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If you want to know about what's happening on the Island, VentnorBlog is a great starting point. I find all manner of things there. - Steven Darlington
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Sep 23, 2008 in Planning, Ventnor
In another twist to the long running saga, St Joseph’s development in Madeira Road, Ventnor, the retrospective application for amendments that we reported on last week has now been pulled from today’s Planning Committee!
Go to the story to refresh yourself as to the weirdness of the current application.
Sep 23, 2008 in Architecture, Art, Community, Conservation, Island-wide, Planning, Ventnor
Rev Graham Morris from St Catherine’s Church, Ventnor attended the Town Council Planning meeting tonight to inform the TC on future plans for the renovation of the church tower and surrounding churchyard.
He started by quashing the rumours that had been circulating throughout town (we hadn’t heard this one) that the tower was going to be demolished. Rev. Morris assured the meeting that this was far from the case. The current scaffolding and apron surrounding the tower had been constructed for safety purposes, following an incident whereby a very large piece of masonry had fallen from the tower missing a member of the church by inches.
Sep 23, 2008 in Cricket, Ventnor
VENTNOR’S THIRD TEAM TRIUMPH IN CUP FINAL
Ventnor’s third team are the winners of the Fred Winter Memorial Cup for 2008 after defeating Brading in an entertaining and closely fought final on Sunday.
After rain caused the abandonment of the first match, the teams took the field in bright sunshine as Ventnor skipper Malcolm White invited home team Brading to bat first.
Sep 22, 2008 in Business, Charity, Ventnor
You might remember a couple of weeks ago, we reported that a group of accountants from Southampton were going to be swapping their laptops for paintbrushes and help with some mural painting at St Catherine’s School in Ventnor.
Organisers have been in touch today to let our readers know that the day was a resounding success all over the South Coast region, and in particular at St Catherine’s School.
Sep 22, 2008 in Events, Ventnor
| 27, September 2008 | ||
| 12:00 pm | to | 4:00 pm |
The Ventnor Botanic Garden Friends Society are celebrating their 21st birthday with an afternoon of fundraising at the garden this coming Saturday.
Alan Titchmarsh, who opened the existing Greenhouse in 1997, will launch the Friends’ £250,000 fund raising appeal towards the cost of its replacement at 1pm, but the afternoon will start with one of the Friends’ ever popular plant sales from noon.
Sep 22, 2008 in Events, Film, Ventnor
| 7, October 2008 | ||
| 7:30 pm |
The new film season starts next month when the Ventnor Film Society presents La Vie en Rose.
Edith Piaf is a legend in her native France where her life-story has entered national folklore.
Without Marion Cottilard this first major biopic would be a well-intentioned, beautifully shot and fascinating slice of French 20th century cultural history with a fine ensemble supporting cast.
It would also be unthinkable. The pretty 31-year-old is mesmerising.
Sep 19, 2008 in Music, Ventnor, Youth
Don’t forget that this Sunday afternoon between 5-6.30pm, Ventnorians, Kosmik Debris will be playing live in Ventnor.
Some of you will have seen Kosmik Debris play on the main stage at the Nokia IW Festival earlier in the year and this weekend, you’ll have another chance as they make they way to The Rose Inn in Pier Street, Ventnor.
They are all local lads with a huge amount of talent.
It’s been great to follow the progress of the band, since we first saw them play a couple of years ago at the Ventnor Youth Centre.
Sep 19, 2008 in Competitions, Sports, Ventnor
Many thanks to Chris Lewis from Ryde Harriers for sending through further info about the Ventnor Fell Run. Ed
Do come along and either join in or cheer on the runners in the 2008 Ventnor Fell Run.
Anyone can enter the races which are just £5 per race, or £12 for all three.
Sep 18, 2008 in Comedy, Island-wide, Politics, Ventnor
Prepared to be amazed and shocked.
Stephen Taylor, District auditor (who by the way told us that he always checks VentnorBlog to find out what’s _really_ happening on the Island) has revealed that the Undercliff Drive investigations cost rocketed from an original estimate of £50,000 to £1,300,000.
Sep 18, 2008 in Planning, Ventnor
The long running farce of the St Joseph’s Development in Madeira Road, Ventnor and the actions of the Isle of Wight Planning Department continues.
Disclosure: as we’ve stated before, we live next door to this development.
We know that it’s hard, dear reader, to keep up with these twists and turns. There’s plently more to this that we’ve had to deal with on a weekly basis for the past three years, but we’ve resisted putting it on VentnorBlog, only posting when we feel that the issues raised are of a wider public interest.
Sep 17, 2008 in Travel, Ventnor
If you’re planning a fast get away from Ventnor next week, make sure you plan your route beforehand, as two of the four roads out of town will have temporary traffic lights in place and you might find yourself delayed.
Sep 17, 2008 in Newport, Ventnor
Following on from our previous posts about the death of a woman in her 40s and another being taken ill on the Island, we’ve now received further details from the Police.
No names have been released yet, but we understand that Police were called to an address in Carisbrooke Road High Street, Newport early this morning where the woman was pronounced dead by paramedics.
A little later they were also called to an address in Gunville Road, Newport where a second woman, in her 20s had been taken ill.
Sep 17, 2008 in Community, Newport, Ventnor
An update to this story is now available.
Sad news reaches us this morning of a tragedy that took place on the Isle of Wight.
We understand that one young person a woman in her mid 40s died and another may be in a critical condition UPDATE: a woman in her mid twenties is now in a stable condition at St Mary’s.
Police are currently carrying out enquiries at the Ventnor Botanic Gardens, although we’ve been told that the death didn’t occur there. The Botanic Gardens are closed to the public.
Our thoughts are with the families.
Further details to follow when we can confirm them are now available.
If you have more details please get in touch with us.
Sep 17, 2008 in Sports, Ventnor
This coming weekend if you happen to be in Ventnor, you might be wondering why so many people seem to be in rush.
Those in the know, will realise that the runners are taking part in the Annual Ventnor Fell Run.
The idea for a fell run was conceived many years ago through initial discussions between Ventnor resident Louis Lawrence and estate agent, Mark Rhodes.
The idea arose when trying to come up with a special event that could put Ventnor on the map, whilst making use of the special characteristics of the town. Apparently, well before our time and Louis’, there used to be a fun run up to the top of Ventnor which featured a giant banana!
Sep 16, 2008 in Community, Travel, Ventnor
Don’t forget that a meeting is being held tonight in Ventnor to discuss the future of traffic and the Ventnor Esplanade.
If you’re interested in attending the meeting, pop along to the Balmoral Room at Ventnor Winter Gardens from 7pm.
The meeting has been arranged to update the public on the evaluation of the current road safety along the Esplanade and to discuss environmental concerns that have been expressed by those using the Esplanade.
Image: Ventlindown
Sep 16, 2008 in Charity, Community, Music, Skating, Ventnor
At the end of last month, several Island bands and DJs (including The Waxworks who we mentioned earlier) gave their time (and talent) to entertain a crowd of 300+ people at the Ventnor Winter Gardens.
The purpose of the gig was to celebrate the launch of a limited edition compilation CD of Island musicians - Wight Trash Transitions Volume One.
All proceeds from the CD will go directly into renovation of the skate park (latest news on developments coming up later on the blog) and there are still a few copies of the limited edition CD available if you haven’t bought your yet.
Sep 16, 2008 in Cricket, Ventnor
Ventnor easily defeated touring Bradford Town at Steephill on Saturday. The Wiltshire visitors could only manage 108, a target the home side passed without loss, Tom Friend smashing a quick fire half century inside nine overs.
The Sunday fixture with Tri-Northerners ended in a 12 run win for Ventnor. Batting first, young Jacob George impressed with 45 in the home team’s total of 166, Rob Snell contributing 30.
Sep 15, 2008 in Community, Events, Ventnor
| 2, October 2008 | ||
| 9:00 am | to | 12:00 pm |
Anyone who has previously had to travel to Sandown or Newport to get help or advice with Council services, will be pleased to hear that from next month Revenue Services will be holding surgeries in Ventnor.
Avoiding the need to travel (saving money and helping the environment), all you will have to do is walk as far as the Coastal Visitors Centre in Dudley Road.
The surgeries will take place every Thursday, starting on 2nd October, from 9.00 a.m. until Midday, and this is seen as a first step to improve accessibility for Ventnor residents.
If you have any concerns or problems with Council Tax and benefits, you’ll be able to get help completing applications and advice.
As well as taking advantage of the help on offer, you can also stop and admire the world class views down the coast.
Many thanks to Susan Scoccia for forwarding this info to share with our readers.
Sep 15, 2008 in Business, Community, Conservation, Environment, Green Issues, Retail, Ventnor
With all quiet on the public front over the last few months as far as Ventbag has been concerned, we were pleased to receive this update over the weekend below from the Ventbag team. Ed
Ventbag is the project name for Ventnor becoming the first town on the Island to be Plastic Carrier Bag Free.
This unpaid volunteer project is supported both by Ventnor Town Council and the Isle of Wight Council.
As we set an original (tough target) of achieving this in September this year, we thought it would be a good idea to give everyone an update on progress.
The biggest challenge we faced was looking at the production of an alternative bag for Ventnor. This was planned to be an organic fair trade sourced cotton bag.
Sep 15, 2008 in Events, Music, Ventnor
| 21, September 2008 | ||
| 5:00 pm | to | 6:30 pm |
Ventnor Band and winners of the Nokia IW Festival Battle of the Bands earlier in the year, Kosmik Debris will be performing a set at The Rose Inn next Sunday (21st).
Kosmik Debris, who we first saw play at the opening of the new music room at the Ventnor Youth Centre a couple of years ago have gone from strength to strength since then.
As well as playing the main stage at the Nokia IW Festival earlier this year, they played at many other events, including the V-Fest 2006 and the Streetstyle Festival in 2007
Seeing them perform this Sunday won’t cost you a penny and the band are looking forward to entertaining locals fans and welcome music lovers from further afield.
Actions kicks off at 5pm and runs til 6.30pm. The Rose Inn, Pier Street, Ventnor
Sep 12, 2008 in Art, Community, Music, Sports, Ventnor, Youth
The Ventnor Youth and Community Centre has got loads to offer young people on almost every night of the week.
Monday nights offers a drop in for teenagers between 7 and 9.45pm. It’ll only cost you 50p to get in and you can pick up valuable life skills such as learning how to use a washing machine, get advice on relationships and contraception. Enjoy a game of table tennis, football or pool. Alternatively chill out on the sofas and listen to the jukebox
Tuesday sees another drop in evening for teenagers, but with DJ-ing and music production, art, music and trampolining the focus. Bands can use the space for rehearsal and the computers can be used for creative work. Same times and cost to get in.
Sep 12, 2008 in Events, Music, Ventnor
| 14, September 2008 | ||
| 2:15 pm | to | 4:30 pm |
Finishing the summer season of free musical entertainment in Ventnor Park this Sunday will be the Five O’Clock Shadows, a Shadows tribute band.
You can catch them between 2.15pm and 4pm appearing live at Ventnor Bandstand.
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.
Congratulations to Louis Lawrence for organising the season of free gigs in Ventnor.
There has been a huge variety of acts performing and it’s been a great opportunity for bands to broaden their fan bases.
Well done Louis!
Sep 12, 2008 in Business, Community, Ventnor
At Monday’s Town Council Meeting, Leader of the Council David Pugh was questioned by Cllr Brian Lucas about the lack of a Tourist Information Centre in Ventnor.
As residents will know, the Tourist Information Centre which was previously housed at the Coastal Visitors Centre in Dudley Road, closed nearly three years ago.
With Ventnor being a holiday destination, the lack of tourist info didn’t sit well with the town, so last year, Season’s newsagents in the High Street kindly agreed to display information in their window and help with tourist enquiries.
Sep 11, 2008 in Community, Ventnor
Following the sad death of Ventnor East Ward Councillor Brenda Lawson, a vacancy has arisen on the Ventnor Town Council.
You may have missed it, but a public notice regarding the vacancy was published in the SW Chronicle near the back of the mag on 21 August by Town Clerk, John Farrant.
According to the notice, if ten or more people write into the IW Council there has to be a by-election - if not, someone will be co-opted into the position by the current council.
Sep 10, 2008 in Planning, Ventnor
On Monday Ventnor Town Councillors not only rejected the most recent retrospective planning application for St Joseph’s in Ventnor, but have made it more than clear that they think the developer, Michael Jennings needs to be brought under control.
We had immense pleasure listening to the Ventnor Town Councillors discussing the issue of yet another retrospective application for St Joseph’s from Mr Michael Jennings at the VTC planning meeting on Monday.
Since the site was granted planning permission back in 2006, this is the fourth retrospective application from the ‘developer’ who has chosen to build first and sort out the details later (details like actually having permission to legally carry out the works).
