Isle of Wight News on Ventnor Blog

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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Mothering Sunday is fast approaching.

It’s that time of year when we push the boat out to show our dear Mums how much we appreciate them.

So if you’re wondering what to do for your Mum this year, why not consider a taking her along to an award winning country house?

Skip the traditional big lunch and delight your Mum with a very special High Tea, served on traditional cake stands with Champagne and red roses!

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Sponsored Feature

This coming weekend brings a chance to meet local Island artists and perhaps pick up a bargain at the Cowes ‘Artists and Makers Sale’.

This will be the fourth Artists and Makers event, which takes place at the Regatta Centre in Cowes.

Over the course of two days there’ll be an opportunity to meet ten exhibiting artists with a good cross-section of styles and disciplines.

We understand that there’ll be a broad price range, so hopefully something for everyone, whether it’s a treat for yourself or a present for a friend of loved one.

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Tel: (01983) 614 388

After the storms of the recent weeks, it wouldn’t be surprising that people start thinking about getting a supply of wood in to keep them warm over the winter, so we’re glad to help Whitefield Wood Yard out with this sponsored feature.

With our heating being made up of a wood burner and an open fire, a quality supply of wood is vital to us.

So what makes up a quality supply? Wood that’s well-seasoned (been drying out for over a year since it was felled), in good supply and cut to the size that is right for your fire.

Quality supplier
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Regular readers might remember an article we put out a couple of weeks ago about the Isle of Wight mysteriously disappearing off a map of the UK (Where’s The Isle of Wight Gone?).

It was discovered by VB reader, Wayne Spurge, after he got back from a canal boating holiday with the ABC Leisure Group.

Wayne and his family had a great time away on the canal boat, but noticed the Isle of Wight was missing on one of their feedback forms.

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We were really pleased when new Head Chef, James Torin Moore got in touch to ask for VBs help to promote Abdel Kaissam’s new delivery service. This article is part of what we’re doing for them.

The Rex Piano Bar started a trial two weeks ago to deliver quality pizza to Ventnor and the surrounding area.

We popped in there at the end of last week and chatted to the owner Abdel Kaissam and head chef, James about the trial.

They tell us that it’s been such a success, not only are they going to continue it, but they’re expanding it in two ways.

Menu expanded
Beyond the pasta and pizza that they deliver, the Rex are making many of the dishes from their menu main available for delivery as well.

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At the end of next week something quite different will be taking place at the Winter Gardens in Ventnor.

The Wonderyears Choir, backed by the Wonderyears Band, is made up of senior citizens who belt out classic rock numbers as well as more poignant recent ballads from groups such as Coldplay.

The choir gave their first public performance in May last year to a sell-out audience, resulting in a standing ovation at the end of the performance.

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If we asked you whether you’d heard about the wrestling at the Winter Gardens, you might be mistaken for thinking we were talking about last night’s Town Council meeting (more to come to that later).

Not so, we are in fact talking about the fantastic team of wrestlers that make up LDN Wrestling.

At the end of the week, they’ll be descending on the Winter Gardens again promising a night of great family entertainment.

In the ring on the night, we can expect performances from Gideon, Jekyll, Travis, Joel Ritchie, Ryan O Riley, The Evil Joker, Jon Ritchie© and Hakan.

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Update: The Competition is now closed. Winners will be announced Tuesday morning (there’s a good reason, which we think you’ll like).

VB are pleased to announce we have £60 worth of Quay Arts tickets to give away in our second competition this week.

We all love a good laugh and we’ve had many over the years listening the actress, comedian and impersonator, Jan Ravens.

So we were pretty chuffed to hear that she’s heading over to the Island next week as part of her UK tour and should be having us all in stitches at the Quay Arts Centre in Newport.

In Jan Ravens – A Funny Look at Impression, Jan will reveal how she creates her remarkable takes on politicians and celebrities, treating her audience to many of her most renowned impressions along the way.

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If you fancy some entertainment nostalgia, let us take you back to wet and windy Saturday afternoons, stuck inside the house watching TV with your Grandad as Giant Haystacks and Big Daddy use all their flair (and weight) to put on a great wrestling show.

Yes folks, LDN Wrestling are on their way back to the Ventnor Winter Gardens on 9th October and they hope to recreate the buzz of the wrestling scene that we had here in the 1970s.

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The LDN Wrestling team have received a very warm welcome each time they’ve performed at the Ventnor Winter Gardens over the last few years, so it’s no surprise to hear that they will be back again in a couple of weeks time.

Friday 9th October is the date to put in your diaries if you fancy a bit of good old fashioned wrestling entertainment.

Capturing the spirit of Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks and the World of Sport, LDN Wrestling has been making a name for itself over the past few years, promoting exciting, family-friendly shows.

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We got a call earlier this week from a Ventnor shop keeper, who had decided to sell her business and wondered if VentnorBlog could help her let potential purchasers know.

We popped along to have a chat to her as to why she was looking to sell her long-established business.

Long established
Rita’s Boutique has been an asset to Ventnor for over twelve years. Originally starting on Ventnor’s seafront, she moved her stylish ladies clothes shop up to the main town for the next season, settling on a prime spot in Pier Street in Ventnor town.

Over the years Rita has built a loyal group of customers, many of whom come to see her on a weekly basis.

‘Wow factor’ clothes
There’s obviously a reason why this devoted group keeps returning, “We specialise in clothes with a ‘wow factor’,” Rita told us, “They’re bright clothes that really stand out. They’re classic – but with a point of interest.”

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A vacancy has come up with the Ventnor Town Council for the part-time position of Town Clerk, so if you happen to have either the Certificate in Local Council Administration, the Certificate HE in Local Policy or the Certificate HE in the Foundation Degree in Community Engagement and Governance (CEG) you could be in the running for this position (described below).

You may be a Town Clerk elsewhere, or have worked in local Government, or perhaps looking for a comfortable transition into retirement. If so, this role could be for you.

And where better to work but the beautiful town of Ventnor on the Isle of Wight?

Why Ventnor?
Ventnor has gained an International reputation as one of the places to be, having been voted one of the hippest hangouts in the world by Harpers Bazaar.

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Looking for action? Go commando!

Set amongst 450 acres of forested terrain in a secret location lies the Island’s exciting new laser combat adventure – Combat Island.

This weekend, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July will play host to its launch – the very best in laser action.

A special weekend price of £10 per person will buy you an action packed combat session using the all new second generation cordless hi tech electronic rifles.

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Coming up later in the year will be a unique music festival showcasing for the very best of contemporary didgeridoo playing from the UK and abroad.

Having had a crack at one of these fascinating instruments ourselves, we take our hats off to anyone who has mastered the art of didgeridoo-ing.

If you have never heard the didge played by a virtuoso solo artists or in a group setting you will be amazed by the musical range of this simple yet complex instrument.

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Last week we went along to the official launch of the newly opened Studio Cafe in Newport.

It was wonderful to see the cafe buzzing with people and the walls adorned with artwork from six Island artists (more to come on that later).

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Don’t forget that tonight sees the official launch of The Studio Cafe in Newport, where everyone is welcome.

As we featured last week, the recently opened Studio Cafe can be found behind the bus station in Central Newport.

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As you will have heard on the podcast with Janet Harrison that we ran yesterday, the new Studio Cafe will be officially launching next Wednesday evening.

Everyone is welcome along to the launch which kicks off at 7.30pm.

It should be a great affair, with an opportunity to sample some of the culinary delights on offer from the cafe, whilst local folk musician Seb, will be providing musical entertainment.

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A new team has taken over the Cafe on the ground floor of The Studio in Newport and they’re bringing with them wholesome, home-made food all at a fair price.

Located next to the bus station, near the library, it’s a long, bright white room with the counter at the far end, providing lots of places to sit and plenty of wall space.

Local Artists
They’re planning making the most all of that wall space by giving it over to local artists, allowing them to hanging art works, free of charge, for three weeks, before it changes to the next artist.

They strive — and succeed — to provide a warm welcome to all visitors, matching that with soothing music that – unlike many other places, doesn’t rattle your brain out of your ears.

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