Ventnor Blog

A last minute reminder for parents of children attending Gatten & Lake Primary School, Newchurch Primary School, Broadlea Primary School and Niton Primary School that there is a public consultation meeting tonight at Sandown High School (6.30pm in the South Hall).

The purpose of the meeting is to update parents on the proposals for the future of Island schools and there will be an opportunity for parents to ask the officers questions.

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Anyone who has had the pleasure of seeing the the Red Arrows perform will agree what an absolute treat it is.

The last time we saw them was just prior to the fireworks in Cowes at the end of Cowes Week. Their display is awe inspiring and we’re stoked to see that they’ll be returning to the Wight later in the month for the White Air Extreme Sports Festival.

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With less than two weeks to go until the 12th White Air Extreme Sports Festival is upon us again, this year’s event promises even more action for your pound.

Latest news out from WA HQ is that Head First, the Island based watersports centre which specialises in kitesurfing and wakeboarding will be attracting some of the most radical freestylers for a limited entry freestyle jam.

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Press release issued By Standards Not Tiers on behalf of St Helen’s, Yarmouth and Chale Primary Schools SOS Action Groups

On Monday 8th September delegates from St Helen’s, Chale and Yarmouth Primary Schools held a meeting in St Helens, which was attended by Representatives of NASS, (National Association for Small Schools) and SNT (Standards-Not-Tiers).

Left to right: Sarah Edmunds, Chris Welsford, Miranda Botha, Mervyn Benford, Chris Farnsworth, Alison Bacon, Patrick Joyce, Lisa Dyer, Owen Toms, Caroline Diamond, Jonathan Bacon.

Speakers discussed the Isle of Wight Council proposals for the reorganisation and closure of schools, which are amongst the smallest and most successful in the country and agreed to offer assistance to all Island schools that are threatened with closure, both primary and middle.

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As parents of a pupil of Niton Primary School - we were advised today of a public consultation meeting being held this Thursday.

There are four meetings being arranged over the next week or so for parents of pupils at specific schools.

In case you hadn’t received notification, here are the details from the EduWight Web site.

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The White Air Extreme Sports Festival is almost upon us once again and for another year there will be loads of ‘Have a Go’ events.

If you want to take advantage of skating on some of the UK’s top mini-ramps, then you’ll need to register asap, as we hear that tickets are selling fast.

You won’t need to pay a penny but you will need to register to gain access to the ramps.

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Thanks to County Councillor Patrick Joyce for sending through this response to a report in the County Press last week that he had not returned his annual report for last year. He disputes this allegation and you can read his Annual Report below. Ed

Reference article in last week County Press. I would like to clarify two points I am no longer a member of the Conservative group in County Hall and to rebuke the outright lie that I did not forward my annual report telling my constituency what had happened in the last year, unfortunately I assume Chairman Pugh did not like it so it was not published.

I attach a copy for my constituents (see below), they can decide at next year’s election if they believe I am carrying out my duties or not.

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Many thanks to Kevin for sending through this report from the Ventnor Angling and Social Club. Ed

Kevin Mole Outboards & Chandlery Open Boat Specimen Competition hosted by Ventnor Angling and Social Club took place on Sunday 27th July.

Calm and sunny weather added competitors in last weekends specimen boat open hosted by Ventnor angling and social club allowing charters and small dinghies to fish from four harbours around the Island.

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If you have some free time and would like to put it to good use, why not consider being a volunteer driver? Janet Short from the IW Rural Community Council has been in touch, looking for help in recruting volunteer drivers. Ed

Driving voluntarily for the Optio Voluntary Car Service is rewarding and fulfilling; you can tell us how much time you are able to give and we can co-ordinate this through the Optio Helpline in Newport.

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White Air Extreme Sports Festival takes place in September this year and we’ve just heard that it is to host the Windsurfing Freestyle UK Championships.

It’s a one-off UKWA championships and will determine the UK champion for the year and include the top professionals in the sport

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This planning to go along to the open air cinema at Brading Roman Villa tonight wil be keeping their fingers crossed for dry weather.

The forecast looks okay, so we’re sure there will be plenty of people will be taking a picnic and enjoying watching Anthony Minghella’s The Talented Mr Ripley in the open air.

Book your tickets (£10 each) by calling the Brading Roman Villa on 406223.

Image: Salon

Bembridge Beaux Arts will also be taking part in the Open Studios event this year with their exhibition extended through til Tuesday next week.

I, Holly, set up the Bembridge Beaux Arts five years ago, initially as a one day event, but after its success in year one, it became a three day exhibition with a private view on the Saturday night prior to opening.

Beaux Arts deals in contemporary work and is as much about creating an event, an ambience, an energy, as it is about the art work itself.

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If you saw the TV news (or BBC Online) yesterday, you will’ve seen footage of a whirlwind whoosing across the car park on Brading Downs.

The video footage was taken by Gary Morrow, of Ryde and can be seen on the BBC Web site.

It’s quite extraordinary to watch.

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News just in from the White Air HQ is that indie rockers, The Pigeon Detectives will be headlining at White Air this year.

The line up for the live music stage and parties is cracking, with the likes of The Operators, Sam Isaac and Mama’s Gun hitting the stage, whilst the legendary Rob da Bank takes to the decks for the White Air party.

Check out the White Air Web site for more details.

Being friends of the Brading Roman Villa, we’re always happy to help promote events for the Villa.

Next week Pyjama Pictures of Bath will be back at Brading Roman Villa setting up for another evening of open air cinema.

In a nod to the late Anthony Minghella, this year they will be showing his award winning thriller ‘The Talented Mr Ripley’ starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law.

Organisers recommend bringing along a picnic and a blanket

Book your tickets (£10 each) by calling the Brading Roman Villa on 406223.

Image: Salon

Many thanks to Jane Garner for sending in news of how Ventnor’s children did in the Primary School Island Games at the weekend. Congratulations to the Ventnor team who came second! Ed

I thought it would be nice for Ventnor to hear how well their young children did on Saturday at the first Primary School Island Games. (more…)

The Big Bike returns to the Wight in a couple of weeks time to help raise funds for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

The bike need 15 riders and every seat is sponsored. It’ll travel around various locations on the Wight, where the teams have their fun filled ride.

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Following our news yesterday of the smashing of the SuperLoo in Brading, we spoke to Patrick Joyce, IW councillor for the Brading and St Helen’s, who reflected the feeling of many, “What would drive people to carry out mindless vandalism like this?”

The IW Council has confirmed the damage included the local artwork as well as the urinals, days after they had opened.

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We’ve heard from a reliable source that the new superloo in Brading has been completely destroyed.

The mindless vandals have apparently done a real job on it with a serious intent using hammers and other gear. (more…)

With only a week or so to get over Bestival in September, come the 19th it starts all over again with the White Air Extreme Sports Festival.

As well as all the great sports activities to watch and take part in, there’ll also be live music from 12pm-10pm on Friday and Saturday and 12pm-6pm on Sunday.

The lineup is starting to be confirmed and the thumbs up have already come for Sam Issac, Guy Page Trio, The Operators, Bastila, Lucid, The Wild Oats, Fred Jones and The Kurves.

Spinning the vinyl for at least one of the late night parties will be none other than Bestival head honcho himself, Rob da Bank.

The White Air RAF Multi-sport Park for 2008 has been extended yet again to include even more sports action, arts and djs!

King Ramps are bringing their brand new 5ft mini-ramp (like the one pictured which featured at the Goldcoast Oceanfest, to White Air this year, supported by the new healthy juice drink, SUSO. (more…)

If swinging is your thing, then this event organised by the Friends of Brading Roman Villa should be right up your street.

But you can forget about dropping your car keys into a bowl on the coffee table, for it is the dancing form of swinging that we’re talking about.

Singing and Swinging is a fundraising event in the grounds of the Villa and aims to raise funds and awareness for the Friends of Brading Roman Villa and St Lawrence Churches.

From 7pm you can enjoy (if that’s your thing) the favourites of Gilbert and Sullivan, performed by the very able Island Savoyards. Then to really get you going, the Unity Stompers will have you swinging your hips and thumping your fingers from 8pm for at least two hours.
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If you’ve been running out of things to do with the kids this week, how about heading over to Sandown where the Sandown Carnival Association have lots of free activities still happening this half term.

Today and tomorrow, they invite you to join them for Puppet Costume workshops.

Tony, a top carnival designer will be making two large scale puppets for entry in this year’s carnival at Sandown Town Hall. (more…)

• Bembridge CE Primary School 4 – 11 1FE (Rural School)
  (possible relocation to Forelands Middle site)
• Nettlestone Primary School 4 – 11 1FE (Rural School)
• St Helens Primary School Closed

We’re all becoming wearily-familiar with how often private information about us is being lost by government departments.

The latest to become public (how many more of them are there that we don’t hear about?), concerns the Isle of Wight.

The data of 38,650 NHS patients going back as far as 1996 have been lost on their way between London and Sandown Health Centre on the Island.

Don’t laugh here, but the reason it was being sent was … to check the backup, in case the data was LOST!
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