19/02/10 - Election Result

I want to thank the people of St. Lawrence for electing me. Whether you voted for me or not, I will working at all levels on your behalf on issues that will effect the quality of our lives. The most pressing matter is to immediately gather a strategy group that will put me at the table with the Isle of Wight council's decision makers about the future of Undercliff Drive. The issue extends not just to ensuring that the road remains viable, but also putting in traffic control mechanisms that deter speeding and limit access for over-size vehicles.

Other top priority issues are the prevision of a marked walk way / bridleway along the side of the very dangerous stretch of Undercliff Drive that currently has no pavement at all. There is a pressing need to get a more workable bus service into the area. There are many other issues that have been brought to my attention and, time permitting, I will be working my way through this list over the coming weeks and months.

If you want to have your say about these or any other matters, I welcome your comments. You can contact me by phone on 857 320, email is cllr@bonney.me.uk or write to me at 76 Albert St, Ventnor, PO38 1EX.


Chris Bonney

15/2/2010 -VILLAGERS HELP TO MANAGE PELHAM

 WOODS

Nine hardy villagers spent Saturday morning carrying out woodland management tasks in Pelham Woods for Wight Nature Fund. Organised by the St. Lawrence Community Association, the group were supervised by Dave Trevan.

The main task was to clear scrub vegetation  close to the Inglewood Park  entrance to the woods, consisting mainly of Elder(Sambucus nigra), and to cut back new growths on previously felled pole sycamores .Seedling sycamores were also removed, the overall objective to allow more light into the woods and to encourage a more diverse and interesting ground flora. Suckers arising from the base of larger trees close to the path were also removed which should improve access in the summer months.

 The cleared materials were left in a series of ecopiles that will eventually form habitats for invertebrate animals, fungi and other organisms.

Despite a rather cold start, the group soon warmed up and were able to have a short tea break sat on a seat overlooking the sea, in wintry sunshine!

Hazel Russell found a fine specimen of the “Artist’s Bracket fung”i (Gandoderma applanatum) on whose white underside you can draw, while Dave Trevan pointed out the fungus “King Alfred ‘s Cakes” (Daldinia concentrica) which look like burnt cakes, growing on the bark of dead ash trees. This fungus can be used as tinder for fire lighting, as it burns slowly like a charcoal briquette.

Overall the group were pleased with their efforts and much was achieved in a relatively short time.

It is likely that more work parties will be planned for the autumn period.

For those people interested in learning more about Pelham Woods.

Dave Trevan will be leading a walk on Sunday 28^th March called “Sign of Spring in Pelham Woods”. The walk will also take in the Paradise Walk, the Field Cowheat site and the Peace Garden. Meet at the Old Rare Breeds Park at 10.00 am.

12/2/2010 - Election Cards

Apparently election cards for the forthcoming Ventnor Town Council Election will not be coming through our letterboxes. It seems we just have to turn up at our local Polling Station, which I assume is still at St Rhadagunds. Seems a bit pennypinching to me - I though they wanted us to vote, this seems likely to reduce the already low turnout at local elections - The Ed.

The election is on 18th February - Polling Stations are open 7.00am to 10.00pm

4/2/2010- RAILLINK BUS CONSULTATION

Ventnor Community Partnership has been asked to consult local residents on the future of the No.16 RailLink service, which is St Lawrence's only Public Transport link. All households in the area should receive the survey form soon, but the form can also be accessed and printed off by clicking the link below. Please take a few minutes to fill it in and hand it in to Janet at the Post Office or Susan Scoccia at Home Farm. The future of this vital link may be at stake so get your views heard.

RAILLINK BUS CONSULTATION.doc

PS. There is no fixed deadline, so get your surveys in as soon as possible.

PPS. You will need a Word.doc compatible program to be able to open the survey. If you don't have Microsoft Word then there are various free downloadable open source programs such as Open Office or Microsoft do a free Word Viewer program, that will allow you to view and print off the survey.

27/01/2010 - St. Lawrence Community Association

Following the recent report on the Christmas/Variety Show held by the St. Lawrence Community Association I would like to add that a final net profit of £309 from the event was reported at our recent committee meeting.   The committee agreed that £100 would be retained on its account with £100 being donated to the St. Lawrence Village Hall Trustees and £100 to be donated to the Barnardo’s charity (local branch in Ryde).  Thank you to everyone who supported this event and made these donations possible.

13/01/2010 - No Rubbish Collection in Seven Sisters Area on Tuesday, will have to wait til Next Monday!!!

I did see them collecting on Undercliff Drive yesterday  -The Ed.

12/01/2010 - This from Island Waste - Who Knows?

Refuse  collections 

If your refuse was due to be collected today - Monday 11th Jan - and you live on a road that has been  completely cleared of snow and ice(predominantly the main roads ) we hope to be able to collect your refuse tomorrow - 12th January.

PLEASE NOTE 

Your bags need to  be placed at the kerbside  

We will be unable to collect bags that are stuck . 

 Kerbside Recycling collections

If your kerbside recycling box was due to be collected Monday 11th January (Week A)  and you live on a road that has been completely cleared of snow and ice we hope to be able to collect it tomorrow - Tuesday 12th Jan. 

11/01/2010 - Monday Rubbish Collection Cancelled

The council intended for the bin collections to resume to normal from today after the Christmas and New Year Holidays, but due to the side roads being treacherous they have been cancelled. We will try to find out when they will collect again.

10/01/2010 - Local Councillor Comes to Rescue

When asked by a resident of Fishers about the lack of 

road gritting in Seven Sisters Road, local councillor Susan Scoccia,

got on her "bike" [Husband Felice's Land Rover] and fetched some

emergency supplies for various local residents. Susan has asked

me to remind people to keep in contact with their neighbours to

check if they need anything. 

07/01/2010 - More Snow Photos from Christine Russell

07/01/2010 - NEW - We Now Have Videos on the Website

Whilst out taking photos this morning I spotted hundreds of Redwing and Fieldfare birds foraging

for food in the snow. I took some video which can be viewed by clicking in the screen below;

 Plus a few more Photos;

WOODY BAY

Our Front Garden 

06/01/2010 - More Snow Photos

Many Thanks to Dave Trevan for the following photos;

Old Park Road

Hunts Road

06/01/2010 - Its Actually Snowing in St. Lawrence

Despite the rest of the island having about 6" of snow overnight, we awoke to a light dusting. During the morning however we have had about 3" which is the most I have seen here during the last 10 years - Send in your best snow pictures - The Ed.

04/01/2010 - New St Lawrence Hall Page

With a great deal of help from Vera Scot-Jackson I have created a new page about the history of St Lawrence Hall.

This was prompted by an email [See Letters Page] from someone researching Admiral Lord Jellicoe who lived there between the wars. He asked if anyone had any details and Vera came up trumps, as her family briefly owned the Hall before it was ravaged by fire in the 50's. The Hall was then demolished, before the Inglewood Park development in the 70's. CLICK HERE For Full Story

30/12/09 - Christmas Party - Full Report

Click Here to go to the full report on the recent Community Association Christmas Party.

3/12/09 - London Marathon

2/11/09 - Pumpkin Festival

See the Community Assoc. page for a full report and pictures

Click Here

27/10/09 - St. Lawrence Hall Enquiry

We have received an enquiry from someone who is doing some research into Admiral John Jellicoe who lived at St. Lawrence Hall in the 1930's, see Your Letters/Rants

If anyone can help, please contact us and we will forward on the details.