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Local Cataract Care
SpaMedica, the UK’s leading independent provider of NHS cataract surgery, is opening a new cataract clinic on the Isle of Wight. Based at the Innovation Centre at St Cross Business Park in Newport, the clinic will enable patients to attend their pre- and post- operative appointments without having to travel to the mainland, saving time and money on travel costs.
Now, SpaMedica patients will only need to travel to the mainland for cataract surgery itself, and they can choose whether to have their treatment in Southampton or Portsmouth. Both hospitals offer cataract surgery in as little as 4-8 weeks and provide a free transport service for patients who need it, with pick-up and drop-off from mainland ferry terminals.
Clive Shepherd-Wraight, who manages SpaMedica’s Southampton and Portsmouth hospitals, will oversee operations at the new Isle of Wight clinic. “Our goal is to make cataract care as accessible as possible for local residents, while working in close partnership with the NHS to help reduce local waiting times for cataract surgery,” he said.
Nominate A Charity
The Movement for Good Awards, spearheaded by the Benefact Group, is set to donate over £1 million to charities up and down the country this year. Now in its seventh year, this transformative initiative invites residents in the Isle of Wight to nominate their favourite charities for a chance to receive a donation of £1,000.
Isle of Wight residents can make a nomination at www. movementforgood.com – a simple act that could have a lasting impact. Winners will be drawn at random, and the initiative will also feature special sector-specific draws, with charities able to secure larger grants of £5,000. The timetable for these draws is available on the website, with winners announced throughout the year.
The Movement for Good Awards has donated over £6 million to charities in the UK and Ireland since the initiative started in 2019 and last year, more than 2,300 people from the Isle of Wight nominated causes they care about.
Congratulations Blakes News!
The Isle of Wight has landed a second ‘Store of the Quarter’ award from UK parcel carrier Yodel, with Blakes News in Cowes named the latest winner for its outstanding service levels and customer support provided to the local community.
Blakes News beat competition from the Deliver to Yodel Store network of over 7,000 newsagents, convenience stores, petrol stations, and supermarkets nationwide, having handled nearly 4,000 parcels in the last quarter. The store had an outstanding 5-star average rating from Yodel’s in-house Have Your Say customer feedback survey.
The Cowes store has been at the heart of the local community since Amanda and her partner Phil opened the shop in 2006 and now run the store as a family business with their daughter, Courtney.
Amanda Belt, Store Owner, said: “We’re thrilled to have been recognised as the latest Store of the Quarter. It really is a testament to how close we are as a community and as a team here at Blakes News. It has been a pleasure seeing the store become a vibrant community hub.”
Small Island / Big Dreams...
Cowes Fringe is back for its third year for an electrifying May Bank Holiday weekend (May 23-25, 2025). This unique event, hosted in venues across Cowes, showcases a dazzling mix of local and national talent, drawing fringe-goers from far and wide.
Cowes Fringe is more than just a festival – it’s a vibrant celebration of creativity that supports local businesses, artists, and the community. Whether you’re after live music, immersive theatre, or comedy gold, this year’s festival promises something for everyone.
The first acts have been announced and include Gianluigi Secchi, a virtuoso Italian guitarist and composer; Mumma Mia, the UK’s ultimate ABBA tribute experience; Ode to Joyce, a loving tribute to Joyce Grenfell; Velma Celli, known as ‘The UK’s Queen of Live Vocal Drag’; JAMRoKi, a 15 years old young man making waves in the festival circuit as a DJ and drummer; Amy Bird Band, fronted by Isle of Wight’s own Amy Bird, this band is a powerhouse of soul, funk, and Americana; and The Rocka, a pop-rock party band known for their high-energy performances and diverse repertoire spanning rock, pop, and indie anthems.
Running For Charity
Pauline Stirling has entered the Southampton Marathon on 6 April in aid of St Catherine’s School.
Pauline started running 3 years ago, at the age of 58, with the Couch to 5K App. She now runs about 25 miles weekly... but this will be her first marathon!
St Catherine’s is the only day and residential provider of education and therapy in the UK, specialising in working with children, young people and young adults (aged 9 to 25) who have speech, language and communication needs.
With over forty years of experience, St Catherine’s provides an integrated programme tailored to each student incorporating speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. All students have an Education, Health and Care Plan that states they have a significant language disorder.
St Catherine’s School is raising funds for a much-needed outdoor education area. Please donate to St Catherine’s School via its JustGiving page. Your support is much appreciated.
Naturezones Receives Award
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded Naturezones Wildlife Education Trust £72,400.
Naturezones, based at Blackwater, is now in its 18th year and was Founded in 2007 by Angela Hewitt BEM. They work with primary schools across the Island as well as many community groups and individual visitors to the centre. Naturezones is unique andthe only one of its kind on the Isle of Wight. It is a 10 acre living natural history museum specifically designed to support educational visits.
They are passionate about education. Angela Hewitt BEM said “We are overwhelmed by the continued support from the Heritage Fund and this amazing grant. This grant is really important at a time when more has to be done to ensure everyone understands the importance of protecting and enhancing the natural environment.”
The more that people understand the power of nature and how it is directly relevant to the way we live, the better are our chances of protecting our environment from climate change.
'Garden Troft’s' For Good Causes
Christopher Hayton from Ryde has taken it upon himself to recycle unused wooden pallets, turning them into cheerful Garden Troft’s [sic], to raise awareness of mental health, suicide prevention and the Samaritans.
“I’m trying to stop suicide from happening in the first place on the Isle of Wight and across Hampshire and Surrey,” he said. Christopher is also raising money for the Samaritans. So far, he has raised £1,175 and is keen to “get the help these people actually need out there.”
To date, Christopher has made a whopping 875 of them and recycled 423 pallets of wood. You can visit Christopher’s Facebook page to see all the troughs that he has made for the community of the Isle of Wight and the Hampshire and Surrey area.
Ventnor Cricket Club Turns 175
Ventnor Cricket Club is commemorating its 175th anniversary this year. As part of the celebrations, the Club is proud to welcome England fast bowling legend Matthew Hoggard to Steephill on 5 April at 6pm.
In great demand as an acclaimed speaker on the after- dinner circuit and a wonderful bowler who played a pivotal role in one of the most successful periods in English cricket, the Yorkshireman has an extensive raft of stories to tell, including tales from the epic 2005 Ashes series, delivered in his own unique style.
“Hoggy”, who represented England 93 times, is a huge draw for audiences of all ages and is sure to provide an evening of great entertainment.
To purchase tickets, priced at £35 per person to include a sit-down buffet meal in the Cricket Centre, please email ventnorccevents@gmail.com or visit www.ventnorcc.co.uk
Local Author Publishes New Book
Ahead of World Autism Acceptance Week in April, Naturally Nic/k is a new novel following Nic, a neurodivergent girl on a journey of self-discovery by an Isle of Wight author who, herself, has autism and was keen to represent it.
Passionate about magic, Nic accidentally travels back in time to the 1850s after her bullies mysteriously disappear. There, she meets Nikolai, a master magician whose brother has also vanished. They must work together to solve the mysteries before it’s too late. Kathryn Rossati is an author of YA and children’s books, as well as a poet. She is neurodivergent and has hypermobility spectrum disorder.
“Initially, though I knew that Nic was autistic and did show some of her traits, I didn’t outright say it in the first draft because I wasn’t sure what readers would think – I’d not long been diagnosed myself. [But] as I unmasked in my personal life, Nic unmasked her traits alongside me”, said Kathryn.
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