Ventnor Blog

Thanks to the team behind the Monarch Paddle Steamer for sending through details about their plans for the coming year. Read on to hear more about their appeal for volunteers. Ed

The Isle of Wight’s very own paddle steamer, the ‘Monarch’, is currently nearing the end of a massive two year restoration and improvement project to enable her to enter full time service this coming spring.

The 2008 season saw her transport the High Sheriff, Alan Titchmarsh, to the Walking Festival Launch, an historic meeting with Waverley on the Solent (the first time two paddle steamers met there since the 1960’s) and a successful part time passenger service which allowed hundreds of visitors the chance to view the magnificent engine and machinery that makes her tick.

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We’re big fans of Guy Browning, so great to see him reference the Isle of Wight in his latest book, Maps of My Life.

In a review of the book by Jonathan Sale for The Independent, we’re exposed to the creative mind of Guy’s mother ….

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Congratulations to ‘IW Health Walks’ which we hear has just been awarded accreditation.

The scheme which encourages a healthier lifestyle by walking, offers a number of walks around the Island for beginners as well as advanced walkers.

During the walks basic monitoring information is collected, helping to meet criteria for the “Walking the way to Health” accreditation

The accreditation brings with it national recognition of the work taking place on the Island, as well as being part of the nationally evaluated scheme.

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This Island is bursting at the seams with creative types and none more so than the writers.

Island born writer Emily Bullock, UEA Creative Writing MA, has recently joined a scheme run by the Arts Council-backed website youwriteon.com which, in association with Legend Press, offers writers the chance to make their books available for purchase in mainstream bookstores.

Among them will be ‘The Separate Principle’ by Emily Bullock, the haunting, war-time story of Lillian, Freddie and Leonard, three characters confined to a tuberculosis hospital in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.

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Following on from Part One yesterday, read on to complete the penultimate chapter of David Yates’ serialisation. Ed

At the TV Centre, the final piece of the espionage jigsaw puzzle was put in place, as the national TV link-up was changed to go via satellite around the globe.

In homes all over the world, TV sets flickered, and then re-focused on the developing scene at the long sandy beach in Spain. At that moment, Margarita’s live commentary from the ‘eye-in-the-sky’ commenced.

“Good day, viewers around the world. Welcome to the sunny south of Spain, where we are about to bring you a live programme you’ll never forget.”

In the Television Studio, the phone started ringing, as angry callers tried to question what was going on. Nobody answered the calls. All non-involved staff had been held captive by a team of men in dark balaclavas and blackened faces. Up in the sky, the birds began their final approaches.

“Okay chaps,” Roger called to the rest of his Flying Rats Squadron, “This is it. Here we go. Don’t release your bombs until you see the whites of their eyes.”

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According to reports in several of the papers this week, it looks as though an Island born beauty is possibly about to become the new face for fashion house, Burberry.

Pictured second from the right, Eden Clarke, who was discovered last year at the Isle of Wight Festival, also shared the front cover of Vogue last month with new Model of the Year Jourdan Dunn

The Burberry Spring 2009 campaign was shot by the world class photographer, Mario Testino.

Read it in the Evening Standard

This evening sees another Ventnor Town Council meeting and apart from the usual regulars (such as reports from the Town Centre Manager Environment and Neighbourhoods Officer) there are a couple of items of interest on the agenda.

Eastern Esplanade Works
Apparently there will be a letter read out from head of planning Bill Murphy in relation to the work taking place in the Eastern Esplanade.

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Talking of lanterns, anyone wanting to try their hand at making a lantern can do so this weekend in Ventnor.

Workshops are taking place at the Ventnor Youth Centre between 10am and 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.

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On Saturday afternoon, we popped along to the opening of Matthew Chamber’s new show in the Rope Store at Quay Arts in Newport.

We’ve been admirers of Matthew’s work since we first caught sight of it three years ago, when he exhibited in the Learning Curve Gallery as part of his 18 month residency at the Quay.

Since then, he’s gone onto set up and run his own studio in the Jubilee Stores and has successfully picked up some pretty high end commissions (more on those later).

The Rope Store is a fantastic space for Matthew’s work which is mostly made up of constructed high fired sculptural forms and vessels.

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Friday this week sees the return of Edana Minghella to Quay Arts and to complement the charity gig, the Quay Arts restaurant will be laying on a very special menu.

As the performance takes place in the Bar Cafe, you can enjoy dinner before the gig starts and won’t even need to move up to the theatre.

Reading through the menu is making us extremely hungry and we’ve not noticed the Quay restaurant offering specials menus like this before, but reckon it’s a great idea.

Here’s something to get your taste buds going ….

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Edana Minghella will be performing at Quay Arts next week in aid of a very worthy charity.

Steve Ross Foundation for the Arts will be the benefactor of ticket sales, as Edana returns to Quay Arts for an evening of evening of jazz, Latin and lounge music.

We understand that the concert will be recorded live and she will be joined on stage by the fabulous sax player, Sarah Bolter, as well as Steve Thompson on bass, Andy Strickland on guitar and Quay Arts Director, Mick Smith on piano.

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Most people living on the Wight will have heard of, or contributed in some way, to the forthcoming Island Plan.

News reaches us that the Core Strategy document has been published today and will be presented for debate at the Cabinet Meeting on 2 December.

The Island Plan will replace the Unitary Development Plan (UDP), setting out strategy for planning development on the Wight over the next 18 years.

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Continuing with David Yates’ serialisation of The Last Bullfighter, today and tomorrow we bring you chapter two. If you missed chapter one, follow the links for Part One and Part Two published last weekend. Ed

DICKIE BIRD AND MUCKY DUCK
Whacker Payne had had a very rough night in Gibraltar. His head spun and his brain throbbed like a jungle drum. Able Seaman Whacker Payne of Her Majesty’s Ship Slinger was hungover - again. He lay on the upper deck by the flag locker, just aft of the midships radar screen.

Although the Mediterranean sun beat down and scorched his bare arms and legs, his whole body shivered. He clutched a bundle of rags, and a black plastic bucket of warm soapy water lay by his side – his cleaning excuse in case anyone in authority stumbled upon him so high up in the ship’s superstructure.
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Local band, Bastila (who signed to Rob Da Bank’s Sunday Best record label earlier this year) love celebrating Halloween and this year have planed a little treat for all their fans.

They are giving away a demo version of the aptly named track ‘In the Dark’ for free.

All they ask in return is for your email address, in the hope that they can contact you in the future with more Bastila related news.

Just follow this link to get your mitts on the free track

Check out Bastila on MySpace for more info

Sad news to hear about the death of Cllr Brain Mosdell who passed away this morning.

He had suffered a short illness and had the benefit of having his family around him during his last hours.

He impressed us with the conviction of his beliefs, never afraid to speak out in situations where he felt wrong was at foot, even if he stood alone.

An accomplished orator, he always presented his points with good humour.

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In preparation for the forthcoming Wight Zombie Crawl from The Castle Inn in Newport to Haunted iCandi at Joe’s on Friday next week, the Ventnor Brewery have produced a very special Zombie Ale.

Available in both bottles and draft formats (keep your eyes peeled for participating establishments), instead of gorging on a lesser quality ale, why not enjoy a pint of this delicious Wight Zombie Ventnor Brewery Ale?

It’s anticipated that the numbers for the Wight Zombie Crawl will be pretty good next Friday evening. Departing the Castle Inn at 8.30pm and heading to Icandi, where we hear the bar will be transformed with cobwebs and candles.

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I love Chessell Pottery.

On previous visits we’ve decorated mugs, sugar bowls and my son’s treasured breakfast bowl, which he’s been eating his Bran Flakes out of every morning for the past three years.

You end up with something useful, beautiful and completely unique.

So just as I was mulling over how to stave off half-term boredom next week I was pleased to receive a reminder of their upcoming events.

Their pet-themed activity week runs from Monday 27th to Friday 31st October when you can decorate your own Emma Bridgewater pet bowl or use animal decorating sponges to create designs on any item of pottery.

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St Mary’s Hospital has been in touch to tell us about a new bladder scanner that’s been presented to the Island for use at St Mary’s.

It’s been generously donated by the Southampton branch of the PCaSO – Prostate Cancer Network at a cost of over £6,000.

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Keeping on the skating theme, as the ramps were coming down and the stall holders packing away their wares at the end of White Air a couple of weeks ago, we caught a moment with John Cattle from the Wight Trash clothing label.

Having seen a fair amount of bodies donning Wight Trash clothing we figured it had been a good weekend for clothing brand.

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Local artist, Teresa Grimaldi has put a call for help out on the VentnorBlog forum, or rather, the Ventnor Help Society as she calls it.

Next May, Teresa’s artwork will be gracing the Michael West Gallery at Quay Arts in Newport, and for part of the project, she is looking to build a wendy house, using video tapes as building bricks.

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You may have noticed that there’s a little rain about today - read it’s lashing down. That combined with the wind has lead to the Big Day Out being cancelled.

Big shame for all of those in and around the council who have put so much effort into preparing for it.

Thanks to Suze for the info.

It’s great to see in the County Press this morning that Nodehill Head Teacher, David Morris, has achieved his goal of every Year 7 pupil having their own laptop.

It was something he enthused about when we met up with him back in March, at the school’s centenary celebrations.

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Oil went to under $100 a barrel yesterday.

Let’s hope the price slip continues to be reflected in our petrol and diesel prices.

Cheapest non-supermarket stations within 5 miles of “PO38″ for Diesel
Station : Whitwell Garage
Address : High Street, Whitwell, Ventnor, PO38 2PY
Brand : Texaco
Price : 123p
Updated : 27-09-2008

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Having carried out a two and a half week course at the UKSA sponsored by Liz Earle, we caught up with six young Mums from the Island, Candy; Emma; Sarah; Emma; Krisy and Kat to find out how their experience had been.

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Nigel Howell, founder of White Air, has exclusively told VentnorBlog that White Air, the extreme sports festival, is to leave the Isle of Wight next year and move to Brighton.

This news is all the sadder due to White Air having just delivered such a great festival last weekend, enjoyed by 10,000 people.

It’s clear speaking to Nigel that the IW Council could have done more in supporting the event.

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