Isle of Wight News on Ventnor Blog

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In an effort to put a stop to the seemingly ever-expanding obesity problems on the Isle of Wight, the Communications Department at the Isle of Council have this morning sent out their latest edict to all media organisations on the Wight.

Keen to impress the IWC and follow suit as others do, we have been told that we are obliged to inform you that the Queen of Sheeba department has ruled that each Islander should only consume ONE easter egg this April.

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The Joint Orchestrated Kollective Engineers have got in touch this morning to let us know that they’re launching a scheme for Islanders to take over Southern Vectis and run the bus service at cost for Islanders.

Their spokesman, Un L. Ikely, told VB, “Island residents are fed up with having to pay so much to travel on the bus around this beautiful Island. By us coming together, we can run the bus service for the benefit of the people.”

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We all know the Island’s reputation for it’s quality Garlic farming, but the recent discovery of a community of wild frogs, believed to be the first of its kind is about to capture the world’s attention for a very different reason.

Local chef, Charlie Bartlett has discovered that when cooked, these frogs exhibit a subtle natural taste of Garlic, after apparently feeding on an almost exclusive diet of the leaves of the plants from the Island’s famous Garlic Farm, located close to the marshy area where they have been living in the wild.

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In what has been described as a last minute decision, we’re told this morning by insiders that Isle of Wight Council leader David ‘golden boy’ Pugh might try and stand for the position of Island MP in the next election.

This will come as a huge shock to many on the Island who value Andrew Turner’s efforts over the last eight years as Island MP.

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Islanders far and wide will be familiar with the Ventnor Winter Gardens, but how many people are aware that the building was designed as a homage to the classic De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill on Sea?

Bexhill’s fabulous art deco building, designed and built in 1935 by Erich Mendelsohn and Serge Chermayeff, was emulated just one year later in Ventnor by Island-based architect, A.D.Clare. That’s no joke.

VB has been told this very morning that Trustees of the De La Warr Pavilion have recently made a visit to the less than pristine Ventnor Winter Gardens and have voiced their concerns on the state of Ventnor’s architectural homage.

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The shockers just keep coming today.

An anonymous tip off has been sent through to the VentnorBlog inbox outlining plans to flatten a huge section of Parkhurst Forest to make way for a mini motorway.

Regular visitors to the forest will have seen the recent felling of many trees. This morning’s news could go some way to explaining why.

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Many Islanders will remember the shocking news released last year that in just three years time, the landfill at Lynnbottom Civic Amenity Site would be full.

Yes folks, full up to the brim, no room in the Inn.

As Simon reported in January, when you say “throw that way” there is no such place as “away”.

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It might be surprising to hear, that during what has been described as the worst recession for over a 100 years, that someone would consider splashing out for a brand new restaurant in a sleepy seaside town, but news reaches our reporter this morning that celebrity chef, Rick Stein, may well be setting up shop in Ventnor.

King Stein’s signature dish of fresh lobster won’t be hard to achieve with so much choice on the doorstep. As well as the Blake’s Fishery, there are a plethora of other lobster suppliers around the Ventnor area, so he won’t be short of offers.

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Pinch, Punch, first of the month, no returns until the end of the month morning.

Following the news from the government of the release of £325m from a PFI, the Isle of Wight Council has decided to take a novel approach to the problem of it’s ropey roads. During a long, late night session last night a majority of Tory councillors voted in the measures. (more…)

A new set of Community Awards are being launched this week and local property developer, Michael Jennings, seems to have caused some kerfuffle at the Awards HQ.

We understand that there are several awards up for grabs, one of which is for Architectural Preservation.
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IW Radio Disc Jockey Alex ‘Big Al’ Dyke was keen to quash rumours this morning, that he is leaving IW Radio for a rival station.

Speaking to media sources on the Wight he spouted:

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Isle of Wight County Councillor and Ward Councillor for Ventnor East, Mr Jonathan Seaver Basildon-Bond has made a public announcement which we are honoured to carry this morning, the 1st of April.

He hasn’t actually stated what it is that he is sorry for, but if he’s looking for ideas of what not what to do, we’ve got a bulging file he can have a thumb through.

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Surprise abounds this morning. Sean Sterevens has been in touch and told VentnorBlog, “We realise that there might be one or two people in town (at the very most) who don’t think that our current plans are a good idea, so we’ve been having a good think this morning and have come to the decision to withdraw our current plans to develop the Eastern Esplanade and replace it with another. We know we’ve been through lots of applications already, so another one doesn’t seem unreasonable.”

He continued, “Ventnor has been good to us, so we’d like to give something back to the town. There’s too many people around here who are just trying to wring all they can out of Ventnor, without balancing it with community-minded ideas.”
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If you haven’t been down to the seafront recently, you wouldn’t have realised that pedestrianisation of the middle section has been in place for over a month now.

With the wonderful weather bringing more visitors to the town and beach over the last four weeks, the pedestrianisation has been a welcome addition to the esplanade.

Cafe owners have been able to extend their tables and chairs onto the previous section of road and children have been able to cross safely from the beach to the shops in order to get their ice-creams.

The road is closed only during the hours of 10am to 8pm, allowing access to premises for deliveries outside these hours.

Neil Gibbs from the Spyglass Inn told us, “Pedestrianisation of the esplanade has seen a dramatic change in the seafront. We’ve got our own little Barcelona now. Quite unlike as we thought it would do, the closure of the middle section of the road has not affected our businesses in anyway. Infact we’ve seen an increase in trade compared to this time last year.”

PS. As much as some people might like to think this article is true, you’ll see it was published before noon on 1st April 2007 by author, April F. Ool. Hence it is NOT true.

Ventnor Town Council held an emergency meeting this morning with the Isle of Wight Council to pass a motion that no development on Ventnor seafront should exceed one storey.

The councillors emerged from the meeting with smiling faces and an air of excitement. Town Mayor, Brian Lucas told us …

“Enough is enough. For too long our views have been ignored by the Isle of Wight Council, but we’re glad that County Hall are finally listening to us. The vista from the beach of the terraces is unique and should not be blighted by Malaga style luxury apartments. We’re proud to say that County Hall are backing us all the way on this one. ”

“We’ve realised that there are a number of special things about Ventnor. One is the vista from the terraces and the beach. The character of the town is unique and should be protected. We’ve realised that it’s the people who make up a community not this sham idea of redevelopment being the only hope for Ventnor.”

Isle of Wight Council’s Conservation Officer told us …

“Ventnor is a charming Victorian town that attracts visitors because of it’s wonderful terraces and stunning views. We at the conservation office will do everything in our powers to ensure that this beauty is conserved.”

The meeting was due to finish by noon, but agreement was reached within the first ten minutes.

[image courtesy of Isle of Wight Historic Postcards]

PS. As much as some people might like to think this article is true, you’ll see it was published before noon on 1st April 2007 by author, April F. Ool. Hence it is NOT true.

The Ventnor Jazz Office have reconsidered their pricing structure for the International Jazz Divas Festival and have taken a leaf out of Bestival’s book. Hopefully we got our facts right but please feel free to amend them.

Previously touting the kids tickets for £30 for the combi stroller or £16 per day, those generous folks at the Jazz Office have decided that they shouldn’t restrict children from the festival by charging such high ticket prices and have halved the prices for one day only.

However, this kindly gesture is only available until noon today.

As you know, ALL children under 12 get in free FREE at Bestival … that’s for the full three days where they can enjoy all the wonderful activities laid on for them by those lovely Bestival folks. This offer is valid for the entirety of the festival.

PS. As much as some people might like to think this article is true, you’ll see it was published before noon on 1st April 2007 by author, April F. Ool. Hence it is NOT true.

Former Bunbury developer, Mr Michael Jennings, has rejected the idea of profit in favour of good community relations.

In a letter sent to VentnorBlog, Jennings wrote “We are determined to do everything we can to maintain good community relations. Contrary to the opinion you may hold of me personally I regard this as a higher importance that profit.”

It’s no exaggeration to say the we fell off our collective chairs when we read this – because we were laughing so uncontrollably. Up to that point we’d always thought that Jennings only interest was to gain the maximum profit from any property development he got his claws into.

To try and get a better understanding of what has lead to this turn around, we spoke to one of his neighbours, Mr H Ushmai I, who told us “The change of heart could have come about since a stop notice was put on Mr Jennings own property, after he developed beyond the permission he was originally granted by the planning department.”

Showing what a beautiful person he really is, Jennings left the best line for the end of his letter, “Living in Harmony is important to me.” Doesn’t that just warm the cockles of your heat?

PS. Although this article was posted by April F. Ool before noon on 1st April 2007, funnily enough, it was not an April Fool!

News reaches us this morning that the Isle of Wight County in Virginia, America have been granted a worldwide trade mark against the phrase Isle of Wight, as part of their tourism push. The upshot of this is our Isle of Wight will need to change its name.

Not surprisingly Islanders who have already heard about this have taken great exception, Richard Cattle said “Who do these people think they are, they nicked the name from us in the first place!”

Joe Duckworth, CEO of the Island’s council has issued a statement, “This is totally unexpected. We have already been in contact with our legal advisors and it initially appears that we will indeed need to alter the Islands name, ” he continued, “Given we’ve been forced into a legal corner, we are going to ask Islanders for suggestions.”

We don’t quite know what to make of this one. It’s a shot out of the blue that needs a bit of consideration over toast and tea.

We know Joe is a regular reader of the Blog (or so he says), so any suggestions will be passed on to him.

PS. As much as some people might like to think this article is true, you’ll see it was published before noon on 1st April 2007 by author, April F. Ool. Hence it is NOT true.