Download May 2010 Edition

The community magazine for the Isle of Wight Issue 27 May 2010

Planting for the future Spotlight on Pan Meadows

Advertising to the May issue of One Island magazine. In this edition in One Island WELCOME we include a special update on the Pan Meadows

2010 CARD development, a pioneering project to create 846 new homes for Island residents. E G RAT TISIN ADVER More than We also look ahead to next year’s International NatWest Island Games and in another feature 43,000 copies we see how personal budgets are making a difference to the Newchurch-based Way Forward of One Island ONE programme. are distributed ISLAND throughout the Island every

Y MAGAZINE FROM THE COMMUNIT WIGHT COUNCIL AND ITS PARTNERS THE ISLE OF two months. The magazine is published as an insert in the Isle of Wight County Pictured: Architect’s drawings of some of the planned Pan Meadows homes Press – with additional copies available in USEFUL CONTACTS EMERGENCY COUNCIL MEETINGS libraries, post offices, help Isle of Wight Council, County NUMBERS Unless otherwise stated, centres, doctors’ surgeries Hall, Newport PO30 1UD all meetings are in public and other key locations. Fax: 823333 In an emergency dial 999 at County Hall. Call 823200 24 hours before a meeting to Email: If you would like to Fire and rescue control ensure it is going ahead and advertise in the magazine, [email protected] centre (24hrs) 525121 to check if any items are likely why not contact us for Website: www.iwight.com Out of hours: to be held in private session. more information and a TELEPHONE Highways 525121 Council (council chamber) 16 June (6pm) copy of our rate card: SERVICES Waste Tel: 823351 disposal 0800 3283851 21 July (6pm) Call centre: 821000 Email: Wightcare 533772/821105 Cabinet (committee room one) [email protected] Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm (out of hours) 1 June (6pm) You can also download a Saturday: 9am to 1pm All other council 20 July (6pm) services 821105 copy of the rate card from We recommend you contact Planning Committee (council chamber) the council’s iwight.com the call centre initially, where FACE TO FACE 25 May (4pm) website. we aim to answer as many enquiries as possible at this first SERVICES 22 June (4pm) 27 July (4pm) point of contact. Newport Help Centre The community magazine for Audit Committee the Isle of Wight Issue 27 Tel: 821000 May 2010 Popular numbers (committee room one) Automated County Hall, Newport PO30 1UD 29 June (6pm) Planting Mon to Fri: 8am to 6pm for the telephone payments 559310 Licensing and General future Building control 823580 Cowes Help Centre Purposes Committee Spotlight on Pan Meadows Council tax 823901 Library, Beckford Road, Cowes (committee room one) Education 823455 PO31 7SG 2 June (4pm) Environmental health 823000 East Cowes Help Centre 12 July (4pm) Housing benefits 823950 Library, 11 York Avenue, Ethical Standards Committee Leisure services 823828 East Cowes PO32 6QY (committee room one) Libraries 203880 28 June (6pm) Ryde Help Centre Licensing 823000 Tel: 812678 Overview and Scrutiny Parking services 823714 Committee Ryde Library, 101 George Street, Planning 823552 (committee room one) If you have community Refuse collection 823777 Ryde PO33 2JE 10 June (6pm) news to share with other Registrars 823233 Sandown Help Centre Adult Social Care, Health readers, we would like to Roads and highways 823777 Council offices, Broadway, and Housing Scrutiny Panel hear from you. Tourism 813813 Sandown PO36 9EA (committee room one) Trading standards 823396 Ventnor Help Centre 15 July (6pm) We also welcome your Consumer Direct 08454 040506 Ventnor Coastal Centre, Dudley Children and Young People letters. Wightbus 823782 Road, Ventnor PO38 1EJ Scrutiny Panel Dial-a-bus 522226 (committee room one) You can contact us by post, West Wight Help Centre 14 July (6pm) email or telephone. Community services Tel: 756140 Economy, Environment and Post Adult services 823340 Freshwater Library, 41 School Transport Scrutiny Panel One Island, (Adult duty, emergency) 534227 Green Road, Freshwater PO40 9AP Children’s services 525790 (committee room one) Communications, County Wootton Bridge Help Centre Local centres: Cowes 291144 26 May (6pm) Hall, Newport PO30 1UD 28 July (6pm) Newport 823340 Tel: 884361 Email Ryde 566011 Joanne’s Walk, Brannon Way, Fire and Community Safety [email protected] Sandown 408448 Wootton Bridge PO33 4NX Scrutiny Panel Headquarters 520600 Please ring 821000 to confirm (committee room one) Telephone 823105 7 July (6pm) Housing 823040 opening times.

2 One Island CONTENTS 4-8 FIRST WORD Council and community news FEATURES 9 The right ‘Way Forward’ for Michael How care provider Osel is adapting to personal budgets 11 NatWest Island Games 2011 Countdown to sporting extravaganza 12 Pan Meadows A pioneering project for the Island 14 COAST AND COUNTRY Rural and coastal news 16 TIME & PLACE pages 12 and 13 Events and activities

page 11

at the heart of fitness Look out for our special One Card offer (see page 5)

Cover picture: Pan junior wardens, Libby (left) and Kirsty (right), aged ten, plant a native black poplar, donated by the Island 2000 Trust, in the page 9 Pan country park at Newport, part of the new Pan Meadows development (feature on page 13)

One Island is a community magazine produced by the Isle of Wight Council with its key public sector partners – NHS Isle of Wight, Isle of Wight Police (Hampshire Constabulary) and the Isle of Wight Rural page 14 Community Council. Working together through the Island Strategic Partnership, we are striving to create an Island that is safe and well kept; healthy and supportive; inspiring; and thriving.

This magazine is ONE ISLAND is published ISSN 1752-8038 by the Isle of Wight Council. © COPYRIGHT 2010 available on request The council does not accept Isle of Wight Council, responsibility for goods or as an audiotape, in County Hall, Newport, services offered by advertisers. Isle of Wight PO30 1UD. large print, in Braille, Additional copies are available in other languages from the Customer Service Printed on paper from Centre at County Hall, libraries sustainable sources by and online at and other council facilities. Belmont Press. www.iwight.com Typetalk calls welcome. For further details, Written, designed and produced by the Communications please contact One Department, Isle of Wight Island on 823105. Council.

One Island 3 FIRST WORD

UK and international Play interest in PFI Ranger scheme Major international engineering scheme to companies have been on the Island to learn more about the highways’ get bigger private finance initiative (PFI) project. Following Treasury approval of the and better council’s plan to transform the Island highways’ infrastructure, companies A wide range of activities and attractions will be on offer on 4 August on the from the UK and Europe attended Island, when the successful Play Ranger scheme celebrates National Play Day. an event in Cowes to learn about the The event, at Medina Leisure Centre, Newport (1pm to 5pm), will be free to attend and £364 million project. aims to raise the profile of play on the Island. Subsequently, Colas Ltd, Vinci The Play Ranger scheme was launched on the Island in July 2009 and involved more Concessions and Amey Ventures Ltd than 4,000 children and their families in a variety of events and activities. all registered interest in bidding for the This year the aim is to offer the scheme in new areas across the Island. project. The Play Ranger sessions are all run outdoors with the use of a variety of play Stuart Love, the council’s strategic equipment and are all free of charge. The sessions are run after school, all year round, in director of economy and the Newport, Ventnor, Ryde and Shanklin from 3pm to 5.30pm. environment, said there was much The project aims to promote the importance of safe, outdoor play and also offers an work to be done before a partner was initiative called I-Play, a mobile information technology and games facility giving the appointed for the project, which will chance to play a Nintendo Wii, use laptops and other gadgets and games. begin in spring 2013. This year will see the launch of Mini Rangers, a play provision for under fives and their “We were impressed with the scope families, with information soon to be available. and track records of the companies that For more information on the Play Ranger scheme, please contact Carly Kennen or have shown an interest at this stage and Sophie Biggs on 823818, email: [email protected] or [email protected] we look forward to working with them in the coming months,” he said. “This is a long and complex process, but we have to follow set procedures Online maps laid down by law. The purpose of this is to make sure not only that the right provide partner is eventually selected but also that the scheme itself is of maximum benefit to the Island.” new service Under the PFI scheme, government grant will be used to improve the entire If you are wanting to find your Island road and pavement network and nearest help centre, library, ferry maintain it for the 25 year life of the terminal or many other facilities, contract. a new map-based service schools, help centres, areas of natural The project will also include the is available on the council’s beauty, libraries, recycling centres, ferry improvement and maintenance of CCTV iwight.com website. terminals and beaches affected by dog systems, on and off-street car parking, Visitors to the site are now able to control orders. street lighting, street furniture and use a ‘Find my nearest’ tool, by simply For each of the maps it is possible to signage. clicking on a list of facilities or areas of zoom into the exact location and click on To find out more about the interest. the respective icons for further details, highways’ PFI scheme visit With the help of Google Maps, it is or view all locations from an islandwide www.iwight.com/highways-pfi possible to view the location of all Island perspective. 4 One Island

www.cowestowncouncil.co.uk Isle of Wight Check out Festival – special

new cycling www.potting-shed-cartoons.co.uk by Maps arrangements maps A series of new colourful maps has been launched, detailing some of the Island’s most popular cycling routes. The illustrated maps show Steps are once again being taken to help routes between Cowes and ensure the Isle of Wight Festival has as little Newport, Ryde and Newport, impact as possible on nearby residents. and Sandown and Newport, as Measures will include temporary changes to traffic well as a guide to cycling through flows and parking arrangements on roads around the Cowes. site. Residents affected will be kept informed, with They also show key landmarks details also available on the iwight.com website. and give information about local The council will also be monitoring noise levels at shops, useful websites and the the event. code of etiquette for cyclists and Any residents with festival-related queries can pedestrians using shared tracks. contact the council prior to the event on 823159 Printed on waterproof card, the (during office hours). Over the festival weekend, that maps are available from tourist these new route cards will make it number will be in operation from 11am to 2am and information centres and bike shops even easier for cyclists to navigate outside of this, contact can be made via 821105. across the Island. our network.” For full line-up details for the festival, Susan Cracknell, the council’s More route maps are planned, this year headlined by Paul McCartney, visit cycling officer said: “We have some including for cycling through the www.isleofwightfestival.com wonderful cycle routes and hope towns of East Cowes and Newport.

ADVERTISEMENT The One Card route to healthy living Don’t know

– also FREE One Journey offer what to do? Terms and c onditions apply If you’ve thought about getting fit and more active, but don’t know The One Card makes it easy f where to start, the One Card makes or you it easy for you to use the council’s leisure facilities. S P E C IAL OF There are two options – Gold and Silver – F E R both available for a regular monthly fee or a single annual payment (which will give go on the One Journey fitness programme Sign up for a O you even bigger savings). too. This six-step programme is a tailored ne Card and get the • The Heights The Silver One Card will take you fitness plan with plenty of one-to-one • Medina Leisure Centre swimming and into water workout classes support from your fitness instructor. • Westridge programme FREE! at The Heights, Medina Leisure Centre, As a special offer, One Island readers can between 22 May and or Ryde’s Waterside Pool; also squash, get the One Journey fitness programme 5 June 2010 and only on badminton, the health suite at The FREE – just cut out the coupon to the right presentation of this voucher. Heights and sauna at Medina. and take it along to the centres listed. or upgrading O Choose the Gold One Card if you’re keen Terms and conditions apply. ne Card customers. to try our fitness classes and the Tone Whichever option you choose, make

iwight.com/leisure Zone gyms in Sandown, Newport and sure you put the One Card at the ✃ Ryde. New Tone Zone gym users get to heart of your fitness.

One Island 5

SPORTS UNIT ROUND-UP

Sport Relief milers raise more than £10,000 More than 350 people from and the council’s sports unit, across the Island took part and was one of many such in the Sainsbury’s Sport runs taking place up and down Relief Mile staged at Appley the country. Park, Ryde – helping raise All the money raised for more than £10,000 for Sport Sport Relief – nationally Relief. estimated at £31 million The event was organised by this year – will be spent to the Appley Runners’ club in transform lives in the UK and partnership with Ryde Harriers the world’s poorest countries. East Cowes win girls’ football crown Young sailors aim Eight teams recently took part in the first for games’ success Isle of Wight Girls’ Football Tournament, A group of young Island sailors have been in training for the at East Cowes multi- World Island Youth Games in the Azores this month. use games area. Some of those taking part benefited from special winter training The event brought at the Isle of Wight Optimist Academy, which was set up to together each of the support the Island’s most talented young sailors. new girls’ teams from The team of four at the 2010 games will comprise Josh Atherton, across the Island, Brad McLaughlin, Sophie Heritage and Sophie Baker. including four from The team is sponsored by ferry firm Wightlink as part of its East Cowes, two from support for the council’s sporting legacy programme. Ryde Saints Youth Football Club, one from Brighstone Football Run in England project – Club and one from Sandown and Lake Youth Football Club. Following some excellent games, East Cowes A (pictured) want to get running? eventually won a close fought final against Brighstone. The Run in England project Network Meet: Northwood For more information about girls’ football sessions on the Island is now fully underway on Park, Cowes; Wednesdays (now including Newport and Ventnor), contact the council’s sports the Island, welcoming 7pm; contact Kirsty, tel: 07901 unit on 823818, email: [email protected] runners of all abilities. 925008. If you are interested in St Mary’s Stress Busters joining up, why not contact Meet: St Mary’s Hospital, New tennis club for Newport one of the groups shown Newport; Wednesdays A new tennis club has been an eagerness to learn. here. 5.15pm; contact Martin, tel: formed at Newport, thanks The club is held every All the new groups are 534404, or Jo, tel: 552004, or to a partnership between Thursday afternoon, meeting led by fully qualified Run in email: [email protected] local tennis coach Linda at Seaclose tennis courts, England leaders. Lake Achers Meet: Windsor Jones and the council’s for two different sessions, Debbie Does Running! Gardens, Lake; Wednesdays sports unit. dependent on age and ability: Meet: Appley Car Park, Ryde; 6pm; contact David, tel: Newport Tennis Club will from 3.30pm to 4.30pm, and Mondays 6pm, Wednesdays 07870 746934, or email: be based at Seaclose tennis 4.30pm to 5.30pm. The cost 9.30am; contact Debbie, [email protected] courts and is initially providing is £4.50 and children must be tel: 07811 001291 or email: Wootton Shufflers Meet: coaching for junior players. registered before attending. debbiedoesrunning@ Brannon Way, Wootton; Youngsters aged five to For details of the sessions, hotmail.co.uk Tuesdays 5.30pm; contact 11 are welcome, and no please contact Linda Jones Sandown Running Club Debra, tel: 216212. experience or equipment is on 868504 or email: Linda@ Meet: The Heights, Sandown; Newport Beginners’ needed, just enthusiasm and joneslinda3.wanadoo.co.uk Mondays 6pm; contact Helen, Running Group Meet: More information tel: 07590 516980, or Jade, tel: Seaclose Tennis Courts, For further details on any of the schemes mentioned 400100. Newport; Fridays 1.30pm; here, please contact the sports unit on 823818 or email: Cowes Women’s Running contact Jo, tel: 07726 215526. [email protected]

6 One Island

A thriving Island ... A safe and well-kept Island ... A healthy and supportive Island ... An inspiring Island ... A thriving Island ... A safe and well-kept Island ... A healthy and supportive Island ... An inspiring Island ... A thriving Island ... A safe and well-kept Island ... A healthy and supportive Island ... An inspiring Island Community news from around the Island New police sergeant leads Ryde team A new police sergeant has been appointed to patrol the beats in the outer Ryde and rural east Wight areas. Sergeant Andy Gill Awards for (pictured) leads a team of neighbourhood police officers conservation and police community support officers (PCSOs) schemes who will maintain an active presence in every Pictured: The public conveniences at Moa Place, Freshwater neighbourhood. Those serving the different Two awards have been won for sensitive design and areas are: PC Mike Giddens conservation work in projects involving the council. and PCSO Karen Allen in The Isle of Wight Society conservation awards were for Oakfield and Elmfield; PC area, please call 101 or email restoration work on the frontage of Hurst’s store in Union Street, Caroline Woodgate and PCSO [email protected]. Ryde, and for improvements to the Moa Place public conveniences Darren Fennell in Swanmore police.uk at Freshwater. and Haylands; and PC Nick You can read more The Hurst’s project was part of the £1.5 million Heritage Massey and PCSO Katy Berry about your local Safer Lottery-funded Townscape Heritage Initiative to repair and in Wootton, Binstead and the Neighbourhoods team in the regenerate run-down historic buildings in Ryde. rural areas around Ryde. new online newsletters at It involved a full repair of the façade of the building, with the If you have concerns in your www.hampshire.police.uk award recognising the work of architect Steve Clutterbuck and Neil Archer of MCM Construction. ADVERTISEMENT The extensive improvements at Moa Place included key structural features, the relaying of pathways, environmentally friendly measures relating to lighting and water use, and internal Where a University Degree artwork. It received the Sybil Bodycomb Award. in Business is New local list celebrates distinctiveness not beyond your reach Island heritage groups and town and parish councils are working with the Isle of Wight Council to develop a local list of buildings, parks and structures that are distinctive in their locality. Our part-time Business The new list is additional to existing listed-buildings and & Management Degree conservation areas. More than 150 features have already been is designed for busy adopted on the local list. working people and is Although the list does not offer protection in the way that available once a week statutory listing does, it does allow the historic and architectural from Isle of Wight College and interest to be recognized and taken into consideration during the the University of Portsmouth. planning process. Successful nominations have included: Brading sea wall, Yarmouth railway station and the Isle of Wight Sports Centre, It is open to those who may not have formal qualifications Seaview.

www.port.ac.uk/pbs but whose work experience More information and nomination forms are available from will have prepared them www.iwight.com/conservation or the council’s Seaclose offices at to succeed. Newport, tel: 823552.

For further information visit Cowes One School (3pm to 7pm). Meet Janet Pathfinder – public Newton, schools’ capital W port.ac.uk/busandman programme project director E [email protected] meeting and representatives from To be held at Cowes highways and planning. For T 023 9284 8200 High School on 25 May more details, tel: 823219.

One Island 7

July; and central, north and east, 23 to 26 July. Spring bank As part of the event, artists throw open the doors to their homes and studios for holiday kerbside the public to get a behind the scenes look Don’t miss at their work. You can browse, network, refuse collection Refuse snag a studio-priced bargain and take part Will be normally in the largest scale arts event in the local collected on: calendar. collected on: Open Mon 31 May Tues 1 June Among those taking part is artist Hilary Hayton (pictured left), co-creator of Tues 1 June Wed 2 June children’s tv classic from the 1970s, Crystal Wed 2 June Thur 3 June Studios Tipps and Alistair. Thur 3 June Fri 4 June event! New groups for Arts Away Fri 4 June Sat 5 June Close to 100 Island artists and craft Are you affiliated with a rural community Recycling services for the kitchen workers will be taking part in the group, school or village hall that would be waste bucket and the kerbside annual Open Studios event in July. interested in hosting professional theatre, recycling box will change in line with A special brochure with details of music or kids’ shows? the dates given above. the event is now available at Quay Arts, Arts Away is a grant-assisted scheme Remember that the recycling box Newport, libraries and tourist information which helps volunteers to organise quality is a fortnightly collection and must centres. entertainment in local rural venues. The be kerbside by 7am. If you are not The brochure gives information about benefits of the scheme are: it helps build sure of your week of collection please the various artists taking part and where community ties; develops a local audience use any of the contact details given you can see them, as well as a directory of for professional touring shows; and makes below. others not involved and their websites. use of the Island’s many small venues. Isle of Wight Council, tel: 823777, For full online information you can visit If you are interested in getting involved, website: www.iwight.com/waste www.isleofwightarts.com please contact Nina Cullinane at the Island Waste Services, tel: 821234, Open Studios takes place over two council’s arts unit on 823813, or email website: www.islandwaste.co.uk weekends in July: south and west, 16 to 19 [email protected]

ADVERTISEMENT Householders Businesses You must make sure the person you You must get a copy of a hand your waste to is authorised to ‘waste transfer note’ from take it (this does not apply to your the person who takes your STOP regular kerbside collection). waste away. This should THE FLYTIPPERS... A register of authorised waste describe the waste and who carriers is available from the you passed it on to, and Environment Agency, tel: should be kept with receipts 08708 506 506, website: and invoices for two years. www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ If you don’t meet these publicregister requirements, it may result in prosecution in In the past year the council the magistrates’ court, ...and save our Island has prosecuted seven attracting a fine of up to people for illegal flytipping. £5,000. We can all play a part in cracking down on the Island’s flytipping menace. Incidents of flytipping are investigated by the And by remembering a few simple rules we can also council’s environmental health department. contribute to protecting our beautiful environment. To report an incident or for more information, Don’t forget – if you are a householder or business you please contact environmental health, tel: 823000, are responsible for what happens to your waste after it email: [email protected] leaves your premises.

8 One Island

their own personal budgets is building and we have a lot more being assessed for the scheme.” The right Osel was originally set up in the late 1980s, providing therapeutic daycare provision through a social horticultural enterprise at the Newchurch site. Since then ‘Way Forward’ it has also added its Wight Crystal mineral water service and a range of other services, including a charity shop at Shanklin. for Michael With the move to personal budget funding the horticultural side at Newchurch will close from June this year, but the site and day care provision will remain open. Lee stressed: “We are actually expanding and developing; there is just a switch of emphasis. None of our customers should miss out – we intend to find something new for them all.” Working alongside Lee is Julie Sandford, employment services manager, whose team helps prepare people for work and supports those in work, particularly people with a mental health condition. Julie said: “We are wholeheartedly behind the personalisation approach, and we are seeing how it transforms people’s lives. It is Pictured: Michael Chandler with Lee White, about giving people a far wider choice and Way Forward programme manager greater control and say on their activities More and more people with a care need across the Island and experiences.” It means rather than a limited range of are benefiting under the new personal budget scheme. Here daycare provision, a far wider variety of we see how it is changing the way a major care provider activities can now be experienced. operates... Michael Chandler fully endorsed this approach: “I have been coming here for a t would be hard to find a greater service suited to them. year and it has been terrific for me.” advocate for personal budgets than “They say what they would like to do in Through his personal budget, and with I27-year-old Michael Chandler. terms of activities to help their quality of the help of his support worker, he has Michael, from Sandown, says the initiative life, and we will set it up, with their personal been able to take part in a wide variety has made a massive difference to his life budget providing the funding.” of activities at Newchurch; from playing over the past two years. The personal budget approach for Osel the drums to playing pool, and regularly And one of the biggest changes has has been given the title Way Forward, meeting new friends. come in the past 12 months, with his and activities it has helped provide have His personal budget has also helped him personal budget opening the door to a included work experience, job support, and to live independently in his own home whole range of activities through the Way social and leisure activities ranging from and with everyday activities such as going Forward scheme. swimming and gym sessions to cookery and shopping. Way Forward is the name of a new healthy eating. There is also travel training Lee said: “We are really passionate about approach to care provision run by the with the council to help make people’s lives the personal budget approach here. charity Osel, and is based at the Osel site in more independent. Although the change has naturally led to Wacklands Lane, Newchurch. “There is so much that we are able to help some concerns for people, it is clear how Two years ago Osel was asked to prepare with, and the switch to a personal budget it is offering so many more possibilities in for changes in the way it operates the approach has certainly opened up the many lives.” important services it provides for people options for our customers,” she said. with learning disabilities, physical disabilities “We support about 120 people, with To find out more about personal budgets, or mental illness. about 20 people a day using the facility please contact the council’s community Lee White, Way Forward programme here at Newchurch, but the majority are out services, tel: 520600, and ask for manager, explained: “In the past Osel had a in the community doing the things they transforming social care. block contract with the council to provide want to do with their lives. Under the switch For more on the Way Forward a certain level of daycare service. Under the to personalisation we have become a 24 programme, contact Lee White on 867324, new personalisation or personal budget hours a day, seven days a week operation, email: [email protected] scheme we are effectively employed by rather than a 9am to 5pm provision. or Julie Sandford on 523000, email: those we assist, our customers, to tailor a “The numbers of our customers who have [email protected] One Island 9

o you feel you can all children to be with their make a huge difference natural family, so a foster carer Dto someone’s life by can make a huge difference becoming a foster carer? to people’s lives and many of The Isle of Wight has 187 us may not realise just how youngsters in foster care, important they are. but also suffers from a lack “It is vital the Isle of Wight of foster carers; in particular, has a good base of foster carers are needed for carers and I would urge anyone teenagers. who may be interested to go Fostering and talk to the team.” Fortnight – Anyone who registers their an annual name with the scheme run service will be across the invited to UK – aims an open to highlight evening what fostering later in the is all about and summer to answer some where further of the myths. The details are event, taking place in given. May, starts a series of road Those shows at events around the wishing to Island during the summer. become foster The Isle of Wight Council’s carers will then fostering and adoption service undergo stringent is asking: “Do you have room checks and assessments to for one more?” identify if they are suitable to The team has been out become a carer. in towns across the Island Assuming the applicant recently, holding a series of passes the checks, it takes an displays from a special trailer. average of six months from Social care staff and foster registering to being accepted carers are on hand to offer as a foster carer. advice and provide information to anyone who may be • If you would like more considering fostering. information about foster People are often put off care you can contact the becoming involved in fostering fostering and adoption service as they may feel they won’t on (01983) 566011 or at meet the necessary criteria. www.iwight.com/fostering This is one area the fostering team wants to address. Why not come to meet carers and social workers Team Manager Dave Crewe Room for for an informal chat at one of our roadshows? said: “There are many myths out there which people could one more? Friday 21 May – St Thomas Square, Newport Monday 24 May – St Thomas Square, Newport think disqualify them from Mr Dough Master Dough the baker becoming foster parents. the baker’s son Tuesday 25 May – Tesco, Ryde Hopefully we can dispel some Friday 28 May – St Thomas Square, Newport

Mrs Dough We will also be at Brading Day, Chale Show of these and offer some very the baker’s wife good advice. and the Isle of Wight Garlic Festival. “Being part of a family is For more details contact the Isle of Wight Council’s important to every child. Sadly fostering service on (01983) 566011 or visit it is not always possible for www.iwight.com/fostering

10 One Island FEATURE Countdown to International NatWest Island Games 2011 Next year the Isle of Wight will be under the Major funding for international sporting spotlight – with the staging opening ceremony of the NatWest Island Games in the year prior to the 2012 London Olympics… n just over a year’s time more than 4,000 athletes from 24 islands will Iarrive on the Isle of Wight to compete in the NatWest Island Games. The international games have already earned the support of Lord Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee for the 2012 Olympics. He said: “Not only do I endorse the games as part of our international strategy, I also endorse it as the mile mark en route to 2012.” The opening ceremony of the games has level of publicity both at home and The Island Games will take place from attracted an Arts Council grant (funded abroad. It is therefore important that we 25 June to 1 July 2011, and will feature by the National Lottery) of £94,099. create the right image from the start of 14 different sports: archery, athletics, The grant will support a 14-month the games. badminton, basketball, cycling, football, creative arts programme that will “This grant will be of great assistance golf, sailing (including windsurfing), engage more than 1,000 able bodied in creating that image and involving squash, swimming, shooting, table tennis, and disabled students in creating a many members of our local community tennis, volleyball. spectacular ceremony to be held at in this event.” The opening ceremony to the games, Ryde. The council’s carnival learning centre which are expected to attract thousands The plan is to stage a high quality, at Ryde will manage the project and will of spectators, will take place at Ryde on themed and choreographed carnival engage a wide range of organisations Saturday 25 June. parade through the streets of Ryde, and individuals in carnival arts and street In the build-up to the games, more than followed by a special performance arts training. 1,500 volunteers are now being sought, on the seafront where the official The outline plan for the opening to help with crucial roles including: general ceremony will take place. ceremony project was formulated helpers, drivers/attachés, first aid, car park David Ball, chairman of the 2011 following consultation with school attendants, games and press office staff, organising committee, said: “It is already teachers and community leaders, and marshals and controllers. Training will be clear that because our games are the representatives from the Island Games provided as appropriate. largest multi-sporting event in Great Association, Extended Schools Service, If you are interested in supporting Britain in the year before the Olympic carnival groups and the carnival learning the event, please register online at Games, there will be an unusually high centre. www.natwestislandgames2011.co.uk

International Island • The International Island Games were of Wight) supported by the council, first staged in the Isle of Man in 1985 which is also a key sponsor. Games – factfile and today involve 25 member islands. • The games are staged every other • In 1999, NatWest became the title year, with the range of 14 sports sponsor of the Island Games, which chosen by the host Island from a list have become one of the world’s of 18. largest participation sporting events. For more information about • The 2011 games are being run by the 2011 games please visit the Island Games Association (Isle www.natwestislandgames2011.co.uk

One Island 11 ADVERTISEMENT

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Pan Meadows Staplers Road, Newport ...continuing our long tradition of building quality homes on the Island.

Barratt is proud to be working in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council and Spectrum Housing Group to build a leading edge, eco friendly development of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes at the heart of the Pan community. Visit www.barratthomes.co.uk or call 0844 811 1877

15650.01 Pan Meadows advert OneIsland V2.indd 1 30/04/2010 11:20 FEATURE PAN HOUSING DEVELOPMENT A pioneering project for the Island The Pan Meadows housing scheme is one of the biggest projects the Island has ever seen. Here we turn the spotlight on this major new development... Pictured: An artist’s impression he Pan Meadows • The units in the project will of the new Pan development, development will see vary in size from a 126-square viewed from the biomass centre T the creation of 846 new metre four-bedroom, double homes on the outskirts of the balconied detached family development, said: “This project the local economic recovery.” Island’s capital – but the aim home to a 50-square metre has always been about creating of the council and its partner, apartment. a high quality development • If you would like to find out Spectrum Housing Group, has • Thirty per cent of the units will that meets the specific needs of more about the project, please never been simply to build a be affordable housing. the Island yet also dovetails in contact: new residential area. • In allocating the affordable seamlessly with existing Pan. Peter Hopkins, strategic While the project will make housing, priority will be given “I am confident that as we manager for regeneration and a big difference in terms of to residents with a local now enter the build phase, it community development, providing new and affordable connection. will play a key role in helping email: [email protected] homes for Islanders, it is also set • Each unit will share the same to bring numerous other social, quality design principles and ADVERTISEMENT environmental and economic be constructed from the benefits. same materials by Barratt. The The project brief for homes will be among some homebuilder Barratt is about of the most environmentally integrating the new homes – friendly anywhere in the each to a high design standard country. We are pleased to be and environmentally friendly • All the new homes will receive working in partnership with specification – in an innovative their heat and hot water from the Isle of Wight Council. way into the existing Pan a central biomass plant – a community. striking building, part of which Providing affordable homes It is also about using major will be underground. The hot for local people at inward investment to stimulate water and heat will be created Pan Meadows. and support the local economy, by burning woodchip sourced to provide job and training from the coppicing of trees. Copyright: Joe Brown opportunities and to create a • The biomass plant will be One Organisation Residents at the Heart Working Communities sustainable community. operational in time for the The development will be built first tranche of 30 houses – over the next 15 years. available in the early part of Part of Spectrum Housing Group Ltd Part of Spectrum Housing Group Ltd Here are some of the features 2011. of the project: • There will be a ten For more information please contact us: • It will create nearly 100 hectare country park with Medina Housing Association Lugley House, Lugley Street apprenticeships across all 3.2 kilometres of footpath. Newport, PO30 5EL trades from administration to • 16,000 trees and a mile of new 01983 822811 construction, ground works hedgerow will be planted, and [email protected] and security. special wetland areas created. www.medinahousing.co.uk • There will be work experience • More than £1 million will be Or for an estimated 80 young used to create and support Spectrum Housing Group, people aged 14 to 18. new community facilities. Spinnaker House, Grange Road • It will create major Peter Hopkins, the council’s Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 4GE [email protected] opportunities for the local strategic manager for www.spectrumhousing.co.uk building industry. regeneration and community One Island 13 COAST & COUNTRY Have your say on major shoreline plan The management of the Island’s coastal flooding and erosion risks are to be the subject of a new plan due to be completed later this year.

The new Isle of Wight Shoreline Management Plan will be an updated version of a plan first published in 1997 and covers the Island’s coastline and estuaries. Similar plans are being prepared for coastal areas around England and Wales. A draft version of the new plan is currently being prepared, following an assessment of the Island’s shoreline and discussions involving interested parties. It will go out to public consultation from July to September this year, before being reviewed and then completed in December. To find out more about the plan, or to register as a stakeholder and receive updates, please visit www.coastalwight.gov.uk/smp email: [email protected], or tel: 857220.

New coppicing work has taken place at Fort Victoria Country Park, Yarmouth and Dickson’s Copse Local Nature Reserve near Newport in recent months. A helping hand for These attractive woods are owned by the council and are open to the public. our woodland Coppicing, which fell into decline in the last century, was once a traditional way of managing woods, but it is now regaining its importance owing to the wildlife benefits of a varied woodland structure. The countryside rangers were assisted in their work by a wide variety of volunteers. Above: Home educated children from the Isle of Wight Learning The coppiced sites are monitored to Zone provide valuable help for the rangers. Photo Nick Blake Right: Wood anemones – typical springtime woodland flowers. see the growth which takes place when Photo Tina Whitmore the seed bank is exposed to the sunlight. Seasonal guide to wildlife in your garden If you have just dug a pond or are re- feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) stocking after clearing it out, take care (pictured) and water fern (Azolla when choosing what to plant. Ideally filiculoides). They can quickly choke you should have submerged plants like your pond, and if they escape into hornwort to help oxygenate the water, the wider countryside they can floating plants such as water lilies to out-compete our native species provide shade for pond animals, and tall and are expensive to eradicate. plants like irises to provide a perch for Plantlife, the plant conservation emerging dragonflies and damselflies. charity, has more information on Plants to avoid include New Zealand this subject at www.plantlife.org.uk/ pygmyweed (Crassula helmsii) parrot’s uk/plantlife-surveys.html

14 One Island Our Island, our environment

After the coldest winter for 30 years and an uncertain start to spring, it will be interesting to see how wildlife fares this year. After a slow start, wild daffodils, primroses, violets, and wood Come and Go Wild in the Woods and enjoy a fascinating day in the life anemones were well out by Easter, and lesser of Firestone Copse at Wootton during the spring half-term holiday on celandines were showy in sunny spots. Wednesday 2 June. The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch in January saw The day of activities will begin at 5am with a dawn chorus walk followed numbers of coal tit, long-tailed tit and goldcrest by other wildlife activities including pond dipping, woodland crafts, dropping significantly since last year’s survey. wildflower and butterfly walks, tree climbing, canoe safaris, outdoor art and Small birds are particularly susceptible to cold as much more, and will draw to a close with night time wildlife detecting at they lose heat more readily than larger birds, and dusk. have to eat almost continuously to stay alive. Your help will also be needed with the Island’s very first Bio Blitz, where you can get involved with recording all the species that you see on the day – so bring a camera! Find out more at www.wildonwight.co.uk Go wild in the garden Wight in Bloom Wildlife Award

pollen and nectar for bees and butterflies throughout the year. • Encourage a variety of trees, shrubs, climbers. The distinctive black caterpillars of the • Provide food and water for birds all Glanville fritillary (pictured above) emerged at the This year is International Year of year round. expected time to spin their silken webs, and there Biodiversity and as part of the • Provide piles of leaves and twigs to were enormous numbers despite the very hard celebrations the Isle of Wight give good shelter for wildlife. winter. Whether this will produce large numbers Biodiversity Partnership will be • Be environmentally friendly – make of butterflies remains to be seen, as there presenting awards to the three best your own compost, avoid chemicals are many factors which come into play. High wildlife-friendly gardens in this year’s and real peat and collect rain water. numbers of caterpillars can result in starvation, Wight in Bloom competition. You can also visit as the food plants (ribwort plantain) are eaten A wildlife friendly garden is one www.wildonwight.co.uk for more ideas out within local patches; predation by birds planted to encourage wildlife and on wildlife gardening. and attack by parasitic flies also take their toll. may incorporate a range of flowers or For entry forms and more details The caterpillars are vulnerable to strong winds habitats which ideally provide shelter contact the Wight in Bloom co- which damage the food plants or blow them off and food for a wide range of species ordinator at the council’s the cliffs. The butterflies should be seen from such as birds, mammals, insects and parks and countryside late May onwards, along our southern and south amphibians throughout the year. section, tel: 823893. western coasts. Gardens cover about six per cent The pearl bordered fritillary, a woodland Below: Ladybird, by Cat James of the Island, potentially providing Right: House sparrow, by Paul butterfly, has declined dramatically as sunny a great resource for our wildlife, so Blackley tracks have become overgrown, causing the loss why not put your business, school, of violets, the caterpillars’ food plant. Clearance community space or own front work in Parkhurst Forest has begun to open up garden forward and show us how rides, with the aim of bringing this species back you help the Island’s wonderful from the brink – look for it from the middle of wildlife? May onwards. Here are some ideas to get you Anne Marston, assistant ecology officer started: • Try using plants which provide One Island 15 TIME & PLACE 21 May to 30 July Newport, 7.30pm, Yarmouth Old MEETINGS tickets £10, tel: 527267. THEATRE Gaffers’ Festival, British Airways Amadeus Epstein Quartet at Yarmouth Retired Staff (19-22, 26-29 May) (12 June) Harbour, The Association Peter Shaffer’s award- Square and The Performing in aid of (monthly) winning play about Green, 4 to 6 June Leukaemia Research, Monthly coffee Mozart and his rival morning on the third Wolverton Manor, Salieri, Apollo Theatre, Wednesday each Shorwell, for details month, at the White tel: 740609. Newport, 7.30pm. Lion, Arreton, 11am. Claire Pradel and Oliver! (27-30 May) MUSIC Vincent Friberg Ventnor Theatre (10 July) Group presents the Music concert Leading French musical by Lionel (22 May) musicians Pradel Bart, Ventnor Winter Classical/Celtic singer (harpsichord) and Gardens, 7.30pm (plus Cecilia Le Poer Power, Friberg (flute) play with Martin Riley 18th, 19th and 20th a matinee at 2.30pm on 29 May), tickets ACTIVITIES Open Workshop Yarmouth Old (piano) and Amanda century music, in Weekend, Andrew Gaffers’ Festival Whiting (harp), aid of Leukaemia £8.50 and £6.50 (for Mottistone Manor Dowden Ceramic (4-6 June) Bonchurch Parish Research, Wolverton under 16s), contact House open day Designs Annual festival, gaff- Church, 8pm. Manor, Shorwell, for box office, tel: 857581. (31 May) rigged vessels, market (16-19 July) Saraband Trio details tel: 740609. Open for one day stalls, displays, other Anybody for Ceramic wall plaques, (29 May) a year only, 2pm to entertainments, at Richard Saxel and Murder? tile panels and Performing in aid of 5pm, guided tours Yarmouth Harbour, Ben Harte (24 July) standing forms, at 29 Leukaemia Research, (24-26 June) The Square and Saxel (piano) and for National Trust Ventnor Road, Apse Wolverton Manor, Curtain Up Amateur The Green, 12 noon Harte (violin) perform members only Heath, 10am to 8pm Shorwell, for details Dramatic Society Friday 4 June to Elgar’s violin sonata, (9.30am to 12 noon), (on 16, 18, 19 July), tel: 740609. presents a murder tel: 741020. 10am to 1pm (on 17 6pm Sunday 6 Delius, Parry, Finzl and mystery play by Brian July), for more details June, website: Newport Jazz Club other pastoral pieces, Isle of Wight tel: 867505. www.yarmouthold (30 May) in aid of Leukaemia Clemens and Dennis College open gaffersfestival.co.uk Top modern jazz Research, Wolverton Spooner, Totland evening (24 June) Art Sale (17 July) group Meta4 perform Manor, Shorwell, for Church Hall, 7.30pm, Strawberry Fayre, Open evening for Paintings, prints, at the Apollo Theatre, details tel: 740609. tickets £6, tel: 754654. all courses from art books, picture Porchfield Cricket September, Isle frames, for Amnesty Club (6 June) These listings are provided free, as a public information service. Details of Wight College, International, Traditional family must be submitted either by: filling out this form, or emailing your Newport, 4pm to Holyrood Hall, fayre, crafts, 8pm. Newport, 10am to antiques, fun stalls, details to [email protected] 4pm. homemade cakes, Please conform to the format shown. Entries are included at the Literary Gala Porchfield Cricket editorial team’s discretion. Next scheduled edition: 16 July (listings for (25 June) Ventnor Botanical Club, Coleman’s Lane, period 16 July to 1 October). In aid of SSAFA Forces Artists Porchfield, 2pm. Help, celebrating (24 July – 1 August) 125th anniversary, Annual exhibition of Shorwell Title of event/activity: workshops, book work for sale by the Midsummer Fair signings, book group, pictures of (19 June) exchange, book wild and cultivated Traditional village binding demo, at plants, Echium fair in the grounds Date: Woodlands Vale, Terrace Room, of an Elizabethan Calthorpe Road, Ventnor Botanic manor house, Brief description: Ryde, 1pm to 5pm, Garden, 10am to 5pm. many stalls, events admission by ticket, and attractions, at cost £10, contact FAIRS & SHOWS Northcourt, Shorwell, Noreen, tel: 568742. Summer Fete 1pm to 5pm. Tai Chi and Qigong (22 May) Book, Postcard and (every Wednesday) Gifts, games and Ephemera Fair Exercise for all ages, refreshments at Isle of (11 July) promoting flexibility, Wight Society for the Fair at the village balance, stamina, at Blind, Newport, £1 hall, High Street, Godshill, mornings entrance fee, includes Bembridge, 10am to Venue: and evenings, for tea/coffee, 10.30am 3.30pm. to 2pm. Time: details, tel: 840994. Brook Village and Isle of Wight Church Fete Contact name: EXHIBITIONS Bonsai Society (24 July) Bembridge Art Show (29 May) Traditional village Society, Arts and Display of members’ fete, wide range of Telephone: Crafts Day (31 May) trees, pruning and stalls and attractions, Please return (by 29 June) to:

Arts and crafts on care demos, Parish music, afternoon ✁ display and for sale, Rooms, Town Lane, tea and cakes, at Time & Place, One Island, Publications Unit, County Hall, Bembridge Village Newport, 10am to Brook Green, 2pm to Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 1UD or email to [email protected] Hall, 10am to 4.30pm. 3pm, plants for sale. 4.30pm.