IW Gazette 8

Pleasemake asmall

donationthe gazetteHelping the local Earl Mountbatten Hospice

36,000 copies - 7th November 2008

INSIDEYOURFREEGAZETTE

Murder Mystery

Wind of change?

0

Page 4

Stephen heads to Oz

Back page

Island boat owners have been left reeling by a new European Union order that will mean huge extra costs for fuelling their pleasure crafts. There are sure to be waves of anger at the needless increases.

Hundreds will be hit in their pockets when they use their boats for leisure trips after the EU raised the price of duty on red diesel from 9p a litre to a stunning 50p a litre.

The Island relies heavily on the arrival of motor vessels to keep the economy afloat. But now a litre of diesel for pleasure boats has leaped to around £1.20 a litre. Little more than a year ago owners were paying just 42p a litre.

The massive increases in fuel duties could have far-reaching effects on the Island’s whole boat industry, from Bembridge

to Yarmouth and Cowes to Ventnor.

Concerns have been ex-pressed that the economy here could be badly affected simply because mainland visitors, and boaters from further afield, will no longer be able to afford trips across the Solent in their crafts.

That could seriously affect trade in restaurants and pubs within reach of the popular harbours and marinas.

Ironically, the sur-charges for boat owners have come at a time when Island motorists are finally feeling the benefits of cheaper petrol at the pumps (see Page 3).

But as Islanders come to terms with the shock increases in red diesel that fuel the majority of pleasure craft, there are further worries that boats could become targets of

Continued on page 3

WINa meal for four

at SWAD

New fuel ‘rip-off’ rocks the boat

THE hard-pressed Island economy is bracing itself for another battering, this time from a fuel hike that has been dubbed ‘a complete rip-off’. By

Peter White

ISLAND MP Andrew Turner is backing the six Island Councillors who are under investigation by the Standards Board over alleged planning applica-

tion irregularities.Mr Turner raised

the issue in a special debate in the House of Commons, pointing out the investigation had now

taken more than a year and there was still no end in sight.

Mr Turner said: ”All of these councillors are

Continued on page 3

A full Island harbour, but for how much longer?

Island MP backs ‘Council six’

2

Send your news to [email protected] or tel. (01983) 402599

gazette newsthe gazette Friday NOVEMBER 7 2008

tel: (01983) 402599

email: [email protected]

add: The Isle of Wight GazetteUnit B18Spithead Business CentreNewport RoadSandownIsle of Wight. PO36 9PH

sales: 01983 402599 Anne BishopLaura WebbJames Rolfe

Published by:The Isle of Wight Gazette LtdEditor: Martin PotterReporters: Jamie White, Peter White Distribution: Isle of Wight Distribution Ltd.Design: Martin Potter, Colin Clarke, Richard Heaven.

Supporting the Earl MountbattenHospice through your generous

donations when you pick upyour free copy.

* (Front page) Print runs may vary from issue to issue

Issue 8November 7th 2008

Contact Details

the gazette

How much raised so far?

We are glad to say that the readers of The Gazette have now raised approx £6514 in total for the local Hospice. Well done and

thankyou for your support.

Competition winners

The winner of the holiday to Portugal competition held in the last issue was Mr N Grant, of Gregory Avenue, Ryde.

News Round-up

Bursting pointINCREASED demand for people needing care at the Sevenacres mental health unit in Newport and a lack of community-based accommodation for those ready to move on has put great pressure on staff and beds. Some patients are being put up for the night on sofas.

‘Bridge’ to closeTHE floating bridge connecting Cowes and East Cowes could be unavailable for eight weeks from February or March for essential maintenance. A foot-passenger launch will be provided by IW Council.

Directors cutTOP-EARNING directors in County Hall are to be reduced from seven to five, and the number of senior posts from 38 to 30, saving IW Council more than £500,000 in wages and other costs.

Competitive edgeA SCHOOL sports’ competition manager has been appointed by IW Council to ensure there are more inter-Island school competitions and more participation in regional competitions in all school sports.

Smart moveAN EYESORE house in Cross Street, Ryde, has been sold on for £76,000 by IW Council on condition it is made habitable. It was the first house bought by the council under its compulsory purchase powers after ten years of neglect by its previous owner.

‘Scary’ for singerSINGER Anycia Macedo and dancing duo Wight Chicks - Rebecca Kidd and Annabel Randall – have reached the final of UK Idol 2008. Anycia, 25, of Bin-stead admitted the regional final was ‘scary’. Rebecca, 15, and Annabel, 16, of Northwood, and who go to Cowes High School, offered something a bit different by performing a dance with a storyline.

Drinking dangersLAST ORDERS, a play warning of the dangers of binge drinking, has been performed for 13 and 14-year-old students in Island high schools this week. The 60-minute production, based on real-life events had a cast of three.

Dyke on his bikeALEX DYKE, host of arguably the most popular show on IW Radio, the Mid Morning Boogie, is leaving the station after more than 15 years. His contract will not be renewed when it ends in January. His wife, Justine Field, a breakfast show presenter, will also leave in January as her contract will not be renewed. No stranger to controversy, Alex, has never made a secret of the fact he would like to live and work in America.

Double whammyA TRAVEL company has collapsed leaving many fami-lies without their holidays and many fearing they have lost money. Richard Long, owner of the Island Travel Centre in Shanklin, said he had been selling the busi-ness because of ill health, but the deal had collapsed. His bank also withdrew an overdraft agreement.

Travellers restGYPSIES and travellers already living on the Island could soon have IW Council-run pitches under propos-als out for consultation. Twenty-seven pitches would be provided. At the moment the council does not provide any facilities and travellers camp on unofficial sites leading to conflict with landowners.

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ANGELA, Meg, Fiona, Linda and friends who participated in the cross-Island pony and trap drive would like to thank everyone who supported the event in aid of the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

Last month, carriage driving turn outs and horse riders took part at various locations across the Island in glorious

weather.Shoppers were surprised to see a

variety of horse-drawn turnouts on the Sunday morning.

So far the sponsored drive has raised well over £2,000 for the hospice with more coming in.

EAST Wight Scouts have been getting wet, wet, wet and it hasn’t been at the hands of the weather.

At a recent activity camp, tents were dry and packed away before the end that’s something that doesn’t seem to happen very often these days. It was a great finish to a weekend of fun and laughter at Nettlestone and down on The Duver.

The high spot was the raft race.

Scouts had to bid for poles, floats, ropes and paddles, then, with what-ever they had managed to purchase, they built their rafts. After ‘sea-worthiness’ tests, the race began. Of course, some rafts held together better than other and even the leaders got involved and wet. Winners were the 5th Ryde team although, of course, everyone was a winner as it was such a great day.

The East Wight dis-trict swimming gala was another occasion to take to the water. As well as the traditional events, the float, obstacle and google races were great fun and the leaders also had their own race, cheered on enthusiastically by the scouts.

Overall winners of the gala were 1st Bembridge Scouts who put on a display of very profes-sional aquatic skills.

Aston McLinden, Leah Elkin and Alex Fawdry

Thousands raised for hospice

Scouts soaked at activity camp

3


gazette newsFriday NOVEMBER 7 2008 the gazette

From front pagefuel theft when left in their moorings.

Island businessman Paul Sturrock claims the latest hike is little more than an EU ‘complete rip-off’ and could have major knock-on effects for the

Islanders who work in the boat trade. There are also bound to be concerns that moorings in many of the Island’s marinas could be left empty.

Mr Sturrock, who runs a 50ft Sunseeker craft, said: “The latest increases

With our vision for public transport on the Island and a network of frequent, simple and direct bus routes, we are now looking to recruit people with enthusiasm and a passion for working with the public, who have good customer service skills, are reliable and highly presentable. You must be over 18 and hold a full UK or EC car driving licence.

If you think you have the right skills and experience to keep our customers happy - and fancy doing it from behind the wheel of our buses - then apply with a covering letter, together with your CV , by e-mail to [email protected] or post it to T Simms (PCV Driver Application), Southern Vectis, Nelson Road, Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 1RD

Southern Vectis is an equal opportunities employer.

Have you got news for [email protected]

THERE has finally been some good news for Island motorists as petrol has fallen below £1 a litre for the first time in nearly a year.

Major supermarket chains Tesco, Sains-bury’s and Morrison’s all brought some welcome relief by cutting the price of their unleaded petrol. And as costs have contin-ued to fall, many of the Is-land’s independent petrol retailers have also been able to pass on savings to their customers.

Although diesel is still selling at around 110p a litre, there could soon be more cuts on the way. Tesco in Ryde have already set the trend by announcing that any customer spending more than £50 on goods in their main store will be entitled to a voucher for a further reduction of 5p as litre. The offer will run until

the end of November.A spokesperson said: “It

has been a long time since petrol was below £1 a litre on the Island, and at one stage it rose to around £1.15p a litre, so this is good news for all motor-ists. And the voucher will mean extra savings with a litre coming down to 94.9p a litre.”

Becky Newnham, manager of Sainsbury’s petrol station in Newport, said: “This is exciting news for everyone. I think the last time it was below £1 a litre was at the beginning of this year.”

Morrison’s claim they were first to cut the price to below £1 a litre. Marc Bolland, the company’s chief executive said: “We took the lead again in cutting fuel prices and taking unleaded back below a pound a litre. This is strong support for motorists who are served

at our forecourts.“We are passing on the

benefits of oil cuts to our customers. It shows that we’re absolutely committed to deliver-ing real value for all of our customers – whether they’re shopping in our stores or filling up at our

forecourts.”The general fall in petrol

prices follows a dramatic world reduction in the cost of crude oil, which dipped to its lowest level for 14 months. That enabled the major suppli-ers to pass on the cuts to the motorist.

Sign of the times as petrol prices tumble

Prices fall at the pumps

decent, honest people who work hard for their local communities. The very worst they are guilty of- and I emphasise ‘the worst’- is an error of judgement. They do not deserve to be have treated this way.”

He also raised concerns that new allegations had been made anonymously ten months and thirteen months after the initial complaint.

The allegations were referred to the Standards Board in September 2007 that a number of Island councillors fell below the standards. There were no

allegations of criminal ac-tivity, but the complaints related to a planning ap-plication made by one of the councillors.

Sadly, one of the accused Brian Mosdell died recently. The other councillors involved are Anne Bishop, Vanessa Churchman, Patrick Joyce, Lora Peacey-Wil-cox and Andy Sutton.

Mr Turner added: “It is an absolute disgrace that the Standards Board did not reach a conclusion on this matter prior to Mr Mosdell’s death, as they knew he was seriously ill.”

Support from Turner

EU diesel price shockerare just ridiculous, and it’s about more than just putting diesel in your boat. When I first began boating, about seven years ago, diesel was only 19p a litre.

“I need 2,100 litres to fill my boat, and that runs it for about 280 nautical miles. Now it means that if I just want to go across to Poole and back it is going to cost me around £500. And if I decided to venture as far as Devon I would be looking at a fuel bill of £2,300 – no one can justify that sort of cost.

“But it doesn’t end there. The Island relies heavily on people coming here in their craft, but now many will have to think twice. We are simply not going to have the visitors from the likes of France and the Channel Islands, and even from the mainland.

“It could make a massive difference to the Island economy at a time when everyone is feeling the effects of the credit

crunch.”The only concessions on

duty will be for heating, lighting and for powering navigational equipment on boats. But that leaves a big question mark over whether owners of ribs and boats without ac-commodation on board, will have to pay the full increased rate. However, commercial users of red diesel will continue to pay the reduced rate.

Meanwhile, the UK’s largest pleasure craft insurer, Navigators & General is warning boat owners to ensure they take precautions now to reduce the risk of fuel tank theft and damage to their boats.

James Roberts, Head of N&G said “Diesel theft isn’t a new issue for boat owners but with red diesel prices set to increase so dramatically this year, we anticipate this problem is likely to increase and our custom-ers are already asking us for security advice for their boats.”

From front page

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Advertise with usCall 402599

AROUND 240 people packed two public meetings, to hear about the drawbacks of giant wind turbines.

Their inefficiency, their need for carbon emitting back up power and the high risk they would pose to the Isle of Wight’s tourist economy, because of their adverse impact on the landscape, all came under the microscope.

The full-to-capacity events were organised by ThWART (The Wight Against Rural Turbines) at the Parish Hall in Shorwell and at the Scout Hut in Brighstone - two of the Island’s historic villages close to the site proposed by developer Cornwall Light & Power (CL&P) who want to build three 125m-tall turbines on nearby Limerstone/Ch-everton Down.

“It was clear from both meet-ings that there is widespread public concern about the future siting of large wind turbines across the Island,” says John Gallimore, Cam-

paign Chairman of ThWART. “The vast majority of those attending actively support our campaign.”

Both audiences were urged to engage with the Isle of Wight Council’s consultation process for drafting the Island Plan, to ensure that more appropriate forms of renewable energy are urgently deployed on the Island as a matter of policy - such as tidal genera-tion, solar power and biomass for heating and electricity.

Audiences were shown a contro-versial map from the draft Island Plan, marking 11 “illustrative” locations across the island which have been identified by the Council for future investigation for poten-tial wind farm sites. Four of them are inside an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), including the site at Limerstone/Cheverton Down. A further four are adjacent to an AONB - such as a site at Wellow in the West Wight, where a wind farm proposal was rejected unanimously by the Council only two years ago.

ThWART campaigner Ray Tucker gave a detailed ‘facts and figures’ presentation at the meet-ings, showing how the three giant turbines proposed on top of Limer-stone/Cheverton Down would dom-inate the entire Island landscape with their height of 125 metres or 410 feet above ground and 310 metres or 1,017 feet above sea level. The turbines would be among the largest ever built in the UK and would be easily visible across the Island and even on the mainland, as far away as Winchester.

They would overshadow the nearby Worlsey and Tennyson Trails used by walkers and horse

riders and also the villages of Brighstone and Shorwell and the Heritage Coast on the south side of the Island.

The turbines’ blade ‘sweep’ would cover 1.5 acres, he said, 27% more than a full scale football pitch. But they would produce no electricity until wind speeds reached 9 mph, would only achieve maximum output at 33 mph and would need

No wind of change as wind turbine row grows

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to be shut down on safety grounds if the wind gets much stronger. “We were amazed to learn about

the scale of the turbines being proposed and why they are such an unreliable source of energy,” says Anthony Hegarty, a retired busi-nessman and resident of Seaview, who attended the Brightsone meeting with his wife Maureen. “Their size became all too evident when a scale model was unveiled, showing the height of the turbines compared with that of some local landmark buildings.”

CL&P have said that the turbines would only produce, on average, between 25% and 30% of their total rated output of 9 MegaWatts, Ray Tucker pointed out in his presen-tation. This is equivalent to just 0.13% of a typical conventional power station in the UK. And due to fluctuating wind conditions on the island, this output is likely to be lower.

Because the output from wind turbines is unpredictable, it is unre-liable and back up electricity

supplies from conventional power stations would therefore be needed, he said, producing the very carbon emissions that wind farm develop-ers claim they are eliminating. This back up power would need to be running all the time, even when the wind is blowing. Power stations cannot simply be turned on and off when the wind stops and starts again.

Big lossesTwo surveys, in Scotland and

Wales, had shown that 11% and 15% of tourists respectively would stay away from areas where wind turbines are built. A recent survey on the Island had produced a similar figure of 15%.

“If just 10% of visitors to the Island stayed away, that would mean a loss of more than £40 million to the Island’s tourist economy,” Mr Tucker said. “That’s a lot of risk for producing a dubious energy supply.”

Several other drawbacks of wind turbines were highlighted in

the presentation: the flicker and shadows caused by turbine blades turning through sunlight; the noise they produce, particularly inaudi-ble, low frequency sound of which the health risk to humans is little understood; the hazard to wildlife such as migrating birds and bats; and the likely interference to TV reception.

“Our aim in ThWART is to ensure that these industrial scale wind tur-bines are not inappropriately sited,” said Mr Tucker. “It is difficult to imagine anywhere on the Island where they would be appropriate. We urge people who agree with us to join our mailing list of 3,400 members, help fund our campaign and write letters of objection at the right time, if and when a planning application is made for inappro-priate wind farms on the Isle of Wight.”

For further information, please contact John Gallimore on Tel: 07796 264211 E-mail: [email protected] site www.thwart.info.

This is how the Island could look in the future if wind turbines become part of the landscape

No wind of change as wind turbine row grows

6



TRUANCY rates on the Island are the second best in the south east, according to latest figures.

Primary school children recorded 3,070 unauthor-ised half-day absences out of a total of almost 1.25m half-days - or 0.25 per cent. Only Windsor and Maidenhead did better.

At secondary level, just under 25,000 unau-thorised half-days were recorded out of more than 2.5m - or 0.97 per cent. Only Slough did better.

Both primary and sec-ondary levels are below the national average in England, primary chil-dren 0.56 and secondary 1.41).

Cllr Alan Wells, IW Council Cabinet member for children and young people, said: “This is tes-tament to the work of the council and its partners as well as the hard work each school and its staff put in.”

The council, together with other organisations and shops run a number of schemes aimed at reducing truancy.

These include the suc-cessful Truancy Watch initiative, which has recorded large reduc-tions in truancy figures in Ryde and Newport and has just been extended to Sandown and Shanklin.

Regular sweeps are carried out and any pupils found without a valid reason for being out of school are taken back to their classrooms and their parents informed.

Truants feel the squeeze

AN exclusive interview with singer Mark King in an early edition of the Gazette has been well received by Level 42 fans.

Mark, lead singer with the group, revealed how golf had proved a great diversion from the glamorous world of entertainment. The interview was a double-page centre spread in the issue on August 15.

Comments have been posted on a level 42 fans message board.

Messages on the site include: “I picked up the Isle of Wight Gazette and saw there was an interview with Mark all about his golf he plays.

“It was a good interview with some pictures of him playing golf, including a picture of Mark’s Level 42 golf balls that he plays with. I am a lucky holder of one.”

Other comments were: “I really enjoyed reading that!” “That was fun to read. I like the idea of him running up cardiac hill to try to get fit for the tour.”

The comments can be found on www.level42webdigest.com

Unfortunately for Mark, he has had to put golf on hold for the time being, while he completes a 20-venue UK tour with Level 42.

The popular singer was 50 last month, but there was little time to celebrate

as he and the band raced around the country.

The group’s recent tour ended at the Brighton Dome on October 30. Mark and the boys then had a short break, before preparing for an eight-venue tour of Holland, which gets underway in early February.

Gazette interview a hit with Mark’s many fans

WORK is due to start soon on the contro-versial new Salvation Army hostel, Green Street, Ryde.

The £3.7million project, which should be finished in 2010, will be used by people in the community needing support.

“The project will bring about a reduction in people bedded down in unsettled accommoda-tion, create jobs and increase commercial activity within the Ryde area as well as help bring about a reduction in crime and anti-social behav-iour across the Island,”

said Sarah Mitchell, IW Council director of com-munity services.

People living in the area opposed the hostel.

Ms Mitchell added: “There is a clear expecta-tion that hostel residents will receive a pro-active programme designed to meet the basic care needs of homeless individuals but also to address any underlying issues such as alcohol or drug addiction, mental health problems or offending behaviour.

“After an appropriate period of support, that will include a personal programme involving training and education,

residents of the hostel will then be able to return to the labour market which is a welcome outcome not only for the residents but for the Island community as well.”

Part of the development also involves upgrading the 40-space Green Street car park. This work will involve the resurfacing and the introduction of CCTV and lighting.

The long-stay car park will have ten fewer spaces from six weeks from No-vember 10 and it will be closed completely from early January for, pos-sibly, up to 18 months.

Building to start on Ryde Hostel

Mark King catching up with news in the Gazette

7



MEET Mach, a unique Isle of Wight cat.

The ten-year-old blue point birman - Mistymagic Blueberry Mach, to give him his full name - is the only registered Pets As Therapy (PAT) cat on the Island.

Since 2005 he has regularly visited Blackwater Mill Country Retirement Home, where he is a firm favourite with residents and staff and Mr Mach loves the atten-tion.

Pauline and Chris Brook of School Crescent, Godshill, have owned him since he was 13 weeks old.

Pauline explained: “In the morning when I get his pet carrier out ready he immediately gets in and settles down. We don’t go to Blackwater Mill until the afternoon but Mach makes sure he’s not going to be left behind.

“Most cats make themselves as wide as possible when you try and put them in a travelling carrier but

Mach knows where we are going and he loves every minute of it.

“As soon as I put my yellow PAT polo shirt on and Mach is wearing his harness he knows that he is working.”

Pauline added that Mach was a ‘total lap cat and loves people’.

“At home he follows us around all the time just waiting for one of us to sit down.

“He has an amazing temperament, he is so laid back and gentle, which is how we knew he would make a ‘purrfect’ PAT cat.”

Pauline and Chris applied to PAT to register Mach and Audrey Powell, Island co-ordinator for PAT said she had never assessed a cat before, although there are around 14 dogs on the Island.

Pauline said: “After Mrs Powell’s assessment – Mach behaved impec-cably – we had to wait to hear from the PAT registration office to see if he had passed muster. In two to three weeks we received confirma-tion that Mach had been accepted,

we also received an ID tag for us and Mach.”

Pauline said she would recom-mend anyone who has a dog or cat they think would make a suitable PAT animal to apply.

“It is such a worthwhile thing to do and the joy on people’s faces when they touch an animal is wonderful.

“It can also be very therapeutic in cases such as strokes, the interac-tion with the animal can help regain mobility and speech.”

Contact PAT, 3a Grange Farm Cottages, Wycombe Road, Saun-derton, Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 9NS or call 01844 345445.

The email address is [email protected] or for more infor-mation the website www.petsas-therapy.org

Mach was recently voted first runner up in the Pet Birman of the Year competition run by the Birman Cat Club. He finished two points behind the winner.

Mach loves his day job

Care home resident Lucy Horsfield greets Mach the cat with his owner Pauline Brook

8



Hospicenews

Bennett’s playbenefits EMH

ALAN Bennett’s popular Talking Heads stage play has arrived at the Apollo Theatre in Newport to raise funds for the hospice. Fans of Bennett’s monologues can catch the last two performances on (tonight) Friday and Satur-day at 7.30pm. The box office will be open for bookings from 10am to 2pm on both days. Tickets are £7 and the box number is 527267.

Dogs Walk the Wight for the hospiceSOME 25 dogs and around 35 owners and friends gathered in Parkhurst Forest on October 26 for an organised walk as part of the ongoing Dogs Walk the Wight campaign. Wet weather didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm and after an hour or so a collection of very muddy paws and wet and waggy tails made it safely back to the car park.

Dogs Walk the Wight is a virtual walk in which dogs (and their owners) are asked to “virtually” walk the distance around the around the Isle of Wight - 72 miles and to be spon-sored to achieve this over whatever time frame is suitable for the individual.

The scheme has been operating for two years and so far has raised around £15, 000. The hospice supplies a tick sheet with 72 squares and every time you walk your dog approxi-mately a mile you tick off a box.

For more information and to register your dog please phone hospice fundraising on 528989.

Lottery gift vouchers availableCHRISTMAS is coming and the hospice is offering hospice lottery vouchers as a fantastic solution to the irksome problem of what to buy the person who has everything! Vouchers are available in £13, £26 and £52 – which will buy three months, six months or a year’s entry into the hospice lottery. All the recipient has to do when they receive their voucher is call the lottery to activate their individual number. Simple and they could win £1000.

The hospice lottery offers a weekly top prize of £1,000 with 50 weekly follow-up prizes of £10 and has so far raised £100,000 for patient care.

Call the fundraising office 528989

Gift fair at the Priory Bay Hotel THE PRIORY Bay Hotel, Seaview, is holding a Christmas Gift Fair in aid of the Hospice on Thursday, November 13, from 5.30 to 8pm. A range of carefully selected products will be on sale including local crafts and Christmas-themed gifts, displayed against a festive back-drop of roaring log-fires, traditional decorations and Christmas tree wrapped in mistletoe, holly and ivy.

To reserve a table please telephone 01983 613146 or email [email protected] Exhibitor donations and a raffle will benefit the Earl Mountbatten Hospice

Big Bond thank youTHE HOSPICE would like to thank all the companies that generously supported the recent sell out Bond regional gala screening of Quantum of Solace. Cineworld, Avon, Premier Ford, Dorley Kingsley Books, Star Signings, Sunseeker and Fox’s Restaurant. Special thanks to Will Souter, Master Craftsman of Nautical Gold for donating a pair of beauti-ful handmade 18 carat gold diamond earrings valued at £500.

Hospice fundraising:528989

CHILDREN from St John’s School, Sandown, below, with some of the shoeboxes they have collected for the Rotary Island shoebox appeal. The boxes will be going to children in schools and orphanages in Romania.

Bottom, children and teachers from Sandown CE school who are also taking part in the appeal.

A ONE-OFF original piece of artwork of a Lambretta at the IW scooter rally, during the August bank holiday weekend has been raffled for £110.

Shaun and Debbie Newnham, owners of the Wight Rock Bar, Ryde, were delighted with the amount raised. It will be split between the Earl Mountbatten Hospice and the St Mary’s Hospital chemotherapy unit.

Shaun’s father was treated at the chemo-therapy unit and later at the hospice before he died two years ago.

Debbie has also not for-gotten the great care and

treatment she received at the chemotherapy unit, following her breast cancer surgery in 1998.

The picture was won by Debbie Edwards, who is one of the quiz night regulars at the Wight Rock Bar.

Mrs Edwards was pleased with the choice of donation recipients, as her husband was also cared for by the hospice.

Chris Hayward, who was one of the early quiz night participants, died from cancer recently. His fellow quiz team members of ‘Aven’t A Kloo’ donated their recent winnings to the hospice and hospital.

Scooter art makes £110 for charity

Bound for Romania

9



THE Island Life Food & Drink Awards sponsored by Red Funnel are approaching, and with only a few tickets remain-ing, organiser and owner of Island Life magazine, Martin Potter, is pleased with this years support despite the current climate. The awards take place on Sunday November 16 at Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Havenstreet, fol-lowing on from a hugely successful event last year.

Martin said: “This will be the second year that the awards have taken place. I started the awards because I thought it would give some much needed publicity to the food and drink industry on the Island. It also shows the general public how hard owners, chefs, landlords and everyone involved in the industry actually work. We have many local producers and places to eat and drink, I thought it was about time they got some recognition.”

Currently Martin is looking into various options of judging the competition for next year. “I have involved the AA for two years now and I will be talking to them in detail to see how I can move

forward with the awards. If all goes well I hope the AA will be judging all the categories for 2009,” said Martin.

Martin went on to say: “Each category has either three or five finalists and hopefully all these businesses will be visited by the AA, so I do have to take the costs into consideration as its not a cheap exercise to employ the power and credibility of the AA. Sadly I am not funded by SEEDA or the council in any way.”

Martin has also revealed that Red Funnel have come on board as the main sponsor for the event. “I am so happy to have such a prestigious company give their support for this event. It will help the awards move forward and hopefully on to bigger and better things in the future.”

Warren Turvey from The Red Funnel Group said: “Red Funnel are delighted to sponsor the Island Life Food & Drink Awards. We want to get more involved in using local produce within the company. The awards will give us a great opportunity to meet and speak to Island producers. We will be working with Martin to ensure that next year’s event is even better.”

There is no doubting the amount

of effort and time that Martin and his wife Tanya, put in to the event.

“This year myself and Tanya nearly pulled our hair out on the last weekend of counting the nomi-nation forms. There were thousands of them. But it makes it all worth while when we see the winners receive their awards.”

When asked if there are any surprises this year, Martin replied: “Everyone including us will have to wait and see. As far as the restau-rants, pubs and chefs are concerned we don’t know who the AA have chosen until I open the envelope on the evening. It’s as much as a sur-prise for us as it is for the finalists, but that’s the fun of the awards. Literally anyone can win.”

Everyone is welcome to come along to this year’s event to support their local eating establishment or food producer.

Tickets are priced at £50.00 plus VAT, which includes a Wight Vodka cocktail on arrival, a splendid three course meal prepared by David Rogers and dancing with the Tony Martin Music Show, not forgetting the awards of course.

Tickets are available by calling 07976 797455.

Dining Pub of the Year Judged by the AANew Inn, ShalfleetPointer Inn, NewchurchThe Pump Bar, SeaviewWhite Hart, HavenstreetWhite Horse, Whitwell Restaurant of the Year Judged by the AAMorgans, ShanklinRoyal Hotel, VentnorSeaview Hotel, SeaviewThe Hambrough, VentnorThe St Helens, St Helens Restaurant Chef of the Year Judged by the AAMorgans, Tim MorganPendletons, S. Pendleton Seaview Hotel, Graham WalkerThe Royal, Alan StaleyThe St Helens, Mark Young Pub Chef of the Year Judged by The AACrown Inn, Shorwell - Kieron BartonNew Inn, Shalfleet - Phil GilbrathPointer Inn, Newchurch - Paul ClarkeWhite Hart, Havenstreet - Berni NighWhite Horse, Whitwell - Jerrie Mallon

Newcomer of the YearKevars, RydePendletons, ShanklinReal Island Food Company,Whitwell, Ventnor

Bakery of the YearBembridge Bakery, Bembridge

Graces Bakery, IslandwideMarket Bakery, Scarrots Lane

Butcher of the YearBJs Sandown, SandownHamiltons Fine Foods, IslandwidePaul Murphy, Briddlesford Lodge Farm Best Café / BarJoe’s Cafe Bar, Ryde, NewportLibertys Cafe Bar, RydeThe Met Bar, Ventnor Drinks Producer of the YearGoddards, RydeRosemarys Vineyard, RydeVentnor Brewery, Ventnor

Ethnic Restaurant of the YearChina China, CowesEl Toro Contento, VentnorMonsoon Indian Restaurant, Ryde Most Distinctive Local MenuPendletons, ShanklinThe Seaview Hotel, SeaviewThe St Helens, St Helens Livestock Producer/Farmer of the YearBrownrigg Poultry, GodshillNew Barn Farm, ShorwellPaul Griffin, Briddlesford Lodge Farm

Best Local Food Shopof the YearAngela’s, Yarmouth

Norris Stores, NitonVics Stores, Nettlestone Lifetime Achievement AwardAndy Gustar (Hamiltons)Paul Clarke (Pointer Inn)Phillipa Cooper (Seaview Hotel) Best Organic Product/TraderGodshill Organics, GodshillStoneground Flour Company, Newchurch

Best Farm ShopBriddlesford Lodge Farm Shop, WoottonFarmer Jacks, ArretonGarlic Farm, Newchurch Best Food Producer of the YearGarlic Farm, NewchurchHamiltons Fine Foods, IslandwideIsle of Wight Cheese, Sandown Hospitality & Catering Apprentice of the Year (Judged)Damon Calleja, PendletonsKatie Harris, Seaview HotelRichard Wilson, The Pointer Inn Best Tea Rooms/Coffee Shop (Judged)Rhylstone Gardens, ShanklinThe Old Smithy, GodshillThe Old Thatch, Shanklin

This years finalist...

Let the battle commence for the 2008 F&D Awards

10



HALF-TERM week was murder for many youngsters on the Island, as a mock mystery event took place.

In what was another spectacle for children and teenagers, aged between 10 and 17, four days of mystery, suspense and shocks were planned, as youngsters turned detec-tives.

Mock murders and crashes were set up, to get children to try and work out ‘whodunit’ by the clues and evidence that were given.

The event was organised by MADCAP (Making A Difference Commu-nity Action Partners), and involved several organisations, including

Isle of Wight Council, Hampshire Constabulary and IW Fire and Rescue, to entertain and educate youngsters.

The four-day event was rounded off with a final scene and presentation at Ryde Castle Hotel, involving Island high sheriff, Alan Titchmarsh.

“The event is a fantas-tic idea and it’s great to see everyone getting so involved and enjoying themselves. A lot of hard work has gone in to the event, and I am really pleased it has been such a success,”said Mr Titch-marsh.

Simon Dabell, script-writer for Caught Red Handed Productions, who

wrote the script for the event, said: “We wrote the story with the idea of getting the kids thinking, but also making it fun so they enjoy it and stay entertained.

“We wanted to get the message across about safety on the streets and in the home. We put on a series of mock situations for the kids to deal with and work out ’whodunit’.

“We have worked closely with the council and the police to make the week a success. I have heard kids saying this has been the most fun week they’ve had.”

P Sgt Rick Davidson said: “It’s about making it fun but also educational. There are many serious issues we are trying to put

across to people, especial-ly road safety. If just one child takes on board the messages we are trying to send out, then it makes it all worthwhile.”

One of the youngsters involved in the event was Kalem Drust, who goes to Sandham Middle School.

He said: “I have really enjoyed the week. I have learned never take a pretend gun on to the street because it could be dangerous as the police could think that is real.”

This year’s scenes took place at the East Dene Centre in Bonchurch, Winchester House in Shanklin, Sandown sea-front, Ryde Ice Arena and concluded at Ryde Castle Hotel.

By Jamie White

Sheer murder, but great fun

In the pink - this panther was a key figure as the mystery unfolded

Chicago rocks

A NEWLY formed Burlesque group, Bur-lesque Beauties, will be holding their first event at Chicago Rock, Newport on Friday November 14.

The group consists of Sammie Searles, Mi-chelle Davis, Emma Wharton and Michaela Ledger Gavaghan, all of which have professional dance experience.

Call 07814 138423 or email [email protected] for more information or to book an event.

11



An arresting sight as Simon Dabell (left) and John Hammond get to grips with ‘victim’ Alan Titchmarsh

All ablaze! But this caravan fire was a carefully staged stunt

A CRIME thriller based on the Island has been translated into Indonesian and now Polish.

Written by Pauline Rowson, who lives on Hayling Island but who is a frequent visitor to the Isle of Wight, In For The Kill, was first published in 2007.

It follows Alex Albury, on a quest

to discover who destroyed his life by stealing his identity and framing him for fraud and embezzlement.

The novel is set primarily on the Island where Albury is released from Camp Hill Prison and he goes to live on a houseboat in Bem-bridge Harbour.

Pauline said: “I am delighted with

the Polish version. It is really excit-ing to see my books translated into another language and to think that readers in Poland will be reading all about my hero’s exploits in The Solent area.

The new DI Horton novel I am currently writing is also set on the Island.”

Bethany Lane, Naomi Lane, Jasmine Taylor, Hayley Taylor from Swanmore Middle School and Kalem Drust from Sandham Middle School

Thriller novel’s new audience

12



MUSIC fans have snapped up thousands of tickets for next summer’s IW Festival, even though the headline acts will not be announced until the end of this month.

However, festival organiser John Giddings has ruled out the pos-sibility of pop queen Madonna making a dramatic appearance at Seaclose Park, Newport, for the popular event, which will take place from June 12 to 14.

Within hours of tickets going on sale, rumours were rife across the Island that Madonna would join mega group Oasis next summer.

But in an exclusive interview with the Gazette, John revealed: “Unfortunately, there is no chance that Madonna will be playing the Isle of Wight. Speaking as her agent I have to say I just couldn’t afford her!

“Madonna likes to do all her own staging production but from what I understand she will not be doing any shows next year.”

John refused to confirm Oasis will be headlining. He continued: “It is foolish for people to throw such names around at this stage because it might upset a lot of other bands who are being lined up to appear. It is clearly a case of people trying to be too clever too soon.”

Whoever John brings to the Island he knows the standards he has already set will be difficult to follow. In recent years the likes of the Rolling Stones, David Bowie and The Who have all thrilled the sell-out crowds.

This year’s event, which featured The Police, has again been nomi-nated for best festival in the UK Festival Awards, with the results due to be announced on October 30.

The IW Festival won two top awards last year, but John admit-ted he is not expecting to scoop the accolades ahead of the likes of Glastonbury, Reading, the Lovebox Weekend, T in the Park and the Island’s Bestival this time.

He said: “It is fantastic that we have been nominated again but I don’t think we will win because these things tend to go around. However, the fact we are in there again shows that someone cares and we have a very loyal audience.

“Within hours of the tickets going on sale for next year thousands were sold, and I think that under-lines that people come along not just for the big-name acts but to enjoy the whole experience and have fun.”

He added: “Tickets have been put

on sale so that those who like to come along to the festival can be assured of their places before the headline acts are announced. It will be the end of November before we reveal who will be playing.”

*Tickets for the 2009 Festival are available through Ticket Zone at www.ticketzone.co.uk (08705 321 321) and ferry operators Red Funnel at www.redfunnel.co.uk (0844 844 9988) and Wightlink at www.wightlink.co.uk (0871 376 1000). Tickets cost £140 for adult camping and £120 for adult non-camping, with concessions for chil-dren. Campervan permits, at £250, are available only through Ticket Zone and special needs customers should call Ticket Zone to buy their tickets.

12

Have you got news for us?

[email protected]

By Peter White

Oasis on horizon but no Madonna for Festival

Super band Oasis who are being widely rumoured to headline next summers IW festival...

...but alas no Madonna for the big summer gig

By Peter White

[email protected]

For Buildings & Contents

Island Mortgage Solutions

01983 533777

13



THE Real World Trust (RWT), which supports Islanders recovering from alcohol and sub-stance problems, has reason to celebrate.

Following years of study and completion of a degree, as well as post-graduate studies, Ian Newman, positive en-gagement team manager, has been made a member of the Federation of Drug and Alcohol profession-als.

Ian said: The RWT is at the forefront of provid-ing flexible and person-centred programmes of support for increasingly vulnerable people and working with the FDPA and other partners will strengthen the services the whole team can

provide.”The RWT has also been

praised for its eco-effi-cient staff management by MATiSSE, an organi-sation which encourages individuals and employ-ers to think about to how, when and where they work and so reduce car journeys.

Claire Cheek finance manager, was the third reason for RWT to celebrate when she was awarded the level-4 ac-counting certificate by the Association of Account-ing Technicians.

FDPA Chief Executive, Carole Sharman said ‘The FDAP has a key role to play in helping support and develop the practice of people working in the drugs and alcohol field’.

Reasons to be cheerful

MORE should be done to tackle the stigma and discrimination that faces people living with HIV, said an Islander this week.

Chris Whitehouse, was speaking after a reception in the House of Commons to celebrate the National AIDS Trust (NAT) char-ity’s 21st birthday,

Mr Whitehouse, who lives in Totland, said: “We must do more to raise awareness about HIV in the UK. This is important to stop new in-

fections but also to tackle the stigma and prejudice that many people living with HIV face.”

Mr Whitehouse’s public affairs consultancy helped organise the reception free of charge.

The event was marked by the launch of a new report: HIV: All Grown Up? It analyses the UK’s response to HIV in 2008 and sets out the chal-lenges that remain.

World AIDS Day is on December 1. To find out more visit www.worldaid-sday.org

‘Raise awareness of HIV’

Chris Whitehouse

THE last thing on Wade Brand’s mind when he was asked by a friend to have a look around a building in need of a major facelift in Yarmouth was to transform it into a restaurant.

But six months after first stepping into the former Masonic Lodge in the High Street, Wade opened Forrester’s Restaurant, the town’s latest fashionable eating house.

The former builder moved to the Island from Rugby 11 years ago and his only previous experience in the catering trade was the opening of Totties fish and chip shop in Totland, which he sold 18 months ago.

He said: “I didn’t know a thing about frying fish and chips but, thankfully, it turned into a successful venture.

“Even so I didn’t expect to go back into the trade, but after I went into the former lodge, I just fell in love with it and knew it had to become a restaurant. The arched windows and vaulted wood ceiling just seemed to make made it the perfect venue for people to come and enjoy themselves.”

Wade, 43, decided on a traditional theme for his menu, explaining: “The aim was to give value for money – restaurant food at pub prices. We have been serving up a wide variety of fish but now autumn is on us we have moved more towards steaks and meat dishes.

“But everything we serve is prepared by the staff that day, including the soup, which we make – it doesn’t come out of a packet or can. And we change the menu every seven to eight weeks.”

The restaurant has 40 covers and Wade is now preparing for what he hopes will be a busy Christmas season.

He smiled: “I love Christmas and New Year and we plan to open Christmas Day. I can hardly wait to start putting up the decorations and get the party atmo-sphere.”

So the old building that Wade walked into for the first time last Christmas really has seen major changes. It has been used as a boat shed, a store for milk carts and briefly a wine bar, and was closed for 18months before this latest venture took off.

With three chefs, three waiting staff and with Wade at the helm, it seems the building that oozes charm and character has finally found its niche.

For more information telephone 761635.

Brand new restaurant on menu

RYDE School students are performing The Cau-casian Chalk Circle by Bertold Brecht.

The play is a parable set in Russia during a time of civil war and servant girl rescues an abandoned baby. When peace returns, the child’s biological mother demands that he be returned to her.

A judge states that a circle of chalk is drawn and the child is placed in the centre to reveal who is the right-ful mother of the child.

The performance is on Saturday, November 8 at the Anthony Minghella Theatre, Quay Arts.

From Ryde to Russia

By Peter White

IT’S that time of year again where the country pulls together to help raise money for Children in Need.

Last year, £37 million was raised to help and support thousands of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

Children in Need 2008 takes place next Friday (November 14).

This year people are being asked to ‘do some-thing different’, which doesn’t mean doing any-thing difficult, expensive or scary, it just means using your imagination and doing something outside of your normal

routine to raise money.And while everyone is

hoping to gather some serious cash, people also aim to raise a smile with their fun fundraising ideas.

Whether you are plan-ning to raise money with your family and friends, your workplace or in your school then The Gazette would like to know about it. Call 402599 and ask for Jamie.

For more information on how to raise money, and get an information pack you can call the Children in Need fundraising line on 0345 306 33 33 or go online at www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey

Raising a smile for the children

14



reportsdavid holmes

If you agree or disagree with David Holmes then write to [email protected]

Downside to being a well-known face

EUNOIA is the title of a new book. It’s also the shortest word in English containing all five vowels.

Canadian Christian Bok has spent seven years writing the book in which each chapter uses only one vowel. You have to ask why? I’ve noticed people often spend enormous amounts of precious time doing things the rest of us just don’t get.

Take for instance autograph hunting. Surely a pointless pastime? You will have heard that after 50 years of scribbling his signature on everything from drum sticks to napkins and council tax bills Ringo says he’s quitting. ‘Time is too short’ says the 68 year old former Beatle. We all had a laugh about his peace and love pronouncement which appeared to have been recorded in the style of Osama Bin Laden by an amateur cameraman at an old people’s home. See it on YouTube, it’s very funny.

Now I’m no name dropper but I’ve spent a fair bit of time with celebs. I have seen them all get caught by fans hoping to get evidence of their meeting. My guess is a celeb could be making love on a Caribbean beach on their wedding night under a full moon and fans would still invade their space.

The routine is always the same. Staring oddly they approach and ask the question straight out: “Could I get a picture?” Before you know it other friends miraculously appear from nowhere once the consent has been obtained. All of them want a picture of the star alongside them.

If the stalker is genuinely alone a random passerby has to be accosted to get the snap. The star is forced to break off his/her in depth meaning-ful conversation and move cheek to cheek with the oddball, this being the preferred pose. A quick fake smile a click and it’s done. No other words are spoken, no introductions made, conversations are resumed as if the incident never took place.

Sometimes, the passerby can’t work the damn mobile phone camera. In this case the star is forced to wait ages while the camera instructions are passed on to the hapless photog-rapher.

It’s easy to lose the thread of any conversation when you’re my age, what chance do I have of remem-bering what I was saying to my famous acquaintance who suffers

this torment over and over again, day after day, week in week out.

Not long ago this happened to me while I was with American singer Suzanne Vega. No wonder she was inspired to write the hit song ‘Luker.’ The woman knows about suffering.

I’ve eaten in restaurants several times with a famous female actor. She got similar requests before we’d even had a chance to order drinks, during our prawn cocktails and just as the main course was served.

How the hell can you concentrate on your pudding when idiots inter-rupt wanting a picture of you on their mobile? My actor friend happily endures all this nonsense. I wouldn’t.

In 2003 I saw the England rugby squad sign everything placed before them. Well, all but one complied. Jonny Wilkinson didn’t, he stone-walled, kept on walking, looking at the ground like some kind of embar-rassed computer nerd. At the time I thought him a bit rude, now I realise the poor bloke may never have played any rugby if he’d stopped to sign every gas bill or plane ticket put under his nose.

No kicking practice, no drop goal, no world cup win!

Jeremy Clarkson has the right idea. It may be mean and cruel but if spotted he simply growls and keeps walking. If this fails he gurns into the camera. Any persistent request for an autograph is reluctantly ac-cepted. He then personalises them by writing something obscene.

Like Ringo he’s no longer playing the game.

Next time you see a celeb, just smile and keep walking. Trust me, your mates will believe your story, you don’t need photographic evi-dence of your star encounter.

Advice toWomen50-plus

WOMEN aged over 50 are being urged to take up routine breast screening.

It is the most common form of cancer in women but last year, St Mary’s Hospital found that 20 per cent of women did no take up an offer for screening.

Jasmine Light, senior breast care consultant nurse, said, “Eighty per cent of breast cancers occur in women over the age of 50 and this risk increases with age.

“It is so important women in this age group make sure they are screened every three years. It only takes a few minutes and, although it can be slightly uncom-fortable for some, it is not painful.

“Breast screening can diagnose breast cancer even before it can be felt.”

Last year, just over 140 Island women were diag-nosed with breast cancer.

THREE weeks after a house in Totland Bay was put up as a raffle prize, 572 tickets at £25 each have been sold.

Homeowner Suzanne Ravelle, gave up trying to sell her £285,000 home and decided to put it up as a raffle prize.

She held a mini raffle with a prize of £1,000 for people who had a bought a ticket to try and win the house.

The lucky winner was Douglas Thrower, from Stevenage, Herts, who bought a ticket whilst holidaying on the Island.

The raffle my bricks competition to win the Four bedroom Victorian house runs until Decem-ber, with the draw set to be made on December 28. For more information and to take part, go to www.rafflemybricks.com

IW £25housepulls

punters

Friday NOVEMBER 7 2008 the gazette 15


gazette news

THE world’s first high-powered electric two-wheel scooter has arrived at Island Motorcycles in Shanklin.

Designed specifically to compete with large petrol-powered scooters, the Vetrix maxi-scooter is seen as a new revolution in the combat against pollution, traffic congestion, parking hassles, and best of all, it reduces its carbon footprint, by being emission free.

A low centre of gravity and stiff frame provides excellent handling. The patented, throttle-activated regenera-

tive braking system slows the scooter smoothly and safely and parking is made simple with a slow-speed reverse gear.

Using new innovative technology means the scooter offers a clean way to travel. It also offers great acceleration, low running costs, minimal mainte-nance, low noise and not forgetting, zero emissions.

The onboard charger also plugs into any standard electrical outlet to quickly charge the batteries.

For more details call Island Motor-cycles on 866509

Electric scooter takes off

A YOUNG man who has had meteoric rise to the top of the Island’s political tree has been quizzed by tomorrow’s would-be decision makers.

Cllr David Pugh, leader of the Isle of Wight Council, faced 18 high school members of the Young Chamber, a section of the IW Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and Industry.

Questions ranged from “what car do you drive” to “what will be the positive impact of the proposed school changes?”

Each student had the opportunity to ask a question.

Earlier, Cllr Pugh had explained his role as leader of the council.

Dennis Kurtin, Young Chamber

Council member, said: “This has been an extremely informative event and I now better understand the role of the council.”

Carrie Almond, Young Chamber coordinator, said: “The students asked some very searching ques-tions, which Cllr Pugh was very happy to answer and I think it opened up their eyes to economic issues on the Island.”

Question timeBy Gazette reporter

Council leader David Pugh with Island high schools Young Chamber

16



WATCH a TV ‘whodunnit’ and pathologists are usually pivotal characters – he or she takes one look at the body and the murder scene and comes up with instant answers.

Of course, as with all dramas, there is considerable artistic license but, in real life, modern pathology teams are still seen as the ‘detec-tives’ in an increasingly complex world of medicine.

Without them investigating disease there could be no firm answers and it would be impossible to improve or maintain the quality of medical care.

Anyone who has had a blood test, been treated for an infection or treated for cancer will have had contact with pathology – even if they do not realise it. Because a lot of pathology work is done behind the scenes, many people are unaware of its vital contribution to

modern medicine.Increasingly, pathologists are

responsible for the care of patients with, for example, leukaemia, anaemias or immune and metabolic disorders.

There is an opportunity tomorrow (Saturday) for Islanders to discover more about this fascinating subject when the pathology department at St Mary’s Hospital, Newport, has an open day.

Dr Suzanne Chapman, lead clinician in the department, said: “Whether you’ve seen a pathologist on the TV, heard about MRSA on the news, had an illness yourself or are just inquisitive, we believe we have got something to interest everyone.”

On the Island 99 people work in pathology and across England as a whole the figure is 25,000.

On the Island, nearly one million tests are performed each year.

If you’ve ever had a blood test, cervical smear or biopsy, the result will have been provided by the Pathology department.

It is estimated that 70 to 80 per cent of all health care decisions affecting diagnosis or treatment involve a pathology investigation (Carter Report).

Tours for groups of up to ten people will be run between noon and 4pm November 7, but you will need to book a place today. Email [email protected] or telephone 01983 534771. Officially, lines close at noon but places may still be accepted this afternoon.

Children under 14 cannot be accommodated and those aged between 14 and 18 must be ac-companied by an adult. Visitors are also reminded of the need to follow good hand hygiene practice in the hospital and when visiting labora-tory areas.

Putting pathology under microscope

On the Island, nearly one million tests are performed each year by the 99 people working in St Mary’s pathology department.

A £6,000 bladder scanner has been given to St Mary’s Hospital. It will be used to diagnose and assess tumours in both the prostate and the bladder.

Mr John Makunde, urology consultant, said: “With the ageing population on the Island, problems like

urinary infection and prostate cancer are increasing. “This particular scanner will facilitate all stages of

patient care in the urology department and we are very grateful to the Prostate Cancer Network, (PCaSO) for this extremely generous donation.”

Scanner gift welcomed by consultant



gazette feature

Wine & Dine

WITH the UK heading into a recession it is becoming more important for us to support our local businesses and food providers. The Island is a fantas-tic place to both produce and source locally-made products but do we do enough to buy local produce?

Research by Best Foot Forward gives some interesting facts about our Island.

We consume 22,500 tonnes of fruit and vegetables per year. Yet, annually, the Island exports 13,500 tonnes of locally sourced fruit and vegetables to the mainland, mainly tomatoes and cucumbers. If the Island’s requirements could be met by local, Island-grown produce, the Island could cut its need for imported fruit and vegetables.

The Island annually produces 34,000 tonnes of milk. Already, 13,000 tonnes are consumed on the Island. However, 5,000 tonnes of milk consumed by Island residents are imported every year. This means the demand for milk from Island residents could easily be satisfied by Island produced milk. Clearly we should support Island milk providers and reduce the envi-

ronmental impact of importing and exporting milk by only consuming locally sourced milk.

Currently, we eat 2,200 tonnes of bread annually. At the same time, 37,000 tonnes of wheat are export-ed from the Island every year. This means we produce enough wheat every year to fulfill the demand for bread from all Island residents. At the moment the Island lacks the large scale production needed to turn wheat into locally-sourced bread, but a high consumer demand could change this.

By creating a larger demand for local produce we would reduce the need for extensive imports of produce, milk and bread which would also benefit the Island by reducing its ecological footprint.

Continued on page 18

Why don’t we eat more of what we produce ourselves?

By Samantha Rickman

the gazette Friday NOVEMBER 7 200818


gazette feature

Wine & DineContinued from page 17

Godshill is a superb place to visit and has somewhat paved the way with the majority of products available being home-made and home-grown. Moreover, a local pub was advertising for local home-grown fruit and vegetables to be used in its meals.

One shop stocks a range of high quality organic and non-organic local produce, using local produce wherever pos-sible.

There is also a business supplying Island wines, fruit wines, beers, ciders and juices.

Farmers’ markets, where farmers sell their produce directly to the consumer, is also an ideal way of increasing the amount of local produce consumed on the Island. These are already popular with both Islanders and visitors in Newport and Ryde. Farmers’ markets sell locally-grown fruit and vegetables, home-made ice cream, cakes and puddings, honey, sauces, preserves and biscuits.

If we buy more Island sourced produce we can support our food pro-ducers. This increased demand would, in turn, urge more supermarkets on the Island to stock our produce.

Farmers’ market: Sts Thomas’ Square, Newport, Friday 9am to 2pm

Farmers’ market: Ryde Town Square, Ryde, Every Saturday 8.30am - 12.30pm.



gazette feature

Wine & Dine

JOB VACANCYFIELD SALES PERSON

Are you self motivated and enthusiastic? We are looking to expand our advertising team and seek a smart, dynamic sales person. He/she will be required to work five days 9am to 5pm Mon to Fri. Must have own transport and clean driving licence. This is an excellent opportunity for the right candidate. Basic pay for initial period plus rewarding commission.

Please e-mail CV’s to: [email protected] or phone

Laura Webb on 402599



gazette feature

It’s a town that boasts its own micro-cli-mate, sandy beach, rare breed of lizard, brewery, botanic gardens…and even The Bees.

No wonder Ventnor has become one of the

most popular holiday destinations on the Island, with its spectac-ular views, and a place where locals are proud to call home.

There have been major improvements to Ventnor in recent years. A quiet revolution has

taken place. The town now boasts a fine array of quality hotels, fine restaurants and reason-ably priced cafés.

There have been significant changes along the esplanade, but venture further into town, and you are bound to come across a few more real little gems.

Ventnor’s pubs are among the best known on the Island, whether it’s a seafront food-led outlet or a cosy one tucked away, like The Volunteer, said to be the smallest of them all.

The Victorian town is also reckoned to be one of the sunniest spots in the country. Located on the south coast, it is built on terraces beneath St. Boniface Down and boasts a distinctive Mediterra-nean feel.

The seafront in par-ticular, enjoys a mild climate due to shelter-ing cliffs and a south-

erly aspect. The eastern promenade leads down to Bonchurch, while the Western Esplanade has a part sand, part shingle beach.

It is a place where kids love to explore the rock pools in search of little urchins. But for those not quite so adventurous, there is always the ‘Island Map’ paddling pool to dip the toes.

The town has a series of twisting and winding roads, leading down to the seafront past the Winter Gardens from one end, and past the Spyglass Inn from the other.

If you go inland, you will find Ventnor Park and it’s beautiful gardens before continu-ing on to Castle Cove and along to Steephill Cove, which has argu-ably one of the best beaches on the Island.

Further along is the popular Ventnor Botanic Garden, where you can relax and

ENGLISH jazz diva, Claire Martin, acclaimed as the best-ever British jazz singer is to guest with Ray Gelato and the Giants for the big Swing Finale Concert at April’s 2009 IW Jazz Festival. Claire was acclaimed as the best British jazz singer in a recent issue of America’s leading jazz publication Jazz Times.

Best for festival

Gazette special on the up-and-coming south Island

Ventnor, one of towns to shop,



gazette feature

the brighteststroll or chill outtake in the attractive scenery. It was founded in 1970, by Sir Harold Hillier, and donated to the Isle of Wight Council. The garden is free to visit, except for parking charges.

It’s collection com-prises worldwide temperate and subtropi-cal trees and shrubs organised by region. These grow in the open air, the location favoured by the moist and sheltered microcli-mate of the south-fac-ing Undercliff landslip area.

The garden is on the site of the Royal National Hospital for Diseases of the Chest, a sanatorium that was established there to exploit the same mild climate. Founded by

Arthur Hill Hassall and opened in 1869 as the National Cottage Hospital for Consump-tion and Diseases of the Chest, it offered 130 separate south-facing bedrooms for it’s patients. The hospital was closed in 1964, made obsolete by drug treatment of tuberculo-sis, and demolished in 1969.

In 1970, the site was initially redeveloped as the Steephill Plea-sure Gardens before Sir Harold Hillier’s involvement in its more extensive development as a botanic garden. Despite the generally mild weather, plants had to be carefully selected to tolerate the shallow alkaline soil and salt winds, and the

garden suffered serious damage in the unusu-ally hard winter of 1986/7 and the Great Storm of 1987 and the major storm of January 1990. The garden is still owned and managed by the Isle of Wight Council, and continues to develop with numerous new features.

Ventnor Heritage Centre provides glimpses of the town’s history. You might even find interesting pieces of history in one of the many antiques and collectable shops in its busy shopping street, where old-fashioned, good service is the order of the day.

The Isle of Wight Jazz Festival 2009 will take place on various

stages in the environs of East Dene at Bon-church, at the eastern end of Ventnor, the self-proclaimed Capital of Jazz in the Deep South. The Festival offers a boutique expe-rience, packaged up in a bundle of all types of jazz for one wonderful weekend every April.

Indeed the area is renowned for its good entertainment, and can boast a top group in The Bees who have so far released three albums. The Bees sup-ported Madness in De-cember 2007 with their 2007 Christmas Tour and Oasis in 2005 to underline their standing in the music industry.

So it’s all there in Ventnor, a town that is well worth a visit.

town where a quiet revolution has taken place



gazette feature

Ventnor in its splendourTop: A view of Ventnors inviting beach where families love to chill out in the summer and stroll along in the winter.Above: the entrance to the famous Ventnor botanic gardens where there are always a variety of exotic plants and flowers on view.



gazette feature



gazette feature

Patchwork gifts from Avanti Patchwork

CAN you believe it! Halloween and Bonfire Night are already behind us, and suddenly Christ-mas is fast approaching.Despite the credit crunch, Island

retailers and outlets will be hoping it’s a case of jingle tills, jingle tills, jingle all the way, as they pull out all the stops to entice people to buy.But with Christmas, comes the in-

evitable questions – what do you buy the man who has got everything, and how do you surprise the woman who loves surprises?So with the help of our valued ad-

vertisers, here are a few unique gift ideas on presents with a difference. For those with a sweeter tooth, how

about personalised chocolate from Choco-late Island, or even personalising some fired art at the Ceramic Café?Avanti Patchwork offers colourful ideas

for a gift, along with furnishings at In-

spirations. Or perhaps a photoshoot from Vantage Portraits could be what he or she would like?How about getting that signed piece of

memorabilia that they’ve always wanted? Star Signings is your place to go.For those interested in the spiritual

world, there are crystals, gemstones and other gifts at Reflections and Dragonfly.So from doll’s houses at Tracy’s Tiny

Homes to jewellery at Attractions, cuddly toys at Bear Necessities to games or gadgets at Forget Me Not or Switch 45, the Island’s fantastic array of unique gift shops can make that special purchase a little bit easier.Don’t forget to visit the Christmas Gift

Fayre at Priory Bay Hotel on November 13 for local crafts and other Christmas themed delights.But please remember to support ALL

our advertisers in the Gazette, and Happy Shopping everyone!



gazette feature

26



WAR memorials across the Island will be the focus of many cer-emonies this Sunday (November 9) as wreaths of poppies are laid beside them.

A two-minute silence will take place at 11am in memory of those who lost their lives in the First World War. Re-membrance Sunday is traditionally the second Sunday of November, as this is the closest to November 11, the date that the First World War came to an end after four years of battle.

So make sure you wear your poppy with pride!

NEWPORT Minster’s south-facing clock face has been replaced and the mechanism repaired, after the Isle of Wight Council stepped in with a contribution of £15,149.

Craftsmen began painting and gilding the new 1.2m diameter stone face that was delivered to Newport Minster. The public was able to view the craftsmen, from Wells Cathedral Stoneworks, carrying out the restoration. It was then hoisted into position on the south-facing tower.

Initially the church had expected to be able to restore both faces, south and west, but after the scaffolding was erected the south face was found to be so weather-worn, restoration was not an option, so the stone face

was replaced.Canon Stephen Palmer of Newport Minster said:

“We are extremely grateful to the council for its gener-ous support in providing this great community facility. Being at the heart of the Island, it is fitting that the council has stepped in to support this part of the res-toration project, which all members of the community can use and enjoy.

Cllr George Brown, IW Council cabinet member for economy, planning and property said: “The minster clock is an important part of the town’s history. A restored clock will give pleasure and be of use.”

For more exclusive pictures see the December issue of Island Life

Minster has new face

THE Mad Cow pub in Shanklin High Street, is holding a charity fundrais-ing day this Sunday (November 9). All monies raised are going towards Sandown and Shanklin Inshore Life-boat. There will be entertainment by

Simply Red impersonator ‘Red Mick’, and Simon Ledger. It starts at 2pm and there will be a series of prizes and competitions throughout the afternoon and evening.

Mad charity fun day

27



[email protected]

For RemortgagesIsland Mortgage Solutions

01983 533777

TOBY Beasley, head gardener at Osborne House, keeps you up to date with his work and gives our readers advice on how to think ahead for next year and save money at the same time.

Toby says: “While continuing our work on bedding plants, we have also been collecting seeds from ‘annual’ flowers in the walled garden here at Osborne.

“We collect the seeds from the flowers to make sure we have a good supply for next year, just in case for any reason

we cannot obtain them through the trade or from seed companies.

“We have been col-lecting the seeds from Nigella (Love in a Mist), poppies and statice, generally annuals that are sown in the spring and flower in the summer. Normally after one year the life of these flowers would be over but by collecting the seeds we ensure they will be seen again in our gardens.

“This of course is some-thing that anyone can do in their own gardens and the main benefit is that it saves money, because you have collected your own seeds rather than have to go out and buy them.

“At this time of year the best time to collect seeds is mid-morning when the dew has evaporated. It is important to gather them when they are dry and then store them in a large envelope with the top left

open. This ensures they further dry out fully and discourages mould to form.

“Then on one of those cold, rainy days in January you can go through the seeds, label and package them in smaller envelopes and wait to plant them in the spring.

“This can be done every year, but the newer the seeds the better they tend to germinate. You will find that seeds that have been around a few years will not have such a good germination rate.

“But be warned. Time is fast running out for seed collecting. As the nights continue to draw in the dew hangs around in the day much longer. So really all seeds need to be collected and stored within the next couple of weeks, otherwise it will be too late to have them available for next spring.”

Toby’s gardening tips

28



weddingTo see your wedding in The Gazette call 01983 402599

KEVIN Pocock and Lynsey Groves followed their wedding at Holy Cross Church, Binstead, with a reception at Ryde Theatre.

The groom, works as a wet laminator and Arron Dyer was his best man. Jayden Pocock and William Jones were page boys.

The bride is the manager of Kollective Kids baby shop. Her bridesmaids were Kara Alder, Megan Jones, Gracie Jones, Louise Hunnybun, Jasmin Baxter and Krista Farmer.

Her brother, Mark Skipper, gave her away. A three-tier wedding cake was made by

family friend, Christine Jones, for the wedding.

Photographs by Steven Hawkins.

Pocock & Groves

To feature your wedding

please call us on 01983 402599

Name:

Address:

Tel no:

The prize to a maximum value of £100 will be awarded to the first correct entry opened after Monday No-vember 17, 2008. Terms and conditions apply. Employees and their immediate families of SWAD and The Gazette are not allowed to enter. The editor’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.

WIN!

Question:

Answer:

A meal for four at SWAD

Is Swad a northern or southern style Indian restaurant?

SWAD, the new northern India tapas restaurant in Sandown, is offering the chance to win a meal for four people and a complimentary bottle of wine.

You can enjoy a full varied menu with a range of traditional north Indian dishes cooked to order.

To enter the competition, answer the question below. Fill in your details and send your entry to: Swad Indian Restaurant Competition, Unit b18 Spithead Business Centre, Newport Road, Sandown, PO36 9PH.

The prize to a maximum value of £100 will be awarded to the first correct entry opened after Monday 17th November 2008. Terms and conditions apply. Employees and their immediate families of Swad and The Gazette are not allowed to enter. The editor’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered in to.

29



TO most bands who play at the Fawcett Inn it is just another pub on the way to (possibly) higher things. But to Portsmouth band the Autons, Fawcett shows often serve a larger purpose.

With the majority of the grassroots fan base

gracing the bar and con-templating the surrealist paintings hung from the walls it is clear that this will be no ordinary show.

And it isn’t. Each act brings something different

to the table, each show-casing a different type of electro music. Starting off is the live debut of Gliiitches, a single artist who regularly collects sounds from around the Portsmouth and Southsea area and mixes them into a musical representation of the town.

Following this was Brighton singer EJ Norman lifting the mood with some dark yet upbeat electro-pop.

Despite the absence of the electro punk’s second album due to manufactur-ing problems, the Autons played an hour-long set to the now buzzing Fawcett Inn.

As the band put down their instruments and head towards the bar, there are rumours and plans being made for making this a recurring event. And who knows?

If the support is strong, it may grow to bigger and better things for both Island and mainland talent. If you’re inter-ested, contact either the band or the venue, and let your support be known.

By Richard Heaven

Autons set Fawcett Inn buzzing

FIRE ripped through an abandoned property in Sandown during the early hours of Tuesday morning, forcing resi-dents living nearby to evacuate their homes.

Police and forensic experts have been at the scene analysing the remains of the building, trying to establish the cause of the fire.

A total of 32 firefighters and four appliances were called to the blaze in the three-storey house, which was reported to have started around midnight.

The building, located

on the corner of Station Avenue and Fitzroy Street, has been empty since 2004, and was recently purchased by the Isle of Wight Council.

The council had been responding to complaints about the building, which has been seen as an eyesore due its state of disrepair and fears that it was becoming a target for vandals.

Residents who lived next to and adjacent to the property, were evacuated as a precaution, and were

only able to return home in the early hours of the morning.

DC Harrison-Smith from Newport Police station has urged any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward, “We believe the fire in the disused building started at around midnight. We have teams looking at the potential causes of the blaze, and are urging anyone with information to come forward”, he said.

Anyone with informa-tion can call Crimestop-pers on 0845 045 4545.

By Jamie White

Sandown building devastated by fire

30



25 High Street, Shanklin tel: (01983) 863063

Shanklin Health StoreOffering a helpful, friendly service

• Health supplements• Herbal remedies• Homeopathic medicines• Special dietary foods• Local products

• Teas & herbs• Nuts & fruits• Natural hair dyes• Toiletries• Cleaning products

[email protected]

For Life AssuranceIsland Mortgage Solutions

01983 533777

Islanders will have the chance to view the last voyage of the Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise liner. She will leave South-ampton Docks for the last time next Tuesday (November 11) after almost 41 years of service. Better known as the ‘QE2’, she is arguably the most famous cruise liner in the world, and has been seen passing the Island

leaving Southampton for many years.

The ship has been purchased by the Dubai investment company Is-tithmar for $100 million. Her final voyage will see her arriving in Dubai to be refurbished and berthed permanently at the Palm Jumeirah from 2009 as a luxury float-ing hotel, museum and entertainment destination. The refurbishments will see the QE2 transformed

into a must-see tourist destination in Dubai.

In a ceremonial display before her retirement, the QE2 met the Queen Victoria and the Queen Mary 2 near the Statue of Liberty in New York City harbour in January. The QE2 and Queen Victoria had made a tandem cross-ing of the Atlantic for the meet. The three ships met for the final time in Southampton in April earlier this year.

The fantastic amount of support received from everyone on the Island has made the Breast Cancer Campaign’s first ever Isle of Pink a complete success. The money is still coming in and organisers are opti-mistic it will reach its £20,000 target.

All throughout October various tourist attractions, businesses and local groups helped turn the Isle of Wight a fantastic shade of pink by holding different pink-themed events and activities. The tiger statue at Sandown Zoo turned a shade of pink for the month and Hose Rhodes Dickson estate agents decorated their cars with pink ribbons for ‘Wear it Pink Day’ on October 31.

Wightlink ferries and Hovertravel decorated one of their vessels in pink and actively helped to promote the Isle of pink via their on-board TV screens, and The Needles Park, who held pink chair rides alongside a variety of pink activities and sponsored events.

The Wightlink Raiders Ice Hockey team also took part by arriving for their games against the Sheffield Scimitars on 25 and 26 October dressed in pink and also raffled off a signed hockey shirt in support of the charity.

Lauren Baskett, Breast Cancer Campaign Community Development Manager, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with how successful the Isle of Pink turned out to be. It was so much more than we were expecting, but none of it would have been possible without the incredible amount of support we received from everyone on the Island. We’re so grateful to everyone that took part and hope we can make next year’s Isle of Pink even bigger and better!”.

All monies raised will go to the charity to try and help beat breast cancer, by funding innovative world class research into the disease.

Pink-tastic month on the Island

Final voyage for QE2

Pink tiger at the zoo

The Gazette staff showing their support for pink month



sportthe gazette

Send your sports news to [email protected]

IN a bruising encounter, Ventnor 2nd XV kept up their excellent form with a win over league leaders Eastleigh.

Ventnor welcomed back Mike Walker at prop after a long injury break and it was his power alongside front row mates Gary Ball and Josh Franklin that provided a platform for the home team’s early pressure.

This was rewarded with early tries from Franklin and flanker Tom Engel-gardt – both, crucially, converted by Warren Riches.

However the match turned with inju-ries to Walker, Franklin and Engelgardt soon after the turnaround which meant that Ventnor played with 14 men for much of the second half.

Eastleigh camped for long periods on the Ventnor line and it was only extreme discipline, commitment and bravery that

kept the more experienced side out.Eastleigh did manage two close-range

tries but Ventnor struck back when an attempted clearance was charged down by the tireless Alex Morton allowing James Bexon to plunge over the line for an unconverted score.

Eastleigh came back again, scoring another try, but Ventnor’s subsequent resistance – typified by Rob Jackson and substitute Nolan Winter – held them at bay to secure the win. Island Auction Rooms sponsored the match and the Wightlink Man of the Match medal was awarded to Gary Ball.

Team: M. Walker (J. Morley), J. Franklin (N. Winter), G. Ball, A. Morton, L. Vanassche, L. Morton, T. Engelgardt (M. Flanagan), R. Jackson, J. Bexon, D. Champion, S. Williams, C. Bodros, A. Fradgley, E. Bodros and W. Riches.

14 men stand firm for a great result

TWO Shetland ponies owned by Pauline Hopkins, of Glebe Farm, Westover, Calbourne have enjoyed huge success at county shows throughout this year.

Buxted Victory, a three-year-old Standard piebald colt and Kerswell Maple, a three-year-old miniature Shetland picked up prizes in shows as far away as Devon and Wales.

The season began at Royal Windsor where ‘Victory’ was placed a very creditable fourth. Then it was on to Devon and third place in a strong class of Standard Shet-lands.

The next stop was Bath and West Show in Som-erset where a second and Reserve Junior Champion was achieved. ‘Victory’ also took 1st place and Junior Champion at Heathfield Agriculture Show in East Sussex.

He also won his class and was junior champion at the South of England Show, before moving to the Royal Welsh Show with Victory and Ker-

swell Maple. Pauline said: “We were delighted when Victory was pulled in second but even more so with Maple who won his miniature class beating 17 other minia-ture under three years old.

“So we were in the grand parade with both ponies which was fabu-lous.

“The next stop was the New Forest Show and Victory pulled in second. The final county show was at Newbury where again Victory shone and was placed second.”

Ponies trot to success

ENGLAND and Harlequins’ scrum half Andy Gomarsall gave students from St Cath-erine’s School, Ventnor, a day to remember last Saturday.

As a patron of the school, he invited them to The Stoop, Twicken-ham, to see Harlequins take on Ulster Rugby

Club in the second round of the Heineken Cup.

As the nominated charity for the game, St Catherine’s had a write up in the match programme and an announcement was before kick off. An on-the-day collection also raised over £600.

Aimee Steward, de-velopment officer at St Catherine’s, said: “We

had a lovely day out and really enjoyed the rugby. We are really grateful to Andy and everyone at Harlequins for giving us this opportunity.”

Quins won 42-21.St Catherine’s is a

national charity working with children and young people with speech, lan-guage and communication impairments.

SAINTS’ fans on the Island who go to games at St Mary’s stadium, Southampton, are being offered a good deal by Red Funnel.

On match days, season ticket holders and match day ticket holders will be offered discount travel on the Red Jet.

Adults who present their tickers can have a day return for £13.60 and £10.20 for an evening return, after 6pm. Children’s returns are £6.80 and £5.10 while pensioners travel for £9.40 and £6.80.

There are shuttle buses from the Red Jet terminal to the stadium where, said a Red Funnel spokesman: “Fans can see their football heroes strive for glory in the Coca Cola Championship.”

Just the ticket

LITTLE Tommy Robinson stood tall in a mainland golf tournament, surpris-ing everyone to earn a hard fought victory.

Tommy, 13, stole the show at the Bramshaw Junior Open in Brook, Hants, beating other young golfers to the top prize.

There were 76 golfers that took part in the event, representing 37 golf clubs from across the South of England.

The young golfer has a handicap of 24, and has only been playing golf at Shanklin & Sandown Golf Club for three years.

Tommy likes to face up to any challenge that is put in front of him, so when the opportunity came up for him to play at the Bramshaw Junior Open, he filled out the forms and entered himself in to the competiton.

After a rocky start on a very wet course that Tommy had never played before, he battled on in

difficult weather condi-tions. He came through finishing strongly on the last three holes, with a gross score of 91. His handicap of 24 meant a winning net score 67 earning him the Handicap Cup, a medal and a well deserved cheque for £75.

* * *JUST two points sepa-rated the top six finishers in Osborne Golf club’s senior ladies’ trophy.

Victory went to Sue Thompson, playing off 15, who scored 36 points, beating Jane Neill, off 22, on countback. Then came Ann Geary, Vicky Hayward and Susie Wittig all on 35, with Joan Dalrymple a further point back.

A Stableford competi-tion for the Cancer Silver Spoon was won by

Margaret Butler (9) with 40 points, followed by Gillian Jackson (30) 38, Ann Williams (29)

37, Gillian Fahy (10) 37, Margaret Newman (33) 37 and Dagmar Turner (28) 36.

Osborne men’s results: Midweek Stableford. Division 1: 1 Paul Read (18) 35 points, 2 Peter Lipscombe (10) 34, 3 Clive Beard (9) 34.

Wootton Cup: 1 Peter Catchpole & Joan Dal-rymple Nett 69. 2 Kim Hopcroft & Jan Pitman Nett 69.5. 3 John Elliott & Carol Walker Nett 71.5

Medal Competition Di-vision 1: 1 Andy Partridge gross 81 ( h’cap 11) net 70, 2 Keith Williams 83 (10) 73, 3 Les Snow 95 (11) 84.

Division 2: 1 Adam Ridett gross 81 (h’cap 13) net 68, 2 David Cotton 82 (13) 69, 3 Justin Clayton 88 (17) 71.

Division 3: 1 Paul Read 84 (18) 66, 2 Lee Danson 88 (18) 70, 3 Ian King 90 (19) 71.

Stableford Division 1: 1 Glynn Taylor (12) 40 points, 2 Andy Taylor (12) 37, 3 Clive Beard (9) 36.

Tommy Robinson (centre) receives his trophy from two time Ryder Cup captain John Jacobs (left) and Bramshaw Club Captain Mr Pat McLaughlin (right).

Tommy guns ‘em downto grab golf victory

By Jamie White

Ventnor 2nd XV 19 – Eastleigh 2nd XV 15

Rugby treat for youngsters



Send your sport to us at:[email protected]

sportthe gazette

A WORLD record for the number of ends played by indoor bowlers in 12 hours will be attempted on the Island next month.

Nine teams will play in relay at the IW Indoor Bowling Club on November 23 to establish a Guiness World Record.

It is one of a number of fundraising events to pay for an inter-island bowls tournament here in October next year.

Bowls will not be included in the main

Island Games when they are held here in 2011 nor in 2013 when they are held in Bermuda, where there are no bowls’ facilities.

Other fundraising events include a concert by the Island’s own Shadows’ tribute band, the Five o’ Clock Shadows in East Cowes on November 7 and a curry evening at the Bowsprit Restau-ramt, Gurnard, on November 17.

Further details from Alec Soar 280252.

Bowlers aim to smash record

After getting a bye in the first round, the Isle of Wight Indoor Bowling Club’s junior team took on Five Rivers U25’s in the second round of the David Cornwell Under 25 Inter-Club Double Rink Championship.

The Sharks opened their account with 2 shots on the first end, giving them confidence, which led to them gaining an 11-0 lead after four ends. The Island team had played ten ends unopposed, before Five Rivers finally opened their account.

With encouragement from the travelling supporters, the young-sters didn’t let their opponents off the hook and finally went on to win 40-3.

The home team also played an excellent game. With the scores coming back from Salisbury at five end intervals, it would have been easy for them to have relaxed knowing that the away team were winning well.

However, they stuck to their task, and although their oppo-nents won the first end after five ends they fought back to hold a 4 shot lead.

At the fifteenth end the Island team was 6 shots clear, and they fought on in the final three ends, scoring 7 shots to make the final score 25-18 in favour of the Sharks, The overall final score being 65-21 to the Island.

This result means the Wight Sharks now plays Egham U25’s on Sunday 9th November, at 10am.

This competition is played on a rink home and away. This year the Salisbury team travelled to the Island and a team of our juniors travelled to Salisbury.

The Wight Sharks meet Saturday mornings at the Isle of Wight Indoor Bowls Club (behind McDonalds, Ryde). Any junior age 10 upwards is welcome.

IT was celebrations all round for a team of fit and enthusiastic Isle of Wight firefighters who have com-pleted the 2008 Square to Square Charity Cycle Challenge.

Helping them to celebrate their success is local company, Cowes Yacht Haven, which hosted the presentation evening for around 300 people recently. In order to boost the funds, CYH generously donated the use of the venue, so every penny can go to Square to Square’s

chosen charity, Wessex Cancer Trust.Setting out from St Thomas’ Square

in Newport, Isle of Wight, to St Peter’s Square, Vatican City, Italy, the team cycled an amazing 1,488 miles in 15 days. The cyclists were hoping to raise the grand total of £60,000 for the Wessex Cancer Trust for the diagnosis, treatment and care of Island cancer patients and their families by providing a thorascope and other cancer-fighting equipment for cancer and leukaemia patients at St Mary’s Hospital, Newport.

Cowes Yacht Haven’s Events Centre manager Ian Gregory shakes hands with Newport fire station manager Julian Fountaine

Back Row, left to right: Jack Berry, Travis Meller, Ryan Trigg, Adam Clark, Sam Lines, Robbi Hayes.Front Row, left to right: Tansy Wheeler, Josh Berry, Kieran Clark, Peter Wheeler.

SANDOWN swimmer Stephen Lee (pictured) has been selected to compete in the 2009 World Transplant Games in Australia.

Stephen, who attends Lake Middle School, was donated a kidney from his father, Andy, in March 2005.

The following year he attended his first British Transplant Games in Bath 2006.

Stephen had only just started learning to swim, and he already wanted to enter five events. Incred-ibly, he won two gold medals and a bronze.

In 2007 Stephen also won the Southern Water’s Swimmer of the Year for the South Wight Swim-ming Club- where he was presented with a medal from Duncan Goodhew at an award ceremony in Hampshire.

The 11 year old has been winning numerous medals at events up and down the country ever since, including this year’s swimming event held in Sheffield.

He was spotted by the British Team coach as he won his first front crawl event for his 10-11 years age group and even more amazingly the age 12-13 group above him.

Stephen’s mother Yvonne is delighted with the progress Stephen has made, “This year he got gold medals for both his swimming events. We then got a call saying he had been selected to represent the UK in August 2009. Which was amazing!

“Stephen is now training 3-4 times a week at The Heights Leisure Centre with South Wight Swim-ming Club. Their encour-agement has been

fantastic and we really appreciate all the help they have given Stephen. He really could not have done it without them.

“The British Transplant Games have given him a focus in life and enabled him to get fit. Hopefully this will give him a posi-tive healthy attitude to take him into his teenage years.”

Making a splash Down Under

Stephen Lee dives into action at the British Transplant Games held in Sheffield earlier this year

Sharks show their teeth

By Jamie White

Time to celebrate

Wet weekend of football

THE weather played havoc in last weekend’s football, with several games postponed and even having to be abandoned.

Cowes Sports were awash with goals in the second half of their game against Laverstock, in the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division, scoring an incredible eight times. They eventually ran out 8-3 winners, with the goals coming from Josh Appell, Tom Dye (2), Matty Evans (3), Myles Taylor and own goal.

Brading’s game at Hamble ASSC had to be abandoned with the Romans leading 1-0, due to the adverse weather conditions.

Newport were also forced to abandon their match at home against Lymington Town at St George’s Park. Frustratingly for the home side they were leading 5-1, before the game was called off in the 70th minute.

IW Gazette 8

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