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

News Stories for December 2008


TREE RECYCLING AVAILABLE
- Recycle your Christmas Tree! That’s the message from the Isle of Wight Council.
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SANTA TAKES TIME OUT IN BEMBRIDGE
- Father Christmas pays a visit to Bembridge tonight, as he prepares to make his trip around the world. He’ll travel around the village, from 5pm, starting and finishing at the Village Inn.
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CHAIN FERRY SUSPENDED
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The Isle of Wight's chain ferry - linking Cowes and East Cowes - is stuck.

It's stranded at East Cowes and won't be refloated until the new tide late this afternoon.  A foot passenger service is in place, but motorists will have to take the long way round.

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IW COUNCIL OPENING HOURS
- Trying to use council facilities this Christmas? Here's what you need to know....
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FAKE CASH WARNING
- There are warnings to shoppers and traders after an increase fake £20 notes. 
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DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS TOLD SPEAK OUT
- Don’t suffer domestic abuse in silence, this Christmas. Extra dedicated police patrols are on duty at a time when incidents usually increase. 
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PC RETIRES AFTER 30 YEARS
- After thirty years on the frontline, a long-serving Isle of Wight police officer will retire today.
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FAKE NOTE WARNING
- There are warnings to shoppers and traders after an increase fake £20 notes. 
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VERDICT FOR LUCIE BLACKMAN'S FAMILY
- A Japanese businessman has been convicted of abducting and dismembering Lucie Blackman, whose father lives on the Isle of Wight. 
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ZERO TOLERANCE ON XMAS CRIME
- There are extra patrols to combat shoplifting on the Isle of Wight, this Christmas. 
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NEW YOUTH POLITICIANS NAMED Youth MP Scott Goodhew (right) and deputy Jon Smith.
- 2498 votes were cast in the Isle of Wight’s Youth Council elections and there were 1786 votes in the election for the Member of the UK Youth Parliament.  It was a record, leading to 24 filled seats on the Youth Council and a new Youth Mp.
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BEMBRIDGE CHARITY FAIR RAISES THOUSANDS BSCs Rear Commodore Annabel Rhodes at her stall.
- An annual fair at Bembridge Sailing Club has raised more than £12,000 for charity. The Annual Christmas Gift Fair was opened by Alan Titchmarsh. 
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LIGHTS OF LOVE IN BEMBRIDGE
- Bembridge’s annual Lights of Love event takes place tonight, from 5pm.
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LIGHTS OF LOVE CEREMONY AT CREMATORIUM
- The annual Lights of Love ceremony at the Island’s crematorium takes place, today . 
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VANDALS STRIKE AT WAR MEMORIAL
- There is disbelief in Shanklin, after a poppy memorial in the remembrance garden at the Royal British Legion on Collingwood Road was damaged.  Vandals struck earlier this week. 
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CARE CONFERENCE IN COWES
- A major conference to discuss the future of care services takes place on the Isle of Wight, today.
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VAT PROMISE BY IW COUNCIL
- The IW Council’s confirmed it has been applying the new lower VAT rate since 1 December.  The rate dropped from 17.5% to 15%, following an announcement by the Chancellor. 
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BAND GETS SMART WITH £5K GRANT
- An Isle of Wight brass band is celebrating a £5,000 grant for new uniforms. 
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NEW WILDLIFE HAVEN FOR NEWPORT
- Riverside walks and wildlife havens will be created at Lukely Brook in Newport, close to the redevelopment at the old Dairy Crest site.  According to the Environment Agency, kingfishers have already been spotted at the site. 
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SANDOWN SWITCHES ON THE LIGHTS
- Sandown’s planning a 'Christmas Wonderland of Lights', tonight. 
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BEMBRIDGE BOOK LAUNCH
- A new book will be launched in Bembridge, today. 
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COLLEGE STUDENTS AIM FOR A HIGHER LIFE
- Island business students have been given a taste of university life, with a day trip to Portsmouth.
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MADCAP MURDER AWARDS HANDED OUT
- The MADCAP Murder Mystery awards take place in Newport, tonight.  The super sleuths at this year’s event, at which a number of fake murders were staged at location across the Isle of Wight, will gather at the Quay Arts Centre.
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BLAST OFF TO BESTIVAL 2009 FREAK UNDER THE SEA, BESTIVAL 2008
- It’s the final countdown to Bestival 2009, which has announced an intergalactic theme for its annual fancy dress competition. 
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AID LORRY TO ROMANIA
- A 44 tonne aid lorry is making its way to Romania, after this year’s successful Isle of Wight shoebox appeal. 
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WEST WIGHT MEETING FOR COUNCIL CABINET
- The Isle of Wight Council’s Cabinet meets in the West Wight, today.  
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DIRECTOR'S BID FOR HOLLYWOOD STAR!
- A fledgling film director from the Isle of Wight is hoping to get a call from a Hollywood A-lister.
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NEW ROLE FOR VILLAGE MANAGERS
- The work of the Isle of Wight’s Town Centre Managers will be extended from today.  From eight town centres (including Newport, pictured), they’ll spread into villages and rural areas.  Called Environment and Neighbourhoods Officers, they’ll try to provide a community safety service and will attend parish and town council meetings.
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SANDOWN'S COMMUNITY CLEAN UP
- Work continues to spruce up Sandown today, with efforts to remove graffiti from fencing in Los Altos Park.
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