Ventnor Blog

It’s no understatement to say that it’s been a pretty good week for the Ventnor Skatepark.

Not only did we get the lease for the Ventnor skatepark signed, so it’s under our control for the next 20 years, but good progress has been made both with the fundraising-CD and sponsors for works needed on the site. (more…)

VENTNOR SUFFER FIRST DEFEAT OF THE SEASON
Ventnor’s winning start to the season came to an abrupt halt on Saturday after a six wicket defeat by Havant at Steephill. Dom Carson’s team ended a proud Ventnor record by becoming the first visiting side to leave ‘the bowl’ with a Southern League victory since Alton defeated the Islanders on home soil in 2005. (more…)

Last Friday morning, legendary designers Gerardine and Wayne Hemingway were to be found at the Totland Parish Council offices. An unlikely place perhaps, but the reason for their presence on the Wight will soon become clear.

Inside the buzzy Parish Council offices a meeting was taking place to discuss the regeneration of some open spaces in Totland. Sat around the table were representatives from the IW Council, the Parish Council, public artists - Ecclestone George, Craig Anthony Ratcliffe Gardens and Kate Sanger (furniture maker).
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Tickets are now on sale for The White Air Festival as it celebrates its 12th year in style with more sports, more public interaction and more music art and parties than ever before!

A whole host of sports events will make up this extreme festival from Thundercat European Championships, Windsurfing UK Freestyle Championships, Kitesurfing, Surf, SUP, Skate Ramps and street with Suso, BMX on the ramps, Parkour, European Mountain Board Freestyle on the radical RAF White Air ramps, FMX shows its face for the first time, Sailing, Kayak, Mountain Bike freestyle and trials, Flatland BMX, Turfdogs land Windsurfing, Jet Ski, Frisbee, Inline, Land Yacht, Jet Ski, Digital dj mixing, Hard Grafft, and loads more.
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IT’S WIN NUMBER FIVE FOR VENTNOR BUT ROWLEDGE STILL TOP
Ventnor maintained their terrific start to the season with a fifth consecutive victory in Division 2 of the Southern Electric Premier League on Saturday. Their 78 run success at Liphook & Ripsley ensured that top of the table Rowledge have the narrowest of leads as the second month of the season begins.

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HILSUM TAKES THE LEAD AS VENTNOR WIN AGAIN
Ian Hilsum played a vital role in Ventnor’s latest Southern Electric Premier League victory as they defeated Hook and Newnham Basics by 59 runs at Steephill on Saturday. The all rounder hit 57 in his side’s modest total of 175, then took 3-15 as the north Hampshire visitors were dismissed for 116.
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LAST GASP FREESTON WINS IT FOR VENTNOR
Ventnor left it late before clinching a hard won victory over Old Tauntonians & Romsey in the Southern Electric Premier League division 2 on Saturday. Needing six to win from the final over, the Islanders failed to score from the first three deliveries and lost their seventh wicket when Andy Whyte was run out without scoring. Charlie Freeston managed two from the fourth and fifth balls before thumping a boundary from the final delivery to win the match for his side.
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With the Walking Festival now out of the way, those with an active inclination will be pleased to hear that another festival starts this Saturday.

The Big Wight is the new name for the Wight Diamond Challenge/Festival which is held each year at Ninham Holiday Camp in Shanklin.

There are a number of rides you can take part in over the weekend, including the 100km endurance race and the Wight Diamond Navigator - which takes you all around the Island allowing you to choose your route. (more…)

If you like to plan ahead and are wondering how you can show your Dad how much you appreciate him this year, check out these great ideas from Isle of Wight Tourism. They are definitely targeted at the more active amongst you, but sounds like great fun.

Up the Creek with a paddle
Take your Dad on a Father’s Day Paddle (Sunday June 15) – a specially organised open canoe trip along the banks of the delightful River Medina here on the Isle of Wight. With the accent most definitely on fun, experienced sailing instructors will identify the birdlife and points of interest along the route which lasts around two and a half hours.
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Don’t be put off by the grey skies today, the temperature is still quite warm and at least you won’t get sunburn if you take part in one of the many walks still organised for this afternoon.

Check the details in full by following the links before.
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If you want to get some practice in before Walk the Wight on Sunday, why not try one of the many walks taking place across the Wight today?

Check out the walks below by clicking on the links.

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This Sunday sees Walk the Wight, the annual sponsored walk aimed to raise much needed funds for the Island’s only hospice, The Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

Last year, our youngest VentnorBlogger, Alpha, braved the rain and wind and walked the last four miles as part of the school section of the walk.
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Many thanks to Chris Jarman for sending through photos and a short review of a walk he took part on a couple of weeks ago. Ed

On the 4th May Elizabeth Hutchings and I escorted a group on the Tennyson Trail walk as part of the IOW Walking Festival.

“A walk full of literary and artistic interest. Taking in the birthplace of Sir Vivien Fuchs and the homes of Tennyson and Julia Margaret Cameron.”
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VENTNOR MAINTAIN WINNING START
Ventnor made it two wins out of two with a five wicket success at Lymington in the Southern Electric Premier League on Saturday.

Charlie Freeston (3-20) Zanzima ‘Nono’ Pongolo (3-18) and Ian Hilsum (3-35) were the pick of the Ventnor bowlers, reducing the New Forest side from 104-4 to 155 all out, Aussie Chris O’Shannessy top scoring with 43.
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There are any more walkings planned for today as part of the Isle of Wight Walking Festival.

Why not take advantage of the wonderful weather, but don;t forget sun cream and water. It’s hot out there already!

Ryde Library opening times: Family Treasure Hunt
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Bardon Vectis are very nice people!

They are going to give us a lot of what we need to start our unique skatepark project.

We already have the wooden ramps in place, and will soon have a concrete dream too thanks to Bardon Vectis.

Eccleston George are on board, crafting us a skatepark out of the concrete unlike anything else in the world. Every obstacle will be a skateable sculpture, and with a sprinkle of Dave Badman’s metal-working genius our park will be alive. (more…)

Another great day of walks lined up as part of the Isle of Wight Walking Festival. If you attend any of the walks and would like to share your experience with our readers, do get in touch.
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The Isle of Wight Walking Festival continues today with a great choice of walks around the Wight.

Follow the links before for more details on each of the walks taking place today.
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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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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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The SQ2SQ 2008 team are group of firefighters who will be cycling from St Thomas’ Square in Newport to the Vatican Square in Italy this coming September. The purpose of their marathon cycle is to raise funds and awareness for the Wessex Cancer Trust.

Recently, John Giddings, the organiser and promoter of the Isle of Wight Festival donated a pair to Festival tickets to the group and they are today launching a prize draw that anyone can enter. (more…)

VentnorBlog fave, Dame Ellen MacArthur, has been up in the Smoke impressing the heck out of everyone she came across.

The write up in The Telegraph couldn’t have been more complementary in its praise.

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The Isle of Wight Walking Festival kicks off this weekend - details of the launch to follow tomorrow. In the meantime, here is a list of all walks taking place on Saturday.

There are loads to do, if you fancy stretching your legs this weekend, including one around the town in Ventnor and Ryde.
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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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