JOHN LAWSON SACKED OVER UNDERCLIFF DRIVE
31 October 2007 -
The IW Council’s Deputy Chief Executive has been sacked over the Undercliff Drive scandal. John Lawson tendered his resignation on 25 October but, following a 3-day independent disciplinary hearing in September, it was decided on Monday that his failings had been too serious. He is the second officer to be sacked over the handing of a road building contract to the firm High Point Rendel. A third officer has taken early retirement and a fourth has resigned. Mr Lawson was also the authority’s Director of Policy Performance and Partnerships. The IW Council says “There will be no payment made to Mr Lawson other than his salary up until the date of his dismissal”.
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FRIGHT NIGHT ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT
31 October 2007 -
Happy Halloween from everyone at the IW Beacon Online!
The team that answers Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s 101 non-emergency calls is preparing for a busy night
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UNDERCLIFF DRIVE INQUIRY REACHES DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE
28 October 2007 -
The Investigatory and Disciplinary Panel, looking into the way a number of IW Council officers were involved in handing out contracts for the Undercliff Drive scheme, meets on Monday to consider the case against Deputy Chief Executive John Lawson.
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CONCERT RAISED £HUNDREDS FOR THE CATS
28 October 2007 -
Two of the Isle of Wight's most distinctive songwriters performed at the first 'Concert for the Cats', on 13 October. A decent (and appreciative) crowd turned out for the charity fundraising event, at Newport’s Minghella Theatre in the Quay Arts Centre, despite that evening’s World Cup rugby match.
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CASH BOOST FOR SANDOWN YOUTH PLANS
28 October 2007 -
A project in Sandown, to give young people a recreation area, is celebrating a financial boost. The Hampshire Police Authority has awarded it £3,000, towards the cost of setting it up. The Sandown Community Partnership plans to convert tennis courts into a multi-sports facility. A skate park, drop-in area and games area are expected, catering for around 1000 young people, aged between 12 and 18 years. Construction is due to begin early in 2008.
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DINOSAURS IN THE DARK FOR HALLOWEEN
28 October 2007 -
Halloween and dinosaurs come together at Sandown’s Dinosaur Isle, this weekend. Children and their families will come face-to-face with the sights, sounds and smells of the era….with the lights out! Visitors should bring torches and can dress up as ghosts and ghouls, for the event on 31 October. Organisers promise games, scary dinosaur stories and science.
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IW ORGANISATION'S SAFETY FEARS
28 October 2007 -
An Isle of Wight based organsiation's claiming hi-tech tracking systems designed to keep children safe could give parents a false sense of security. Spokesperson for the Lucie Blackman Trust, Matt Searle, says GPS tracking devices are limited because they only show where a person is, not whether they are safe. He claims panic buttons linked to mobile phones are better. The Trust was set up by Tim Blackman, from Ryde. His 21-year-old daughter was found dead in Japan in 2001, where she'd been working as a bar hostess.
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CALLING ALL GREAT SOUTH RUN-NERS
28 October 2007 -
Are you taking part in Sunday's Great South Run? Around 18,500 people are braving the wind and rain to pounds the roads in Southsea, many for charity. The IW Beacon Online would like to hear your stories and see your photos. Contact lucy@iwbeacon.com, for a chance to see your story/picture appear on the web.
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DARKER EVENINGS PROMPTS POLICE SAFETY MESSAGE
28 October 2007 -
The clocks went back, on Saturday night. The darker evenings have prompted Hampshire Constabulary to encourage Islanders to make our homes more secure. The force says houses left in darkness can become targets for burglars.
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ROARING SUCCESS FOR GILTRAP'S GIG
28 October 2007 -
A crowd of 120 people and all out of wine by the interval! Organisers say a gig in Ryde, by guitarist and composer Gordon Giltrap, was a "roaring success". He appeared for the charity The Park Centre Project and also spent time at Newport's Isle of Wight College, speaking to students.
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YARMOUTH/LYMINGTON FERRY ROUTE FLOOD WORKS WARNING
28 October 2007 -
Passengers travelling between Yarmouth and Lymington, on Wightlink's car ferry service, are facing more delays because of work underway in the New Forest town. Bridge Road is closed for flood protection works this weekend and on most weekends in November.
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SAILOR SHARES STORIES OF THE SEA
26 October 2007 -
Round the World sailor Sir Robin Knox Johnston's sharing stories of the sea, in Cowes Yacht Haven today. The 68-year-old's been dubbed "Britain's greatest yachtsman". He became the first man to sail non-stop solo around the world, in 1969.
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ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON HOSTS PENSIONERS
26 October 2007 -
Cowes' Royal Yacht Squadron's hosting a fundraising event in aid of the Chelsea pensioners. It's one of a series of events across the country. The Island's Lord Lieutenant and the Chair of the Isle of Wight Council are among those attending, this lunchtime.
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IW BEACON NOMINATED FOR CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARD
23 October 2007 -
The Isle of Wight Beacon is in the running for an Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce Business Award. It has been nominated in the Small Business Category. Three Island organisations are already celebrating, meanwhile, after being nominated three times each. The Needles Park in Alum Bay, Cowes manufacturer AJ Wells and Son and testing and compliance firm Wireless and Cellular Approvals, also based in Cowes, have multiple nominations. The annual prize-giving will be held at Cowes Yacht Haven, on 23 November.
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BATTLE OF THE FESTIVALS AT ANNUAL AWARDS
23 October 2007 -
It’s time for the annual battle of the Island’s summer music festivals. The Isle of Wight Festival 2007 and Bestival are going head-to-head, at the UK Festival Awards. The Isle of Wight Festival, which took place at Seaclose Park in June, boasts 9 nominations. Robin Hill’s Bestival, which was held in September, has 14 nominations. Last year, Bestival was named Best Medium-Large Festival.
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POSTER WARNS NO TRICK OR TREAT
22 October 2007 -
Police on the Isle of Wight are urging people to put up a poster if they don’t want to be “trick or treated”, this Halloween. They’ve made the poster available in a bid to make some residents feel safer and to discourage revellers from approaching their homes. Among other precautions, some local shops will not sell flour or eggs to people aged under 18, as Halloween approaches.
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MILES OF SMILES FOR IW PCT PATIENTS
22 October 2007 -
A mile for Smile! That’s the challenge at a Cowes gym, where Islanders suffering chronic pain and their families and friends are attempting to walk up to a mile. They are members of the Isle of Wight branch of the charity Smile, which involves patients who’ve taken part in the Isle of Wight NHS Primary Care Trust’s Pain Management Programme. The fundraiser is being launched on Tuesday morning, at the Urban Metro Gym, on Arctic Road.
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A GHOSTLY GOOD WAY TO SPEND HALF TERM!
21 October 2007 -
Halloween is almost upon us! Half-term on the Isle of Wight is packed with ghouls, ghosts and creepy monsters….
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WHOSE FOOD IS AWARD-WINNING WHEN IT COMES TO THE CRUNCH?
21 October 2007 -
It is your last chance to enter the Island’s annual Healthy Eating Awards. In its 3rd year, the 2007 event will be held later this year. Your entries must be in on Monday, at the latest. Contact Sara Ellis on sara.ellis@iwrcc.org.uk for details.
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ISLAND YOUNG PEOPLE GO WILD FOR READING
21 October 2007 -
Nearly 2000 children have completed this year’s summer reading challenge, at libraries across the Isle of Wight. Their hard work was rewarded, on Saturday, with a prize-giving ceremony at Newport’s Lord Lois library. This year, the theme was the Big Wild Read. In partnership with the Woodland Trust, 100 trees were planted (one for every 25 children who joined the scheme). The reading scheme also encouraged nearly 200 hundred young people to join the library for the first time.
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RYDE LAUNCHES TRUANCY WATCH SCHEME
18 October 2007 -
Children in Ryde suspected of playing truant won’t be served in the town’s shops. Businesses, the Isle of Wight Council (pictured) and Hampshire Constabulary are working together on a scheme that they say has already proved a success in Newport. Under Truancy Watch, participating shops and food outlets will not serve school pupils on school days, between 9am and 3pm, unless they are accompanied by an adult and have a good reason. Regular truancy sweeps will also be carried out. According to the local authority, the scheme has cut truancy in Newport by 50%.
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MOTORBIKE TEST FEARS COULD HIT ISLAND
18 October 2007 -
It is claimed new EU proposals could force Islanders, who are learning to ride motorbikes, to travel miles on the mainland to take their tests. The test centre in Newport would be closed, according to Island MP Andrew Turner who is worried that people will drive without a licence. The new test requires motorcyclists to carry out manoeuvres and an emergency brake at a minimum speed of 31.25mph. The DVLA says that has to happen at a specially designed test centre. At Parliament this week the Minister for Transport Jim Fitzpatrick promised to look into the matter in detail.
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FLASHING SIGNS IF YOU'RE TOO FAST
18 October 2007 -
New road signs are being put up in a bid to cut the number of traffic accidents on the Isle of Wight. The reactive signs will flash when drivers are travelling too fast. Eleven will be installed across the Island, in November. They'll appear at Embankment Road, Bembridge; Clatterford Road and Gunville Road in Carisbrooke; Tuttons Hill in Gurnard; Havenstreet Main Road; Calthorpes Road/Nettlestone Hill in Nettlestone; Alverstone Road in Winford; Whitwell's Ventnor Road; Culver Parade and Esplanade in Sandown; Shanklin's Whitecross Lane; Station Road and Carpenters Road in St Helens and Wroxall High Street.
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ISLAND POST OFFICE CLOSURES UNVEILED
16 October 2007 -
Ten of the Island's 51 post offices are earmarked for closure under national modernisation plans. The threatened branches were unveiled on Tuesday morning. They are The Old Dairy, Calbourne; Church Hooke Hill, Freshwater; Havenstreet Main Road; Hunny Hill, Newport; Newport Road, Ventnor; Meadow Road, East Cowes; York Street, Cowes; Simeon Street, Ryde; Swanmore Road, Ryde; Wilton Park Road, Arthurs Hill, Shanklin.
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GOVERNMENT TO PUT STAMP ON ISLAND POST OFFICES
15 October 2007 -
The future of the Island’s post offices is expected to be fixed, on Tuesday. The Government will make an announcement on which branches are to close, under nationwide cuts. It must ensure that 95% of people in rural areas are no less than 3 miles from a post office. Any branches earmarked for closure will have until
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POLICE FORCE SCORES HIGH IN ANNUAL ASSESSMENT
14 October 2007 -
Hampshire Constabulary’s fared well in the Government’s latest police performance assessment figures. It scored 15 points out of a maximum of 21, placing it equal 6th of 43 police forces. Tackling crime, serious crime and public protection, protecting vulnerable people, satisfaction and fairness, implementation of neighbourhood policing, local priorities and resources and efficiency were all rated in the annual figures.
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GOLF CHALLENGE FOR RYDE TEAM
14 October 2007 -
The Junior Team Golf Home Nations Championship regional final is the latest challenge for Ryde Golf Club, on Monday. After being triumphant in the Isle of Wight league, Ryde players will now head to Worthing Golf Club, to take on its championship length Lower course.
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TWO LEAVE IW COUNCIL AS UNDERCLIFF INQUIRY CONTINUES
10 October 2007 -
The Undercliff Drive inquiry has claimed two heads, with the early retirement of the IW Council’s Director of Finance Paul Wilkinson and the resignation of Strategic Director for Economic Development and Regeneration Derek Rowell. They were suspended earlier this year by Chief Executive Joe Duckworth, at the start of an inquiry into alleged serious failures over the IW Council's scheme to shore up Undercliff Drive in Ventnor.
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SOUTHERN VECTIS ON AWARDS SHORTLISTS
09 October 2007 -
A £1 million investment on new buses and the UK’s highest passenger growth in 15 months of ownership by the Go-Ahead Group: Two things that Southern Vectis is hoping will win it an accolade at the Route One Operator Excellence Awards, on Wednesday. The awards are to be presented at the National Motorcycle Museum and the company is short-listed for mid-sized UK Bus Operator of the Year prize.
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ARRETON SCHOOL'S NEW STATE OF THE ART FACILITIES
09 October 2007 -
New teaching facilities and a playground are being officially unveiled at St George's Church of England Primary School in Arreton, on Wednesday. The £1.2m project was completed during the summer and has taken 12 months, in three phases, to finish. The school is holding an open day, to formally show off its new facilities.
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DISCS RECALLED OVER SAFETY CONCERN
09 October 2007 -
Hundreds of frisbee-like throwing discs, which were handed out to children at the Isle of Wight's Big Day Out event at the weekend, are being recalled. They were given to youngsters enjoying Sunday's event at Havenstreet Steam Railway. It is feared they could be harmful after one was handed back when the metal ring frame, which holds the fabric taught, came loose. They were promoting the WightChYPS website. The organisation says it has been assured that the fabric discs - in red yellow and green - meet safety guidelines. They should be returned to FIZ in Newport, or IW Council reception at County Hall, or be thrown away.
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FOOTBALL MATCH FOR CHARITY CASH
05 October 2007 -
IW Speedway rider Jason Bunyan is among those expected to take to the pitch, this weekend, for the annual football match in aid of The Kerry Green Trust. GKN take on Isle of Wight Radio at St George’s Park in Newport. Breakfast presenters Andy Shier and Ian Mac will also be playing, from 2pm.
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WHAT'S THE BIG DRAW FOR EAST COWES?
05 October 2007 -
East Cowes will become an outdoor art gallery, on Saturday. We’re being invited to draw the house we’d like to live in and its inhabitants, real or imaginary. The artwork’s to be painted onto the blue hoardings at St James’ Church, in Church Lane.
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BIG DAY OUT FOR ISLAND CHILDREN
05 October 2007 -
Island children and young people are having a Big Day Out, this Sunday. It is taking place at Havenstreet Steam Railway and this year marks the start of Family Learning Week. Live music, circus skills and bouncy castles are among the attractions. A host of Island services and organisations will also be exhibiting. Wightbus is providing free transport and free tickets are available across the Island.
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RYDE INTERCHANGE WORK STARTS
04 October 2007 -
Work has started on the £6 million pound Gateway project. When it is finished, the new building on Ryde seafront will house hovercraft, rail, bus and taxi services and more than two and a half million passengers annually. There will be some disruption to bus services during the demolition and building work.
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EDUCATIONAL VISIT FOR CHILDREN’S EXPERT
04 October 2007 -
Education professor Dame Patricia Collarbone will visit the Isle of Wight, on Friday. She is the author of a forward in a new book about healthy schools and children’s centres. She will visit Ryde Children’s Centre and Gurnard Primary School. Her trip will also take in Downside Middle School, in Newport.
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RANDOM DRUGS TESTS FOR POLICE OFFICERS
04 October 2007 -
Police officers across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire are to be randomly tested for drug and alcohol misuse. Firearms officers and their supervisors and drivers are among those to be targeted first. The policy also will affect officers who are suspected of using drugs, or misusing alcohol. Hampshire Constabulary says a person will be considered unfit to work if they have more than 13 micrograms % in breath (the legal driving limit is 35 micrograms). Controlled drugs covered by the testing include amphetamines, ecstasy, cannabis, cocaine, opiates and benzodiazepines.
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RALPH MCTELL’S WORDS FOR THE ISLE OF WIGHT
03 October 2007 -
The “Streets of London” run all the way to the Isle of Wight, today, thanks to the Wight Words Festival, which runs until 15 Oct. Singer/songwriter Ralph McTell’s is holding a masterclass at the Quay Arts Centre in Newport. The Ivor Novello Award winner is also a veteran of the original Isle of Wight Festival and he recalls playing to “a quarter of a million people”. His song writing secrets will be revealed tonight at 8pm.
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NEW TIMETABLE FOR EDUCATION PROPOSALS
01 October 2007 -
Detailed plans to shake-up education on the Isle of Wight will not be published until November. The new Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Cllr David Pugh, has postponed a meeting to consider the scheme “to allow for more time to reflect on the different representations made to the council”. Options will now be brought before the Cabinet and Full Council in November, followed by public consultation. New Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Alan Wells said, “It is crucial that we get this right. We value all of the feedback that we have received and we want to ensure that we have had time to look at all of the different views put forward and listened to the advice of officers and government representatives.” The postponement has led to what Cllr Wells admits is “a further short period of uncertainty”, but the local authority is hoping it will prove beneficial in the long-term. The postponement follows a lively public protest in Newport’s St Thomas’ Square in September (PICTURED), where campaigners called for great public consultation.
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UNDERWATER DISCOVERY FOR LUCKY ISLAND TEENAGERS
01 October 2007 -
A ground (or water) breaking project is giving young Islanders the chance to experience underwater archaeology. The Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology is searching for 8 teenagers to learn how to scuba dive and gain diving and archaeological qualifications. They will then be given the chance to explore some of the Solent’s most historic hidden sites. If you are aged between 13 and 17 years old and would like to be considered for a place on the project, write 200 – 500 words on why you should take part. Send your work to the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology, before 31 October 2007. The project is being funding by the Young Roots Lottery Fund.
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NEW AGE RESTRICTIONS ON CIGARETTE SALES
01 October 2007 -
New age restrictions, introduced on 1 October, mean 16-year-old Islanders can no longer buy cigarettes or tobacco products. The Government-introduced national restrictions forbid sales to anyone under the age of 18. They are a bid to stop young people taking up the habit. According to the Isle of Wight’s Healthy Business Partnership, someone who starts smoking at 15 is three times more likely to die from smoking-related cancer than someone who starts in their mid-20s.
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WOOTTON BRIDGE WEBSITE APPEAL
01 October 2007 -
Your photos and pictures could help the designers of a new website dedicated to Wootton Bridge. The online project is being set up in a bid to preserve the history and heritage of the village. You can send your contributions to rrchd835@yahoo.co.uk and you can see the site for yourself at www.woottonbridgeiow.co.uk.
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