Can I just put on record how great I think that the blog is. As a "newcomer" to this lovely town I have learnt masses from the blog and the forum that I couldn't have learnt in any other way. - Regards, John
As part of the Big Draw Campaign taking place soon, Island2000 are inviting families and residents to take part in a public art project in East Cowes.
Anyone who has been to that part of the Island over the past few years will know of the blue hoardings. Over time various artwork has been added to the hoardings, brightening the area up.
In a week on Saturday, Island 2000 are inviting families, residents, artists, to draw portraits of themselves, family, friends and pets directly on the blue hoardings by St James’ Church, to create a giant community artwork as part of this year’s Big Draw event.
Those very cool cats from the Brighton Maracatu will be gracing the Island next week as part of the Black History Month celebrations.
The event is free and everyone is welcome. It all takes place at The Carnival Learning Centre at Westridge in Ryde and kicks off at 7pm running til 8.30pm.
If you want a flavour of what to expect, check out this video.
Get your lipgloss at the ready girls - tomorrow night promises a spectacular live show at Ryde Theatre for all commercial house and R&B lovers.
Hed Kandi artists Cherise Roberts and Nadia Shepherd (from the original line-up of Big Brovaz) better known as Booty Luv will be gracing the stage at Ryde Theatre tomorrow night.
Best known for the singles Boogie 2nite (check the video at the bottom of the post) which topped the charts and Some Kinda Rush, the gorgeous duo will be performing live on stage.
But it’s not just all about the music. There’ll be special fx, lasers and a full light show to make this an extra special night. Not only that, but there’s also the chance to have your photo taken with Nadia and Cherise on the night.
Heart breaking to hear that another young person has been lost on the Island.
Mary Hiles, girlfriend of previously missing 28 year old, Stephen Stribbling had posted on a social network this morning that that Stephen had been found this morning.
We had quite a number of people contact us about this today, but held off publishing until the Police confirmed the identification and that next of kin had been informed. Stephen’s body was found at Compton Bay this morning at 7:39.
A number of people have posted comments on the appeal for information that VentnorBlog put out, and the Missing Person Facebook page set up by Mary has well over 300 members. It’s clear from that and from comments on his own Facebook that Stephen was a person with lots of friends.
Stephen left Sandown High in 1993 and we understand was involved with The Isle of Wight Youth Concert Band having toured with them recently.
It’s horrible to have to write this again so soon - our feelings go out to all of those who have been affected by this.
Police on the Isle of Wight are still appealing for information about the whereabouts of a missing man.
28-year-old Stephen Stribbling, of Castle Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight, was last seen at his home address on Thursday, September 25, after he did not turn up for work at the Tesco store at Westridge.
Black History Month kicks off tomorrow and this coming Thursday Islanders are invited along to a free event at the Carnival Learning Centre in Ryde.
Alexander D Great is known as the Emperor of SocaBlues and the premier calypsonian.
He was born in Belmont, Trinidad, but brought up in West London, and has always been around musicians, making music for a living himself by the age of twenty.
Once again the Isle of Wight has been chosen as the location to kick off a National tour. Featuring the Island’s very own six-pack hunk, Gareth Icke, The Liberty Tour comes to Liquid Lounge in Ryde at the end of next month.
The artists on the tour are:
Jono - Glasgow - “One of the finest new singer songwriters to emerge in recent years”, Jim Gellatl.
Jess Morgan - London - “The glorious energy and lyricism of Bruce Springsteen’s very early material”, Steve Lamacq
and of course, Gareth Icke who is described by Alex Zane as “Disgustingly handsome”.
The Island show also features top Island bands Carousel Era and Claydon Connor plus DJ Jez will take the night through til 2am.
As mentioned at the weekend, we will be attending the inquest this morning of the tragic sudden death of a Ryde woman which took place last Wednesday evening.
As readers know, the news below is not the sort of thing that VentnorBlog normally reports, however we’ve been led to believe that its relevance will become clear.
Police have confirmed to VB that they were called to an address in Ryde, at 6:07pm on Wednesday to investigate a sudden death.
A 37 year old woman was pronounced dead at the property by the paramedics.
Next of kin have been informed and the police are not treating the death as suspicious, they are however, investigating the death on behalf of the coroner.
VentnorBlog will be at the coroner’s court on Monday and will report live after the opening of the inquest.
Our sincere condolences to those who have been affected by this.
It’s unfortunate to hear that Sail Ventures Ltd of Cowes has gone into liquidation.
There were high hopes for the business, which at its peak employed 16 people. Indeed they were one of the Island companies featured on the BBC TV programme Working Lunch (video) (towards the end).
Their Express 40 boat sold for around £200,000 and was built using the latest composites moulding techniques and materials from Newport-based composites specialist, Gurit.
Double Olympic gold medallist, Shirley Robertson, will be out on the Solent this coming Thursday with a group of young mothers from the Isle of Wight.
It is part of a collaboration between charity UKSA, Liz Earle Cosmetics and a local support group.
Liz Earle Cosmetics has donated £10,000 of funding to UKSA for the project, which aims to inspire and motivate single mums between the ages of 18 and 25 and help build their confidence and self esteem.
It sits well with their Corporate Social Responsibility policy, which aims to give something back to the community.
National Black History Month will soon be upon us again and there are a variety of events planned on the Isle of Wight.
The Carnival Learning Centre in Ryde will be hosting a number of free interactive lectures and demonstrations by visiting artists highlighting the African roots in modern carnival music.
It kicks off with a free Calypso evening featuring Alexander D Great.
He’s BBC’s Calysonian in Residence. A highly talented musician who, we’re told, always delivers entertaining and poignant performances.
We’ll have details of the other events happening during October coming up over the next week, so don’t forget to check back.
The Carnival Learning Centre can be found at Westridge, Brading Road, Ryde
Thought to have originated in Egypt, there are many different styles of belly dancing.
For those who have previously belly danced or anyone with a dance background, at the beginning of next month, there will be a opportunity to learn more about the art, which which dates back to ancient times.
Belly dancing teachers from around the world will be descending upon Gunard Pines in a couple of weeks time to take part in a day of belly dance workshops.
This just in from Ellie Jenkins. Well done to all those concerned. Great to see the community getting involved for the benefit of the many - Ed.
St John’s Park, Ryde is looking a lot cleaner after a community clear-up day on Sunday 14 September.
The park is a privately owned woodland between East Hill and West Hill Roads, which is open to the public. Once a year local people turn out to help clear up any rubbish.
It’s great to hear that the UKSA (UK Sailing Academy) has just presented three UKSA Yachting Cadetship students with funding from Trinity House.
These lucky three were selected as the most enthusiastic and deserving candidates following a gruelling selection process.
They’ll have 90% of their tuition fees paid and a monthly allowance during the three-year UKSA Yachting Cadetship programme, which is designed to provide qualifications and skills to gain employment in the superyacht industry.
A major folk music star since 1964, Julie Felix has undoubtedly earned her accolade as Britain’s First Lady of Folk.
Julie has used her music to work tirelessly for many charities and causes, throughout her career and celebrates in her own inimitable style at Acoustics at the Altar on 12th September 2008 at 8pm.
As the first solo folk artist to be signed to a major British record company, Julie Felix’s career has spanned four decades, beginning as Britain’s First Lady of Folk (The London Times) and selling out the Royal Albert Hall, Julie Felix has campaigned tirelessly against war and for Human Rights throughout her career.
This Thursday night sees the very last Making Waves session take place at Ryde Theatre.
Making Waves was the brainchild of those running The Development Suite. Regular readers of VentnorBlog will remember that back in December last year, they put an invitation out to all Island musicians to come forward and take advantage of a great opportunity.
That opportunity was to play on stage at Ryde Theatre, be recorded by IW Radio for later broadcast on the Live and Local Show and be interviewed by Glynn Taylor.
Thanks To Alex Mann from the Musician’s Union for sending through this call out to all MU members on the Wight. Following this meeting at Ryde Theatre, will be the last Making Waves of the season and possibly ever (at Ryde Theatre). If you can, do go along and show your support. Ed
Calling all MU members on the Isle of Wight
The East & South East region would like to invite all MU members living and working on the Isle of Wight to an open meeting, due to take place on Thursday 4th September at Ryde Theatre.
The meeting will feature a presentation and Q&A session hosted by Paul Burrows and Alex Mann of the East & South East region of the MU, and will also give members on the island a chance meet MU officials face to face and discuss issues relating to any aspect of their working lives as musicians.
Anyone who has been to that part of the Island over the past few years will know of the blue hoardings. Over time various artwork has been added to the hoardings, brightening the area up.
Taking place in November, 
Graham Robins promises a night of acoustic music encapsulating all that is good in Soul, Blues, Country and Gospel music in one big package!
Hed Kandi artists Cherise Roberts and Nadia Shepherd (from the original line-up of Big Brovaz) better known as 
Police on the Isle of Wight are still appealing for information about the whereabouts of a missing man.
Black History Month kicks off tomorrow and this coming Thursday Islanders are invited along to a free event at the 
The artists on the tour are:
Simon is out on the Solent with Shirley Robertson.
It’s unfortunate to hear that Sail Ventures Ltd of Cowes has gone into liquidation.
It is part of a collaboration between charity UKSA, Liz Earle Cosmetics and a local support group.
On Thursday 9 October, members of the Wycombe Steel Orchestra will take you on a journey through the history of the wonderful steel pans.
We took a look inside and were really impressed with what the shop had to offer.
Good to hear that the IW council has been taking care of those who have been affected by the potentially dangerous fire in Whippingham, East Cowes.
For those who have previously belly danced or anyone with a dance background, at the beginning of next month, there will be a opportunity to learn more about the art, which which dates back to ancient times.
St John’s Park, Ryde is looking a lot cleaner after a community clear-up day on Sunday 14 September.
It’s great to hear that the UKSA (UK Sailing Academy) has just presented three UKSA Yachting Cadetship students with funding from Trinity House.
As parents of a pupil of Niton Primary School - we were advised today of a public consultation meeting being held this Thursday. 
Julie has used her music to work tirelessly for many charities and causes, throughout her career and celebrates in her own inimitable style at Acoustics at the Altar on 12th September 2008 at 8pm.
Making Waves was the brainchild of those running The Development Suite. Regular readers of VentnorBlog will remember that back in December last year, they put an 
Calling all MU members on the Isle of Wight