Great to see the Ventnor paddling pool re-open last week - and to marvel at the splendid new paint job that it’s been given again this year.
Three cheers for the IW Council!
Ever popular with visitors and residents alike, the council had originally anticipated that it would actually be re-opening at the start of July, so it makes it all the better to see it open in time for the school’s half term.
Hearing the reports of snow on the radio yesterday and seeing some of the pictures added to the VentnorBlog Flickr Group (like the one pictured here by MO-NIC-KE) and County Press from where were were in Ventnor, it was heard to believe.
In sunny Ventnor the sky was blue, the clouds light and fluffy and certainly far below the Downs, the closest we got to snow was about 10 minutes worth, which melted on contact with any surface.
Whoops, seems I got my dates mixed up and originally added an extra day onto the Carnival week. It does of course end on Saturday 18th August with the illuminated processions through town and not Sunday 19th.
Thanks to Brenda pointing this out and sending through further info on activities planned for Carnival week.
On Tuesday 14th August there will be a Carnival Rings Competition at the Royal British Legion (time to be released in the programme available in Seasons, the Bonchurch and St. Lawrence Post Offices and the Spar in Upper Ventnor).
The committee are also endeavouring to get a Carnival Petanque contest arranged and although there are no further details at present, we’ll let you know as soon as info comes our way.
On Thursday 16th, there will be a Carnival Putting Competition in the Park - which you can enter on the day (that’s the comp, natch).
We’ll let you have more news as it comes through. Looks like a great week for residents and holidaymakers.
As we’ve previously reported the first Ventnor StreetStyle Festival will take place on 11th August at Ventnor Skate Park on the Eastern Esplanade.
It all kicks off at noon and the day is jam packed with loads to do. There’ll be a music marquee with live bands and DJs, a skate competition, Graffiti Art for all to try, face painting (for the big kids!), BBQ and apparently, loads more. We’ll bring you details when we get them.
Here’s the exciting bit for all you young budding musicians (and we know there’s loads of you out there). There’s going to be a battle of the bands competition, so young bands from around the Island are encouraged to get rehearsing right now. The comp takes place in the afternoon and if you want to take part, call Graeme to register on 07841 713404.
We’re very honoured that ‘one man musical movement’ Ergo Phizmiz has created a very special mix, exclusively for VentnorBlog.
There’s not much to say, apart from it’s named the Wight Russian Vapour Mix and is superb. Close the door, switch off your mobile, click on the arrow below, sit back and enjoy.
If you like what you hear then log onto New York radio station, WFMU between 11pm and midnight tonight when they will be broadcasting four new Ergo Phizmiz & Jack Phoenix compositions “Four Variations on Erik Satie’s Le Tango Perpetual” on Do Or DIY with People Like Us.
Carnival season is not far away now, so thanks to Brenda for sending us through the schedule for Ventnor Carnival week in August.
As always, there’s loads to do for residents and visitors and it kicks off on Sunday 12th August with a Variety Show at the Ventnor Winter Gardens.
The Holiday Princesses competition takes place on the Monday - so if you’re coming on holiday to Ventnor with your little princess, make sure you bring her favourite royal outfit. The winner gets the chance to be chauffeured around the town in the main carnival parade.
If you’ve got a dog (and we know there are lots in Ventnor) get yours washed and brushed up for the Scruffs Dog Show on Tuesday 14th.
Well done to Ventnor and the rest of the Island too, as each and every beach on the Isle of Wight has just been recommended for its water quality by the Marine Conservation Society.
This news, along with paid lifeguards and the fact that the beach is kept clean and well run by Jim and Sophie Blake is sure to win us the Blue Flag status next year.
With the soon to be introduced 20mph speed limit on the seafront (just waiting to hear back from the new mayor on her feasibility study) and the changes in parking and seafront seating for customers of the cafes, Ventnor is well on the way to really progressive regeneration.
Many thanks to David Mears, South Wight Warden for sending through news about what’s been happening recently up on the downs.
The feral goats are now a familiar sight on Bonchurch Down and in the 14 years that they have been there they have made a significant difference to the down improving the extent of the quality chalk grassland which has impressive displays of flowers and butterflies.
Holm oak trees were introduced to the Island from the Mediterranean in the 1700’s and have spread onto the down from gardens. They grow very well in our climate but unfortunately take over from the important chalk grassland with its range of specialist flowers and insects. The goats were introduced to help tackle this problem and they will happily eat and strip the bark off the more mature trees. The south facing slope of St Boniface Down features mature Holm Oak woodland which will be left untouched. It clearly shows what would happen to the adjacent down if scrub encroachment was not managed. (more…)
Ventnor Carnival might seem a long way off, but creating the costumes can take some time, so courses (8 weekly) start next week and will be available at four different venues.
Grab the opportunity to make a costume for yourself and/or your child around a theme and form part of the group entry at Ventnor Carnival on 15th August - and there’s also plans to take some to Ryde Arts Festival Parade on 7th July.
The cost is £16 ( or £2 per week) and the venues are as follows:
Tuesdays 1pm - 2.30pm @ St Wilfred’s School
Wednesdays 9am - 11am @ St Margarets School
Wednesdays 6pm - 8pm @ St Boniface School
Fridays 12midday - 2pm @ The Central (back room)
Open to all adults (older children 8+ welcome to evening session if working with their parent/carer). Local tutors - Gina Dyer, Sonia Cockbain and Hannah Ray
It seems our Ventnor wall lizards are keeping lots of people busy these days.
Not only have they sparked a discussion on the forum by fairly new member Steve L from Surrey, who visits Ventnor regularly and is currently carrying out some research on wall lizards, but I also came across an interesting post on The (rather excellent) Rangers Blog today. Well worth a read if you have any interest in nature and our environment.
With the wonderfully sunny weather we’ve been having, it’s fairly easy to spot the little reptiles (that’s the lizards not the PDs), so next time you take a walk along the Ventnor coast, keep your eyes peeled at about twelve feet ahead of you.
Good luck and if you spot any, don’t forget to comment on the discussion thread.
Just driven from Shankin back to Ventnor. Sun pouring down, car windows open, stunning views.
A sharp reminder about why this is one of the best places on Earth to live.
Gone are the clouds and the darkness, replaced by a sun that radiates the beauty of the landscape all around us.
Welcome to Spring in Ventnor.
(I tell you how good it looked - so good that I didn’t even mind the old boy doing 35 mph - complete with five cars behind him - snaking the whole way from Shankin.)
Great to see the Ventnor paddling pool re-open last week - and to marvel at the splendid new paint job that it’s been given again this year.
Hearing the reports of snow on the radio yesterday and seeing some of the pictures added to the 
Don’t forget that Ventnor sees it’s very first StreetStyle Festival on Ventnor’s Eastern Esplanade tomorrow.
It comes from a lady who visited the Island with her mother and made the effort to get down to Ventnor. It quickly became the highlight of their trip.
Thanks to Brenda pointing this out and sending through further info on activities planned for Carnival week.
It all kicks off at noon and the day is jam packed with loads to do. There’ll be a music marquee with live bands and DJs, a skate competition, Graffiti Art for all to try, face painting (for the big kids!), BBQ and apparently, loads more. We’ll bring you details when we get them.
As always, there’s loads to do for residents and visitors and it kicks off on Sunday 12th August with a Variety Show at the Ventnor Winter Gardens.
This news, along with paid lifeguards and the fact that the beach is kept clean and well run by Jim and Sophie Blake is sure to win us 
The feral goats are now a familiar sight on Bonchurch Down and in the 14 years that they have been there they have made a significant difference to the down improving the extent of the quality chalk grassland which has impressive displays of flowers and butterflies.
Grab the opportunity to make a costume for yourself and/or your child around a theme and form part of the group entry at Ventnor Carnival on 15th August - and there’s also plans to take some to Ryde Arts Festival Parade on 7th July.
Not only have they sparked a