Isle of Wight News- #IW NEWS Isle of Wight Gazette

Cowes Lifeboat

A Rescue operation was launched after a man became trapped in mud on the River Medina this afternoon (Monday May 31)

A passing water taxi “The Folly” raised the alarm after spotting the boat owner up to his middle in the mud and in some distress.

Solent coastguard launched the Cowes RNLI lifeboat with Simon Hawkins at the helm. Crews dragged the man free before returning him to shore to an awaiting ambulance.

The man who had been trapped for over 45 minutes was treated for shock at St Mary’s hospital in Newport and later released.

An RNLI spokesman said “It was a good job the tide was going out and it was still daylight, otherwise his situation could have been a more serious.”

A 12 year old has been taken to St Mary’s hospital with serious injuries after a car crash that trapped him between two cars.

The Sandown boy ran out into the path of a car in Royal Street , Sandown just before 6pm this evening (Monday, May 31).

Police closed the road for 30 minutes whilst carrying out their investigations. Buses were also diverted away from the area.

A spokesman for Hampshire and IW Police said “The local boy had been treated at the scene by paramedics for a head injury he has been taken to hospital for further treatment.

Three key players in a drug smuggling operation thought be worth over Nine million pounds have been arrested in a joint operation the gazette can reveal.

The operation involving over 40 officers from IW Police, Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), the Metropolitan Police, the UK Border Agency

The arrests took place just after 1130pm on Sunday evening(May 31) in the Yarmouth area.

Hours earlier a local fisherman from Yarmouth tipped off Police after he had discovered a number of rucksacks filled with drugs attached to lobster pot that he was fishing three miles off Yarmouth harbour.

A search of 30 foot fishing boat at Yarmouth harbour was also at the centre of the swoop.

Police officers called out the islands fire service to pump the water tank of the boat to check for further drugs.

A spokesman for SOCA confirmed that three men in there 30’s and early 40’s have been arrestted taken to an unnamed police station in Hampshire for questioning. He went on to say that an estimated 200 kilos of class “A” drugs have been recovered.

Rachel Bridgeland

An Isle of Wight man is at the centre of the international incident in which at least twenty people have been killed, and injured during an Israeli attack on a mercy convoy to Gaza. His partner, Rachel Bridgeland, spoke to the Gazette today.

Peter Venner, from Ryde, set off with emergency rations, building materials and medicines, on a flotilla of ships bound for Gaza. However the convoy members had been warned that the Israelis were intending to arrest them all and were preparing a prison camp in Ashdod in Israel.

Speaking from her home in Bembridge today, Peter’s partner Rachel Bridgeland said she had had no news of Peter’s health or wellbeing since the ships were attacked in the early hours of this morning.

“As news is being censored by the Israeli military, there’s not much I can tell you at the moment,” said Rachel.

“It seems as if the news of 20 fatalities is coming from the Israeli military, so is presumably accurate. It seems very unnecessary, especially as all the boats and crew had been checked very carefully for anything that could be used as a weapon at every port they passed through.

“As all boats were boarded, I imagine the fatalities have been spread out among them.

“It does seem extraordinarily stupid of the Israelis to do this. I believe the boats were at least 70 miles away from Israel - not far from Cyprus, in international waters.

“Peter never became involved in this for political reasons, he did it because he wanted change, like so many others on the flotilla,” she explained.

For more details on this story as it unfolds, read the IW Gazette this Friday.

Man tackles the marshal over the delay

The normally peaceful annual Lambretta scooter rally on the island ended up with handbags at twenty paces after one Brading resident saw red over traffic hold ups.

The Gazette can reveal Safety marshals involved in the scooter rally had stopped traffic to allow the convoy of scooters to use the roundabout near to the former Brading Experience this afternoon.

When One Brading resident who was waiting to catch a bus into Ryde saw Red.

The irate man came to blows in the middle of the roundabout with marshals after he had stopped the traffic for over ten minutes said the builder.

In an exclusive set of picture the gazette captured. The unnamed resident claiming to be a black belt in Karate said ” I’m waiting for bus this is stupid why should they be allowed to do this they think they own the road.

Other motorists caught up in the scooter rage incident sounded their horns in support of the man who tackled the group.

Speaking to the gazette after the incident man said:” I wasn’t hit and if they had tried to hit him, I would have ripped his head off and knocked him to the floor.”

Check out this weeks gazette for full story.

Sandown and Shanklin Lifeboat

A midland’s family who were at the centre of a rescue operation that was launched this afternoon (Sunday May 30th) thanked the crew on board Sandown and Shanklin independent lifeboat for their swift actions.

The independent lifeboat was out on a routine training exercise when they spotted the stricken inflatable meters from Culver down Cliffs.

The family of four of two adults and two young children were transferred to the lifeboat suffering from shock after an engine failure on their little rubber inflatable.

The Lifeboat crew helped recover casualty boat to back to Yaverland slipway, Sandown

Bembridge auxiliary coastguard team also attended the incident and gave advice to the family.

The family packing away after being rescued

Coxswain Mark Birch said “It shows the importance of having a lifeboat in the Sandown and Shanklin area. Funds that we raise and from donations from the public helps us to be out on the water as much as possible. I seriously believe that if we hadn’t of been out on the water we could of been looking at a different out come.

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Emilie Rose and Aimiee Adams

Driver Emilie Rose 18 from Newport and her female passenger Aimee Adams 19 from Freshwater had lucky escape after they swerved to avoid an animal on the road believed to be a rabbit.

Emergency services rushed to the scene just after 7pm this evening (Saturday May 29) after reports that Emilie’s red ford Ka car she was driving was on its side with the pair still trapped on the Middle Road near Calbourne.

Fire crews from Newport and the rescue tender were called to the Calbourne Road near to the watermill to free the pair from the vehicle.

Police closed the road and set up diversions whilst fire crews assisted the pair from the vehicle and made the area safe by righting the car.

The teenage girls who escaped with minor injuries were hanging upside down in the vehicle trapped by their seatbelts and the driver’s foot under the clutch before fire crews freed them.

Speaking to the gazette after the incident passenger Aimee Adams said “ She was unbelievable lucky to walk away with minor bruising. She describes how her friend Emilie had swerved after seeing the rabbit in the road.

She went on to say the vehicle span around hitting a tree and the verge before it rolled on to it side. The next thing I knew I was hanging upside down in the vehicle and could get out of because of the seatbelt. My friend Emilie had her foot trapped under clutch pedal. It was all very scary. The fireman got here really quite and they were brilliant freeing us she added.

Emilie Crashed Car

Crew manager Dave Grundy said” The two females were very lucky and the fact that they were wearing there seat belts saved them from serious injury. Crews assisted the girls from the vehicle and they where checked over by paramedics at the scene.”

Emergency Services at the Scene

Two people have been taken to hospital suffering from whiplash and neck injuries after a four-car crash in Newport.

Emergency services were called to Fairlee Road Newport just after 11.00 this morning (Saturday May 29). The road was blocked for over an hour whilst fire crews stabilised the vehicles so Paramedics could remove the injured passengers from their vehicles on spinal boards and collars.

A 38 year female from Somerset suffering with pain to her neck and a 42 year man from Newport suffering from whiplash injuries were strapped to spinal boards before being transported to hospital by ambulances.

Watch Manager Nigel Probert from IW Fire service said” Crews stabilised the vehicles using blocks to stop any further movement. This helps so that Paramedics can remove the casualty which out causing any unnecessary movement.”

A police spokesman from Hampshire and IW police said, “The people involved in the incident have suffered what is being described as non life threatening injuries they have been taken to St Mary’s hospital for treatment.

We have just been informed of a road traffic accident along Fairlee road, Newport.

The accident happened just after 11am this morning (29th May) and is causing huge traffic jam for motorists coming into Newport.

We have been informed that 3 Cars was involved with the RTA

Police and ambulance are currently on scene.

We will bring you more as the details come in.

Remains of Vehicles

Police and Fire Crews were called to a two vehicle that had been set alight in the rear of garden in Ryde last night (Friday May 28)

Fire crews from Ryde and Newport attended whilst police cordoned off the top of Edward Road just after 11.40pm.

Flames could be seen coming from the roof of a derelict building that is due to be demolished as fire crew arrived to fight the blaze.

The fire had spread to a fence and a near by shed. Resident of a near by block of flats were evacuated for a short time whilst fire crews brought the fire under control.

Incidents commanders called in the support of an aerial ladder from Newport as it was thought that the fire had spread to the roof of the building.

Fire fighters used breathing apparatus and two hose-reels to put out the blaze and prevent any further damage to neighbouring property. No one was hurt.

A spokesman for Hampshire and IW police said “They are working with the islands fire services to establish a caused she added: “I can confirm these fire is being investigated as arson.”

Police with Fire Crews

Station Manager Jeff Walls said: “You always have to be very careful with sheds because they often have gas cylinders, aerosols and other chemicals inside them.

Wightlink Ferries are reporting delays on the Fishbourne to Portsmouth Route of up to an hour and a half due to an earlier incident at Portsmouth Terminal.

The St Faith car ferry had to be withdrawn from service pending an inspection after it hit the side of the quay injuring two passengers on board.

A Wightlink spokesperson said “Due to an earlier incident at our Gunwharf Terminal, there are delays to our Portsmouth-Fishbourne car ferry service.

We are currently operating a shuttle service and additional sailings will be operating throughout the night.

Passengers are advised to check in as normal.

Wightlink would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. Passengers concerned about their reservation are advised to call Wightlink on 0871 376 1000.”

Wightlinks St Faith Ferry

Two people have been treated by paramedics for bruising and shock at Gunwharf ferry terminal this afternoon (Friday May 28) The Gazette can reveal.

The passengers who were onboard the 1pm sailing from Fishbourne were injured after Wightlink’s “St Faith” RORO hit the berth at Gunwharf whilst docking.

Mark Clark from the MCA said “The ferry operator had reported the incident to the coastguard and we have sent a marine surveyor to Portsmouth to inspect the vessel.”

Kerry Jackson spokeswoman for Wightlink said “St Faith encountered a heavy landing on the 1300 sailing from Fishbourne today. Paramedics were called to treat the two passengers who suffered minor injuries. Wightlink are currently operating a shuttle service between Fishbourne and Portsmouth.” The spokeswoman went on to say that the vessel has been withdrawn from service, which is standard procedure.

RYDE SOCIAL Heritage Group (RSHG) and Living Links recently launched the innovative “Ryde Heritage Audio Trail”.

The trail is a guided walking tour of Ryde. It has taken two years to complete and is one of the creative outputs of the Living Links project.

Living Links is a three-year Heritage Lottery funded project, supported by the IW Record Office and Hampshire Archives Trust, to help local groups access archives and to tell the stories of their places. The project has also provided training and advice to groups across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Sarah Speller from Living Links worked closely with RSHG throughout the creation of the Ryde Heritage Audio Trail.

RSHG started researching and documenting the history of Ryde in 2002 and has built a good reputation for the quality of their exhibitions and displays and reliability in completing projects.

An Open Day was held at St Thomas Heritage Centre, Ryde on Saturday 15 May with an exhibition about the Audio Trail. The Ryde Heritage Audio Trail takes the listener on a walk around Ryde starting at Lind Street, down Union Street to the Pier, along the Esplanade to the Canoe Lake, then back along the Esplanade and up St Thomas Street ending at St Thomas Church.

To walk the trail takes about two hours and there are 17 stops along the way where people can listen to the audio and learn some interesting facts about Ryde’s past. It is also possible for people to devise their own shorter route and select the appropriate stops. The trail is accessible to wheelchair and mobility scooter users, as there are dropped kerbs at all the road crossing points. Historical information about the town has been selected by researching archives; the trail contains many fascinating, funny and informative stories about Ryde.

In addition to the Open Day, there was a private viewing of the exhibition for invited guests on the evening of Friday 14 May; during the course of the weekend well over 200 people visited the exhibition which, as well as display boards and research folders, included a manikin dressed as a Coastguard, a specially created model showing how the Ryde tramway used to run through the ground floor of Holywell House, and a restored ‘penny-farthing’ bicycle (kindly loaned by Charlie Henderson). Mr Henderson and the Town Cryer gave the event extra publicity when they wheeled the bicycle through the town on the Friday afternoon.

Janette Gregson, chairman of RSHG, said, “Our aim was to use modern technology to engage people with the past. By using MP3 files downloaded for free from our website there is no need to hire and return expensive listening equipment; people can walk the trail in their own time. We have discovered some fascinating facts about the town and are sure people will enjoy walking the trail and listening to the audio files.”

Ryde Heritage Audio Trail is available as free downloadable MP3 files from Ryde Social Heritage Group’s website www.rshg.org.uk and also from www.talking-guides.com/ryde. For those without MP3 players text versions of the audio files are also available from the RSHG website.

MANY LOCAL Islanders know that Fort Victoria is great, whether it is walking, fishing, picnicking or just beach lazing by the sea.

Even if it’s not fine you have a variety of attractions that are both entertaining and educational and the parking is free.

Everyone loves a model railway and here is one of the largest and model rich layouts in the UK. New this year is the model fairground. Also there is a shop for the railway modeller

The Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology, who have made many marine discoveries around the Island, have their extensive exhibition and gift shop, here also running many children’s events during the year.

The Marine Aquarium is a wonder of local sea life with many exhibits provided by local divers and fishermen. There is also a tropical section and walk over pond.

The Island Planetarium has a new totally immersive projection dome this year and new exhibits have been added to the Robert Hooke Exhibition, our Freshwater ‘local hero’. New is the Solar Trail walk. Stargazing and evening shows run all the year.

There is Verdi’s CafÈ at Fort Victoria and along the road, The Boathouse; both have tasty snacks and meals and both have licences.

Also there is a dog free picnic area and ‘do it yourself” barbeques, if you bring your own food and fuel.

Here you have 50 hectares of wonderful country park and coastland to explore. There are various paths, some are wheelchair / buggy friendly but other parts need additional care and foot sureness.

ISLAND POLICE want possible victims of fraud to come forward.

Officers from the Island’s Targeted Patrol Teams (TPT) are investigating several reports of money being obtained from members of the public by deception.

Investigating officer, PC Sam Burrows, said: “A number of Islanders have lost money by paying hundreds of pounds in cash in advance on the promise of discounted electrical goods, which are then never delivered.

“We believe more people could have been affected by similar frauds on the island so far this year. I’m appealing for anyone who thinks they are a victim of this type of deception to contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ryde Police Station by phoning 101. Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

HOVERTRAVEL, the fastest Isle of Wight passenger service across the Solent, teamed up with the Hovershow 2010 to carry passengers from Southsea and Ryde to the Hovercraft Museum in Lee-on-the-Solent.

On Saturday 15 May 2010, the Hovercraft museum opened for Hover fans all afternoon and evening as part of a campaign to attract more visitors. The museum lit up their wide range of hovercraft for the first time ever with the event continuing past dusk until 10pm.

Warwick Jacobs, one of the Hovercraft Museum’s trustees said: “Hovertravel provided an excellent service for those travelling to the museum. We welcomed record numbers of enthusiasts and their families. As the longest operating commercial hovercraft service and the only passenger service offering a special charter to our show, we were delighted that Hovertravel helped so many of our visitors to arrive on an operating hovercraft.”

SHALFLEET Little Explorers pre school open day was a great success with many new prospective children and parents dropping in to see what is on offer.

The pre-school has an open day every year to promote the services they are offering.

“For the short term we are the only pre school providing full day care for ages birth to four years, 50 weeks of the year,” said manager Linda Harrop.

“We also offer a holiday club from birth to 14 years and a breakfast club and after school club. All are housed within Shalfleet Primary School but in our own unit.

“The open day was to promote the pre-school and enable parents to see what is on offer. During the day we had activities such as water play, Play-do and lots of outdoor activities such as a traffic area, big sand pit play and dinosaur land. There was also the garden area on show where the children are growing strawberries, carrots and beans and an herb garden and story time under the gazebo.

“Children sat around with their parents and food was provided by existing parents, the management committee and the child care practitioners. It was a lovely social event when we all had lunch with lots of chat and social interaction.

“Five parents were very, very interested and some have signed up. The feedback we got was fantastic and everybody enjoyed themselves.”

FED UP with waiting for politicians to do anything to end the Israeli blockade of Gaza, Peter Venner has left his wood yard in Ryde for a second attempt to deliver aid to the stricken area.

Gaza is around the size of the Isle of Wight and is home to 1.5 million Palestinians, most of whom are refugees and under the age of 16.

Following the Israeli attack on Gaza last year, in which thousands were killed or maimed, IW Friends of Palestine sent two vehicles to join the humanitarian aid convoy to Gaza. Clothes, bedding, books, toys, toilet paper and everything other than limited medical supplies and foods are banned by Israel’s blockade, but the aid convoy managed to get through with most of their supplies.

Three months later, Peter is setting off to Gaza once more – but this time by sea. He will be joining others on eight boats that are attempting to take building materials and school supplies to Gaza. These items are among those banned and so the Gazans have no way of rebuilding the homes, schools and hospitals that were deliberately targeted when thousands were killed or maimed by the Israeli attack on Gaza last year.

The crew of the boats will be risking their lives. On previous occasions, despite being in international waters, the Israeli navy has fired live rounds and rammed boats attempting to carry aid to Gaza. On the last occasion they forcibly removed the crew and imprisoned them in Israel.

Organiser Rachel Bridgeland said: “We hoped Andrew Turner would ask for naval protection for this humanitarian aid flotilla, but all we’ve heard is that the Foreign Office does not recommend travelling to Gaza. When Peter and the other drivers were attacked by Egyptian police during the land convoy, and then held at Cairo airport for several days, the Foreign Office did nothing to help.

“As David Cameron is a self-confessed Zionist and - according to Conservative Friends of Israel - 80% of Conservative MPs are members, I don’t think we can hope for anything better from the Conservatives. Whichever of the main parties is in power, the Israelis are literally allowed to get away with murder. Since the state of Israel was formed in 1948, by Jews who had settled in Palestine and then ethnically cleansed the land of Palestinians, the Israeli government has received support, weapons and other aid from the British government. So far the Israelis have taken 87% of the Palestinians’ land and more is lost each year. Whatever government we end up with, it seems unlikely that there will be any change in policy towards Israel, so all that is left to us is grass roots action - brave individuals like Peter, who are prepared to face Israeli warships in order to deliver much needed school supplies and building materials to Gaza.”

A 50kg bag of cement costs £3. If anyone would like to donate money for a bag of cement, or school supplies, please contact Rachel on 872997.

MERSEYSIDE’S finest, The Coral, are set to join Paul Weller, Brand New Heavies, Imelda May, The Bees, Twisted Wheel and The Chords for Summer Madness at Carisbrooke Castle Fields on August 29.

The Coral are riding high after the success of their sixth album, Butterfly House, which won praise from fans and critics alike reinvigorating the band after the release of their Greatest Hits collection in 2008. Hailed as the first English band of the ‘guitar group revival’ the band released the acclaimed EPs Shadows Fall, The Oldest Path and Skeleton Key in 2001. Their eponymous debut album, The Coral, released in 2002, reached number five in the UK album charts and was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize the day after its release. Since then, the band have gone from strength to strength with their own distinctive musical style.

Tickets are priced at £40 and are available at www.seetickets.com - 24 Hour Hotline - 0871 2200 260 as well as the Tourist Information Centres and HMV Stores in Newport.

SIX ISLAND police officers have completed their challenge of taking on Britain’s longest river, The Severn, and have raised around £1,000 for two Island-based charities.

Sergeant Cliff Jones, PC Matt Wilford, PC Simon O’Dea, PC Rob Power, PC Paul McPartlin and PC Tom Gamble raised funds money for the Island Youth Water Activities Centre in Cowes and St. Catherine’s School in Ventnor for children and young people with speech, language and communication impairments.

The team took six days to walk to the river’s source, cycle to the primary navigation point and then kayak along the river to the sea at Gloucester. All the officers gave up leave for the challenge and have trained in all weathers to prepare.

It was the latest charity challenge taken on by Island officers who had previously completed the Sport Relief mile in full riot kit and the Three Peaks Challenge to raise funds for island-based charities.

Sergeant Cliff Jones said: “PC Matt Wilford came up with the idea after an unsuccessful attempt at drowning his Sergeant last December. I believe that despite the 172 miles to be covered in six days, it is still safer to agree with Matt when he comes up with something like this.

“There is fantastic support from many sponsors including Trespass clothing, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Vics Stores, Morrisons and Wightlink. The Island Youth Water Activities Centre has provided the kayaks, St. Catherine’s School has given us a minibus, and the Ryde sea cadets have supplied a trailer. We wish to say a massive thank you to all of these organisations.

“We’ve visited St. Catherine’s School for a day, which was a brilliant experience with the young people. Their determination to overcome their difficulties is a huge motivation for what we are doing.”

St. Catherine’s School year 11 group followed the team’s progress as part of its geography coursework. Community Fundraiser for St Catherine’s Kim Fry said: “It was lovely to welcome the police officers to St Catherine’s so they could see first hand the amazing work here. We are very grateful for their support and wish them all the best of luck with their slightly crazy but exciting challenge.”

You can still donate to the team through the Just Giving web page. http://www.justgiving.com/SevernChallenge2010.