Isle of Wight News on Ventnor Blog

A consultation on the hard federation of Chillerton & Rookley, Godshill and Wroxall primaries is now in full swing, with public a meeting arranged near the end of the month.

Under the proposed changes to the schools system, the hard federation will mean that the three primary schools will be run under a single governing body.

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We all know how popular darts is across the Island, so little wonder that someone hoping to raise cash for a very worthy cause has come up with the idea of a 24 hour darts marathon.

Yes folks, a 24 hour darts marathon.

The event is being organised in aid of the Breast Cancer Campaign and is hoping to raise cash and awareness for the campaign.

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It looks like a fly might have just fallen into the ointment for the creation of the new Rural Primary for the South Wight that was to be formed by amalgamating the current Chillerton & Rookley, Godshill and Wroxall schools.

At the end of the last Cabinet meeting, which VB covered live, we half-heard a half-explanation of something to do with the Schools Adjudicator and the Rural schools – sounds pretty vague, right? With a bit of follow-up on our part, it appears that we might have unearthed a story.

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Following our earlier article about reporting potholes, we received the following email from VB reader, Jill Dennis.

As you can see from the photos below that Jill has sent us, the damage to her tyre after hitting a pothole on an Island road is pretty scary.

She tells us that although the picture of the pothole by the Donkey Sanctuary shows it just after it was filled, not surprisingly given the sub-zero weather we experienced a couple of weeks ago, it is deteriorating again.

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If you have a pet dog which hasn’t been microchipped, or your bike doesn’t have an security marking on it, why not take advantage of this offer from the IWC.

In a couple of weeks time, the Isle of Wight Council Community Safety Services will be conducting a tour of the South Wight offering low-cost dog chipping and free security marking for bicycles.

There are several stops on the tour, starting with Chale Green first between 9am – 10.30am on the Green.

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We’re always keen to help out when someone is in distress, so more than happy put out an appeal on behalf of one VB reader for this lost cat from Wroxall. Ed

I am writing to raise awareness of our family cat ‘Salem’.

He is from 57 West Street in Wroxall and will be one year old on
the 2nd of August.

He is all black with a small white bib under his chin. He is friendly although will probably not walk up to you at the first instance.

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Thanks to Harry Windsor for sending through this information which will be of interest to many readers in the wider Ventnor area. Ed

Many people will be aware of the proposed changes to the IW Fire & Rescue Service taking place on the Island.

If you have an interest in the provision for the South Wight area you might want to head down to the Ventnor Winter Gardens at the end of the month for a presentation on the proposals.

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We hear that an impromptu gig is taking place tomorrow night in Wroxall.

Island band The Kurves will be rocking your socks off at The Worsley in Wroxall tomorrow from 8.30pm and they tell us that they’ll be demo-ing their new EP.

Won’t cost you a penny to get in, so why not give it a try?

You’ve probably noticed this already – unless you’re still under the duvet – today is Rather Chilly.

David Carrington from Wroxall Weather got in touch with us to let us know quite how chilly it was overnight. His weather gear was telling him the ‘real feel’ temperate was -11.1 degrees C! Blimey.

The coming days – a bit warmer
Chatting with David today, he predicts that temperatures will reach a maximum of 1 degree C today, with tonight dropping to about -1, so out with the hot water bottle … or electric blanket.

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Sad news reaches us of the death of Kate Williams (formerly Catherine Dabell).

Aged just 45, Kate died instantly, painlessly and peacefully.The cause was a Pulmonary Embolism and Deep Venous Thrombosis.

A close family member informs us that she was a well-known woman loved by all.

Her funeral will take place at 12.45 on the 24th December at the crematorium.

Our sincere condolences go out to Kate’s friends and family.

Image: Copyright John Williams

You have just two days (by end of tomorrow) left to cast your vote in the RSPB Nature of Farming Award.

From the hundreds of entries, making it on the shortlist of four, is Michael Poland from Wroxall Cross Farm.

One of the reasons that Michael has been selected, is due to the development of a grazing regime which allows species such as Dartford warbler and nightjar to flourish.

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Press release from Hampshire and IOW Constabulary

Police officers and partner organisations are asking residents to continue playing an important part in keeping the Isle of Wight a safe place to live.

Two Community Engagement Forums are being held for the Upper Ventnor and Wroxall areas next week.

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The Bonchurch Village Singers will be holding a concert at St John’s Church in Wroxall next month.

This is a free concert and there’ll be refreshments available on the night, plus a retiring collection.

Programme
There’s a wide selection of music being covered by the Bonchurch Village Singers including West Side Story, The Music’s always there with you, Shenandoa, I Believe, I’m always Chasing Rainbows, Moonriver, Sing a Song of Sixpence, Unchained Melody, Boehemian Rhapsody and Irish Blessing.
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After a year of searching for someone to help out with the 1st Ventnor Guides, a short post on the forum, placed by our Town Council correspondent, Mark Compton Hall, has resulted in another success story.

Within half an hour of the message being posted on the forum, a volunteer steeped forward and will now fill the vacancy required to keep the guides going on a weekly basis.
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Looking for something spooky to do this half term in the evenings?

The Wight Zombie March on Saturday night, isn’t the only scary event to take place this week.

If you fancy being frightened in a haunted house, or scared senseless on a ghostly tour, then get yourselves over to Appuldurcombe House this week.

Super spooky events take place at the haunted house between 22nd – 27th and again on Halloween (31st October) at 6pm, 8pm & 10pm daily.

Call 01983 840188 / 852484 for more details.

Yes, don’t forget this bank holiday Monday sees the Grand Donkey Day Out over at the Donkey Sanctuary in Wroxall.

A great day of fun for the family with live music and entertainment, followed by an evening of dancing, as the Pink Pussycat club travels down from Newport to indulge us with their funktastic tunes.

There’ll be a falconry display from John Owen and live woodcarving by Guido Oakley. Randini will be performing his magic/puppet show and let’s not forget the fantastic raffle with first prize of £750!

If you can keep up with him, you can get yourselves an autograph of 118 adverts star, Colin Carmichael.