4/9/2010 - We Won!!!

Dear All,

2/9/2010 - Web Central Goes Green

As far as we know the first significant Solar PhotoVoltaic system has been installed in St. Lawrence. A 4Kwp system is being installed as I type, this will produce 100% environmentally friendly electricity during daylight hours. Not being a diehard tree hugger, we like to be reasonably efficient, but we are not only saving the planet, we are getting paid for it by our Electricity Supplier. Click here for Full Story

This also marks the start of our new Green Page where you can send in details of your own green projects, just send us an email or use the Contact Us Page.

The Ed. Likes to save a penny or two!! - Mrs Ed.

11/8/2010 - Local Councillor's Surgery 21st August

Please come and speak with Councillor Chris Bonney about your local concerns or simply drop in to say hello.

9/8/2010 - Thank you from The Shute.

31/7/2010 - Colin the Milk Update

Following my chance meeting with Colin the Post yesterday I enquired about Colin the Milk who has also been vey unwell recently. Janet at the Post Office tells me he is now back home, again we wish him well. The Ed.

30/7/2010 - Colin the Post Update

I saw Colin the Post in Ventnor this morning, we had a chat, he said he was recovering well and on the mend, which we were very pleased to hear, I wished well from all in St Lawrence. The Ed.

27/7/2010 - Isle of Wight Steam Railway Appeal

19/7/2010 - Report from St. Lawrence Town Councillor

 – Chris Bonney

In mid February I was elected as Ventnor Town Councillor for St. Lawrence ward. The time has gone by in a stream of activity – not just looking after the big issues of the moment, but also a never diminishing list of smaller matters. Here are some highlights of what I have been up to.

First five months

My first five months in office coincided with a phase of significant reorganisation at the council. Over this period I have taken on a number of responsibilities and key roles including being elected by fellow councillors as Deputy Mayor. As far as St. Lawrence is concerned, My primary and ongoing concern remains Undercliff Drive. When I started work back in February I read all the reports, met with engineers, spoke with potential publicity people and made discreet enquiries within the Isle of Wight council. Then the collapse of the coastline close to the Military Road near Brook upstaged Undercliff Drive.

Road erosion

It does not take much working out to realise that if the Military Road is allowed to close, the same political mindset will be used to decide the fate of Undercliff Drive – especially since no money appears to have been earmarked to look after either road. I was also keen to ensure that the South Wight is not cut off from the West Wight as this could have a negative impact on tourism and other businesses across the Ventnor area.

I had heard that the Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils (IWALC), which represents most of the local councils and therefore communities across the Island, was planning to have an extraordinary meeting to decide on their grass roots position on the Military Road closure to provide input into the Isle of Wight Council's decision making.

In April I was appointed as Ventnor Town Council’s representative to IWALC and at my first IWALC meeting it somehow fell to me to put together this meeting on the Military Road. I managed to get it organised in 10 days flat, with a lot of assistance from other Ventnor councillors and the new town clerk, David Bartlett, plus the very supportive staff at the Winter Gardens, where the conference took place.

The conference included speakers from Wightlink, the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, Brighstone Council and a world-class engineer who lives on the Island who explained the possible solutions available to us. We also had an informal contribution from the Environment Agency. The meeting ended with IWALC resolving to press the Isle of Wight Council to do all that was practically possible to save the road. In my book that is a significant win for us.

Ventnor Winter Gardens

Ventnor Town council has now employed the services of a very promising new Entertainments Manager to drive business forward at the Winter Gardens and he has quickly implemented a programme of events that will keep the venue busy across the summer holidays and into the autumn.

The concession for the bar and food service was brought back in-house some time ago and since has gone from strength to strength. With good management it is now moving ahead of our expectations in bringing in much-needed profit to the Winter Gardens business.

There will also be a public consultation, starting after the summer holidays, on the long-term future of the Winter Gardens and the action the people of Ventnor want us to take. More information about this will be available very soon.

Technology

I am involved with reorganising the computer systems in the Winter Gardens and we expect to have WiFi available freely in key public areas very shortly. I am also instrumentally involved with Ventnor Town Council’s commitment to providing a revamped website, which among other initiatives will make available audio recordings of council meetings. This is not a minor issue; if we are to communicate with the public and with county council operatives and be part of the process instead of bystanders, we must get up to speed with our information and communication systems.

Destination Ventnor

The council has several new initiatives that are getting under way. Perhaps the headliner is Destination Ventnor. This will be a programme of activity to encourage Islanders and Visitors to see Ventnor as a worthwhile destination and to revitalise a sense of pride in our town.

Ventnor Biodiversity

Another key council initiative which dovetails with Destination Ventnor is called Ventnor Biodiversity and I have been tasked to lead on this. Our aim is to create a mutually supportive activities and publicity mechanism for the various groups of people who represent biodiversity-related organisations in the area. This initiative was catalysed by butterfly enthusiast Rob Wilson who is working to promote Ventnor as a Butterfly Town and home to some rare British butterflies.

Beaches

There is a beach environment advisory committee on which I am representing us to the IW Council, which monitors waterfront matters at Ventnor Bay, Steephill Cove and the other smaller beaches along our bit of coastline. If you have any matters you are concerned about that relate to this please contact me. In particular I am keen to have reports of regularly over full litter bins or a clear absence of a necessary litter bin. If you can send a picture to me, even better.

Footpaths

I am increasingly concerned about closed or badly maintained footpaths. I have begun the task of walking each and every metre of our footpaths here in St. Lawrence to check on the state of them and expect to get this completed over the coming weeks. Any comments you have about these, again, I would like to hear from you.

Let me know...

If you would like to contact me about any of the issues here or any other local concerns, my preferred method is by email at cllr at bonney dot co dot uk or you can reach me by telephone, text or picture message on 0795 868 3105.

19/7/2010 - Raillink Bus Service Reduction Petition

Please find attached the petition I have drawn up, which I would ask you to sign, it will also be available at St Lawrence Post Office from today.  I will get as much publicity together and will also be putting it into shops in Ventnor. 

I also attach the timetables for the buses which will be available for us residents of St. Lawrence from September!  As you can see, it will be very limited and very limiting.

SAVE OUR RAILLINK BUS SERVICE.doc

Sept 2010 SERVICES 31 and 6.doc

Thanks

Susan Scoccia

10/6/10 - Mombassa Orphanage Appeal

2/6/10 - Community Association Appeal

1/6/10 - Military Road

13/5/10 - Sizzling Sausage Success!

If you are partial to a good sausage, then one of our website sponsors, The Real Island Food Company, is the place to visit. They have just launched their own, hand made traditional sausages, full of flavour, and made with TLC by their team of butchers in the company’s new shop in Niton High Street.

“ We had a celebratory launch last Saturday, said Partner Jackie Phillips, and cooked sausages in the shop for shoppers to try. It was a great morning; with the aroma of sizzling sausages wafting down Niton High St and the shop full of customers! We were really pleased with the response and sold out of 46 kg of sausages by 11.30am!”

The company has launched three flavours so far, with more in the pipeline. These are Niton Smokey Joes; a pork sausage with smoked bacon and paprika, Plain pork, and Pork with Garlic, Lemon and Thyme. They are made with a minimum of 90% meat and lots of wholesome natural flavours.

“We don’t use any rusk or artificial flavourings, continued Jackie, “ and this gives our sausages a superb texture and flavour. They are also over 90% meat, so they are a very high quality sausage.”

Sold under the name ‘Island Kitchen’ the sausages are available to buy from The Real Island Food Company butchers shop in Niton, via the webshop at  www.realislandfood.co.uk  and from selected Island food shops including The Garlic Farm at Newchurch and  Island Deli in Ventnor. They can also be enjoyed at various pubs and cafes around the Island.

For more information please phone Jackie or Debbie on 01983 731778.

Bon appetit!

26/4/10 - New Commitee Member

Sandra Sheppard who has just joined the Community Association Commitee has sent in this picture of a squirrel in her garden.

20/4/10 - LITTLE TREASURES CHILDREN'S CHARITY COLLECTION BAG - Is This Genuine?

You've probably had a collection bag put through your door in the past couple of days asking you to donate various items for the Little Treasures Children's Charity.  Me being the suspicious type, I googled Little Treasures and it appears that they are less than generous with their charitable donation!!  Whilst they are a registered charity, very little of the money they make goes towards helping children - out of approx £108k less than £2k was donated for children during 2008-09.  So in summary, if you wish to get rid of some old stuff and don't care where or who it goes to then by all means use the bag.  But if you don't want someone making money out of it, then I'd leave well alone.

Mrs Ed

14/4/10 - WATCH OUT- THERE’S A GLANVILLE FRITILLARY CATERPILLAR ABOUT!

 If you go walking to the east of Binnel Bay at the moment, be careful where you step, as hundreds indeed probably thousands of the caterpillars of one of Britain's rarest butterflies is on the move.

 The Glanville Fritillary (Melitaea cinxia) caterpillars are to be found all over the cliffs to the east of Binnel Bay, which is probably the best site in the area. This butterfly is only found on the Isle of Wight and in the Channel Islands.

The butterfly lays it's eggs from May to July on its foodplant the Ribwort Plantain. The larvae spin a protective web over the plantain. From the spring onwards they emerge  to feed and bask in the sun. They form a distinct black mass over the foodplants and also wander off onto footpaths  which is why you need to watch where you are treading!

The caterpillars are unmistakeable with black bodies and distinctive red heads. The butterfly itself can be seen from May to June, and like the caterpillar is only active in bright sunshine. The female lays her eggs on warm, sheltered sites, preferring disturbed ground with young foodplants.

Dave Trevan

10/4/2010- Book Signing

15/03/10 - Your Village Needs You

We have a great team which organises social events at our lovely village hall.

We need two people who can spare 2 hours every 2 months to help us plan future events.

If you think you might enjoy being part of a team that likes to organise ways for our community to get together and enjoy themselves, we need you.

Please call us for a no obligation chat to learn more about the activities of the St. Lawrence Community Association:

Christine Russell – 852966

Maggie Ridley – 852051

Ann Dedman – 855279

Elizabeth Fox- 855908

Or, if you are free on Friday 16^th April, you have an open invitation to attend our AGM which is to be held at the village hall at 7.30pm .   We would love to meet you and answer any questions you may have.

12/03/10 - HANDYMAN   NEEDED

The committee of Wight Nature which manages Pelham Woods have identified that both the notice board at the Inglewood Park entrance and the wooden bench in the middle of the wood need urgent attention. We are therefore asking if anyone with some basic DIY skills could devote some time carrying out the necessary work.

All materials would be provided by Wight Nature and completion of the work would ensure that the facilities will have an extended life.

Anyone interested should contact Dave Trevan on 853927

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.