Ventnor Blog

Leader of the Council, David Pugh will be answering questions from the Town Councillors and public during Monday’s Town Council Meeting.

As usual, the meeting will be held under the stage of the Ventnor Winter Gardens (access from the back of the car park through th fire exit doors).

We’d suggest you arrive at around 6.20pm as the meetings always start promptly at 6.30pm.

The usual set up is 15 minutes of public question time at the beginning of the meeting. Everyone is welcome.

Anyone who walks past the Ventnor Youth and Community Centre in Victoria Street will have noticed that as well as the main mural on the south facing wall being completed, the other murals on panels by entrance to the youth club are also now complete.

The credit for the creative work goes in the direction of Hannah Ray, Chris Haines and the youth involved.

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One thing that we’ve been thinking about for a while is taking a photo of every shop in Ventnor.

It would be literally be a snapshot of the town - a photographic record of a town that is undergoing transition.

We hadn’t found the time to do it - and frankly weren’t sure when we’d actually finding the opportunity.

Hurrah for the Ventnor2008 Group who have done exactly that and stuck them up on Flickr for everyone to see.

Each photo also explains the business that is currently using the shop.

Great to see people going out and doing something for the town.

Ventnor artist Teresa Grimaldi is in the throws of preparing for a forthcoming exhibition, which takes place in the Michael West Gallery at Quay Arts next year.

Last week she put call out on the VentnorBlog forum for any unloved or unwanted glove puppets.

Her exhibition takes place during May and June 2009 and she plans to create an installation for which she is making puppet casts.

She tells us that the glove puppets don’t need to be antique, Postman Pat, The Simpsons, cats, dogs, donkeys, you name it - Teresa can give them a reason to be.

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You might well have listened to Aydenne’s podcast yesterday where she outlined her past with the Jazz Festival.

Today’s section cover what she think the future of the Jazz Festival is in Ventnor. The good news is that she think that it’s got a great future - not least because she loves Ventnor!

Have a listen after the jump …
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In addition to the Community Learning Courses featured earlier, there are also some family learning courses that you can take advantage of.

FAMILY LITERACY, LANGUAGE AND NUMERACY
For parents who have children at Wroxall Primary School only.

A 20 week course for parents/carers to learn about the methods of teaching being used in school today.

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To say that Aydenne Simone is passionate about Jazz is somewhat of an understatement. She LOVES it.

She’s been a strong supporter of the Jazz Festival in the past, and continues to be now.

When she sings, she’s got a very strong voice and when she spoke to VentnorBlog a few weekends ago, she had some strong opinions about the Ventnor Jazz Festival, which she’s performed at previously.

We’ve split the audio into two separate sections - her experience with the Jazz Festival to date and, following tomorrow, what she sees for the future of the Jazz Festival.

Have a listen after the jump …
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Thanks to Alison Knapman for sharing the Autumn Edition of the Isle of Wight Council Community and Family Learning Service programme with VentnorBlog readers. There are all sorts of courses being run this term and certainly something to suit everyone. Take a look and book your place. Ed

A new series of courses are about to start, so please come and join in, have fun, meet people and learn new skills. The courses are very popular so please phone to book your place: 817288

Our courses are generously subsidised by the Isle of Wight Council and the Learning and Skills Council; however most opportunities incur a course fee and / or a material charge to help cover costs (see listings for details).

The course fees are the equivalent of £4 per session (£2 concessionary fee available for those on means tested benefit).

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If you’re not going to Bestival this weekend, but would like a bit of the live music action, then make sure you head down to the Ventnor Winter Gardens.

C’mon Everybody is one of the most breathtaking, action packed, colourful, vibrant, dazzling, foot tapping, non-stop rocking rolling shows out there and it’s coming to town this weekend.

This fantastic show should appeal to all ages and will bring back the nostalgia and brilliant music from the 50s and 60s, allowing you to experience first hand the magic time, when the country enjoyed One Big Party.

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Cheapest non-supermarket stations within 5 miles of “PO38″ for Diesel
Station : Sandford Garage
Address : Godshill, Sandford, Ventnor, PO38 3AL
Brand : Unbranded
Price : 125.9p
Updated : 02-09-2008

Station : Whitwell Garage
Address : High Street, Whitwell, Ventnor, PO38 2PY
Brand : Texaco
Price : 127p
Updated : 01-09-2008

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Press release from Hampshire and IOW Constabulary

Police officers and partner organisations are asking residents to continue playing an important part in keeping the Isle of Wight a safe place to live.

Two Community Engagement Forums are being held for the Upper Ventnor and Wroxall areas next week.

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CHAMPIONS AGAIN!! IT’S A FIFTH TITLE FOR VENTNOR AS ROWLEDGE ARE DEFEATED
In an extraordinary climax to the ECB Southern Electric Premier League season, all conquering Ventnor have lifted the Division 2 Championship for a fifth successive year.

In a winner-take-all clash with season long leaders Rowledge at sun drenched Steephill on Saturday, Mark Whyte’s side defied the odds to defeat their north Hampshire rivals by 53 runs and snatch the title from the grasp of David Lloyd’s team.

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Has anyone else noticed the novel approach that one Ventnor home-owner has taken in selling their property?

Rather than marketing the the actual house, the home-owner (a friend of ours) has made the decision to focus on the view from the property. After all, it’s one of Ventnor’s biggest selling points.

As with many properties in Ventnor, the view from this one in Upper Gills Cliff Road is stunning.

It looks out over the Victorian rooftops across town, and then beyond to the huge expanse of beautiful blue sea - or rather dark and atmospheric - if you’re looking today.

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We were listening to PM on Radio 4 earlier this evening and heard that Shanklin was officially the sunniest place in the UK on Saturday, pushing Lerwick in the Shetland Islands into second place.

A good uplift for the month of August which has been described as the worst August, weather-wise, for the last half century.

Photo of Shanklin beach courtesy of Garry Knight

Despite saying otherwise on the Ventnor Town Council Website, we hear that the Planning Meeting scheduled for tonight at 6.30pm has been postponed.

We’re not sure of the reason why, but if you were planning to head down there tonight, pop your slippers back on and find something else to do.

For those with an interest in discussions held at the Town Council meetings, you’ll be keen to hear that next Monday, 8th September, Leader of the Council David Pugh will be attending to answer questions from the Ventnor Town Councillors and public.

London based fine artist Kerry Brewer comes to the Wight later in the month and will be running a series of life painting classes in Bonchurch.

Over the weekend of Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September between 10am-4pm, Kerry will be sharing her knowledge and techniques in the art of life painting.

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A small number of roads around the Ventnor Esplanade have received letter drops this weekend, inviting them to a public meeting in two weeks time.

The letter states “that the local highway authority are in the process of evaluating a number of options to address current road safety and environmental concerns that have been expressed about Ventnor Esplanade.”

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A small sample of what’s new at Ventnor Library.

DVD
Shanghai Kisses
The Kovak Box – you are trapped inside and you don’t even know it
27 Dresses – from the screenwriter of The Devil wears Prada
Hot Tamale – moving to LA can be murder
Vantage Point - the U.S President is assassinated…
Virgin Territory “..a rousing sword and sandal epic..”
In Bruges – Colin Farrell – shoot first, sightsee later
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Following the success of previous variety performances at the Ventnor Winter Gardens, Ventnor Resident, Louis Lawrence is hoping to continue his good run and put on a Christmas variety show later this year.

Once again to be held at the Ventnor Winter Gardens just before Christmas, Louis is inviting new Variety acts who are just starting their professional careers to get in touch and take part.

The list is endless but if you are, or know someone who is a acrobat, juggler, magician, specialist soloist, voice or instrumental, stand up comic, duo, trio, exotic dancer, etc, get ibn touch with Louis and make yourself known to him.

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We’ve been meaning to catch up with the guys from Rapanui for ages now and managed to grab some time with them last week.

With our trusty audio recorder in hand, we popped over to Rapanui HQ in Lake to find out just what’s so special about this Isle of Wight clothing company that’s been running for the last two years.

We have to say that we were mightily impressed with Rob and Mart Drake-Knight, not only with their can do attitude, but they seem to have thoroughly researched their chosen subject.

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Don’t forget that the Five O’Clock Shadows, a Shadows tribute band will be appearing at Ventnor Bandstand this coming Sunday between 2.30 and 4pm.

Enjoy a free gig by bringing down a blanket and a bottle, or enjoy some tea and cake from the kiosk by the putting green.

The season of free gigs at the bandstand are almost coming to an end, but the Five O’Clock Shadows, weather permitting will also be appearing on 14th September.

Staff at the Ventnor Library would like to thank everyone who entered the Beach Poetry Competition, which was devised earlier in the year to celebrate Ventnor Beach gaining a Blue Flag.

Particular congratulation go to Enya Rogers, aged 7 who won the children’s category and Margaret Nelmes who wowed the judges most in the adult category.

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Cheapest non-supermarket stations within 5 miles of “PO38″ for Diesel
Station : Sandford Garage
Address : Godshill, Sandford, Ventnor, PO38 3AL
Brand : Unbranded
Price : 125.9p
Updated : 27-08-2008

Station : Whitwell Garage
Address : High Street, Whitwell, Ventnor, PO38 2PY
Brand : Texaco
Price : 127p
Updated : 27-08-2008

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Andrew Turner’s office have advised today that an extension to the public consultation period has been granted in relation to the proposed wind farm on Cheverton Down.

Mr Turner raised his concerns with the Isle of Wight Council that the original deadline for comments on the scheme was 20th August, but details had not been circulated to parish councils in time.

Mr Turner wants those affected by the proposals to have the chance to request the information they need and respond to the scoping document so that any subsequent planning application deals properly with local concerns.

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Don’t forget that one of the greatest Rock’n'Roll shows is coming to the Ventnor Winter Gardens on 6th September.

C’mon Everybody is a breathtaking, action packed, colourful, vibrant, dazzling, foot tapping, non-stop rocking rolling show that you just can’t miss.

It appeals to ALL ages and brings back all the fun, nostalgia and brilliant music from the 50s and 60s and allows you to experience first hand the magic time, when the country enjoyed One Big Party.

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