IW Gazette 29

AFTER a nailbiting three hour meeting in Committee Room 1 of the IOW Council building, an events licence was granted for the Summer Madness event to be staged behind Carisbrooke Castle on 30 August.

Local residents from Local residents from Carisbrooke had chosen to object to the planned

concert at the eleventh hour, via their local councillor and member of ‘Friends of Carisbrooke Castle’, Sir John Hobart, who lives in Gurnard.

Complaints from around a dozen local residents were based on distress to livestock, drunken revelers, ingress and egress damage, parking concerns and damage to archeological remains by people tramping across the regularly ploughed fields.

“Had I known we’d

Continued on page 3

gazettethe isle of wight

FORMER glamour model Jordan aka Katie Price, spends afternoon on Island. Page 9

Friday 21 August 09

Your new lookWEEKLY READ

REPORTING ISLAND NEWS

Corrie star letdown

Tots walk to Ryde’s rescue

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A MEAL FOR TWOAT MORGAN’SRESTAURANT, SHANKLIN

Madness at Council

A-Levels on the up!

BY JOMACAULAY

Island teenagers celebrated at their high schools yesterdaywhen the A and AS level results arrived, see pages 6-7

From left: Bridie Riley, Lauren Buckley and Charlotte Saunders

Jordan visits

WIN!

FIFTY tots raise money for Ryde Mayday project.1

PART-TIME knicker stitcher and barman Antony Cotton makes an early departure. Page 5

2 The Gazette August 21, 20092 news

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Issue 29 • August 21 2009

The Gazette

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OAP lifted to hospital

HAMPSHIRE and IW air ambulance attended after an accident on Pound Lane near Shalfleet.

Firefighters had to release the woman by using specialist-cutting equipment after the vehicle

had left the road.The elderly woman who

suffered a life-threatening head injury was flown to St Mary’s Hospital.

A spokeswoman for the trust said that, “her condition is stable.”

The Newport to Yarmouth road was closed for five hours whilst police dealt with the incident. Police are appealing for witnesses to contact the Roads’ Policing Unit (RPU) at Newport on 0845 0454545.

3August 21, 2009 The Gazette news 3

Man dies after assault

Licence for Madness

POLICE have launched a murder investigation after a 57-year-old man died in hospital following an alleged attack by a pensioner in Sandown.

Entertainer and father, Richard Ball, who moved to the Island several years ago was attacked outside the Sands Hotel, in the hotel’s seafront car park, on Culver Parade .

Police arrested and charged 68-year-old pensioner William Heywood, in connection with the assault.

Last month, Heywood, from Sandham Gardens, Sandown, appeared before Island magistrates charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The case was adjourned until November and Mr Heywood was remanded in custody.

A police spokesman confirmed that the death is now subject to a murder investigation and discussions are taking place with the Crown Prosecution Service to review Mr Heywood’s charge.

A post-mortem examination, which was conducted at St. Mary’s Hospital, found the cause of death was attributable to head injuries.

Mr Ball a singer and guitarist had previously lived in Northamptonshire, before settling on the Island.

The grieving family of Mr Ball were too upset to speak to The Gazette, but released a statement through the police saying: “Richie died peacefully with his wife at his bedside. He was loved very much by his children. The family would like to thank close friends and staff at the hospitals who treated him for their continued support.”

Garlic engagementTHERE was love in the air as well as the aroma of garlic, when young Island couple Dan Muir and Emma Read got engaged. Dan decided

to get down on one knee, in front of thousands of people at the Garlic Festival, and propose to Emma, his partner of three years.

THE OWL and Monkey Sanctuary in Newport looks set to finally be allowed to open to the public, after several years of trying.

Father and son, Don and Anthony Walser, have been granted a zoo licence for their sanctuary on Five Acres Farm, off Staplers Road, by the IW Council’s licensing committee.

The go ahead to open the zoo was given, despite concerns about noise, traffic and the welfare of animals, after the committee received 12 letters of support and seven objections from residents.

Owl and monkey sanctuary gets

go-ahead

Continued from front page

have all of these hurdles to jump over, mainly caused by residents objecting, maybe I wouldn’t have bothered trying to put on an event,” observed promoter John Curd of Home Grown Events who was represented at the meeting by Director, Kevin Moody; Event Co-ordinator, John Marsh and Head of Production Paul McGuire.

“We’ve complied with all that the IW authorities have asked us to do,” commented John Marsh after hearing. I’m glad we’ve got a licence and hope that everyone has a

wonderful day at Summer Madness.”Promoter John Curd echoed these

sentiments. “I’m very pleased it’s gone through and was granted its licence. We hope it’s going to be a wonderful day and we look forward to more events over the next five years,” said John adding, “I have to say that the local licencing team, the police, fire and ambulance and health and safety have been very helpful and open minded about us producing this event.”

There appeared to be no animosity between the parties as they dispersed after the hearing. “Obviously we’re very disappointed

as we do not think the area is suitable for that size of event,” said Sir John later. “The council officers should have notified us (the local councilors) four months ago when the application to the Isle of Wight Act was made, but that’s not the promoter’s fault it’s the fault of the Isle of Wight officers.

“My feeling now is one of damage limitation. I pray it will be good weather as it’s not a flat area. I’m going to do my utmost to help it to run smoothly and I’m pleased to help with that if I can,” he continued. “If I can afford a ticket and there’s any tickets left I will be going.”


A 30-FOOT powerboat was towed in by Cowes RNLI lifeboat after breaking down in the Solent.

The ‘Penpal’ had encountered trouble near North East Gurnard buoy, while on passage from Cowes to Hythe, and had two men and a woman onboard. The boat was

towed back to shore after making urgent calls to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Initially the powerboat was taken in tow by a Southampton Harbour launch, before being taken over by the lifeboat, helmed by Matt Chessell. Penpal was then eventually berthed

in Shepards Wharf. The Cowes RNLI lifeboat

was also called to the aid of a four-metre fishing boat which had engine trouble about 500 metres off Egypt Point, Cowes.

The boat, whose three man crew were not wearing lifejackets, was towed into Shepards Wharf.

Cowes powerboat rescue

ONE of the finest arrays of hydrangeas on the Island have been in full bloom at the Luccombe home of David and Vanessa Churchman.

Their garden has been a magnificent splash of colour all summer from plants, many of which were ‘imported’ around 25 years ago from Ventnor to form a hydrangea farm.

Originally there were around 30 different types of the plant in the Churchmans’ garden, and although some have long gone, more than half have survived the test of time to bloom this summer.

The collection also disproves the myth that the colour of hydrangeas is dictated by either the acid or alkaline soil in which they are planted.

It’s bloomin’ marvellous

Vestas end protest

VESTAS protestors picketed the back gates of the Newport plant on Monday when workers were due to re-enter the factory to effect a clean up operation.

Around 15 protestors, with a banner claiming, “Paddy Weir getting £70,000 bonus for 600 jobs,” shouted comments such as, “Don’t work yourselves out of jobs,” as workers arrived at the picket line. Six police officers and numerous

security guards oversaw the proceedings as cars, blacked–out mini buses and even cycling employees arrived at the factory gates.

Ironically for the three ex occupiers of the balcony on the picket line, two large food trucks were amongst the vehicles entering. “When they did actually supply us with food during our occupation it was from the very basic supermarket range,” said Dave Arbuthnott. He told

The Gazette he had applied twice for a job on the ‘exit team’ with no luck.

Security guards at the formerly occupied Vestas building in East Cowes commandeered a cherry picker from a local building site to retrieve a mobile phone and a piece of rotten fish from the roof, left by protestors during their two week occupation.

Ian Wells is 23, not 16, as reported in last week’s Gazette.

THE ISLAND is eagerly looking forward to a multi-million pound road improvement project after the IW Council cabinet approved the Private Finance Initiative scheme.

There will be an initial seven-year upgrade of the Island’s highway network, that will include a new floating bridge between Cowes and East Cowes, thanks to a proposed £325million FREE Government grant spread over the next 25 years.

Following the Cabinet’s decision to agree the OBC document, it will now be sent to Government for approval.

It marks the most significant improvement scheme ever seen on the Island. The services the PFI company will be required to improve and maintain over the 25-year life of the contract include every stretch of Island highway, footway, cycleway and right of way, all bridges and retaining walls and other

structures for which the council has responsibility, as well as street lighting.

Although the local authority will be expected to add its share to the Government grant towards the level of work, that will be done by continuing to allocate the money it currently spends annually on highway maintenance and on the other services now included in the OBC.

It means the IW Council’s overall annual contribution will be £10.45 million, a figure which the council already pays on the services and work to be included in the PFI scope.

The council will not be spending any additional money in getting these services through the PFI process.

Over the past few months, the council’s PFI team developed the Outline Business Case to encompass several new elements. They included not only a new floating bridge, to replace the one installed in

1975, but also all grass and verge maintenance, CCTV maintenance and upgrade, on and off street parking and the strengthening of Bouldnor Road.

Edward Giles, cabinet member for environment and transport, told cabinet: “We are now at a major milestone, where we are getting ready to submit the Outline Business Case to the Department for Transport.

“As a pathfinder scheme we were given an approval in principle for a Grant of £325m over a 25 year period, when we submitted our Expression of Interest; this £325m is not a loan or a mortgage but a free grant and no repayment is required. This free grant, combined with the proposed council contribution will bring a significant amount of guaranteed investment – estimated at around £1bn over the 25 year period. This level of investment is a once in a life time opportunity for the Island.”

£325m highways approval


Antony legs it

Karley Mobray with her daughterand other upset children

Corrie actor Antony Cotton swaps thebar for a till at the Poundland opening

THERE were disappointed faces all round at Poundland last Saturday, when Corrie actor Antony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully in the soap, cut short his appearance to open the store.

Hundreds of mums and children queued for autographs and photographs with the star, only to have their dreams quashed when he hurredly left the building early.

Mum Karley Mobray took her daughter Shakira (6) and nephews and nieces Kaidan (2), Keaen (5) and Latisha (7) to the store after a morning visit to the cinema. “It was a horrible thing,” she told The Gazette. “We all watch Coronation Street, it’s our family show. My daughter had even bought a book in Poundland to be signed by Sean. Keaen was crying.”

After The Gazette’s intervention Poundland have agreed to get autographs for the four children. “But we’ve heard nothing yet,” said Karley. “They should have capped the queue off. There were three queues and I kept on asking if we were in the right queue. Several people didn’t get to see him and their faces dropped. He left a long time before his boat was due.”

A spokesperson from Poundland has confirmed that autographs have been requested for the children.

She went on to say “Poundland has a celebrity for every store opening, who stays for 3 hours. In this time the celebrity is always happy to speak to the public and sign autographs, but obviously sometimes they are unable to provide autographs to everyone.”

Hare he is!

HOLIDAYMAKERS David and Lisa Yates were out walking their dogs on Culver Down when they spotted a hare in the long grass. But this was no ordi-nary hare – it was the beautiful carving by Paul Sivell that had been chain-sawed from its perch at Arreton Cross.

The hare has now been reunit-ed with the two magpies, carved from a fallen tree, that were a focal point at Arreton before a thief took a fancy to them.

Chairman of Arreton Parish Council, Robin Oulton, who commissioned and helped to pay for the sculpture, organised

a reward for the couple, they had handed in the sculpture into a wood yard near their campsite at Beaper. Director of White-field Woodyard, Russell Palin, who used to work with Mr Sivell, recognised the hare and arranged for its safe return. He will also be rewarded.

“Thanks to the honesty of Mr and Mrs Yates people will again be able to enjoy it,” said Cllr Oulton. “I am really pleased it has been brought back.”

Russell Palin was planning a few surprises for anyone who tries to steal it again.


Congratulations and celebrations

%A %A-C %Pass

07 08 09 07 08 09 07 08 09

Carisbrooke 15 19 21 58 73 61 95 91 96

Cowes 8 14 20 52 55 64 96 96 98

Medina 13 13 14 66 51 63 98 93 95

Ryde 7 13 13 47 45 59 81 90 97

Sandown 20 23 22 69 72 69 94 98 97

Island 14 17 19.0 58 60 64.3 93 94 96.6

ISLAND teenagers were celebrating at their high schools yesterday when the A and AS level results arrived, with yet another rise on 2008.

At Medina High School the average points score per student had gone up by 22 points – equivalent to a grade. “The biggest increase is in the middle ground; Cs to Bs and Ds to Cs,” said headmaster Richard Williams. “This is the year group who had a big leap in GCSE results. So really it’s been a good solid performance. But it’s not about how well the school does but how the children do,” he declared. “Last year 73% of year 13 students were the first in their families to go into further education – we’re a true comprehensive here. I think the Isle of Wight is an absolute gem and the potential for it to become an educational hotspot is phenomenal.”

According to the council communications office provisional figures indicate that the overall pass rate (A -E grades) has risen by three percentage points, giving the Isle of Wight an average of 97% overall pass rate compared to 94% in 2008.Students gaining A - C grades has risen by four percentage points to 64%, compared to 60% in 2008 while the overall number of students picking up an A grade has gone up two percentage points to 19%.

Ryde High School returned a significant rise in its overall pass rate, with 97% of students getting A - E grades. This com-pared to 90% last year and 81%in 2007. Meanwhile

Carisbrooke’s overall pass rate rose by five percentage points to 96% compared to last year.

Cowes High School saw a large rise in the number of students gaining an A grade, up from 14% in 2008 to 20% this year.

Sandown High saw 168 more students completing A level or equivalent and 8% achieving straight A grades (3 A’s or better). There was a 100% pass in 23 subjects and 97% of students achieved A to E grades.

Isle of Wight Council Chief Executive Steve Beynon said “I send mycongratulations to all students who received their results today and alsoall teachers who are celebrat-ing success. I wish every-one well in future and for those looking at going into further education, I hope many get their preferred choice of college or uni-versity.

Isle of Wight Council Leader David Pugh said “Raising educational standards remains one of our greatest priorities as a council. The figures from Cowes,showing a large increase in students gaining an A grade, is very impres-sive and reflects some of the initiatives the school has brought in under the One School Pathfinder cur-riculum.

“We’ll continue to work with schools to improve educational standards and we are confident the move towards a two-tier system from 2010 will assist us in improving results further”.

Each of the Island’s five high schools has overall pass rates well above 90%.

Left to right: A-S students Micha Brook, Charlotte Mew,Ellie Hards and Rachel Winzar

Left to right: Robert Waters, David Champion,Daniel Boulton and Adam Atkinson

Left to right: Cara Hessey, Emily Grimes, AnnaBarrett and Gemma Read


Left to right: Cal Russell-Thompson-French (A), Eng Lit (A), History (A), Art (A). Louis Harpham-Lockyer- Chemistry (A), Biology (A), Geography (A), Maths (C).

Dan Wells- French (A), Art (A), Maths (A), Physics (A). Emily Allen- Chemistry (B), Biology (B), Maths (C), Psychology (A).

Back left to right: Paul Sammons- Law (A), Sociology (A), Geography (A), Systems and Control (A). Tom Seal- Eng Lit (A), Chemistry (A), Physics (A), Music (A).Chris

Cotton- Maths (A), Physics (A), Chemistry (A). Front left to right: Katherine Rattage- Maths (A), Physics (A), Art (A), Food Tech (A). Courtney Durand- Eng Lan (A), Art (A), Photography (A), Biology (C). Savannah Whaley- Eng Lit (A), French (A), History (A).

Cathy Warburton- History (B), Eng Lan (A), Sociology (A). Cathy is off to Cardiff University to study English Language and Communications. Jonathan Morris- Maths

(A), Further Maths (C), Physics (C). Jonathan is heading off to York University to study a 5 year sandwich course in Computer Science and Software Engineering.

Steph Hewitt- Statistics, History, Biology and Chemistry. Emily Stott- Statistics, History, Biology and Chemistry. Claire Tuppen- Art, Photography and Drama. Amy Cunnington- Drama, Media, English and Law. They are all staying on to

complete their A Levels next year.

to all our Island A-level students

Pick up next week’s Gazette for more results

and GSCE pictures


No job is no picnic!

Everyone loves a biscuit and a nice cup of tea but it appears that Hampshire police really do like to

the put the kettle on and then write home about it.Figures on police expenditure,

disclosed under Freedom of Information legislation, covered

40 forces and top of the refreshment league was

northern counterpart Lothian and Borders.

But Hampshire and IW Police were ranked second, with kettles at the ready, having

drunk and eaten their way though £308,000 worth of refreshments last year. That would equate to almost three cups for every

resident on the Island, and if you’re lucky a

chocolate hobnob as well. Despite drinking all this tea the police till found time to write using 90,000 pens.

Police bosses were quick to defend the storm in a tea cup and point that not all was spent on tea and coffee.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said:

“The Hampshire Constabulary total of £308,800 for catering for meetings includes £75,000 spent by other agencies.

“For example, the constabulary manages the accounts for the Police National CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) Centre. £57,000 of the centre’s spend is included in our catering figure but was not paid for by Hampshire Constabulary.

“Similarly, the ACPO Criminal Records Office, which is a national body hosted, but not paid for, by Hampshire Constabulary, spent £10,000 that is included in our figures.

“The total also includes £41,000 spent on feeding trainee police officers at our training school and £36,000 on catering for training for Special Constables, our volunteer police officers.

“We do not believe that many other forces included such detail in their responses and therefore do not consider our overall expenditure to be excessive.

“The total of 98,000 pens purchased in 2008/09 includes low cost promotional items that are used for recruitment events, school visits and other public events, as well as those used by our 7000 officers and staff. The total cost for pens in the year was approximately £13,000. We do not believe this is excessive.”

Storm in a teacup

Every worker likes a tea break, but it appears that policemen en-joy them more than most.

A DOZEN ex-Vestas workers and their supporters had a lunchtime picnic inside Newport Job centre.

Job seekers looked on in amazement when the ex turbine blade workers marched into Newport job centre in Staplers Road and set up for a spot of lunch.

Campaigners laid red and white chequered tablecloths with picnic baskets and thermos flasks of tea, in the centre of the floor, just inside the main doors.

Offering police, workers and job seekers tea and cake, the protestors held banners claiming “No Job – Is No Picnic.”

Workers had hoped to speak with staff about greener jobs that might be available on the Island but instead opted for a peanut butter sandwich and a cuppa.

The protestors’ departed peacefully at around 1.30pm, after donating cakes to the job centre for the staff lunch break.


What Katie did here

FORMER glamour model Katie Price, aka Jordan, descended onto the Island and spent three hours at one of the Islands’ top fantasy parks, Blackgang Chine.

Katie played the doting mother in front of the cameras as the small party went on the many rides at the park, watched by visitors and staff.

Katie, with her three children Harvey, Princess Tiaamii and Junior, closely followed by mother Amy, also had a spot of lunch after larking around on the rides whilst filming for her new reality TV series at the park. But there was no sign of the model’s new love squeeze former Hollyoaks actor Alex Reid. Maybe he was hiding in the crooked house.

Katie’s mum Amy Price rebuffed

rumours that the celeb mum was house hunting on the Island. But she did reveal that they were over on the Island filming a new reality TV show due to be aired on ITV2 in the autumn. Amy also said that Katie and the children love the Isle of Wight.

It as also been reported this week that Katie is desperate to have another child with new lover Reid to help her get over the breakup with Andre.

‘What Katie Did Next’, follows the former glamour model in the months after her high profile split from husband and ‘Mysterious Girl’ singer Peter Andre earlier this year. Katie Price has promised that her new reality TV series will be full of laughter.

Jordan with her son Harvey Jordan being followed by a film crew


Crew members donned fancy dress to join fifty new young volunteers to raise money for Ryde Inshore Rescue’s Mayday appeal. The fancy dress sponsored walk and toddle around Appley Park made a colourful spectacle for families and onlookers last Saturday.

Eeyore, Pooh Bear and his as-sorted bear friends, Mickey and MInnie Mouse, Little Bo Peep, a cowgirl and pirates were all assembled at Appley Park for the parade last Saturday. Each sported an official number and the start line was strung across the pathway in a very profes-sional manner.

Members of Ryde Inshore Rescue also joined in the fun, dressing up as cartoon charac-ters to complete the one-mile course. Eeyore was junior helmsman Andy Parnell.

“The event was even more

successful than last year and we hope that it will remain a com-munity event for many years to come,” said event organiser and Ryde Inshore chairman Michaela White. “The parents thought it was a great idea and were chuffed to see their chil-dren wearing medals and we raised well over £1000.” All the money raised will go to Ryde Inshore Rescue’s Mayday Cam-paign, to renovate its Appley headquarters.

Each child was presented with a gold coloured medal, a balloon and a prize from toys such as craft making packs, model airplane sets or cuddly toys. “The Appley Café have supported us every year by letting us use their premises for the prize giving and providing the children with sweets,” said Michaela. “And the costumes were courtesy of Masqueryde who did us proud.”

Eeyore and friends walk to the rescue

It’s all Dutch to Lindsay

LINDSAY SEXTON, who we featured in last week’s issue, has been offered a job at Suzlon Blade Technology as a Helpdesk Engineer and has decided to make the move to Holland.

Opting to live in the nearby city of Enschede, Lindsay will take a ten-minute train ride to the plant in Hengeno. She will also be globe trotting her new job - to India, China and the States.

“I’ve got a couple of start dates but I’m opting for mid September,” said Lindsay. “I’ve got to go to the Bestival!”

Nick White with sons Nathan and Daniel Tyler, Mackenzie and Jack Bishop


Eeyore (Andy Parnell) Junior Helms-man on the Ryde Inshore Rescue

takes a well deserved break

Eeyore with Megan Price

Pooh, Eeyore, the lifeboat crew and the children who competed in the sponsored walk

Youngest walker 13-month Lewey Way

Abegael Macrae with dad Rod


Don’t end your night like thisTHE DANGERS of late night cooking, in particular by people who are under the influence of alcohol, has been demonstrated by the IW Fire Service in a series of road shows.

The trend data released from Fire Statistics, UK, suggests that chip and fat pan fires are the biggest cause of accidental non-fatal casu-alties in house and flat fires.

In 2006, there were 4,900 injuries in fires started by cooking appli-ances. This accounted for 53 per cent of non-fatal casualties in acci-dental fires. Although the figure is decreasing in line with the national trend, the number of injuries is still significantly high enough to cause concern.

The statistics also support the evidence that many chip and fat pan fires are caused by late night

cooking, particularly by men, who are under the influence of alcohol. An alarming 43 per cent of chip pan incidents took place between 8pm and 4am, and more than 30 per cent between 10pm and 4am.

Over the years, the Government and the Fire and Rescue Service have said that anyone who is confronted by a chip or fat pan fire should tackle and extinguish the fire themselves, by running a tea cloth under a tap, wringing it out and then placing the damp tea cloth over the rim of the pan.

However, this approach has now changed. The advice now is to ‘get out, stay out and call 999’. People should not take any risks, but turn off the heat if it’s safe to do so. Never throw water over it and certainly do not try and tackle the fire yourself.

Police fight road death

Newport firefighter Mark Grimes demonstrates the

effects of half a cup of water on a chip pan fire

READY to fight road death on the Island, the brand new BMW R1200RT-CP 1200cc motorcycle, belonging to the Hampshire and IW Safer Roads Partnership, was unveiled at the road safety exhibition at last week’s Garlic Festival.

With the laser speed camera, which has new state of the art DVD recording equipment, stored in the top box on the high visibility bike, a speed ‘trap’ can be

set up quickly and easily. “But the aim is to put people off, not to catch them unawares,” said Steve Waters who will be operating the camera. “The bike is for use where a van cannot go, but we are only looking at areas with speed related casualties. A good camera is one that doesn’t issue any tickets – we’re judged on casualty reduction.”

Sergeant Paul Bailey of Hampshire Constabulary’s IW Roads Policing Unit

said: “Members of the public regularly highlight speeding motorists as one of their top priorities for police to tackle in the communities where they live. We work closely with partner agencies on operations to demonstrate that a danger-ous disregard for road safety and people’s quality of life will not be tolerated. The numbers of fatal and serious injury road traffic collisions on the Island is coming down at the moment, and we are com-

mitted to our mixture of enforcement and education to help ensure this trend continues.”

Provisional police figures show there have been two fatal road collisions on the Island between January and July 2009, compared to eight during the same period in 2008. The numbers of serious injury road traffic collisions between January and July has fallen from 54 in 2008 to 42 in 2009.


LOCAL magician Aaron Isted stunned onlookers at Cowes Week by performing an amazing death defying stunt.

Aaron performed the escape act, which was made famous by the great Houdini, in front of around 3,000 spectators.

The illusionist was strapped into a strait jacket,

with his feet shackled into solid steel braces and then pulled 40ft into the air upside down, his support rope on fire.

As Aaron attempted to escape from the jacket, gasps were heard from the crowd and the PA gave him encouragement, before com-pleting the daring stunt-to the relief of onlookers.

A kind of magic

Pict

ure

by R

obin

Flu

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POLICE and partner agen-cies are welcoming the safe and responsible behaviour of the majority of people who attended the Cowes Week sailing regatta.

Officers carried out extra uniform patrols in the town to provide reassurance to the thousands of local residents and visitors enjoying the world renowned event.

Police worked closely with regatta organisers, security stewards, IW council staff, NHS paramedics, and Street Pastors to respond swiftly to issues and crimes reported.

One of Hampshire Con-stabulary’s new Assistant Chief Constables, Steve Dann, joined local officers on patrol during fireworks night, to support the force’s campaign to prevent and reduce anti-social behaviour during the summer.

Hampshire Constabulary’s IW Deputy Commander, Superin-tendent Norman Mellors said: “There were no major incidents reported during the regatta, which retained its reputation as a vibrant, friendly event for visi-tors both on land and sea. Crime in the Cowes area between August 1 and 10 was down from 70 incidents in 2008 to 64 in 2009. Officers used legal powers to ban potential troublemakers from Cowes when they appeared at risk of causing crime that could have escalated later in the evening.”

Specialist officers from Hamp-shire Constabulary and the IW council carried out licensing visits and checks at bars and clubs in Cowes during the week.

Hampshire Constabulary’s IW Licensing Sergeant Mark Voller said: “We found licence holders and door staff did an excellent job generally in managing their premises and preventing inci-dents. For example, most bars served drinks in plastic contain-ers rather than glass; a practical measure that helps prevents serious injury. We saw that bar managers and door staff were vigilant, stepping in quickly to prevent and defuse situations. Police noticed a couple of minor breaches of licensing law and examples of weak bar supervi-sion, but these were certainly the exception. We pointed those responsible in the right direc-tion and were pleased to see the mistakes were not repeated.”

Zoryna O’Donnell, Head of Community Safety at the IW council said: “The council’s licensing and environmental health teams undertook inspec-tions throughout Cowes Week to ensure licensing conditions were adhered to and that noise and food hygiene levels were accept-able. The officers have identi-fied a number of issues which were dealt with accordingly, but on the whole the week passed without any major issues.”

Keith Morey, Civil Contin-gencies Manager for the IW Ambulance Service added: “Good partnership working throughout the week ensured a safe and successful event for all. The paramedic bicycle was used again this year, ensuring a speedy response through the busy streets of Cowes and re-ducing the need for ambulance journeys into the town centre.”

Police praise

Police at Cowes Week


THE WEDDING of Marie Montgomery to Cedric Wells was celebrated at St Catherine’s Church in Ventnor. After the service guests were treated to tea and cakes in the vestry, before travelling by open top bus to Appuldurcombe House for a picnic in the main hall; bridesmaids were the bride’s sister, Fiona Montgomery, and the bridegroom’s sister, Amy Wells. Both girls were in cornflower blue dresses made by Marie’s mother Sally Montgomery who

also made the bridal gown from silk that the couple bought on a holiday in Cambodia last Christmas.

Best man was Tom Wells, brother of the groom.

A honeymoon was spent in Rona, an Island with only three cottages near the Isle of Skye, off of the West Coast of Scotland.

The bridegroom is Marketing Director for Charnwood Stoves and the couple are making their home in Ventnor.

Open top bus ride reception for Ced and Maria

16 The Gazette August 21, 200916 feature

T-Rex are still creating a buzz

17August 21, 2009 The Gazette feature 17

Doctor & The Medics lead the show


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If you don’t manage to win you can still enjoy the food and drink of Morgans, just call for reservations and opening times on 864900. You can also visit the website at www.morgansofshanklin.co.uk.

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Wurzeled!

ONE OF the Wurzels’ greatest fans was at the Garlic Festival to see the ‘boys’ she’s known and loved for many years.

Christine Reed has followed the Wurzels for over forty years, seeing them through various changes of line up, and has all of their albums.

At the festival Christine asked Tommy Banner and Pete Budd to sign a few of their later albums and she was very pleased with their set. “Last time I saw them was over here at the Ponda Rosa and I was a bit disappointed as they did too much disco but they seem to have gone back to their comedy roots,” said Chris-tine. “It’s amazing at their age that they can still do it.”

Adge (Alan John) Cutler, who had been Acker Bilk’s road manager, formed the

Wurzels in 1966 and Christine knew him and Acker from the jazz clubs of sixties London, although Adge was unfortunately killed in a car crash in 1974.

“I didn’t know it was going to be as popular as it was,” said Christine of the Wurzels fame. Still a jazz fan, Christine went on a mini cruise to see Kenny Ball last year. “Although he looks quite frail, he came alive on stage,” she said.

“I’ve seen quite a few of my favourites since I moved to the Island 12 years ago,” added Christine who used to run an off licence in Crystal Palace. She now has Reed’s Hobbies in Ventnor’s Pier Street.

Fans swamped the Wurzels as they left the stage, with some ladies opting to have their breasts signed by the lads, who are nearly all in their late sixties.


T-Rextasy get it on

DANIELZ, lead singer of T Rextasy and dead ringer for the great man himself, was over the moon after the band’s gig at the Garlic Festival.

“It was fantastic today – it was wild,” enthused Danielz. “It built and built. We had to work at it a bit today but that can be a breath of fresh air. We had to work for the first 15 minutes but that’s great – I don’t mind at all,” said the tousle-haired singer

who had the crowd on their feet and boogie-ing by the end of the set. The stage was even invaded by an enthusiastic fan in psychedelic flares.

Formed in London in 1992, T Rextasy is the only ‘official’ tribute to Marc, endorsed by Wizard (Bahamas) Ltd and are the only band who can rightfully use that title. Marc Bolan’s producer Tony Visconti even joined T Rextasy on bass guitar

and vocals at a gig in 2007 and Rolan Bolan, Marc’s son, played his first gig on stage with T Rextasy at Cambridge Corn Exchange in 1997.

At that gig and also at the Garlic Festival was Mick O’Halloran, former road manager to T Rex who now lives in Wroxall. “I almost feel sometimes that he’s here with me,” said Mick who has become good friends with Danielz

over the years. “I think he’s just trying to keep the memory of Marc alive,” said Mick. “He’s very similar in character to Marc and has many of his movements and mannerisms and he’s quite a spiritual guy and Marc was too.

“A lot of people had seen him at Ryde (The Venue) and they said it was worth every penny of the Garlic Festival (entrance fee), just to see him and I felt

quite proud,” said Mick. Before his untimely death in a car crash on Barnes Common in 1977, Mick was road manager for the band from the late 60s.

Fully professional for the past 12 years, the band now plays over 100 shows a year, and in July and August many of these are at festivals. “Marc’s given me a nice life,” admitted Danielz who really has an uncanny resemblance to his hero.


A garlic-full weekend

Left to right Les Boomerang Vallender, Graham Animal Howell, Terry Ford and Mike Grandad Ford

IT WAS a bumper year for the Wight FM sponsored Garlic Festival this year with the main stage area packed for many of the bands, marquees full to bursting with Island and mainland businesses and dozens of stalls around the showground.

The fairground filled a good third of the field, police and fire prevention officers had a fantastic range of equipment and demonstrations to enthrall and educate and the main arena boasted a trapeze act.

On the Bubblegum and Cheese stage, hosted by Alex Dyke, The Wurzles, T Rextasy and Dr and the Medics drew enormous numbers and had the crowd wanting more. Local bands were all well received and appreciated too.

Food stalls were busy and offered corn on the cobs with lashings of garlic butter, home made Island burgers, noodles, frozen yoghurt and smoothies and yummy ice creams amongst other garlic related dishes – garlic soap was even on sale.

“It was a terrific success despite the economy,” said co-organiser David Holmes. “And despite the fact that we were at least £8,000 down on sponsors.”

David agreed that there could have been between 15,000 and 16,000 people through the gates over the weekend although figures are not yet available.

Right: The Doctor (Steve Mcguire) is pictured being attended by medics from the St John’s Ambulance Service


Regatta takes offA SPECTACULAR search and rescue display from the Coastguard helicopter and the Sandown and Shanklin Inshore Lifeboat was one the highlights of this year’s Sandown Regatta.

There was fun for everyone down on the seafront with sandcastle competitions, shore sports, swimming events, regatta beauty queen competition and evening entertainment. Scores of people attended the annual event, which was rounded off with a firework display.

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Safe and sound


VENTNOR had a masquerade parade in 1886, a forerunner to the first Island carnival in Ryde in 1887, but the first real carnival is recorded as 1899. Mas-querade has always been a strong feature in the carnival however, and now mas

bands of walking ‘Notting Hill’ style groups with stunning costumes always feature. This year’s theme for Ventnor’s entry was A Space Oddity – perhaps a forerunner to the Bestival next month.

Lacey Gammage of Ventnor won first

prize for her stunning peacock costume and ‘Young at Heart’, featured a host of ‘grannies’ with zimmer frames. Peren-nial stars, the Ventnor Comic Jazz Band, brought up the rear of the parade with their inimitable style – some with home made instruments and others with bat-tered old favourites.

Retiring to the Royal Hotel at the end of the procession, a few revellers regaled the throng with raucous singing

around the grand piano – much to the enjoyment, bemusement and occa-

sional irritation of the hotel’s guests.

Ventnor Illuminated Carnival

THERE was a record turn out for Ventnor carnival’s illuminated procession last Saturday. In the 120th anniversary year of one of the oldest carnivals on the Island, floats and walking entrants came from across the whole Island to join in the festivities.


Hospice NewsHospice Fundraising: Telephone - 528989

Charity Cricket Match for Hospice

THE ISLAND’S Hospice will be the recipient of funds raised at a 20/20 cricket match at Newclose Cricket Ground on Friday 28th August.

Southampton FC & Hampshire CCC Legends v Newclose Legends will commence play at 5pm. Tickets will be £10 for non members £7 for members. Under 16’s senior citizens will be £3.

Players will include Jason Dodd SFC, Adi Amyes HANTS, Rod Wallace SFC, and Neil Maddison SFC. There is also an option of a pre match meal with the players before the game. For information and tickets please call Mike Scott on 824575.

All That JazzAN EVENING of Jazz with The Unity Stompers is in store at Wood-land Vale, Calthorpe Road, Seaview on Saturday 22nd August at 7pm. Tickets are £12.50 each and avail-able from Seaview Post Office or by calling 565478. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Island’s Hospice.

Book Signing at Tesco for EMH

RETIRED Detective Superintend-ent, Bob Bridgestock and his wife Carol will be signing copies of their first murder mystery “ Deadly Focus” at Tesco in Ryde on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd August. Sales from the book will benefit The Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

Poster Plea from the Island’s Hospice

ONE OF the best ways for the Island’s Hospice to promote their events and fundraising activities is to distribute posters. If your business, club, society or school has a notice board that has frequent visitors and you would be willing to display posters for the hospice on a regular basis if they were delivered to you please email [email protected] This is a very simple and effec-tive way of supporting the Hospice.

New Raffle Prizes always Appreciated

THE HOSPICE is always apprecia-tive if people are willing to donate

unwanted new items for us to use as raffle prizes at our many and varied events. With new, good quality prizes raffles can be really great fundrais-ers. For more information please call the fundraising team on 528989.

Newfound Friends Dog Rescue Event

TIME is running out to register if you want to be rescued from the river by a gentle giant Newfound-land Rescue Dog. The event on Sat-urday September 5th is being held at The Folly at Whippingham. To be rescued we are asking that each swimmer undertakes to raise at least £100 in sponsorship for the Hospice. For more information please call the fundraising team on 528989

GREEN Gym volunteers have been awarded a cheque for £100 from the IW branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE-IW), for their work to help keep the countryside tidy.

The CPRE-IW has been actively encouraging local groups of volunteers on the Island to take part in the National Office of CPRE’s campaign to ‘Stop the Drop’ and keep the countryside tidy.

The volunteers, who we featured in the June 26 issue of The Gazette, have made it their responsibility to recover any litter found during their weekly activities around the Island’s countryside. Earlier this year they made a special event to clear up rubbish along the beaches from Priory Bay to St Helens Duver.

CPRE President Bill Bryson, the celebrated author, has expressed his deep concern over the dirty habit of littering the countryside and has supported local actions to prevent it. CPRE-IW has been awarding grants to volunteer groups for arranging litter picks around the Island, and handed the

cheque, together with a framed certificate, to mark the Green Gym volunteers.

The Green Gym was set up in 2003 and at that time was funded through the Healthy Living Programme and EU Leader+, both of which were administered through the IW Economic Partnership. Thanks to the dedication and willingness of the volunteers, even though this funding ended four years ago, the work has carried on.

The management of the Green Gym has passed over to its volunteers and is now totally independent. The group continues to ‘do good’ across the Island and continues to be the best and most fun way to keep themselves and the countryside in good shape.

IW Green Gym Chairman, Mark Russell, said: “We are grateful to the CPRE-IW for their campaign and for highlighting both the aesthetic nuisance and also the sometimes fatal results which litter can cause to wildlife. The CPRE-IW award was extremely welcome and the windfall would be put to good use’.

A Green Gym worksite in Adgestone with Chairman of CPRE-IW, John Langley, handing over the cheque and certificate to IOW Green Gym Chairman, Mark Russell and his volunteers

Keeping the country green

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Gazette?Call our newsdesk now

on 01983 409928


Community’ is the focus of the school with strong links to other countries through the British Council. They’ve just been awarded Model School Status by the Oxford University Press and the Literacy scheme read, Write, Inc runs throughout the whole school.

The pre school is one of only three nurseries on the Island, attached to primary schools, which are funded by the local authority. “Here the transition is something we pride ourselves on and we work very well as a team getting to know all of the children,” said head teacher Mrs Christopher. “The teachers and assistants rotate around so that we know all of the children and the parents.

“Children are very familiar with the school environment – they have lunch in the main school. We’ve had no issues with settling in which is a great relief to parents,” continued Mrs Christopher. “That first day is very important but last September was a breeze.”

Most of the children in the pre-school go into Reception in the main school. “Supervisor of the nursery, Nicola Winsland has done a fabulous job – she’s really brought the area on and the children,” said

Mrs Christopher. Inside the nursery at the end of last term the topic was ‘water’ and ‘pirates’ and ‘under the sea’ had emerged from the theme and were dancing across the walls and hanging from the ceiling.

Outside the pre school/nursery is an outdoor play area and learning environment funded and implemented by Creative Partnerships. A clay-like ‘cave’ has imprints of the children’s hands on its walls and a trail of boulders leads to an easy-to-play outdoor musical instrument. The circular sand pit has roman coins and dinosaur bones to find beneath the sand.

The sensory garden is full of flowers, scented plants and vegetables the children have helped to grow – Alan Titchmarsh came to open the garden when he was High Sheriff.

From 36 months to 60 months, the nursery has over 40 children on role and a maximum of 32 at any one session in the large, three roomed space and outside area. Rooms in the large main school are currently being made ready for the changeover and soon the adapted Victorian building and purpose built nursery will happily accommodate children from three to 11 years.

FROM the minute you enter Sandown CE Primary you know that you’re in a healthy, happy learning environment. The reception area has a wonderful wall hanging made by the children and you learn that a matching one hangs in their partner school in Chong Qing.

Walk around the school and pre-school and you’ll be amazed by the facilities and the wonderful artwork. ‘Our Learning

Starting school

Sandown CE Primary School


ST. WILFRID’S Early Years Centre opened in 1997 in the grounds of St.Wilfrid’s Catholic school, Trinity Rd Ventnor. It is a purpose built building in beautiful surroundings open from 8.30am to 3.00pm in term time only.

All children and their families are welcome. There are five full, and one part time staff, who are all fully qualified, and who are continuously updating their training. Leader Sue Adams and deputy Lyn Porter have been at the pre-school since it opened.

“We have grown and developed over the years and are very proud to have been judged “Outstanding” again by Ofsted, in May this year,” said Sue. “We provide

a very warm, caring, happy and stimulating environment for all children.”

All the children have their own key workers who monitor their children’s progress and development. The outside area is accessible everyday and in all weathers, with many resources and activities available both inside and outside.

The children enjoy gardening, growing fruit, vegetables and flowers every year. There is lots of space for digging, climbing, running and riding bikes and there are three areas, bark, grass and tarmac. The children also have use of the school field and hall.

Ofsted said “St.Wilfrid’s Early Years Centre provides “Outstanding” education

for its children enabling them to make excellent progress in their learning and development. The staff provide excellent support that caters very well for the children’s emotional development. The children settle very happily. There is good partnership with parents and positive encouragement from staff. There is a strong commitment to continuous improvement; consequently capacity to improve is excellent. The pre-school is a very happy and learning environment because the children make an excellent contribution by behaving very well, by being keen to participate and by being helpful”

For more information ring Sue Adams on 856868.

St Wilfrid’s Early Years Centre Got news?Call our newsdesk now

on 01983 409928


The trees are breathless. A sapling stirs in the mist. Is the tiger here?

They have built a road through the dark forest. Twilight. The poachers drive in.

Dusk in the forest. Gunshots, far away. Where are the tigers we knew?

A bauxite mine. Trees are cut down. The clear river running with poison.

Where is he? A scratch on a tree - and fresh pugmarks. Lord of the Forest!

WE DISCOVERED recently that one of our tigers has a decidedly creative side to his personality when he collaborated with prize-winning poet Ruth Padel to write a poem.

Ruth, who is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and is also the great, great granddaughter of Charles Darwin, agreed to write a haiku poem in collaboration with Indian tiger Rajiv. Ruth wrote the haiku with four

alternative endings, each of which was represented by a different ‘toy’ or enrichment item.

All the enrichment was presented to Rajiv at the same time, and the one that he chose determined the end of the poem.

The theme of the finished literary masterpiece is the issues faced by wild tigers living in threatened forests in India.

TIGER HAIKUBy Ruth Padel and Rajiv

IW Zoo Blogby Tracy Dove WHAT ARE you and your family up to

this August Bank Holiday Weekend? We’ve got lots going on at Seaview Wildlife Encounter including a very important fund raising event. This is your chance to get involved in a really special project...

One of our Senior Head Keepers (Tara Hayter, below right) has volunteered to go to Cape Town for 6 weeks at the end of October of this year – to assist with the rescue and care of African Penguins and other marine birds that have been orphaned or affected by oil spills off the Cape coast.

The work of saving and rehabilitating African Penguins and other marine birds is organized by SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds).

SANCCOB aims to conserve and protect South Africa´s sea birds, especially threatened species (such as the African Penguin and the Cape Gannet). It relies on volunteers for the hard work needed to save and care for approximately 2000 sea birds that are rescued every year. This project has tugged at our heart-strings because the African (Jackass) Penguin is so similar to our resident Humboldt Penguins – both in terms of the way they look and because both species are endangered with numbers dwindling rapidly in the wild.

How can you help? Well, over the August Bank Holiday weekend we’ll be raising funds towards Tara’s trip and towards conserving the African Penguin.

By coming to Seaview Wildlife Encounter you can have fun helping to feed our penguins at 11.30am and 3.30pm each day whilst supporting this worthwhile cause. Tara will have a few of her beautiful hand-sketched cards and pictures for sale at the fund-raising tables and there’ll be fun activities such as face-painting, penguin foot-printing, and the chance to choose a name for one of our baby penguins! Prizes include ‘being a keeper for a day’; feeding Willaby (our young orphaned Wallaby Joey) - and having your photo taken with him; and a free entrance ticket to our Park for a family of four. We look forward to seeing you!

SEAVIEW WILDLIFE ENCOUNTER BLOGBy Jules Brittan


SKODA has introduced a Limited Edition version of the Octavia vRS, and it is very impressive.

When I was told I could take the vRS out for a test drive, courtesy of F.H Winter Skoda dealership in Haven Street, I knew I was in for a exhilerating experience, as the Octavia already has a proven track record for premium performance.

The Czech firm has built just 500 petrol and 500 diesel Limited Edition vRS’. Each car comes with its own production number and a vRS logo embroidered into the black leather sport

seats.Just as with the

standard car, you can spec your vRS Limited with either the 200hp 2.0-litre petrol engine or the 170bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel, which was the model I took out. It has a 0-62mph of 8.4 seconds and a top speed of 140mph.

The steering is responsive and braking firm, as you would expect from a powerful car such as this. There are hatch or estate variants also available.

The exterior has been given a nice splash of metallic paint too,

accompanied by a new 18-inch alloy wheel design. Plus you also get a ‘Limited Edition’ badge on the rear to differentiate it from the standard model.

On the inside, there is dual zone climate control, cruise control and a touch screen six CD auto-changer all as standard.

You could even say that the vRS is a bit of a stealth car, capable of out-running much more expensive motors. Add in that competitive price and the fact that the Octavia is mega-practical, and I reckon that the vRS is up there with the best of them. Prices start from £18,705.

Wolf in sheep’s clothing

The Limited Edition Skoda Octavia vRS

BY JAMIE WHITE

30 The Gazette August 21, 200930 sport

AT least a dozen organisations will receive money as a result of this year’s IW Cycling Festival.

A number of rides throughout the week will help raise funds for different charities, with each one expected to prove popular.

Kicking off the week at 9.30am on Saturday September 19 is the Wight Challenge in Porchfield. This is a triathlon event with money raised going to Wessex Heartbeat. Also on the day is the Age Concern Wheel of Life Challenge in Seaclose Park in Newport.

Sunday September 20 is a busy day with five charities all benefiting from rides. These include the Ellen MacArthur Trust, British Heart Foundation and the Parkinson’s Disease Society.

Other organisations that will receive cash boosts during the festival include

Freshwater Lifeboat, Gift to Nature, Hampshire and IW Air Ambulance, the Earl Mountbatten Hospice the Tear Fund and the NSPCC.

IW Council Leader, David Pugh, said “The IW Cycling Festival continues to get bigger every year. As a keen cyclist I am looking forward to taking part, and I have registered to once again take part in Cycle the Wight, which raises money for the British Heart Foundation.

“It makes the day even more worthwhile to know that we are helping these good causes whilst enjoying the stunning scenery of the Island.”

The 2009 IW Cycling Festival takes place between September 19-27, and details of every ride can be found in the festival’s guide booklet, or online at www.sunseaandcycling.com.

Charities to benefitfrom pedal power

AS THIS year’s West Wight triathlon rapidly approaches, the number of entries has already reached record numbers.

The triathlon, which is in it’s seventh year takes place on Sunday September 20, and involves a 600m swim in the West Wight sports centre in Freshwa-ter, a 35km bike ride along the spectacular Military Road, before finishing with a 7.5km run alongside the River Yar.

Last year, the event saw 200 competitors from across the UK make the journey to the Island to participate, over 50 of who had never competed in a triathlon before. This year the organ-isers anticipate up to 300 entrants including a number of international competi-tors, proving once again the popularity of the Island’s only triathlon.

Event organiser Clare Griffin from West Wight Sports Centre is delighted but not surprised by the large number of entries. She said: “The ethos of the West Wight triathlon is all about having fun which makes it a great event for novices and those doing their first event.

“There is a very friendly atmosphere and of course the scenery is breath-taking, all of which has combined to make it a really popular event. This year promises to be the biggest yet and I know that everyone who makes the journey to the Island to compete won’t be disappointed.”

This year’s official charity for the triathlon is the Ellen MacArthur Trust. Set up by Dame Ellen MacArthur in 2003, the Trust takes young people aged between 8-18 sailing to help them regain their confidence, on

their way to recovery from cancer, leukaemia and other serious illness.

Dame Ellen said: “If these trips can make a small dif-ference to the children that join us then it is worth every penny, thank you to all our supporters we couldn’t do it without you.”

Frank Fletcher, Chief Executive of the trust is de-lighted to have the support of a homegrown success story. “The trust is thrilled to be the official charity of the West Wight triathlon. It’s a great competition but more importantly a great day out, and we’ll be there on the day to cheer on all those who are kindly raising money on our behalf.”

Entries can be made by individuals or by teams of two or three. To register for the West Wight triathlon 2009 you can go to www.westwight.co.uk/triathlon

Ready to run

THE LASHINGS WORLD XI has announced their final squad for their fixture at Ventnor, taking place this Sunday (August 23).

This match starts at 2.30pm, and has become one of the most popular in the club’s fixture list, and is likely to attract a large crowd to Ventnor’s Steephill ground.

The squad is as follows- Graeme Hick, Devon Malcolm, Richie Richardson, Gordon Greenidge, Stuart Law, Greg Blewett, Phil DeFreitas, Alvin Kallicharran, Henry Olonga, Mohammed Akram, Ian Harvey, Phil deFreitas, John Emburey and Azhar Mahmood.

Tickets are on sale from the clubhouse or from Hose Rhodes Dickson in Ventnor. For further information you can contact Graeme Burnett on 07764 405023 or 01983 740131.

Lashings prepare for Ventnor

NEWPORT have made it through to the next stage of the F.A Cup qualifying rounds, after a dramatic late winner from Iain Seab-rook (pictured) saw off Bitton.

The Island side left it until the 91st minute of the replay at St George’s Park to book a place in the Preliminary Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

Newport took the lead on eight minutes, when Tom McInnes ghosted in at the near post to apply a sharp finish from James Butt’s cross.

Bitton had a chance to draw level when Craig Mutten hit a good strike, but his shot flew wide of the post.

Seabrook then had a chance to double Port’s lead when he raced through, but his lobbed shot didn’t trouble John Rendell in the visitors goal.

Unperturbed, Seabrook returned to inflict further menace on the Bitton goal in the 59th minute, when his venomous strike forced Rendell to tip over.

However, Newport’s lack of conviction in front of goal proved costly as Bitton drew level on 63 minutes thanks to Guy Cocks.

Tom Scovell then missed a good chance for Newport as he failed to apply a vital touch from Sam Hart’s cross.

With 10 minutes remaining, Newport boss Derek Ohren sent on Freddie Knowles to try and rejuvenate his frontline.

And Ohren’s substitution paid dividends when Knowles hit a ball in to the box, which fell kindly to Seabrook, who fired home to send the 153 watching fans into raptures and Newport in to the next round.

The Island side now travel to Oxfordshire to take on Wantage Town, of the Hellenic League, Premier Division.

Late win for Port

31August 21, 2009 The Gazette sport 31

Send your sports news to [email protected]

MORE than 40 juniors and their club organisers attended the end of season presentation of the Colin Hayworth Shield for the IW Golf Union Junior League at Freshwater Bay GC.Freshwater club Captain Barry Hunter presented the prizes which were split into three divisions by handicap, Lucy Burke (21) of Westridge scored 21 points over the 10-hole course in the 21 and over category, and Freshwater’s David Hartley (16) picked up the prize for 11 to 20 category with 22 points.

But the round of the day was returned by Brandon Thompson (2) scoring an excellent 24 points for 10 holes in difficult conditions.

In the Matchplay league Shanklin finished third on 46.5 points while a nail-biting finale saw Freshwater maintain their half point lead over Cowes going into the final match with both sides going down 2.5 – 1.5 away from home enabling Freshwater to retain the trophy.

There was some excellent scoring in Freshwater’s midweek stableford second division with no fewer than six players topping the magical 40 point mark and getting their handicaps chopped.

Coming out top of the shop was Barry Finch (28) returning

an immense 49 points, Tony Hammonds (26) came second with 44 while Frank Gregory returned 42 points off of 27 for third. Other players returning 40 or more points but not collecting any prizes, were Andy Rann, Dave Richards and Ken Bebbington.

The first division was much more civilised with five-handicapper Simon Smith finishing first on 39 points ahead Dave Wilkins (16) in second place on count back

from Kevin Garrett (5) also on 38 points.

The Seniors Open saw the early birds taking home the worms with both the division winners coming from the first two groups out. Gerry Bolton came out the overall winner of the John Cottle Trophy with 40 points. He also picked up first place in Division 1 closely followed by Noel Dobbs of Shanklin on 38 and Richard Price of Freshwater 37 points, both playing off 17.

All round delight for Freshwater juniors

SIR ROBIN KNOX-JOHNSTON, the first sailor to circumnavigate the globe single-handed and non-stop on his yacht Suhaili back in 1969, has announced that he is teaming up with the world’s top female power-boat champion, Shelley Jory to take on the longest and toughest one-day endurance powerboat race in the world, the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes on August 29.

Racing as Team Scorpion with Shelley as the driver, Sir Robin, an icon of the sailing world, and now aged 70, has never before experienced powerboat racing but jumped at the idea of being Shelley’s Navigator when she sug-gested it to him.

“When Shelley asked whether I would like to navigate for her in the Classic Cowes-Torquay-Cowes powerboat race, it took one second to accept. This is something I have not done before so naturally I want to find out what it is all about,” said Sir Robin.

Shelley, 39, is currently competing in the Powerboat P1 World Champi-onships in the first all-female team to race at this level.

She said: “I had this wild idea whilst preparing for my next P1

race that I really wanted to compete this year in my own country and what better race to do than the CTC (Cowes-Torquay-Cowes).

“So for my 14th consecutive Cowes powerboat race I have a very keen novice on board and the best endurance boat on the water to get us to Torquay and back.”

Also competing in the race is Galaxy FM DJ, Ben Glover, who presents the drive-time show on the

popular south coast station between 5-7pm.

“This is going to be the best ride of my life. Boats, Cowes and a race! I can’t wait to get onto the Construction Racing team boat. Can someone fetch my water wings!”

“I have an RYA level one and two, and I’m addicted to boating. I just wish I could afford a boat. It’s going to be a fantastic day,” said Ben.

Sir Robin set to race Ben

Junior members of Freshwater Golf club with Barry Hunter

Left to right: DJ Ben Glover and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston

32 The Gazette August 21, 200932 sport

Sportthe gazette

Send your sports news to [email protected]

THE WATERS around Cowes will roar back into life later this month with arguably the most exhilarating events of the whole year.

After the somewhat tranquil settings of Cowes Week, the volume will be turned up with the arrival of the Honda Formula 4-Stroke Association (F4SA), the world’s largest two class offshore powerboat race series.

The action takes place on August 29 as the Cowes Classic Powerboat Race, a thrilling race from the Island to Poole and

back. That race is part of the Cowes Powerboat Festival which also includes the legendary Cowes-Torquay-Cowes event.

The Cowes Classic race for Honda boats will be for the fourth leg of the 2009 Championship season. Once again defying the economic climate, the combined start of this year’s two prestigious races over the August Bank Holiday weekend could see the largest line-up for almost three decades, with a fleet of around 50 Honda and Offshore Racing Drivers

Association (ORDA) craft plus over ten Sports boats and 20 Marathon class contenders.

The Cowes-Torquay-Cowes thriller was originally founded by Sir Max Aitken in 1961, and launched offshore powerboat racing outside the United States for the first time.

Now the 49th Cowes Classic, which is organised by the British Powerboat Racing Club (BPRC), will give the Honda crews their first taste of long distance non-multi-lap racing in seas that could prove troublesome.

All 20 Honda F4SA powerboats are expected to take part which will include both the 150hp and the 225hp class. The boats will be located at the official wet pit area in the North Basin of the Cowes Yacht Haven prior to departure.

Red Jet 5 will lead the field from outside the Royal Yacht Squadron the 10 miles down to the start line at South Bank Buoy in the western Solent. Race progress will be relayed to Cowes Green by a continuous commentary.

While the larger Marathon classes head directly to a Torquay turning mark, the smaller boats, including the Honda fleet, will set course for Poole Bay. There the Honda fleet will cover one circuit of the bay with the ORDA boats - mainly Class III before returning to Cowes. It will result in Honda having a 40-mile contest with the rest racing 70.

On their return at around 11am the leaders of the Honda fleet will re-enter the western Solent and head for the finishing line.

Powerboats return to Cowes

IW Gazette 29

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Transcript of IW Gazette 29