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

British hip hop group and MOBO Award N Dubz have been booked to play at Ryde Ice Arena the Gazette can exclusively reveal.

The trio from Camden, North London made up of Dappy, Fazer and Tulisa, have had eight top 40 hits in the UK singles charts with the most successful being “I Need you” are due to visit in April next year.

It is believed that Green Eye events have managed to secure the trios one night appearance at the Ryde Arena on the 11 April 2011 just days before they embark on 13 night tour of the UK.

The trio previously appeared at the this years Isle of Wight Pop festival and went down a storm with the crowd.

Without question, N-Dubz are one of the most culturally significant groups in contemporary British pop music. The trio have sold over 1 million copies of their debut album, Uncle B (2008) and its 2009 follow-up, Against All Odds while third album Love Live Life looks set to
surpass all previous successes with one eye firmly on the US market.

The antithesis ofmanufactured, mass-produced pop puppets, the Camden three have already left an indelible
mark on the charts, while their cultural impact - from their look to their sound, slang andcatchphrases - is unequivocal.

With four MOBO Awards, a BRIT nomination, fans in the form of Gary Barlow and Little Wayne, a Sunday Times Bestselling book, Against All Odds: From Street Life To Chart Life and a major Channel 4 reality series, Being N-Dubz which was screened as a Christmas
special this Winter, the band are now in the perfect position to embark on the biggest tour of their career to date.

Tickets are due to go on sale from the 7^th January 2011 and will be available from HMV Newport, The Black Sheep or the Ryde Ice Arena.

A Sheep that sank into a five-foot pit of mud was saved in an ingenious rescue involving a fork lift truck.

The farmer feared he’d lose the terrified animal after it sank up to its neck in slurry.

The 59-year-old put a halter round the sheep’s neck and hooked it up to his fork lift truck, in a desperate bid to pull it out. When that didn’t work, he called in the Islands fire brigade to his farm at West Lane, near Ashey.

By the time the fire services from Ryde and Newport arrived the sheep’s head had briefly slipped under the surface, but soon popped its head up again, spurting up mud “like a dolphin” as it gulped for air, one said one fire-fighter.

Crews had planned to laid three inflatable ‘paths’ using specialist equipment similar to lilos, which allow firefighters to travel over ice, mud and water.

But the farmer had used the forklift truck to haul the exhausted 14-month-old sheep to freedom.

A spokesman for Isle of Wight fire and rescue service, said: “Thanks to the swift actions of all involved the animal is now safe and well.”

Crews from Ryde and Newport were scrambled along with the Specialist Rescue tender from Newport at 12.12pm on today(Wednesday December 29) to West Lane.

The farmer,who keeps an 150-strong herd, spoke of his relief as he led the sheep into the farm to be checked. He said: “I was shaking afterwards. I’m so grateful.”

The Sheep was left trembling with the trauma and must now be kept in a shed for a few days. I have called in the vet to have her checked over.

But it’s not all good news for the animal – which will be sold for lamb, as planned, at the end of the year.

Breaking Island news as it happens

Location:West Lane,Nunwell, Isle of Wight,United Kingdom

TWO People taken to hospital with injuries after their cars was involved in a crash this morning.(Monday December 27)

Emergency services were called to Mill Hill in Cowes just before 9am this morning after two cars were in collision with two parked vehicle.

It is believed that a Peugeot ploughed into a Fait and than went on to hit a further two parked cars on the busy road also damaging a wall.

Fire crews from Cowes and Newport with the support of the rescue tender helped free two people who become entrapped in their vehicle. A door was removed from one of the vehicle. All three were treated at the scene by IW ambulance service. One man was placed in a neck collar and strapped onto a spinal board.

The road was closed and an investigation was launched by officers from the Shanklin Road Policing unit(RPU) part of Hampshire and IW Police.

The Isle of Wight air ambulance was also called to the scene after two of the three injured parties were complaining of back injuries.

A resident who lives yards from the scene Jackie Beyes said: “We just heard a really loud bang and ran out to see what had happened.

“It looked like the car was on car was on fire as there was smoke pouring out of the drivers window. We didn’t know if there was anyone still inside. “

“I called 999 and my partner ran to his van and got a fire extinguisher”

“Then we realised the man was still trapped in car. He looked in a pretty bad way.”

Paramedics treated three people at the scene before they were taken to hospital.

An Island Pensioner has died whilst visiting friends and family in Chalfont St Giles near Amersham.

Fredrick Halifax who is 85 year-old died in a car crash on Christmas eve

He was driving his silver Toyota Corolla in Albion Crescent, when it hit a parked silver Ford Focus at about 9.25pm.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said”There were no other cars involved”

Mr Halifax was declared dead upon arrival at Wexham Park Hospital, Slough.

Police have urged anyone who witnessed the crash or saw a silver Toyota Corolla travelling prior to the collision to contact PC Darren Carnell at Amersham Roads Policing

AN ISLAND family have been re-united with their pet dog they feared they would never see again, thanks to an eagle-eyed RSPCA worker.
Andy Rayner was forced to let Jerry Lee, his Akita-cross-German Shepherd dog, leave the home in East Cowes because it was affecting the health of his gravely ill wife.
It proved a particularly stressful time, and the situation became even worse for Mr. Rayner, his step-daughter Tamara Rush and her husband Peter, a few months later when Mrs. Rayner sadly passed away.
Eventually the distraught family decided to try to find Jerry Lee, but discovered the dog had moved to several different owners over the past six months, and all their efforts to track it down were proving in vain. Eventually they placed an advertisement on an Island website, with a picture of Jerry Lee, hoping someone would be able to provide information.
Thankfully for the family, the advert was spotted by Conny Boon, the Centre Manager of the RSPCA in Merstone Lane, Godshill.
Conny’s deputy at the Centre, Tansyn Flint, takes up the story. She said: “We had this dog brought to us in October, and then just a couple of weeks ago Conny was looking through ‘Wightbay’ when she saw the advert saying a family were looking for their dog that they had had re-homed, but would now like it back.
“The advert said the dog was called Jerry Lee, and although the one brought into us looked identical we had been told its name was Bobby. We printed off the picture, and realised it might be him, so I went to the kennels and called out ‘Come on Jerry Lee’ and he immediately stopped barking, and looked a lot happier.
“We contacted the number on the advert, and emphasised there were no guarantees, but said we might have the dog they were trying to find.”
At the time Tamara and Peter were on holiday on the mainland, but on their return to the Island they rushed to the RSPCA Centre – and to their delight it was Jerry Lee!
Tamara said: “When I received the call from the RSPCA I couldn’t believe it. We were on holiday, but I could hardly wait to get back. We were told it was a bit of a long shot, but we were just hoping it was him. When we went to see if it was Jerry Lee, he came bounding over to me, and put his paws on my shoulders. I was so thrilled I just couldn’t stop crying.”
All this time Mr. Rayner did not know that Tamara and Peter were on the scent of Jerry Lee. Tamara continued: “The RSPCA soon realised it was our dog, and kindly let us take him away. So we turned up outside my step-dad’s house and Peter went inside and asked him if he could give us a hand taking a Christmas present out of the car.
“When he came out and saw Jerry Lee, he just stood there shaking and crying with joy. I had not seen him that happy in a long time.”
Maybe the moral of this story is that a dog isn’t just for Christmas – it really is for life!

VENTNOR Winter Gardens, one of the town’s most prominent buildings could be sold off by IW Council for just £1.

The Gazette understands that the council are ready to turn their backs on running the Winter Gardens.

They have already told Ventnor Town Council they are intending to withdraw the £23,000 management funding by the end of the financial year on April 1.

Even though they are safe in the knowledge that the Town Council are unable to run themselves, let alone a large venue, pub and catering concession, the Council are offering to sell the building to them for the princely sum of just £1.

If the Town Councilors decide to turn down this offer it is unlikely that the building will be offered to a private company, charity or organisation for the same paltry sum, although the building may be sold on the open market.

A source has revealed that an independent survey on the building has already been done and it has been valued at £250k.

Read more in this week’s gazette

About 10,000 homes in and around Sandown have been left without water for hours after a high-pressure water main burst.

It happened near to the Broadway in Sandown in the early hours of Christmas Morning(Saturday December 25)

An Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue spokesman said that they had taken a number of calls from residents complaining of loss of water, The Sunnyside care home made an urgent request asking if the service could supply water to 40 Vulnerable resident’s at the home..

Duty Manager for Southern Water said Engineers are on route to the scene of the burst water main and are working to restore supplies.

Many residents have been issued with bottled water for cooking and drinking.

A number of homes have flooded when the main burst.

One woman said: “I ran downstairs to see what was happening and there was about three inches of water at the bottom of the stairs.

“I had to climb out of the window to get out or the water would’ve come through the door.”

Efforts to repair the pipe were hampered by adjoining live electric cables, but Scottish and Southern Eletric have now secured the electricity main.

A Road closures has been in force whilst Southern Water carry out repairs

Detectives are continuing to investigate a report of a burglary at a jewellery shop in Sandown High Street on the Isle of Wight.

Police are making fresh appeals for information after thousands of pounds worth of goods was reported stolen from ‘Sandown Jewellers’.

At approximately 5.15pm on Monday, December 13, 2010, a man entered the shop, jumped over the counter, and stole bracelets and belly bars with an estimated value of more than £8,000.

The man then ran out of the shop along the High Street and towards Melville Street in Sandown.

The suspect was described as:

White
Aged in his early to mid 20s
Approximately 5 ft 10 ins to 6 foot tall
Slim build
Wearing dark clothing

No one in the shop was injured.

Detective Sergeant Gary Lyons of Isle of Wight CID said: “Several lines of enquiry continue to be pursued so the suspect can be identified and arrested as quickly as possible.

“Officers appreciate all the assistance and information given by people in Sandown during our investigation in and around the town during the past week.

“We’re now making a wider appeal for the community’s help to bring this offender to justice. At the moment, this crime is not believed to be linked to other shop robberies reported recently on the island.

“Anyone who may know something about the suspect’s identity, or suspicious second hand sales of jewellery is encouraged to contact police, or the Crimestoppers charity if they wish to remain anonymous.”

People with information are asked to contact Isle of Wight CID at Newport Police Station by phoning 101 or emailing [email protected]

From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, call the police on 0845 045 45 45. Mini-Com users can call the police on 01962 875000. Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

WITH THE whiff of winter well and truly in the air and the threat of job losses and increased taxes in the New Year The Gazette feel it is the time to appeal to all Islanders to Buy Island.

Our Buy Island Campaign aims to encourage us all to support our local food producers especially during this difficult economic time. Let’s all try to at least buy the ingredients of our Christmas dinner from Island food producers or, failing that, from an Island-owned business.

And both of these are combined at Briddlesford Lodge Farm, which not only has one of longest established farm shops on the Island, but it is a working dairy farm with an award winning herd of beautiful Guernsey cows who produce lovely creamy milk.

GOOD FOOD ALL YEAR AT BLUEBELLS CAFE

THE FARM also now boasts the beautiful Bluebells country café/restaurant, designed by Lincoln Miles, that opened just over 18 months ago and is fast becoming a very fashionable destination.

Chefs Ashley Holness and Simon Moxlow support Head Chef Kevin Hendy, formerly of Liberty’s in Ryde, and all dishes in Bluebells are freshly made, mostly from Island produce, including veal and milk from the farm.

“We use all Island produce where possible,” said Chris Griffin who runs the café side of the farm. “Veal is our signature dish from our own herd, and is very popular – veal rump, veal pie and veal casserole.”

The young calves from the dairy herd are all reared on the farm with the females eventually joining their mothers in the dairy herd and the males being reared for veal. The calves have a lovely life and can be petted in the barn next to the café - a particular favourite for children.

All the other meats on the menu are from Paul Woodwood the Briddlesford Lodge Farm butcher who sources from across the Island, including beef from New Barn Farm and Kemphill Farm, Lamb from New Barn Farm and turkeys, chickens and eggs from Brownrigg Poultry.

Isle of Wight Cheese Company cheese is used in many of the dishes – Gallybagger, Blue and Soft. Vegetables are from the Farm Shop and currently all of the cauliflowers, cabbages, and sprouts including those on the stem, leeks and potatoes all hail from the Island, via Isle of Wight producer Phillip Morris.

Hearty warm vegetable soups are a particular favourite in the cold weather and the best selling banana smoothies are another speciality, along with creamy hot chocolates and latte coffees – all made with milk from the Griffin’s Guernsey herd.

DOWN ON THE FARM WITH PAUL GRIFFIN

PAUL GRIFFIN is Farm Manager, and keeps the award winning dairy Guernsey cows in tip-top condition, following in Dad Richard’s footsteps who still works on the farm too.

Briddlesford Lodge Farm has been in the Griffin family since 1923 when Paul and Louise’s great grandfather moved over from Grove Farm in Adgestone with his twelve cows from which all of the current cows are descended.

During the winter months the girls are snug in their large cosy barn with straw bedding. Free to roam around outside after the milking periods twice a day, the cows are well fed and contented to be sheltered until the spring.

“There isn’t enough grass for them in the winter months and they churn up the fields” explained Paul of his contented charges who were lounging in the large barn with the morning sunshine dappling across their warm brown hides.

Paul avidly consults with the visiting cow nutritionist every month to make sure that Briddlesford remain the award winning top yielding Guernsey herd in the country.

The farm has 150 cows in its herd and those in the milk pool are milked twice a day with each milking session taking between three and four hours.

The wonderful Guernsey milk is then sold across the Island at Brighstone Village Stores, Bembridge Farm Shop, King’s Manor Farm Shop and the Real Island Food Company. Vestas Blades and IW Zoo are two of the kitchens they supply, along with Bluebells of course.

BRIDDLESFORD LODGE FARM SHOP WITH LOUISE GRIFFIN

ONE OF THE longest established Farm Shops on the Island, Briddlesford Lodge Farm shop opened its doors on December 11, 2005 and now five years later it boasts over 50 different Island suppliers.

Louise Griffin founded and now runs the Farm Shop – after returning to her roots on the farm with a whole host of good ideas following a short life in the sailing industry.

Almost all of the food and goods for sale in the Farm Shop are from the Island with just a few more exotic items being sourced elsewhere such as avocados, aubergines and citrus fruit. These sit side by side with the good array of vegetables pleasantly presented in woven baskets running down the centre of the shop.

Ketchup and chilli sauce from The Tomato Stall, apple juice from Sharon Orchard, Garlic Farm chutneys and pickles (and garlic of course), biscuits from Rew Valley dairy, Calbourne Classics breakfast cereals and yoghurt are just some of the Island fayre on offer on the shelves.

All of the wines on sale are made on the Island, including local mead.

Oil of Wight would make a wonderful Christmas present as would a home-made Christmas pudding made by Louise and Paul’s mum Judi Griffin. Mince pies, cheesecakes sausage rolls, pies and casseroles on sale in the shop are all made by the chefs in Bluebells kitchen.

Other gift ideas include hand made candles from St Cecilia’s closed order in Ryde, Island made skin care products, beautifully labelled and presented jams, pickles and chutneys and hand made wooden ‘bluebell’ key holders by Marcus Matthews.

And of course there are the four ‘Buttercup’ milks from the farm: whole milk, semi skimmed, skimmed and unpasteurised whole milk along with double cream and clotted cream, which is made in the café kitchen.

Orders are now being taken for Christmas and you can pop into the farm shop to order all of your Christmas dinner ingredients, along with all of your foods for the festive period.

If you can’t always ‘Buy Island’ produce just try and make sure your Christmas dinner is sourced from Island producers if you can - and all the ingredients are available at Briddlesford Lodge Farm Shop.

BRIDDLESFORD’S BUTCHER PAUL WOODWOOD

stuffed with lean lamb mince and topped with a sliced lamb kidney in a heart shape. Also in stock for the Christmas period were plump free-range turkeys, sides of lean beef and good-sized gammons.

All the sausages on sale are made at the farm by Paul, with flavours such as Boere Wors, made from Wild Boar, a pork sausage with sage and onion and red onion, sweet chilli, chipolatas and Toulouse sausages with garlic and red pepper. In all 38 different sausage flavours can be ordered.

“We sell quite a bit of veal at Christmas time and we have venison from Carisbrooke and the New Forest,” said Paul. “Isle of Wight beef comes from Andrew Hodgson and lamb too.

“A lot more people are looking at food miles and the welfare of the animals. We have IW free range whole chickens, pheasants shot locally, rabbits and pigeon.

“We have uncooked gammons and cooked hams, dressed turkeys and boned and rolled turkeys. We can cater for anyone’s needs – even royal roasts where a turkey can be stuffed with a duck that is stuffed with a chicken, or any combination.

You can pop into the farm shop to order all of your Christmas dinner ingredients and make a day of it by sampling something from the menu in Bluebells café. And you’ll be ‘Buying Island’ all the way if you shop at Briddlesford Lodge Farm or eat in the café – supporting an Island run business and Island producers at the same time.

We were once encouraged to ‘Buy British’ to save the country’s economy. Now let’s ‘Buy Island’ to protect our own.

OBVIOUSLY we couldn’t launch our ‘Buy Island’ campaign without including the newly opened ‘Made on the Isle of Wight’ emporium at Bullen Road in Ryde.

At the former Bullen Mead Nursery site, ‘Made on the Isle of Wight’ does exactly what it says on it’s double ticked logo – it sells only goods that have been grown, produced, made or manufactured here on the Island with some 85 Island growers, producers and craftsmen is being brought together under one roof.

“We are creating the Island’s first one-stop-shop selling the best of absolutely everything that is grown or made here,” said the company’s founder and managing director, Robin Courage.

“We will also be selling online and at fairs on the mainland. This is not just about one shop, it’s about promoting a strong, instantly recognizable, high quality image for the work that is done on the Island.”

Courage came to live here eight years ago with his wife, Serena, who is working with him in the venture, and two sons, now aged 19 and 17, both of whom are involved.

“When we arrived we were astonished to find such a wealth of creativity, there are so many small rural businesses here, making goods of a very high quality. I’ve spent my life in marketing and it struck me that gathering all these different talents and promoting them together would be of benefit to all the growers and makers as individuals, and it would also burnish the image of the Island as a whole,” said Robin.

“I hope our logo will become synonymous with items that are original, well-made and distinctive. I believe we are the only organisation on the Island that is solely devoted to selling Island produce and products under one umbrella, and I firmly believe that by marketing all these top-quality businesses together, they will benefit as a whole and as individuals,” said Courage.

The Made on the Isle of Wight shop, the first stage in the venture, is in Bullen Road, outside Ryde, the site of the Bullen Mead retail nursery. It is spacious and stylish with the decor in keeping with the Island’s close relationship with the sea.

There are areas dedicated to food, cosmetics, wood-work, textiles, ceramics, jewellery, furniture, prints and paintings. Some of the Island’s best-known names will appear on the shelves, among them the Isle of Wight Cheese Company, Dunsbury Lamb and Molly Attrill.

But suppliers also include craftsmen working on a smaller scale, such as Frank Heap who whittles decorative pencils and dibbers from wood coppiced on his own land. There will also be products made by young Islanders just starting out in business, including Louise Parkin of The Baby Patch who set up her company making blankets and bunting for babies earlier this year and Tracy Stockdale of the Isle of Wight Truffle Company.

A large portion of the site has been given over to local growers Brian and Gill Quirk, who will be growing unusual plants and herbs to sell in the shop. There will also be space for demonstrations and workshops.

“I hope this venue will become a favourite with local people and a new and inspiring destination for visitors,” said Courage.

THE ISLAND’S first Shared Earth fair trade outlet has opened at Amazon World in Newchurch and it’s the ideal place to buy Christmas presents.

With over fifteen different countries’ goods from guaranteed Fair Trade producers, the new shop is crammed full of lovely gift ideas that will make you feel better about buying them.

Each and every producer/manufacturer has been paid a fair wage – something that often cannot be said for high street chain stores.

Shared Earth began as a small shop in Goodramgate, York in October 1986. Its founder, Jeremy Piercy, travelled to India after leaving school and wanted to do something to help redress the imbalance of wealth in the world, work together with people from different cultures, and at the same time earn a living.

Fair Trade was the obvious answer and the original shop contained a wide mix of products from Asia, Africa and South America. Also high on the agenda was addressing environmental problems and the shop was an excellent way of making recycled and sustainable products available and publicising the issues.

When Paul and Helen Kent moved to the Island just over a year ago they looked for something they might do and both liked the Fair Trade idea.

“It was something that appealed to us and we contacted Shared Earth with whom we now have a franchise,” said Paul.

“We met the founder Jeremy Piercy and they’ve been really good, really helpful.

“I’ve never met a business with staff who are so dedicated to what they’re doing. Ethical trade is the voice of the future and I can’t wait to get started.

“There’s nothing like Shared Earth on the Isle of Wight and the location is ideal, by Amazon World, as we have quite a few South American suppliers from Peru and Equador and it ties in well with the Amazon World theme of conserving the rain forest.

“We’re big into the conservation side of things. Everything comes by sea, not air, as it is more environmentally friendly and a lot of our stock is recycled and eco friendly.

“One of the things about Fair Trade is that is has to be made from sustainable materials. Mango wood matures in just two years and for every tree that is cut another one is planted.

‘Shisham is another lovely dark hard wood from India that we have here and we also have banana leaf stationary and picture frames. We also have lovely recycled aluminium things – homeware, coasters, bowls and picture frames.

We also have items made from used drink cans from Madagascar; vehicles, motorbikes and even microlite airplane models. We have some clothing from India and we are awaiting the arrival of some lovely llama wool jumpers from Peru.”

Shared Earth is at Amazon World in Newchurch and is open from 10am till 5pm, seven days a week. Tel 718223.

MORE THAN 700 people who are looking after ill or loved ones on the Island are missing out on the Carer’s Allowance, according to figures recently published.

Estimates from the charity Carers UK suggest that 711 Islanders are among 30,299 carers in the South East who are missing out on a total of £84.9 million worth of Carer’s Allowance each year.

This means that carers, who are often isolated, unsupported and unaware of the support they can get end up cutting back on essentials like food and heating to make ends meet.

On the Island there are 1,320 carers in receipt of the Carer’s Allowance, and between them they receive more than £3.6million per annum. But the total number on the Islanders eligible for the Allowance actually number 2,031, leaving a shortfall of 711, with the total value of unclaimed benefit more than £1.9million.

Imelda Redmond, CBE, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “Over 272,000 people become carers every year in the South East, and we hear from families who are simply not told about the support that is there for them.

“Many also don’t see themselves as carers, but as mothers, sons, partners and friends looking after ill or disabled loved-ones. As a result, many miss out on support and end up caring round the clock without a break, and struggling to pay even basic food and heating bills.

“We rely heavily on the support provided by carers, which has been valued at a staggering £87 billion per year across the country. It is crucial that all parts of our society work to identify carers and ensure they get the support they need.”

Carers UK is today (Dec 3) holding the tenth annual Carers’ Rights Day, which aims to inform carers everywhere of the financial and other support to which they are legally entitled.

Over 700 community events are also taking place across the UK on Carers Rights Day to provide advice and info to carers wherever they are; including GPs surgeries, supermar-kets, libraries, disability groups, job centres and schools as well as employers. Carers UK is also calling on members of the public to tell someone they know who is caring, to find out their entitlements.

Carers who want information about their entitlements can order a free guide by:

• Visiting www.carersuk.org

• Ringing 0808 808 7777

• Writing to Carers UK, 20 Great Dover St, London SE1 4LX

• Emailing [email protected]

STUDENTS at Ryde High School will again be taking to the stage to celebrate Christmas in style.

Their production this year will be the infamous 80s spectacular, the musical Footloose. The stunning show tells the story of a young male teen’s emotional journey from the busy city of Chicago to a small quiet “hick” town of Beaumont.

Here, he finds the local laws and attitudes of the town’s people challenging. The story features love, friendship, music, rivalry, fun, dancing and on the edge of your seat entertainment. The production welcomes audiences of all ages and is guaranteed to be one the most fun filled, thrilling productions the talented cast of Ryde High School has produced so far.

Footloose is on from December 7 to 10, doors open at 6:45pm at Ryde High School Studio Theatre!

Tickets from £6.00 for Adults and £3.00 concessions, and can be bought now from Sue Howatt – Finance office, tel. 01983 618405.

THERE WERE howls of exaltation at the Owl and Monkey Haven last week when they won the Chamber of Commerce’s Best New Business Award.

Sponsored by Glanvilles Solicitors and presented by Tom Stroud of IW Radio, the award was made at the Chamber’s annual awards at Cowes Yacht Haven last Friday (November 26) where X Factor winners Diva Fever performed.

Owner David Wickes was over the moon. “We’re dead chuffed,” he said of the hard won award. “It’s taken the best part of a decade to get this Haven together and it’s a nice award.

“It’s great that at last someone has recognised the effort that has been put in by myself and my wife Kelly and her father Don Walser and his brother Antony,” said David.

This year saw the Haven having to fight for the lives of two Siamangs. The two primates had nowhere else to go and a local councillor tried to have them removed from the premises, arguing that the duo howled too loudly, although David says they do not howl loudly at all.

“We’re the last port of call for many of the monkeys who come here,” said David. “Usually they have disabilities or are too old, which is why we had to fight so hard for the Saimangs – they had nowhere else to go and would have had to be put down if we didn’t win the right to keep them.”

Don Walser used to work with the RSPCA on their breed and release programme for Barn Owls. He had always loved the Island and the family purchased Five Acres Farm in 2000, beginning a long process that saw the Haven begin to be built in 2004/2005.

The Haven finally opened in April this year and boasts an Education building for visiting school groups along with the feathered and furry charges.

‘This is the first positive thing that has happened to us in ten years,” said David. “Hopefully from now on everything will be good.”

The Haven is remaining open throughout the winter and through the Christmas period with a Christmas gift shop, guided elf tours and Christmas workshops to make seasonal decorations.

“Our newly opened Wise Owl Education Lodge is decorated with a Christmas twist and children are welcome to take part in festive activities and learn more about our animals,” said a Haven spokesperson.

TOPS DAY Nurseries boss, Cheryl Hadland, was commended at the recent annual Nursery Management Today (NMT) Awards.

The Island entrepreneur had been shortlisted for a Lifetime Achievement Award for her 21 years of exceptional service to the Early Years sector.

Promoting excellence and recognition for all staff working in nurseries, the black tie celebratory ceremony on Friday November 26 was the UK nursery sector’s premier annual event and Cheryl was one of four finalists in her category to be invited out of 25 entries. Celebrity Ortis Deley announced Cheryl’s achievements.

In 2004 Cheryl was invited by Department for Education and Skills to Downing Street to celebrate education provision with Tony Blair, for her number of apprentices. She also attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace, invited for her contribution to the community.

Cheryl said: “I am thrilled to have been nominated for this award by my work colleagues. The last 25 years has been quite a journey! I think my success has been due to a dedication of enabling and encouraging every member of staff, including apprentices and volunteers, to become excellent, making the very most of their strengths and talents, thereby providing top quality provision to the children and families using day nurseries and care homes. I try to show that I care for, and appreciate each one, in the expectation that they will do the same for the clients in their care, and for each other.”

HOT ON the heels of winning the prestigious Best Major Festival Award, the Bestival have announced blinding headline act The Cure who will be playing their only European show of 2011 on the Saturday night.

Not only this but Primal Scream will perform their ‘Screamadelica’ and those canny Bestival bods have also managed to persuade ex Beach Boy and once reclusive genius Brian Wilson to venture over the Solent next September.

“We’ve been itching to tell you this, so we’re deliriously happy that the time has finally come to unveil the very first wave of acts for Bestival 2011 and by crikey are we excited,” said a Bestival spokesperson.

“Yes! One of the most influential bands around, The Cure will be crossing The Solent to join us at the festival season’s last hurrah for their only European show of 2011!

“From their debut album ‘Three Imaginary Boys’ to 2008’s critically acclaimed ‘4:13 Dream’, The Cure have inspired countless bands in the last three decades and, whilst most of their contemporaries have fallen by the pop wayside, they remain as relevant and vibrant as ever. As one of the Bestival crew’s collective favourite bands of all time, we’re all jumping for joy that The Cure are coming to the party to headline Saturday night at Bestival. September really can’t come quickly enough for us.”

A gleeful Rob da Bank said: “I’ve spent the last twenty years of my life listening to The Cure and the last five attempting to persuade Robert Smith and the crew to hop on a ferry to our magical Isle. I’m still not sure what we’ve done right but I’m overjoyed that they are coming as Saturday night headliners. Few bands have had such a massive impact on my life (and hairstyles) so I’ll see you down the front!”

Iconic Cure frontman Robert Smith commented: “I am delighted and excited that The Cure’s only European festival performance in 2011 will be at Bestival… We will do all we can to help make it a weekender to remember!”

“Topping 2010’s Best Major Festival Award winning show will be no mean feat, but Rob da Bank and the ever-trusty Besti-crew have left no stone unturned to make our 2011 show even better than ever ensuring that Bestival will again be the festival for music lovers! Bestival’s eighth outing - taking place at Robin Hill Country Park on the Isle of Wight from September 8 to 11, 2011 - is all set to be truly legendary. And here’s why…

“Fresh from their triumphant London Olympia gigs we can announce that the mighty Primal Scream will be presenting their landmark album ‘Screamadelica’ in its entirety, headlining the Big Top on Saturday night. ‘Screamadelica’ transformed the musical landscape in the early 90s and with the band’s current run of shows celebrating the album completely sold-out, this is a golden chance to catch a pioneering band performing their meisterwerk in all its coruscating glory.

“And the legends keep on coming for Bestival 2011, with Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson set to bring his baroque surf-pop to Robin Hill. Brian’s songwriting prowess and production ingenuity has made him one of the most deeply revered figures in pop music and one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. With a litany of timeless hits that can’t fail to ignite the Main Stage crowd, it’s a complete honour to have him onboard.

“There are still plenty more stellar acts to be announced, including two more headliners, plus there will be lashings of trademark Bestival off-the-wall behaviour with merriment, magic, mayhem and plenty of lovely tea and cakes. We’ve listened to all the feedback from you and have made a few little tweaks so that there will be some changes to the wondrous landscape of the UKs most creative festival courtesy of Josie da Bank’s eye-catching expertise that are going to make Bestival 2011 the greatest show on Earth!”

Commenting on Bestival 2011 Rob da Bank added: “This year felt like a landmark year for Bestival. There’s no avoiding the fact that we’ve become a large festival but I still feel we’re more intimate than any of the other shows our size and, crucially, we’re 100% independent.

“That means we book who we want to book, choose all the food stalls and traders ourselves and listen to our message boards and fans 365 days a year to make sure we keep Bestival the best. Things we’re focussing on for Bestival 2011 are keeping Besti as the place to see new bands, making the campsites much more of a community with better roadways to clear litter and make finding your tent easier, and we’re also starting to put stages at the other end of the site so it’s not just one long tunnel of stages. Hope you can make it in 2011!”

Remember to keep checking www.iwgazette.co.uk for all the latest Bestival news.

THERE were 24 brave souls from Ryde Harriers who turned out on a bitterly cold winter evening, to take part in the club’s winter series of a 5km handicap race.

The winner, on corrected handicap time was lady Harrier Mags Moran, with a handicap time of 21mins, 56secs, actual time 50.23, finishing time, 28.27.

In second place was Lisa King, with a handicap time of 21.56, actual time 50.44, finishing time 28.48, and in third was Simon Newman, with a handicap time of 8.18, actual time, 37.13, finishing time, 28.55.

In fourth place was Andy Leal, with a handicap time of 6.55., actual time, 36.02, finishing time 29.07, and fastest overall on the night was Les Cupis who completed the 5km distance in 33.43.

Fastest lady Harrier on the night was Mary Norman in a time of 36.28, and the official timekeeping was conducted by Mrs Ceri Lewis, Mrs Chris Powell, and Paul Charlton-Smith.

The next Ryde Harrier club event, on Tuesday December 7, will be a 10Km nominated time event.

FOUR of Wightlink sponsored, Ryde Rowing Club’s veterans braved the bitterly cold conditions to compete in the 57th Vesta Scullers Head of the River Race on the River Thames.

It was a processional race for single sculls over the 4.25 mile championship course from Mortlake to Putney. First sculled in 1954, this year’s race involved almost 500 scullers and attracted entries from all over the United Kingdom and the world, with standards ranging from internationals to novices.

Ian Hayden, Ryde’s GB champion at Masters (Veteran) B status produced the best performance of the four Ryde scullers finishing second in his status and an impressive 48th overall in a time of 28 mins, 28 secs.

Ryde’s other three scullers were all competing in the Masters (Veterans) “C” status and all started at around the same time and amazingly after 24-four plus minutes of racing finished within three seconds of each other. Nike Pike came home eighth in the status, 198th overall in a time of 24 mins, 8 secs. Mick Jenner came ninth in the status and 200th overall with a time of 24 mins, 9 secs and Russel Page finished with a time of 24 mins, 10 secs to take 10th in his status and 201st overall.

The best performance from an Island oarsman came from Ryde member, Ash Maitland. Competing for his mainland Club – London R. C. – he finished 34th overall in a time of 22 mins, 12 secs. Fellow London R. C. Sculler and Newport member Steve Salter finished 74th with a time of 22 mins, 45 secs.

THE ISLE of Wight Ice Dance and Figure Skating Club will be at the launch of Gunwharf Quays Festive Winterland in Portsmouth today (Dec 4) with the opening of the region’s largest open air ice-rink.

The Isle of Wight Ice Dance & Figure Skating Club brings together local ice skaters, both recreational and competitive, regardless of age or ability. The club have recently been awarded Junior UK display Champions, having already been crowned British Junior Synchronised Skating Champions in February 2010 at the British Ice Figure and Synchronised Skating Championships in Sheffield. They will be performing to shoppers at the launch of the rink.

The launch of the Festive Winterland will include a performance from the Grammy award winning Swingle Singers surrounded by sparkling trees, delicious mulled wine, hot food and drinks. Plus, young shoppers will have the chance to enjoy penguin ice scooters to improve their skills; while more accomplished skaters will have the chance to take part in ice skating lessons, including skating to music.

Peter Emery, Centre Manager said: “It is a pleasure to have the Isle of Wight Ice Dance and Figure Skating Club at Gunwharf Quays. In 2010 they have nurtured some real talent with three successful synchronised skating teams. They are sure to impress the crowds with their stunning moves and I hope they will inspire shoppers to give skating a go this Christmas.”

The open-air ice rink will then be open Monday-Wednesday from Midday until 7pm, Thursdays and Fridays from Midday until 8pm, Saturdays from 11am until 8pm and Sundays from 11am until 5pm until 20 December. Over Christmas from 20 December to 3 January the rink will be open Mondays-Saturdays 11am-8pm and on Sundays, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Years Eve from 11am- 5 pm. Adult prices are £4, with children, students and concessions for £2.

WIGHTLINK ISLANDERS speedway team have seen changes at Board level this week. Current chairman Mike Bellman has retired, and whilst remaining a director for the time being, he has handed over the chairman’s role to co-director Brian Ginders.

The outgoing Chairman said: “I have served on the Board as a director and as chairman for some six years, and having sold my business earlier this year, I felt it was time to take a back seat.

“My involvement started with sponsoring riders like Scott Swain, Danny Bird and Adam Shields, and went on to Craig Boyce and Chris Holder, to name just a few. I’ve loved every minute of it.

“The involvement with the Islanders that I have had and enjoyed so much cannot be described. We’ve had good and bad times, we’ve won some great meetings and we’ve had our down days, but I have met some fantastic people and it’s all been a great experience, over 10 years as a supporter, sponsor, director and finally, chairman.”

He added: “Brian has worked very hard this year since rejoining the Board and we all feel he is the right man for the job, right now. He is both accomplished and successful in business, and has expertise and time to give to the Club, both of which are important attributes.