Published 2:54 pm (2 hours ago) Today
Sal
For those unable to make the Ventnor Town Council meeting last night, the precept was agreed by councillors at £149,500.
A named vote took place with Cllrs Scoccia, Perks, George, Garlick, Stubbings, Robinson and Lucas voting in favour and Cllrs Bartlett and Mew voting against.
Published 2:36 pm (2 hours ago)
Will Green
As part of National Student Volunteering Week, which takes place between 22 to 28 March this year, students from Isle of Wight College will be joining forces with YMCA Isle of Wight to help raise cash and awareness for Help2Grieve.
The hair and beauty students will be putting their new skills to good use at the ‘Make-over for All’ charity fundraiser.
YMCA Isle of Wight Volunteer Project Coordinator Kelly Matthews said “this event will give the college students a chance to show off their creative skills and bring members of society together in a common purpose.”
Published 2:05 pm (3 hours ago)
Kim Fry
The Pudding Club at St Catherine’s School in Ventnor returns this Friday.
These popular events are a great way of raising cash for the charity as well as trying out different puddings.
There are limited places, so register asap if you fancy a night of puddings.
Check the full details over on Events on The Wight.
Image: Bad Housewife under CC BY 2.0
Published 1:04 pm (4 hours ago)
Sal
The Island Expo Catering and Hospitality Exhibition returns to Cowes Yacht Haven later in the month with yet another star studded lineup for the Expo Kitchen.
As covered on VB over the last couple of years, the Expo which was launched in 2008 has firmly established itself as ‘the’ annual meeting place for the Island’s catering and hospitality industry.
It provides a great opportunity for suppliers and producers to showcase their products and services.
Each year the Expo Kitchen has proved very popular with visitors and exhibitors and with Cyrus Todiwala wowing the crowds last year, the celebrity slot will be a hard act to follow.
Published 12:03 pm (5 hours ago)
Sal
Mark Chiverton, his local Unison representative, Catherine Jackson and Unison regional organiser Andy Straker will be attending a meeting today with Isle of Wight council Chief Executive, Steve Beynon.
The meeting was arranged after a number of surprising events last week, when it was reported that Mark, the Island’s Labour Parliamentary candidate, was told to stand down from his candidacy or resign from his post at the council.
Steve Beynon initially denied this was the case, but yesterday publicly apologised for the misunderstanding making it clear that Mark would not need to stand down.
Published 8:53 am (8 hours ago)
Rachael Brooks
As part of the wider public consultation on the plans to manage coastal flooding and erosion between Eastern Yar and Bembridge Harbour another exhibition is being held at Bembridge Village Hall this coming Friday (12 Feb).
The December exhibition attracted over 200 residents and it’s hoped that this final exhibition before the deadline for comments will be just as successful.
Published 5:19 pm Yesterday
simon
Following John Farrant, ex-town clerk of Ventnor, declaring the recent Audit investigation into practices of the Town Council and Winter Gardens “unethical,” we got in touch with the council to give them an opportunity to respond.
We’ve had their statement in this afternoon, which says
Continue reading…
Published 4:41 pm
Rachael Brooks
Cheapest non-supermarket stations within 5 miles of PO38 for Diesel
115.9p – Sandford Garage
Godshill, Sandford, Ventnor, PO38 3AL
Texaco, last updated on 7 February
Published 4:32 pm
Sal
Don’t forget that the new
exhibition of possible options for tackling the landslide problems affecting Undercliff Drive starts tomorrow.
Taking place at the Ventnor Botanic Gardens between 10am and 4pm each day until Friday 26th February, the exhibition will display information on all the options being considered for the road and will explain which are preferred and achievable.
Published 2:17 pm
Sal
Uber-cool Island musicians, Jules Dent and Sam Woodford, aka Council Estate Super Models, have just announced a fantastic offer for their fans.
The lads have been busy working on a new track called “Slave To The Beat” and are planning an eclectic video to accompany it.
They’re calling on their fans and friends to contribute to the video by sending in video clips of them dancing to the new track.
Check out the Facebook page for full details and if you get involved, drop us a line to let us know.
Published 1:01 pm
Sal
News reaches us this morning that a Newport care home for children with disabilities has been praised by Ofsted as being ‘Good with outstanding features’.
An unannounced visit was made to Beaulieu House by inspectors last December, the result of which is a glowing report praising the ‘committed care team who demonstrate warm relationships with the young people.’
Published 12:00 pm
Sal
The agenda for tonight’s Ventnor Town Council (VTC) meeting can now be found online.
Amongst the items being discussed will be the 2010/2011 precept, several matters relating to the Winter Gardens and for the VTC to receive a report from the Audit Recommendations Committee.
Informal precept meeting badly attended
We understand that an informal meeting was called last week for Town Councillors to discuss and agree the precept for this coming financial year.
Published 11:17 am
Sal
This statement just in from the council. Ed
IW Council Chief Executive, Steve Beynon has today (Monday 8 February) issued a written assurance to Mark Chiverton, Unison Branch Secretary, that he is not required to make choice between resignation and standing down as a candidate in the forthcoming general election.
Published 11:06 am
Rachael Brooks
More Island words defined by the excellent series, Mr Caulkhead’s Isle of Wight colloquialism (background).
Slackumtrance: A slovenly or dirty woman
Have a listen …
Continue reading…
Published 9:55 am
Rachael Brooks
Check out the Sunday league results below.
Don’t forget that you can see next week’s fixtures over at Events On The Wight.
Continue reading…
Published 9:32 am
Lois Prior
Readers may remember the Banana gun flash mob we mentioned last week that was planned for Saturday in Newport. Thanks to VB friend and contributor Lois Prior for sending through her report of the event. Ed
‘One way to your 5-a-day!’
St Thomas’ Square in Newport became a spectacle of banana-wielding gunfighters, who flooded the area at 1.30 pm last Saturday.
I arrived a few minutes beforehand and there was a certain air of expectation around the place.
Published 9:01 am
Rachael Brooks
A handful of postponements, but plenty of matches went ahead.
Details of next Saturday’s League fixtures coming soon on Events On The Wight.
Published 8:51 pm 7, February 2010 (2 days ago)
Sal
This in from the coastguard – Ed
An angler was rescued from a life raft this afternoon, after his boat sank two miles South West of St Catherine’s Point on the Isle of Wight.
Published 8:00 pm 5, February 2010 (4 days ago)
simon
We all know that the Isle of Wight council has proposed that resident parking permits rise from £75 to £200.
Many, many people aren’t very happy about this.
Today we heard about a further kick in the teeth for Island resident over the parking permits.
Published 7:54 pm
Sal
Tomorrow night sees Cowes Yacht Haven transformed for what hopes to be an amazing night for the Island.
The charity gig, organised by Lee Taylor from Cowes, is an example of what can be achieved in a short space of time with the co-operation of those who share a common goal.
Published 7:15 pm
Sal
It’s been a pretty long time since the Isle of Wight Council have graced the ‘Rotten Boroughs’ page of news and current affairs magazine, Private Eye.
Every two weeks when the esteemed organ drops onto our door mat, we turn to the Rotten Boroughs section to see whether Steve Beynon has managed to attract the same attention that Joe ‘Vera’ Duckworth received whilst he was Chief Executive for the Island (all 18 of the months that he was).
Published 5:35 pm
Sal
At a public meeting earlier today Chief Exec, Steve Beynon and Cllr David Pugh from the Isle of Wight Council (IWC) answered questions from stakeholders who will be affected by the massive budget cuts proposed by the IWC to the voluntary sector (read our live coverage).
One of the council’s proposals is to stop Westminster House being a respite centre and change it into an old people’s home.
It appears from discussions with Rosemary Marsh from Isle of Wight Mencap that this might not be within the council’s ability to do.
Bought by Mencap, gifted to IWC
Continue reading…
Published 4:02 pm
Rachael Brooks
Two Islanders will be making a very special leap of faith later this month as they take the plunge and skydive for charity.
Sue Anderson and Mat Aubert will be stepping off a plane at 13,000ft over the plains of Salisbury on 28th February to raise cash for Island Street Pastors and A2B (Aid to the Balkans).
Published 3:28 pm
Tess from the Library
More new acquisitions at Ventnor Library. Why not hire a DVD for the weekend or start reading a new book? DVDs start at 50p for children and £1 for adults overnight.
DVDs
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (pictured)
Halloween II : Family is Forever
Published 3:20 pm
Sal
At Monday night’s meeting of the Ventnor Town Council, former Town Clerk for Ventnor, John Farrant, declared the recent Audit investigation into practices of the Town Council and Winter Gardens “unethical” and a “serious breach of practice.”
The five day audit took place back in November 2009, the result of which was a damning report revealing a trail of incompetence and unlawful practices.
Published 12:46 pm
Sal and Simon
We’re reporting live from the Riverside Centre where Isle of Wight Council Chief Executive, Steve Beynon, is delivering his budget proposals to stakeholders affected by the proposed cuts in funding to the voluntary sector.
Please refresh / reload your browser to see the latest updates. We will endeavour to report presentations and discussions as accurately as possible. Text surrounded by () signifies VB’s comments.
[12.45] The hall at The Riverside is completely packed – lots of people having to stand.
Published 12:09 pm
Rachael Brooks
With registration opening last month for the JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, we hear that Steve Le Butt’s ‘High Spirits’ was the first boat entered for the 2010.
Published 11:53 am
Sal
If you missed our regular Thursday lunchtime slot on IW Radio yesterday, worry not, as you can listen again below.
We caught up with Tom Stroud to give our pick of what’s coming up over the next week.
There’s lots of live music happening around the Island over the weekend (natch), including the Haiti Appeal Concert which takes place at Cowes Yacht Haven on Saturday night.
Published 11:48 am
Sal
More Island words defined by the excellent series, Mr Caulkhead’s Isle of Wight colloquialism (background).
Sweal: To scorch or burn superficially or to turn around quickly or suddenly.
Have a listen …
Continue reading…
Published 11:13 am
Sal
This weekend is National Special Constabulary weekend!
The aim of the weekend is to draw attention to the contribution that special constables (volunteer police officers) make to the community by working alongside police officers.
What’s going on ‘ere then?
The focus this weekend is going to be on roads policing.
Published 10:23 am
Rachael Brooks
It’s been a pretty heavy week for some, so we imagine there are plenty out there who could do with a laugh.
Check out Failblog’s latest offering of two unfortunate workers stressing the importance of a strong safety rope.
Video after the click Continue reading…
Published 6:27 pm 4, February 2010 (5 days ago)
Sal
Mark Chiverton told VB this afternoon that in his 37 years working for Isle of Wight Council, he has never seen such a gulf between the centre of the organisation and its staff.
Over 150 Isle of Wight council workers (who are Unison members) gathered today and delivered their vote of no confidence in Chief Executive Steve Beynon and Leader of the council, David Pugh.
The lack of confidence was widespread and strongly expressed at the meeting.
Published 5:20 pm
Sal
If you’ve ever been involved in a Flash Mob event, then you’ll know how exciting it can be.
For those who have never heard of Flash Mobs, it’s not a group of blinged up people rampaging through a town, but an event where a large number of people gather together at a specific time and carry out fairly innocent pre-determined tasks, such turning up for a pillow fight in the middle of a busy shopping centre.
Published 3:45 pm
Rachel Bridgeland
Regular readers will have been following the news of the IW Convoy to Gaza over Christmas. Rachel from IW Friends of Palestine tells us more below. You can hear Peter and Zuber’s stories later in the month at Quay Arts. Ed
Over Christmas two vehicles from the Isle of Wight and Solent area joined the Viva Palestina convoy to Gaza.
The trip took over a month because of delays caused by the Egyptian government, it’s thought under pressure from Israel and the USA.
Published 2:56 pm
Mark Young
Mark Young from the Paddle Steamer Ryde Trust is urging readers to sign a petition to help save the Paddle Steamer Ryde. Ed
After many years of unsuccessful negotiations to acquire the Paddle Steamer Ryde (Ryde Queen/The Boat), the Paddle Steamer Ryde Trust finally seemed to get a promising opportunity to do so.
Unfortunately for reasons unknown negotiations have faltered at the last moment, and the administrators of the site have commenced breaking the vessel up.
Published 2:17 pm
Rachael Brooks
So say those who have ever won anything from the Isle of Wight Lottery.
As the Lottery reaches its unofficial tenth birthday they tell us that over the years they’ve given out a staggering £1.8 million in prize money to Islanders taking part in the weekly draw.
It was back in 2000 that the Island’s Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and Industry came up with the idea which was launched in January 2001.
Published 12:59 pm
Sal
Boy, Monday night’s Ventnor Town Council (VTC) meeting was a bit of a fruity affair. There was a fair amount of dirt being thrown around the room (more to come on that later) and even calls for councillor resignations (more to come on that that too). As so much took place, we’ll break the report down into subjects, starting with the audio recording of meetings.
Background
Regular readers may remember some time ago that we reported the VTC had passed a resolution to record all VTC meetings.
It took a while before the equipment was purchased and recordings started, but just over a year after the agreement was first made, the VTC started recording their meetings. Well, that was until near the end of last year, when VB noticed this had stopped.
Published 12:25 pm
Liam Madden
If you fancy a night in watching a DVD, then take a look at the selection available at Island Libraries. At just 98p per night, they’re a great bargain. Ed
From the very start, ‘Papillon’ tells a story of immense struggle and attempts at escaping the injustice of impressive situations and spectacular settings in a way that allows the audience to gradually understand the struggle for freedom is something that ‘Papillon’ has to do regardless of the situation.
What makes this film so worthwhile is purely down to the intense and moving portrayals by Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman.
Published 10:38 am
Sal
Anyone who took part in, or watched any of the Island carnivals last year, won’t help but have noticed the outstanding performance by the Wight Strollers Group.
You remember them, all dressed up as grannies rocking their little hearts away.
The Wight Strollers managed to pick up and whopping 16 cups during the Island carnival season.
As well as being dressed as grannies, the team also used zimmer frames as part of their performance.
Published 10:22 am
George Chastney
Well done to the friends of Cowes and East Cowes RNLI who recently volunteered their time and energy.
They had their virtual mileage – from powering cycling and rowing machines as well as swimming – plotted going around the Island. They made it around the Island nearly nine times – and raised a good amount of cash as part of the RNLI SOS fund-raising events around the UK.
Have a look at the bottom of the piece where we’ve put a gallery of lots of the photos from the day.
Thanks to the Cowes RNLI for sending this in – great to see people having fun while raising money for this good cause – Ed.
Healthy exercise and infectious exuberance were much in evidence when people eagerly took up the challenge to play their part in an unusual circumnavigation challenge set by Cowes and East Cowes members of the RNLI.
Published 10:00 am
Sal
In a change to the usual way that Bestival acts are announced, this year the bods at Bestival HQ have decided to announce a whole raft of acts confirmed for the September festival at Robin Hill, instead of giving us the usual headliners first.
You know that you can rely on Rob da Bank to deliver the goods as far as live music and DJ selection is concerned and the first list of acts announced today should have you all rushing out to buy your tickets.
There’s no clue as to which acts are headlining on which day, so there might some more surprises to come yet.
Published 8:55 am
Sal
Yes folks, more bands join the lineup for this year’s Isle of Wight Festival taking place in Seaclose Park, Newport on 10th-13th June.
Florence + The Machine
Strutting her stuff on the main stage on Friday before Jay-Z makes his entrance is the gorgeous Florence + the Machine.
Their first album Lungs was met with huge praise by critics. We expect for their outing to the Isle of Wight in June, Florence + the Machine will be packing some tracks from 2nd (yet unreleased) album which has been likened to ‘Siouxsie and the Banshees’ by producer Paul Epworth.
Published 7:00 am
simon
Looks like the turn around at Isle of Wight Radio could have started.
The latest listening figures released this morning by RAJAR are the first full quarter that have been reported since the station became independently owned.
Published 3:58 pm 3, February 2010 (6 days ago)
Sal
Following Steve Beynon’s insistence that Mark Chiverton was not told to stand down from his candidature as Labour MP or resign from his post at the council, we spoke with Mark this afternoon.
On a crackly telephone line, he told us that after the meeting he’d had with a senior council officer, which left him “bemused and devastated”, he subsequently emailed the senior officer, putting back the proposition, first reported this morning, which has never been denied.
Published 3:52 pm
simon
Having received the statement from IWC Chief Exec, Steve Beynon, that starts “The council has not told Mark that he must either resign his job, or stand down as a candidate,” we called Mark Chiverton and Geoff Lumley, his agent for comment.
Geoff called back a short while later, and below you can listen to the conversation that we had.
Published 2:24 pm
Sal
Further to the news that Mark Chiverton has been asked to stand down as Labour Parliamentary Candidate or resign from his full time position at the Isle of Wight Council, we approached the Island MP, Andrew Turner, for his views.
Mr Turner told VB that “If Council officers are concerned about his position they should have said something long ago. Raising it a few months before a General Election is wrong, and could easily be construed as improper interference with the political process.”
Published 1:34 pm
Sal
Further to our report earlier this morning in which Labour Parliamentary candidate Mark Chiverton told us that he had been told to stand down or resign from his post, we’ve just received the response below from the Chief Executive, Steve Beynon.
Published 12:34 pm
Sal
More Island words defined by the excellent series, Mr Caulkhead’s Isle of Wight colloquialism (background).
Vlucker : To flutter or fly
Have a listen …
Continue reading…
Published 12:27 pm
Sal
As you will have seen yesterday, we’ll be awarding a few Picture of the Week awards this week.
Next up is this gorgeous shot by Ventnor photographer, The Good Fairy.
Published 12:05 pm
Rachael Brooks
A couple of weeks ago, rock legends The Pretty Things donned their best suits and joined the party at the Winter Gardens.
A collection of bands and a local DJ had the place suitably warmed up prior to The Pretty Things taking to the stage where they delivered, what we hear, was an amazing set.
The gig had been organised to raise cash for St Catherine’s School in Ventnor, one of the most high regarded special schools for young people with speech or communication difficulties.
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