Your Letters/Rants

Have your say here, email us your rant about "Global Warming" or the "Price of Fish" etc. and we will put it on the web - Try to keep it legal - we don't want to be sued!!!!

13/4/10 - Colin the Milk and Colin the Post

Yes, we second that here at Website HQ - The Ed. 

17/3/10 - Help Wanted

From: Caroline Dudley
E-mail: caroline_dudley@btopenworld.com

Hi Several of us in Freshwater would be very pleased for advice on how you went about creating and getting plants, seats, etc. for the Peace Garden. We visited the garden a few weeks ago and thought that it was fantastic. We belong to the Freshwater Village Association and are setting up a wildlife section. Among our plans is the setting up of a wildlife/community garden where people can go and sit quietly to enjoy the wildlife. Freshwater Parish Council has asked us to present some proposals at the Parks and Open Spaces meeting in April and we want to produce some realistic proposals. The garden will need to be low maintenance. Any advice will be much appreciated.

 

Many thanks.

 

Caroline Dudley

14/3/10 - London Marathon Sponsorship

3/3/10 - Accomodation Required

3/12/09 - London Marathon Sponsorship

27/10/09 - St. Lawrence Hall Enquiry

I am not sure if you will be able to help. I have seen your website on St Lawrence, and you may either know the answer to this query or know someone else who does. I am researching the life of Admiral John Jellicoe, who commanded the British Fleet at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. During the 1930s he lived at St Lawrence Hall in St Lawrence. What I am trying to find out (and I live 300 miles away so cannot easily check on the spot) is whether St Lawrence Hall still exists, and if so whether it is still a private house or perhaps converted in some way. Also, whether or not it still exists, a more accurate idea of where it is/was in St Lawrence, since the address on his letters did not specify a road.
 
Thank you
 
Stephen Bishop

I have given Stephen some basic information about St. Lawrence Hall, but if anyone has any more detailed information or old photos - get the details to me and I will forward them on. - The Ed

16/10/09 - Diabetes Shop in Ventnor

The Diabetes Shop in Ventnor needs candles, any kind would be very welcome , they can be dropped in to the shop.

11/8/09 - Garden Open Day

Garden Open Day at The Shute, Seven Sisters Road.

We’d got rid of most of the weeds, most of the flowers opened and what luck! The sun shone. Around 200 people visited our garden on Sunday 9^th August and we raised £673 for the National Gardens Scheme and £150 for the Village Hall. Our thanks to the family and friends who helped on the day, to the cake bakers who contributed delicious goodies and to all the people who came to see the garden.

A number of visitors asked us what we were raising money for. The NGS is a charitable organization which distributes the money it raises to other charities such as Macmillan cancer support, Marie Curie cancer care, and the National Trust.

Chris and Christine

4/8/09 - Fishers Debate

Following on from a conversation with Steve and Dee Jaggers of Pelham House, I can now put an end to the debate on why Fishers was so named.  Steve knows the original developer of Fishers, Clive Drew, who nows lives on the mainland. He says that Fishers was named after Mr Payne a Ventnor councillor who did good work for the local community and was nicknamed "Fisher". Unfortunately after the name was put forward to the authorities it was discovered that his real nickname was Skipper, but it was too late to change.

Thanks to all those who have contributed to this debate, it seems we were all quite close to the truth and the man in question, Mr Payne beit Fisher or Skipper, has been recognised for his community work. The Ed.

28/7/09 - Help

I have been given a copy of a large scale map of the Island which seems to be quite old. The original map was presented to the then Governor of the Island, the Right Honourable Thomas Orde Powlett and made by John Albin.
There is no date on the map which I would love to know. Can anyone tell me when this gentleman was Governor?
  Vera Scott-Jackson.

 E-mail: vera.sj@hotmail.co.uk

He was the Island's Governor from 1791 to 1807 as far as I remember. - The Ed [ I looked him up on Wikipedia - see  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Orde-Powlett,_1st_Baron_Bolton ]

14/7/09 

I recently went on a tour of south coast of England and the Isle of Wight to see churchyards etc that were connected to my family tree research.
I knew that my great great grandmother (Mary Burke) died on the I.O.W in 1910 aged 103. I had absolutely no idea where she was buried but I knew that in 1901 she was living at Bank End Farm, St Lawrence an address she shared with her daughter and son in law Maria and William Truslove.
On her death certificate in 1910 it states her address as The Lodge, St Lawrence.
All I had were 2 old photographs that had been handed down through family over the years. One was of Mary aged 103 and the other was of her headstone.
On arrival at I.O.W I telephoned the records office in Newport and although they do not normally handle telephone enquiries I was lucky enough to speak to someone who went out of their way to help and told me that? Mary was in the churchyard at St Lawrence.
On the following day (11.06.09) my partner and I drove down to St Lawrence to look for the church.
As we went along the road we accidentally came along a sign for Old Bank End Farm so we went down the little side road to take a look.
The people at the cottage there directed us down the road to St Lawrence Church.
As we got to the churchyard I had a walk around and was disappointed not to find Mary's headstone. It was at this time that someone pointed me in the direction of the old church.
When I got to the old church I was lucky enough to meet the vicar just as she was leaving. I showed her the photographs and she pointed straight to the part of the graveyard I wanted to see.Not only did I find the grave of Mary but I also found the grave of Dulcibella Truslove the first wife of William Truslove.
Everybody had been so helpful and I would like to thank all the people of the I.O.W who helped me in what could have easily been a fruitless search.
As a matter of interest I have attached copies of the old photos that I had and a photo I took while I was at the grave.

Is it possible to go on the mailing list for the newsletter?

yours

Gerry Burke

Thanks for the very nice letter, its good to hear that the people of St. Lawrence were of such help, I'll forward your details to Doug at the Village Shop who publishes "The Village Chatter" - The Ed.

25/6/09

Folowing on from the letter of 6th June I have also recently taken a stroll through Paradise Walk and was met by red/white tape where a clearing operation is underway. The tape, together with the clearing activities, prevented me walking a path I have travelled over for some 20 years. Have we not established some rights of way through this area and can the new owner block these paths ?

  Has anyone been in touch with the Council Rights of Way Officers to check this out ?

6/6/09

Earlier in the week of this lovely sunny weather I felt the dog and myself needed a walk in the shade. I decided to make my way to the end of Inglewood Park and go via the footpath past the old railway bridge to Steephill Court Road. Just before I went up the footpath steps I noticed that the footpath signpost had been knocked down, presumably hit by the tracked vehicle that had travelled up the path towards the Whitwell Road.

 Once on the path that had lots of cut trees along it the dog did one of its usual tricks and ran off up a bank that had been formed by a machine that had ripped up a large tree and excavated an area of rock. As the dog did not return, when called, I had to climb over this rough excavated area only to find, to my surprise, a very large area had been cleared of trees which had been burnt on a very large bonfire. The area had been marked off with red and white tape. I wondered how the red squirrels, nesting birds, badgers etc. had coped when this bonfire was burning and how the people living in the nearby houses had managed with the smoke. How long had this bonfire in the middle of this woodland  burnt for considering its large size ?

 Walking back home we meet someone and once the dogs had said hello to each other explained how shocked I was at what I had seen. This person pointed out that the wood had come up for sale several years ago and it was rumoured that the owner was forming a consortium to commercially breed pigs in the wood. It was understood the owner had a license to fell trees and intended to sell the timber. They speculated that perhaps the pig breeding was the first stage in changing the use of the land with the final stage being an application to develop the area.

 There must be something that can be done about the destruction of this lovely piece of woodland that contains two well used public footpaths and suggest that people walk along the path to see for themselves the state it is in.

 As the Undercliff Society has been wound up at its AGM please use this forum to discuss what can be done to protect this and other local woodland areas.

An Islander`s View ! 

3/6/09 - Rants?

The Community Association discussed the connotations of the word 'rant' on this page of the website and we thought perhaps it attracted a certain amount of negativity in as much as it implied that people in St. Lawrence had things to get cross about.  Could we think of a more positive word or words?   One member suggested 'Village Views".  However, as the newspapers often illustrate, 'bad' news sells - so perhaps we should leave things as they are.  

What do you think?

I personally don't think that anybody would think they have a "Your Letters/Rants" page and worry that the locals are bad tempered, especially if they have a look through the page and find mostly letters from people asking for help on various topics. The page in question is the 4th most popular page looked at, I do think people look at the page because of its lighthearted name, I would say its a "Read Me" headline rather than "bad" news sells. On the other hand the name may put some people off form sending in a item fear of being lumped with the alleged Ranters. - The Ed.

3/5/09

We have been regular visitors to South Wight since our honeymoon in 1971.
My family would like to thank the Undercliff Society for their invaluable work in preserving the outstanding natural beauty of the area which we have so enjoyed and hope there is some way their protection will be able to continue. 
I would like to arrange to buy the Village Booklet and Village Chatter.
Many thanks

Maria Fox

Details forwarded to Duggletons - The Ed.

21/4/09

Can you tell me, is mr and mrs judd still at the b&b on the main road ? just along from the pub and what was the name of the pub ? i have not been to the island for 32 years and would like to come back some time, and re live my past.

E-mail: barriewll4@aol.com

7/3/09 

Can anyone enlighten me on the present state of Mirables? I have been facinated with this house since a small child only ever catching a glimpse through the trees from the main road. Fay Brown sent me some lovely pictures and history some years ago and I have the Dennis Potter dvd of Blade on The Feather which was made there. Can the back of the house be seen without tresspassing and how is it reached?

Vivienne

2/4/09

 I am thoroughly looking forward to a weeks holiday in your part of the world, early July this year. Can't wait! We are bringing our "Jenny" (collie/spaniel cross) with us and she would like to know are there any places that she can/ cannot go. She loves to walk and swim. She would also like to know how far the local shops are from St Lawrence.

  Thanks for your help,

  Jo

If anyone can help, please reply through the Contact Us page and I will forward it on.  The Ed.

23/3/09

Hi there, As a Portsmouth resident but frequent island goer I must comment and say how interesting your website is. I love all aspects of the undercliff and have been enchanted by it since being a young child. I am an avid book and postcard collector of the island and my main area for cards is the undercliff, also blackgang and through to Chale.

  My question is? is it possible to recieve newsletters? I would also like to purchase a village booklet but as I do not drive it is quite a feat for me to get to 'duggletons' any ideas??

  Best wishes to all in the village you have a very special place, best wishes Marcia

Thanks for you comments Marcia, if anyone can help her please contact  The Ed.

UPDATE - THANKS TO DOUG AND JANET FOR HELPING MARCIA WITH A SUBSCRIPTION TO THE CHATTER AND THE VILLAGE BOOKLET.

14/11/08

Liz Hawkins from Maple Cottage has sent in this letter of thanks

Thank you to everyone for their help in find our wayward cat Saffy.

She was holed up in a garden in Twinings with a very sore leg which turns out to be a torn cruciate ligament. Many thanks.

Poor Saffy!  Really pleased you found her though, Liz - I always thought it was only overpaid footballers who suffered with torn cruciate ligaments!!! - The Ed

3/11/08

Since last night's repeat of the late night firework display, we are being inundated with e-mails of complaint

Who on earth thought midnight was a good time to have a firework display ? They woke us up and our dogs who don't like fireworks were quivering.Then on Sunday there was a repeat performance at 11.30pm !

From LH

Please could the people who let off fireworks at midnight on Saturday and 11.30pm on Sunday please show a bit more consideration for others.

From JG

2/11/08 - Don't Mean To Be A Killjoy But......

Whilst I'm all for people enjoying themselves and I do love a good firework display myself, letting off fireworks at past midnight - what's that all about???  Please people have a bit more courtesy for your fellow villagers - or if you really have to do it so late then at least let people know you are going to do so.

Mrs X. from St. Lawrence

Yes, it even woke me from my slumber last night - not an easy feat!!!  The Ed

13/10/08 - Hunts Road Poo Rant!!

I am sorry to have to rant. Why on my frontage twice in six days? I can put up with foxes ,badgers and cats but not huge piles from a large dog. Any suggestions? I nearly trod in it whilst leaf sweeping. I have left a bag tied to our hedge with a polite message to use the bag. If I put a notice up I do not think the dog will read this or my rant. Sorry to be so graphic. I wonder if this happens to other Hunt's Road residents? Polite suggestions please.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Hazel Trevan the Hunts Road Dog Shit Shoveller
(Also animal lover and dog walker)

Can she say Shit on this website? - The Ed.

4/9/08 - The Fishers Debate Continues

From: Fay Brown
  

  My attention has just been drawn to the Fishers query a little while ago. On the Web Site there is an error in the date I supplied for the building of Inglewood. I recalled that it was built in 1886 (not 1866) - I would not forget the date as I had seen it so many times at the top of the St. Lawrence Hall building when I lived at The Cottage in the War.
  Doug's suggestion was an interesting one. Albert Payne lived at Rocklea, St. Lawrence and had a distinguished record of public service representing St. Lawrence on the Council. He was proud that he was Chairman at the time of the Queen's visit in 1965. He was a school friend of Uffa Fox and frequently went sailing, and was Commodore of the Ventnor Sailing Club. A talented musician, he belonged to many local Societies - and was particularly well-known in the Ventucky Minstrels which he helped form in 1949. In his obituary it records that his last donation to the town was a horse trough dating from the turn of the 20th century. It was put as an object of interest in what was then called Steephill Pleasure Gardens (now Botanic Gardens). His daughter, Mrs. Doris Ross, who died in 1990, also gave dedicated service to Ventnor as a Town and County Councillor, and to many local organisations. It was whilst I was reading her obituary that I found the comment that her brother, before he went to Australia, used to farm the land in the vicinity of Twinings Road and Fishers before it was built upon - so it could well have belonged to Albert Payne and adds to Doug's theory. But the "Fishers" bit may be still debatable. We shall probably never know!!

Thanks Fay, I am sure we are getting to the bottom of the Fishers mystery. Out of interest our info that "Fisher" Payne, a hairdresser, owned the land came from John Stotesbury of Niton. We have confirmed from our deeds that the land was indeed bought by a Mr. Payne from the Railway co. - The Ed.

27/8/08

Re Fishers

The answer to the query about the name for Fishers is really quite trivial. Councillor Payne who purchased the land from the Railway Company was a keen fisherman hence the name as simple as that. Presumably it was considered a hilarious joke at the time.

Doug Nettleton - Duggletons

Thanks Doug - You are the font af all knowlegde. The Ed.

19/8/08

Dear Ed,

A while back you asked if anyone knows why 'Fishers' is so called. We hadn't a clue but wrote to Fay Brown, archivist extraordinaire of the Ventnor Local History Society, to see if she could enlighten us.

Fay delved into her extensive files and discovered that the road was named Fishers in October 1972 but no reason was given.
She wondered if there was a connection with Capt. Fisher, R.N. who had 'Inglewood' built in about 1866. The house, which later became St. Lawrence Hall, had extensive grounds.
Her second suggestion was that it may have been named after a Mr. Fisher who owned Fishers Hotel, later renamed the Royal Hotel. The road behind it, now known as Zigzag Road, was known as Fishers Road in the 1840s - 1850s.

Fay has the most amazing collection of archive material and is very helpful to anyone researching local history.  Our thanks to her.

Over to you

Christine and Chris

Thanks for that information, we had heard that someone called Fisher Payne, a hairdresser from Ventnor, bought the land from Southern Railways in the 60's - can anyone confirm any of these theories? - The Ed.

27/7/08

 We have a request from Theresa Noble for any small /medium gift bags for a charitable event , Tel. 854760 or email nobletheresa@aol.com or drop of in St Lawrence cottage , Spindlers road , Thank You

27/7/08

As secretary to the St. Lawrence Community Association, may I say how pleased we are that the ‘concerned villager’ likes to participate in the beach cleans.
These were an initiative begun by the committee and as he /she will know, have, to date, been very well supported. It was unfortunate that this time a number of regular litter pickers were for various reasons unable to attend. That’s life. We expect most of the regulars to be back again next year, getting stuck into the cleaning and enjoying the BBQ.
If there is a drop off, then the committee will attempt to encourage participation, pointing out that village togetherness not merely good works is the objective. However, the committee do not see it as our business to berate villagers who choose not to get involved in activities we promote.

I’m sorry the ‘concerned villager’ thinks it ‘very poor’ that only three committee members were present but he/she will surely be aware that usually most of the committee are there, rubber gloves on, working hard. Unforeseen diary clashes happened this year. May I also point out that two of our members give their time, energy, brain power and enthusiasm but are not physically able to walk on the beach. This implied slight to their service to the community is unwarranted.

The scathing reference to the non attendance of the ‘chairwoman’ was also inaccurate, and unkind. Had the ‘concerned villager’ attended this year’s A.G.M. he/she would be aware that Susan, our hardworking chairperson, resigned in April. Peter who is now acting chairperson, devotes a great deal of his time to charity work, has attended every other beach clean, but was unable to be present this time.

May I reassure anyone considering more active involvement in the Community Association that being a member of the committee is not a ball and chain. You are not obliged to attend every one of the many events we organize. We work together in a spirit of good will and harmony, each giving to the village what we are best able to contribute. I can think of nothing more likely to put community spirited folks off joining the committee than being publicly pilloried by an anonymous writer.

The current committee are proud of what we have achieved so far, keen to encourage even greater community spirit and certainly not averse to critical comment. However, a valid rant is one thing; an inaccurate, anonymous whinge is quite another. Such a pity.


Christine Russell.

21/7/08

We like to participate in the beach cleans as we like to support the village as we use both beaches - Woody Bay & Binnel Bay - for leisure.  I was very disappointed with the turn out, as I know a lot of the community also use the Beaches for leisure and dog walking. 6 people turned up, only 3 from the committee turned up, very poor, yet again no chairwomen.  I know 1 person was ill, I hope she's feeling better. I think this is a valid rant.

Thanks - a concerned villager

I for one consider myself chastised, I promise to try and make the next one - The Ed.

9/7/08

Dear Alan

Congratulations on a superb village website, you have done us proud.

I mentioned it recently during the course of a regular exchange of correspondence with an ex-neighbour of mine in Uxbridge, which prompted her to call it up and, in her latest letter, said how impressed she was with the content and the delightful way it showed off St Lawrence.  Well done!

Regards,
Harry Kyle

Thanks, Nice to get some feedback - The Ed.

5/7/08

A resident of Inglewood Park has sent in the following letter regarding a planning application. - Lets hear your views - The Ed.

I would like to urge all residents of St Lawrence and the Undercliff to look at the design of a house on the following planning application:
TCP/25310/C

It is for a replacement dwelling at 9, Inglewood Park. It is an ultra-modern design that doesn't fit in with the area at all. We are lucky enough to live in an area of outstanding narural beauty and this building will be an eyesore. If this design gets the go ahead it could have serious implications for the rest of the area, any part of the Undercliff could be spoilt by having a modern building erected. Once one is allowed to get through it could spawn others. The Undercliff is special - lets keep it that way. I am not being a "not in my back yard" protester, I don't have a problem with a conventionally designed and built bungalow erected on the site which is in keeping with the rest of Inglewood Park.

25/6/08

Does anyone know why the road Fishers is so called, we have been told that it is named after Fisher Payne, but we have not been able to find out much more? - The Ed.

The Railway Track where Fishers is Now

15/6/08

I would like to thank all the garden owners who participated in the 'Gallop Round the Gardens' today. My daughter and I spent a very enjoyable afternoon visiting the beautiful St Lawrence gardens and came away with loads of ideas to scale down for our own small garden. - Angie - Upper Ventnor

Thanks for adding our site to your links on your site

http://ventnorpermaculture.wordpress.com/ - The Ed.

Thanks to all those who opened their gardens this afternoon and for the scrumptious tea and cakes. We had a lovely gallop! - Pauline Steps

26/5/08

A genuine rant at last - The Ed.

What’s all the fuss about?

The popular theory that we are in danger of causing catastrophic climate overheating due to increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide resulting from burning fossil fuels emerged in the 1970s,hard on the heels of the opposite fear of an imminent Ice Age!
Both fears were responses to observations of small short-term temperature fluctuations-one up and the other down.
The history of these small ‘climate changes’ over the course of the last century is simple enough and not in dispute. From 1900 to 1940 rising, and 1945-1975, falling. 1975 to 1998 (the peak year) rising again. Total net increase in 100 years just 0.65 degrees C.
Not even a mouse should panic at such a tiny change in a favourable direction! Why then should we?
Since this is a genuine consensus agreeing the small extent of present ‘climate change’, there are no climate change ‘deniers’ and no division between good guy ‘Greens’ and bad guys in the pay of the wicked oil companies .
The true distinction is between those who favour the unproven theory that temperatures will rise exponentially in proportion to increases in future atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, and the many reasonable people who think that the last century’s modest and erratic temperature increase is merely part of the rebound from the very low levels of the ‘Little Ice Age’, which hopefully may result in a rise of around 2.0 degrees, a wholly beneficial outcome, in line with many past climate adjustments, which we know occurred without the burning of fossil fuels.

Julian Pears

9/5/08

Our first email from a squirrel - The Ed

Dear Alan,

I love your website! Thanks for including the article about me and for the useful site. Hopefully we can find the help that we need locally now.

Love Cyrelle. ###

6/5/08

In reply to Mrs T....

Us Mature B Boyz Don't make a lotta noise

But what we say is true An' where credit's due,

We like to give it So we rote the rap innit.

An' though we never set out to play no games

the rappin' style gives a clue to our names,

Cos though St. Lawrence is home sweet home

One of us hails from the London zone,

London South to be precise

Where the rappin's cool and the jerk chicken nice.

But if that don't seem like no clue at all,

Here comes another. We ain't never called small!

4/5/08

Mrs T joins in - The Ed

Many thanx to you B Boyz, You sure know how
to get a sweat upon my brow.

In our garden I was bent and now indoors I've been sent
to solve the mystery of who you are?

Thanks for rating Mr T and I couldn't respond without Mr. B
so please give us a clue to your identity?

My given name is Mrs T

I'm not so infamous as some may be!

A millionairess I will never be, but luv St. Lawrence and my Mr. T

regards mrs t
 

4/5/08

This e-mail came in today in response to Mr Chris' e-mail, in a rhymey sort of styley!! - The Ed

Mister Chris, you is so right,

This is way the coollest site,

And the guy with all the technohow - That's Alan Burch -

should take a bow.

And yeh, St. L is just the biz,

An' what you gotta know is thiz:

That Dave Trevan is sure the man

Who got the garden in the can,

An' he's been tellin' everyone

That though you college guys had fun,

You worked your socks off - and it's true,

We know you did: we saw you too.

And we were really well impressed,

So wish you all the very best.

Whatever route you guys take next,

You've surely got St. L's Respect!

The Mature B Boyz of St. L

3/5/08

Rant of the Week

After spotting a CP Photographer at last week's Peace Garden opening, I thought I'd rummage through this week's CP to see if there was any mention or photos about the event.  Nothing was to be found, but then imagine my surprise when looking through the Weekender there is a piccie of Mr Titchmarsh cutting the ribbon "to open the show" but is in fact a pic of him cutting the ribbon to open the Peace Garden!!  Pah!

Disgusted of St. Lawrence

2/5/08

This e-mail was sent by someone who goes by the name of "Mr Chris" - it seems our very own Mr Trevan has a bit of a fan!! - The Ed

Lovin the website St Lawrence iz the shizz - by far my fav place on the island! The pics u've got up are beeeautiful too! oh and the man is dave trevan. hes the man with the plan wot can. a truly special southern island specimen 

29/4/08

I am so glad to see the Peace garden is now open & look forward to being able to go in & see it after watching the preparations for some time.
St Lawrence is such a beautiful peaceful place. Everyone is so relaxed & friendly & I don't know how they do it, but all the gardens are so pretty.
I am planning my visit in a few weeks & hope to find a few others enjoying your superhuman efforts, wishing you all a very peaceful & colourful summer.

BB - Essex.