Ventnor Blog

Anyone who came along to VentnorBlog Presents … last weekend will have been thoroughly impressed with our choice of venue, The Bonchurch Manor Hotel.

Some of those who visited the exhibition might not have realised that the space which housed Julian Winslow’s fantastic photography, is normally home to The Tiffin Room.
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Yesterday saw the start of the Island Expo, the catering and hospitality exhibition taking places at Haven Events Centre, Cowes Yacht Haven.

Our favourite photographer Julian Winslow was shooting at the event and sent through this wonderful shot of Jose Graziosi from The George in Yarmouth, demonstrating his culinary skills to a captive audience.
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Today sees the launch of the Island Expo.

This looks to be an excellent event, which we hope to pop up to (time permitting) at some point over the next two days.
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FairTrade products do really help the rural producers in foreign parts. Without it they are living on peanuts, for growing peanuts for us.

The big conglomerates regularly screw the poor workers into extreme poverty. But, cooperatives, properly supported by the Fairtrade movement, gives them a half decent living.

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Local sausage man, Paul Murphy is the final name on the list of generous supporters for our forthcoming exhibition, VentnorBlog Presents.

We’ve been fans of Paul’s sausages since he first started out on his own about a year and a half ago.

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We’re almost at the end of the list of supporters for VentnorBlog Presents … but not quite.

We’ve been bowled over by the enthusiasm of local producers offering support for the private view of our forthcoming exhibition at Bonchurch Manor Hotel.
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We’re super chuffed to have The Isle of Wight Cheese Company join the list of Island producers who are supporting VentnorBlog Presents ….

As we’re sure you already know, the Isle of Wight Cheese Company have had great success with the range of cheeses they produce at the Queen’s Bower Dairy in Arreton.

If you haven’t sampled any Isle of Wight cheese, check out the list of retailers on their website. (more…)

Yes, those lovely chaps down the road at
Ventnor Brewery have confirmed as supporters for our forthcoming event, VentnorBlog Presents which is being held at The Bonchurch Manor Hotel.

We’re massive fans of their products and have been consistently keen to try and offer the sponsorship to local business, so were really chuffed when they grabbed it with both hands. (more…)

Thanks to forum member Looby Loo for letting us know about this brilliant event that has been organised by a couple of Ventnor chaps.

Matt and Danny (maybe better known as Widget Productions) have organised a catering and hospitality trade exhibition taking place at the end of the month.
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For those of you fortunate enough to have time on your hands during the day to sit down and watch the box, you probably saw the week long series of programmes featuring the Isle of Wight last year.

You might remember that Ventnor’s very own brewery and fishery were featured.
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Thanks for forum member Looby Loo for letting us know that the Medieval Feast planned for Friday night has been cancelled.

We’ll let you know once a new date has been set.

Update: This event has been cancelled. We’ll let you know when it’s re-scheduled.

In case you weren’t aware, this Friday sees the return of themed nights at our favourite local tapas bar, El Toro Contento.

Last month saw the Andalucian buffet which was a storming success.

This month, they’re going medieval.

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We see in the The Times today that Adgestone Vineyard is up for sale.

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If there’s anyone out there looking for some work, just noticed that there’s a job going at Quay Arts in their rather excellent cafe.

You’ll get £5.52 per hour, but there were no details of how many hours they wanted someone for. Best to get in touch with them (822490) to find out and don’t forget to tell them where you saw it.

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Lorraine and Serafin from El Toro Contento tapas bar in Pier Street are putting on an Andalucian buffet on Friday next week.

Not only will there be great food, but they have Paul Athey, of Banda Martinez playing live Spanish guitar. Cost for food for the evening is £16.80 and booking is essential (call on 857600).

Lorraine and Serafin are on the look out for solo musicians who can play once a month and will adapt the menu for the evening according to the style of music.

Details of a medieval feast planned on Friday 8th February to follow shortly.

Vegetarians might want to switch off now.

News reaches us that Ventnor butcher and Deli, Norris & Knight are now stocking rare roast beef.

According to Mark who has been searching as far as Newport for some rare roast beef, he was delighted to discover that our local butcher now stocks delicious, perfectly cooked, and pink through and through, rare roast beef.

Apparently, it literally melts in the mouth. Support your local butcher and give some a go.

Just in case you didn’t get that … rare roast beef at Norris and Knight!

Thanks to forum member, DarkKnight for posting up this joke below and putting a smile on our faces. Whilst we’re at it congratulations should also be extended to FarmersBoy for creating the most popular thread on the forum. 44,984 views since its creation back in April 2007.

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If you fancy seeing the New Year in with a continental twist, then the Ventnor Towers Hotel in Madeira Road is just the place for you.

If you’re a lover of all things French, then here’s your chance to dress up in your favourite clobber and enjoy a night of fine wines, luxurious foods and great entertainment.

For one night only The Towers will be transformed into the Moulin Rouge where you can enjoy a fabulous six course gala dinner. To follow, there’ll be French and Isle of Wight cheeses, coffee and French truffles (natch).
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News reaches us (thanks Mark) that due to popular demand, Norris & Knight Deli in Ventnor High Street will now be making an addition to their selection of Isle of Wight cheeses.

You may’ve already sampled the excellent, award winning Isle of Wight Blue which they have been running for sometime, and you may’ve even got yourself some of the Isle of Wight cheddar from the Newport Farmer’s Market in the past.

Now you don’t have to go that far if you fancy a bit of cheese for the weekend. As of tomorrow, Norris and Knight will be stocking Isle of Wight cheddar. Hurrah!

Come next Saturday, Ventnor should be buzzing with activity and hopefully lots of visitors from around the Island.

This is because Saturday 8th December is when the work of several Ventnor businesses comes to fruition and we see the Ventnor Christmas Fun Day.

Organised by Wendy (Thistle Cafe) and Kim (Fish & Chip shop), the day promises lots of fun for the kids and entertainment for the big kids (that’s you and I).
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BUSINESSES, schools and community groups on the Isle of Wight that have been shortlisted are being invited along to the annual healthy eating awards ceremony which is being staged at the Royal London Yacht Club in Cowes on 30 November. (more…)

Following the news that Alan Staley, Head Chef at The Royal Hotel receiving the Island Life ‘Chef of the Year’ award last week, Simon popped along to the kitchen at the Royal to catch up with Alan.

Alan tells us about how he started out training at the Isle of Wight College and moved swiftly onto The Savoy Hotel in London, where he worked for about a year (a lifetime in kitchen terms).

Following that cheffed at various restaurants and hotels, including onboard the QE2, before heading back to the Island to settle with his family.

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For the third year running, Ventnor Community Projects will be opening their doors on Christmas Day (and Boxing Day) and welcoming anyone in the community who might otherwise be spending the day on their own.

If you’re not looking forward to the prospect of spending your Christmas in front of the TV with a meal for one, why not spend the day down at the Projects? (more…)

This coming weekend sees the return of the annual Christmas fair at St Catherine’s church in Ventnor.

The celebrations kick off on Thursday evening at 7.30pm with a concert of light entertainment, this is followed on Friday lunchtime by another concert.
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If you can’t make it up to Ryde tonight for The Wild Oats charity single launch gig, but are planning to be around Newport, why not head over to Coast (opposite Morrisons).

As we mentioned a while back, Blunt Events and Mind Matters have teamed up, to provide a little haven on Friday and Saturday nights where you can chill out with fine wines, beautiful beers and super tasty tapas.

Open from 8pm til 2am, it’s a great place to meet up with friends, and as well as the food and drink, you’ll be treated to some crazy visuals and a cracking selection of music too.

Prices are reasonable and the hosts super friendly. Highly recommended.

Oh, and you get to see some of Mike Forrest’s brilliant artwork on the walls too.