Isle of Wight News on Ventnor Blog

Back in September 2008 VB broke the story of the tragic death of an Isle of Wight resident who had picked and eaten some mushrooms growing wild at the Botanic Gardens in Ventnor.

It’s a story that once reported, swept around the world.

Today, at the Island’s Coroner’s court the circumstances were discussed in detail.

The inquest had originally opened and adjourned back in Sept 2008 (Video report).

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A cupcake tea break in aid of Ovarian Cancer hopes to raise funds and much needed awareness later this month.

Taking place at St Wilfred’s Primary School in Ventnor, organisers of the event are appealing to local residents and businesses to donate prizes for the raffle as well as cakes.

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Thanks to Newport Parish Council for send this in to VB. We’d be happy to receive articles and press releases from other Island parish councils as well – Ed

Newport Parish Council has been approached by a number of residents concerned about the seemingly unnecessary use of sirens, particularly at weekends.

Although the parish council did not wish to make any criticism of the excellent work carried out by the emergency services, it was felt this needed further investigation. Cllr Craven, as lead Member, arranged a meeting with Chris Smith Head of Ambulance and Dean Haward, Station Manager, Fire and Rescue. Kevin Fripp Head of the Police Driving Standards was unable to attend but supplied his guidelines.

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Good news for hospital or hospice patients who need to travel to Southampton on a regular basis.

From the beginning of next month, Red Funnel will be running a new discount scheme, giving 25% off the cost of ferry crossings for patients and close relatives when they make repeated visits to a hospital or hospice.

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Today is National No Smoking Day and official figures point to more than two thirds of the Isle of Wight’s smokers wanting to quit.

Chamber Health and the Local NHS Stop Smoking Service contacted us with advice for those hoping to kick the habit, along with employers seeking a healthier workplace.

Smoking causes approximately 100 deaths on the Island every year.

Carol Foley, NHS Smoking Cessation Advisor on the Island said: “Smokers are four times more likely to stop for good if they get the right support and the Island’s Local NHS Stop Smoking Service are ready to help. We work out a personal plan for people who want to quit and will do everything we can help them to go all the way to smoke-free.”

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Andrew Turner is the latest to join a campaign to save thousands of vitamin and mineral food supplements being banned in the UK by an EU directive.

Across the UK, the campaign called ‘Time Is Running Out’ has been unveiled by Consumers for Health Choice (CHC).

The campaigners say that the EU directive will mean thousands of vitamins and minerals will be banned from chemists, supermarkets and healthfood shops in other than meaningless doses.

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Last week a special reception took place in the Full Circle Restaurant at St Mary’s Hospital.

The purpose of the reception was to recognise a whopping 45 individuals and teams who had been voted ‘NHS Snow Heroes’ by members of the public last month.

You might remember we ran a piece back in January after the heavy snow, calling for residents to nominate their Snow Heroes.

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A new Youth Gym session starts at West Wight Sports Centre this coming Monday (8th March).

This will be a special session for young people aged from 14 upwards and will run every weekday afternoon from 4.30 – 6.30 pm.

Anyone wishing to take part will require an induction (even if they’ve used other gyms).

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Next week on national No Smoking Day a film made by young people from the Island will be screened at Quay Arts.

Stubbed Out is an ambitious project pulled off by the Streets Ahead crew.

Along with a small army of volunteers, the film involves the main character playing out different scenarios, whilst interacting with a gameshow!

This is not a corporate film to stop people smoking, but a community led project hoping to to instill some kind of thought or feeling on the subject.

The screening takes place at Quay Arts on Wednesday 10th March at 7pm. If you’re interested in attending email Andy Jones on andy(at)emusport.com

A new national campaign addressing to raise awareness of living with dementia has just been launched.

The campaign which will run across several types of media, print, online, radio etc will be inviting people to take time out to find out more about dementia and how people living with the condition can be helped.

As part of the campaign, Islanders are being asked to share their views on how they would like Dementia Services to be developed on the Island.

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Our thanks go to Eyemasters for supporting VentnorBlog by paying for this Sponsored Feature.

Are you squinting at your screen or have you been peering out of the window, unable to clearly see things in the distance?

If so, or if you’re looking to replace your glasses, there’s a business based in Ventnor that can help you.

35 years experience
Richard Smith from Eyemasters has over 35 years experience in the ophthalmic lens business behind him and is offering his clients a personalised, one-on-one service.

This doesn’t mean it’s costly though.

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A new fundraising event for Marie Curie Cancer Care has been organised on the Island.

‘Cycle the Wight’ takes place on Sunday 2nd May 2010 and aims to raise funds and awareness for the charity.

The route of the sponsored cycle takes you along 24 miles of the South Wight’s most beautiful countryside.

There’ll be a chance to stop half way round at Blackgang view point, where you can enjoy the breathtaking views.

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As was reported on VB recently, the YMCA at Winchester House in Shanklin is hosting a ‘Make-over for all Pamper Social’ next week.

The charity ‘make-over’ event encourages women (and possibly men) to go along to get their nails, make-up and hair style recreated in a relaxed social environment. The Isle of Wight College is supporting this event with a number of students going along to do hair and beauty.

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In the last of our series of podcasts from the budget presentation to the voluntary sector at the Riverside Centre last Friday, we speak with Fiona Gwinnett, Chief Executive of the Island Women’s Refuge and Domestic Abuse Services.

Fiona talks us through the Floating Support Service and how it helps those in need on the Island.

During the presentation, Fiona was given an assurance that refuge would continue, but the floating support service would be affected by the budget cuts.

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Anyone who took part in, or watched any of the Island carnivals last year, won’t help but have noticed the outstanding performance by the Wight Strollers Group.

You remember them, all dressed up as grannies rocking their little hearts away.

The Wight Strollers managed to pick up and whopping 16 cups during the Island carnival season.

As well as being dressed as grannies, the team also used zimmer frames as part of their performance.

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A new scheme which runs until 22 March is hoping to encourage families back into the swimming pool.

The ‘ThrillSeeker’ campaign is being run by the BBC and adults will get a free swim when a a child pays to swim.

Of course, Island children can swim for free during the holidays which are coming up in Mid February and this offer will be valid then as well.

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Anybody who has ever had experience of losing a relative to a terminal illness will be well aware of the vital service that’s provided by palliative care nurses.

We hear today that the Island NHS and The Earl Mountbatten Hospice are joining forces to create Mountbatten Nurses.

From April this year, the new nursing service (Mountbatten Nurses) will replace the current nursing service provided by the Hospice.

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Later in the year the Hospice will be once again accompanying a group of thrill-seeking fundraisers to the mainland for some fundraising with a difference. Parachute jumps.

If this is something that you’ve often thought about doing, but never got it together, why not make 2010 the year your jump for charity?

The sponsored tandem sykdives take place at Salisbury airfield Saturday 19th June.

The hospice tell us that there are still places available, so give them a tinkle on 528989 for more information if this is going to be ‘your’ year.

Image: divemasterking2000 under CC BY 2.0

Blimey a couple of weeks ago, we were all worried about not having enough salt, but next week we’ll be worrying about having too much.

Obviously the salt of concern a couple of weeks ago was the road type and the one we’re being asked to consider now is the type that many foods are laden with.

Yes folks, it’s that time of year again and next week sees the return of National Salt Awareness Week.

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A new support group on the Island is harnessing the power of Facebook to help spread the word of what they have to offer.

Island Wide Smiles is a new group that has been formed to provide support and advice for parents, grandparents and carers of children under the age of five living on the Isle of Wight with a cleft lip and or palate.

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We all know what’s it like over the festive period, champagne to celebrate, wine with the meal, port with cheese, it all racks up.

So not surprisingly, many people decide to go dry during January to give their livers a rest.

The Island NHS are urging Islanders to go a step further and sign a manifesto to look at how problems linked to drinking too much should be tackled.

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Officials at St Mary’s in Newport report today that a number of patients at the hospital have developed symptoms associated with Norovirus (viral gastroenetritis).

In order to keep the virus at bay, the Chief Nurse is requesting that any members of the public displaying symptoms associated with the virus remain away from the hospital unless in an emergency.

The affected patients have been isolated and affected have been closed to new patients.

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During the heavy snow and ice over the last week, we’ve all heard many stories of people going above and beyond the call of duty to help others.

One area where is was dominant was in the provision of health services on the Island.

Although many GP surgeries, hospital appointments and operations were cancelled, inpatients continued to be cared for and outreach services such as the district nurse, carried on throughout the difficulties.

The Island NHS are keen to recognise those who went the extra mile (excuse the pun) and are inviting Islanders to nominate their NHS snow heroes.

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The Island’s NHS is laying on a special drop-in clinic for ‘Mums To Be’ that might have been snowed in over the previous week.

While we’ve had the snow the Midwives and Consultants have been keeping in contact with snowed in ‘mums to be’ by telephone, but are providing this drop-in antenatal clinic at St. Mary’s Hospital to catch up on any missed appointments.

It’s going to be held at St Mary’s Maternity Department on Friday, 15th January between 9.30 am and 3.30 pm and will be run by Midwives. No appointment is necessary.

Image: mahalie under CC BY 2.0

Last Updated 10.53am Tuesday

Read on for the latest news about council/public and health services for Tuesday 12th January.

This page will be updated as and when we receive relevant information.

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