Bembridge & St Helens Guide 2008

Bembridge and Harbour
Guide 2008

including St Helens

Published by the Bembridge Business Association
FREE



Welcome to Bembridge!

As Chairman of the Bembridge Business including a newsagent, an-
Association, which, in its 11th year, other delicatessen, and shoe
has grown to represent more than 130 shop together with another
businesses, I am delighted to introduce well-stocked supermarket.
you to our Bembridge and Harbour Guide. St Helens surrounds a beau-
Originally much slimmer and with a limited tiful village green, itself a fo-
circulation, the guide now boasts an annual cal point for cricket matches
circulation of more than 25,000. in the summer and football
I hope you will find this guide a useful point of in the winter.
reference. Inside, you will discover information The very essence of the
on everything from local shops and services, as area is that we are a strong
well as a diary of local events, complete with an community and proud of the diversity that
invaluable map of the area. The guide is produced Bembridge and St Helens have to offer. What
almost entirely through the voluntary efforts of the other villages could boast an airport, harbour,
Bembridge Business Association’s members and is marina, two sailing clubs, boatyards and boat
supported by its advertisers. builders, shops, pubs, restaurants, hotels and even
Whether you are a resident, a newcomer or a reg- a hovercraft manufacturer!
ular visitor, you can hardly miss the quaint charm One of the main aims of the Association is to sustain
that the area has to offer. As a visitor, you must the wider community, not just our members.
experience the stunning and unspoilt beaches of I hope you, too, will feel able to encourage and
St Helens, Silver Sands, Lane End and Forelands support local shops and businesses.
– and, if you have children, then exploring the rock
pools for crabs is essential. Further inland, there Rob Pigot,
are lovely footpaths and bridleways, together with Chairman, Bembridge Business Association
interesting places to visit such as the Bembridge
Lifeboat Station and the Windmill. For those with Published by
an interest in the history of Bembridge, I would
also recommend a visit to the Bembridge Heritage Calor
Society Museum close to Holy Trinity church. Best Business Association
Both Bembridge and St Helens offer a wide range South East England 2005
of places to eat and drink, from beach cafés to
traditional pubs and restaurants. Naturally all the
establishments pride themselves on their quality of
food, drink and service.
Bembridge village centre boasts many interesting
shops ranging from an award-winning delicatessen,
to antique and craft shops, a supermarket as well
as a bakery, a butcher, a farm shop and a florist. At
Lane End, you will find an equally diverse range,

Winner of the National Calor Village of the Year, ICT Section
3

BEMBRIDGE
HARBOUR

The Home of
Leisure Sailing

CONTACT

U

www.bembridgeharbour.co.uk
E’mail [email protected]
Tel: 01983872828
Fax: 01983872922

4

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5

THE It’s all about the ingredients

ST We source the best produce
that Isle of Wight farmers and
H
E fishermen have to offer
L
E Constantly changing menus
N to reflect the seasons featuring:
S Brownrigg poultry, Island fresh lamb,
Isle Of Wight Bacon Company pork

and fresh fish straight
from the Captain Stan

RESERVATIONS (01983) 872303

_________________________________________________________

Lower Green Road, St Helens, Isle of Wight, PO33 1TS

_________________________________________________________

Website: www.sthelensrestaurant.com

The Galley (Registered Charity 1103864)
St Helens Duver
(under the Harbourmaster’s office) CE Primary School Steyne Road
Open Mon to Fri 9am to 3pm
We offer a range of our own Ages 2 to School Entry
• Cornish Pasties & Sausage Rolls Please Come and Visit Us
• Quiche, delicious Pies
• Cooked Ready Meals, or contact the manager Penny Dove
fresh or frozen on 01983 873575
• Local dressed Crab, Lobster,
Prawns – platters to order Desktop Studio
• Local Mustards, Chutneys,
Pickles Unit 6B Weavers Yard
• Cakes & Gateaux Lane End Road
• Fresh, real Coffee Bembridge PO35 5US
• Bacon Rolls [email protected]
• Hot & Cold filled Sandwiches/ Tel: 01983 874874
Baguettes Fax: 01983 874110
• Off Licence
• Newspaper orders taken 6

call Victoria on 07834 815210

Bembridge Parish Council website includes news, a community directory
and calendar, and an under-16s area called ‘Young
Residents and visitors often ask me what Bembridge’.
makes the village so special. Quite simply, A new partnership formed between the Parish
I say that it’s the people – young or old. Council and residents is designed to help those
Everyone who comes to Bembridge soon in our community who are harder to reach or
realises that it’s a unique place where the may require a little more help than others. The
community works together for the good of all. Disability and Diversity Forum is already making
Our village remains vibrant because of its commu- a difference to the lives of many people and the
nity, the support it gives to the businesses through- Parish Council is proud to be involved.
out the village, the support people give to their Bembridge Parish Council is delighted to be part
neighbours and friends and the welcome they give of the community and to work on behalf of the
to visitors. At the end of 2007, we saw Bembridge village, its residents and visitors. For help, advice
residents doing what they do best: for the second or information, please
year running, the village reached the finals of the call in to the Parish
National Lottery and Meridian TV People’s Mil- Office weekdays (except
lions and the subsequent success in securing fund- Wednesdays) or tele-
ing for a new Community bus. Groups and indi- phone the Clerk, Liz
viduals from throughout the village, including the Murray, on 874160.
Parish Council, joined forces with the Friendship
Circle to spread the word. Cllr Gill Rogers
December also saw another community initiative, a Chairman,
new website – www.bembridgepc.org.uk – launched
by the Parish Council to keep residents informed Bembridge Parish Council
of issues that matter to our Village. As well as list-
ing the minutes of all Parish Council meetings, the

Bembridge Harbour Improvements Company

I would like to welcome all visitors to Bembridge Marina is home to 80 permanent
Bembridge and wish them a safe and enjoy- berth holders, has a taxi landing spot and is the
able stay. There are many beautiful walks stop-off point for Brading Haven Yacht Club.
from and around the Harbour, which is a The shower/toilet block and launderette is to be
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). upgraded to match the facilities on the Duver
The Duver Marina is the main mooring area for Marina. Fishing trips, run by Catchalot Charters,
visiting yachtsmen. We have approximately 80 visi- leave regularly from the northern pontoon.
tor berths and more than 30 permanent berths.
Facilities include a year-round water taxi, a diesel Selwyn Marina, formerly known as Wades Pon-
fuel service, a small chandlery stocking essential toon, has been replaced with a new facility includ-
yachting spares, two large BBQs in a sheltered area ing a modern electricity and water supply.
with seating, and a shop with everything from the
morning paper to a good bottle of wine for a spe- Fully-serviced moorings are available, arranged in
cial occasion. We also have an ‘internet hotspot’, trots with boats moored fore and aft. All moorings
so ask at the harbour office for details. Planned are serviced by a free water taxi which runs moor-
facilities for 2008 include a new fuel barge with ing holders and their crew to and from their boats.
petrol and diesel and a new permanent marquee These are being taken up
over the BBQ area. Showers and toilets are being fast so please phone the
extended and will include a new launderette.
Embankment Marina, formerly Fisherman’s office on 01983 872828
Wharf, home to Bembridge’s fishing fleet, is being to reserve a place.
upgraded and extended with space for over 40
berths; the pontoon is also home to Captain Stan’s For information please
floating fish shop stocking fabulous shellfish and visit our website (www.
fresh fish. bembridgeharbour.co.uk)
or speak to me, or one
the harbour staff.
Chris Turvey,
Bembridge Harbourmaster

7

Baywatch on the Beach

A delightful Seafood Restaurant

A warm welcome awaits at the Baywatch, famous licensed Seafood
Restaurant, Shop and Beach Café.

Situated on the water’s edge to starboard as you pass buoy number 6A in
the approach channel to Bembridge Harbour, just a 5-minute walk from the
harbourmaster’s office at the marina (walk across the sand dunes to the
waterfront and along past the beach huts until you reach the Baywatch).

Open every day and most evenings from early March to early November
with a friendly relaxed atmosphere and the choice of tables both inside
and out. It is usually essential to make a reservation for dinner.

Photo - B Langford 8

The Baywatch is unique in offering one of the finest views of the
Eastern Solent. The view constantly changes and there is always
something interesting to watch, from majestic cruise ships such
as the Queen Mary 2 and Oriana leaving on the tide for far flung
exotic places to the myriad of small craft entering and leaving
Bembridge Harbour or even our local fishermen bringing home
the ‘catch of the day’ to be served at the Baywatch the same
evening.
Enjoy breakfast (all day!), lunch, a fine dinner or just a coffee,
bottle of wine or glass of beer and watch the maritime world go
by.
We specialise in fresh seafood – local crab, lobster, sea bass and
our famous signature dish - Moules Mariniers. We also offer a
daily specials board together with a selection of steak, pasta,
meat, and vegetarian dishes.
Opening times vary according to season and weather. We are a
family business so please check daily times.

Contact:

01983 873259

Location: N 50° 41.925’
W 01° 05.875’

9

Harbour Users’ Guide Charges
Charges are listed at the Marina office and are
Tides available on application. Mooring fees and har-
Bembridge Harbour is tidal, and entrance and bour dues can be paid by cash, cheque or card.
departure depend on the tidal height and the Port Radio
draft of the vessel. The Marina and Harbour Office keep watch on
When approaching from seaward, the tide Channel 80 (call sign ‘Bembridge Marina’) during
gauge (Topmark X fLY 2 secs), NW of St Helens tide times approximately 3 hours either side of
Fort should be sighted and the level of the tide High Water.
checked and shown on a scale in metres. This Waste disposal
gauge indicates the least depth of water in the ap- Facilities for normal domestic rubbish are at all
proach channel. From there, a course of approxi- pontoons and the beach. Oil can be disposed of
mately 240 degrees brings you to the start of the at the Marina.
buoyed channel. The channel has 0.2 metres at Fuel
chart datum and hence any tidal rise on the gauge Diesel is available at the Duver Marina or from
plus 0.2 is the depth of water available to enter. Lynx Engineering (01983 873711) at the Duver
On spring and medium tides, 1.5-metre draft Boatyard just to the north of the Marina (tidal).
vessels can enter from approximately three hours Petrol is available in cans from the local garage
before High Water to two-and-a-half-hours after. – Staddlestones, Bembridge (01983 872121).
On tides with a High Water height of less than Lynx Engineering is open at the weekends and on
four metres at Portsmouth, the channel depth Bank Holidays. The garage is closed on Sundays
sometimes does not exceed 2.2 metres and on and Bank Holidays.
those days, check the tide gauge carefully. On big Slips
spring tides the depth in the channel can exceed Two slipways controlled by the Harbour
3.5 metres. Buoys are not lighted but a reflective Company can be used by arrangement.
tape is fitted to them. Banks
Speed Limit There is a Lloyds TSB Bank in Bembridge High
The speed limit within the harbour is six knots Street (no cashpoint) and cashpoints by the
and vessels must not be navigated in such a man- Lane End shops, in the Co-op Supermarket in
ner as to cause damage or annoyance to other Sherbourne Street and at St Helens Post Office.
vessels. Please don’t anchor in the approach chan- Limited banking services are also available at
nel or windsurf in the Harbour. Bembridge Post Office in Foreland Road.
Visitors’ Moorings Medical services
These are available at the Duver Marina and at Medical Centre St Helens – 0844 477 245
the beach (dries out, vessels should anchor fore A&E – St Mary’s, Newport 01983 524081
and aft). All visitors are welcome to use the mod-
ern shower and toilet facilities at the Marina and
also the Laundrette and Shop situated there.

10

For Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Tea

Delicious home-made snacks

Telephone: 872644

Mother Goose Bookshop
Antiquarian & Modern First Editions

Specialists in Nautical, Travel, Children’s Illustrated, etc
The best-kept secret on the Isle of Wight

Browsers Welcome

Shop: 01983 874063
Out of Hours: 01983 873897

E-Mail: [email protected]

Lower Green, St Helens, Isle of Wight
also at The Bookroom, Cross St, Cowes

Own made
Pies & Sausages

Local Deliveries

11

Bembridge and St Helens … a short history

Bembridge, on the eastern tip of the Isle on the Island can be found just outside Bembridge.
of Wight, was once cut off from the rest of A typical cap mill, which dates from 1700, it has
the Island by a large expanse of water that undergone extensive restoration and is managed
stretched all the way to Brading. In the by the National Trust. The RNLI Station at Lane
mid-1800s, and in the face of considerable End operates both offshore and inshore lifeboats
engineering difficulties, an embankment and is usually open to the public for free guided
carrying rail and road links was built from tours during the summer months.
St Helens to the bottom of Kings Road. Constructed between 1862 and 1867 against pos-
Bembridge grew in popularity and size at the end sible invasion by Napoleon’s forces, Bembridge
of the 19th century following the arrival of the rail- Fort, overlooking Bembridge Harbour, the Solent
way and is said today to be England’s largest village and Sandown Bay, was part of Lord Palmerston’s
in area, with a population of about 5,000. defence network to protect Portsmouth Harbour.
Bembridge Airport – headquarters of the B-N Built to support four coastal batteries in Sandown
Group, builders of the world-famous Islander Bay, it was intended to serve as a last stand if the
aircraft – has the only all-weather runway on the Isle of Wight was invaded. Abandoned after 1948,
Island – and is the venue for the Schneider Trophy, the local council bought the property in 1965
the famous air race which began in the 1920s and which in turn sold it to the National Trust in 1967.
continues each year. St Helens lies on high ground to the north of
Bembridge Harbour is home to two sailing clubs Bembridge and has good views over the busy
– Bembridge Sailing Club which was founded in harbour which remains a haven for birds and
1886, and Brading Haven Yacht Club. Both sup- wildlife. As well as having two fine restaurants, St
port all-year-round sailing activities. Helen’s Restaurant and Ganders around the green,
The thriving marina at St Helens is managed on the village boasts a pub, the Vine Inn, a Post Office
behalf of the Bembridge Harbour Improvements and general store, an antiquarian bookshop called
Company by harbourmaster, Chris Turvey. Com- Mother Goose and a garage, St Helen’s Service
mercial fishing craft work out of the harbour, and Station. St Helens also has a fine village green
regular fishing trips can be booked. which hosts a number of local sporting and social
events, including an annual August carnival.
Heritage A short 15-minute walk from the village green
Bembridge offers a wide variety of shops, includ- leads visitors to a pleasant sheltered and sandy
ing two supermarkets, a bakery, a butchery, two beach on the Duver, open grassy sand dunes at the
delis, pubs, restaurants as well as art galleries, art mouth of the harbour and owned by the National
and craft shops, a fish and chip shop, a branch of Trust. The beach, which is excellent for swimming,
Lloyds Bank, and a Post Office in Forelands Road. offers outstanding views of St Helens Fort and the
The Bembridge Heritage Centre next to the li- Solent, and benefits from a seafront café/restau-
brary is a mine of local information, and exhibits rant, with a reputation for good food and wine.
include parts of the original PLUTO pump, which St Helens grew around the 12th century Cluniac
were vital in providing oil supplies for the D-Day Priory whose monks built and administered the
landings. There are more shops at Lane End and
cashpoints at both super-
markets – at Lane End and
Sherbourne Street.
One unusual Bembridge
feature is its rare phone
box. A Post Office K1 (Ki-
osk 1) design, the box was
one of the first standard-
ised phone boxes when
they were built in 1921.
The Bembridge box is the
only surviving one of its
kind in the south of Eng-
land, and has a very dis-
tinct shape, especially with
its metal spike on top.
The last remaining windmill

12

church, which was situated on the Duver, until it The scheme, which included the construction
was claimed by the crown in 1414. It eventually of the Spithead Hotel and the purchase of
became unsafe due to the rising sea, and was de- a steamer fleet, including a train ferry, was
stroyed in 1720 by a huge wave. Although a new financed by Balfour’s Liberator Building Society
church was built further inland, the old church at a cost of £420,000.
tower still stands to this day, used as a seamark by More than 130 years later, the Embankment and
passing ships. the Road remain the prime link to Bembridge
Although regarded as a considerable port by the from Ryde and Newport, although the railway
1300s, St Helens eventually lost its trading impor- closed more than 50 years ago.
tance with the expansion of Cowes, although ships Today, increasing concern on the impact of
still called in for water from a local spring which climate change, has led to a major study to
was famous for its excellent keeping qualities. establish the impact of rising sea levels on the
harbour.
Bembridge Harbour
Entering Bembridge Harbour, it is often hard Bembridge railway opened in 1882
for any visitor to appreciate that this is a man-
made harbour constructed in the latter half
of the nineteenth century. Before 1880, boats
would have sailed a further two and a half miles
upstream along the meandering channel of the
Eastern Yar, with its wide expanse of mudflats
and creeks, to Brading.
At high water, the mudflats – known as Brading
Haven – would be completely submerged
although the name has since been adopted by
the Yacht Club adjacent to the marina.
All this changed in the 19th century with the
building of a railway line from Brading to
Bembridge, bringing both industrial and tourism
development to this quiet rural backwater.
A grandiose scheme was put forward by Jabez
Balfour, MP, an entrepreneur, who, through
an Act of Parliament in April 1874, set up the
Brading Harbour Improvement and Railway
Company.
The company was authorised to construct an
embankment from St Helens to Bembridge
and to reclaim all the land upstream towards
Brading. It was also to construct a port at St
Helens and extend a line from the Isle of Wight
Railway at Brading via St Helens to Bembridge.

13

Extensions
Renovations

‘Pearshouse’, 76 Steyne Road, Bembridge PO35 5SL Telephone: 01983 873264
Mobile: 07761 189096
Professional Beauty Therapy
and Aromatherapy e-mail: [email protected]
web: www.tjsdevelopments.co.uk
Telephone Jenny on (01983) 872178 Orchard Cottage, Lane End Close
Bembridge, Isle of Wight. PO35 5UF

J DENCER-BROWN
BSc., FC. Optom.

Your Village Optometrist for 24 years
Contact Lenses, Designer Frames
Rodenstock Suppliers

5 High Street, Bembridge,
Isle of Wight. PO35 5SD
Tel: 01983 873308

If words don’t come easy…
let us help!

Brochures, articles, web
content, press releases…

we can help with design and
layout too

contact Off Wight on 873687
www.offwight.co.uk

14

The Little House on the Green

Cosy self-catering
cottage overlooking
St Helens Green. Newly
refurbished for 2008.

Phone (01983) 875878
for more information.

www.littlehouseonthegreen.co.uk

BeMBRiDGe

FLoWeR SHoP 11 Foreland Road Telephone:
Bembridge (01983) 873334
01983 875500 Isle of Wight
PO35 5XN
6 High Street Bembridge PO35 5SD

Ladies, Gents and Children’s styling
Evening Appointments

Consultation available for all our services
New in this year – HAIR EXTENSIONS with Sam

based at Tricia’s Hair Salon
27 High Street, Bembridge, Isle of Wight. PO35 5SD

Telephone: 01983 874565

15

GANDERS Upper Green Road
RESTAURANT St Helens
GaOndveerrs lRoeosktainurgant PO33 1UQ
UGppoeroGsreeeInsRlaoandd Telephone:

St Helens PO33 1UQ Telep0ho19ne8:301898732807214014

Second To None IDEAL FOR FUNCTIONS AND EVENTS
Holiday Home (Weddings, Parties, Activities,etc.)

Caretakers LICENSED BAR
CAR PARKING
Many years of experience LARGE HALL - MODEST HIRE CHARGES
100% Quality Assured
For more information phone
C0a1ll9to8d3ay872229/07811 320429 the Reservations Secretary on 873795

Often Imitated - Never Duplicated SHAUN BURDEN

V•E•H•I•C•L•E R•E•P•A•I•R•S

REDUCED RATES ON
CLUTCH FITTINGS

FREE Winter Check

• 15 scrumptious varieties of home-made All makes of vehicles serviced
mustards, chutney, relishes, sauces, pickles & Clutches, Exhausts,
preserves Tyres, Brakes
• Available Island-wide or by mail order (phone MOTs arranged
to order or for details of stockists)
• As featured in the BBC book “Food Lovers Courtesy Car available
Guide to Britain” by Henrietta Green
Unit 8 Weavers Yard • Lane End Road 01983 872131
Bembridge • Isle of Wight • PO35 5US
Unit 5 Embankment Road
Telephone: 01983 875949 Bembridge PO35 5NR
www.island-mustards.co.uk

16

U L . . .se us or ose us support your local businesses

It’s no secret that personal transport, giant supermarkets and large restaurant
chains have conspired to change our shopping and eating habits over the past 50
years. The lure of cheap food, co-located in stores which now offer many of the
services which were always traditionally provided within local communities, has
inevitably led to the closure of countless businesses throughout the country, many
of which had served their communities for generations.

In contrast to many other European countries Carbon footprint
such as France or Italy, the main driver for today’s
UK consumer seems to be price rather than In just over two
quality. As long as chicken or eggs are cheap, we years, owner Mark
seem to want them, no matter how the animals Young has turned
are inhumanely or intensively reared. As long as his tiny St Helens
apples are shiny and all the same size we must Restaurant into one
have them, no matter how tasteless or where they of the most desirable
come from. places to eat out
on the island. After
Small communities like Bembridge and St Helens winning numerous
have not been immune from these social trends. awards including
To paraphrase butcher Peter Arnold, there used to winning finalist in the
be four grocers, two greengrocers, two butchers, 2007 UKTV Food
a fishmonger, a sweet shop, and two chemists in channel’s Food Heroes
Bembridge village centre alone. Local retailers competition, Mark’s
selling high-quality local produce to local people. Mark Young insistence on local
Negligible delivery costs, a tiny carbon footprint of St Helens Restaurant fresh food has won
and genuinely fresher and tastier produce.
him many friends. Says Mark: “With the spotlight
But Bembridge is still more fortunate than most now on the effects of our carbon footprint on the
rural communities. Apart from art galleries, craft environment, there’s never been a better time to
and gift shops, a bank, a post office, five estate agents buy locally.
(always an indication of a thriving community),
the village still boasts two convenience stores, a “Not only that, the simple fact that food tastes
greengrocer, a florist, two restaurants, a fish and better in season has created a recent resurgence
chip shop, a jeweller, a butcher, a baker and even in farmers’ markets, farm shops and local
a candle maker! They all provide a personal and delicatessens. For such a small island, we are
friendly service, offer quality more than spoilt with the availability of fresh, local
products and save customers produce.
time and travel costs.
“Fish straight off the boat in Bembridge
While accepting that for Harbour, two good delis, a farm shop
some, cost will always be and a restaurant specialising in local
critical, but for many, if not food all within a two-mile radius of
most of us, we could perhaps Bembridge Harbour are just a few
afford a little more. Even if of the benefits of visiting, living and
just some of us embrace that working in the area.”
concept this year and reduce
our carbon footprint, then Says Mark: “Apart from anything else,
maybe we’ll begin to realise spending money locally supports
that shopping doesn’t need the local community and helps keep
to cost us the earth. prices down because we do not
have to pay for transportation to the
island.

“How many more reasons do we
need to buy locally?”

17 +

Thriving economy mainland supermarket chains or exporters, and is
Jacqui Seymour, who runs Bembridge’s award- another way of reducing the carbon footprint.”
winning High Street delicatessen, strongly believes Jacqui believes that local shops not only support
that if local people fail to support their local shops local producers and local people seeking work,
and businesses, they will quite simply lose them. they help to keep the Island economy thriving by
encouraging diversity in food production and sup-
“Shops operating in small rural areas usually have porting new producers, such as the Isle of Wight
to cope with losses during the quieter months such Cheese Company, who in turn will grow and em-
as winter time or when fewer second homeowners ploy local people.
and holidaymakers are visiting,” says Jacqui.
“Local shops provide a community service by get-
ting to know their customers, some of whom live
alone, and some who are frail and in need of help
with their shopping or with deliveries.

“In all, it seems to me that local shops give far more
to their community than they recoup. Unfortunate-
ly, we may have to wait until these shops disappear
for people to realise what they have lost.”

Service and quality

Another leading Bembridge food retailer is Wood-
fords the butchers, which has been in the village
since the early 1900s. First owned by two brothers
by the name of Woodford when it was on the site
Food for Thought’s Jacqui Seymour of the war memorial. In 1910, it was sold by coinci-
dence to Mr Wreford Woodford who was no rela-
“If they do not have the continued support of the tion to the brothers. In 1919, the shop moved to
local community during these lean periods, then its present site to make way for the then new war
losses may well be so great that it no longer be- memorial for the victims of the first world war.
comes viable for a business to continue in a loca-
tion. The result will be shop closures, fewer facili- When Mr Woodford retired, his son John ran the
ties for local people to use and a loss of choice as to shop for a number of years but in 1973, he sold it
where to shop locally.” to an employee, Peter Arnold, who with his wife
Jacqui says that another reason to keep it local is Hilary still own and run it.
from an environmental viewpoint, and often means Peter says: “I have seen many changes over the
being able to walk or cycle to the shops. “Even 40-plus years since owning the shop, not only to
a much shorter car journey for those who need Bembridge, but in the way people shop and the
transport reduces the carbon footprint. way that shops in general have changed in that
“Local shops can also offer local produce, which there aren’t as many shops selling food any more.
eliminates the need to transport these goods from “When I first started work in Bembridge back in the
1960s, the village centre was a busy place because
there were no shops in Lane End. At that time,
shops included four grocers, two greengrocers, two
butcheries, a fishmonger,
a sweet shop, two chem-
ists, an electrical shop, a
shoe shop, an ironmon-
ger, two clothes shops,
a paper shop as well as a
few other trades.

“Unfortunately village
shops everywhere are
disappearing never to
be replaced. But we do
thank our many loyal
customers who call in
regularly, week after
week, along with a lot of

Peter Arnold of +
Woodford’s butchers
18

Breakfast at
TIFFANY’S

The Woodford’s team Traditional Bed & Breakfast
in the heart of Bembridge Village
holidaymakers. Without their support, we would
have been gone a long time ago. 40 Foreland Road, Bembridge,
“I still think that local shops have a lot to offer in the Isle of Wight. PO35 5XW
way of service and quality and I know that we try to
give this to our customers not only because we are Contact
‘real’ butchers with many years experience (not just Richard & Tiffany
meat sellers) but with the products we sell. These on 01983 874665
include Isle of Wight Beef, Lamb and Pork from lo- for enquiries and bookings
cal farms not to mention our own made Sausages, www.tiffanysbandb.com
Burgers and Pies.” All rooms en-suite • Fresh local produce
Says Peter: “We hope to stay in business as long as
possible, so if you’re in Bembridge, why not come
in to see us?”
Also see page 25 for more Bembridge shops.

South Coast's GA Friendly Aviation Hub Youth and Community Centre News
Concrete and Grass Runways
Year Round Facilities Following last year’s successful bid for lottery
Home of the Schneider Trophy Air Race funding, the Bembridge Youth and Community
FBO and Pilot Facilities Centre has been extensively refurbished.
Aeroclub Café Many groups and societies – including those involved in badminton,
dance, drama, music, mums and tots, yoga and crafts – are already
EGHJ • NDB 426 • TOWER 123.25 enjoying the clean, bright and spacious surroundings for their activi-
www.eghj.com • Tel: +44(0) 1983 873331 ties thanks to the hard work and dedication of a small band of will-
ing volunteers to look after the day-to-day running of the Centre.

There are other regular users too. The Youth Club meets two evenings
a week and the Blood Donor Service holds sessions at the Centre
three times a year. Linked to the centre is an over-18s club (mem-
bership only) meeting regularly in the relaxed surroundings of the
lounge bar.

As well as accommodating regulars, the Centre is becoming increas-
ingly popular as a successful venue for social functions such as
games evenings, children’s parties, discos, wedding receptions and
public meetings. Plans to introduce a daytime community club for
local people in 2008 are in hand.

So whether you are looking for a venue to hold regular meetings
or simply require an ideal setting for a one-off event, then please
contact Sue Bridger on 01983 874426 for further information.

19

News from Bembridge Harbour

The Harbour Company continues to are negotiating for a new petrol and diesel fuel
negotiate with Natural England, the Isle of barge. There are also plans to extend the visitors’
Wight Council and other bodies working pontoon and extend the shower/toilet facility.
towards keeping the permanent berth Embankment Marina (Fisherman’s Wharf)
holders, businesses and visitors coexisting We plan to upgrade this pontoon and improve
with nature. A report on the Company’s the car park area. This will not only benefit berth
progress and proposals follows: holders, but also the customers of the floating fish
Selwyn Marina (Wades Marina) shop, Captain Stan’s.
Chris and the harbour staff have been replacing Trot moorings
the pontoons, together with new electricity and The trot moorings are in place. If you are interested
water installation. in a mooring from April 2008, contact us on 01983
Bembridge Marina 872828 regarding availability. There are 30 low-
The shower/toilet block is being upgraded and cost moorings available to local residents.
soon work will commence on the pontoons. Houseboats
Sea defences and access channel The Harbour Company is still waiting for consent
During last November, sand was removed from to modernise this area and provide a sewerage
the channel and deposited between the groynes, system connected to the public sewer.
which we had previously repaired. Bembridge Harbour Liaison Group
The Duver Marina This has been formed with representatives from
The Bembridge Galley and Chandlery have proved around the harbour. The Harbour Company’s wish
very popular with visitors and locals alike. We are is to continue running the harbour for the benefit
hoping to install a marquee over the BBQ area and of the people, the environment and nature.

Marine Safety Information (provided by the Marine and Coastguard Agency)

Full Marine Safety Information (MSI) is available on NAVTEX and by two daily broadcasts on VHF and MF. Inshore forecasts, gale warn-
ings and strong wind warnings (SWW) are repeated three hours after the initial broadcast. Forecasts are timed in UTC (GMT) and are
issued at 0000, 0600, 1200 and 1800 UTC. MSI is broadcast in local time so that the ‘clock time’ is the same throughout the year.

Broadcast times and schedule (Bembridge data in red)
Schedule A - Full Maritime Safety Information broadcast, including new Inshore Forecast, Gale Warnings, Shipping
Forecast, WZ Navigation Warnings, SUBFACTS & GUNFACTS where appropriate, three Day Fisherman’s Forecast
when and where appropriate.
Schedule B - New Inshore Forecast plus previous Outlook, Gale Warnings.
Schedule C - Repeat of Inshore Forecast and Gale Warnings as Schedule A or B plus new strong wind warnings.
Schedule D - Repeat of Inshore Forecast, Gale Warnings This (MF) routine is only made if gale warnings in force.

MRCC times and schedule 1010 C 1310 B 1610 C 1910 A 2210 C
Thames & Dover 1030 C 1330 B 1630 C 1930 A 2230 C
0110 B 0410 C 0710 A 1010 C 1310 BD 1610 C 1910 A 2210 C
Solent and Portland
0130 B 0430 C 0730 A
Brixham & Falmouth
0110 BD 0410 C 0710 A

SOLENT & PORTLAND
Aerials & Frequencies Boniface Down, - 23, The Grove - 84, Newhaven, Needles, Beer Head - 86
Inshore Forecast/WZ North Foreland to Selsey Bill, Selsey Bill to Lyme Regis, Lyme Regis to Lands End
Shipping /GWAreas Wight, Portland, Plymouth
Weather reports are displayed at the Duver Marina Office and updated regularly. Information is also available at:
Marine weather www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/marine/index.html
Safety information www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-safety_information/mcga-weather.htm
Coastal reports www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-safety_information/mcga-weather/coastal_reports.htm
Solent shipping www.ais-live.co.uk/AIS%20Live/aissolent.html
Radio Stations Radio 4 92.9FM 198kHz LW: 0048 1201 (LW only) 0535 1754 (LW only)
Radio Solent 96.1MHz 0633 0645 0833 0845 0930 1030 1130 1310 (Sat only)
Marine Call Tel: 09068 110010 (follow instructions). www.marinecall.co.uk

Note: For information only. The Bembridge and Harbour Guide can accept no responsibility for the above, which has been
taken from details provided by the appropriate agencies at the time of printing (January 2008).

20

Bembridge Beaux Arts Now an established date in the Bembridge art
lover’s diary, Bembridge Beaux Arts regularly
features the work of nearly 20 artists at its annual
three-day show in Bembridge Village Hall.
Each year, more than 500 visitors attend the three-
day show to view and buy some of the Island’s
most contemporary artwork. This fifth year is no
exception, and sees the return of regular exhibitors
such as Erik Phipps, Lisa Traxler and Holly Maslen,
as well as a number of newcomers.
Don’t miss what promises to be a vibrant and ex-
citing exhibition starting with the Private View on
Saturday 26 July and continuing with two open
days on Monday and Tuesday (28 and 29 July).
For information call Holly Maslen on 01983 872214.

21

KITESURF WINDSURF SURF
SAIL WAKEBOARD
WATERSKI

LESSONS FROM BEGINNER TO ADVANCED

THE ISLAND’S PREMIER

WATERSPORTS CENTRE AND SHOP

FROM KAYAKS TO KITEBOARDS, BIKINIS TO BOARD

WAX WE’VE GOT IT!!

BRANDS WE STOCK INCLUDE:

ANIMAL, CHIEMSEE, BANANA MOON, O’BRIEN,

O’NEIL, CABRINHA, NINE PLUS, BIC, PROTEST,

FLOW, FLEXIFOIL, NEIL PRYDE, REEF

NEW FOR 2006 - THE X-ISLE PRIVILEGE CARD

GIVING YOU DISCOUNTS ON CLOTHES,

KIT AND LESSONS

Telephone: 01983 873111

X-ISLE SPORTS, THE CENTRE, EMBANKMENT ROAD,

BEMBRIDGE, ISLE OF WIGHT PO35 5NR

www.x-is.co.uk [email protected]

For all your signage requirements
Call or visit for a free quote

Telephone
01983 875688

Embankment Road
Bembridge

Independent Estate Agents

‘Selling not just homes but a lifestyle as well’

For Sale

www.jennyturnbull.co.uk

Centrally located in Bembridge Village
Members of www.rightmove.co.uk
22

Total Fabrication MRS GILL LLOYD

Steel Work, Balustrades, [email protected]
Welding & Repairs

Quality & Reliability

Telephone: (01983) 875205
Mobile: 07831 660667

The Crab & Lobster Inn
www.crabandlobsterinn.co.uk
• Voted IOW Dining Pub of the Year 2006
• Listed in the AA Pick of the Pubs
• Good Beer Guide and CAMRA recommended

Situated by the Coastal path, at
the Eastern-most tip of the Island
with stunning sea views and easy
access to fine coastal walks, the
Crab & Lobster Inn is renowned
for the finest seafood including lobsters and crab caught locally from the
Bembridge Ledge. En-suite accommodation available. Traditional beamed
interior with original wooden floor & open fireplaces. 60 cover restaurant
available for functions. Baby changing & disabled facilities.

Forelands Field Road, Bembridge
Booking advised on 01983 872244

23

24

Richard Stickland, left, owner and master baker at
Bembridge Bakery, values the importance of the com-
munity he serves. “Our customers like to buy locally, and
buy fresh,” he explains. “We use Island stoneground flour
where we can and provide a great choice of locally-baked
bread, pastries and cakes which fly out of the door every
day … apart of course from those that we sell in our café.”

The answer to this greengrocer’s shop in Bembridge is
key to its success. The wide variety of locally-grown and
UK fruit and vegetables at The Farm Shop, now run by
Jane Garnham, (left) is evident from its colourful displays.
“People like to know what they are buying, where it’s

Shop localfrom and whether it’s fresh,” says Jane.

Chris Littlewort and her daughter Katy
(above) have owned Bembridge Flower
Shop since 2004. “Everyone loves fresh
flowers,” says Chris. “We try to buy Isle
of Wight daffodils when in season but
most of our stock comes in fresh daily
from Covent Garden or the Nether-
lands. Some of the other factors in our
popularity are presentation, efficiency
and convenience. After all we are on the
doorstep for most of our customers.”

25

Harbour Office

26

27

Bembridge and Island Diary

March August

Mothering Sunday Sun 2 Osborne House Classic Concert Fri 1 – Sat 2

Easter Weekend Fri 21 – Mon 24 Cowes Week Sat 2 – Sat 9

Newport-Ryde Road Race (7 miles) Sat 22 Butterflies of Bembridge Down (Fort car park) Fri 8

West Wight Three Hills (8 miles) Mon 24 Cowes Fireworks Display Fri 8

British Summer Time begins Sun 30 IW County Show Sat 9 – Sun 10

April Osborne House Classic Concert Sat 9

Bembridge Heritage Centre opens Wed 2 Bembridge Sailing Club Regatta Fri 15 – Sat 16

IW Grand National & Ashey Scurry Sun 6 IW Garlic Festival Sat 16 – Sun 17

IW International Jazz (Divas) Festival Fri 11 – Sun 13 IW Half Marathon Sun 17

St George’s Day Wed 23 Seaview Regatta and Sports Sun 17 – Thu 21

May Cowes Carnival Wed 20

IW Walking Festival Sat 3 – Sun 18 Island Steam Show (Havenstreet) Fri 22 – Fri 29

Real Ale Festival (Havenstreet) Sat 3 – Mon 5 Brading Haven YC Regatta Sat 23 – Sun 24

Appledurcombe Antique & Craft Show Sun 4 Cowes Illuminated Carnival Wed 20

IW Randonnee Cycle Sun 4 P1 Powerboat Race (Cowes) Sat 23 – Mon 25

Early May Bank Holiday Mon 5 IW Scooter Rally Sun 23 – Mon 25

Discover Culver Down (guided walk) Wed 7 Summer Bank Holiday Mon 25

Ribex Cowes Fri 9 – Sun 11 St Helens Sports & Carnival Mon 25

Bembridge Windmill Open Day Sat 10 – Sun 11 Sandown Illuminated Carnival Wed 27

52nd IW Marathon Sun 11 Ryde Carnival Thu 28 – Sat 30

Walk the Wight (from Bembridge) Sun 18 Wolverton Manor Garden Fair Sat 30 – Sun 31

Big Wight Mountain Bike Festival Fri 23 – Mon 26 Morris Minor Rally (Havenstreet) Sun 31

Bembridge Festival Sat 24 – Mon 26 September

Spring Bank Holiday Mon 26 Bestival Robin Hill Country Park Fri 5 – Sun 7

Bembridge Street Fair Mon 26 Model Railway Exhibition (Havenstreet) Sat 6 – Sun 7

Mottistone Manor House Open Day Mon 26 Paddle Steamer Cruises (Yarmouth) Sat 6 – Thu 25

Old Gaffers (Yarmouth) Fri 30 – Sun 1 Jun Paddle Steamer (Tues only - Ryde) Tue 9, 16 & 23

Victorian Weekend IW Steam Rail Sat 31 – Sun 1 Jun Little Britain Challenge Cup Thu 11 – Sun 14

June Southampton Boat Show Fri 12 – Sun 21

IW Music Festival (Seaclose Park) Fri 13 – Sun 15 IW Cycling Festival Sat 13 – Sun 21

Microlight Fly-in Sandown Airport Fri 13 White Air (Yaverland) Thu 18 – Sun 21

Brading 10km Road Race Sun 15 IW Folk and Blues Festival (Ventnor) Thu 18 – Sun 21

Round Britain Powerboat Race (Portsmouth) Sat 21 Wine Festival (Havenstreet) Sat 27 – Sun 28

Midsummer’s Day Tue 24 October

Round the Island Yacht Race Sat 28 Spooktacular (Appledurcombe) Mon 20 – Sat 25, Fri 31

July IW Walking Festival Fri 24 – Maon 27

Brading in the Park Sat 5 Wizard Week Havenstreet Mon 26 – Sun 2 Nov

Osborne House Classic Concert Sat 5 Ghost Walks Havenstreet Fri 31 – Sat 1 Nov

1940s Weekend IW Steam Railway Sat 5 – Sun 6 Bembridge Heritage Centre closes Fri 31

Brading Day Summer Show Sun 6 November
Sandown Fireworks and Lantern Parade Wed 5
Osborne House Classic Concert Fri 11– Sat 12
Victorian Christmas Osborne Hse Sat 22 – Sun 2 Jan
Book, Postcard & Ephemera Fair Bembridge Sun 13

Osborne House BSO Proms Sat 19 December

Island Motor Show (Havenstreet) Sat 19 – Sun 20 Santa Steam Specials Havenstreet Sat 6– Wed 24

IW Steam Railway (Thomas Weekend) Fri 25 – Tue 29 BBA Christmas Lights of Love, Bembridge Fayre &
Carnival tba
Beaux Arts Bembridge Village Hall Sat 26 – Tue 29
Mince Pie Specials Havenstreet Fri 26 – Sat 27
Sandown Carnival Tue 29 – Wed 30

Mottistone Manor Jazz Festival Sat 26

Based on information supplied. Neither the BBA nor this Guide is responsible for the accuracy of information, which may
be subject to change or cancellation. For latest information and details of short-notice events, visit the Bembridge com-
munity web site www.bembridge.com, or tell us about an upcoming event at www.bembridge.org, the BBA web site.

28

Local Visions from Charlotte Hodge Thomas

Our eastern corner of the Isle of Wight has Describing herself as a ‘colourist’, Charlotte has
inspired many a visitor to pick up a paint- since become known for her vibrant depiction of
brush, pastels or camera and it fires the the Bembridge coastline in acrylic on canvas. Her
imagination of local artists too. In fact, one paintings marry sweeping backgrounds of intense
local artist says that her dormant career as colour with areas of finely observed detail. This ap-
a painter has been reawakened over the last proach is particularly apparent in a series of paint-
few years by the beauty of Bembridge. ings of the ‘Fort Walk’ in which Charlotte captures
Charlotte Hodge Thomas was born and brought in vivid colour the spectacle of the mass trek out
up in Bembridge, only moving to the mainland in to St Helens Fort, which takes place at one of the
1988 to take a degree in art. During the 1990s lowest tides of the year each August.
Charlotte enjoyed an extremely successful career Charlotte still has limited edition prints of her ‘Fort
as a textile artist, which saw her work exhibited at Walk’ painting available and is working on a new
prestigious venues such as the V&A Museum and series of originals for 2008. She plans to exhibit
the Barbican in London. Charlotte never stopped these as well as Harbour and Buoy paintings at the
painting, although it was very much as a supportive award-winning St Helens Restaurant in May. She
discipline alongside her textiles. will also be staging her fifth Open Studio exhibition
It wasn’t un- from her home later in the summer. To keep an
til she mov- eye on these and other forthcoming events go to
ed back to Charlotte’s website at www.charlottehodgethomas.
Bembridge co.uk. Charlotte is also happy to discuss bespoke
with her commissions, however large or small – call her on
young family in 875727.
2002 that the
textiles took a
back seat and
Charlotte’s la-
tent talent as a
painter came
to the fore.
Inspired by the beauty of her home village and
surrounding beaches, Charlotte picked up a brush
and a flurry of artistic activity followed.
A high profile commission in 2005 gave Charlotte
the opportunity to showcase her talent and tackle
a diverse range of subject matter:
Charlotte created 16 bespoke canvases for Fulton’s
restaurant in Sherbourne Street (now China
China), depicting people dining, table settings,
seascapes and seafood.

29

where a warm welcome always awaits you

• Overlooking St Helens Green
• Excellent home cooked dishes
• Great selection of real ales, beers, wines and spirits
• Traditional Sunday roasts
• Regular Live Music
• Stone-baked Pizzas to eat in or takeaway - telephone

orders welcome

Telephone: (01983) 872337

H ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS TEL: 01983 874699 APPROVED
H INSPECTION & TEST MOB: 07973 898592 CONTRACTOR
H FAULT DIAGNOSIS
H PERIODIC INSPECTION REPORTS
H P.A.T. TESTING
H Access Control Systems

Opening Hours

(Winter)
8am to 7pm
(Summer)
8am to 9.30pm

30

The Beaches of Bembridge and St Helens

Many local beaches are ideal for bathing, Facilities: Public toilets adjacent to public car park (ac-
except the channel into the Harbour where cessible). Lifeboat View Cafe – lunches snacks, cold
currents can be very strong. drinks, ice cream, beach play equipment. Lifeboat Station
The Point (Harbour and channel): West-facing, shel- and Shop open to visitors. Map Ref: F2.
tered from easterly winds, sandy/muddy beach between Forelands: East/South-east facing is a more exposed
high and low water, sand dunes useable at high water. beach with wide areas of sandy beach and rocky ledges.
Facilities: Public toilets (not accessible to wheelchair us- Stones above high water mark. Facilities: Beach cafe
ers) in Station Road. Tollgate Cafe – light meals, etc. Pri- – hot and cold snack meals, ice cream etc. No public car
vate car park. Map Ref: C1. park. Map Ref: F3.
Silversands Beach (Beach Road, The Point): North Whitecliff Bay: South-east facing but sheltered from
facing is sheltered from prevailing south-westerly winds, Culver Down. A sandy bay with public access through
long shallow shelving sandy beach between high and Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park. Facilities: Beach cafe. No
low water marks. Stony beach above high water mark. public car park. Map Ref: D4.
Facilities: Public toilets. Private car park. Map Ref: C1. Duver (St Helens): East-facing beach with seawall
Ducie: North facing, gently shelving sandy beach to rocks promenade and sandy/stony gently shelves to the harbour
on low water mark, stones above high water mark, ideal channel. Further north, a small sandy sheltered cove (Pri-
for swimming. Facilities: None. Accessed through Ducie ory Bay) shelving to rocky ledges. The Duver’s vegetated
Avenue. Map Ref: D1. sand dunes are useable at high tide and sheltered from
Swains: North/NE-facing beach with stones above the the east. Facilities: Public toilets (accessible). Licensed
high water mark, a narrow sandy belt and rocky pools Baywatch beach café serves hot and cold meals. Two car
and ledges on the low-water mark. Facilities: None. Ac- parks, on the Duver, and on sea front. Map Ref: B1.
cessed through Swains Road. Not accessible to wheel-
chair users. Map Ref: F1. Dogs on the beach: The beaches of Bembridge and St
Lane End (lifeboat beach): North-easterly facing with Helens are currently free of the summer restrictions (1 May
sea wall promenade, short sandy belt above the rocky to 30 Sept) on dogs, which apply to the Island’s main resort
pools and ledges to low water mark. beaches. Full details of the Isle of Wight Council Byelaws are
available at Council offices.

www.creasey-biles-king.co.uk

01983 872335

7 AFFILIATED MAINLAND OFFICES

Sea Views, Coastal, Moorings, Marinas

“THIS IS THE MARKETPLACE FOR
WATERSIDE HOMES”

31

S. S. J. COLNTTDRACTORS

For Building Works

Unit 3, Marine Works, Tel/Fax: (01983) 875050
Embankment Road, www.ssjcontractors.co.uk

Bembridge,
Isle of Wight. PO35 5NR

A warm welcome awaits you at Holiday Caravans
For Sale
LANE END NEWS
Telephone: (01983) 872681 • new & second-hand units
• adjacent to private sandy beach
Newspapers Magazines • full facilities including indoor & outdoor

Confectionery Cigarettes pools, licensed clubs, restaurant, shopping
centre, etc.
Greeting Cards Stamps

Stationery Toys

Haberdashery Wool

Pay Zone Groceries

Milk & Bread Pet Food

Newspaper deliveries undertaken
Watch out for our “Shop Locally” offers

Over 250 new Hardware Lines

www.spinnakerchandlery.co.uk Visit us at
Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park

Tel: 01983 872 671
www.whitecliff-bay.com

Lawnmowers • Tractors • Chainsaws • Brushcutters

For All Your Garden Machinery Needs - Just Call Us First

Main Agents for Westwood • Mountfield • Ibea • Wolf • Danarm • Harry • Atco • Qualcast • Allen
Spare Parts fo all major manufacturers including TECUMESH • BRIGGS & STRATTON • FLYMO • HONDA • COUNTAX • ECHO

01983 872927 ~ Open 8am to 6pm 6 days a week

32

Bembridge bus arrives - on time

The long wait for a new community bus Since the 1970s, the Bembridge Friendship Circle
for Bembridge is over thanks to the has provided transport to help improve the quality
support and help of local people, their of life for local elderly and disabled people, by ena-
families and friends. bling organisations to arrange outings and visits.
“Circumstances have changed over the years
Bembridge people came together at the end of and we wanted a replacement that would serve
November to vote in their thousands for funds to the needs of all Bembridge residents in the 21st
replace a 25-year-old vehicle which had reached century”, explained Alan Morris, minibus secretary
the end of its working life. of the Friendship Circle.
“The new bus will be for all of the community,
from elderly people to sports clubs, from schools
to scouts and from drama groups to art societies
Bembridge is very much a self-sufficient commu-
nity, and the addition of this vital resource will help
to improve the quality of life for everyone.”

The clapped-out old banger about to go off on its We won! A big cheer goes up for Bembridge.
final journey …

The successful £70,000 bid by Bembridge Friend-
ship Circle for a share of the People’s Millions, a
joint project funded by the Big Lottery Fund and
ITV, was one of eight in the South East short-listed
for the 2007 competition.
It’s the second year running that Bembridge has
won through to the final of the competition . . . in
2006, the Steyne Park Regeneration Project was
successful in raising funds for the new playpark.
The competition involved people responding to a
voteline published for just one day, and was won
by the sheer volume of callers responding to no-
tices, banners and leaflets.

B.W. OXFORD Vivien Interiors

Building Contractor Quality Curtains, Blinds,
Tel: 01983 873883/07738 022896 Upholstery, Soft Furnishings

& Embroidery
No job too small
Telephone: 07817 071426

Email: [email protected]

33

SHEARWATER Outboard Sales & Repairs
New Boat Sales
Storage

Embankment Road
Bembridge PO35 5NS

Tel: 01983 872817
Fax: 01983 875047

[email protected]
shearwaterribs.com

bembridgeoutboards.co.uk

34

WEAVER BROS LTD

est. 1829
Building Contractors • Decorators

Funeral Directors

Lane End Road
Bembridge

Isle of Wight PO35 5UE

Telephone: (01983 872598
Fax: (01983) 872981

E-Mail: [email protected]

The Pilot Boat Inn

Enjoy a relaxing drink and meal in the comfort of the friendly atmosphere
of the Pilot Boat Inn.

• Finest beers, real ales, spirits • Functions & parties catered for
and wines • Quiz Night every Wednesday
• Freshly cooked food using • Live Music every Friday
Island produce

For further information call Nick & Michelle or any of the Crew
on 01983 872077 or visit www.pilotboatinn.com

35

Hovering over the harbour …

celebrating a very British invention from Bembridge

Since the 1950s, Bembridge and St Helens have played important roles in
the development of what was a totally new means of transportation. The
hovercraft quickly caught the imagination of the world and now, more than
40 years later, remains an exciting way to travel, offering a wide range of
military, civil and commercial applications.

Not only did the Bembridge area feature According to Hoverwork’s Engineering Director
prominently in the history of hovercraft Bob Barton, the company has now accumulated
development, but the Harbour is still playing its more experience in different types of amphibious
part today as home to Hoverwork, a hovercraft craft operation than any other commercial
manufacturing company and maintenance facility organisation in the world.
owned by Hovertravel Ltd. “We currently employ about 45 people to design,
Since the mid-1960s, Hovertravel has carried more develop and produce new hovercraft, as well as
than 22 million passengers across the Solent, and maintaining the Ryde to Southsea route,” said Bob.
last year alone, its craft have made around 20,000 “We also supply spares to hovercraft operators
trips and carried more than 780,000 passengers. around the world.”
A new larger vessel, Solent Express, built by “Bembridge Harbour has been Hoverwork
Hoverwork in Bembridge Harbour, entered Engineering Service’s home for over 30 years and
service last year following a naming ceremony we have good neighbours here. We have every
attended by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. intention of continuing to improve the facilities and
Hovertravel chief executive Richard Box notes provide valuable employment for Island people.”
that there are very few locations around the Island Following the suc-
where a marine build facility has access to shallow, cessful launch of
sheltered waters via a slipway. “Woodnutt’s Yard Solent Express, the
in Bembridge Harbour had for many years been company is cur-
used to manufacture ‘Cushion Craft’ hovercraft. rently building a
Westland Aircraft Company purchased both the large AP1-88/400
yard and Cushion Craft from aircraft manufacturer hovercraft for the
Britten Norman, and after a few years, sold it on Canadian Coast-
to Hoverwork in the late 1960s.” guard, planned for
Unlike most other hovercraft operators, Hover- delivery towards
travel was not a subsidiary of a bigger company but the end of this
was created by local people on 14 June 1965. year.

36

So why do customers choose hovercraft in the first is significantly larger than the other two 95-seat
place? Richard Box says that they can go places craft currently in use, and its cabin has a much
and do things that would be impossible for other more open feel with wider aisles and more
means of transport. space. Its increased size and power provides
“Hovercraft are amphibious and can cross shallow greater passenger comfort and reliability in bad
water and land on most reasonably flat surfaces. weather.
There is a very good example of this at Ryde, Solent Express can travel up to 45 knots thanks
where they can cross the Sands and land right to its variable pitch propellers and water-
on the seafront, next to the road system and car cooled turbo-diesel lift and propulsion engines,
park. which are quieter and have lower emissions
“Similarly at Southsea, hovercraft can land directly than previous designs.
on the beach for road access, without the need to
enter Portsmouth Harbour.” A worldwide company
Said Richard: “Although there are still a few large
commercial hovercraft in the world, they are in- Over the years, Hoverwork has operated in
creasingly being used for coastal patrol and search most areas of the world from Spitzbergen in
and rescue. While there is a good and ongoing fu- the Arctic Circle to Easter Island in the Pacific
ture for hovercraft, for the time being at least, I Ocean and from Venezuela to the Far East.
doubt if we will see the return of very large high Situations have ranged from Hovercraft opera-
speed craft such as the now retired cross-Channel tions over ice to desert locations.
SRN4.” Hoverwork’s first-ever contract in 1966 was to
provide hovercraft and crew for the Matt Helm
Solent Express film Murderers Row starring Dean Martin. Since
then, contracts have included many worldwide
Solent Express, Hovertravel’s 130-seat BHT 130 passenger transport and tourism-related ex-
Hovercraft, entered passenger service between cursions, seismic surveying contracts for the oil
Ryde and Southsea on 14 June 2007 following and gas industry, exploration, surveys, search
an extensive eight-week trial at Ryde. The and rescue, patrol and security … even a hos-
new 70-tonne craft shares the busy schedule pital service.
with the two long-established AP1-88/100S As favoured subcontractor to GKN Westland
hovercraft, Freedom 90 and Island Express. Aerospace, Hoverwork has manufactured six
The first hovercraft to be designed and built AP1-88 hovercraft as well as carrying out nu-
entirely by Hoverwork Ltd, Solent Express’s merous repair and refurbishment contracts on
passengers benefit from many improvements many different types of hovercraft and boats.
in the new design, not least the much more
spacious interior. With 130 seats, Solent Express

Right: An API-88/400
hovercraft currently under

construction for the
Canadian Coastguard. The
craft is planned for delivery

at the end of 2008.
Left: Hovercraft Engineering

Director Bob Barton on
the deck of the new craft
“…valuable employment for

local people.”

37

A brief history of the hovercraft under the vehicle. In October 1961 he sold his
skirt patents to Westland Aircraft.
Sam Saunders was always an innovator, and On 1 March 1966, Westland and Vickers
when in 1901 he moved his 25-year-old family hovercraft activities were merged to form
boatbuilding business from the River Thames to the British Hovercraft Corporation (BHC). In
the Isle of Wight, he was quick to create an air- October 1970, Westland Aircraft bought out
craft department and became involved in early both of the other partners and BHC became a
British aviation, especially sea planes and flying wholly-owned part of the Westland group.
boats. In 1971, BHC acquired Cushioncraft Ltd (at
A V Roe took a financial interest in the company Woodnutt’s Yard on St Helen’s Duver) from
in 1929, which then became Saunders-Roe. Un- Britten-Norman Ltd (from Bembridge).
til the mid-1950s, the company was involved in As well as developing and manufacturing hov-
designing and building high-speed launches, jet ercraft, BHC became increasingly involved with
aircraft and one of the largest flying boats ever supplying the worldwide Aerospace industry
seen, the Saunders Roe Princess. with composite components.
In 1958, the National Research and Development The AP1-88 hovercraft, which entered service in
Corporation (NRDC) awarded Saunders-Roe a July 1983, was the result of a joint Hovertravel/
contract to build the first full sized hovercraft and BHC/NRDC contract signed in 1981. Designed
on 11 June 1959, the SRN1 was launched. Just by BHC, the aluminum hull was produced by
five weeks later, it became the first hovercraft to Fairey Allday at Gosport and was fitted out
cross the English Channel from Calais to Dover. at Hoverwork’s St Helens Duver works in
A month later, under pressure from Government, Bembridge Harbour. The craft was to become
Westland Aircraft Ltd took over the Saunders- the mainstay of the Ryde to Southsea route.
Roe hovercraft interests. In 1984, BHC was absorbed into the newly-
Although Sir Christopher Cockerell was univer- formed Westland Aerospace.
sally credited as the inventor of the hovercraft,
it was Cecil Hugh Latimer-Needham who had
the idea of using a skirt to keep the air cushion

Did you know…?
• Hovertravel launched two cross-Solent services, • From 1976, Hovertravel operated the Cowes
Ryde to Southsea and Ryde to Stokes Bay in 1965 to Southampton hovercraft service until it was
using SR-N6 craft. The Ryde to Stokes Bay service discontinued at the end of 1980.
closed in 1966.
• In 1999, Hovertravel took Freedom 90 to Scotland to
• Two SR-N6 craft were operated by Hoverwork at run a service between St Andrews and Carnoustie
Expo 67 across the St Lawrence River, Canada car- for the 128th Open Golf Championship.
rying more than 110,000 passengers of whom many
were piloted by Capt Barry Goldsmith of Binstead. • The launch of Solent Express was 48 years to the
day after the launch of the SRN1 hovercraft from
• Following the exhibition, one craft, piloted by Capt East Cowes.
A Smith of Ventnor, was chartered by the Canadian
Federal Department of Transport for trials at Fort • In July 2007, Solent Express was chartered to
Churchill, Manitoba over snow, ice and tundra at Stagecoach for a two-week trial on a new passenger
temperatures down to minus 40°C. service between Kirkcaldy and Portobello across
the Firth of Forth in Scotland.
• In 1969, Red Funnel used a Hovertravel HM-2
Hovercraft on its Cowes/Southampton route.

SR-N6 Hovercraft plied
the Solent from 1965
38

OSTEOPATH
Andrew Long BSc (Hons)

Osteopathy is an established, recognised medical discipline
which uses its unique skills in diagnosis & treatment for
problems which may have occurred by injury or mechanical
stress.

In addition to back pain, treatments for other conditions
include
• Arthritic/ageing conditions • Upper/Lower limb pain
• Sciatica • Ligament strains
• Sports injuries • Headaches
• Frozen shoulders • Digestive disorders
• Whiplash

Osteopathy can also help with conditions not obviously
associated with the discipline such as asthma, sinusitis, etc.

Whether you are young or old, fit or unfit, oestopathy can help you. If you
are not sure whether treatment would be beneficial for you or your child,
please telephone us at the practice to discuss whether a consultation would
be appropriate.

Telephone: (01983) 872659 • Mobile: 07884 212193

E-mail: [email protected] • www.findanosteopath.co.uk/andrewlong

A M Faithfull & Sons Ltd

Building Contractors

Building with Quality and Care B&B SPICE COTTAGE Tel: (01983) 873262
150 Howgate Rd Bembridge PO35 5TQ
New Builds • Extensions www.tvandweb.co.uk/spicecottage/
Conversions

Tel: 875340 Luxury SC Apartment with Own Entrance
Fax: 875892
TV-Non Smoking-On Coastal Path-200m to Beach
39

The Bembridge Heritage Society

The Bembridge Heritage Society was formed in 1996 to record and present the rich
history and heritage of Bembridge and its surrounding areas.

Our many displays look back over the past years of Village life and include pictures of
both characters and places – many photographs not seen in public before. Our feature
exhibitions include cabinets of items recovered from the now closed Newsagents dating
back to the 1950s and scale models of Bembridge Railway Station & Harbour in 1850
– Wartime militaria including a retired PLUTO pump – Video footage of Bembridge in
1950s & 1960s and much much more.
Come and see our Centre and help keep our Heritage for future generations.

Robin Maconchy (Chairman)
Open 2 April – 31 October, Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 10am to 4pm

Saturdays 10 am to 12 noon
Admission: Adults £1, Children under 16 FREE

PROPERTY SOLUTIONS

All aspects of property improvement, maintenance & repair
Domestic electrics

Portable Appliance (PAT) Testing
Domestic plumbing

Kitchen & Bathroom fitting
Interior & Exterior painting & decorating

Wall & Floor tiling
Laminate flooring

Carpentry
Telephone Kevin Grist on 07849 521894

E-mail: [email protected]

40

Specialising in Residential Sales in Bembridge, St Helens and Seaview areas

• Friendly, experienced and motivated staff
• Excellent local knowledge
• Large register of properties for sale
• Free, no obligation valuations
• Accompanied viewings
• Open all day, 6 days a week
• Residential & Holiday lettings

Sherbourne House, Sherbourne Street, Bembridge. PO35 5RZ
Telephone: (01983) 875000 Facsimile: (01983) 875111
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.hose-rhodes-dickson.co.uk

Also offices in Newport, Ryde, Shanklin & Ventnor

41

Wig0h1t98H3oli8d7ay44H3o0mes
Looking for a holiday home?
Looking for a tenant?
Need help with property management?

[email protected]
www.wightholidayhomes.com

Property maintenance for Residential,
Commercial & Holiday homes
Telephone Jonathan:

874184 / 07866 025206

TAILORED SYSTEMS

Complete Multimedia Systems • Repairs • Upgrades
Accessories • Consumables
Lane End Road

Bembridge PO35 5UE
Tel: 01983 875222/539666

Fax: 01983 875168
[email protected]

42

Would you like your home, new home or holiday
home decorated and improved?

Call now for a FREE No Obligation quote

• Established local business • Domestic & Commercial

• Highly recommended • Fully Insured

• Islandwide
Roy Williams• Interior & Exterior

Telr:w(0d1e9c8o3r.)[email protected]

“The smart way to dress”

1 Foreland Road, Bembridge,
Isle of Wight PO35 5XN
Telephone: 01983 873666

Old Mill Holiday Park
     ETC
Beautiful position overlooking the
harbour. Small, quiet and relaxed family
park. Choice of quality centrally heated
accommodation. Pine cabins, caravans &
apartments.

Open all year -please call in

Mill Road, St Helens, Nr Ryde PO33 1UE
Tel: 01983 872507 • www.oldmill.co.uk

43

Bembridge Business Association Local Services Directory

Accommodation Wight Holiday Homes Kevin Grist Property Solutions
Bembridge Coast Hotel Woodnutts The Duver PO33 1YB The Ruskins PO35 5NY Tel: 07849 521894
Tel: 01983 874430 Fax: 875912 [email protected]
Fisherman’s Walk PO35 5TH [email protected]
Tel: 01983 873931 Fax: 874693 www.wightholidayhomes.com RW Décor
[email protected] Xoron Floatel 29 Lincoln Way PO35 5RR
www.warnersholidays.co.uk Embankment Road PO35 5NS Tel: 01983 874818 Mob: 07725 654593
Bembridge Holiday Homes [email protected]
13 High Street PO35 5SD Tel: 01983 874596
Tel: 01983 873163 Fax: 872279 www.xoronfloatel.co.uk SJ Haines
[email protected] Beach House Beach House Lane PO35 5TA
www.bembridge-holiday-homes.co.uk Aircraft Industry Tel: 01983 874244 Fax: 874757
Breakfast at Tiffanys B-N Group Limited [email protected]
40 Foreland Road PO35 5XW SSJ Contractors
Tel: 01983 874665 The Airport Sandown Road PO35 5PR Marine Works Embankment Road PO35 5RR
www.tiffanysbandb.com Tel: 0870 881 5060 Fax: 0870 881 5061 Tel/Fax: 01983 875050
Flying Carpet Holidays (Turkey) [email protected] [email protected]
Lantern Court Ducie Avenue PO35 5RT www.britten-norman.com www.ssjcontractors.co.uk
Tel: 01983 872285 Fax: 875725 TJS Developments
[email protected] Antiques, Arts & Crafts
www.turkey-self-catering.com
Harbour Farm Holiday Bembridge Gallery Orchard Cott Lane End Close PO35 5UF
Accommodation 71 High Street PO35 5SF Tel/Fax: 01983 873264 Mob: 07761 189096
Embankment Road PO35 5NS Tel: 01983 875115 Fax: 874432 [email protected]
Tel: 01983 872610 Fax: 874080 [email protected] www.tjsdevelopments.co.uk
[email protected] www.bembridgegallery.com
www.harbourfarm.co.uk Total Fabrication
Hideaway Holidays Cobwebs Antiques & Collectables Redruth Manna Road PO35 5UX
Lantern Court Ducie Ave PO35 5RT Foreland Road PO35 5XN Tel: 01983 875205 Mob: 07831 660667
Tel: 01983 872285 Tel: 01983 874487
[email protected] Weaver Brothers Ltd
www.hideaway-holidays.co.uk Longridge Mountcutters Weavers Yard Lane End Court
Keyview Properties Shetlands House Lane End Road PO35 5UE
Landguard Manor Landguard Manor Road Northclose Road PO35 5XP Tel: 01983 872598 Fax: 872981
Shanklin PO37 7JB Tel: 01983 874121 Fax: 873880 [email protected]
Tel: 01983 868844 [email protected]
[email protected] www.longridge.co.uk Cafés, Restaurants & Takeaways
www.keyviewproperties.co.uk Through The Door - Homes Baywatch on the Beach
Little House on the Green and Gardens
Tel: 01983 875878 The Duver PO33 1XY
[email protected] Tel: 01983 873259 Mob: 07970 897547
www.littlehouseonthegreen.co.uk 37 High Street PO35 5SD
Old Mill Holiday Park Tel: 01983 875560 Bembridge Bakery Café
Mill Road PO33 1UE Mob: 07970 965503
[email protected] [email protected] 33 High Street PO35 5SD
www.oldmill.co.uk www.throughthedoor.co.uk Tel: 01983 872644
Sandhills Holiday Park China China Restaurant & Bar
Sandhills Holiday Park Booksellers Sherbourne Street PO35 5RZ
Whitecliff Bay PO35 5QB Tel: 01983 875559 Fax: 875958
Tel: 01983 872277 Fax: 872278 Mother Goose Bookshop
[email protected] Lower Green Road PO33 1TP Cabin Café
www.sandhillsholidaypark.com Tel: 01983 873897 The Beach Forelands Field Road PO35 5TR
Sheepstor Cottage [email protected] Tel: 01983 875120 Mob: 07714 751711
West Green PO33 1XA www.mothergoose4books.co.uk Regal Fish & Chip Shop
Tel: 01983 872278 11 Foreland Road PO35 5XN
Spice Cottage Building Services
150 Howgate Road PO35 1TQ
Tel: 01983 873262 A Caporaso Builders Tel/Fax: 01983 873334
www.tvandweb.co.uk/spicecottage
Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park 115 High Street PO35 5SF St Helens Restaurant
Hillway PO35 5PL Tel: 01983 874354
Tel: 01983 872671 Fax: 872941 Lower Green Road PO33 1TS
[email protected] AM Faithfull and Sons Ltd Tel/Fax: 01983 872303
www.whitecliff-bay.com 132 Howgate Road PO35 5QZ [email protected]
Tel: 01983 875340 Fax: 875892 www.sthelensrestaurant.com
[email protected] The Lifeboat View
Lane End Road PO35 5TB
Basewell Engineering Ltd Tel: 01983 875568
132 Howgate Road PO35 5QZ
Tel: 07974 430414 Fax: o1983 875546 Tollgate Café
[email protected] Embankment Road PO35 5NR

BW Oxford, Builder Tel: 01983 872742

41 Steyne Road PO35 5TA Chartered Architects
Tel: 01983 873883 Mob: 07738 022896 RM Associates
JM Death Decorator &
Refurbishers 44 High Street PO35 5SF
Weavers Yard Lane End Court Tel: 01983 873100 Fax: 873743
Lane End Road PO35 5UE [email protected]
Tel: 01983 874184 Mob: 07866 025206 www.rmassociates.org.uk

44

Bembridge Business Association Local Services Directory

Chartered Surveyors Electronics, Radio & TV Sales Island Mustards
David Frank Associates & Repairs Unit 8 Weavers Yard Lane End Road PO35 5US
Tel/Fax: 01983 875949
71 High Street PO35 5SF D&H Electronics [email protected]
Tel/Fax: 01983 874432 Mob: 07768 994954 Weavers Yard Lane End Crt PO35 5US www.island-mustards.co.uk
[email protected] Tel: 01983 874577 Fax: 872726 The Best Dressed Crab in Town
[email protected] Ivar Cottage Hillway PO35 5PJ
Clothing Excell of Bembridge Tel: 01983 874758
Changing Room Dress Agency The Workshop Manna Road PO35 5UX The Galley
Tel: 01983 872578
1 Foreland Road PO35 5XN [email protected] Unit 1 The Duver Marina PO33 1YB
Tel: 01983 873666 Tel: 01983 872828 Mob: 07834 815210
[email protected] Mission Electrical
Freebird (houseboat) Embankment Road WW Woodford & Sons (Butchers)
Community Organisations PO35 5NS 26 High Street PO35 5SE
Bembridge Village Hall Tel/Fax: 01983 874699 Mob: 07973 898592 Tel: 01983 872717

Village Hall High Street PO35 5SW Estate Agents Footwear
Tel/Fax: 01983 873087
[email protected] Jenny Turnbull Estate Agents Shoestyles Ltd
Bembridge Youth & Community 3 Foreland Road PO35 5XN 1 Lane End Court Lane End Road PO35 5UE
Centre Tel: 01983 874777 Fax: 874793 Tel: 01983 872137 Fax: 873435
Steyne Park Steyne Road PO35 5UL www.jennyturnbull.co.uk [email protected]
Tel: 01983 873795
www.bembridge.com Creasey Biles & King Funeral Directors
Woodnutts The Duver PO33 1YB 13 High Street PO35 5SD Weaver Brothers Ltd
Tel: 01983 874430 Fax: 875912 Tel: 01983 872335 Fax: 872279
[email protected] [email protected] Weavers Yard Lane End Court
www.bembridge.com www.creasey-biles-king.co.uk Lane End Road PO35 5UE
Tel: 01983 872598 Fax: 872981
Complementary Therapy Hose Rhodes Dickson [email protected]
Susan Cheek - Alexander Sherbourne House Sherbourne St PO35 5RZ
Technique Tel: 01983 875000 Fax: 875111 Hair & Beauty
[email protected]
Pine Tree House Love Lane PO35 5NH www.hose-rhodes-dickson.co.uk Bembridge Beauty Base
Tel: 01983 875327 Fax: 872067 Pittis and Sons Pearshouse 76 Steyne Road PO35 5SL
[email protected] 15 High Street PO35 5SD Tel: 01983 872178
Tel: 01983 875757 Fax: 875682
Computer, Office Services & [email protected] J’s Beauty Therapy
Supplies Mob: 07717 170214
Tailored Systems Financial Services [email protected]

1 Lane End Court Lane End Road PO35 5UE Tricia’s Hair Salon and
Tel: 01983 875222 Fax: 875168 Bembridge PO & Card Gallery Beverley’s & Sam’s Hairdressing
[email protected] 54 Foreland Road PO35 5UA 27 High Street PO35 5SD
Tel: 01983 874565
Couriers, Transport, Taxis & Tel: 01983 872884
Removers
Bembridge and Harbour Taxis Forelands Financial Consultancy Harbour & Marine Services
14 Paddock Drive PO35 5TL AA Coombes
67 Howgate Road PO35 5QU Tel: 01983 873290
Tel: 01983 874132 [email protected] Embankment Road PO35 5NR
[email protected] www.forelandsfinancial.co.uk Tel: 01983 872296
Copy Courier Services Lloyds TSB [email protected]
7 Downsview Road PO33 1YE 2 High Street PO35 5SD
Tel: 07973 551357 Tel: 0845 072 3333 Bembridge Outboards
[email protected] www.lloydstsb.com Embankment Road PO35 5NS
Lacey’s (IOW) Ltd Tel: 01983 872817 Fax: 875047
42 High Street PO35 5SF Florists [email protected]
Tel: 01983 872663 Fax: 872575 Bembridge Flower Shop www.bembridgeoutboards.co.uk
[email protected]
www.laceysremovals.co.uk 6 High Street PO35 5SD Bembridge Harbour
Village Taxis Tel: 01983 875500 Improvements Company
Westmead Mitten Road PO35 5UP Harbour Office The Duver PO33 1YB
Tel: 01983 874470 Fax: 873878 Food Suppliers & Retailers Tel: 01983 872828 Fax: 872922
[email protected] Bembridge Welcome (Co-op) [email protected]
www.bembridgeharbour.co.uk
Education 4 Lane End Court Lane End Road PO35 5UE
Windmill Pre-school Ltd Tel: 01983 872627 Bjorn Johansson Design
Food for Thought Delicatessen Unit 2c Weavers Yard
The Mobile Steyne Road PO35 5UH 4 High Street PO35 5SD Lane End Road PO35 5US
Tel: 01983 873575 Tel: 01983 873555 Tel: 01983 875551 Fax: 875553
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
www.b-j-d.com

Island Inboards Ltd
27 Foreland Road PO35 5XN
Tel/Fax: 01983 875961
[email protected]

45

Bembridge Business Association Local Services Directory

Spinnaker Yacht Chandlery Laundrette (Whitecliff Bay) Photographic Services
Embankment Road PO35 5NR Hillway PO35 5PL
Tel/Fax: 01983 874324 Tel: 01983 872671 Island Photo Restoration
[email protected] 18 Downs View Road PO35 5QT
www.spinnakerchandlery.co.uk Legal Services Tel: 01983 875458 Mob: 07813 458421
Careless and Kemp Solicitors [email protected]
Healthcare www.islandphotorestoration.co.uk
Andrew Long (Osteopath) Incorporating Christina A Pay Solicitor Patsy Loake (Photographer)
The Old Manse 4 Egerton Rd PO35 5RF 49 Foreland Road PO35 5XN
Stanwell Cottage Hillway PO35 5PS Tel: 01983 873188 Fax: 400440 Tel: 01983874204
Tel: 01983 872659 Mob: 07884 212193 [email protected] [email protected]
J Dencer Brown (Opticians) The Bembridge Law Practice
5 High Street PO35 5SD Grove Mews Sherbourne St PO35 5SB Plumbing
Tel: 01983 873308
Tel: 01983 875859 Fax: 811240 Add a Rad
The Elms Nursing Home [email protected]
Swains Road PO35 5XS www.terencewilley.co.uk Staddlestones Heathfield Close PO35 5UG
Tel: 01983 872850
Tel: 01983 872248 Fax: 01983 875206 Leisure
[email protected] Dexter Domestic Services
www.sciohealthcare.co.uk Tillyards 138 Lane End Road PO35 5TW
Bembridge Sailing Club Tel: 01983 874262
Embankment Road PO35 5NR
Home and Garden Services Tel: 01983 872237 Fax: 874950
Bembridge Garden Machinery [email protected] Print, Media and Marketing
www.bembridgesailingclub.org David Cheek & Associates
Unit 1&2 Wallsend Farm High St PO35 5SF Bouncy World
Tel: 01983 872927 Fax: 874626 Tel: 01983 872229 Mob: 07811 320429 Pine Tree House Love Lane PO35 5NH
[email protected] Brading Haven Yacht Club Tel/Fax: 01983 872067 Mob: 07715 422546
www.bembridgegardenmachinery.mowerpro.co.uk Embankment Rd PO33 1XQ [email protected]
Tel: 01983 872289
Jetwash Express [email protected] Desktop Studio Ltd
Neptune The Ruskins Kings Road PO35 5NY www.bhyc.org.uk 6B Weavers Yard Lane End Road PO35 5US
Tel: 01983 875656 Gotten Manor Shoot Tel: 01983 874874 Fax: 873783
[email protected] Touchstone Heathfield Road PO35 5UW [email protected]
Tel: 01983 873444
Precious Times [email protected] Jacquie Martin (Copywriter)
Tel: 01983 875967 www.gottenmanorshoot.co.uk 2 Driftwood Fishermans Walk PO35 5TD
[email protected] Sally’s Riding Tel/Fax: 01983 873008
Bantry House Ducie Avenue PO35 5NE
Second to None Tel: 01983 872260 Mob: 07974 861674 Off Wight Words & Design
Holiday Home Caretaking PO Box 146 St Helens PO33 9BD
Tel: 01983 872229 Mob: 07811 329429 Motor Sales & Garage Services Tel: 01983 873687
Bembridge Car Centre [email protected]
Toucan Services
26 Grange Gardens PO35 5SR The Cranio Group
Tel: 01983 875741 3 The Lanterns Sherbourne Street PO35 5RU
[email protected] Tel: 01983 874204
[email protected]
Human Resources Kings Road PO35 5NT www.craniogroup.com

IPC Consultants Tel: 01983 873850 The Mobile Sign Service
St Denis 58 High Street PO35 5SF
Tel/Fax: 01983 872167 Staddlestones Peugeot 29 Downsview Road PO35 5QT
[email protected] Tel: 01983 880065
Church Road PO35 5ND [email protected]
Interior Designers Tel: 01983 872121 Fax: 872487 www.iow-signs.co.uk
Anne Mitchell Designs [email protected]
Shaun Burden Vehicle Repairs The Sign Man
Ocean House Lane End Road PO35 5SY Harbour Industrial Estate Unit 6 Harbour Industrial Estate
Tel: 01983 872283 Mob: 07866 571522 Embankment Road PO35 5NR
Vivien Interiors Embankment Road PO35 5NR Tel/Fax: 01983 875688 Mob: 07929 866456
Wintern Preston Road PO35 5UN Tel: 01983 872131 Fax: 874453 [email protected]
Tel: 01983 874312 Mob: 07817 071426 [email protected] www.thesignman.org.uk
[email protected] Vectis Web Design
Museums and Monuments 114 High Street PO35 5SQ
Jewellers Bembridge Heritage Society
Rear of Public Library Church Road PO35 5NA Tel: 01983 873853
Tel: 01983 873100 [email protected]
Bembridge Jewellers [email protected] www.vectis-webdesign.com

The Old Bank Sherbourne Street PO35 5SB The National Trust WHTS Ltd (Dutch Translation)
Tel: 01983 875333 Bembridge Windmill Mill Road PO35 5SQ 33 Foreland Road PO35 5XN

Laundries Tel: 01983 873945 Tel: 01983 872334 Fax: 872163
Bembridge Laundry & Dry [email protected] Mob: 07813 047401
Cleaning [email protected]
Newsagents

Weavers Yard Lane End Court PO35 5UE Lane End News
Tel: 01983 874144 Lane End Court Lane End Road PO35 5UE

Tel: 01983 872681
[email protected]
46

Bembridge Business Association Local Services Directory

Public Houses & Inns Veterinary Practice RIB around Britain: In 2007, local
The Crab & Lobster Inn Medina Veterinary Group teenagers Archie Ward, Jack Haigh and Harry
Edwards successfully circumnavigated the
32 Foreland Fields Road PO35 5TR 2 Foreland Road PO35 5XW British Isles in a 9m Rib in an event organised
Tel: 01983 872244 Tel: 01983 883955 Fax: 882992 by Bembridge Powerboat Training. The 250
www.crabandlobsterinn.co.uk bhp rib, Cararchiemax, was fitted out by Will
The Pilot Boat Inn Watersport Tuition & Hire Squibb. The three teenagers received awards at
Station Road PO35 5NN X-Isle Sports the BIBOA dinner held at the RNLI  headquar-
Tel: 01983 872077 ters from the RYA with individual performance
[email protected] The Centre Bembridge Boatyard certificates signed by HRH Princess Anne. Peter
www.pilotboatinn.com Embankment Road PO35 5NR Hewitt the proprietor of Bembridge Powerboat
The Vine Inn Tel: 01983 873111 Training, received an award for best organised
Upper Green Road PO33 1UJ [email protected] (tuition) charity event of 2007 which raised some
Tel: 01983 872337 Fax: 875099 www.xisle.co.uk (online store) £10,000 for Sail4Cancer.
The Windmill Inn The 2008 Round Britain Race sets off from
1 Steyne Road PO35 5UH To advertise in this guide, contact
Tel: 01983 872875 Fax: 874760 the Advertising Manager on Portsmouth on 21 June
[email protected] 01983 872285 for details and a Bembridge rib will
www.windmill-inn.com again be taking part. Jay
Ye Olde Village Inn Skinmore (owner), Craig
61 High Street PO35 5SF Lacey and Peter Hewitt will
Tel: 01983 872616 crew the 8.5 metre Scorpian
Rib in a race held over eight
Telecommunications daily stages and include a
Chubbroyd trip through the Caledonian
Canal. The race finishes
Wallsend Cott off Portsmouth on Monday
Heathfield Close PO35 5UG 30 June.
Tel/Fax: 01983 873087
[email protected]

Bed & Breakfast

Open all year

Embankment Road, Bembridge PO35 5NS
Telephone: (01983) 874596
www.xoronfloatel.co.uk
Bembridge Windmill

Explore the Island’s only surviving windmill
Built c. 1700 it still has its original wooden machinery

Breathtaking views Refreshment kiosk
Open Tuesday to Sunday 15 March – 2 November

10am - 5pm
Every day in July, August & September

Registered charity no: 205846

47

Local services

Useful addresses and telephone numbers with map references (see p26)

Airport Parish Council
Bembridge Airport, Sandown Road, (C4) 873331 Council Chambers, High Street, (D2) 874160

Bank Places of Worship
Lloyds TSB, High Street, (D2) 0845 600 0688 Holy Trinity, Church Road, (D2) 872175
Chemist St Luke’s, Lane End Road (E2) 872175
Moss Chemist, High Street, (D2) 872328 Methodist Church, Foreland Road, (E2) 873810
Chiropodist St Michael’s RC, Walls Road, (E3) 562171
Lynchen’s Cottage, High Street, (D2) 873917 Police
Dentist Via Police HQ 0845 045 4545
Hapgood House, Station Road, (D1) 872224 Post Office
Doctor 54 Foreland Road, (D2) 872884
St Helens Health Centre, Upper Green Road, (A1) Public Toilets
872772 • The Duver, St Helens (accessible) (B1)
Funeral Directors • Lifeboat station, (accessible) (F2)
Weaver Bros Ltd, Lane End Court (E2) 872598 • Station Road, The Point (D1)
Harbourmaster • High Street, (behind Opticians (D2)
Harbour Office, The Duver, St Helens (B1) 872828 • Steyne Park Rec Grnd, Steyne Rd, (B3)
Heritage Centre • The Green, St Helens (A1)
Bembridge Heritage Centre, Church Road (rear of • The Cloisters, High Street (accessible) (D2)
library) (D2) 874218 Taxis
Library Bembridge & Harbour Taxis 874132
Church Road, (D2) 873102 Village Taxis 874470
Lifeboat Station Youth & Community Centre
Lane End Road, (F2) Steyne Park, Bembridge (D3) 874426
Optician Veterinary Practice
J Dencer-Brown, High Street, (D2) 873308 Medina Veterinary Group, 2/4 Foreland Rd, (D2)
882992

Flying Carpet Holidays Hideaway Holidays

Superb self-catering accommodation

[email protected]

TURKEY 01983 87 22 85 FRANCE

4-bed penthouse 11th C village house

Alanya, Turkish Riviera Languedoc, South of France

www.turkey-self-catering.com www.hideaway-holidays.co.uk

Patsy Loake Photography

Weddings a speciality, also christenings, anniversaries
and all family occasions.

Both relaxed and formal professional photographs
capturing the joy of your special day.
01983 872593

48

49

Advertisers’ Index

Advertiser Page Advertiser Page

AM Faithfull and Sons Ltd 39 Mission Electrical 30
Mother Goose Bookshop 11
Baywatch on the Beach 8-9 National Trust, The 47
Bembridge Airport 19 Off Wight 14
Bembridge and Harbour Taxis 39 Old Mill Holiday Park 43
Bembridge Bakery Café 11 Patsy Loake Photography 48
Bembridge Beauty Base 14 Pilot Boat Inn, The 35
Bembridge Coast Hotel Precious Times
Bembridge Flower Shop 2 Red Funnel 5
Bembridge Garden Machinery 15 Regal Fish & Chip Shop 52
Bembridge Harbour Improvements Co Ltd 32 RM Associates 15
Bembridge Heritage Society RW Décor 35
Bembridge Jewellers 4 Sally’s Riding 43
Bembridge Law Practice, The 40 Sandhills Holiday Park 30
Bembridge PO and Card Gallery 10 Sarah Harrison 41
Bembridge Outboards 49 Second to None Holiday Home Caretakers 22
Bembridge Sailing Club 42 Shaun Burden Vehicle Repairs 16
Bembridge Youth & Community Centre 34 Sheepstor Cottage 16
Best Dressed Crab in Town, The 23 Shoestyles Ltd 23
Beverley and Sam’s Hairdressing 16 Sign Man, The 22
(Tricia’s Hair Salon) 34 Spice Cottage 22
Bouncy World Spinnaker Yacht Chandlery 39
Brading Haven Yacht Club 15 SSJ Contractors 32
Breakfast at Tiffany’s 11 St Helens Restaurant 32
BW Oxford 47 Tailored Systems
19 TJS Developments 6
Cabin Café, The 33 Tollgate Café 42
Careless and Kemp Solicitors 15 Total Fabrication 14
Changing Room Dress Agency, The 13 Village Taxis 14
Cobwebs Antiques & Collectables 43 Vine Inn, The 23
Crab & Lobster Inn, The 11 Vivien Interiors 15
Creasey Biles & King 23 Weaver Brothers Ltd 30
Desktop Studio Ltd 31 Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park 33
Elms, The Whitecliff Bay Launderette 35
Flying Carpet Holidays (Turkey) 6 Wight Holiday Homes 32
Galley, The 34 Windmill Inn, The 30
Ganders Restaurant 48 Windmill Pre-School 42
Hose Rhodes Dickson www.bembridge.com 24
Island Photo Restoration 6 WW Woodford & Sons (Butchers)
Island Mustards 16 X-Isle Sports 6
J Dencer Brown Optometrists 41 Xoron Floatel 3
Jenny Turnbull Estate Agent 43 11
JM Death 16 22
KG Property Solutions 14 47
Lacey’s (IOW) Ltd Removers 22
Lane End News 42 Year-round coverage and a full-colour
Launderette 40 display ad for as little as £50.
Lifeboat View Café, The 11 To advertise in the
Little House on the Green, The 32 Bembridge and Harbour Guide
Medina Veterinary Group 30 (circulation 25,000) contact
42 Carol Pearce on 01983 872285
15
34

50