Ventnor Blog

On Monday lunchtime, members of the public, Ventnor and the Isle of Wight Council gathered down by the pumping station on the seafront, to witness the raising of the newly re-awarded Blue Flag.

Many thanks to David George from Utility Films for shooting and editing the footage, which (after the click) through the power of YouTube, anyone who missed it, can now enjoy from the comfort of their homes.

As well as the speeches and raising ceremony, we also caught up with David Pugh after the hoisting for a chat which you can still listen to VentnorBlog.

(more…)

Thanks to all those who have replied in one form or another to the posting a couple of weeks ago, where VentnorBlog readers were invited to be involved in a unique Ergo Phizmiz collaboration.

The one man musical movement that is, Ergo Phizmiz, is half way through the twelve hour running time of “The Faust Cycle”, his new radiophonic work.

It tells the story of an attempt to deliver a mysterious parcel to the legendary alchemist Dr Faustus, and the various strange and often Surreal adventures that take place inside his vast and labyrinthine house.

Told through spoken-word, music, song, and sound-collage, “The Faust Cycle” is a trek through a peculiar and unpredictable world.

(more…)

The lads from Rapanui have been back in touch to let us know about another beach clean planned for the end of the month.

It takes place on Saturday 28th June, which if you hadn’t realised is Round the Island Race day.

The clean up is happening on the beach near Brighstone and is being organised in collaboration with the Marine Conservation Society.

They organise beach cleans every quarter and the last clean up at Brihstone was particularly successful - over 100 sacks full of rubbish weighing half a ton (in total - not each) were removed from the beach! (more…)

A couple of weeks ago, along with about 300 other people, we made our way to the Medina Theatre to hear more about the fantastic St George’s Dragon Project.

Although we knew quite a bit about the great work of the project already - it was a real bonus to see the photos and hear directly from those involved about the impact that the project has had on the students at not only St George’s School, but students from other schools who benefit also.

Nigel George, founder of public artists Ecclestone George, who works closely with the school, talked us through how the project started. (more…)

We didn’t want to flood you on Saturday with all of the details behind the council press office posting, but here’s a bit of background if you happen to be interested.

Let’s be clear, we’re not having a go at the whole council — we are very much aware that a great deal of dedicated work goes on there in its many different departments - the latest news of the Blue Flag in Ventnor and the involvement of the Parks and Beaches division is testament to that.

(more…)

The skies were blue, the sun was shining and there was a great turnout this afternoon for the official hoisting of the new Blue Flag for Ventnor.

Around 45 members of the public gathered beside the pumping station, as we awaited the arrival of Leader of the Council, David Pugh.

He gave a short speech, praising the efforts of everyone involved, particularly the Mayoress, Susan Scoccia, before presenting her with the Blue Flag.

The Mayoress went on to thank everyone involved in helping meet the criteria for the Blue Flag status. (more…)

Oh, we forgot to tell you … the council ‘communications’ department have cut us off from … communicating with the council.

Hands up those who think it’s right that little old VentnorBlog should be cut off, just because the council doesn’t like the way a particular opinion piece was written.

In response to the article about the closure of the Ventnor Skate park, Claire Robertson, head of the press office told us,

“I have a fundamental problem with it because it doesn’t actually state the facts, in the way that it should do”

In the way that it should do?

Good to know that she’s not disputing the facts that we’re stating, she just doesn’t like the words around those facts.

She went on to state that if we want the press office to take VentnorBlog seriously as an accredited news source, that we must only publish balanced articles and not continue with what she refers to as our predetermined agenda.

A couple of skips along in the conversation later and we’re being told that we need to come in for a meeting - or as we like to refer to it around VB, ‘thought re-alignment’.

You know what, the funny thing is that this was around this same time that we’d been asking the press office specific questions about Joe Duckworth’s financial package and … the communication department budget. A total co-incidence, we’re sure it must be.

Bottom Line
We do want access to the council, because it helps in being able to get answers to questions and provide an alternative response to news on the Wight. We’re just not prepared to put up with the crap that the press office are giving us.

Despite their actions, however, we’re looking forward to meeting them.

The meeting will of course be recorded for your delectation.

Further links: Background On Council Press Office Fun
Press Office: On or Off?

Fantastic to see Island MP, Andrew Turner, embracing green issues again. He was spotted last week behind a sewing machine making his very own Morsbag.

Last week, the held an exhibition in Westminster promoting their ‘Stitch in Time’ campaign.

Over 21,000 Morsbags have been made since January 2007 - many of which were sewn in Bembridge, Ventnor, Wotton and Newport.

In fact the organisers told Andrew Turner that the groups on the Wight are some fo the most active in the UK.
(more…)

Some of you may already know that BT are proposing to remove 18 public telephone boxes on the Wight.

The claim is that these boxes are underused and the upkeep is too high.

Just as a side point, BT’s profits this year before taxation and specific items are £2.5bn.

Anyway, in the Ventnor area they want to remove boxes from the following locations and the Ventnor Town Council were asked on Monday for their views.

(more…)

Update: We’re very sorry to hear that this event has been cancelled - see the comment below

As part of the Ryde Arts Festival on 8th and 9th of July there is a great opportunity for Island musicians to get involved and help keep Ryde Theatre open.

Organisers are inviting anyone who has played or who wishes to play Ryde Theatre in the future to help demonstrate the massive diversity of local talent, capable of providing good, regular entertainment all around the Island for Islanders and visitors alike.

Keeping Ryde Theatre open is vital to all musicians regardless of creed, colour or age.

(more…)

Congratulations to the Ventnor Town Council, who last night made a pioneering decision. At the Town Council meeting, it was unanimously agreed that their meetings could be audio recorded and subsequently broadcast on VentnorBlog.

The purpose of the recordings would be to enable those unable to attend the meeting to listen to the discussions taking place and hear how their councillor represents his/her constituents. (more…)

I haven’t had the pleasure of attending a Ventnor Town Council (VTC) meeting for the last five months or so, due to going to the excellent music course run by Andy Jones on Monday evenings.

Last night the course wasn’t on, so it was off to VTC and it was notable in how the meeting has changed over the period of my absences.

Beyond its having physically moved, the way the meeting was conducted was different.

Public questions restricted
Although the public are ‘allowed’ to ask questions at the beginning of the meeting — fifteen minutes allocated — the way that the public questioners are dealt with by the Chair, Mayor Susan Scoccia, is rather aggressive. (more…)

Rick Stanbridge is one of the key players in keeping live music alive on the Wight. Along with a handful of others, against the odds, they have worked incredibly hard over the last 2-3 years to try and ensure that Ryde Theatre remains open. Read on to hear his views of the current situation and watch a video created by Stu Ballingall of action at Ryde Theatre. Ed

Since our role in saving the place began, we’re pleased to say that we increased roster activity by 400%.

However, since the appointment of new management, it seems that Making Waves is the only night ticking the place over now.

(more…)

Just had a report in that Scats in Blackwater is closed today (due to electrical problems), so if you’re planning to drive up there for supplies, give them a buzz before hand (524351) to see if they’ve re-opened.

At the end of the month, some further education learners from St Catherine’s School in Ventnor will be running a charity shop on the High Street for two weeks (in the empty shop next to Perks Off-License).

The shop is a great opportunity for the learners to gain valuable work experience whilst raising funds for St Catherine’s, so please come and support us if you can.
(more…)

Anyone with a business in Ventnor, don’t forget that tomorrow evening, the Ventnor Business Forum will be hosting an introduction event at the Ventnor Winter Gardens.

There’ll be a buffet and refreshments along with information on how to join this pro-active group, who are responsible for such wonderful things as the new hanging baskets you might’ve seen around town.
(more…)

Two exciting Blue Flag educational initiatives are about to be launched in Ventnor. It’s all part of the drive for Ventnor to gain Blue Flag status (we’ll be able to give you more news on that soon).

The Ventnor Partnership (which is a sub-set of the Ventnor Town Council) has joined forces with the Isle Wight Council’s Coastal Visitors Centre (CVC) to devise two valuable surveys, that will not only help discover how the beaches are used and can be improved, but will be a great educational tool for any children or young people who get involved.

It is hoped that residents, visitors and schools will help complete the surveys, one of which is on Beach Use and other on Rock Pool Habitat.
(more…)

Since Rob Reed joined Ventnor as it’s new Town Centre Manager back in November 2007, you might’ve noticed quite a few changes in town.

The Ventnor 2008 group have been cataloguing these positive changes and have a set of ‘before and after’ images up on Flickr.

The photo on the right is the newly renovated bus shelter in Albert Street - quite a difference from the ‘before’ picture below, we’re sure you’d agree.
(more…)

We’d like to extend a warm welcome to Ventnorian, Alex Welsford who joins the VentnorBlog team today.

Medina High School student Alex, who will be 15 tomorrow (birthday wishes and presents can be sent c/o the VB offices) has a keen interest in writing, so we were happy to help out with his work experience placement.
(more…)

Hip, hip, hurrah for all of the VentnorBlog Forum members who have posted messages since it was born on 11 October 2005 - the General Chat area recently nudged over the 10,000 posts level. Well done all.

(more…)

This week, 17-23 May is Adult Learners Week and as part of that event, tomorrow sees the return of Silver Surfers Day

If you’re over 50 and reading this, chances are that you already know how to surf the Web. But if you happen to know someone who needs some help, you might want to point them in the direction of one of the courses we found taking place tomorrow on the Wight.

(more…)

Many people believe that a strong community is a what makes a town successful (and certainly we agree that it plays a big part), but it is often forgotten that businesses are crucial to the survival of a town too.

Ventnorians might remember that we attended the first official meeting of the newly formed Ventnor Business Forum at the end of March.

We were very impressed with the work carried out over the previous months and intentions for the coming year.

The time has come for the Ventnor Business Forum to hold their first general meeting and it takes place at the beginning of next month. (more…)

Following an application by Cheetah Marine to vary conditions of the planning permission granted last year, Sean Strevens was invited to the Town Council Meeting to clarify the situation and explain why the variation of conditions were being requested.

Variation to Condition 14 was the first to be discussed. Mr Strevens explained that the request to have the ‘in perpetuity’ label removed from the condition attached to the provision of the harbour master’s office was at the request of both theirs and the Council’s legal teams and was ‘out of their hands’.
(more…)

At the Ventnor Town Council meeting tonight, John Farrant passed round correspondence from Ventnor resident, Dennis Russell who had written requesting that the public be allowed time during Town Council Planning Meetings, to make representation before the applications are discussed by councillors.

This is pretty much the same as what happens at County Council Planning Committee meetings, whereby the public are allowed three minutes to speak on planning applications before decisions are made.
(more…)

Don’t forget that tomorrow sees the Wessex Cancer Trust Spring Fete take place over in Freshwater.

Set in the delightful grounds (where you’ll get to see some great work by Paul Sivell - pictured left) of Freshwater Court (Court Road), the spring fete offers lots to do and see and we hear from organisers that there has been a tremendous response to the appeal for items to sell and auction.
(more…)