Isle of Wight News on Ventnor Blog

There are some great exhibitions at Dimbola Lodge, at the moment.

As well as The Graduate Show, there is also an exhibition by Nurit Yardeni.

She has been involved in photography for around thirty years ago, and has made photographic expeditions all around the world to places such as Ghana, Nigeria, Tunisia, Gabon, Togo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Namibia, Indonesia, Mongolia, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, Brazil, Bolivia, Guatemala, Peru, China, India, Burma,Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.

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A community celebration takes place in St James’ Square in Newport a week on Saturday.

It’s not just the Christmas lights that are being switched on in Newport that day, as organisers of this event are hoping that a metaphorical Big Green Button will be switched on too.

This one-off event brings together unions, climate change activists and green businesses aiming to increase public support and raise awareness for workers rights and climate change.

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If you’re partial to some blues and fancy a night out on Friday, why not head down to the Crab and Lobster Tap in Ventnor?

Regulars on the Island music scene, The Amen Boogie Blues Band will be rippin’ it up down there and providing a night of superb entertainment.

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If you’ve been impressed with the amazing felt work at the two Quay Arts exhibitions at the moment, then you might be interested in this short course in the art of felt making.

Charlotte Smith will help you discover how to use wool for basic feltmaking and turn this into colourful and creative felt jewellery.

Just imagine what great presents you can make for Christmas!

Taking place on three Thursday morning at Chale WI Hall between 10am-12pm the course will cost you just £12 with £ towards materials.

Starts Thursday 19 November, call Anne Osborn on 817288 to book your place now.

Image: Pon “T” un Pin under CC BY-SA 2.0

Thanks to Lois for keeping us informed about the next show from The Island Savoyards, we won’t have far to travel as it takes place at the Ventnor Winter Gardens. Ed

Ivor Novello was a great romantic song writer in the 30’s and 40’s, famous for his sensuous and fiendishly memorable songs such as ‘We’ll Gather Lilacs’, ‘ Merry Widow Waltz’, ‘Land of Might Have Been’ and the infamous WWI theme ‘Keep the Home fires Burning’.

‘Christmas with Novello’ is set in 1946 where the audience are invited to join Novello and his friends in a Christmas Party, where not only are his own songs recited, but also those of other famous songwriters of the time, such as Noel Coward.

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If you haven’t been along to any of the Artists’ Networking Evenings yet, we’d highly recommend them. Last month’s event, with a talk by Jeanette Appleton, was excellent. Ed

Artist and former curator; Andrew Cross will discuss his particular fascination with the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival at East Afton and film collaboration with the rock drummer Carl Palmer, formerly of Emerson, Lake and Palmer who made their first public appearance at the 1970 festival.

While Cross’s photography and film reflect life-long interests in journeying and transport, more recently, his work has focused upon broader aspects of landscape, place and memory.

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Later today, three Islanders who have just returned from Palestine will be giving a talk in Shanklin. Wendy Cooper, one of the three tells us more. Ed

Alongside Rachel Nassif (ecumenical accompanier), myself and Nick will be at Sacred Heart Church in Atherley Rd, Shanklin (just up from the station) at 7.30.

We are recently back from the Olive Harvest in Palestine and will be giving a two-part talk with slides on ‘Palestine, living with occupation’

Myself and Nick, being part of the Island group Friends of Palestine, received an email asking us if we would like to attend the olive harvest.

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According to the Ventnor Town Council Website, there is a Town Council meeting tonight from 7pm at the Winter Gardens.

Following that there will be a Plans Committee which, judging by the IWC Planning Site, should be fairly short with just three applications, one of which is a revised application on previous submission.

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If you’re a music lover, don’t forget that The Lost Years Trio Play the Spyglass Inn on Ventnor Esplanade every Monday night from now til Christmas.

The Lost Years Trio comprises Paul Armfield (although he tells us he might not be there tonight due to just returning from tour in Germany), JC Grimshaw and Dave Packer.

We’re told that it’s a very laid back evening – something a bit different.

Do pop along and show your support, it doesn’t cost you a penny to get in and you can enjoy a bracing walk along the seafront afterwards.

Blimey, it’s choirs a-go-go here today. Next up is Barry from the Newchurch Male Voice Choir to bring us up to date on forthcoming events. Ed

Our last concert of the year before we embark on Christmas gigs, raised £540 for the choir.

Two anonymous donations, one for £100 the other for £20, helped considerably toward this amount.

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Wight Satin Ladies’ Barbershop Chorus is holding a Sing For Fun Day at Landguard Manor, Shanklin on 28th November, and we’d like loads of people to come along and join in.

Winners of the 2009 Isle of Wight Music Festival, the Wight Satin Ladies’ Barbershop Chorus tell us that barbershop singing is a brilliant hobby and they’re are keen to recruit new members.

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After playing to an appreciative audience in Iceland, the wonderful Puzzle Muteson is playing live again in Ryde at the end of the month.

He’ll be joined by the beautiful Becky Entwistle and Hugo Frusslinky will be shaking the place up with their energetic punk pop.

It won’t even cost you a penny to get in, so stick it in your diaries and we’ll see you there.

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The firework displays continue tomorrow night with a night of fireworks and entertainment at Haylands Primary School in Ryde.

Gates open at 5.30pm for this night of entertainment.

Hosted by Jubilee Fireworks and in aid of Wave 105’s Cash for Kids appeal.

There’ll be a laser show, free face paints, other entertainment, hot food available and refreshments.

Adults £3 and kids £2

Image: bill and mavis under CC BY-SA 2.0

There is a Psychic Supper taking place tonight (as if you didn’t know already).

The Culver Haven Inn is the location for an evening of clairvoyance with Caroline McReynolds.

A fish and chip supper is included in the ticket price of £15 per person.

Starts at 8pm, call 406107 to book your place.

Image: Chiara under CC BY-SA 2.0

If you went along to Court Jester’s Hullabaloo and came away enjoying the night, then you’ll be pleased to hear that there’s a repeat performance planned for tonight.

The Black Sheep Bar in Ryde will be playing host to The Chancers, Born Ina Barn, Ambush Tactics, DJ Hematosis and special guests, performing improvised and semi-rehearsed live Hip-Hop MC-ing over real funk music.

We hear that there’ll be a special guest DJ as well.

The music will be recorded live on location and mixed at 4sitemusic.

Free entry all night, so you know where to go.

Brighstone School Association has organised a bonfire night to be held in the school field (Warnes Lane).

From 6pm there will be a BBQ, hot soup, cakes and live music.

The bonfire is being built on Thursday so if you have any wood you can donate to would like to help built the bonfire get in touch with Suzanne Norman on 740285.

Do say where you heard about it.

Image: thievingjoker under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Folsom Prison Blues Band will be rippin’ it up at The Cask ‘n’ Crispin on Saturday night tonight.

If you caught them at the WightFest event earlier in the year, you know that they’ll deliver a great set with atmosphere.

A mix of R&B, Blues and a set from the Johnny Cash catalogue.

It all takes place at The Cask ‘n’ Crispin, 8-10 Carisbrooke Rd, Newport

As usual don’t forget to say where you heard about it.

Image: Franco Folini

Gurnard won’t be missing out on the bonfire night celebrations.

Make your way to All Saints Church at from 6.30pm to join in the lantern parade.

The fireworks display takes place from 8pm.

There’ll be a Guy Fawkes Competition, hot food, mulled wine and lots of games.

It’ll cost you just £5 for adults and £2.50 for 10-16s and £1 for under 10s.

All takes place at Gurnard School Playing Field

Image: James Jordan under CC BY-SA 2.0

There are several bonfire night celebrations across the Island tonight.

We’ll be bringing you details of them all through out the day (including those taking place at the weekend), but for now the first up is a grand firework display at Smallbrook Stadium which takes place after the UK Quad Speedway Championship Final Round. Phew!

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Friday night is electro house party night at Temptations in Newport.

Taking to the decks tonight will be DJs Jammy Dodger, Jordan Peak, John Anderson, Joz and none other than Borat.

As usual don’t forget to say where you heard about it.

There is free entry before 10.30pm or just £4 after.

Venue: Temptations, St James’ Street, Newport

Image: Don’t Stay In

One thing we always love going to are Graduate Shows from Universities. It’s a great place to get a sneak preview of the burgeoning artistic talent.

Starting today at Dimbola Lodge is an exhibition of degree work from the 2009 graduate honours degree students from the Faculty of Art and Design at Southampton Solent University.

If you have any interest in The Arts, these kind of exhibitions are alway worth checking out.

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Living History – a part of the Community Arts Project is displaying some “Memories from Local People” at the Library.

Do pop in an have a look, it makes for an interesting read.

Living History meet on Friday mornings at the Community Cafe in Albert Street – all welcome.

Paul Rodgers, one of the Rural Chef team will be at Ventnor Library later in the month.

He will be demonstrating some thrifty and interesting cookery.

The event is free of charge, so why not pop along?

You never, know you might learn something new!

Don’t forget to say where you heard about it.

Expect an evening of entertainment and song with national treasure Mervyn Stutter.

Fresh from the Edinburgh Festival, actor, comedian, scriptwriter and satirical songwriter Mervyn Stutter.

He was a founder member of The Flying Pickets, star of Radio 4’s ‘Going Nowhere Fast’, self-styled ‘menopausal Flower Child’ and stalwart of the Village Hall circuit.

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During 11th – 13th November, BBC Blast will be coming to the Island and bringing with them a bundle of fantastic free creative workshops for anyone aged between 13-19 years old at Quay Arts in Newport.

BBC Blast describes itself as a ‘mobile media village’ and its aim is to travel around to 30 locations each year.

Last year alone it provided free creative art workshops and showcases for a whopping 150,000 participants.

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