land supply remains historically static and

If you have any queries, please contact David Long or Richard HolmesCall:

those choosing to step down from in-hand farming are often happy not to sell and remain in situ looking at tenancy or contract farming agreements to help retain IHT status. Interest rate sentiment is improving, particularly for long-term fixed rates which often support land purchase lending. Looking at 2024 and into 2025 we see no significant reason for a downturn in these markets – indeed in a globally uncertain world land and farms have always been seen as a ‘safe haven’. A buoyant farm and land market in the Southern Counties will continue to push more buyers to look at investing in the Island.

BCM have a depth of expertise in this market and understand local conditions. We can add value by recognising latent assets such as development potential or natural capital assets. We know who is in the market to buy and what they want. If you would like a free valuation of your holding to review your options, we would be glad to help.

ISLAND HOMES

Step into a thousand years of Island history with these remarkable properties. From a Georgian Manor mentioned in the Domesday Book to a Victorian cottage that’s now an award-winning holiday let, a German industrialist’s health retreat, and a new-build log cabin, you could be making your own history in any of them…

Watchingwell Manor, Middle Road

Agent: BCM

Watchingwell Manor is a classic Georgian Manor, extending to some 454m2 (4887sqft) all tastefully refurbished by the current owners, enjoying six bedrooms, all-weather tennis court, impressive gym/outbuilding, (with potential for alternative uses), formal gardens and grounds, paddocks and stabling, in all extending to 10.17 acres (4.11ha).

Watchingwell Manor is situated in a rural location off the public highway, Middle Road, and is accessed along a formal tree-lined driveway. Enjoying countryside views and within easy reach of beaches at Compton, Brook, or Grange Farm, as well as countryside walks at Brighstone, Brook or Hulverstone.

Yarmouth is a 15-minute drive, providing restaurants, shops, harbour, and ferry to Lymington. Cowes is a 15-minute drive away with its fast catamaran link to Southampton and onward London trains.

The Manor of Watchingwell was given in 949 by King Edred to his man Alsfig the goldsmith, to hold in everlasting inheritance. Alsfig or one of his descendants gave Watchingwell to Wilton Abbey, to which it belonged in 1086. Watchingwell Estate formed part of the grant by Baldwin de Revers to Payn Trenchard in the reign of Henry I and its descent during the 12th and 13th Centuries was identical to that of the neighbouring Manor of Shalfleet. Later, the Manor “Watchingwood or Watchingwell”, called in the Domesday Book “Fatingwelle”, belonged to Sir John Dingley and Henry Trenchard.

Bcm.co.uk

Haviland Cottage - Bonchurch

Agent: McCarthy & Booker

Haviland Cottage was built as a Coach House in 1860 but has been added to over the years. A true masterpiece nestled in the heart of Bonchurch, it’s not a typical cottage as it enjoys high ceilings on the ground floor, which allowed horses and coaches into the property. The former stable and coach doors have been replaced by glass doors and a conservatory which floods the cottage with light. Offering outstanding views of the rolling Ventnor Downs, this residence stands proudly on half an acre of land, surrounded by

beautiful mature gardens, terraced entertaining areas and proximity to the seafront in Bonchurch. It has four double bedrooms and three bath/shower rooms spread over both floors, one bedroom having beautiful garden views on the ground floor. There is a sumptuous living room, separate snug, utility room, and modern kitchen with dining area within a large conservatory. There’s a garage and parking for two vehicles with an electric car charging point. Mccarthyandbooker.co.uk

Log Cabin, Bembridge

Agent: Hose Rhodes Dickson

Completed by the current owners, this unique home is essentially a ‘new build’ property. A large open-plan family space accommodates a fitted kitchen, spacious dining area, and living room that opens to the garden through bifold doors. All three bedrooms enjoy ensuite facilities and the Boot/Utility Room gives the perfect access for muddy shoes or paws. Finished to a high standard and situated in a pretty lane away from the main road but still in the centre of the village. Located only minutes from beaches and all local amenities.

Hose-rhodes-dickson.co.uk

Inglewood, St Lawrence

Agent: Spence Willard

Occupying an exceptional coastal position, this fine Edwardian house provides exceptional accommodation with sensational, unobstructed panoramic sea views. There is pedestrian access to the coastal path and Binnel Bay along with access to numerous other coves nearby. Inglewood offers the ultimate in seclusion and tranquillity. Constructed in 1887 as the Estate Manager’s house for the Old Park Estate, the house was then owned by German industrialist William Spindler, who moved to St Lawrence for his health. Designed to make the most of the southerly views, most rooms have dual aspects with large windows to take in the surrounding landscape and far-reaching views across the English Channel. The house is not listed, although it retains many of its attractive original features, and now benefits from double glazing throughout, along with the extensive modernisation that took place approximately seven years ago. A largely glazed contemporary garden room was recently added, making the most of the views. Set in grounds of about 1.1 acres, the property benefits from a modern oak-framed car port/garage and a further detached workshop/garage, whilst the largely lawned gardens have an array of trees and shrubs and make for a stunning setting from which the diverse views can be enjoyed.

Ventnor is less than ten minutes’ drive to the east with its sandy beach and plethora of pubs, restaurants and independent shops. Local eateries include The Seapot for a picnic bench crab sandwich on the water, or the awardwinning Smoking Lobster, True Food Kitchen at Castle Haven, and The Bonchurch Inn is a favourite pub for locals and visitors alike.

Spencewillard.co.uk

bespoke

What Does 2024 Have In Store: Interior Design Trends

Decorating in 2024 is going to be fresh and fun. It’s time to step outside your interior design box, pick some unique colour pairings, bright fresh colours, and fabrics with a metallic sheen. This year it’s about making homes cosy and incorporating more playful decor.

Here are seven interior design trends from design expert Benji Lewis, founder of Benji Lewis Design.

Peach Fuzz is Pantone’s suggested colour of the year, so think warmth — light terracotta tones can be combined with deeper shades of golden orange, even going to vermilion.

Fabrics with a metallic sheen are good. Stick on the warm side of things, though, with gold or bronze rather than anything steely

Sheers are in. Include floor-length sheer curtains at your windows behind your dress drapes, you’ll create a terrifically glam layered effect whilst also providing daytime privacy

Stripes will always work. Look for simple broad two-tone designs, red and ivory work well. Step away from clutter. Edit your possessions down to one or two pieces you really love and make these the focal point. Send what’s left to the second-hand shop for someone else to enjoy.

Shop vintage. It’s a great way to add charm and personality to your home, plus it’s cheaper. There’s plenty of places online, like Vinterior.

Quiet Luxury continues to shine in 2024. It is understated and timeless, with designs that focus on craftsmanship, and high-quality goods that are subtle yet clearly well-made.

Benji Lewis is an established British interior designer with extensive experience working on residential and commercial properties both at home and abroad. These include flats and studios, town and country houses, listed properties, and commercial spaces such as the redesign of London’s Universal Studios offices.

Since creating and launching Zoom

That Room, Benji has conducted multiple virtual bespoke consultations for individuals in the UK, US, Paris, and Australia.

Benji Lewis trained at the KLC School of Interior Design and worked for Bonhams Auctioneers and a major Interiors house in London before successfully setting up on his own in 2004.

Refresh and bring new life to old

Refresh your home without spending a fortune by re-loving your existing furniture, floors ,kitchen cabinets, and walls using Annie Sloan’s versatile and easy-to-use Chalk paint. At Dig for Vintage there is a wide range of Annie Sloan paints and associated products and they are always happy to help with advice on your projects.

The paint is water-based, quick drying, and nursery safe, as it has the lowest VOCs (volatile organic compounds) of any paint on the market. This means it is low odour, better for you, and better for the planet. Little or no preparation is required so projects can be quick and easy. Reuse, repair, recycle is easy and economical with this paint.

Dig 4 Vintage in Ryde are the Island’s exclusive stockists, boasting a huge range of paints and accessories to help your project come to life.

Dig 4 Vintage, 4 The Colonnade, Ryde PO33 2NE, telephone 01983 719433

GOOD&MOJO

Started in a small attic in Amsterdam in 1993, this interior lighting brand has slowly made its mark in the industry. Product focus on sustainable materials — bamboo, jute, rattan, eco linen, seagrass, and cork.

Handmade by craftspeople in local communities in Vietnam using traditional techniques, not only are these a beautiful addition to the home, but the ethics and sustainability of the company sets the tone for others to follow.

This is the first fully plant-based lighting range that also does some good! With this new 2024 collection, GOOD&MOJO has taken a further step towards plant-based lighting with an urban twist. The nature-meets-urban aesthetic is achieved by introducing sleek spotlights, stylish pendants and lamp bases in black and white, making them an excellent match with their contemporary shades.

The collection features a wide range of smaller lights which are perfect for tiny homes. Small in size, but big in charm, the tiny home movement comes with a smaller environmental footprint and a simplified way of living, embracing the sustainable ethos that GOOD&MOJO’s products embody.

Discover more at Bayliss & Booth, Lushington Hill, Wootton Bridge, Ryde PO33 4RD

.co.uk

ANNE GINGER

For all your upcoming upholstery — whether new cushions, curtains, or chair covers — inject some colour with the maximalist materials on offer at Anne Ginger. Ask for Camille and let her take you through the bold and vibrant patterns on offer — like this Sanderson fabric, part of a collaboration with interior designer Sophie Robinson.Ryde PO33 2NE

anneginger.co.uk

THE SELECT COLLECTION

Geberit is a European market leader in the field of sanitary products, providing outstanding added value in sanitary technology and bathroom products.

Their passion for design and technology inspires and excites people all over the world – and now you can discover them here on the Isle of Wight at the new Tile Superstore showroom in Newport.

By applying their vast Know-How and 150 years of experience, they can ensure products are not just beautiful to look at, but truly make life easier and more comfortable. Responsibly made from fine and durable materials, Geberit products are a perfect balance of elegant design and outstanding function.

The Select Collection embodies Geberit’s values with its quality and design led products. The series includes innovative products for all individual demands. Whether sweeping organic shapes or an angular look, they offer the right solution for every taste. Modern, timeless designs can also be combined perfectly with existing products. Practical, sophisticated functions also offer a range of solutions when it comes to cleanliness, space, comfort and user-friendliness, all of which make life in the bathroom easier.

MERMAID HOLIDAYS

Nestled amidst the captivating landscapes of Luccombe lies a hidden gem awaiting your discovery: WOODLANDS

An enchanting contemporary bungalow blessed with panoramic views of the countryside. As you venture outside, you’ll discover a private oasis deep in the heart of nature designed to make you lose yourself in its tranquil embrace, with views of sweeping emerald green fields stretching as far as the eye can see, melting away the hustle and bustle of life.

As you enter, you’ll be greeted by spacious interiors bathed in natural light and uninterrupted views of the grounds. Having three bedrooms, Woodlands comfortably welcomes six guests, adding to your sense of calm with its inviting atmosphere that will instantly put you at ease. Woodland’s unparalleled magnificence lies in its interior, but it’s true magic is its connection with the surrounding nature. The gorgeous garden is where you can enjoy the simple things, taking a second to savour the picturesque scenery of the downs, unwinding on the spacious deck surrounded by towering trees where the gentle rustle of leaves provides a perfect soundtrack to your enjoyment of Woodlands unique features like the numerous bi-folding doors that effortlessly open onto the patio, to create a connection between the indoors and outdoors, the sauna and hot tub aiding your efforts to relax and unwind along with the barbecue allowing you the choice for al fresco dining, a true paradise for all that choose to stay.

Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat amidst nature’s embrace or an adventure along the rugged coastline, Woodlands undoubtedly offers an irresistible allure that will leave you longing to return time and time. So pack your bags, leave your worries behind, and let the timeless beauty of the Isle of Wight work its magic.

Embracing Rural Values:

Designing Gardens and Green Spaces in Harmony with Nature

As urban sprawl continues, there’s a growing desire within us to create green spaces. Instead of living side-by-side, many are choosing to nestle in the tranquillity of nature; we are all looking more than ever to embrace values of sustainability, simplicity, and serenity.

Sustainable living in action:

Living and working in environments that are more in touch with nature goes hand in hand with sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint; garden design and maintenance is no exception. There are lots of systems that might fit in with your life, perhaps thinking about rainwater harvesting, or soil-friendly and regenerative gardening techniques.

Our rangers invest in green spaces: We continually invest in training and equipment that supports our vision for more diverse and ecologically influenced delivery.

Great green spaces take time to establish but we work hard to meet your brief, and we are a team that will work with you and your natural environment to reduce maintenance yet improve biodiversity, mitigate flooding and run-off through planting, as well as creating resilient planting schemes for drier conditions. Our contract work is often focused on enhancing safety by design, for example, improving fences etc. Finally, we aim to create spaces for communities to use and enjoy.

Creating outdoor sanctuaries:

In being closer to nature, gardens and green spaces serve as outdoor sanctuaries, offering important moments of respite and reflection amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life. These spaces are important evidence of the amazing green capital that the Island’s Biosphere status celebrates.

In a world that’s increasingly dominated by hard landscaping and artificial

landscapes, the appeal of naturalising our surroundings has never been stronger. By designing and evolving our green spaces to embrace our biosphere we create beautiful outdoor environments, but also foster a deeper connection with the natural realm and create a shared experience in the community. By embracing small investments in nature, we find inspiration, and a profound sense of belonging — a testament to the enduring power of natural ecosystems in an ever-changing world.

Our expert ranger team will visit and discuss beneficial ecology improvements and will help you to maximise the potential of your space. We offer audit, maintenance & enhancement contracts to ensure the continuous improvement of your green spaces.

For a wilder future, please contact us at rangers@ermc.co.uk or 03300 240365.

Is Sustainable Architecture a Trend?

Modh Design Believe It’s Here to Stay.

By Colman Cotter, Architect and Director of Modh Design Ltd.

Since the creation of Modh Design in 2015, our innovative architecture and design practice has undertaken all manner of diverse projects on the Isle of Wight — ranging from The Bandstand in Sandown and East Afton Farmhouse in Freshwater to our most recently completed conversion of the old Cowes police station into Spinlock HQ. We love adding new projects to our award-winning portfolio and have recently completed several contemporary and bespoke extensions, barn conversions, new builds, and listed building renovations, too.

As 2024 is now underway, you may be looking to explore opportunities to renovate, upgrade, or even build your dream home. Keeping up to date with the latest architectural trends is essential, and whilst some will come and go, Modh focuses its ethos on creating designs that can stand the test of time.

Due to new government regulations, a greater focus must now be placed on achieving net zero architecture. With the evident impact of climate change, alongside the ongoing energy crisis, we need our homes and buildings to deliver more. Therefore, a greater focus must be placed on sustainability, adaptive reuse, and circular economy design for the future, ensuring a design is not just beautiful but also functional, flexible, and robust throughout its lifetime.

At Modh, we feel that designers and architects like us have a responsibility to acknowledge, learn, and respond constructively to the climate crisis and the role the built environment and construction industry play in that context. As such, we have evolved our design services to include our Ecovation™ offering, where existing buildings are reviewed and proposals including insulation, renewable and smart technologies, thermally efficient windows and sustainably sourced materials

may be suggested to improve the building’s efficiency and reduce its environmental impact. So far, our Ecovation™ service has provided adaptive reuse opportunities for a number of existing properties, avoiding the need for wasteful demolition and reusing the structures to inspire creativity and deliver a building that resonates with contemporary style.

Similarly, for new build projects, we can

implement a combination of interconnecting strategies, such as modular construction or biobased materials, and couple these with more basic principles of geolocation (such as sun path analysis). Together, this approach can elevate contemporary architecture to be responsible, sustainable, and beautifully designed — all in a way that responds positively to the client’s aspirations, budget, and evolving living needs.

To keep up to speed with Modh Design’s current projects, including the restoration of The Albion Hotel in Freshwater and an exciting collaboration with Turner Works Architects and ERMC on Department in Ryde, visit our website. modhdesign.co.uk

Umbrellas, Sculptures and Ornamental Hair:

The 19th Century Shopkeepers of The Royal Victoria Arcade

Words and Research: James Rayner

Illustration: Lauren Fry

For one hundred and eighty-seven years, the Royal Victoria Arcade has sat halfway down Union Street in Ryde, with its rooftop lion and unicorn looking out over all the comings and goings below. It was back in 1835 that workers first began breaking ground, laying out the grand arcade, which, when finished, would contain fourteen stylish shops, each with living accommodation above, as well as a space for art exhibitions and an underground market, too.

Following its official opening in July 1836 (involving a masonic procession and a ‘sumptuous dinner’ afterward), businessmen and women began to move in, setting up photographic studios, ‘fancy repositories’, and even a lapidary — which specialised in the carving of precious stones and gems. Over the years, the Arcade attracted an eclectic mix of tradespeople, with a few notable characters rediscovered and brought to light across the following pages.

The Importer of Italian Sculpture: Henry Knight

Taking over the keys to shop Number 9, in the early 1850s, was Henry Knight, a man described as an importer of Italian sculpture. His early adverts promoted his alabaster, marble, and Egyptian agate, as well as a new arrival of ‘twenty-seven cases of Italian sculpture’ — everything from vases and tazza dishes to sculptured figures and classical ornaments. Supposedly hand-carved in the Tuscan town of Volterra, in the studio ‘of the late celebrated artist Signor Giuseppe Cherici’, the pieces were said to be ideal for halls, dining rooms, drawing rooms, libraries, or studies.

Successful from the start, Henry soon had the words ‘Under Royal Patronage’ proudly displayed on his newspaper notices, and, in addition to Volterra, he was importing sculptures from ateliers in Florence, Pisa, and Livorno. Statues and slabs of cool grey marble aside, Henry was also an inventor, creating a horse-clipping machine, a tin opener, and a special type of paint made from different shades of Isle of Wight sand.

In 1878, Henry secured a patent for his ‘sand paint’, which came in a variety of earthy hues, from a reddish brown to a light yellow. He was so confident in his creation that he even used it to coat the walls of an empty house in the Arcade and, somehow, the whole frontage of a new bank in Ryde (including the door) was painted with it too. Despite its cheap price and its ability to imitate mahogany, maple, and oak, it seems Henry’s ‘sand-paint’ didn’t catch on. At the same time, his sales of statues and marble were dwindling and by 1890, just a few years before his death, he would find himself standing in a bankruptcy court.

The Hairdresser & Ornamental Hair Manufacturer: Edward Machin

Around the same time as Henry Knight was first setting up his Italian sculpture shop, units Number 1 and 2 were taken over by the newly married Edward Machin, a hairdresser and perfumer who had previously worked at W. Winter’s on Oxford Street in London and in an establishment on the Rue de la Paix in Paris.

Mr Machin offered the people of Ryde the very latest designs in hairdressing ‘just received from London’ and advertised his ‘shampooing on the American and Oxford principle’, much recommended for anyone who had been swimming in the salty waters of the Solent. Edward also made his own ‘Medicated Balsam’ for clients whose ‘hair is falling off, or turning prematurely grey’, and, for those customers whom the balsam couldn’t help, he also made wigs.

From 1853, Edward added ‘ornamental hair manufacturer’ to his newspaper adverts, and a few years later — at a Grand Dress Ball at Binstead Villa — he teamed up with fellow ‘perruquier’ (or wig maker) Mr Jones, of London’s Burlington Arcade, to make fancy French hairpieces to go with the elaborate fancy dress costumes.

After only a few years in the Royal Victoria Arcade, Edward moved to 18 Union Street, later moving again to 71 Union Street and then opening a branch in Portsmouth High Street. Soon his new mainland location would become his permanent base, but Edward still occasionally returned to the Island to dress hair for upper-class balls and parties.

The Printer, Stationer & Newspaper

Founder: Henry Wayland

Not long after Mr Machin had left shops Numbers 1 & 2, the windows would soon be piled with books and stationery, as Henry Wayland moved in. Stepping through the door, customers would find writing desks, inkstands, maps, and travelling bags on offer, as well as tourist guides, brushes and ornaments filled with Alum Bay sand. Quite the opportunist, Henry also lined his shelves with his own-recipe dental powder and his own ‘vegetable pomade’ (‘for beautifying and restoring the hair’). He provided insurance and even set up a short-lived Lost and Found office, based within the shop.

Printing was a major part of Henry’s dayto-day work, and he produced a number of books on the premises, usually religious ones, including a book on the Indian cities of Madras and Cuddalore (written by a society of Christian missionaries). His greatest success, though, came in 1862 when he founded his own newspaper — The Isle of Wight Times — which would continue until 1913, well after Henry’s death.

As the newspaper took off, Henry relocated to another building on Union Street where he edited the paper (ready for print every Wednesday evening), made his own ‘corrected’ versions of the Ordnance Survey map of Ryde, and self-published his own books too, including ‘Wayland’s Voyage Round the Isle of Wight’ (1878). Interestingly, one of Henry’s apprentices — J. J. Hillier — later became a journalist in South Africa, where he was elected as Mayor of Durban twice and then retrained to become a supreme court barrister.

The Talented Royal Photographer: Cornelius Jabez Hughes

In 1862, the London-born photographer Cornelius Jabez Hughes took out a series of newspaper adverts to announce he had taken over the photographic business of the late Mr W. G. Lacy, of 6, Royal Victoria Arcade, Ryde. As a skillful photographer with experience in Glasgow and London, and as someone who had already been commissioned to photograph Queen Victoria, success came quickly for Mr. Hughes. Soon, the sitters in front of his lens included

Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, as well as high-profile international visitors to the Island such as Queen Emma of Hawaii and Prince Alemayehu of Ethiopia.

Just like many of the other successful tradesmen of the Arcade, as Cornelius’ business grew, he needed a bigger premises. So, at 60 Union Street, he constructed the four-storey Regina House, an impressive building with a small tower to one side and four statues installed on the rooftop. Still a landmark of Ryde today, the property contained the photographic studio, as well as a darkroom, waiting room, and the Hughes family’s living areas, too. A few years down the line, Cornelius also took on a young assistant called Gustav Mullins, originally from St. Helier on the Channel Island of Jersey. The two became business partners in 1883, leading to the founding of the famous photographic brand ‘Hughes and Mullins’, although Cornelius sadly died just one year later.

The Shell Seller, The Umbrella Maker & The Wax Flower Modeller: The Female Traders of the Arcade

Female entrepreneurs were certainly no strangers to the shops of the 19th-century Royal Victoria Arcade. However, scanning the newspapers, directories, and guides of the time, their stories are much harder to uncover. In the early 1850s, shop number 8 was occupied by Mrs Catherine Wright, who worked as a ‘wax flower modeller’, creating lifelike blooms from pieces of coloured wax and assembling them into tasteful arrangements, later kept under glass domes. Two doors down was Mrs Deborah Grinham with her ‘shell repository’, and, over at Numbers 1, 2 & 3, Fanny and Harriet Caple set up their own bookselling business.

We also know in 1855 there was a female-run millinery shop, importing French hats and selling Honiton lace, whilst in 1893 a Mrs Emily Jane Sims applied for a 6-day-a-week beer licence for her premises at Numbers 13 and 14. Meanwhile, Jane Charters was a widowed umbrella-maker who lived and worked in the Arcade. However, she only

appears in the local papers giving evidence into the sudden death of her friend Mrs Sarah Stouiky (who the court decided had ‘died by the visitation of God’).

Since its early days, the fortunes of the Royal Victoria Arcade have ridden a bumpy course, with periods of dereliction and even a threat of demolition in 1971. Today, however, it’s a Grade II* listed structure, sensitively restored in 2011, with its original icewell rediscovered, carved deep into the clay soil of Ryde. The Arcade’s retailers continue to be an eclectic mix of independent businesses, and the old underground market has now become the informative, volunteer-led, Museum of Ryde.

MFIND THE KEYS TO AWARDS SUCCESS

By Dale Howarth BUSINESS MENTOR AND CONSULTANT

any have discovered the significant benefits of business awards. Benefits that can fast-track a business’s value, reputation, and enable new-start or SME companies to compete with corporate giants. Awards offer a real and significant advantage, but only when approached correctly.

As an experienced and successful awards writer, I have helped many companies achieve awards success, helping them avoid the common mistakes made by others and build an enviable reputation for their businesses. Irrespective of the individual award being entered, many mistakes are surprisingly common. Here are some of the most frequent ones to avoid:

Selecting the wrong award or category.

Don’t let your emotions about your business overcome reality. Take time at the very outset to understand the nature of any award, its categories, criteria, and what is best suited to the realities of your business.

Not reading the rules. Awards have rules, so take time to read and understand them. These will cover key elements such as deadlines, qualification and judging criteria,

wordcount, submission format, and more. This will save you time and prevent you entering an award which you don’t actually qualify for, or invalidating your entry by not adhering to the rules.

Not writing for the specific questions and award. Your entry must directly cover the questions posed and in the context of the awards being entered. Take care to avoid ‘fluffy’ meaningless and irrelevant content that simply takes you off-topic.

Using jargon. Whilst some industry-specific awards may have a technical expert, it is wrong to assume individual judges will understand your specific technical jargon. Whilst jargon can’t always be avoided, it is a good idea to keep it to a minimum and, where appropriate, explain its meaning.

Failing to provide evidence to back up claims. Statements need to be backed up by clear and robust evidence. Use objective data such as survey information, financial statements, and customer and employee feedback to demonstrate to judges that you are outstanding in that category.

Not getting approval from 3rd parties. Your award may include important content and references from strategic partners and

key customers. It is therefore important to involve them and gain their approval, especially if any of the details used may be commercially sensitive.

Leaving your awards writing too close to the deadline. This leads to a lack of planning, research, evidence, writing, and refinement, in addition to adding to stress levels for you and your team. With most awards announced well in advance of deadline, time is on your side, so plan and use that time wisely.

Too-large attachments. Attachments are great way to support your entry, but they need to be kept relevant and concise so they add value and don’t become too large or complex to review.

Proofreading. Checking spelling, grammar, and consistency across your entry improves overall quality and reflects the attention to detail of an award-winning entry.

Finally, don’t try to do it all yourself. Awards are improved and add even greater value as a team undertaking. So, get others to contribute, and consider using an expert to avoid all the pitfalls above and significantly increase your chances of award success.

Island Stories: Helena Nicklin

This new Islander is a ‘wine-fluencer’, with high hopes for Isle of Wight vines

Helena Nicklin is a wine and drinks guru who recently moved to Gurnard, having fallen in love with the Island’s people and lifestyle.

With her huge Instagram following, a popular drinks podcast ‘Bring a Bottle’, and a starring role presenting the past three TV series of ‘The Three Drinkers’ on Amazon Prime, she’s a fantastic addition to the Island’s fast-growing and eclectic mix of influencers.

She also thinks there is an enormous potential for grape-growing and a breakthrough vintner here on the Isle of Wight.

Helena’s thoughts on…

Living on the Island:

“It’s the unplugging. You get back on the ferry and you can feel your cortisol levels

dropping, you can feel your nervous system recalibrating — and it’s incredible!”

The Island’s wine potential:

“When you drive around the Island, you’ll see there are loads of south-facing slopes, which is what you want for growing grapes. There’s loads of chalk tumbling into the road — that’s what you want for a Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, which makes world-class sparkling wines. It’s also a little sunnier here than the mainland; my gosh, the potential is huge!”

Listening to the podcast:

“The Island Stories podcast has a lot to answer for — this is why we are here! We wanted to get to know people from the Island, so I found your podcast. We are so new here, so hearing all about the different people on the Island is really useful to us to find out who lives here and who we should be getting to know.”

Hosted by Harriet Hadfield

Produced by Alex Warren

“ We came here by mistake and totally fell in love with it ”

Helena Nicklin

Helena’s 5 Island Things: Favourite Restaurant: @smokinglobstercowes

Favourite Shop: @victoriana_lanes

Island Charity: @ellenmacarthurfoundation

Hidden Gem: @tradewindsbeachcafe

In 10 Years?

A proper sewage system

To listen search ‘Island Stories’ wherever you get your podcasts from or use the QR code.