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

News Stories for August 2009


CHILDRENS HEALTH ON THE MEND
- Improved fitness levels, eating habits and greater levels of self esteem are just some of the benefits offered to children and their families as part of the MEND programme funded by the Island’s NHS.
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FUNDING BOOST FOR HEALTH TRUST
- The Isle of Wight Natural Therapies Trust has received £2,500 in funding, securing its future for another year.
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DISCUS THROWERS INSPIRED BY OLYMPIC CHAMPION American discus champion Stephanie Brown Trafton with Island discus throwers
- American discus champion Stephanie Brown Trafton took time out from visiting family on the Isle of Wight to coach five of the Island's most promising discus throwers today.
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VISITBRITAIN CEO IS A MASSIVE FAN OF THE ISLAND
- The Chief Executive of VisitBritain, the organisation responsible for marketing Britain to the rest of the world, has written to the Isle of Wight Council stating she is a "massive fan" of the Island and congratulating the authority's efforts in making her recent holidays here a "really brilliant experience".
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'BEAT BY THE RIVER' FREE OPEN-AIR CHARITY MUSIC CONCERT
- An open air music concert is being held on the Island on Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August, in Newport.
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DISAPPOINTING FIGURES DURING KNIFE TEST PURCHASE EXERCISE Knifes bought by a 16 year old teenager in three shops without asking for ID.
- Isle of Wight Council Trading Standards Service and Hampshire Constabulary have expressed disappointment at the results of a recent test purchase exercise.
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APPEAL AFTER ALLEGATION OF DANGEROUS MOTORCYCLIST ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT
- Police are appealing for witnesses after a motorcyclist was reported riding dangerously along a main road on the Isle of Wight.
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PARK AND STRIDE TO SCHOOL
- As parents prepare for their children to go back to school in September, Isle of Wight Council is sending out the message that the school run can also be a superb opportunity for children to get their recommended daily exercise.
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MORE MAJOR WORK TO IMPROVE ISLAND ROADS
- The latest phase of work in a major programme of Isle of Wight Council road improvements is progressing.
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YOU'VE HEARD OF A BOTTLE BANK, WHAT ABOUT A BOOK BANK?
- Isle of Wight Council, in partnership with Island Waste has installed anumber of book banks at locations around the Island so that unwanted books can be given a new lease of life through a scheme operated by the British Heart Foundation.
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REFURBISHED FRESHWATER CONVENCIENCES TO RE-OPEN
- The latest set of public toilets to be given a complete refurbishment under an Isle of Wight Council scheme is officially opened on Wednesday 26 August.
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ENCOURAGING PROVISIONAL A-LEVEL RESULTS FOR 2009
- The number of students achieving A-level qualifications on the Isle of
Wight has seen a rise when compared to 2008
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WOMAN FINED FOR LEAVING BIN BAGS OUT ILLEGALLY
- A Carisbrooke woman who, despite repeated warnings, continued to leave bin bags on the pavement outside her home, has been fined.
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POWERBOAT EVENT 2009 Team Scorpion - photo by Nikki Drummond
- On 29th August, the Honda F4SA will return to Cowes, alongside the British Powerboat Racing Club for the fourth leg of their 2009 Championship. 20 Honda powerboats will race in the Cowes – Poole – Cowes Classic, on this the 10th Anniversary of the Honda backed series.
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ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL MEETS WITH SACKED VESTAS REPRESENTATIVES
- Isle of Wight Council leaders have met a delegation of sacked Vestas
workers to discuss what support the council is able to offer efforts to
secure green jobs for the Island
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COMMUNITY SAFETY SHOWCASE FOR THE ISLE OF WIGHT
- The expertise and efforts that help keep the Isle of Wight one of the safest places to live in the country will be on display this weekend. 
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NCI SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO BE WATCH KEEPERS
- The National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) are to open a number of Watch Stations on the Island and is seeking volunteers to join and train to become Watch Keepers.
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ALL HANDS ON DECK TO SAVE BABY LEMURS!
- The Isle of Wight Zoo recently received a pair of unexpected new arrivals – two red ruffed lemur babies rejected by their mother at another organisation.
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ISLE OF WIGHT NURSERY "VICTORY" AND JOBS SAVED BY TOPS DAY NURSERIES
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Playstation, the nursery based at the Isle of Wight College, which has been set for closure with a loss of 22 jobs has been saved by Tops Day Nurseries who will take over operation of the nursery from 1 September.

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COUNCIL SEEKS V.I.P FAMILY TO OPEN NEW CHILDREN CENTRE
- Isle of Wight Council's new Children Centre in Sandown will be officially opened next month - and the council is seeking a family to cut the ribbon.
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COUNCIL IMPROVES ROAD AND PAVEMENT OUTSIDE SCHOOL
- Work is underway in East Cowes to widen a section of road and install a
crossing along Beatrice Avenue
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RECORD NUMBERS FOR WEST WIGHT TRIATHLON
- For 2009 the official charity for the West Wight triathlon is the Ellen MacArthur Trust.
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RENEWED APPEAL AFTER ROAD COLLISION NEAR SHALFLEET
- Police are renewing an appeal for witnesses after an elderly woman received serious injuries in a road traffic collision on the Isle of Wight.
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BESTIVAL RETURNS… LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE TODAY!
- After selling out for the fourth year in a row a while back, the Bestival organisers have have some super news for those who missed out first time around as a limited allocation of ticket returns for this year’s Bestival have been made available for you to buy today – but be quick!

These few returned tickets are now up for grabs from midday today (Tues 18th August) - through www
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INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO FIRE IN VENTNOR
- Police are renewing an appeal for information after a fire was reported near a bandstand in Park Avenue, Ventnor, Isle of Wight.
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FINAL RESULT FOR ROLEX FASTNET RACE BY A & S WHITEWOOD
- Almost a week after the Cowes start of this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race some boats were still at sea, some with miles to go to the finish line in Plymouth, however prizegivings took place and by Sunday 16th. August all boats were safely in port.
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UPDATE ON DEATH OF RICHARD ANDREW BALL
- Hampshire Constabulary can confirm the death of Richard Andrew Ball, aged 57, of Fairview Crescent, Sandown, Isle of Wight, is now being treated as a murder investigation.
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ROLEX FASTNET RACE 2009 - A & S WHITEWOOD
- With a welcome 10-knot wind from the east propelling the 300 strong fleet westwards down the Solent the Rolex Fastnet Race got underway at Sunday lunchtime.
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COWES WEEK REVELLERS PRAISED
- Police and partner agencies are welcoming the safe and responsible behaviour of the majority of people who attended the Cowes Week sailing regatta.
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WATER LEVELS RECOVER DUE TO EXCEPTIONAL JULY RAIN
- Rainfall in July was almost twice as much as average across the south east.
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WITNESS APPEAL AFTER CHILD IN COLLISION
- Police are appealing for witnesses after a child was injured in a road traffic collision in Sandown.
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FAMILY FUN AT OSBORNE HOUSE & GARDENS
- Queen Victoria will definitely be amused when she presides over three days of traditional Victorian family fun on the sweeping lawns of Osborne House from Sunday 16 to Tuesday 18 August.
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COWES WEEK - DAY4 TO DAY 8 BY A & S WHITEWOOD
- Day 4 - Gusty winds, with puffs of up to 30 knots, provided the regatta's most exciting day so far.
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TEAM PINDAR EMBARKS ON HISTORIC ROLEX FASTNET RACE
- Team Pindar today joined a 300 strong fleet on the Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes, to commence the prestigious 608-mile Rolex Fastnet Race.
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SUMMER CAMPAIGN FOR SAFER MOTORCYCLING
- A new road safety campaign aimed at reducing the number of collisionsinvolving motorcyclists on the Island's roads has been launched by theIsle of Wight Council.
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POLICE WARNING OVER STOLEN BANK CARD SCAM
- Police on the Isle of Wight are issuing a warning about cold callers phoning victims of crime after stealing their credit or debit cards.
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WIN BESTIVAL TICKETS & £1000 OF BORN BY TED BAKER Happy Bestival Goers
- Born by Ted Baker are setting the ultimate music challenge - a Gig Race that embodies the Born by Ted Baker belief that we should all 'seize the everyday'.
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MAJOR RECOGNITION FOR COUNCIL CRACKDOWN ON SUBSTITUTE ALCOHOL Alcohol testing in local Pubs earlier this year on the Isle of Wight.
- Isle of Wight Council has been recognised by an international organisation for the work its Environmental Health team undertakes to prevent the illegal sale of substitute alcohol.
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WITNESS APPEAL AFTER ALLEGED ROBBERY OF ITALIAN STUDENT IN RYDE, ISLE OF WIGHT
- Police are appealing for witnesses after a report of a robbery against a teenage Italian exchange student in Ryde, Isle of Wight.
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TEAM PINDAR TO ENTER FASTNET Team Pindar to compete in the Rolex Fastnet race from th 9th of August.
- Team Pindar has confirmed its entry in the 2009 Rolex Fastnet Race which begins on Sunday August 9th.
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INFORMATION FOR COWES WEEK FIREWORKS SPECTATORS
- The Isle of Wight Council is reminding visitors to the Cowes Week fireworks display on Friday 7 August that the floating bridge will be operating a pedestrian-only service between 6pm and midnight.
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DETECTIVES INVESTIGATE NEW SIGHTINGS OF MISSING TEENAGER
- Police are issuing a fresh appeal for information after new sightings of a missing teenager from the Isle of Wight.
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APPEAL FOR WITNESSES AFTER INDECENT ASSAULT IN COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT
- Police are appealing for witnesses after an allegation of an indecent assault in Cowes, Isle of Wight.
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ARTEMIS CHALLENGE AT COWES - A & S WHITEWOOD Zara Phillips at Cowes Week 2009
- August 5th saw the return of The Artemis Challenge at Cowes Week.
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ISHARES CUP AT COWES - A & S WHITEWOOD.
- Day 1 of the iShares Cup at Cowes raced on a very wet Saturday firmly belonged to Pete Cumming and the crew of Oman Sail Masirah - winning 5 out of the 6 races.
Read more about - ISHARES CUP AT COWES - A & S WHITEWOOD.
START OF COWES WEEK 2009 - A & S WHITEWOOD
- For the start of the week there was rain and a changeable wind but the hundreds of boats soon got into race mode and the usual exciting racing took place.
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A FULL HOUSE FOR ROLEX FASTNET RACE –START FROM COWES ON 9TH AUGUST 2009
- Once again the Royal Ocean Racing Club has managed full house with their biennial flagship event, the Rolex Fastnet Race. The 300 boat maximum has been comfortably reached.
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