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

Firefighters attended a shed fire in Alverstone that was in danger of spreading to a nearby copse.

Fire crews from Sandown, Newport and a water carrier from Ryde were called shortly before 3.30pm this afternoon to Ivanhoe House, Alverstone Road in Alverstone.

Jane Reed, 46, who called the fire servcies said that she feared that it was going to catch the copse alight.

She spoke to the Gazette: “There was alot of smoke and flames. The flames were licking at the branches of the over hanging trees.

My husband Micheal helped another neighbour with a hose pipe from the back garden of the empty house, they were trying to stop the flames from spreading by spraying the trunk of the tree near to the shed whilst we waited for the fire service to turn up.

On arrival they found that neighbours had demolished a fence in order to take water from a garden pond to try and stop the fire from spreading to the overhanging trees.

Alverstone Road was closed for a short time whilst crew dealt with the incident at the rear of an empty house.

The large shed was completely destroyed by the fire. Watch Manager Jeff Pidgeon said: “When we arrived the shed was well alight. Crews in breathing apparatus used two hose reels to knock the fire down and prevent it from spreading to the nearby copse.”

A psychiatric patient walk out of a hospital unchallenged and was not missed for several hours, the Gazette can reveal.

David Glasby 45 walked out of Seven Acres psychiatric hospital just after midday on Tuesday June 29 after being granted Section 17 leave.

Island Police have launched a manhunt asking members of the public not to approach Glasby due to his mental state but to contact them, if he is seen.

Glasby who is sectioned under the mental health act and had been receiving treatment at the unit.

Glasby, who is white, with dark receding hair and green eyes, was last seen wearing a black thin waterproof jacket.

A spokesman for Hampshire and IW Police said, “That Mr Glasby was last seen in the West Cowes area of the Island. She went on to confirm that they were working with other police forces and the hospital to try and locate the missing man.

A spokesman for St Mary’s Hospital said” That they could confirm that a patient had not returned after being granted Section 17 leave, this leave is granted and reviewed on a daily assessment carried out by doctors within the unit”. He went on to say that the leave is part of a recovery process.

Anyone who recognises this man has been asked to contact the duty sergeant at Newport Police on 101 or 08450454545. If you think you may have seen him but not sure the Police are still advising to contact them.

YOU KNOW you’re dealing with a group of architects who really care about the way the local area looks when you discover that they help to run, and build, the Bembridge Heritage Centre.

RM Associates assisted in establishing the Heritage Centre over 15 years ago. The building was the old toilet block to the school, in which the library is now housed, and it had to be converted, with RM Associates providing the initial design of the interior.

Robin Maconchy (RM) the chairman of Bembridge Heritage Society, and its 240 members run the centre completely voluntarily, taking two-hour slots between the opening hours of 10am till 4pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 10am till noon on Saturdays.

Entrance to the centre is only £1 with children and members free – and membership of Bembridge Heritage Centre is only £4 per year. Monthly talks on local history are put on in the village hall by the society through the winter months.

Current projects that the Centre has been involved with include the restoration of two of the 16 PLUTO (Pipe Line Under the Ocean) pumps that were installed at Sandown during the war, and one now has pride of place in the Centre. This pump helped to push fuel over to France for the D Day landings and is one of only three still in existence – another is in Sandown Zoo and a third at the Imperial War Museum in London.

Exhibitions include photo- graphs of the building of MTBs (Motor Torpedo Boats) during the war, at Woodnutt Boatyard on the Duver, and pictures from the nine-hole golf course that used to sit within the sand dunes.

“It was the first golf course in England, built in Queen Victoria’s time,” said Robin. “It was between St Andrews and the Royal Isle of Wight Golf Course as to who would write the rules of golf – St Andrews won of course. David Niven played there when he lived in Rose Cottage on Bembridge High Street, but it was closed in the late 60s.”

Also on show is a time capsule of sundries that were on sale in Rod Jones’ paper shop in the 1950s – moved to the Heritage Centre when the shop closed.

RM Associates recently won an award for the restoration of the signal box at Brading Station and are currently involved in the restoration of the Royal Victoria Arcade in Ryde and Queen Victoria’s stable block in Union Road, behind the arcade.

Established in the High Street in Bembridge for 20 years, RM Associates can design any type of building from a small extension to a large mansion.

Andrew Turner MP with Swanmore children

Last Friday, three election candidates descended on Swanmore Middle School. Andrew Turner a Conservative, Jill Wareham a Liberal Democrat and Mark Chiverton who was running for Labour.

We asked them a few questions, and we got very good answers. Jill Wareham came to 7/B first, here are her questions and answers:

Jill Wareham was asked: “Did you feel sad when you lost?”

Jill Wareham said: “Yes! Because I would liked to be PM or even Deputy PM”

Jill Wareham other question was: “Do you think David Cameron will do a good job?”

Jill Warehams last question was: “Yes! Because he’s got a chance to change the welfare of the country.”

After Jill Wareham left Andrew Turner the Islands MP came in. In the election Andrew got just over 32,000 votes.

Andrew Turner was asked: “Are you pleased that you got most of the Islands votes?”

Andrew said: “Yes I am, because we got over 32,000 votes.”

Andrew’s other question was: “Are you happy the you won the election?”

Andrews answer was: “Certainly, there’s no question to it.”

Sadly, Mark Chiverton couldn’t make it on Friday May 14 so he came Monday May 17, but we didn’t get any questions off of him.

Swanmore Middle School had an assembly with Andrew and Jill. At the end before Jill and Andrew went Callum had to stand up and do a speech (he really embarrassed himself).

To sum up, it went really well and we had a great time learning about the candidates and how the election works.

So a big thank you from Swanmore Middle School and the people who helped organise it, thank you.

MP visits Swanmore

WHEN ANDREW TURNER, Jill Wareham and Mark Chiverton came to Swanmore Middle School they were loaded with questions that Swanmore children had written writes Seren and Ria.

The lucky Swanmore pupils had the privilege to be able to talk to the Conservative, Liberal Democrats and Labour prospective MPs for the Island. Their heads were overloaded with information!

When Jill Wareham entered the room and started talking the children immediately started writing new questions and answers on their paper eager to learn more about politics. Jill Wareham said “I am a bit disappointed but glad I’m not the MP because the MPs job would come with a lot of responsibilities and I would not be able to cope!”

Andrew Turner entered the room excitable and enthusiastic to get started. First he told the children about how he became interested in politics and how he has always believed in himself. After that the children asked him lots of questions which he answered truthfully to all of them.

Mark Chiverton came in front of all the year 7 children, He seemed eager to get started and they kept on going with their questions. He was always enthusiastic answering all the questions and always told the children the important information.

Swanmore said a big thank you and we hope they all enjoyed it. They did a small assembly for the year 7 children, and they all enjoyed it. It was a great day and a big success.

Jill Wareham

TWO POLITICIANS, Andrew Turner, Conservatives, and Jill Wareham, Liberal Democrats, entered Swanmore Middle School to speak to the pupils in year 7.

They told us about themselves, and they had very interesting lives. Then the students asked questions about their jobs, what their lives are like and much more. They answered the questions as they would in an election.

Next there was a fiery argument about the voting system during the year seven assembly. Then Callum stood up and gave a speech: “I hope you enjoyed your visit and remember Swanmore Middle School.

Andrew Turner MP with Swanmore children

ON FRIDAY May 14 2010 we met the candidates to be MPs of the IW, Jill Wareham, Andrew turner, and Mark Chiverton writes Conner Freeston.

We met Jill Wareham first the candidate for the Liberal Democrats. We asked her some challenging questions about her job. But she will not be running in the election next time because she thinks someone younger should take her place.

After we met Jill Wareham we met Andrew Turner, the MP for the Conservatives. He was voted in as the new MP for the Island. We asked him some questions about how he feels about being the new MP for the Island. He was pleased with all the votes he got from the voters on the Island.

The final candidate for MP we met was Mark Chiverton for Labour. He was disappointed that he did not win the job of the MP for the Island. We asked him if he likes his job and he said he likes it and said it was challenging.

Finally we went to an assembly and asked more questions. Then there was some arguing about the voting system. Jill Wareham said this is for the children. At the end of the assembly Callum said thank you for coming.

I am happy that the Conservatives won the election and are in government with the Liberal Democrats.

MP visits Swanmore

ON FRIDAY May 14 Andrew Turner the (Conservative MP) for the Island and Jill Wareham (Liberal Democrats), had a fiery discussion over the Islands welfare in the middle of a year 7 assembly writes Callum Piper and Alfie Pearce.

At the end of the school day the year 7s only, were called to the dining room to see what the two MP’s had to say when we asked questions.

When all of a sudden, a raging debate kicked off between Andrew Turner and Jill Wareham about the Islands welfare and an unfair voting system. When time ran out Callum Piper put an end to the assembly by saying to the two candidates “On behalf of Swanmore middle school I would like to thank you all for coming here today.”

Our personal opinion is that there should be a fairer voting system.

Mark Chiverton with Swanmore pupils

ON FRIDAY May 14 at Swanmore Middle, two candidates came in to talk to year 7 and answer some challenging questions. These candidates were Jill Wareham and the Island MP Andrew Turner writes Jake Aldric, Kaylon Downer and Luke Tyers.

Firstly they gave year 7 a speech about politics and then answered the questions from the children afterwards. These are some of the questions they asked. Firstly Dan’s question “Were you devastated when you lost the election?” Jill Wareham replied “Yes, I only entered the election to win!” Shannon asked “Will you be in the election again?”, “No because I will be too old when the next election happens.”

Later that day there was an assembly. Both candidates attended this. During this assembly there was a furious argument when Jill Wareham disagreed with Andrew Turner.

That day for year seven was a magnificent one!

Swanmore pupils with Jill Wareham

MARK CHIVERTON, Jill Wareham and successful candidate, Andrew Turner, came in to Swanmore Middle School in Ryde on Friday May 14. They volunteered to explain to us about the election and their jobs writes Ruby Simon.

Jill Wareham was the first person to talk to us about her job. She thinks David Cameron will be a good Prime Minister to lead the country and do well.

Mark Chiverton has been a prospective MP for 9 years and he stood for the IW seat in 2005 and 2010. His Labour colour is red. He wants more green jobs on the Island and believes it should be a centre for promoting green issues. He’s been into politics for over 30 years.

Andrew Turner, the third and final candidate for MP, started parliament in 2001. He moved to the Island for 6 weeks then there was an election. He said “David Cameron should be the Prime Minister for about 5 years”. He is pleased that he got 32,000 votes from the IW.

At 12 years old, he voted for the Conservative party and has ever since. He was very pleased to win. Andrew hopes to cut taxes so jobs will continue to be created.

I think that the election is an interesting big fight in England.

Andrew Turner MP

LAST Friday (May 14) Swanmore Middle School had a great talk from the Islands three main party candidates, Jill Wareham, Mark Chiverton and Andrew Turner writes Caitlin Smith & Maeghan Craig.

The pupils in year 7 learned all about what it was like to be a politician and what sort of things they got up to.

The pupils were very excited about the talk and took lots of pictures with the candidates. Jill Wareham, the Liberal Democrat candidate, talked all about nuclear weapons and how she wanted to stop using them, the two-tier system and all about working with Nick Clegg.

Jill also said “I would probably rather work with Labour then the Conservatives.”

Andrew Turner, the Conser-vative party MP, and the winner of the election also talked about the school changes and said “I think the schooling system would work either way.”

He talked about the fact that he wanted to improve poorer schools, that he wanted the voting system to change, and that he was in favour of nuclear weapons.

Mark Chiverton, the Labour candidate, talked about how he wanted to promote green issues and talked about how he wanted to attract industries to the Isle of Wight.

We spoke to Rachel Lawrence and she said “I found it was a very interesting day and I learnt quite a bit about politics. However, I found it quite hard and complicated to understand.”

Overall we think it was a very interesting and exciting day and we all appreciate the time the time Jill Wareham, Andrew Turner and Mark Chiverton gave up to come and speak to us and a big thank you to Miss Snook for organising it.

Andrew Turner MP

CONGRATULATIONS to the Conservatives for winning the Island election writes Michael Foulkes and Stuart Jones.

Mark Chiverton (Labour) said that he would keep the school system as it is, where as the Liberal Democrats would prefer it if the Island would change the school system.

Andrew Turner has the final say and he said that he doesn’t mind if the three tier system changed. The Conservatives had 32,810 votes and the Liberal Democrats were behind on 22,283. Labour didn’t have a great year for votes with an unfortunate 8,163 votes. Andrew Turner would like the voting system changed!

Jill Wareham

MARK CHIVERTON is the Isle of Wight representative for Labour, he got 8,163 votes, but it wasn’t enough to beat his rivals Jill Wareham and Andrew Turner. Andrew Turner beat Jill by only 10,527 votes writes Jasmine Taylor and Omi Lane.

On May 14, these three competitors visited Swanmore Middle School and spoke their views on the election. The first to visit was Andrew Turner, who told us his ideas for the Island. Some of his ideas included wanting to help poorer schools instead of making the good schools better. He was in favour of nuclear weapons. He sounded dedicated to his job and spoke to us quite informatively.

Jill Wareham had a very different opinion as she talked to us later on that day. She was not in favour of nuclear weapons and didn’t think there was any difference between having a two tier or a three tier school system, as they both work as well as each other. Also, she told us that she’d rather have been in Labour than the Conservatives if she had the choice.

On Monday May 17, Mark Chiverton came to talk to us. He talked with us with great respect and an informal tone to his voice. He explained that he would like to promote ‘green’ issues and would give adequate funding for education. Mark wanted to keep the school system as it is because he thinks it’s best as it is and thinks its not worth the hassle and money to change the schools. But he did not just tell us about ideas, but also what its like to be in parliament; he said its really loud and much like a classroom, there is lots of shouting going on at the same time and is sometimes very confusing!

Our school is probably the only school on the Isle of Wight that can say that we have been visited by these great people. So we are really lucky and have had an inside view of their stories. As you probably know Conservatives did win the election but did not get enough seats to do it alone so David Cameron asked the Lib Dems to join them in parliament. There’s going to be a better future for all of us with these great leaders, but do you have a different opinion?

Mark Chiverton with Swanmore pupils

ON FRIDAY May 14 Swanmore had an amazing opportunity to meet three different candidates running for MP on the Island writes Demi-Lee Perkis.

These candidates were Andrew Turner, Jill Wareham and Mark Chiverton who volunteered to come into Swanmore and talk to us about the election.

Andrew Turner, the current MP, who started in parliament in 2001 and is a Conservative, is quite happy with David Cameron being Prime Minister and very much hopes to cut taxes so jobs can continue to be created.

Jill Wareham, a candidate that was running for the roll of MP, who is a Liberal Democrat, said she was sad not to be elected as MP, she thinks there should be younger candidates running for that position.

Mark Chiverton, another candidate running for MP, who is a part of the Labour party, says he is privileged to have the opportunity to build on last times excellent result.

Near the end of the day, we had an assembly, Jill Wareham and Andrew Turner were there.

There was a bit of an argument about different opinions on the election and how things are going to change. After a long while and an interesting debate, their visit came to a close.

My opinion is that the talk was very interesting and the election was fascinating to find out more about

Island MP Andrew Turner

SWANMORE had a fantastic opportunity on Friday May 14. We got to meet Andrew Turner (the new MP for the Island) as well as Jill Wareham and Mark Chiverton (the other two candidates) writes Eleni Dove.

The three candidates had a fiery head-to-head debate. Jill Wareham (Liberal Democrats) is a 59 year old and has been interested in politics since she was 18 years old. We spoke to her first. We asked her ‘do you like your job?’ She replied in a soft voice “I love my job, but it is hard work, you have to be thick skinned.” Jill also said “we need more young people in politics.” We asked Mark Chiverton if he was sad that he didn’t become MP for the Island, he said “I am sad not to be the MP” Finally we spoke to the new MP for the Island, we asked “Would you have liked to be Prime Minister.” He replied in a cheerful voice “No, because it is too big a responsibility.” I didn’t really know anything about the election until they came in. I was surprised that politics wasn’t as boring as it seems. All the candidates were trying their hardest to help the Island, and then in assembly they had an argumentative debate about some of the political issues.

But can politicians be trusted?

The Needles coastguard team

Four people were rescued from the treacherous rocks at Blackgang beach at high tide today (June 28).

The Gazette can reveal that four people have been plucked from the rocky Blackgang beach in a dramatic rescue by Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 104.

Their rib ran aground on the deadly rocks on the infamous ‘wreckers’ beach this afternoon and rescue services were scrambled just after 2.15pm. Coastguard rescue teams from both Ventnor and the Needles attended the scene along with Freshwater Independent Lifeboat, but crews were unable to rescue the distressed sailors, and the Coastguard Helicopter winched them to safety.

A 70 year old pensioner was among those rescued from the rocks.

The Needles Coastguard set up a cliff rescue and rope system whilst Ventnor team manned the helicopter landing site in Chale.

Solent Coastguard called out Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat on Sunday (June 27) to assist a motor cruiser who had fouled her engine with a rope.

The four people onboard the vessel called “Puffin” were transferred on to the lifeboat after the boat lost its engine and was drifting. There was a risk of cruiser hitting the rocks off Shanklin.

The Crew on the independent lifeboat towed the vessel back to it’s station and used the trailer that is normally used to recover the lifeboat to free the rope from engine.

The crew than gave the mariners a brew before sending them on their way.

Coxswain Mark Birch Coxswain said” It was a very unusual way but it was quicker to use the lifeboat trailer than it was to launch a diver into the water.

Emergency services have been called to a large blaze in Newchurch the Gazette can reveal

Fire crews were called just before six pm today Sunday (June 27) to Amazon World in Watery Lane in Newchurch

Staff at the zoo, which houses over 200 animal species, discovered the blaze in an outbuilding and raised the alarm.

Robert Westmore Amazon Zoo Manager said, “Staff tried to tackle the fire using a garden hose as it was feared that the fire might spread to the quarantine area of the zoo. Two anteaters had been moved.

“The fire service turned up very quickly and gained control of the fire and stopped it from spreading.”

He added that a there had been damage to the outhouse and a tractor had also been burnt out as a result of the fire but it had not affected the zoo. He went on to confirm that none of the animals had been hurt or had died in the incident.

At the height of the fire, six pumping appliances and four specialist appliances were involved and over fifty fire fighters from Newport, Shanklin, Sandown, Yarmouth, Cowes and Ventnor dealt with the blaze.

Ambulance paramedics treated two members of zoo staff at the scene who were suffering from smoke inhalation.

It is believed that they were overcome by smoke when attempting to move or rescue animals in nearby cages.

At the height of the fire a turntable ladder was used as a water tower to gain control of the fire.

Justin Harden Senior Duty officer for IW Fire service said: “The crews who fought the blaze did excellent job in gaining control of the fire in such an early stage this prevented the fire from spreading to neighbouring buildings and a salad packing factory.” He went on to say, “We are now working with the Southern Electricity Board to restore power to the zoo. There has been some damage from the fire to outbuildings and some cages have also been damaged.”

An investigation will take place as a matter of course due to the type of building in which the fire started.

RNLI Yarmouth on Scene

Coastguard search and rescue teams, RNLI lifeboat and Rescue helicopter 104 was called out to respond to a boat fire in Yarmouth this afternoon.

Solent coastguard received the distress call from a 36 foot motor cruiser “Great escape” shortly after 12pm today (Friday June 25th)

The skipper of the boat informed coastguards that he had a fire onboard his vessel and heavy smoke was issuing out the engine room.

The coastguard helicopter rescue 104 was scrambled from Lee-on-solent to assist in the rescue.

The RNLI lifeboat from Yarmouth located the motor cruiser just off Hurst point spit. The Coxswain launched a small tender from the lifeboat with a mechanic on board to assist the stricken vessel.

On arriving the mechanic found the motor cruiser with two persons on board, the fire had been extinguished using the on board fire fighting system. Lifeboat crews assisted in refloating the vessel after it became stranded on Hurst beach.

The vessel was recovered under tow and taken to Lymington, no-one was hurt in the incident.

An inquest in Newport today (Thursday June 24) heard how a professional golfer’s brother, who was high on a cocktail of drugs, lost control of his car and drove into the path of an emergency ambulance.

Robert Hammond, 53, a recovering alcoholic and father of one from Sandown was driving his best friend Jeremy Sutcliffe and his son Keegan to Ryde for a day out at the amusements when the crash occurred.

Hammond lost control of his Red Corolla at the Racecourse, Fairlee Road in Newport on November 1 last year and died from injuries sustained his subsequent crash with the ambulance.

The specialist paediatric ambulance (the only one in the whole of the South Central ambulance service) was operating its blue lights and sirens and had on board a premature baby who had been born at Southampton General Hospital just two days before.

A post mortem carried out on Mr. Hammond’s body found he had potentially fatal levels of amphetamine after a blood sample was analyzed.

This could have caused serious impairment the court was told by PC Robert Giles a specialist in driver impairment.

The coroner John Matthews cleared the ambulance driver, Paul Faithless, of any responsibility for the accident.

The verdict was death by misadventure.

Read the full story in next week’s Gazette.