Ventnor Blog

Jonny Fitzgerald Bond! Wow, what a guy!

He never ceases to amaze us and on Tuesday night at the Ventnor Town Council Planning meeting he reinforced our views of him once again.

When discussing the planning application to build a house in a garden on Madeira Road (since when does an established 150 year old garden become an infill site?) he stated that he had no problem with the Victorian wall being demolished to make way for the proposed dwelling, because IT WAS MADE OF BREEZE BLOCKS.

Come again old boy? (more…)

There is loads going on over the weekend, don’t forget tonight at Ryde Theatre you can catch The Gypsy Ladyland Experience.

If jazz is your thing, at Quay Arts tonight you can enjoy the delights of Philip Clouts Quartet with Carlos Lopez-Real as part of the Quay Arts Jazz Café.
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Today we got a phone call telling us that the Ventnor Jazz Festival and the Folk and Blues Festival will be the subject for discussion on BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours programme tomorrow at midday.

Given it’s the stations consumer affairs programme, it will be investigating the problems of the previous years, where some of those involved have spoken of non-payment, you know what we’re talking about.

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A new, multi-media arts event is to take place at The Winter Gardens on Sunday 25th May (bank holiday weekend) from 6pm – 11pm.

This promises to be a show with a difference that will showcase contemporary and up-and coming artists from Ventnor and across the island.

As well as painting and fine arts, there will be a music tepee playing original electronica by Andy Jones and students. (more…)

Battle of the Bands Winners, Kosmik Debris will be playing at The Rose Inn a week on Sunday.

They will be warming up for their Isle of Wight Festival appearance on Sunday afternoon, and you can go along and listen to this band of great young musicians.

It’s all free of charge and we’re sure they’d love your support.

The band comprises James Thorpe lead on guitar, Sam Lawson on bass, Sean Barker on rhythm and Rob Berry on drums.

When we last saw them play together, which was some time ago, it was clear that they have a great bond and understand each other really well.

You wouldn’t have realised it, if you check the Town Council Website for details of when meetings are held, because it’s not listed on there, but tonight there will be a planning meeting at the Winter Gardens (thanks to Mark for spotting the agenda on the council noticeboard and posting to the forum).

Anyone interested in the Cheetah Marine application to build on the eastern esplanade car park, may be interested to hear that they have applied once again for variations on conditions attached to the planning permission which was granted last year.

Variation to the conditions were applied for last year but rejected by the Ventnor Town Council, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens tonight.

The variation to condition 14 is the worrying aspect of this application. It’s worrying because it is not clear what changes to the condition are actually being requested.
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At the beginning of last week we announced the winner of our Richard Studt ticket competition.

Unfortunately, the named winners were unable to attend, so we popped our hands back inside the hat and pulled out the next correct answer. Although they would prefer to remain anonymous, the new prize winners were very happy to let us know about their experience.
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Congratulations to the Ventnor Theatre Group, for their spectacular performances of The Buddy Holly Story at the Ventnor Winter Gardens over the last few days.

Based on comments left on the Blog and those emailed to us below, it sounds as though the show went down a storm.

If any readers would like to write a review of the show for publication on VentnorBlog, as usual, get in touch and let us know.
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As part of the Island Walk the Wight Festival,the Ventnor Heritage Museum are hosting a walk this morning.

Leading the walk will be Graham Bennett and for 2-2.5 hours, he walk up and down Ventnor (don’t forget our steep hills) and fill you in on history at the same time.

The walk is free and any donations received will go towards the upkeep of the Museum.

Meet at 11am in the Central car park.

Image: Auntie P

VENTNOR HAMMER PURBROOK IN OPENING VICTORY
Ventnor began their latest defence of the Southern Electric Premier League Division 2 title with a 117 run thumping of Purbrook on Saturday.

The Islanders, aiming for a unique fifth successive championship, may have lost Birchall, Shutte, Lloyd and Friend from last year’s side and Matt Compton and Martin Blackman through injury from Saturday’s team, but they still proved far too strong for the side from Portsdown Hill.
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Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods Stuart Love said “We have been made aware that a man claiming to be an Isle of Wight Council dog warden has been approaching dog walkers in parks in Ventnor asking for them to pay an on the spot fine. This man does not work for the council.
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Thanks to the Ventnor Skate Park Group for this update on the latest position with saving the Ventnor Skate Park. Ed

There’s been a lot of really positive moves for the Ventnor Skate Park since the last posting on here, so much so, that we’ve not had time to let you know about it until now!
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You may’ve heard it on IW Radio News this morning, but if you didn’t, Coast Magazine have just announced their top ten towns by the sea for 2008.

And guess which town comes in at No.7?

Yes folks you’re right, it is of course Ventnor, or better known by BBC Radio Solent as the New Centre of the Universe!

Ventnor, rightly so in our opinion, has received a great deal of coverage in the Nationals over the last few years, popping up in the Guardian on a fairly regular basis.
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Richard Studt on violin, Michael Thompson on horn and Tim Carey on piano will be entertaining the audience this coming weekend at St Catherine’s Church, Ventnor at The Ventnor Recital. The concert is in aid of the Ventnor Piano Fund. (more…)

We were alerted to this environmentally friendly way to grow seeds without having to use plastic pots earlier in the week and thought we’d share it with you.
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Books worms and film buffs - here’s the latest on what’s new at the Library. Some corkers this month and with DVD rentals at only £2.75 per week or £1 a night what are you waiting for?

DVDS
The Nines – The Matrix via Donnie Darko
Butterfly on a wheel – paying the ransom is just the beginning
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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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For anyone still wondering whether to buy tickets for this Saturday’s recital at St Catherine’s Church in Ventnor, featuring world class violinist Richard Studt and friends (it’s being organised in order to raise funds for the Ventnor Piano Fund), perhaps this bit of background about Richard might help you make up your mind.

Tickets are still available for the evening performance which includes two hours of music with an hour interval when a finger buffet will be served.

Richard Studt, whose father owned the Gaiety at Ventnor, learnt the violin in Ventnor from the age of four. Since then, his fame has become worldwide.
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Next week and then again at the end of the month, Age Concern will be holding their information and advice drop-in session at Ventnor Library.

If you have something worrying you and are looking for some advice, the Age Concern team will be there to help.

Just turn up between 9.30am and noon and let you friends know too.

Tuesday 6th May and again on Tuesday 27th May

Nick Painless is coming to Ventnor next month and bringing with him a great lineup if you like a bit of heavy grind.

As well as Nick Painless himself performing, and he certainly knows how to do that, you can enjoy the delightful tunes from one of the most enthusiastic performers on the Wight, Finger Monster as well as Prague Floor (pictured).

It all takes place at the The Rose Inn, Pier Street, Ventnor and entry is free. You can’t get much better than that! Over 18s only.

It’s that time of year again and each week, we’ll be brining you news from the Ventnor Cricket Club courtesy of Graeme Burnett. Ed

Ventnor progressed to the second round of the IW Senior Cup in unsatisfactory fashion on Saturday after opponents GKN were unable to raise a side.

A hastily re-scheduled fixture saw Indian Gymkhana visit Steephill for a Twenty 20 match. Neil Westhorpe (40) and Ian Hilsum (43) top scored in the home team’s total of 164-1 with the visitors restricted to 76-7 in reply.
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It’s with absolute open-mouthed astonishment that we read the latest press release from the council today about the Ventnor Skate Park.

The last paragraph carries the following sentence,

“Any other groups or individuals who are interested in taking on the licence can still get in contact with the council if they have their own proposals for the park.”

A better illustration of what is so wrong with the current administration sitting at County Hall couldn’t be more clearly shown.

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Isle of Wight Council director of environment and neighbourhoods Stuart Love said “The council is delighted a group has contacted us expressing an interest in taking on the licence to run Ventnor Skate Park. (more…)

Louis Lawrence, producer of the fabulous Easter Circus Variety Show is preparing for a summer show in Ventnor.

This time the theme of the event will be all things Country and Western and he’d love to hear from any Country and Western Singers, bands or individual acts (ropers etc) who might like to audition for the show.

If you fit the bill, get in touch with Louis by emailing louisonwight(at) yahoo.co.uk or send a txt to 07747668148

Many thanks to everyone who entered the competition to win a pair of tickets to The Ventnor Recital taking place this Saturday night.

The answer to the question …

“Where did composer Edward Elgar stay when he visited Ventnor in 1889 for his honeymoon?”
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