The Isle of Wight Beacon – the Island's daily news sport and weather website

News Stories for August 2008


TOP MARKS IN PATIENT SURVEY FOR ISLAND NHS
- The results of a new national survey show patients rate Island primary care services amongst the very best in the country.
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FORMAL LAUNCH OF LOTTERY COMMUNITY BUS
- At last … the Bembridge bus is here!  The long wait for a new community minibus for Bembridge is over, with the arrival of a shiny new Iveco Irisbus. 
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"RAISING THE ISLAND'S PROFILE ACROSS EUROPE" THE SQ2SQ TEAM HEADS TO ITALY SEE THE TEAMS DEPARTURE HERE!
- “Bon Voyage to foreign shores…it’s a gentle ride to Rome.” Words of comfort from the Isle of Wight’s Chief Fire Officer Paul Street, to the team of 10 Island firefighters who are cycling heading to the Vatican. 
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ROUND THE ISLAND AND FROM SQUARE TO SQUARE
- They’re planning to cycle 1,400 miles for charity- but not before they complete a full lap of the Isle of Wight. A team of Island firefighters will leave St Thomas’ Square tonight, bound for ST Peter’s Square in the Vatican City in Rome.
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THREE SAVED BUS ROUTES BUT NO MORE CASH
- Three new bus routes will be run by the IW Council, because operator Southern Vectis has decided to discontinue them.
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FROM SEA TO STAGE - THE BESTIVAL SWIM TEAM Ryde Pier, the swimmers goal.
- It takes green travel to a whole new level. A group of Bestival-goers are planning to swim across the Solent, to the Robin Hill music festival next month, for the second year running. 
Read more about - FROM SEA TO STAGE - THE BESTIVAL SWIM TEAM
RYDE CARNIVAL WRAPS UP SEASON
- Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of Ryde tonight, for the annual carnival procession.  It's reputed to be the oldest carnival in the country and it's celebrating its 120th year.   Up to 2000 performers are expected to take part.
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REVIEW: FIREWORKS IN SEAVIEW
- KANE THOMPSON, aged 14, reviews the fireworks which mark the end of the Annual Seaview Village Regatta...
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SPILLS AND THRILLS BETWEEN COWES AND TORQUAY
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A fleet of nearly 40 boats powered out of Cowes, on Saturday, for the 2008 Cowes Torquay Cowes Powerboat race.

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TAKING THE OLYMPIC RINGS TO THE NEEDLES Paddiywack rounds the Islands famous landmark.
- Young sailors from the Isle of Wight have helped marked the countdown to the 2012 Olympic Games.
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TRIBUTES TO TEENAGE SAILOR KILLED IN AFRICA
- Tributes are pouring in to a young member of Bembridge Sailing Club, who died while on safari in Africa. 
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OLYMPIC FLAG SAILS ROUND THE NEEDLES
- As the Beijing Olympics draw to a close on Sunday, the London 2012 Olympic Handover Flag will be flying off the Isle of Wight. It marks the handing over of the Olympic baton to the next country, to host the event. 
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REVVED UP AND "ROARING" TO GO IN POWERBOAT CHALLENGE
- The Cowes-Torquay-Cowes powerboat race powers out of Island waters, on Saturday. 
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GCSE RESULTS IN AND CARISBROOKE'S AN ACHIEVER
- GCSE results on the Isle of Wight are rising, but they still lag behind the national average. 
Read more about - GCSE RESULTS IN AND CARISBROOKE'S AN ACHIEVER
BLOOMING LOVELY BUT BLOOMING RARE! The King Protea flower.
- A plant that very rarely flowers outside of its native country has bloomed on the Island. 
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NEW MINIBUS FOR CHILDREN'S RESPITE CHARITY
- Newport’s Beaulieu House children’s centre will receive a new minibus today.
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OLYMPIC FORTUNES COULD CHANGE FOR KELLY
- After disappointment at the Olympic Games in Beijing, Isle of Wight athlete Kelly Sotherton could be set to move up the final rankings.
Read more about - OLYMPIC FORTUNES COULD CHANGE FOR KELLY
TARBUCK'S ART EXHIBITION PREVIEW Jimmy Tarbuck visits Riverside Centre (with Paddy Noctor and Vanessa Burden and Green Award.)
- Comedian and TV Presenter Jimmy Tarbuck took time out from rehearsals to present representatives from Shanklin’s Real World Trust and Newport’s Riverside Centre with paintings and artwork, earlier this month. 
Read more about - TARBUCK'S ART EXHIBITION PREVIEW
GOLDEN TICKETS UNVEILED ALONGSIDE A HOST OF NEW BESTIVAL ACTS Could your Bestival album hold a golden ticket?
- Neon Neon and Noah And The Whale are the latest additions to the eclectic line up at the forthcoming Bestival 2008. The Robin Hill music festival gets underway in 3 weeks time.
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MAKE YOUR MARK ON ELECTORAL ROLE
- It’s time to update your entry on the electoral role.
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A LEVEL PASSES STILL BEHIND NATIONAL AVERAGE
- Grades are up, but the number of passes is the same. The IW Council has unveiled the provisional figures for this year’s A Level passes.
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TRIBUTE TO FORMER COUNCILLOR
- Former Isle of Wight Councillor Brenda Lawson has died.
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YARMOUTH HOSTS SAILING REGATTA
- Cowes Week may be over, but the action on Island waters continues, this weekend.
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FOLK GETS STEAMY AT IW STATION
- A new music festival will  take place in Havenstreet, this weekend.
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TREE TRAILS TAKE ROOT ACROSS THE ISLAND
- Budding arborologists take note! Eight new tree inspired 'Histree Trails' have been launched on the Isle of Wight.
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SPACE AGE BOAT APPEARS IN COWES Earthrace, pictured in Spain in June.
- The world’s fastest and greenest powerboat makes an appearance in Cowes, today, until tomorrow morning.
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NIGHTBUS LEADS THE COUNCIL TRAFFIC
- The Isle of Wight’s nightbus is good practice, according to the Local Government Association.
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NEW SPONSOR FOR ISLAND SPEEDWAY
- The home of the Wightlink Raiders Islanders has a new name, along with a new sponsor for the team.
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SINGING, ARTS AND CRAFTS IN THE WEST WIGHT
- The 14th annual Outdoor Arts and Crafts festival takes place in Freshwater, today.
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WEST WIGHT WELCOMES THE DUKE
- On Tuesday 5 August, the West Wight was treated to a royal visit from HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. 
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KERRY GRUSON WINS LIZ EARLE TROPHY
- Kerry Gruson has been awarded the 2008 Liz Earle Ladies Day Trophy at Skandia Cowes Week.
Read more about - KERRY GRUSON WINS LIZ EARLE TROPHY
NEW ROAD SAFETY COURSE
- The Isle of Wight’s bikers are being offered the chance to take a "Better Riding" road safety course.
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YARMOUTH CARNIVAL WEEK KICKS OFF
- The annual Yarmouth carnival takes place from today.
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CHERNOBYL CHILDRENS' ISLAND BREAK
- Children affected by the 1986 Chernobyl disaster can swim and play crazy golf for free, during a 4-week stay on the Isle of Wight.
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VETERAN HOLIDAYMAKERS GIVEN SPECIAL THANKS
- They’ve spent 60 holidays here and now a couple who’ve made the Island their favourite break for the last 56 years will be honoured, by the IW Council. 
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CHANGING WEATHER FOR ARTEMIS CHALLENGE
- After a wet and windy start, with Pindar leading off to The Needles, there was some close and exciting sailing in the Artemis Challenge 2008 at Skandia Cowes Week…report A AND S WHITEWOOD.
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GARDEN GATHERING IN RYDE
- Dozens of plants and flowers will be planted by local young people in two plots of land in Preston Close, Ryde, today.  The project’s part of a community initiative to make the area look blooming lovely.
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WINNERS SAIL AWAY WITH ISHARES CUP
- With very strong winds for the three days of the UK round of the iShares Cup  at Skandia Cowes Week, there was every kind of drama - from broken masts to gaping holes and crew overboard - as A AND S WHITEWOOD report...
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DUKE TO MAKE ISLAND VISIT Yarmouth Pier is on the Dukes schedule.
- The Duke of Edinburgh is to visit a respite and re-ablement centre for older people in Freshwater, on Tuesday.
Read more about - DUKE TO MAKE ISLAND VISIT
ARTEMIS CHALLENGE RETURNS TO COWES WEEK
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The second Artemis Challenge takes to the water today, at Skandia Cowes Week 2008, report A AND S WHITEWOOD...

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SURVEY FINDS WORRIES AND SATISFACTION Beach are popular, among Islanders.
- Highway maintenance and public toilets are top of the list of Islanders’ concerns, according to an IW Council survey.
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GET WIRED AT SKANDIA COWES WEEK!
- Silver surfers can get on the net for free, this Skandia Cowes Week.
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CASTLE'S MEDIEVAL ADVENTURE
- Feel real armour or pretend to be Robin Hood!

Carisbrooke Castle opens the gate on Medieval Boot Camp, today and tomorrow
Read more about - CASTLE'S MEDIEVAL ADVENTURE
COWES WEEK POLICE PATROLS
- Island Police are stepping up patrols this Cowes Week. 
Read more about - COWES WEEK POLICE PATROLS
ROYAL TITLE SNATCHED IN COWES WEEK PREVIEW RACE Colin Jackson was among the competitors.
- Giles Peckham has been crowned the 2nd King of Cowes, bagging himself a brand new car to boot.
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ISHARES CUP RETURNS TO SKANDIA COWES WEEK 2008
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An awesome line up of 11 top-class entries are taking part in Round 3 of the iShares Cup Sailing Series, featuring some of the world's very best sailors, report A AND S WHITEWOOD....

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BIG CAT WEEK AT IW ZOO
- The Isle of Wight Zoo in Yaverland is to celebrate annual Big Cat Week, until Friday.
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NORTHWOOD'S MERRY PRODUCTION
- Northwood House in Cowes hosts a production of Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, on Friday. 
Read more about - NORTHWOOD'S MERRY PRODUCTION
PLANS PUBLISHED FOR BRIGHSTONE
- People living in Brighstone have until September to comment on a new parish plan and a Village Design Statement. 
Read more about - PLANS PUBLISHED FOR BRIGHSTONE
FISHING FOR NEW HOBBY AT ROOKLEY
- Rookley Park hosts an event to mark The Environment Agency’s National Fishing Week, on Saturday. 
Read more about - FISHING FOR NEW HOBBY AT ROOKLEY