Ventnor Blog

Well done to Tina Nicholls for winning Isle of Wight Photographer of the Year award. Quite right too as the shot that won her the prize was a stunning capture of a staircase in Reykjavik.

The shot, ‘Stairway into Darkness,’ was captured at the Hilton Nordica Hotel in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, this August.

Tina told VentnorBlog that when she saw the staircase, her reaction was, “I’m having that staircase - that’s mine.” After a dash up nine flights of stairs, she saw what she needed to capture.

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As covered last week on VentnorBlog, Totland Pier was up for grabs at auction this morning.

Derek, owner of the pier tells us that the prospect of the pier being up for sale has raised a great deal of interest on and off the Island.

Lot 21 didn’t reach it’s reserve price at auction today and Derek is back in his studio this afternoon working on his latest artwork.

One of the comments raised from the podcast we did with Derek on Friday suggested a trust be set up to purchase the pier for community projects. If anyone is interested in pursuing this further, get in touch.

Image: Alpha Perry

Reported not only in the Island media, but also in the Nationals this week was news that the 450ft long, 128 year old Totland Pier is due to go to auction in Covent Garden with Barnard Marcus on Monday morning.

The pier is privately owned by artist Derek Barran, who has been there for nearly ten years now. We popped over to catch up with Derek yesterday afternoon just as the sun was setting behind the headland.

Those fortunate enough to have visited Derek’s studio at the end of the pier will agree that the place has a very magical feel to it.

Whether it’s down to being at the end of an historic Victorian pier or has more to do with to the eclectic collection of Derek’s work we’re not sure - but it’s certainly one of our most treasured locations on the Wight.

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Rev Graham Morris from St Catherine’s Church, Ventnor attended the Town Council Planning meeting tonight to inform the TC on future plans for the renovation of the church tower and surrounding churchyard.

He started by quashing the rumours that had been circulating throughout town (we hadn’t heard this one) that the tower was going to be demolished. Rev. Morris assured the meeting that this was far from the case. The current scaffolding and apron surrounding the tower had been constructed for safety purposes, following an incident whereby a very large piece of masonry had fallen from the tower missing a member of the church by inches.

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One thing that we’ve been thinking about for a while is taking a photo of every shop in Ventnor.

It would be literally be a snapshot of the town - a photographic record of a town that is undergoing transition.

We hadn’t found the time to do it - and frankly weren’t sure when we’d actually finding the opportunity.

Hurrah for the Ventnor2008 Group who have done exactly that and stuck them up on Flickr for everyone to see.

Each photo also explains the business that is currently using the shop.

Great to see people going out and doing something for the town.

As we reported on Monday, twenty or so local residents gathered opposite the Hazelhurst property in Freshwater to show their objection to the Ombudsman, as he made a site visit.

After waiting for some time for the architect to turn up, the Ombudsman came and spoke to the residents to advise that he would be carrying out a site visit. He stated that he had read all objections to the application and would be taking those into account.

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A group of around 20 members of the public stood opposite Hazelhurst in Freshwater this morning, peacefully donning placards as the Planning Ombudsman carried out a site visit.

Owners of the property, Mr and Mrs Knight claimed that they knew nothing of the visit and only realised something was up when Mr Knight noticed a group of people assembling on the other side of the road.

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Don’t forget the Saving Our Heritage seminar takes place tonight at Quay Arts.

Only a few weeks after the Planning Committee condemned the last Georgian Worker’s cottages to demolition, we reckon this’ll be an interesting event and wonder if members of the Planning Committee will be attending.

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We’ve been contacted by a number of people asking for our opinion of a newly constructed holiday home in Steephill Cove.

You might’ve noticed it when looking along the coastline from Ventnor towards Steephill.

It looks like a rather squat lighthouse, clad in white shutterboard and is noticeable from Ventnor as you look down the coastline to the West.

We’ll be honest, our response has been pretty much either “We don’t really have a view on it” or “It’s not something that concerns us”, however, it seems that many of our readers felt differently, so we’re putting up this post for comments.

We called Mark Wheeler, the owner, for a chat about the building, “It’s a bit unusual, but it’s in keeping with its marine setting.

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The reason we’re putting these photos up is to show Couthy Butts, both inside and outside, so those who weren’t able to visit on the open day that the owners ran (many did) can get a stronger understanding about the building.

Looking at the photos might bring you to the same conclusion - Why would the planning officers want this, the only example of Georgian worker’s cottages on the Island, demolished and all of the material removed from the site? (more…)

Here’s a bit more background, this time a video, on Couthy Butts and the confusing case where the planning has requested the demolition of the building.

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If you didn’t see the article in last week’s County Press regarding the ongoing saga of Hazelhurst in Freshwater, check it out before reading on. It features a response from the architect for the project, Roy Holt. What follows is a response from Freshwater resident, Tony Robson, to the architect. Ed

With reference to County press article on Page 3, 27 June, 2008.

So Mr Holt is unhappy about the rights conveyed by the Hazelhurst Covenants. And so he should be. But where does he get the suggestion that the residents might resort to vandalism. It is not us who are planning to demolish a fine historic building and build a block of flats. Now surely that is cultural vandalism to say the least. (more…)

It was with great dismay that we heard on Tuesday evening that the Planning Committee refused the application for conversion and continued use of cottages as shepherd’s accommodation at Couthy Butts, Downcourt Farm, Godshill. As our readers will be aware, these are the last remaining examples of Georgian workers cottage on the Wight and now the planning officers have their wish, it is likely that the owners will be required to demolish the 200 years+ buildings.

As we were unable to attend the committee meeting, we’re grateful to Professor Russell from the CPRE for allowing us to publish his report below. If you don’t have time to read through all the details, skip to the Councillor’s Discussion at the bottom for the guts. Ed

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The fate of the last remaining Georgian workers cottages on the Wight will be decided next Tuesday at the Planning Committee.

We’re astonished that the planning officer has recommended refusal to retain the cottages and convert into them shepherd’s accommodation.

For those not familiar with the case you can read some background posted by one of the owners over on the forum.

To see the application and plans take a look at the Council Planning Web site, and to read the officer’s recommendation to the Planning Committee check the Council Web site.

Quick bit of info for those concerned. At the Ventnor Town Council on Monday night, Councillors saw no reason why the following two applications shouldn’t be approved.

A/02468 - P/01160/08
Richmond Hotel Esplanade Ventnor Isle Of Wight PO381JX
Two retractable awnings on front elevation with lettering

LBC/25702/F - P/00993/08
Westfield Mansion Shore Road Ventnor Isle Of Wight PO381RH
LBC for retention of two satellite dishes

Next Tuesday evening, Dr Robin McInnes OBE will presenting an illustrated lecture at the Ventnor Winter Gardens, entitled ‘Art, Architecture and the Island Landscape’.

In aid of the Ventnor Enhancement Fund, the lecture will describe the buildings of the Island, in the context of the landscape, from as far back as Norman times to the present day.

It kicks off at 6.30pm and the lecture is split into two parts (45 mins each) with a 30 minute break in the middle when you can stretch your legs, and enjoy the provided refreshments. (more…)

Anyone interested in the history and renovation of Freshwater Court, don’t forget that the Jarman family will be giving a talk tonight on that very subject.

As part of The Farringford Tennyson Literary and Arts Society meeting, Chris and Hilary will talk you through the trials and tribulations of taking on the renovation of this impressive house. (more…)

Many thanks to Chris Jarman for sending through details of a talk taking place next Thursday that we’re sure will be of interest to many of our readers.

The Farringford Tennyson Literary and Arts Society meeting, held at Farringford (Freshwater) plays host to the Jarman family, who will be presenting on the subject of renovation of Freshwater Court.

Anyone who went along to the Wessex Cancer Trust Spring Fete last weekend, will agree that Freshwater Court is an impressive building with beautiful grounds.

But it wasn’t like this when the Jarmans took it on several years ago. They have lovingly renovated the property with traditional materials and methods. (more…)

If you love history and architecture you might be interested to hear that on this coming Bank Holiday Monday, Mottistone Manor will be open to the public.

It’s a rare opportunity because the Elizabethan manor house is only open one day a year. Normally it happens in August, but this year will be in May.

National Trust members can take advantage of guided tours between 10am-noon and other members of the public can take self guided tours between 2-5pm. (more…)

Many thanks to Mike Vokes from the Ventnor and District and Local History Society for getting in touch to let us know about a blue plaque unveiling that takes place next week.

The latest “historical plaque” to go up in the Ventnor area will be at Seaside House, Shore Road, Bonchurch which was a popular destination for many well known early watercolour artists during the 19th century – with the area dubbed as “the St Ives of the Isle of Wight”.
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Anyone who intended to comment on Michael Jennings’ recent appeal against the decision made by IW Planning Committee that he should revert his property back to that which was approved, rather than retain all the work he has carried out beyond that permission, but haven’t got around to it yet, be aware that you only have until 1st May. (more…)

Another demolition order from the County Council is still on the cards.

Following the posting last month about the proposed demolition of the last remaining Georgian Agricultural cottages on the Island, we can report that there has been some developments.

Unfortunately, it’s not for the better. One of the owners, Sabrie has posted her thoughts on the forum in response to the letter of recommendation by the IW AONB Partnership.

It was with great surprise that we read the story last week in the County Press about a pair of Georgian agricultural cottages whose fate currently lies with the Planning Department.

Back in 2000, the owners of the cottage were informed by the Health and Safety Executive that they needed to make safe the dilapidated buildings which date back nearly 200 years.
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We went along to a meeting last night in Freshwater where the future use of Weston Manor was being discussed.

There’s a fair bit to report from it, which we’ll pick up later in the week, but the biggest surprise of the evening was delivered by a Mrs Robertson.

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The meeting being held to discuss the future of Weston Manor has been re-scheduled for Tuesday next week.

Same place, Totland Church Hall starting at 7.30pm.