Style of Wight 88: MAY JUNE 2024

WOOTTON THE NOOK

- Your Modern Oasis -

From £231 / night

Sleeps: 6 Bedrooms: 3

SHANKLIN NUMBER 63

- Charm meets Comfort -

From £200 / night

Sleeps: 8 Bedrooms: 4

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SHANKLIN ROOSTERS

- Family Fun -

From £314 / night

Sleeps: 7 Bedrooms: 4

VENTNOR VITAMIN SEA

- Sky Meets Sea -

From £137 / night

Sleeps: 9 Bedrooms: 4

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Guide Price £950,000

Cowes, Isle of Wight

This stunning detached family house is nestled at the quiet end of this sought after and conveniently located road, with sea views from all five bedrooms. Cowes town is a short stroll away and the large, mature private gardens are a haven. Ideal for growing families and those wishing to have easy access to the foot passenger ferry; perfect for commuting. With approved planning permission to extend.

Guide Price £495,000

Cowes, Isle of Wight

This immaculate duplex apartment is within a desirable location in Cowes and has much to offer including two double bedrooms, large living area, fabulous kitchen, two balconies and a lift within the purpose built complex. A pristine home which is ready to move into and has the added benefits of parking and being chain free.

Guide Price £695,000

Cowes Old Town, Isle of Wight

A unique and quirky duplex apartment with a commercial office/retail unit on the ground floor. This three storey mixed use property accommodates a fabulous 3/4 bedroom apartment over the upper floors with entertaining room and hot tub, roof terrace and is currently a very success holiday rental property. Three bath/shower rooms, very well appointed kitchen and in its current format can sleep up to 12 people. A fantastic business opportunity, personal home or ‘lock up and leave’, viewing essential.

Guide Price £369,950

Bonchurch Village, Isle of Wight

A Grade II listed Lodge in the heart of Bonchurch near the beautiful pond. This pretty and quaint home has two double bedrooms, two bath/shower rooms, cosy sitting room and tons of charm and character throughout. Outside storage areas formed from a former wash house and parking for two cars. Beautiful and chain free.

Helping you find your perfect home...

Guide Price £1,295,000

Gurnard, Isle of Wight

A luxurious four bedroom property located in a fabulous position in Gurnard. Great sea views from the two balconies and front garden. A generous sized kitchen and dining area, living area and office are extremely well presented. A purpose built hot tub room, self contained holiday chalet and parking for 3/4 cars make this a dream home.

Guide Price £1,225,000 Cowes,

Isle of Wight

This exceptional home is immaculately presented and is a spacious detached family home with four bedrooms-two with balconies and ensuites, 3 reception rooms, a fabulous kitchen, sea views and conveniently located within walking distance to Cowes Town along the esplanade by the sea. A gorgeous wrap around garden with a garden room, double garage and plenty of off-road parking. Viewing is highly recommended.

Guide Price £585,000

Cowes Old Town, Isle of Wight

A truly lovely characterful property converted from a church with the huge original Gothic style window looking out over Cowes Old Town. With huge kerb appeal, three bedrooms, outside sitting area and parking for one vehicle makes this a unique and fabulous home, -all within walking distance of all the amenities of Cowes Town and easy commuting to Southampton and beyond.

Guide Price £299,950

Cowes, Isle of Wight

A beautifully presented two bedroom apartment with fabulous sea views. Just minutes from the seafront and only a short walk to Cowes High Street. This third floor home, perfect as a permanent or holiday home, has parking and the bonus of being chain free.

■ An opportunity to purchase a development site with full planning consent for 5 residential dwellings.

■ The site is located close to the idyllic Wootton Creek.

■ Proposed scheme inlcude a range of architecturally designed units.

■ Each property will benefit from a large plot including a private garden and parking area.

■ Nearby travel links to the mainland.

■ Easy access to a variety of local shops and amenities.

■ The site extends across 4.02 acres.

Guide Price: £995,000

EPC: N/A

Council Tax Band: N/A

Tenure: Freehold with vacant possession Land near The Shieling

■ A stunning refurbished Grade II listed manor.

WATCHINGWELL MANOR Middle Road, Swainston, Calbourne, Isle of Wight, PO30 4HZ

■ Includes a tennis court, gym, paddocks and stabling, in all extending to 10.17 acres.

■ Short distance from harbour town of Yarmouth.

■ An adjoining property & 100 acres of land also available by separate negotiation.

■ An attractive residential and commercial holding situated just 10 minutes from Newport.

£2,100,000 EPC: N/A

■ Includes a substantial detached house complemented by a kennel and cattery business.

■ The property also hosts a separate self-

BILLINGHAM MANOR

■ Three storey property situated in the Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty at Wellow.

■ Beautifully refurbished, with 4 bedrooms.

■ Two-car garage, with potential for refurbishment.

■ A large garden and grounds all set in 0.32 acres. OIEO £750,000

E

■ A substantial six-bedroom, Grade II listed manor house set within landscaped gardens.

■ Accessed via it’s own tree lined driveway.

■ Complemented by a detached cottage.

EPC: Cottage ( E ) Council Tax Band: H, C Tenure: Freehold BILLINGHAM - LOT 1

■ Almost 19 acres of pasture and woodland.

£1,950,000

Red Barn, Cheeks Farm, Merstone Lane, Merstone, Isle of Wight PO30 3DE

GRANGE KENNELS AND CATTERY Watergate Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1YP

Catherines Road, Niton Undercliff

Bank Close, Totland Bay

Bass Rock is a substantial, attractive, Victorian coastal villa which enjoys superb sea views from an elevated position on the South coast of the Island. Available chain free, the property also offers a one-bedroom self-contained annexe.

Bonchurch Village Road, Ventnor

£595,000

Chain free and situated in a private cul-de-sac, and set well back from the road, this property stands on a generous sized plot and offers extremely spacious accommodation with quality fixtures and fittings.

Located in the heart of the popular village of Bonchurch, Grange Cottage is a charming detached home offering characterful accommodation across three floors. To the fore of the property a courtyard garden offers access to a parking space. Castle Close, Ventnor

This striking, contemporary three bedroom family home was designed to maximise the stunning sea views. It features the living accommodation to the first floor and the bedrooms to the ground floor and is finished to an exceptionally high standard throughout.

I. CHALE £1,750,000

A masterpiece of contemporary architectural design situated in grounds of half an acre provides the ultimate coastal / rural retreat. EPC C

II. COWES £1,650,000

A rare opportunity to acquire a superb waterfront townhouse with its own private pontoon mooring and enjoying stunning harbour and sea view. EPC C

III. ALUM BAY £1,200,000

An unrivalled opportunity to acquire a property set in grounds approaching 3 acres in glorious surroundings with truly wonderful sea and country views. EPC E

IV. BEMBRIDGE £615,000

A charming period family home offering substantial accommodation in the heart of Bembridge Village with large south facing garden. EPC D

Interior Architecture & Design

Commercial & Residential Design

Consultanc Service

C D Plans

3D Visualisations

Lighting Designs

Design Proposals

Itemised FF&E Specification Lists

Studio Consultations

Colour Consultation & Proposals

Sustaina ilit Consultations

Full Interior Design Service

Furniture Sourcing

www.vivusinteriors.co.uk info@vivusinteriors.co.uk Contact us :

01983 531206/ 07596464708

Photographer Natalie Silverster for Lilie Rose Hair. Make up by Amy Mills, model Jessica Bishop

Editor

Christian Warren

christian@styleofwight.co.uk

Sub Editor

Helen Hopper

Assistant Editor Rebecca Lawson office@styleofwight.co.uk

James Rayner, Roz Whistance,

Design and Creative

Tim Mander, Christian Warren,

Christian Warren, Julian Winslow,

Note from the Editor

Where style meets substance, and flavour meets responsibility.

As we welcome these longed-for sunny days of May, over at Style of Wight we’ve unfolded a tapestry of sustainable living. At the heart of this issue lies the belief that our choices today shape the world we will pass on to future generations, and it is our responsibility as consumers to choose what we spend our money on wisely. Sustainable shopping in our Island community is wonderfully easier than it sounds. In putting together this issue, we were (as always) astonished at the innovation of retailers and producers across the Island.

On page 22, our lead interview with Karen Boyd gives us the inside peek into a very fashionable career. Our Meet the Maker article on page 40 introduces readers to a very special artisan who is realigning our approach to fashion – she focuses on using darning and mending as decorative additions, creating unique pieces that tell a story and defy fast fashion’s fleeting trends. We’ve also got our regular Style Picks article brimming with fashion and interiors pieces that focus on Island businesses developing innovative sustainability ideas, championing ecofriendly materials, and sourcing ethical production practices.

On the culinary front, we explore the delicious intersection of sustainability and gastronomy. Feast your eyes on mouthwatering dishes that celebrate seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, reducing food waste, and supporting regenerative farming practices. Learn from chefs and food enthusiasts who are redefining the art of sustainable cooking, proving that sustainability and flavour can coexist harmoniously on our plates.

christian@styleofwight.co.uk

office@styleofwight.co.uk 01983 861007

We print on sustainable paper using ecologically friendly inks and use a ‘carbon balanced’ printer.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of Style of Wight Magazine, but legal responsibility cannot be accepted for errors, omissions or misleading statements.

Winners at the IW Chamber Awards 2016

As difficult as it is in our consumer-focused world, we hope to inspire our readers (and ourselves) to make small retail steps towards embracing a lifestyle that will honour both our planet and our future generations. Let’s continue to make choices that leave a positive imprint on the world around us, nurturing a future where style, taste, and sustainability can live together on our Island.

Christian Warren

Get in touch

8 Salisbury Gardens, Dudley Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 1EJ 01983 861007

www.styleofwight.co.uk

call: 01983 302000

email: heroniowcowes@outlook .com

46-47 High Street Cowes Isle of Wight RYDE call: 01983 567192 email: bookingheroniow@outlook .com 2 Castle Street Ryde Isle of Wight @heron_iow

REGULARS

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

81 The Healing Power of Nature: Caroline Hurley – BeCalmed

82 Sun-Kissed and Happy: Beachy locks at Lilie Rose Hair

83 More at Duxmore: From Farm to High Street

FASHION

79 Platform One: A fashionable education

38 Like a Moth to a Flame: With Lauren Fry, Arts Educator

FEATURES

FOOD

72 The Hambrough‘s New Horizons: Chef Curt Elphick returns to the Island

109 Sapphire Shine: The Earring Collection is all Blue

HOME AND GARDEN

85 Flowers by Ellie: A day in the life...

86 The Importance of Soil: With Ventnor Botanic Gardens

95 Property Profiles: At Home on the Island

101 Discover Vintage: When Old is New again

113 The Magic of Business: By Dale Howarth, Business Mentor and Consultant

STYLE PICKS

Eco swaps

If you could make a conscious choice that had a positive impact on our planet, local artisans, small businesses, the community, and your pocket – would you? Of course you would – and a great way to do this is by eco-shopping.

BEACH CLEAN

Versatile Beach Clean material is a clever mix of sustainably-sourced cork with recycled EVA plastics. Flexible and soft to touch, each product is completely unique. Perfect for indoor and outdoor dining, you can find them at Bayliss and Booth.

baylissandbooth.co.uk

BUSY LITTLE BEES

Made by the enticingly named Wight Apothecary and on shelves at Dig for Vintage, these beeswax wraps come in a range of delicious summer colours. Why beeswax, you ask? It’s naturally antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal, so you can protect your food with the best nature has to offer.

digforvintage.co.uk

LINEN LINES

Recycled cotton uses 33% less agricultural land, 79% less fossil fuels, and saves 11,000 litres of water per kilogram produced! It also produces a soft, versatile linen that will bring country vibes to any Island home. Find this pinstriped collection at Bayliss and Booth.

baylissandbooth.co.uk

FOREVER FASHION

From a completely zero-waste studio in Ventnor, Roake garments are made to order using all natural fibres (kinder to the planet, kinder to the skin) or from end-of-line fabrics that would have otherwise gone to waste. With the ethos that fashion is forever, products such as this best-selling Nicole Jacket are personalised items made to love for a long time.

roake.studio

SPRING INTO STYLE

Swedish childrenswear brand, PO.P (Polarn O. Pyret), has released a colourful collection of floral fits, soft stripes and animal prints for summer. With colours that never fade and the promise that each item will last three children, PO.P stands behind the circular fashion movement.

polarnopyret.co.uk

GOOSE ISLAND CANDLE COMPANY

Inspired by the serene surroundings of St Helen’s village (nicknamed Goose Island) and a love for creating a cosy home, this local business crafts candles that reflect life’s scents, passions, and memories. With a curated range of ten unique fragrances, from floral to earthy, these whimsical scents evoke comfort and joy in any space. Available in three sizes and beautifully packaged, all candles are made with biodegradable soy wax and pure cotton wicks, ensuring a clean burn. Committed to sustainability, Goose Island prioritises natural, responsibly sourced ingredients and eco-friendly packaging.

Find them on Etsy or Facebook.

LUXE LEATHER

Funk up your eco look with these stunning leather-cut earrings from the Isle of Wight Leather Company. From lightning bolts to stars, these eclectic pieces are made from leather offcuts. If it’s bright, bold, statement pieces you’re after, you’ve found them at Ventnor’s Luchelle Boutique.

luchelleboutique.co.uk

LOVE OCEAN

This range of children’s bath products is made using organic seaweed harvested sustainably in unpolluted British waters. With a unique, refillable whale tail bottle designed to help change the disposable way we view plastic, Love Ocean’s delicious sea-friendly products are dermatologist approved and over 98% natural. That’s a whole lot of bathtime love and a whole lot of bathtime fun in one bottle!

loveocean.com

STYLE NEWS

What’s Going On Where

Late spring and early summer calendars are always jam-packed on the Island and we’ve put together this list of dates that you definitely need to remember, so be there or be summer square!

Drip Splatter Smear

11th May – Sun 7th July

Quay Arts Centre, Newport

Artist Laura Hathaway presents an exhibition that invites audiences into her artistic process, with Laura creating new pieces on-site. Her tactile method involves painting on glass and paper, capturing emotions through gestures, layers, and interplay of light and shadow. Workshops will delve into mark-making and abstraction, using art as a tool for non-verbal self-expression. quayarts.org/event/drip-splatter-smear

FLORA

3rd May – Sun 31st May

Wolverton Blues Festival

11th May

Wolverton Manor, Shorwell

Experience a day-long Festival of Folk & Blues in Shorwell. This familyfriendly festival includes fantastic bands, local food, children’s activities, and the beloved Real Ale tent. This year’s special guests include rising soul/blues artist Mississippi MacDonald, award-winning folk stars 3 Daft Monkeys, and British blues legends Ruthless Blues. Additional activities include a tea tent, barbecue, craft stalls, Morris Dancing, and more, all set against the scenic West Wight backdrop. Proceeds support Leukaemia Research/Cancer Support and Brighstone School. wolvertonmanor.co.uk

Quay Arts Centre, Newport Italian artist Lucia Para has lived on the Island since 2012. Her exhibition, FLORA, delves into her fascination with colour and shape, focusing on her research into flowers and plants. Her work, crafted with mixed media on board or paper, hints at a journey towards abstraction. Lucia also teaches regularly at Quay Arts and will also lead a workshop that delves into botanical drawing called ‘Discover your Floral Self’. quayarts.org/event/flora

Photo Credit - Julian Winslow

Photo Credit - Tanya Goodwin

Newclose Beer Festival

28th – 30th June - Newclose County Cricket Club, Newport

Located just a mile outside Newport, Newclose County Cricket Club is hosting an event that offers the perfect solution to that summer thirst. At the Beer Festival, visitors will find a selection of 35 beers and four ciders, plus lots of other tasty beverages. Entrance is £10, which includes your first pint, while live music by the Crew and Second Time Around will add to the fun.

newclose.org/beer-festival

Biosphere Festival

29th – 30th June - Island-wide

In 2019, the Isle of Wight became the UK’s seventh UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and, to celebrate, this summer launches the inaugural Biosphere Festival. A vibrant weekend of Island-wide events, the festival highlights the Island’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. Events include guided walks, an open day at Wilder Little Duxmore, workshops and talks at Quay Arts Centre, and lots of family-friendly activities with the FOCAS festival at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary.

Iwbiosphere.org

For your calendar:

Great Wight Bite

7th – 8th September

Northwood House, Cowes

Packed full of rich gastronomic offerings, this delicious day out celebrates the best of the Isle of Wight’s culinary scene. Discover eats from local producers, including everything from mouthwatering seafood to artisanal cheeses. Sip on handcrafted drinks and enjoy live music as you wander through the lively stalls. Feeling inspired? Dive into cooking demos or get the kids involved in family-friendly activities. So, whether you’re a foodie or simply after a day out by the sea, nip on down to the elegant Northwood House and join in all the fun.

greatwightbite.co.uk

Wellbeing Festival

18th – 19th May

Ventnor Botanic Gardens, Ventnor

Step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and dive into a weekend filled with yoga, sound therapy, Tai Chi, forest bathing, and much more. Whether you’re a seasoned wellness warrior or new to the journey, the immersive activities at VBG’s Wellness Weekend are tailored for you. Discover the power of mindfulness, explore new ways to manage stress and enhance your mental and physical health. Set against a backdrop of serene landscapes, this retreat is one for those wanting to unwind, reflect, and rejuvenate.

botanic.co.uk/wellbeing

Photo Credit - Julian Winslow

Wessex Cancer Support and Platform One Arts Aid

Cowes Fringe Festival

Hurst’s 165 Year Anniversary

British Street Food Awards

Around the Island Yacht Race

Gin and Steam Festival Isle of Wight Festival

GG’s Bar and Restaurant, Newport

Various locations

Hurst stores around Island Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth

Around the Island The Railway Station, Havenstreet Seaclose Park, Newport

EVERYTHING

SHE TOUCHES…

By Roz Whistance

She can, so you can. That is the message that fashion designer Karen Boyd wants to put across to young people on the Island.

here’s a feeling of complete positivity, of possibility, when you meet Karen Boyd. She’s a fashion designer who has worked since the 1980s with virtually any name you care to drop, who has turned businesses around and launched others, and been doyenne of catwalk shows internationally – yet is at heart a hands-on, can-do doer.

She is now sharing her expertise with the next generation, teaching design on Platform One’s new Sustainable Fashion Degree course since last September. “It’s great for the Island, to have more and better opportunities that will attract and retain young people here,” she says. “There’s a real feeling that with so much happening around sustainability, the beauty of our natural environment, and of course hybrid working, that the Island’s time has come.”

She would know. Karen has worked hybrid long before that was a thing; she commuted to London and beyond, but was equally happy at the school gate with all the other Ryde mums.

“The Platform One job is the first time in 22 years that I’ve actually worked Island-based,” she says. “It’s exciting for me being part of such a great team.”

The course is also a departure for Platform One, well-established as a specialist music and music industry college. “It was the brainchild of Hannah Woodford who is Head of the course and created Sustainable Fashion as the perfect fit with its existing courses. As well as teaching design, I’m using my industry contacts for the benefit of the students.”

These are very much practical benefits, getting generous donations of fabrics from The Fold London, oodles of swatches from Whistles, by which the students can learn their craft. “Me+Em donated a load of reject shirts for a repurposed shirt project in which students learn about the brand, then are challenged to design something totally new, teaching them the skills of making and mending, using unwanted pre-owned garments to create something new and exciting.”

Somehow you don’t expect to hear ‘make do and mend’ from someone at the zenith of that glitzy industry, or talk about army surplus and repurposing. But Karen began by making the clothes she and her friends loved to wear. “I didn’t even do art at school. I just loved clothes so I made things.” After university at Newcastle, she went to London and set up her own business. Straightaway? “Straightaway. It was possibly foolish,” she smiles, “but I had nothing to lose. The world needs me! Look out London, here I come!”

It’s at this point in the story that you’ll expect the crash, the disappointment, the return up north chastened... But this isn’t that story.

Karen joined forces with another designer, Helen Storey, and they opened a shop called Boyd & Storey in Newburgh Street, London W1, parallel to Carnaby Street. “Soho was still a bit seedy and landlords were offering incentives to young designers to try and elevate the area a bit.”

Her designs were boldly sassy, feminine yet structured. “I like contrasts – mixing masculine with feminine, vintage with modern, tailored with romantic.” So her style is hard to pin down. “I care very much about detail. I love dramatic proportions. If you’re doing a fabulous full sleeve, go big or go home!”

Because, from the get-go, Karen was making what she liked to wear, garments had an authenticity that clearly appealed. The uber-trendy Way In at Harrods was one of the first to sell her collection, and very soon her label, Karen Boyd, was attracting some heady press coverage.

Flicking through her archive from the late 1980s, we see her designs on the young Naomi Campbell before she achieved supermodel status, and Cecilia Chancellor, who already had. One thrill was when Madonna wore her design for the cover of her album Like a Prayer. “Though at the time the focus was all on her belly button, you could hardly see my clothes!”

Karen Boyd sold all over the world, in America, the Far East, the Middle East, Hong Kong and Europe. “I showed in London, Paris, sometimes Milan. They were exciting times but,” she says, “you just take it in your stride.” You can’t help wondering whether that was the case with every young woman who came to the Big City with a love of making clothes. Probably not.

But after eight years she closed her business. “It became too much about money and finance and not enough about design.”

She then took on her first full-time role as Head of Design for Katharine Hamnett, the 90s maverick designer feted equally for her spectacular catwalk shows, as well as her infamous slogan T-shirts used provocatively as a means of protest. “She was aware before anyone about sustainability,” says Karen, “and I like to show my students how rooted the movement was in fashion even then.”

Madonna wore Karen’s design for the cover of her album Like a Prayer.

Then came Karen’s greatest creation – baby twin boys! – the point at which she and her graphic designer partner Chris Bigg assessed their lives. “We’d both lived and worked in London for 20-odd years. You look at where you want your kids to grow up. We fell in love with living by the sea.” They moved to the Isle of Wight to a wonderful house with space for a home design studio, gorgeous sea views, and easy transport links to London.

Karen was teaching part-time at Central St Martins, and at the Royal College of Art where her protégés included Phoebe Philo, Molly Malloy of Colville, Christopher Raeburn, and Erdem Moralioglu, now simply Erdem – all now huge names in contemporary fashion.

At this time, Karen was recruited by Jaeger, a brand with a wonderfully rich heritage, which was super cool in the 1960s but now a little staid. “They wanted a more contemporary brand so we created Jaeger London. It was a massive departure for Jaeger. I loved working there; they had an amazing archive dating back to the 1800s which was a great source of inspiration. The collection was shown at London Fashion Week which was super exciting and a huge success, and customers appreciated something more contemporary but with the same quality fabrics.”

Getting a runway show off the ground was always a thrill, though exhausting. “You’re working into wee small hours, in the showroom until 2am because models are arriving from all over the world for fittings, machinists are there altering, garments arriving from factories that have to be changed, and working with world-class stylists and hair and make-up teams.”

Karen’s first full-time role was as Head of Design for Katharine Hamnett.

Hobbs came next, wanting the same treatment. “Hobbs Unlimited was a little capsule collection I did to test out how the customer reacted to more contemporary styles with more expensive fabrics, better quality.” Kate Middleton, then dating Prince William, was one of her customers, seen in press cuttings in a fitted coat with leather trims.

Being a fashion designer isn’t just being able to draw nice pictures, she says. “You’ve got to understand the customer, what sells. It’s not just being super creative; you’ve got to find the right fabrics that perform well as well as look good and are the right price –it’s a massive puzzle.”

Later as Head of Design, a Hobbs project took her into Kensington and Hampton Court Palaces, where the team was given exclusive access to the Royal Archives to gain inspiration for a very special collection. “We created a capsule collection of garments based on the story of British history, working with British manufacturers. We even created a beautiful lace design based on the wrought iron gates, made exclusively for Hobbs by the last lace-making mill in Scotland.”

Karen’s collaborations with huge names continued. She worked for Nicole Farhi over several seasons, then produced a collection for John Lewis called Modern Rarity, “more elevated, quite timeless, with better quality fabrics – it had the aim of producing style that lasts, encouraging the customer to ‘buy better, buy less’”.

Runways are always a thrill, though exhausting.

And then she’d go home to the Isle of Wight – a counterweight to the fast pace, even if the 5.30am alarm wasn’t welcome. She admits the commute does wear you down after 20 years. “I don’t do anything like as much travelling as I did. But working from the Island is really doable. I was doing big international catwalk shows, still travelling to London and Hong Kong and China, and all with a small family, living on the Isle of Wight.”

For the past few years, Karen has been working as a Design Consultant for the hugely successful Me+Em, whose clothes are worn by royals and celebrities but equally creates the best-fitting timeless trousers and some of the best basics out there. She’s also at The Fold London, a brand started for the city professional woman who wants something other than black or navy suits.

There’s that ‘everything she touches’ sense that where Karen goes, success follows. That is something for her students at Platform One to treasure.

For more of Karen see her Instagram, @karenboyd1.

Platform One’s Sustainable Fashion Degree Course is linked to Chichester University.

Kate Middleton in Hobbs Unlimited

The Local Charity with the national name

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.

Digital Friendly Island

Gentle Paced Digital Inclusion Sessions

50th Anniversary

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

Good Neighbour Scheme

Volunteer Led Befriending Service

Hospital Project

Supporting Discharge at St Mary’s

Mental Health Navigators

Specialising in Dementia Navigation

Just About You

Home Help Service & Support Workers

The Digital Age with Age UK Isle of Wight

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement, the importance of digital skills for all members of society cannot be overstated. However, amidst the waves of progress, there exists a demographic often overlooked – the older population. On the Isle of Wight, where community bonds run deep and the over-65s population is larger than average, empowering older people with digital literacy is not just a matter of keeping pace with the times; it’s an essential step towards fostering inclusion, bridging generational divides, and enriching the lives of our older population in meaningful ways.

Age UK Isle of Wight’s Digital Friendly Island Service works to address this issue. The innovative program helps ensure older Islanders have access to the online world and can navigate it with the confidence needed to access services essential to Island life, such as booking ferries, online shopping, healthcare appointments, and staying in touch with friends and relatives.

The program has been developed with older Islanders since 2016, ensuring it meets the unique needs of those living in the Island community. Services are delivered through 1:1 home visits, six-week courses, community workshops, and access to a drop-in service. Outreach events are held regularly throughout the year for older people and their families to develop an understanding of the services on offer. Short-term loans of digital equipment are also offered to those who need them to remove any potential barriers to learning.

With Age UK Isle of Wight supporting all adults on the Island aged over 50 (that’s 50% of the Island’s population), their impact cannot be denied. In fact, last year Digital Friendly Island delivered 808 free-to-access digital support sessions. While the project has been sponsored with funds from the National Lottery, these resources were fixedterm and have now concluded, leaving the Digital Friendly Island Service vulnerable and

in need of a more sustainable source of funding. Securing this is essential to ensure the service can continue making a meaningful impact in enhancing digital inclusion and empowerment among the older community on the Isle of Wight.

The impact of Age UK Isle of Wight’s Digital Friendly Island Service extends far beyond the realm of just jumping online. This service not only empowers older adults with vital digital skills, it also fosters a sense of belonging, inclusion and resilience – elements that are all essential for a fulfilling later life.

ageuk.org.uk/isleofwight

Could you help create a more inclusive society?

DESTINATION

NEWPORT

By Rebecca Lawson

Start spreading the news – Newport is coming alive again. The Island’s unofficial capital is bursting at the seams with quirky shops, enticing eateries, and exciting events. Bouncing back after Covid with a flourish, there’s more to do, see and shop here than ever before.

Family-run Newport staple, Adrienne Wroath Jewellery, celebrates their 10th anniversary.

After a sleepy wet winter, the town at the centre of the Island has started (like the rest of us) to wake up – and it’s a brand-new morning. Cheerful flowers adorn the roadside, the smiling faces of shoppers are no longer obscured by dripping umbrellas, and the streets feel washed clean by the terrible rain of the last few months.

Our Island city is lucky enough to be supported year-round by a wonderful selection of well-established fashion and interiors stores, and several delicious eateries that keep locals wellfed. Of course, these places are still flourishing, and their spring products are bringing a fresh, fizzing excitement to the retail offering, but there are

plenty of new developments on the horizon that give lots of reasons for those who haven’t visited for a while to start pounding Newport’s pavements again pretty soon.

To the delight of young people the Island over, it seems Newport is fast becoming a mini fashion mecca, not only for those in Hampshire, but throughout south-east England as well. Platform One’s new sustainable fashion degree has set up home in the bright funky offices of the old Top Shop building, and with its focus on sustainability, adds a touch of responsible glitz to the town. The course’s inaugural year has taken off with flair and attracted big names in the industry to this burgeoning space. Head of the degree, Hannah Woodford,

says “I have navigated the fashion industry’s dynamic waters, shaping an educational experience that’s not just current but also industry-focused. Crafting this degree has been a labour of love, a dream I’ve nurtured for years.”

Having this new learning space in town not only benefits hopeful fashion designers, however. Part of the set-up includes a one-of-a-kind concept store, where students bring their creations to life. These are also showcased in a series of super-cool pop-up events that will be run throughout the year, giving discerning shoppers access to one-of-a-kind-pieces from students who could very well become the next Vivienne Westwood.

Newport is bursting at the seams with exciting independent shops.

If sustainable, unique, and fashion are three words you love to hear together, Fieldwork is the store for you. This isn’t an off-the-peg type of clothes store – at this sweet new studio on Holyrood St, you’ll be expected to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in. Selling exclusive patterns designed in-store by Sue (originally for her lovely daughter Georgina), Fieldwork also sells sewing machines so you know you’ve got the right tools for the job. If you’re not a seamstress, however, don’t panic. Sue will guide you every step of the way with her small-group workshops covering everything from dress to trouser making.

If you’re looking for items already made, down the cobbled Watchbell Lane you’ll find Visual Impact. Easily

one of the Island’s most on-trend stores, it offers shoppers a curated selection of contemporary styles. With two shops – for ladieswear and menswear – this is where you’ll find all those brands you want to wear but usually need to travel to the mainland to find. Gant, Nudie Jeans, Barbour, Scotch and Soda are all there for the blokes (plus many more), while displays of scooters and leather armchairs set the vibe. If it’s something more formal you’re after, super helpful staff will measure you up to get just the right fit for your next suit, making sure you look your dapper best.

For a more feminine touch, don’t miss Visual Impact’s ladieswear store next door. At this time of year a plethora of

Sue and Georgina will teach you how to ‘make your own’ at Fieldwork.

With three store fronts, Visual Impact offers shoppers a curated selection of contemporary styles.

fresh colours and soft materials are featured. Floral prints, pastel colours, and zippy summer vibes are all there from designers you want – French Connection, Timberland, Ted Baker –as well as those you may not yet know, but soon will – Great Plains, Camper, YAYA, and Traffic People. To put it simply, this is definitely a place to mark on your Newport shopping map.

It can’t all be about purchases for the people in your life, however. While you’re down Holyrood Lane, don’t miss Pets with Hart, which stocks everything you need for your best friend, be they furred or finned. This family-owned store is truly unique in that the owners’ passion for animals is obvious in the care taken in selecting stock and helping customers.

Owners Sharon and David are very knowledgeable and keen to assist when needed – they will certainly make sure your pet is fed and groomed to perfection – not to mention spoiled by their massive selection of toys.

While we’re giving the pups some love, Ry’s Doggie Day Care is a fantastic one-stop space for anything you need. Located in Newport’s industrial estate, Ry’s offers dog training and behaviour management, health and nutrition advice (including stocking Paleo Paws for those pooches looking to adopt a new diet), group classes, and also a day care service so your dog can enjoy the day as much as you do while you’re in town. Now you know your favourite canine will be so well cared for, you can enjoy your shopping even more!

Pets with Hart has it all.

Give the pooch a fantastic day out or pick up some delicious treats at Ry’s Doggie Day Care.

Once pooch is all settled in, head back up to Holyrood Street and Adrienne Wroath Jewellery. Here, in her unassuming studio near the cobbles, this incredibly talented designer creates pieces that are simply stunning. Looking like they may be more at home on Carnaby Street, Adrienne’s designs are clean and easy, modern yet with a traditional edge that shines through both in the designs themselves and in the methods used for creating them. Made on-site by the designer herself, this is where to find those unique pieces that you will keep for a lifetime, and the longevity of her designs is being marked this year with the business’s 10-year anniversary.

Holyrood Street is home to many of Newport’s most exciting independent

stores, and dining is no different, with One Holyrood providing lunches and cakes to hungry shoppers daily. With their intimate boutique guest rooms, spring-perfect gardens just begging to host your afternoon tea, and an elegant lunch menu served in beautifully appointed dining rooms, this is the perfect spot to recharge those shopping batteries. You can also enjoy a touch of history during your visit – these Grade II-listed buildings have been meticulously restored while preserving their historic charm, including visible date marks on the bricks and stone. Once housing a blacksmith’s shop, a bakery, and, in the 1940s, a gentleman’s outfitters, this is definitely a property not to be missed in Newport.

Adrienne Wroath’s shop-made designs are contemporary and elegant.

May and June are the perfect months to soak up afternoon tea in One Holyrood’s beautiful gardens.

It’s not all shopping and eating in Newport (although they are some of the best bits). There are also plenty of places to get your culture hit. Local charity Independent Arts has opened up a space on the High Street that is committed to using the arts to enhance wellbeing, improve quality of life, and reduce social isolation. They host about 25 creative workshops across all age groups, or you can just pop in to explore their diverse exhibitions. One of their recent exhibitions was ‘Infinite Skies’, a multi-media collection inspired by John Constable’s fascination with the skies. Their current ‘Celebrating Spring’ exhibition, features beautiful contributions exploring themes of growth and regeneration. Curated with the help of volunteers and local school pupils, this exhibition embodies the

spirit of spring and the transformative power of art.

The Quay Arts Centre, nestled in a converted 19th-century brewery warehouse complex, stands as the Isle of Wight’s premier art gallery and live arts venue. A one-stop shop for your art fix, the venue has a council-listed gift shop, popular café bar known for home-cooked food, and regularly hosts diverse exhibitions and live performances featuring local, regional, and international artists. Upcoming events change regularly – check out our events in Style News on page 20 for some more details on what you can see this summer.

Is it time for a coffee break yet? Back into the centre of town you can head

Quay Arts

Quay Arts

Independent Arts runs wonderfully colourful creative workshops designed to enhance community wellbeing.

There’s always lots on at Quay Arts, and while you’re there, check out the shop for unique buys.

on up the historic former Beavis building, where you’ll find Caffe Isola. Run by Stefanie Burgess, this delicious artisan venue is where to find your caffeine hit for the day – but it’s not just any caffeine. At Caffe Isola, coffee comes decorated and, depending which barista is on shift, your cappuccino may come adorned with a swan or love heart. Pair it with their delectable selection of polenta slices or maybe a more substantial salad or sandwich – either way you won’t be disappointed. When you’ve finished, you’ll want to grab a bag from their roastery to take home, or if you prefer, a packet of their Wight Label range of quality leaf teas, infusions, and tisanes.

Alternatively, Grace’s Bakery offers

customers two venues in Newport. This beloved local bakery is known for its freshly baked goods and warm, welcoming atmosphere. It offers a wonderful range of pastries, bread, cakes, and sandwiches, all made with high-quality ingredients. With friendly staff and a mouthwatering selection of treats, it’s no surprise that Grace’s Bakery has become a favourite spot in Newport (or Yarmouth, Ryde, Shanklin or Cowes) for both locals and visitors. No one is more excited about the change to warmer weather than Newport florist the Flower Garden Bursting with blooms, buds and bouquets which perfectly showcase the seasons, make sure you don’t miss this little gem of a store, if only for the scents alone. You can preorder of

Decorated coffee, delectable cakes or maybe a salad – you won’t be disappointed at Caffe Isola.

Freshly baked goods and a warm welcome wait at Grace’s Bakery.

Adrienne Wroath Jewellery 26 Holyrood St adriennewroath.com

Caffe Isola 85A St James’ St islandroasted.co.uk

Grace’s Bakery

114 Pyle St or 102 High Street gracesbakery.uk

Fieldwork 23 Holyrood Street facebook.com/fieldworkpatterns

Flower Garden 45 St James’ St flowergardeniow.co.uk

Independent Arts 48-49 High St independentarts.org.uk

One Holyrood 1-4 Holyrood St oneholyrood.co.uk

course – stunning wedding designs are a staple of the business – or just nip in and grab a bunch to take home. There is no better way to bring the outdoors in than with a pop of orange gerbera, a perfectly purple tulip, or a sprig of soft green eucalyptus.

Newport’s bustle and buzz has hit a high note now that the sun is (almost) here for 2024. But Caffe Isola’s Stefanie Burgess sums up the vibe perfectly when she says, “Newport community is about a collective effort from anyone and everyone. From the little inputs right up to the big challenges, it makes the community what we have here on the island –unique, strong, and receptive.” The range and quality of independently owned shops across the town is testament to this.

Pets with Hart 17 Holyrood St petswithhart.org

Quay Arts 15 Sea St quayarts.org

Ry’s Dogs 9 Hurstake Rd rysiow.co.uk

Visual Impact

21 Holyrood St visualimpact.co.uk

The Flower Garden is always bursting with blooms, buds and bouquets.

Meet the Maker

Skye Pennant – Slow Stitch Club

Words: James Rayner

From her top-floor workspace up amongst the beams and sloping ceilings of a house in Frome, Islander Skye Pennant creates visible repairs to much-loved clothes, one slow stitch at a time. Reviving the lost art of darning, she breathes new life into well-worn and much-loved garments, using contrasting materials to create tasteful and stylish repairs intended to be seen by all.

Credit: Celie Nigoumi

Five years in, and Skye’s stitching has attracted attention not just in Somerset, but right across the world with her TikTok videos going viral, and her work featuring in The Times and The Washington Post, too.

“I first used a sewing machine at Mayfield Middle School in Ryde, when we were asked to make a waistcoat in the style of a famous artist,” Skye tells us. “Later, when I got to Ryde High, I took textiles as an A Level, realising it was something I was increasingly passionate about, although I got the feeling from the adults around me that a textiles degree wouldn’t lead to a job.” So instead, Skye enrolled for a Fashion Design and Enterprise BA at the University of Creative Arts in the historic Surrey town of Epsom, though the course quickly made her feel disillusioned by the reality of the fashion industry.

“We spent a whole term just focusing on men’s shirts, making collars again and again. I struggled with that idea of perfectionism, and it just highlighted that making clothes is hard, yet garment workers are usually paid a pittance. I didn’t want to be involved with that, or the incredible amounts of waste the fast fashion industry causes either.”

During her studies, a new path would open up for Skye when she started getting her clothes from charity shops and secondhand retailers. Needing to make alterations to many of these garments, she spent more

and more time with a needle and thread in hand and started to collect vintage sewing tools, too. In particular, a 1940s darning loom would lead to a change of direction, as she started to practise her knitwear repairs. “I used a different colour wool as it’s easier to learn that way,” Skye explains. “That’s when I saw just how beautiful visible repairs can be.”

In 2020, just before the first lockdown, Skye held her first visible mending workshop for a select group of just six people in Brighton. As restrictions tightened, her sessions moved online, attended by participants from across the world – including America, where attendees would get up at the crack of dawn so they could take part. “Since then,” Skye continues, “I’ve worked with Welsh clothing label TOAST as a freelance repair specialist, first in their Shepton Mallet branch and then in Shoreditch. Through them, I also held a virtual workshop at Somerset House in London as part of their Eternally Yours exhibition, and I hold regular in-person events at Millie Moon haberdashery in Frome, too.”

These days, a lot of Skye’s day-to-day work is commissions, and she is often working on sentimental pieces or garments with a story. Customers have included a lady whose trousers she has repaired year after year, and a man who wanted his jeans mended using material from the lining of his wedding suit. “I think it’s almost a radical thing to do,”

A well-worn elbow, repaired and strengthened with a stylish houndstooth darn.

Under the sloping ceiling of her Frome attic, Skye uses the lost art of darning to bring new life into well-worn clothes.

After years of work during playground duty, this retired teacher’s duffle coat has been given a new lease of life with a tasteful mend along its most rubbed edges.

Skye smiles, “saying ‘no, I’m not going to throw this item away.’ Being able to bring new life into existing clothing, especially when it has an emotional connection, feels such a fulfilling thing to do.”

When it comes to making a start on a new project, Skye has a whole host of different techniques and methods to call upon, picked up during her five years of visible mending. “Darning is my thing, it’s my passion and there are a ton of ways to do it – Swiss darning, honeycomb darning, Scotch darning… Then there’s the Japanese method of sashiko, best suited to denim.

• It’s estimated that a truckload of abandoned textiles is dumped in landfills or incinerated every second – Ellen Macarthur Foundation

• The fashion industry contributes to around 10% of global greenhouse emissions – United Nations

• A 2011 report by The Carbon Trust estimated global consumption of cotton causes around 220 million tonnes of CO2 to be emitted.

From Swiss, to Scotch, to honeycomb – the variety of different darning techniques can lead to all manner of creative mends.

Vintage wooden darning mushrooms and old metal darning machines – useful tools for those looking to ‘make do and mend’.

Whilst I love introducing people to sashiko, I don’t have the same heritage and cultural connection to it that the incredible Japanese artisans do, so although I might introduce it in my workshops, I’ll later point them to people who can teach them further.”

One thing that Skye likes to make crystal clear is that although darning and mending clothing can be complex, anyone can try it and you don’t need a whole new toolkit to start out. “I always tell people that mended is better than perfect. If it means a jumper has gone from being hidden at the back of a wardrobe to being worn again then it’s a win! All you need to begin are some needles and a darning mushroom – which you can easily find at car boot sales or in charity shops.”

As part of her mission to inspire people to give visible mending a go, Skye has created her own book entitled Well Worn – Visible Mending for the Clothes You Love, due to be released on the 23rd of May. The ideal introduction, it covers how she first got into mending, why it’s so important for the planet, and some key skills, followed by garment-focused chapters which act like a handy repair-based encyclopaedia. “I wasn’t sure anyone would be interested, which definitely held me back from sending my proposal out to potential publishers. Weirdly though, I met some of my old uni friends at a wedding, and one had become an art director at Ilex Publishing. He told me to send him the proposal, which he showed to his boss and now here we are, with my finished book soon to be out in the world!”

Skye’s book ‘Well Worn - Visible Mending for the Clothes You Love’ is released on the 23rd of May and will be available from Waterstones, bookshop.org and her own website. slowstitch.club | @slowstitchclub

“Being able to bring new life into existing clothing, especially when it has an emotional connection, feels such a fulfilling thing to do.”

Born and raised in

now calls the green hills of

Here she holds mending workshops at a Frome haberdashery and takes on special commissions from clients near and far.

Ryde, Skye

Somerset home.

Credit: Celie Nigoumi

STYLE SPECTRUM

Siân Elizabeth

Siân Elizabeth is a beauty, fashion and portrait photographer based on the Island.

Initially training as a journalist and then studying for an MA in advertising (both at Falmouth University), her passion has always been with photography and in particular using strobes, both in the studio and out on location.

Siân has won various awards over the years for her work, including being shortlisted for two consecutive years in the prestigious British Photography Awards held in London. She also had one of her portraits of local cold-water swimmer Pat exhibited at the Royal Photographic Society in Bristol as part of their Summer Exhibition. This is currently on tour and will be displayed at Weston Museum in Weston-Super-Mare from 23 April – 13 July 2024.

Siân started out as a wedding photographer, whilst also being the official O2 music photographer and shooting live events such

as London Fashion Week. Since then, she has worked on beauty campaigns for agencies, images for UK tourist attractions and editorials for magazines.

Since moving to the island, Siân has built connections with local creatives to work on shoots for brand marketing material as well as for content for her online photography classes and talks – her most recent being at The Photography Show at the NEC, Birmingham.

“It’s important, as a photographer, to build a network around you who are passionate about and what they do – people who share a similar vision but who push you creatively.

“I have had the pleasure of working with some wonderfully talented people here on the island and I’m excited to keep building those connections and to work with local businesses, artists and creatives alike!”

sianelizabeth.co.uk

Beauty photoshoot content for Siân’s online course, found on international learning platform KelbyOne. Model - Lily Rose, Makeup Artist - Shelby Kerr

This shot was for the artist’s portfolio shoot. Chanique is a wonderfully talented dancer, pole artist and aerialist, and runs her own business, Classique Dance Studios, here on the island.

Model - Chanique Green, Makeup Artist - Shelby Kerr

Part of a beauty and jewellery photoshoot.

Model - Kriszta, Make-up Artist - Shelby Kerr

This photoshoot was inspired by the TV Series ‘A Town Called Malice’. This was a test shoot to practise new lighting that I had been sent to review.

Model - Sophie , Makeup Artist - Jo Lofthouse , Hair - Julie Wallis

Part of a series that highlights the benefits of cold water swimming for mental and physical health, this image is part of an exhibition at Weston Museum being shown until 13th July 2024. Some of the images from this series are currently being exhibited at Riverside in Newport and is part of the ‘For the Love of Swimming’ events.

Portrait of Pat.

This photoshoot was for professional lighting brand Profoto, who had commissioned marketing material for a new product. We were on a short deadline and it was January when we shot this, so we were incredibly lucky with the weather and were blessed with gorgeous light at the end of the day! It was wonderful to work with local suppliers and to showcase what the island has to offer.

Models - Ian and Sacha, Makeup Artist - Jo Lofthouse, Hair - Julie Wallis, Dress - Forget Me Not Designs, Flowers - Sarah Matthews, Location - Ventnor Botanic Gardens

Poetry corner

with Medina Bookshop

The Running Thread

In isolated villages, tumbledown cottages lean, sink into the earth.

Women cut short strips from: patched breeches;  torn skirts; old petticoats worn to rags. For backing: wash, trim, shape a cast aside sack.  Sort the strips and with a wooden peg thread  them through the sackcloth, knot each one tight,  keep the strips close pile them thick as thieves.  When the snow blows in the door Ma’s rag rug  warms frozen feet clustered near the low fire.

Towns built of red brick terraced houses  long straight streets stretching over the hills. Women wind skeins of wool, treasure crochet hooks,  long wooden needles that click clack, click clack,  by candle lit fireside, on front door steps  under pale summer stars they knit. Mufflers  kind as Christmas, wind defying jerseys,  itchy vests and socks. For newborns they crochet blankets, bootees and bonnets  for grandmamas enveloping shawls, rugs  to tuck around stiff, rheumaticky knees.

Suburban semi’s, lawn set and fenced  wait for Janet and John to return.

Women buy Vogue paper patterns, cut pieces  from cotton cloth, pin, tack. Threading needles  winding bobbins their Singer treadles fly: French seams, set in sleeves, smocking, ruffles, frills, pleats, zips, hooks and eyes, button holes hand stitched.  Summer dresses, winter coats, shirts and skirts.  They make and line curtains, bedspreads and blinds.  Their homes, children and themselves all sewn up.

Glass and steel apartments soar, where every  balcony, watches the river wind to the sea  women tweet, tap into the internet, log on to Facebook trawl through eBay sites  restless they search ease dissatisfactions,  pent up fury at global trade, ready made, here today gone tomorrow, Must Have  Fashion. In despair Google retro-sites.  Haunt charity shops search for patterns  needles, wool and crochet hooks.

This poem by Island author Marion Carmichael is taken from her book Grass Green Stockings. Each of the four stanzas describes a different generation’s attitude to clothing, including the current interest in more sustainable solutions.

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.

Bettina

Words: James Rayner

Bordi

Chef and food writer Bettina Campolucci Bordi’s rustic, natural, and plant-centric style of cooking has taken her in many directions over the course of her career – most recently south-west, as she ventured down from her London home to a 1930s naval boatshed overlooking the busy waters of Portsmouth Harbour.

Campolucci

Drawing on her Scandinavian upbringing, Bettina combines black beans, oat bran and brown rice to create a nourishing vegan alternative to Swedish meatballs.

Her destination: Boathouse 4 Restaurant – a smart and sophisticated venue, set behind the sturdy walls of the city’s dockyard, where she would use her plant-based passion and sustainability-led ethos to shift menus into a more vegan direction and host a special onenight-only supper club. With three cookbooks to her name, a podcast and magazine column, Bettina is (as you’d expect) a pretty busy lady. However, we managed to secure time in her schedule for a quick call to find out more about this recent Portsmouthbased collaboration, organised by innovative hospitality provider BaxterStorey.

“I’ve been working in the food and beverage sector since the age of 15,” Bettina tells us, recapping her food journey so far. “I studied in Switzerland, Ireland and Spain, and graduated with a BBA in Hotel Management. I always worked as front-of-house though, despite it being my dream to cook for a living for longer than I can remember. This all changed in 2012 when I began hosting wellness retreats and just gravitated towards the kitchen. I started offering plantbased meals (years before they became mainstream) partly because, in places like Spain where I was hosting my retreats, the cheapest, freshest foods are usually the local fruits and vegetables found in the farmers’ markets.”

Something else directing Bettina down this plant-based path (whether consciously or not) were the memories of her international foodie relatives and the ways they first introduced her to vegan cooking. Born in Copenhagen to a Norwegian father and a Bulgarian-Danish mother, she’d spend spring in south-eastern Europe eating meat-free and dairy-free dishes with her Bulgarian granny during the forty days of Lent. Other times, she’d be picking wild blueberries in rural Scandinavia or helping her Norwegian grandma create homemade fruit jams and cordials.

“Looking back,” Bettina explains, “that part of my life definitely had a big influence on me. At that time, in the 1980s and early 90s, there weren’t many supermarkets and, for the eleven years we lived in Tanzania, we bought all our fresh food straight from the producers. Having eaten that way for so many years, I knew how happy, nourished and fulfilled plant-centric dishes can make you feel, which is why I wanted to make them my focus and share them with as many people as possible.”

Following a pop-up event where Bettina’s chance meeting with a literary agent helped secure her first book deal, she’s never looked back. Her career has since gone from strength to strength. Now living in London, she has amassed over 158,000 followers

on Instagram, where she has become known for her simple and nutritious recipes, including black rice porridge, loaded chickpea omelettes, and blow-torched tofu drizzled with maple, tamari, marmite, and ginger. Amongst those whose attention she has attracted is BaxterStorey – an international hospitality company that manages the drinking and dining at venues such as Winchester Cathedral, London College of Fashion and (of course) the Boathouse 4 Restaurant at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. “They approached me to be one of their Chef Partners,” Bettina tells us. “They asked me to specifically focus on wellness, which has been great. I’ve been working alongside their head nutritionist Lizzie Hennig and introduced the Beans is How initiative which aims to double the consumption of beans by 2028 – not only because they’re versatile and nutrient-dense, but for their sustainability credentials too. We have done this by introducing seven of my recipes throughout the business, including flourless chocolate muffins (made with chickpeas) and meat-free meatballs (made from beans) to showcase how to incorporate bean-based menus throughout BaxterStorey’s sites. Beans use less water than many crops and they reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers, too, by putting nitrogen back into the soil as they grow.”

On top of all this recipe development, Bettina hosted a one-night-only supper club on Thursday 28th March, featuring a multi-course menu of her signature plantbased dishes, hand-picked from her trio of cookbooks. “I love doing pop-ups like this,” Bettina adds, “where you can cook something together and then sit down and share it with each other afterwards. I always look at events like these as a chance to promote the potential of vegetables as much as possible, without having to label everything ‘plant-based’. This one was particularly special because of the fantastic location, and it also raised money for the employment charity Springboard.”

Since Bettina’s south coast excursion, her changes at Boathouse 4 are already having a noticeable impact. Meanwhile, she has four upcoming chef retreats to host, as well as a wellness retreat in Bali and a new product to launch (the AirOut vacuum food storage kit, which helps keep food fresh for five times longer). So, knowing Bettina has more than enough to be getting on with, we draw the interview to a close and hope to see more of her sustainable, plant-centric influence popping up in future.

@bettinas_kitchen bettinaskitchen.com

“ I know how happy, nourished and fulfilled plant-centric dishes can make you feel, which is why I wanted to make them my focus.”

Date, coconut sugar and almond milk sticky toffee pudding

Bettina’s first cookbook ‘Happy Vegan Food’ was released in 2018 (including recipes such as this butter bean baked shakshuka)

NEW GASTRONOMIC VENUE TAKES FLIGHT

Attending the VIP Launch of Heron’s New Cowes Venue

If you’ve walked along the winding curves of Cowes High Street in recent weeks, you can’t fail to have noticed that numbers 46 and 47 (the former home of Gastronomy) have undergone something of a transformation. With revamped interiors, freshly tinted windows, and a crisp monochrome

frontage, they’re now home to the new Cowes outpost of the Island’s much-loved Heron restaurant. Having built up an impressive reputation with their fine dining branch in Ryde, the Heron team launched this new venture in mid-April, inviting us for a sneak VIP peek before doors officially opened.

It was standing room only for much of the night…

Directors of the Heron Group (from left): Mat Curry, Denise Curry, Alex Kimber, Laura Kimber, Mark Day, and Lisa Day

Amongst those mingling in the crowd was special invitee Michel Roux Jr.

Plenty of glasses were raised to the success of Heron’s new venture

Tai, Prince of Zambia, testing out some of the appetising samples on offer

Heron waiter Jamie, armed with a new round of tempting canapés

Heron director Mark Day, with former Isle of Wight High Sheriff Kay Marriott

Wight Proms founder Mike Christie wearing possibly the snazziest jacket of the evening

The youngest member of the Heron family… who slept through most of the proceedings

Andy and Nikki Day at the VIP launch - doors officially opened to the public just days later

Emma Bradley of Spence Willard – one of many on the guest list to come from the business community of Cowes High Street

AQUiTANiA

AT THE SEAViEW HOTEL

The Aquitania is an intimate restaurant located at the front of the hotel that combines good food with modern unfussy service.

The food offering features an array of local food. The style is very Modern British with a regional Isle of Wight twist. Our Chefs work hand-in-hand with many local producers crafting dishes such as Green Barn Farm goats cheese souffle with watercress veloute that is simply a taste of the Wight.

The Aquitania has been awarded 2 AA Rosettes over six consecutive years.

To book a table call: 01983 612711

Address: The High Street, Seaview, Isle of Wight, England, PO34 5EX E-mail: reception@seaviewhotel.co.uk

Savouring the Seasons: THE JOY OF SEASONAL PRODUCE

There’s nothing quite like allowing our menus to be guided by the time of year. Seasonal produce is a celebration of nature’s bounty, providing optimal freshness, exquisite bursts of flavour, and peak nutritional value. Connecting to the seasons also allows us to appreciate and savour the unique characteristics of each harvest and foster a deep appreciation for the cyclical rhythms of the natural world. In terms of the agricultural industry, there can be no better way to support local farmers and allow them to farm sustainably, mindfully, and naturally.

All the best local restaurants know this to be true, so luckily there are a plethora of delicious seasonal dishes filling menus across the Island. It’s time to dig in and enjoy the taste of spring and summer!

Piano Bar Café, Freshwater

Flatbread with hummus, olives, avocado, the Tomato Stall pesto and salad.

The menu at Freshwater’s Piano Cafe is packed full of seasonal delights with a Greek flair, and this rustic spring dish is simply music for the mouth. Chewy flatbread is topped with creamy hummus and avocado, while the whole dish is lifted with the salty tang of olives and local tomatoes. Named in honour of Queen Victoria’s piano tuner and supplier (who is a former resident), this is definitely a venue to visit this spring.

The Boathouse, Seaview

Seabass line-caught off the coast of Cornwall, British shellfish, split sauce normande, samphire and orange braised fennel.

“Featuring line-caught wild seabass, hand-dived Orkney scallops, and locally grown mussels, I love the sustainability of this dish – it’s so important to preserve the country’s waters. By using hand-dived scallops, you eliminate the need for dredging, which of course causes severe damage to the seabed and prevents further growth of the ecosystem. Whenever I am creating a new dish for our menus, I always keep in close contact with our suppliers to make sure everything stays as local and as in season as possible.”

Joel Yearsley, Executive Chef

The Hambrough, Ventnor

Ox cheek pithivier with pomme souffle, pearl onion, cauliflower and merlot jus roti.

A cut of meat popularised by TV chefs, this packed-with-flavour cut needs some attention to make it palatable for fine dining. To combat this, Chef braises this dish for over 18 hours, then reduces the cooking liquor even further before running it back though the meat. Pearl onions give a burst of brightness in the mouth and a pomme souffle offers the chance for Chef to show off his culinary skills whilst adding texture to the dish.

Seaview Hotel, Seaview

Lamb loin, expertly roasted with butter, thyme and garlic, accompanied by an artfully prepared confit potato base, roasted carrots, broccoli, and crispy kale.

Seaview Hotel’s commitment to sustainability shines through in every dish and prioritising locally sourced ingredients minimises their ecological footprint. Each bite of this delicious lamb dish is elevated by a meticulously crafted jus, simmered for no less than 36 hours and infused with refreshing mint. In essence, this is a simple yet remarkable recipe.

Heron, Ryde and Cowes

Thyme-roasted chicken breast, chicken thigh schnitzel, asparagus and hen-of-the-woods mushroom with chicken sauce.

Taken from their Ryde menu, Chef Alex uses Isle of Wight garlic paired with locally foraged hen-of-the-woods mushrooms and nasturtium leaves to create this unique dish. These distinct wild mushrooms provide the perfect earthy tones to balance succulent chicken breast, while a peppery hit of nasturtium brings the vibrance.

Red Lion, Freshwater

Slow-cooked Isle of Wight beef, onion jam, parsley, and horseradish emulsion accompany a delicious beef-fat crumpet.

Sticky and unctuous but not for the faint-hearted, this rather devilish way to start the meal simply melts on the tongue. Onion jam brings sweet undertones while a drop of horseradish grabs the diner’s attention. Just make sure to make sure to leave room for the sticky toffee pudding as you’re crunching down on those pickled onion rings!

Farms for the

Prizing quality and diversity are the keys to supporting Island farming.

By Hannah Kenway

Driving from Newport towards the West Wight, the landscape opens up to hedgerow-clad fields and swathes of rolling green pasture speckled with cattle.

This is the home of Doris, the Isle of Wight’s celebrity cow. Doris became an unlikely media sensation after being filmed with eyes tightly shut one wintery morning, feigning sleep to avoid having to get up for milking.

Doris and her herd mates have long and worthwhile lives, producing nutrient-dense milk entirely from forage grown on their own farm; milk which we know is typically high in anti-inflammatory omega 3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). The kind of milk that as consumers we’d choose to buy,

produced on a farm that already far exceeds UK standards in terms of cattle health, welfare, and environment.

Although Doris still lives on this farm, her early morning wake-up is a thing of the past. Soon after her meteoric rise to fame, this farm stopped milking their cows, and the dairy herd was disbanded. It is just one of over 300 small dairies which have disappeared from the island since the 1960s. The loss of farms like this has had a profound effect on island producers; as well as milk, this farm produced healthy beef calves which were reared on nearby farms. Without these calves, beef farmers will need to buy cattle from the mainland, with the very real risk of bringing in disease – including bovine tuberculosis which is common in most areas of the UK but

thankfully not present in the wildlife on the island.

Farms are, and should be, an interconnected and diverse web of land managers and food producers, working together as an ecosystem that is resilient to market pressures and changing weather patterns. When we lose these “good” farms, they leave behind an increasingly fragile and unstable farming community with a slowly crumbling infrastructure.

So what’s gone wrong and why?

The removal of farm subsidies after Brexit and the artificially low and volatile market price for our milk, meat, and vegetables has had a profound impact on many local businesses and will continue to lead to the loss of “good” farms. As a country,

“There’s no such thing as ‘cheap food-’ cheap food comes at a cost.”

the Future

we are asking farmers to change the way they work for the public good, but we have sometimes failed to recognise that in doing so, they must be properly recompensed and protected from unfair competition.

The National Food Strategy, commissioned by the Government in 2021, recommended that the budget for agricultural payments be guaranteed until at least 2029 to help farmers transition to more sustainable land use. This transition has not been financially supported, leaving many farms under-resourced and struggling to survive. Sustainability goes beyond environment.

Whilst it’s a challenging time, farmers are practical, resilient, and resourceful. Everywhere on the Island there are glimmers of hope, signs of change that have the

potential to save our farming landscapes, by doing things differently and better.

Examples include sheep grazing winter vegetable crops, swathes of newly planted hedgerows just coming into leaf, goats browsing on the high downs, and the vibrant, stalky fieldscapes of herbal leys.

Farms are changing. They are becoming more diverse, embracing traditional agricultural practices and hardy native livestock breeds, as well as new technology and holistic healthcare of animals and land.

Our island farmers, who are producing “better” food, need to have the means to distinguish themselves from others with different standards of production, including competitors from abroad. Maybe, above all, the most useful thing we can do is to

recognise that we’ve been conned. There’s no such thing as “cheap food”. Cheap food comes at a cost.

Hannah Kenway

Hannah has spent almost 30 years in practice as a farm animal vet. She currently divides her time between clinical work, consultancy, and lecturing at Surrey University Vet School. With a degree in zoology, post-graduate qualifications in sustainable food production, and a passion for the outdoors, Hannah works with Island farmers to build a sustainable future.

Exploring the Island’s Eco-Friendly Taste Makers Producers with Principles

Whilst most teas are flown in from the other side of the world, one newly launched herbal infusion is made right here on the Isle of Wight. Named after the founder of the long-lost Victorian hospital, which once stood in the garden’s grounds, the Hill Hassall Botanic Tea combines lemongrass and verbena with handpicked eucalyptus leaves, harvested from the lofty, green trees which call the Ventnor Botanic Gardens home.

Not only low on air miles, this locally made brew also offers plenty of health benefits from its powerful botanical ingredients. Eucalyptus has been proven to offer antioxidant and anti-viral properties, whilst lemongrass calms nerves and lowers cholesterol. Verbena is anti-inflammatory and can aid digestion too.

From solar-powered dairies to organic apple orchards and regeneratively farmed cattle, the Isle of Wight certainly knows a thing or two when it comes to sustainable food production. Inspired by a love of the land and a strong moral compass, many of our talented local artisans go well beyond the call of duty, making their tasty top-notch produce as ethical, as low-impact, and as environmentally responsible as possible. So, with this issue being our eco special, we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite farmers, brewers, and makers to shine a (solar-powered) light on all their remarkable work.

botanic.co.uk

Mermaid Gin’s distinctive glass bottles are a frequent sight on farm shop shelves, in spirit aisles, and behind bar counters (even making an appearance in the James Bond film ‘No Time to Die’). However, something that isn’t always so well-known is the brand’s enduring commitment to sustainability. Not only stylishly textured and beautifully coloured, Mermaid’s gin bottles are also plastic-free, topped with a natural cork, decorated with biodegradable paint and sealed with a corn and potato starch label. They’re also fully reusable or recyclable and have often been used as restaurant water bottles or gently sawn off and sanded to make unique vases or tumblers.

As a certified B Corporation, ethics, environment and community influence Mermaid’s broader practices too. They work hard to reduce their carbon footprint and support reforestation and seagrass meadow restoration projects with charities such as Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Project Seagrass.

isleofwightdistillery.com

Mermaid Gin

Ventnor Botanic Gardens

Briddlesford Farm

Since the middle of last year, visitors to Briddlesford Farm’s on-site butcher may have noticed a new (and very sustainable) addition to the meat counter: ex-dairy beef. Traditionally considered tough and usually wasted, this type of meat is taking off amongst chefs and foodies who prize it for its rich and complex flavour, which is best sampled when thinly sliced and slow-cooked.

At Briddlesford, the ex-dairy beef comes from their very own herd of pedigree Guernsey cattle, once they’ve reached the end of their milk-producing lives. It’s an efficient use of meat that’s usually wasted on large-scale commercial farms, plus it allows the cows a few extra months out in the lush green pastures, too. For those not sure where to start, fear not, as the Briddlesford butcher is here to help, with plenty of suggestions for making the most of ex-dairy beef if cooking it for the first time. briddlesford.co.uk

Over amongst the green fields west of Newport is the independent, family-run brewery Island Ales. Since the year 2010, they’ve been producing an award-winning range of locally brewed ales, from a lighter straw-coloured option to a rich, dark ale with a cappuccino aftertaste. Something each of their frothy brews shares, though, is their British-grown malts sourced from Wiltshire-based company Warminster Maltings. In operation since 1855, the maltings boast an impressively low carbon footprint, sourcing barley from local fields and retaining many traditional, manual (and carbon-free) processes, such as shovelling the drying malt by hand.

Back at Island Ales though, the eco credentials don’t stop at ingredients. Beers sent to pubs across the Isle of Wight and the South Coast are delivered in reusable metal kegs, which are later returned to the brewery, washed, sterilised and refilled with the next consignment. There are also individual (and fully recyclable) glass bottles, offering a conveniently portable size for those looking to sample a Yachtsman’s Ale or a Wight Diamond from the comfort

islandales.co.uk

RADISH

With Will Steward, Living Larder

Radish Salad

We have elevated the radish to be the star of the show in this moreish salad. Delicious as part of an east asian feast, serve simply with some sesame-dressed noodles, or just on its own so you can enjoy the delicious peppery crunch of the radish and the inspired umami dressing.

Ingredients:

2 bunches of super fresh radishes – keep the tops if you have managed to grow your own

1 tablespoon of sesame oil

2 tablespoons of soy sauce

1 tablespoon of Chinese rice vinegar

A dried chilli - chopped

A teaspoon of brown sugar

A bunch of coriander - chopped

Some of the retained leaves from your radishes - chopped

A tablespoon of black sesame seeds

Method:

Give your radishes a good scrub. Place them on a wooden chopping board and squash them with a heavy saucepan – you could also use a meat tenderiser.

Combine the rest of the ingredients in a jam jar and give it a really good shake until the sugar has dissolved.

We love growing radish. They’re super quick to grow, come in a range of colours, and satisfy your taste buds at the start of the season. Radishes are part of the cabbage family and are a magnet for pests, so when growing organically protect them as best you can. For a different twist on using radishes, look out for mixed colour bunches and try roasting or sauté – the cooking brings out their sweetness and gives them a texture similar to baby turnip… plus the colours are great fun on your plate.

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

Spread your radishes on a plate – I think a clean white plate brings out the pop of pink. Dress with the umami dressing and enjoy.

Living

New Horizons for the HAMBROUGH

Following an illustrious career in the private superyacht industry, Curt Elphick returns to the Isle of Wight where his chef career first started at some of the Island’s most respected venues.

With his sights now firmly set on bringing this experience and fine dining knowledge to Island locals, there is no doubt Curt will quickly become an intrinsic part of the growing Ventnor food scene. Style of Wight was lucky enough to be invited to a tasting session, where we discovered his style firsthand, and got to taste for ourselves some of the dishes that will be added to the new menu.

With its elevated clifftop position, The Hambrough now offers another choice venue for food lovers and anyone seeking original, quality dining.

To book call 01983 123 456 or visit hambrough.com

TROUT

Chalk Stream trout offers a more refined and subtle flavour than a common salmon might. This beautiful and vibrant dish keeps the ‘fishy’ flavours, heightening rather than overpowering them. Sweet beetroot preserve – almost like a pickle – balances the saltiness of the seafood, while a citrus crème fraîche is perfect to help mop up the plate.

DUCK

A wonderfully deep, rich, smoky dish, the duck is first brined to tenderise before being perfectly cooked in the sous-vide and finished in the pan ready for serving. Burnt chard offers texture, and the sauce is a classical plum reduction bringing all elements together.

CUSTARD

A set white custard offers a visual treat to complete our meal. This light dish is served cold with a lively honeycomb and raspberry sorbet and a sweet secret caramac that shows Chef’s playful character and deep food knowledge.

A PLATFORM FOR SUSTAINABLE FASHION

As all Island GCSE parents know, local college Platform One is all about music, isn’t it? Not anymore! In what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting educational developments the Island has seen in a while, the college has now become Platform One Creative Education. This expansion includes a perfectly timed BA (Hons) in Sustainable Fashion, headed up by industry native, Hannah Woodford. Run through Chichester University, the degree provides the perfect response to the fashion industry’s growing awareness of the detrimental effect of fast, disposable fashion.

The building housing the new fashion school sets the scene perfectly. Three floors of vast open studio space, white walls, and plenty of natural light provide the space needed to create future-forward designs, and it is located right in the centre of Newport. It was here that the inaugural students recently opened their concept store for the first time.

Wandering around the studio spaces at the launch event, it’s easy to feel the excited

buzz behind the shy but smiling faces of the students who are running things. A lovely, fresh-faced young lady on the door hands out leaflets and inspiringly tells me that she couldn’t sew a stitch when she applied, but is now proudly showcasing her designs. I’m impressed by the beautifully repurposed doilies, crocheted scrunchies, and front-tie jackets. Visitors are also invited to give sustainable skills a go in student-run workshops. My teens were particularly inspired by the beautiful art of sashiko – a style of Japanese embroidery that brings old pieces back to life through focus patching and colourful stitching.

The event serves as the launch of the college’s Fashion Futures Collection, created entirely from garments hand-made by first year degree students, as well as the Community Collection featuring 10 one-off shirts, each made from vintage table linen donated by the local community. Hannah says, “The aim of the Community Collection is to celebrate the art of making clothes and honour the beautiful fabrics that

have been donated. Each garment comes with a booklet giving details of the fabric’s origin and donor, as well as time taken to make, and percentage of waste.”

But it’s not even the stunning garments or beautiful studio space that impresses me the most. Students attending the event are engaged, enthusiastic, and genuinely happy to be there. Gone are the draughty halls of my degree where lecturers lectured and students listened. This is hands-on learning at its finest, creating inspired young adults who will undoubtedly take the idea of sustainable fashion far.

Don’t panic if you didn’t get to April’s event. Several more are planned throughout the year including pop-up shops and fashion shows. Keep an eye on Platform One socials for more details.

@Platformoneiow platformoneiow Web: platformoneiow.org

Copyright David Rutherford

THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE

With Caroline Hurley

Wellbeing Practitioner at BeCalmed and Healthwell Solutions

As we look after our gardens, they look after us. They have the power to transform our wellbeing. In gardens, our minds become fascinated by nature’s beauty and complexity, resting and recharging our brains. Gardening can help us grow food and plants that can heal. By gardening we connect with the natural world that we live in. The scent and feel of natural products on our skin can all help us connect with the joy and relaxation of nature.

As well as helping with our mental health, the plants we find in our gardens can help with our skin. Natural plant-based skin care is best for your skin and the planet. Here are my favourite three plants for skincare:

Rosewater

Aloe vera cools and nourishes the skin. It is traditionally used for its powerful calming and soothing properties. Aloe Vera has moisturising and emollient properties, as well as an anti-ageing effect on the skin. It can be found in ESPA’s exfoliating body polish. Its molecular structure can help to heal wounds, minimise some scarring, boost collagen, and fight bacteria.

Rosewater is highly regarded for its soothing and gentle effect on the most delicate of skins. Rosewater is recovered from the essential oil of rose produced when the flowers are steam-distilled to produce the essential oil. The steam carries the precious oil from the petals and is then condensed so the oil forms on the top of the water. The rosewater is the delicately infused water that remains. It is a soothing and very gentle astringent and is suitable for all types of skin, but more especially for dry or sensitive types, which is why ESPA use it in their Hydrating Floral Spa Fresh.

Cucumber has a cooling effect on delicate and sensitive skin. It is extremely wellknown for its soothing and refreshing properties. It is easy to use at home; just cut a couple of slices of cucumber, lay them over your eyes, sit back and relax while the properties of cucumber help reduce puffiness around the eyes. Alternatively, you can use ESPA’s soothing eye lotion.

Aloe Vera

Cucumber

SUN-KISSED, HAPPY HAIR

Lilie Rose is a hair stylist with over 10 years’ experience specialising in lived-in colour. Her passion is to create beautiful sun-kissed hair that leaves customers with wearable colour that goes the distance.

Offering a luxury one-to-one service in a relaxed setting, this quiet studio in Freshwater is especially suited to those who prefer a more personal and private experience away from busy salons. Lilie Rose explains why providing her customers with this peaceful environment is so important to her ethos: “After suffering with my own mental health, creating a calm and safe environment for myself and clients was the top priority – a place they could be assured they were going to be heard and feel confident in themselves.”

Using sustainable products, practices and perspectives is a priority within the business. Lilie Rose collaborates with the Green Salon Collective, which help salons be more efficient in wastage, as well as using vegan and cruelty-free products.

Natural beauty and wellness are at the centre of Lilie Rose Hair, which creates a holistic environment that produces gorgeous hair while also enabling growth on subjects such as menopause, postpartum issues, and anxieties within the hair industry.

Lili Rose Hair

1-2, Whittingham Place, Avenue Rd Freshwater PO40 9UR

@lilierosehair

DELICIOUS DUXMORE

From farm kitchen to High Street, Duxmore Botanics has evolved from an under-the-radar brand to one of the Island’s leading independent businesses, with a dedicated following up and down the country.

Founded by Char, a qualified aromatherapist and cosmetic scientist, Duxmore Botanics was inspired by her passion for wellness and appreciation of home and surroundings. Born at the kitchen table at Duxmore Barn Farm, the business has grown from one simple Bain-Marie to a dedicated HQ on the farm and now the opening of a flagship store on Union Street in Ryde. Products include essential oils, diffusers, candles in a variety of fresh scents, and a range of delicious body care products.

A visit to the new boutique is an absolute must. Stepping inside is like stepping into a spa, as customers have the opportunity to try before they buy at the Discovery Island, experiencing the different fragrances and products. Char is in the shop most days and on hand to offer expert advice, whether you are looking to purchase something for yourself or a lucky loved one.

Duxmore Botanics

17 Union Street Ryde PO33 2DU duxmorebotanical.co.uk

Flowers by Ellie

A Day in the Life of a Florist

Every day at Bembridge Flower Shop is different; it just depends on how many customers we see, how many orders we have, and how many weddings we have booked for the weekend!

People always say to me, “Oh, this must be such a wonderful job,” and trust me, it is! However, being a florist is far from easy. It can be very demanding, especially around special events like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, or during the wedding season and Christmas. Whilst we do have ‘normal working hours’ there are plenty of weekends, late nights, and early mornings when we’ll still be beavering away with our twine and secateurs, too.

We start each day by receiving our fresh flowers from the wholesalers. Depending on how busy we are, this can mean collecting the flowers from the ferry terminal as early as 5 a.m. However, over the past few years, we’ve been fortunate to have a brilliant wholesaler who delivers directly to our door, four to five days a week.

We open up the shop at 9 a.m. sharp and set up an arrangement outside with seasonal plants and bunches of flowers for customers walking by to window shop. We then start conditioning the newly delivered flowers; this means stripping all the leaves and cutting the stems at an angle before placing them into a vase of fresh water. These are then popped into our vintage display buckets and arranged on our wooden flower stand, with a price tag attached to show how much is charged per stem or per bunch.

After this, we have a look through our orders for the day, making sure we follow each individual request. Those needing delivery are placed into the van, checked off the list, and sent on their way. My dad, Alan, does my deliveries for me, which is a great help! In the afternoons, I’m usually tucked away

in a corner, working on upcoming weddings and admin (like choosing from the wholesaler which blooms and greenery I want to stock for the following day). Planning, creating, and prepping for upcoming weddings can be a lengthy process but it’s so fulfilling sending your proposal to your brides and grooms, which we create individually for each and every couple.

Finally, when it’s time to close up, we sweep the shop, make sure all our plants have had a good drink and head home to start all over again the next day!

PROTECTING THE HEART OF YOUR GARDEN

Ventnor Botanic Garden’s Chris Kidd explains why the soil in your garden deserves loving care.

Perhaps the most precious commodity of our gardens is not the plants, the architecture, or the furniture, it is the soil beneath our feet. The humble earth is the source of nutrition and anchorage, without which the garden, and the Earth itself, would be a very different place. When we grow plants, we are invariably growing the soil first. The soil contains minerals, water, air, organic matter and life, all of which we add to by the very act of planting. But we can, and should, do more. It is in our best interests to work with the soil as partners in the garden.

Unrestrained cropping is disastrous to soils. Heavy use of fertilisers causes long-term damage in return for short-term gain. Powerful fertilisers need microbes to work, and these microbes need organic matter to develop, so it is far better to fertilise with bulkier organic matter to generate a balance. The textbooks of old say to bring on the farmyard manure, no longer an easily accessible option. Peat too, worked in or as a mulch, was a popular suggestion. But the ethics of peat harvesting are now questionable at best; destroying one ecosystem to help another in a foreign land doesn’t make sense. Instead, let nothing that lived leave your garden; return it to the soil as compost.

The traditional picture of a fat, stinking compost heap is far from what we want in a modern (and often smaller) garden. Instead, choose a shady, concealed spot on some soil on which to make compost. Add garden waste in thin layers and mix in soil from time to time. Collect rainwater, and steep nettles in it, as watering with this will activate the process. The compost pile will shrink very quickly in size, and the resultant light brown compost can be shared beneath plants as soon as it appears. Little by little, the very character of the soil will change, the ultimate recycling project. We can add kitchen vegetable scraps, fire ash, and light paper scraps when warm and damp. Question every item heading to the waste bin – could that be new potential soil?

Remember that bare soil is vulnerable soil, so cover it with compost mulch. Work this lightly into the surface; imagine you are making a new surface layer that is both the existing soil and your added mulch. Bad soil is dark, green and smells bad, it doesn’t break in the hand and has no life. It is so easy to change this simply by letting air in with a fork. Let it breathe. If the air is the lungs of the garden, then the soil is the heart.

botanic.co.uk

THE HUMBLE EARTH IS THE SOURCE OF NUTRITION AND ANCHORAGE, WITHOUT WHICH THE GARDEN, AND THE EARTH ITSELF, WOULD BE A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE.

Community Spirit at Quarr Abbey: A Summer of Events

Standing proudly on the north-east coast of the Island, visitors will find the Abbey of Our Lady of Quarr, a working Benedictine monastery that holds a profound significance to the people of the Isle of Wight. Better known as Quarr Abbey, the site is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty and its tranquil grounds have offered solace and spiritual inspiration since 1132.

The current building was constructed in 1902 by the Benedictine Order. Despite a hectic business, many agricultural demands, and a busy events programme, the Abbey serves first and foremost as home to a small group of monks. It is a living and working monastery that relies solely on the proceeds from events, abbey businesses, and grants to operate. This is no mean feat considering the abbey costs £1.3 million to run annually.

Luckily for locals and visitors alike, this means the Abbey always has a vibrant array of summer events, each promising to enrich the spiritual and cultural tapestry of the community. This year, their programme kicks off on 28th June with the Abbey Supper and Auction Evening, where guests

will enjoy a two-course meal and listen to a talk from Bishop Erik Varden OCSO as he explores fundamental cultural questions, offering thought-provoking insights that stimulate deep reflection.

For those feeling musical, on the 29th and 30th of June local choir Voices of the Isle of Wight will be putting on an afternoon performance of Puccini’s opera Suor Angelica (Sister Angelica), which tells the tale of a tragic young mother who is saved by a miracle. For those who book early, a cream tea (perhaps with a glass of prosecco) can be enjoyed before the show begins.

The rest of the summer programme is then packed full of a series of talks given by a range of eminent speakers.

The ‘An Audience With...’ series covers topics that are both poignant, such as Nigel Hartley MBE’s ‘Life and Death in Mountbatten Hospice’, and intriguing, with Sophie Andraeae CBE’s ‘Sacred Buildings’ or Abbot Geoffrey Scott’s discussion on ‘English Benedictinism’.

So, whether you’re drawn to moments of quiet contemplation, lively festivities, or engaging discussions, the Abbey’s summer lineup promises to deliver. Mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, and enjoy these moments of inspiration, connection and discovery amidst the tranquil beauty of Quarr Abbey. quarrabbey.org/visit/events

We have one of the largest tile & bathroom showrooms on the Isle Of Wight Open: Mon-Fri 7:30am - 5:00pm | Sat 8:30am - 2:00pm

Designed to Inspire,

Made to Experience

Inspired by Italian design, Tissino is proudly passionate about bathrooms, creating functional and beautiful bathroom products designed to stand the test of time.

We’re delighted to offer customers in the Isle of Wight the opportunity to experience Tissino products at the Tile Superstore in Newport.

Founded from the desire to join attention to detail with passion for the creative process, Tissino takes inspiration from the Italian love of water and design to produce stunning collections that create bathrooms to a standard never imagined before. Widely recognised as the choice for premium bathrooms, Tissino boasts over 25 years of experience in the bathroom industry.

Unwavering commitment to quality, design, and customer satisfaction has garnered their products a sterling reputation in the industry. Their expansive product portfolio includes furniture, showers, shower trays, brassware, enclosures, heating solutions, and baths, each crafted with the kind of painstaking attention to detail you want in your new space.

Whether you’re seeking minor updates or a comprehensive refurbishment, the Tile Superstore team is on hand to guide you through your bathroom planning process, offering products to complement every style and space.

Visit Tile Superstore for fitting and design advice.

LIFE’S A JOURNEY AND, WHATEVER ROUTE YOU WANT YOUR LIFE TO TAKE, PLANNING IS KEY

By Andrew White, ROUSE LIMITED

We all lead busy lives, and many people are experiencing a significant squeeze on their income, so planning for the future can seem like a pipe dream. But focusing solely on the present can mean leaving the future to chance. We want you to make better decisions about your money, so we find out what money means to you because by doing this we can help you identify your goals.

We know life can present many challenges, which can make it difficult to control our financial futures, but we can offer some tools to help you prepare for any changes in your circumstances. Cash flow forecasting is one of those tools – it can help you examine how your spending, saving and investing can affect your plans for the future. Listening to you can help us to identify shifting priorities throughout your life allowing us to ensure that what is in place continues to be suitable.

Just as a doctor would listen to what your symptoms are then prescribe appropriate treatment, we listen to what you want from your money and your life. We are here to help you work out what your goals are and how to achieve them because the value of financial advice isn’t just found in positive financial outcomes – it’s rooted within the relationship you have with us. By asking relevant questions we can help you examine what is important to you. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, or solution.

We are family

We also try to encourage open conversation about finances within families. The cost-of-living crisis has impacted pretty much everyone but in vastly different ways. Even those who are less impacted have found that the way they view their financial future has had to change. In many cases this has related to the needs of younger members of their family.

Recent research by M&G shows that intergenerational conversations are changing and revealing that advice looking at the whole picture is needed. The research highlighted that there had been increases not only in gifting volumes (parents helping offspring with anything from day-to-day living to getting a mortgage) but also the number of estates that become liable for inheritance tax. The latter highlighting the importance of estate planning to avoid adding to the financial woes of your beneficiaries. All these issues increase the need for intergenerational conversations that will ensure financial plans work at both an individual and multigenerational level.

Our approach to financial planning is holistic – nothing is looked at in isolation – and our whole team is here to provide you with the support you need throughout your financial journey. The future is bright – and we can be with you every step of the way.

WE WORK AS ONE TEAM FOR YOU. WHATEVER THE REASON FOR YOUR CALL, AND WHETHER YOU SEE YOUR FINANCIAL PLANNER OR SOMEONE ELSE, WE WILL ALWAYS ENSURE CONTINUITY OF SERVICE FOR YOU.

Discover Tranquillity and Luxury with Mermaid Holidays at the Nook

Nestled just a stone’s throw from the captivating Solent, the Nook beckons discerning travellers seeking a blend of contemporary elegance and serene tranquillity. Boasting a modern design that seamlessly merges style with comfort, this chic holiday home offers an idyllic retreat for those yearning for a memorable escape.

The Nook is not just a holiday home; it’s a legacy of love and family. Current owners, the Berry Family, purchased this seaside sanctuary over three decades ago. Their vision and dedication have transformed it into a haven of modern luxury while preserving its timeless charm and embracing the comforts of contemporary living.

Step inside the Nook and be greeted by an abundance of natural light that floods the open-plan kitchen and dining area, inviting guests to indulge their culinary passions in a fully equipped kitchen fit for aspiring chefs. Each light-filled bedroom, adorned with plush zip and link beds featuring quality mattresses, promises a restful night’s sleep, while two well-appointed bathrooms ensure convenience and comfort for all.

But the true highlight of the Nook lies beyond its stylish interiors. Venture onto the spacious wooden deck, where al fresco dining and socialising become a delight against the backdrop of tranquillity. Immerse yourself in the serene vista, where the picturesque sea views of scenic Wootton unfold before your eyes, surrounded by lush forests and the enchanting rhythm of archipelago life.

Step outside the Nook, and a world of adventure awaits. Surrounded by woodland trails and scenic walks, this coastal haven is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you prefer to explore on foot, by bicycle, or with a furry friend, there’s something for everyone. From strolls along the shoreline to exhilarating bike rides through lush forests, the possibilities are endless. You will uncover a hidden gem – a beach area once a designated water ski lane. This historical feature is a testament to the area’s rich past and allure for water sports enthusiasts. Today, the pristine coastline remains a cherished retreat, drawing developers and travellers alike with its unparalleled beauty.

At the Nook, convenience is a priority. With ample parking space available, you can seamlessly transition from your journey to the ultimate holiday retreat. Whether you are searching for refined relaxation or a base for your outdoor adventures, the Nook is a perfect choice.

Indulge in the beauty of nature, embrace the serenity of your surroundings, and let the Nook redefine your notion of the perfect getaway. Welcome to a haven where modern luxury meets natural splendour, where every moment is crafted for your utmost pleasure.

ISLAND HOMES

These Island properties are guaranteed to impress. Ranging from a beautifully refurbished Cowes Old Town house to historically significant properties in the South Wight, your dreams of country and coastal living can all come true.

Busigny, Cowes Old Town

Agent: McCarthy & Booker

Busigny House, dating back to the late 1700s, is a substantial historic and stylish property located in a highly desirable location in Cowes Old Town. It has charm and character throughout with 7 bedrooms, two of which are generous suites, with all bedrooms having beautiful ensuite facilities. The present owner has completely renovated every floor to an excellent standard to create an impressive residence that has been designed to cater to many guests or become a large family home.

Light spacious rooms with high ceilings and many decorative period features include an ample dining room opening onto the sunny landscaped terrace and garden, plus a well-equipped kitchen and utility room, elegant sitting room, and separate snug. The graceful staircase with its handmade bespoke oak handrail winds up through the floors to the owners’ self-contained living area. Finished in 2022, this fantastic ‘penthouse’ floor was added to give independent living from the rest of the house, but it seamlessly integrates, as if it has always been there.

This stunning property has a beautiful rear garden, parking for up to 5 vehicles and a separate self-contained basement flat with a courtyard garden. Only 4 minutes’ walk to the Red Jet, this property is an amazing home over five floors, that could be used as three separate units: a main 3-storey house, a self-contained basement flat and astounding Penthouse flat, which can also be accessed separately from the main house.

mccarthyandbooker.co.uk

East Dene, Bonchurch

Agent: Spence Willard

Built in around 1825 and set in mature woodland, East Dene is the largest and best surviving of a cluster of Marine Villas with the interior retaining a superb array of exceptional features such as painted and gilded oak panelling. It is connected with the poet Algernon Charles Swinburne, who lived there from the late 1830s, and was regularly visited by Charles Dickens. Designed to make the most of the southerly aspect and outlook, the house is Listed, Grade II*, and has magnificent principal rooms.

An impressive, panelled hall runs the width of the house, providing access to the three exceptional main reception rooms, as well as the magnificent staircase lit by a large stained-glass window. Features include original open fireplaces, extensive panelling, window shutters and intricately decorated ceilings.

East Dene is being sold on the basis of achieving consent for residential use, (having been an activity centre and wedding venue in recent years). This will provide an impressive main residence of around 8,847 sq ft with five reception rooms and six bedroom suites. To the rear of the house is extensive versatile ancillary accommodation of around 7,211 sq ft, currently proposed to provide a mixture of guest and staff accommodation, offices, a workshop etc. The property also has potential for provision of holiday lets, subject to the necessary consent.

East Dene is situated in mature grounds of approximately 7.8 acres which are designated as being part of the Listed Grade II on the Parks and Gardens Register, with the grounds planted to enhance the setting of the villa and within the Bonchurch Conservation Area.

Spencewillard.co.uk

Westfield House, Bonchurch

Agent: Hose Rhodes Dickson

Occupying an elevated position in popular Bonchurch village, Westfield House is a substantial, modern family home with the added potential of an income stream from the well-appointed annexe.

The property enjoys far-reaching sea views from every principal room and, maximising the benefits of living so close to the coast, all the southfacing reception rooms have access out onto the beautifully manicured gardens. On the first floor, bedrooms 1-4 all open out onto a large balcony that spans the rear of the house.

Bright, spacious accommodation has a contemporary feel, and the second floor benefits from a well-fitted flat, with kitchenette and ensuite shower room, ideal as a teenage retreat or work-from-home space.

Hose-rhodes-dickson.co.uk

Week Farmhouse, Whitwell

Agent: BCM

Week Farmhouse sits in a secluded and enviable south-facing position, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It enjoys distant sea views and is surrounded by countryside, with its grounds featuring an orchard and pond.

Built in 1733, this Georgian farmhouse is constructed of Isle of Wight stone and benefits from high ceilings throughout. Extensive accommodation includes everything you need for country living, such as boot room, utility room, downstairs shower room and snug, alongside a dining room and lounge with open fireplace, kitchen, breakfast and garden rooms.

The first floor has an impressive landing with feature window leading to five bedrooms (master with ensuite) and a nursery, plus an office/study. The grounds include paddocks, an orchard and pond, with an additional stone barn.

There has been a settlement at Week Farm since the Bronze Age, with the farm forming part of the famous Appuldurcombe estate.

Bcm.co.uk

Discover Vintage

They say home is where the heart is, so it’s important to fill your space with the right things – things that evoke memories, fill you with joy, or bring you a sense of security and peace. A home also needs to be infused with personality, but you can’t find unique items that tell their own story from mass-produced online store ranges. So, what to do? Get rummaging! And make shopping for your home an uplifting experience in itself.

Luckily, for shoppers on the Island, there are lots of wonderful vintage gems to be found here. From upmarket antiques to quirky retro items, preloved wearables to once-in-a-lifetime finds, whatever you’re looking for will turn up. You just need to bring an intrepid spirit, some patience, and a love of shopping.

FOX AND ROBIN

Inviting and intricate, Fox and Robin in Yarmouth is the type of store you just can’t walk past. With personable finds just waiting to be discovered, this home and interiors boutique runs to its own stylish beat. Charming, colourful and sometimes just a little bit cheeky, the shop invites you to explore a curated selection of unique home decor that blends modern design with classic elegance. When you walk in the door, you’ll likely be greeted by the huge welcoming smile of owner Chris, who will happily walk you through the beautiful textiles, bold furniture pieces, and eye-catching accessories that line the shop floor and fill the window display. So whether you’re looking to refresh your own space or find the perfect gift, this is the place to do it.

Wheatsheaf Lane, Yarmouth

@fox and robin

Anne Ginger soft furnishings

DIG FOR VINTAGE

There’s something reassuring about things that stand the test of time, and this is what Ryde’s Dig for Vintage specialises in. Showcasing a truly eclectic mix of items, you’ll find timeless items of clothing, delicate porcelain tea sets, historic sewing paraphernalia, and a whole library’s worth of literary finds. Feel like a summer picnic? Grab your sunny straw boater, 1960s picnic basket, a softly well-worn blanket and head off for some sunshine. Rain back in town? Pick up a 1950s edition of The New Rupert Book and read the kids or grandkids some vintage stories. This versatile store also stocks the products you need to make the old new again – Annie Sloan chalk paint has become a staple in shabby chic style, used across the country to give best-loved furniture a new lease of life.

ROYAL VICTORIA ARCADE AND VICTORIANA LANES

A treasure trove for vintage shoppers, Ryde’s Royal Victoria Arcade is the one-stop-shop for unique finds on the Isle of Wight. Bursting with stock all dedicated to retro shopping (vinyl records, preloved clothes, memorabilia), the RVA even boasts a 60s-style American restaurant so you can dine in vintage glory as well! Take your purchasing to the great outdoors with unique finds in Victoriana Lanes, where they sell antiques and decorative salvaged items for the home and garden. Recently moved to shop 12, here you’ll find something very special. Outdoor mirrors to throw light around small spaces, a plethora of terracotta sits romantically on rustic shelving, stone urns, and statues lie next to wooden trugs and barrows galore – this is the perfect place to bring the kids and see what garden treasures you can take home. Then, give them a trowel, put them to work, and keep the kids off those screens for a little longer.

JACKS OF RYDE

Vintage shopping is about discovery, about leaving consumerism far behind. Pieces with the longevity to last are bound to be of the highest quality – timeless styles exquisitely made and beautifully cared for. This is what you’ll find at Jacks of Ryde. Established in 1933, the store itself has stood the test of time and today continues to showcase the most unique items that generally won’t be found anywhere else. Stock here will be different every time you visit, but at the time of writing, we discovered a Vintage fairground ball game, full of its original character and with a million stories to tell, as well as a pair of Lladro porcelain flamingoes that you never knew you needed. This is the place to find your genuine Tiffany lamps, vintage Norwegian leather armchairs (furniture and larger pieces are often in stock) or original dressing screens. Managed by Paul and Gini, who both have as much style as their cherished stock, you are bound to find the perfect centrepiece for your home here.

75 Union St, Ryde

@jacks no75

A window on Apollo Blinds

Apollo Blinds’ Isle of Wight franchise has been serving customers across the Island since 1990, supplying and fitting quality made-to-measure blinds, awnings, curtains and shutters – and they’ve gained an enviable reputation along the way.

Every blind is available in a variety of fabrics and finishes to perfectly complement the surrounding décor. These can be tested out in the very room the blinds will be installed in, and no-obligation home design visits are offered with example fabrics. The full range of products is extensive, but popular choices for blinds include motorised blinds offering simple, effortless control, shaped blinds for non-standard windows, and lantern roof blinds which are perfect for glazed architectural features.

Awnings are also always in demand and give homeowners fantastic shade in outdoor areas. Available in manual or motorised, awnings can be fitted with lights and wind sensors so they automatically retract if conditions require it.

Shutters are a stylish choice that is both full of character and practical, with vibrant colours that are truly built to withstand the Isle of Wight’s sunny summers.

Apollo Blinds Isle of Wight is a local business, where looking after customers is the top priority. This is done with the support of a long-established national company. The company has become the leading trusted supplier and installer of window coverings for homeowners and businesses Island-wide.

Comprehensively trained installers travel all over the Island to fit these beautifully and precisely manufactured window coverings –which are backed by robust guarantees.

For more information about Apollo Blinds Isle of Wight, including the latest offers, call the friendly and knowledgeable team on 01983 402 230 or visit www.apollo-blinds.co.uk/isle-of-wight

The Earring Collection

For the last 18 years, jewellery designers and owners of the Earring Collection in Cowes, John and Katia, have travelled the world each winter, sourcing gems and pearls, as well as commissioning their designs from gold and silversmiths across the globe.

In South East Asia in 2023, the couple found superb Burmese sapphires (amongst other gems) and Katia used a few of the largest in her design for a pendant and earring suite. They had commissioned silver and gold pieces from their friend Nop in Bangkok many times over the years. He and Katia knew each other’s style and abilities, so she briefed him on her requirements for how she’d like the gems set.

Messages and video calls allowed for updates and reviews of the work’s progress once John and Katia returned to the UK, and the pieces duly arrived after several weeks. Now, proudly bearing their London hallmark, the suite forms part of the Earring Collection’s range of gorgeous jewellery.

This year, the couple has already ranged across central and Eastern Europe (by train) to commission new and original pieces from jewellers in Greece, Austria, Poland, Portugal and Istanbul. These should arrive shortly and will be added to some fabulous designs from a select few UK-based goldsmiths. Unsurprisingly, considering their eclectic sourcing, one of these goldsmiths is Iranian, one Chinese, and another Palestinian – we live in a diverse country!

As this extraordinary collection of designs continues to evolve, John and Katia need to make some space. So, they will open in April with a major sale offering 60% off much of their existing stock. Sorry, this does not include the sapphire suite!

Something blue: the fabulous sapphires that form the suite.

The Sapphire Suite

Katia & Nop Katia reviewing her design with Nop.

Samira: the Earring Collection’s Persian goldsmith in Hatton Garden

Ecovation in Action

How Our Environment-Led Ideas Shape Real-Life Projects

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

Sustainable architecture and ‘green design’ are always at the forefront of Modh’s projects, be it newbuilds, extensions or renovations. Given rising fuel costs, increasing global temperatures and the negative impact of non-renewables on the environment, sustainable design solutions have become more important than ever.

Following a number of extension and renovation projects we undertook, where the briefs focused on improving energy efficiency and environmental performance as much as possible, we decided at Modh to formulate our very own ‘Ecovation’ concept. Whatever the building design, construction type or client budget available, this new process can easily be tailored to suit each and every project.

‘Ecovation’ begins with an initial analysis, reviewing the fabric, style, size, construction, orientation, topography, utilities, and context of the building in question. Following this review, we create a bespoke set of proposals, combining our experience, knowledge, and specialist understanding of current building regulations to allow for a seamless, successful and achievable design, as shown in the following example.

Baring Road Cowes:

For this project, Modh Design was appointed to assist with the designs for extensions and alterations to an existing building, including a part-first-floor extension and rear extension. The brief included a specific request to improve the building’s fabric to boost thermal performance and reduce energy consumption.

Our ‘Ecovation’ improvements included wrapping the building with an insulated render system and replacing the asbestos tiles with natural slate, allowing the roof to be insulated in line with current standards. All single-glazed windows were replaced with new double-glazed units and new solar panels installed due to the first-floor extension roof having a particularly suitable orientation. Following the completion of the project, the property now has a significantly improved EPC rating and is a much more cost-effective home to run.

If you’re looking to reduce energy consumption and to make improvements to your home’s environmental performance, head over to our website where you can see more of our past projects and get in touch to discuss your vision.

modhdesign.co.uk

110 Baring Road front, before and after

110 Baring Road rear, before and after

IWHAT HARRY POTTER AND THE SMALL-WORLD PROBLEM TEACHES US

By Dale Howarth BUSINESS MENTOR AND CONSULTANT

n 1967, social psychologist Stanley Milgram conducted an experiment to investigate a small-world problem; the hypothesis that everyone on the planet is connected by just a few intermediaries. Today this is entrenched in folklore, often referred to as ‘six degrees of separation’ or ‘the six-handshake rule’.

In the experiment, letters were handed out to 296 people in Nebraska and Boston to send to a Boston stockbroker, but only through someone they knew on first-name terms. The letters were sent from one middleman to another until finally reaching the target person. In the end, 64 of the letters reached the stockbroker. Of those letter chains completed, the average degree of separation was 6.2. This finding is now enshrined in the notion that everyone can be connected by a chain of acquaintances roughly six links long.

More recently, Microsoft confirmed the study still stands up through analysis of 30 billion electronic records across 180 million people across the planet. They found that any two people could be connected by an average of 6.6 ‘hops’.

It’s hard to believe that – with almost 8 billion people on the planet – we are only six connections away from anyone. This has

profound implications and creates amazing opportunities for those in business. No matter who you are, what you do, or where you are from, you and your business are only six acquaintances away from knowing any other person in the world.

In business, this phenomenon is referred to as an information cascade and highlights how ideas spread, how fads catch on, and why increasingly larger numbers of people buy a product or service from often humble beginnings.

Take ‘Harry Potter’ as an example. Its success may have more to do with attributes of the social and media network it spread across, rather than the inherent qualities of the book. This is a book whose manuscript was never a sure thing and was rejected by several publishers before Bloomsbury bought the rights. For every ‘Harry Potter’ that explodes out of nowhere, there are thousands of books, movies, authors, and actors who live their entire lives in obscurity.

Of course, just because we are connected to everyone else by six degrees of separation doesn’t mean we have control over these people. The first three degrees are seen as the most important: our friends (one degree), our friends’ friends (two degrees),

and even our friends’ friends’ friends (three degrees). After that our influence gradually dissipates like ripples in a pond. Hence why only 64 of 296 letters got through in the small world experiment.

In addition, many online channels are filtered and not transmitted, with messages ranked on what people are interested in and breaking links. Also, networks evolve over time and decline if not looked after – which is why networking is so important. However, the principle stands that those in business able to identify the people who can influence their success heighten their ability to succeed. It is no longer about 8 billion people on the planet but focusing on those who matter, those who can make a real difference if you can just connect. You know where you are starting, and you know where the end is, you just need to fill in the five names in between!

It’s amazing to know that in a few short steps you can be connected to Barack Obama, Tom Cruise, Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, Elon Musk, or the person that will change the fortunes of your business forever – if you can simply start by identifying who they are.

Photo by Artem Maltsev

Island Stories: Jo Rees

This dyslexia specialist has a huge following across the Island and around the world via social media.

Born and bred in Newport, Jo now lives in St Helens with her husband Tom and their three teenage children. She is the Island’s leading expert in dyslexia, offering private assessments and support to families across the Isle of Wight via her company ‘Another Way Round’.

This incredible Islander has more than 100,000 followers on TikTok, where she publishes brilliant bite-size clips covering every aspect of dyslexia.

Her interview with Island Stories host Harriet Hadfield is a must-listen for anyone who knows someone living with dyslexia, and all the challenges – and joy – it can bring!

On her work:

“So it’s a lot about awareness raising, empowering people to understand what dyslexia is – that is identifying it (not always through assessment) and empowering people to own their dyslexia, flip it on its head and fulfill their potential.”

On being dyslexic:

“We can be very driven, very motivated – the best motivation is to tell a dyslexic that they can’t do something and they will do all they can to prove you wrong!”

Jo’s advice for Island families:

“As parents, we need to find ways of filling up our child’s self-esteem bucket… It really is about trying not to focus too much on what your child can’t do, and focusing instead on what your child can do.”

Hosted by Harriet Hadfield Produced by Alex Warren

“ I can’t imagine bringing my children up anywhere else! ” Jo Rees

Helena’s 5 Island Things: Favourite Restaurant: The Duck, Ryde

Favourite Shop: Mia, Ryde

Island Charity: Mountbatten

Hidden Gem: Hidden footpaths around St Helens In 10 Years?

Performing Arts School

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

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