Ventnor Blog

If you still haven’t executed that New Year’s Resolution to get fitter and leaner, this new yoga class could be just the thing for you.

You might not be burning off the calories, but you will become more supple and flexible, find yourself with better posture and as well as detoxing your organs, it’ll contribute to your general well being.

The class is for beginners and starts next Wednesday at the Trinity Church Hall at 7.40pm.
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Last week we felt very lucky to be asked along to the Island premiere of Gum Fu: Enter The Clinic.

The film was created by the Streets Ahead team in association with IOW Chlamydia Screening Programme and after the screening we chatted to those involved.

The film was excellent, it was extremely informative as well as being full of humour and professionally produced. First up in our series of podcasts is Sarah Stringer, chlamydia screening coordinator for IOW. (more…)

Yesterday was National Non Smoking Day and Island Quitters, the local NHS Stop Smoking service have written to VentnorBlog to let all the smokers in the Ventnor area know, that between 10.30 and 11.30am on Tuesdays from the 22nd of April, they will be at the Community Cafe in Albert Street to give advice and support to anyone who would like to give up smoking. (more…)

If you live in a busy household and struggle to find ‘me time’ or ‘clam’ time then a church group in Niton called The Sanctuary might be just what you need.

The group meets Tuesday afternoons during term time between 1-2.30pm at Niton Parish Church.
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Tomorrow sees the Withyar Tree Essence workshop take place.

Jan Harper is inviting readers a special, one day workshop at Merlin’s, Holyroad St, Newport.
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Next Tuesday you will have an opportunity to meet two new members of the Ventnor Community.

Emma Bush and Elizabeth Fox will be starting work within our community as health trainers.

They hope to provide help, support and encouragement for those of you who are looking to change the way you live, in order to make your lives healthier. (more…)

It seems strange that only last weekend we were watching a video of Maharishi, listening to his teachings on trans- cendental meditation.

We discussed his age and retirement and are saddened to hear today that he passed away last night in his home in Vlodrop, the Netherlands.

The positive influence that he had on so many people’s life cannot be ignored.
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Yes ladies, don’t forget that if you’re in Neport tomorrow evening, make sure you pop into Coast (opposite Morrisons) to get the low down on mineral makeup.
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Just putting a last call out to all Transcendental Meditators, off and on the Wight.

This weekend sees another retreat with Will Treend at East Dene in Bonchurch.

The previous retreats have been wonderful experiences and the intensity of the rounding sessions in a close environment with other meditators provides great energy. (more…)

Quick note to let you know that there are still places available on the forthcoming TM Retreat.

If Transcendental Meditation is something you’ve been considering, but never got around to sorting out, why not seize the opportunity and give TM teacher, Will Treend a call (404560)?

The practice of Transcendental Meditation is a wonderful experience, bringing huge health benefits and greater inner peace.

You can find out more information about TM by visiting Will’s website or reading a review of one of last years retreats.

Image of Will practising yogic flying courtesy of Jon

Will Treend is hosting another weekend retreat for enlightened transcendental meditators next month.

The retreat takes place at the wonderful East Dene in Bonchurch and runs from the evening of Friday 1st February to afternoon of Sunday 3rd.

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Something that has been brought to our attention via the forum is that the High Street newsagents, SLV News (formerly TC News) has an application in with the council to change from selling Newspapers, sweets and fizzy pop to selling alcohol.

From looking at the application form and plans, it appears that they intend to take over the Country Kitchen (No. 37) and extend into there, expanding the business considerably.

From comments on the forum, it’s clear that many feel that another source of alcohol in town is unnecessary. (more…)

We’re delighted to welcome children’s author, Bethan Christopher on board as a contributor to VentnorBlog.

She popped along to have a chat with Jan Harper of Earth Trinity Essences to find out what it is, that so very special about the trees on the Wight. Ed

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IT IS colourless and odourless - but it can kill.

Carbon monoxide is potentially deadly gas that is the number one cause of accidental poisoning in the home across most of the western world including the United Kingdom, the USA and France.
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We’ve so much admiration for the Fell runners who gathered in Ventnor last weekend. It takes a lot to run the hilly streets of Ventnor, never mind up to the Downs.

The first bod had recently finished his run, having last completed all three races ten years ago. We left a bit of atmosphere of the day at the start of this chat, to try and place you there.

Podcasts after the click.
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Hundreds of people gathered at Cowes Yacht Haven for The Isle of Wight Peoples People Awards last night.

We are so chuffed to hear that Asa Singleton was not only nominated and received the award for the Most Courageous Child, to which he received a standing ovation (the only one of the evening) but he also won the overall Peoples Person Award 2007, as voted for by the public.

We have photos and a write up following on VB soon. In the meantime, congratulations Asa, you really deserve the credit for your amazing courage and constant optimism.

Just heard on IWRadio that a blind charity worker is due to pilot a Hovercraft across the Solent at 3.15pm today.

Colin McArthur is hoping that his flight across the water between Ryde and Portsmouth today will raise awareness for Retinitis Pigmentosa, as well as funds for research into the condition which he was struck with twenty years ago.

He will be guided through the traffic of tankers, ferries and other obstacles by one of HoverTravel’s pilots.

For more info on the condition, check out the The British Retinitis Pigmentosa Society website.

We’ve just heard from Duncan Smith on the IW Radio news that Andrew Turner has been speaking to the House of Commons about his stroke and praising the treatment that he had at St Mary’s hospital.

When he rose to speak in the house yesterday, he was met with a range of supporting “hear, hear’s” from fellow MPs.

His actual quote was

My hon. Friend draws attention to the need for better care for stroke sufferers. Some 110,000 people suffer from stroke each year, and last December I was among them. I was extremely lucky, because I received excellent care from the specialist stroke unit at St. Mary’s hospital on the Isle of Wight.

I owe them so much for that and would like to thank them all publicly for it. Does my hon. Friend agree that other people in other places need care as good and as local as ours is on the island?

We tried to get hold of the audio recording from the Parliamentary Broadcast Unit, but we were told that it would cost us £8 per second, with a minimum charge of £240 with an additional £100 charge for locating it. No surprise to say that we had to say no.

We’ve been pleased to see Andrew quickly recuperating and have seen him at various events of the last few months, in fact he was at the launch of Fusion magazine the other night.

Andrew Turner photo by our youngest photographer, aged 6. Yes, we’re keeping it in the family.

You might remember back at the end of March, I posted a piece about a lad from Ryde called Asa. We’d been to see a film about his life, travels and experiences filmed, directed and edited by Simon Higgins.

There was a fundraiser screening in April which was hugely successful, but if you missed that one, there is another planned for Thursday evening at Ryde High School.

This is a truly amazing story and if you haven’t seen it already, I’d recommend going along and taking with you, your kids/grandkids or anyone who ever moans about having a headache or feeling a bit sick.

This kid has been through the mill, back again and through the mill again - yet he continues to remain positive, enthusiastic about life and is a total inspiration to everyone who he comes in contact with.

Check out his website for a preview of the film and maybe see you there tomorrow.

Free entrance and film starts at 8pm.

Congratulations to Liz Earle and her fellow co-founder of Ryde based Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare, Kim Buckland, who were yesterday awarded MBEs in recognition of their services to the beauty industry.

During the Working Lunch report last week, Liz explained that prior to setting up what has become the biggest independent British beauty company, she was a health and beauty writer.

But it’s not just skin deep, what Liz really promoted in her interview with Graeme Le Saux was the Island lifestyle. Having her business based on the Island means she can work hard and have the wonderful balance of being surrounded by some of the UKs most stunning views.
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You will have read about the new multipurpose community venue for musical, artistic and healing based activities that is called …. the studio.

Well, you couldn’t open a swanky new venue like that without having a cracking launch, and they have a great one lined up for all you fun-loving Islanders.

The opening party will feature the Wight Light Orchestra. Those in the know will recognise some of the band members from their previous works. Heading it up is the cosmic Max Brennan, joined by Louis Soteriou, Jon McMullen, Jack Phoenix (VBs very own Bestival correspondent) tinkering with the ivories, with Al Gubbins and Dave Granshaw on percussion.

Support comes in the form of The Bees Sound Selection and Nick Name.

Kicks off at 8pm and closes at 2am. Entry will cost you £8.

Anyone going along who wants to submit a review (with pics) get in touch.

I know it feels like they always want a piece of you (especially at the rate of Ventnor’s Council Tax) and they’d have the shirt off your back if they could. But for one day only, why not brush that feeling aside and go and do something amazing.

Pop along to the Ventnor Winter Gardens to donate some of your lovely thick red blood. Sessions are running between 1.15pm to 3.15pm and then again between 4.15pm and 7pm.

That’s today ….

I wonder if they still give you a pint of Guinness afterwards?

Give Blood

As part of the Transcendental Meditation retreat at East Dene this coming weekend, those lucky enough to attend will be treated to a demonstration of yogic flying.

I’ve been wanting to see this in the flesh for ages, so really looking forward to it. We hope to get some photos and will post them in the next review.

Don’t forget to confirm your place on the retreat which kicks off from 4pm this Friday by calling Zoe or Will on 01983 404560 or 07950 216374.

Prices are £99 for the weekend including all food and drink if staying in dorms (note that you’ll get a whole dorm to yourself as the place is huge) or £140 if you wish to stay in a smaller room.

If you are unable to attend for the entire weekend, but would like to attend for just one day, this can be arranged at a reduced fee.

[image courtesy of Eitan Hess-Ashkenazi/AP]

Josephine started her weekly yoga classes at Niton Primary School again last night from 6-7.30pm.

If you can’t make the Monday class, there’ll be another on Thursdays starting at 4.30 finishing at 6pm.

Classes are £5 and you don’t need to pre-book.

You never know, if you practice hard enough you might be able to do the pictured move yourself in a few months time!

[Image courtesy of Anita.Net]

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From next Monday (23rd) anyone in Ventnor seeking contraception and sexual health advice will no longer need to travel to Newport to do so.

A new walk-in clinic is being launched on Mondays at Grove House Surgery (Albert Street) between 4-5pm. It will be open to registered and non registered patients of the surgery and is being created in association with FACT (Free and Confidential Advice from People you can Trust).

So what kind of thing is available you ask? Well free condoms, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing and sexual health advice. If you have any concerns about your sexual health, it’s always best to talk to someone about it rather than brush it under the carpet (or hide it under the sheets).

It’s free. It’s confidential. It’s in Ventnor.