British Classic Yacht Club Panerai Cowes Regatta Mediterranean conditions

Competitors at the British Classic Yacht Club Panerai Cowes Regatta 2010 were treated to sailing conditions more akin to the Mediterranean than the Solent as racing got under way on day one. Some early cloud cover this morning quickly burnt away to reveal clear blue skies and by the time the fifty-two boat fleet reached the start line an idyllic ten to twelve knots breeze had developed across the entire racecourse.

In contrast to the genteel atmosphere and relaxed banter between the owners on the dock, out on the water the classic fleet crews race their yachts as hard as any modern fleet. According to British Classic Yacht Club Commodore David Murrin, who is racing this week aboard his own boat Cetawayo, keen on the water competition is a mainstay of the BCYC. ‘We encourage our members to make the most of their beautiful boats, which they have often so painstakingly restored, by getting them out racing as often as possible.’ Commenting on the evolution of the regatta since its inception nine years ago Murrin had this to say. ‘It is very satisfying for the BCYC to have seen this regatta grow from modest beginnings into the wonderful spectacle we have this year. The introduction of Panerai as our title sponsor this year and the event’s inclusion in the Panerai Classic Yacht Challenge have really boosted the profile of both the regatta and the club.’

The competitive spirit engendered by the BCYC was certainly in plentiful supply out on the water today. Starts and mark roundings were fiercely fought in every fleet and boat-handling mistakes were cruelly punished throughout the day. The 1937 12 Metre Wings was the first to show from the combined Class 1 and 2 start, powering off the line before tacking on to port to lead the fleet away up the first beat. Jim Thom, skipper of Mariquita, the biggest and perhaps most well known boat in the regatta, the 1911 built 19 Metre Gaff-Cutter, took a more circuitous route up the first beat than most in an effort to find a clear lane to navigate in. Thom commented afterwards ‘We have returned to this regatta because we enjoyed ourselves so much in 2008. We are here to enjoy the racing of course, but when racing in a fleet with so many boats smaller than ourselves, our priority is always the safety of our boat and the others on the water.’

After a close to perfect day of Solent racing the classic crews made their way back to Cowes Yacht Haven late this afternoon to enjoy a drink in the sumptuous Panerai Lounge whilst they relaxed and mulled over their day afloat. When the scorers had completed their calculations, in Class 1 a confident performance by Stephen O’Flaherty’s Soufriere earned them a comfortable win. Class 2 saw John Lister’s Wings convert their early lead on the water into an overall handicap victory. Class 3 was won by Sir Michael Briggs’s Mikado and victory in Class 4 went to Jonathan & Scilla Dyke’s Cereste. Full results are posted on the BCYC website: www.britishclassicyachtclub.org/regatta Racing at the British Classic Yacht Club Panerai Cowes Regatta 2010 continues tomorrow with a long distance race, potentially featuring a course which will take the fleet around the Isle of Wight.

By Justin Chisholm 19 Jul 2010

British Classic Yacht Club Panerai Cowes Regatta – Day 1 is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

1 Week To Go Until Portsmouth Navy Days!

With just a week to go, excitement is building and everyone is getting shipshape for Portsmouth Navy Days, a three-day event at Portsmouth Naval Base and Historic Dockyard, which runs from Friday 30^th July – Sunday 1^st August.

The Royal Navy’s two newest warships are set to be a dazzling double act as the newest naval technology features alongside the historic prowess of the naval fleet of the past, including HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860.

The new formidable Type 45 destroyers HMS Daring (Saturday and Sunday only) and HMS Dauntless are among the most powerful warships in the world and for the first time together they will open their hatches to the public.

Alongside HMS Dauntless will be a full-size replica of a supersonic car hoping to break the world land speed record, Bloodhound, and the anti-submarine Merlin helicopter from 820 Naval Air Squadron.

Joining the destroyers on the list of ships opening their hatches to visitors are Type 23 frigates HMS Richmond and Westminster, Type 22 frigate HMS Cumberland, who last year undertook a successful anti-piracy patrol in the Indian Ocean, minehunter HMS Cattistock, fisheries protection vessel HMS Tyne, and the newly refitted RFA Argus.

Also just confirmed for the three days are fast-roping displays over the harbour by the Royal Marines, demonstrating the daring techniques involved in boarding suspect vessels.

The skies will also resonate to the sounds of the RN Historic Flight and a flypast by Hampshire and IW Air Ambulance. The Black Knights Parachute Display Team and a demonstration by a coastguard helicopter and Portsmouth lifeboat will add to the action over the harbour.

Deputy Naval Base Commander, Captain Paul Lemkes, said: “Navy Days is a fantastic opportunity for the Royal Navy to be able to show the public, close up, the capabilities it contributes to UK Defence. The line-up of ships will give visitors a true feel of the wide variety of tasks carried out and I am particularly delighted that we have two Type 45 destroyers on show in their home port so that visitors will be able to see how the Royal Navy is maintaining its place at the forefront of maritime operations with this cutting edge class of warship.

“I am sure that RFA Argus will be a big hit with visitors too. She is a one-off ship with a very special capability and does not often get the chance to have the public on board.”

Navy Days 2010 promises to be one of the most popular events on the South Coast this summer, featuring serving warships of the Royal Navy, thrilling naval displays, historical re-enactments and the world-class attractions of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, including HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860.

Robert Bruce, Chief Executive of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard which is co-hosting the event with the Naval Base, added: “Navy Days 2010 will be a brilliant event for all ages, showcasing the Navy’s present and future capabilities including its people and, especially at Portsmouth, its heritage too. There’s nowhere else in the country that you can see this great mix and we’re expecting it to be the highlight of this summer on the south coast.”

Visitors are encouraged to use the Portsmouth Park & Ride Service at Lakeside North Harbour in Portsmouth (signposted from the M27). It will be operating for all three days and the first bus will depart Lakeside North Harbour at 9am and the last bus will depart from The Hard at 7pm. The cost is £2.50 per car and up to 7 passengers.

The 40 page glossy souvenir guide produced by The News, Portsmouth’s daily paper, contains the full programme of events and a map of the site as well as lots of fascinating articles about the modern Royal Navy, its ships and people. On sale for £2 at most retail outlets throughout the local area, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Visitor Centre, The News offices at Hilsea and The News shops at Portsmouth City Centre, Havant, Gosport and Fareham. And for those outside the area the programme is also available to www.portsmouth.co.uk/newspapersales (Additional postage fee for online purchase will apply).

Programmes will also be available to buy at Navy Days.

Further information, including ticket details, is available from the Navy Days website – www.navydaysuk.co.uk or by calling 023 9283 9766

1 Week To Go Until Portsmouth Navy Days! is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

As part of a major project to restore parts of Ryde Cemetery, free masonry training sessions are being offered to Islanders.

Two workshops will be held on three separate days in July at the cemetery on West Street in Ryde.

The first, ‘An Introduction to Monumental Masonry’ will be held on  24 and 30 July. The second, ‘Traditional Masonry and Craft Skills’, will take place on  23 and 31 July. All workshops take place between 0930 – 1630.

The free events are being delivered by Wight Stonemasonry and are aimed at providing an introduction to working with natural stone within a conservation environment.

The workshops form part of the Ryde Cemetery Restoration Project which is a major scheme to regenerate parts of the cemetery. This includes repairing and refurbishing buildings, perimeter fencing and existing walls.

The project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund with support from the Isle of Wight Council and local conservation groups.

Places on the workshops are limited and they are expected to fill up fast. Anyone wishing to apply for a place should request a booking form from Janis Mundell who can be called on (01983) 885172 or via email at janis.mundell@iow.gov.uk

FREE STONE MASONRY WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

West Wight Sports Centre to provide short break activities for families with disabled children

West Wight Sports Centre is offering weekly swimming sessions for families with disabled children throughout the school holidays.

Through a partnership with the Isle of Wight Council and NHS Isle of Wight they are providing a range of planned short breaks for disabled children, thanks to funding provided by the Aiming High for Disabled Children scheme.

Initially the project will allow families with disabled children to swim during a special session every Friday in the school holidays from 10 – 11am starting on July 23^rd. There are plans to extend this session to a weekly term time session and also to be able to provide better access to swimming lessons for disabled children either through additional support during mainstream lessons or through private one-to-one lessons. There will also be music-based sessions in the pool.

To support the project staff are being trained in the Halliwick method of swimming; a specialised method of teaching disabled people to enjoy and benefit from being in water as well as general disability awareness training being provided for all staff.

West Wight Sports Centre to provide short break activities for families with disabled children is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Isle of Wight Steam Railway to be in

Televised Finals of

The National Lottery Awards 2010

Railway Project Tops ‘Best Heritage Projects’ Category!

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway has won a place in the Final of the National Lottery Awards, and now goes through to the final round of voting with the chance of winning the top award in the Best Heritage Project category. The winner will be announced during a live BBC1 television programme, currently scheduled for the evening of Saturday 4^th September.

Working under the project title ‘Isle of Wight Railway Restoration’, the Havenstreet-based steam line reached the Final by topping the Heritage Projects category in the semi-finals against nine other Lottery-funded projects from around the country. To win the top award the Railway must now receive the most votes in a new nationwide public vote from 26^th July to 13^th August. Votes already cast in the semi-finals will not count in the Final, so the Railway is seeking major public support to ensure it flies the flag for the Isle of Wight and for Heritage Railways, by asking people to vote for ‘Isle of Wight Railway Restoration’ when voting opens on 26^th July.

Steve Oates, Chairman of The Isle of Wight Steam Railway, says: “Our heritage railway has a unique collection of historic steam locomotives, Victorian and Edwardian carriages, and other rare rolling stock, all of which are recognised to be of national importance. Lottery funding is so vital to us; it has helped us to secure a fascinating piece of Island railway history, and to ensure we can continue to restore, preserve and operate these unique railway vehicles for future generations to enjoy. We’re really hoping the public gets behind us to vote as it would be a real boost to get national recognition for the work that we do.”

The public can vote for ‘Isle of Wight Railway Restoration’ from Monday 26th July until Friday 13^th August online at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. A telephone voting line will also be available. The project in each category with the highest number of votes will receive a £2,000 cash prize to spend on their project.

Isle of Wight Steam Railway to be in Televised Finals of The National Lottery Awards 2010 is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Award-winning pianist Kate Williams returns to Jazz Café at Quay Arts on Fri, 16 Jul foran evening of wonderful variety of harmony and texture in her playing and dynamic originalcompositions.Kate is the daughter of the talented classical guitarist John Williams, famous for his compositionCavatina which is familiar to most people as the theme for the classic ‘80’s film The Deerhunter.Kate was awarded the John Dankworth Award For Talent Deserving Wider Recognition in 2000. A classical pianist and teacher, Kate has worked with various jazz musicians, performing aroundthe UK as well as in Holland, Denmark and Germany. She has played with numerous nameson the UK jazz scene, including Dave Cliff, John Etheridge, Jack Parnell, Matt Wates, TimWhitehead, Tony Woods, Bobby Wellins, Chris Biscoe, Allison Neale, Julian Siegel, and JulietKelly.This time round, Kate is accompanied by award-winning flautist Gareth LockraneKate first visited Quay Arts in the ‘90’s when her father played here, and this performance will bea pure musical delight.A delicious home-cooked menu will served in the Café Bar from 6.30pm.“A superbly lucid and inventive pianist and composer.” Humphrey Lyttleton Date: Fri 16 JulPerformance start 8pmQuay Arts Café, Bar & Menu from 6:30pm onwardsLocation:Quay Arts, Sea Street, Newport Harbour, PO30 5BDTicket Price: £10 / *£9Bookings Box Office 01983 822490

Ward-winning pianist Kate Williams returns to Jazz Café at Quay is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Pirates and Pinafore Take Over HMS Warrior 1860

Sunday 18^th July 2010 – 12.30pm, 1.45pm and 3pm

FREE with entry ticket to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

As part of the Victorian themed events to celebrate the launch of HMS Warrior in 1860, Bournemouth Gilbert & Sullivan Society has been invited on board to perform excerpts from The Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore, plus a selection of sea shanties on Sunday, 18^th July.

Bournemouth G&S Society, which is regarded as one of the best Gilbert & Sullivan Societies in the country, has won many awards, their latest awards being ‘Runners Up’ and ‘Best Animated Chorus’ at the prestigious Buxton International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival.

Robin Lavies, who is playing Sir Joseph Porter from ‘HMS Pinafore’ said that the whole Society was very much looking forward to singing aboard HMS Warrior and that he was delighted to be one of the principals taking part in such a unique and exciting event. “HMS Warrior is such a superb ship with all its history and atmosphere, so to be singing excerpts from 2 of the best loved nautical G&S operettas on her deck will be an experience not to be missed.”

The three performances will be open to the general public as they tour HMS Warrior 1860 and are timed for 12.30, 1.45 and 3.00pm. Penny Chrichton-Seager is producing the performance and has scripted some amusing dialogue between Sir Joseph Porter from HMS Pinafore and the Pirate King from The Pirates of Penzance – largely based on the Johnny Depp characterisation from The Pirates of the Caribbean films.

A ticket for Portsmouth Historic Dockyard also gives entry to HMS Victory, the Mary Rose Museum, the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Action Stations and Harbour Tours. Tickets cost adults £19.50, seniors £16.50, children & students £14.00 and a family ticket costs £55.00 (up to 5 people with a maximum of 2 adults or seniors). Entrance to the Historic Dockyard is free for those wishing to visit the retailers, cafes and Antiques Storehouse.

The Historic Dockyard opens at 10am daily and further information can be found at www.historicdockyard.co.uk or by calling 02392 839 766.

Pirates and Pinafore Take Over HMS Warrior 1860 is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

RhythmTree Festival 16/17/18 July 2010 Calbourne Mill IOW

Blossoming between the Isle of Wight Festival and the Bestival the RhythmTree world music and didgeridoo festival is making its mark on the Island music scene. Now in its second year and again to be found above the beautiful setting of Calbourne Water Mill the event is building on the great reception it received from Island attendees in 2009. Bringing musicians from as far as West Africa and New Zealand, Poland, Croatia, Germany, Czech Republic and France this years event is another celebration of world and didgeridoo music that certainly brings a markedly different musical sound and festival atmosphere to its audience. Friday night is headlined by the evergreen KangarooMoon, the superb French trio Nostoc and the amazing Linos Wengara Magaya with his own brand of Zimbabwean reggae featuring the Mbira. Saturday is the up tempo get up and dance evening with ZubopGambia and their line-up of west african master drummers, the return of Airtist who brought Cowes week to a halt last year with their unstoppable rhythms, Secret Vibes, featuring an on stage fire show and the haunting sound of the Hang Project. Sunday is a real high quality musical evening with the return of Croatian solo didge player Dubravko Lapaine who stunned audiences last year with his virtuosity and stage presence, Czech bands KusKusKlan and El Tenere, slide guitar and blues harp player Phil Henry and the Islands own Cepholadidge. The whole event is headlined by the Afro/Celt fusion band BakaBeyond with their full eight person line-up featuring Fela Kuti’s niece Malora, French fiddle player extraordinary Paddy Le Mercier, Martin Cradick of Outback fame and his wife Sue Heart. Starting at mid-day each day the event is full of off stage entertainment for all the family. Sit and relax in the Didge Cafe with its small open-mic stage, see everything from belly dancers to samba bands perform, join the drum circle at the Chai Chapel or sign up for various world instrument workshops. Youngsters will find lots to do in the Children’s orchard next to the healing area with numerous market stalls close by selling everything from didgeridoos to hand made jewellery. Of course there is a bar and numerous high quality food concessions so no need to  go hungry or thirsty. Tickets are available now from Strings Guitar Center Monkton Street Ryde, Volume One Music Shop The Arcade Shanklin, Music Central Newport, The Ventnorian Ventnor and the Calbourne Mill Ticket Office. Visit the festival website www.rhythmtree.info for online tickets and lots more information.

RhythmTree Festival Calbourne Mill IOW is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Hanging Out

Carinthia West

Rope Store Gallery, Quay Arts

Sat 17 Jul – Sat 28 Aug

Talk and Film Screening: Sat 17 Jul 5 – 6pm

Anthony Minghella Theatre, Booking required

Drinks Reception: Sat 17 6 – 8pm All Welcome

As a model and actress of the 1970s, Carinthia ‘hung out’ with some of the world’s most respected musicians and performers, taking photographs on her SLR Canon camera, and experimenting with different types of film. Many of her subjects were also her close friends at the time, and include David Bowie, Dame Helen Mirren, Eric Idle, Carly Simon, James Taylor, to mention a few. For this tongue-in-cheek and anecdotal exhibition she has chosen portraits of Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood, Neil Young, George Harrison, King Hussein of Jordan, and the Pink Floyd pig amongst others.

Carinthia West is the daughter of Christine and Michael West who helped establish Quay Arts in the 1970’s. Carinthia will be giving a talk about her parents and her work on Sat 17 Jul 5 – 6pm which will be followed by a film screening by The Bespoke Film Company in collaboration with Island schools on the history of the Quay Arts and The West Collection – A Quay Vision; an exhibition of the Wests’ art collection in the Michael West Gallery (Sat 3 Jul – Sat 4 Sep).

‘Hanging Out’ by Carinthia West runs from: Sat 17 Jul – Sat 28 Aug, Rope Store Gallery, Quay Arts, Sea Street, Newport Harbour, Isle of Wight PO30 5BD

Rope Store Gallery, Quay Arts Newport Isle of Wight is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

20th June – Fathers Day Specials Steam Trains are just made for Dads!

Whether he reminisces about steam train travel as a boy, wants to check out all the engineering stuff, or secretly dreams of being a train driver, your Dad, whatever his age, will enjoy a day out at the IWSR! All dads travelling on the train will receive a free gift and the Railway’s Refreshment Rooms will be open all day for meals and refreshments. Tickets – Steam Train fares: Adults £9.50, Children (5-15) £5.00, Infant (0-4) FREE, Family £24.00 (2 Adults & 2 Children). For full details please contact: 01983 882204 www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk

Fathers Day Specials Steam Trains Isle of Wight is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Hovertravel, the fastest Isle of Wight passenger service across the Solent, saw an 8% increase in the number of passengers using their hovercraft, whilst putting on a HoverFest for people travelling to the Isle of Wight Festival.

Neil Chapman, Managing Director of Hovertravel, said: “Hovertravel is a firm favourite with festival goers. This year we launched the first ever HoverFest which saw local DJ’s entertain hundreds of festival goers as they queued to board the hovercraft from the Southsea terminal. We helped get the party started for customers and staff worked hard to put on extra services to transport over thousands of bags, thousands of tents and  10,000 wellies.

Hovertravel is the fastest way to the Isle of Wight, as well as being the most entertaining, with specially prepared DJ mixes being broadcast on our hovercraft during the trip across the Solent.”

HOVERTRAVEL ENJOYS RECORD NUMBERS DURING THE ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

LAUNCH OF FSB’s SMALL BUSINESS FRIENDLY AWARDS 2010

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has launched this year’s bid to find the best small business friendly initiatives undertaken by the region’s local authorities. The Small Business Friendly Awards 2010 has three categories and councils are being encouraged to enter as many categories as they wish.

The launch took place at Botleigh Grange Hotel, Botley with representatives from Councils across  the region attending. Introducing the awards Regional Chairman, Ken Moon, told the mix of Council Leaders and Economic Development Officers that the inaugural awards in 2009 had been a resounding success and had uncovered some excellent work undertaken by local councils to support small businesses in their areas.

Mr Moon said: “The FSB looks to the region’s local authorities to help create the environment for small businesses to survive and thrive. We are keen to recognise any organisation that has gone above and beyond to achieve this. The Small Business Friendly Awards scheme shows all local authorities in the UK the best examples of services and high levels of support that this region’s small businesses receive from their councils.”

The three categories are:

• Best Small Business Friendly Procurement Policy
• Best Small Business Friendly Programme or Campaign
• Best All Round Small Business Friendliness

The Councils have until 2 August to submit their entries and the winners will be announced in late September.

“The FSB has worked very hard to create and maintain a good working relationship with local authorities and these awards are a further initiative to recognise in public, the efforts made to encourage and improve local economic regeneration within the small business sector,” added Mr Moon

More information is available at http://www.fsb.org.uk.

LAUNCH OF FSB’s SMALL BUSINESS FRIENDLY AWARDS 2010 is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Needles Old Battery – Round the Island Yacht Race Breakfast 19 June 6am – 11am Watch the yachts round the Needles rocks from the spectacular vantage point of the Needles Old Battery whilst enjoying a hearty breakfast in the tea room or, if the weather permits, outside on the grassy slopes. For wheelchair users and less abled visitors there is now a viewing platform at the far end of the Parade Ground overlooking the Needles (limited space). For disabled access please phone 01983 754772. For commercial filming and photography please contact the Assistant Property Manager on 01983 741020. Normal admission charges apply and do not include breakfast. Additional charge for breakfast £6.99. All Images byChris Boynton if you wish to enquire – purchase an image please email: chris.boynton@virgin.net or call on +44 (0)1983 406007. Chris Boynton www.chrisboynton.co.uk

Needles Old Battery – Round the Island Yacht Race Breakfast 19 June 6am is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Hovertravel launches HoverFest

Hovertravel, the fastest way to the Isle of Wight, is launching the HoverFest, in association with Galaxy 100-106, ready for the festival goers travelling to the island.

On both Thursday 10 June and Friday 11 June, Hovertravel will host two afternoons of live DJ mixes supplied by Galaxy 100-106 between the hours of 12pm and 6pm. Travellers can enjoy the music at the Southsea terminal as well as onboard the hovercraft. DJ’s performing on the days will be Galaxy’s 100-106’s Ben Glover, Sparky and Gillies.

Neil Chapman, Managing Director of Hovertravel, said: “Visitors to The Isle of Wight festival often choose Hovertravel because we are the quickest way to travel to the island. This year to get the party started even faster we are launching the HoverFest to add to the excitement and help get our customers in the mood for the big event.”

Hovertravel launches HoverFest is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

‘ChangeforLife’ – a way of life at Shalfleet School

Shalfleet has been officially recognised a number of times for its efforts in being a healthy school. In 2007 the school was awarded the prestigious National Healthy School standard and won the Isle of Wight Healthy Eating Alliance Award. In 2010, continued commitment to Healthy Eating was recognised at the Alliance evening celebrating those who have made a significant contribution to embedding healthy eating practices. In recognition of this, Lisa Nicolson, Headteacher, who appears in the Healthy Eating Alliance Award promotional video, was recently invited to attend a ministerial event at 1, Birdcage Walk in London, for a ministerial  Change4Life reception where she met, and was photographed with, the Minister for Health, Andy Burnham.

Shalfleet has a thriving and proactive healthy schools committee (called ‘ChangeforLife’) who meet each half term to monitor the progress of Shalfleet as a Healthy School and to give a lead on many healthy school initiatives and activities taking place. The group includes representatives from the teaching staff, extended schools officer, parents, governors and pre-school, as well as the Head Teacher who personally takes an interest in the well being of each child. The aim of the group is to improve the standard of health and well being of all children attending Shalfleet School, through a whole child approach that encourages both understanding of a good diet (knowledge and awareness of food and nutrition) as well as the importance of regular exercise and relaxation.

There have been many, many healthy schools initiatives and activities taking place at Shalfleet in recent months, which culminated in the school being nominated for the Healthy Eating Alliance Award. Some of the recent activities include;

• ‘Bring your Parent to Breakfast Morning’ which was a great success. The children brought tasty nutritious breakfasts in to school and enjoyed sharing them together – attendees included Dads as well as Mums, Grandads and Grandmas, Governors and friends of the school.
• Healthy Lunch Box Week – the children entered a competition and judged it themselves to see who had the healthiest items in their lunchboxes! An award is given regularly each week in Collective Worship (assembly) to the child who has the Healthiest Lunch Box.
• A Family Walk took place in February in preparation for children entering Walk the Wight in May.
• Bike Maintenance classes – children enjoyed learning about the ‘M check’ which taught them how to run through their own bike safety.
• Sports Relief – celebrated the children’s sporting activities, achievements and awards. They brought in certificates from home and shared sporting stories and moments with the whole school in assembly. The school football team was celebrated, who recently made it to the semi final of the Island Primary Schools Cup.
• Exercise Diary – in which children record and recognise the activities they have engaged in during the Easter holidays.
• Fitness Friday – coming up soon!

Although the ChangeforLife events at Shalfleet help make healthy living lots of fun and accessible for all, it has really started to become a way of life for the school. The Head Teacher is involved in a training programme –  Enhanced Healthy Schools -that looks at how to encourage and enable children and their families to make the change themselves, “that is so much more effective than having healthy ‘do’s and don’ts’ imposed upon you”, said Lisa.

For more information on any of the ChangeforLife activity at Shalfleet, please e-mail us Shalfleetpri@online.net, or call the school office, tel: 760269.

‘ChangeforLife’ – a way of life at Shalfleet School is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Go Wild in the Woods

Come and enjoy a fascinating day in the life of the woodland of Firestone Copse during the spring half-term holidays on Wednesday 2 June.

Set your alarm clocks early as the day begins at 5am with a dawn chorus walk followed by lots of other great wildlife activities throughout the day including pond dipping, woodland crafts, wildflower and butterfly walks, tree climbing, canoe safaris and outdoor art plus loads more, and will draw to a close with night time wildlife detecting at dusk.

We’ll also need your help with Island’s very first BioBlitz where you can get involved with recording all the species that we see on the day – so bring a camera!

Parking is limited at Firestone Copse, so please try and car share. A free hourly shuttle minibus will run from Station Road Steam Railway car park in Wootton.

For the latest event updates and activities timetable visit www.wildonwight.co.uk

Go Wild in the Woods is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk