Report from I.W. Councillor Roger Mazillius

Posted by Admin on 20 August 2010, 12:00 am

COUNCILLOR ROGER MAZILLIUS
I.W. COUNCILLOR FOR COWES SOUTH & NORTHWOOD
21 OXFORD STREET, NORTHWOOD
ISLE OF WIGHT PO31 8PT
Tel: 01983 295556
Email: roger.mazillius@iow.gov.uk

REPORT – SEPTEMBER 2010

NORTHWOOD VILLAGE PRODUCE 65th ANNUAL SHOW
This marvellous showcase of local horticultural, cooking and handicraft expertise saw a record number of entries (425+) all expertly managed and staged under a small team headed by Chairman and Show Secretary Ron Willis. The Judges kindly praised the show’s high standards of entries and many villagers and others attended to see for themselves mouth-watering and eye-catching displays of flowers fruit and vegetables, cakes, bread, paintings, needle and crochet work, handicrafts plus a wide variety of children’s classes. All in all a veritable feast of local endeavour which showed the village talent at its best.

A very special mention must be made of Ron Willis’ personal triumph in winning the All-Island Wight in Bloom Best Front Garden over 3 metres category for his beautiful garden at 3 Uplands Road. Now possibly past its very best, if you are in the vicinity it is still absolutely worthwhile stopping and looking at this winning example of how a fairly small front garden can be turned into a dazzling floral display lasting for several months.

The Association meets at the W.I. Hall on the second Friday of each month at 7.30pm. You do not have to be an expert gardener or indeed an expert at anything to come along and join in our friendly and interesting evenings. We look forward to seeing you!

REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES
The I.W. Council is moving this statutory service presently situated at Northwood House to the Council Offices at Seaclose, Newport. The last day at Northwood House will be 29th September with the service operating from Seaclose from 1st October. Emergency registrations only will be available on the 30th September.

The hours of opening at Seaclose will be from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday. This is an extension of the Northwood House hours which were from 9am to 4pm. Copy Certificates can be ordered online at www.iwight.com or by phone via the Call Centre on 01983 821000. The Isle of Wight Family History Society website – www.isle-of-wight-fhs.co.uk also provides an invaluable resource for researching and ordering copy Certificates.

PARKLANDS RESOURCE CENTRE, COWES
There has been some recent correspondence in the County Press about the rumoured closure of this local day centre. I responded with a letter in the issue of 13th August but can assure local residents that no closure of this and any of our other owned and run day centres will be allowed until we have at least as good (and we are striving for better) day facilities for those who find such services an important part of their weekly life.

Anyone with any questions or queries about this can email me at roger.mazillius@iow.gov.uk or write to me c/o County Hall, Newport, PO30 1UD.

VENNER AVENUE PLAYPARK
The Parish Council has been successful in obtaining grant funding for a very welcome newly equipped playpark. The Council is consulting with both adult and young residents to find out what new equipment would be ideal. In the meantime I am pleased to confirm that the grant funding has not been withdrawn as part of the Government Spending Review. Further details can be obtained from Parish Clerk Barbara Herbert on barbara.herbert@sky.com

REBALANCING THE LICENSING ACT
Since the introduction of the last Licensing Act there has been a growing concern that the original vision of a vibrant “cafe culture” has not only failed to materialise but has led to a substantial rise in alcohol-related crime and disorder, particularly in those areas of our major towns where there is a concentration of late night licensed premises.

The new Government is looking at these issues in depth. Log on to the Home Office website or www.iwight.com and follow the Rebalancing the Licensing Act link. We are of course fortunate in Northwood in having both our local pubs operating responsibly and properly within the law. However we are not completely immune from anti-social behaviour and the occasional damage to property arising from the consumption of high levels of alcohol, usually in the early hours at weekends when people are returning from a “night on the town”. Residents with any particular concerns about these matters can contact me through my usual addresses.

THE I.W. AUTUMN WALKING WEEKEND – 22ND – 25TH OCTOBER.
If you wish to get out and about this late autumn, you will be pleased to learn there are around 60 guided walks organised for this event including Medieval Churches and Manor Houses to gardens and ghosts! If you are a seasoned walker there is even a 22 mile circular route along the Yarmouth coastal path to Freshwater Bay. There are of course special activities for children and there is a dedicated website at www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk with additional information for your visitors available at www.islandbreaks.co.uk

OLDER VOICES
This Island-based group of active pensioners really do know what they are talking about. They have a regular programme of meetings and social events all aimed at raising awareness of older person issues. Their Chairman is Roger Barnard who can be reached on roger@training4change.demon.co.uk
Their next meeting is at 2pm on Wednesday 30th September at St John’s Church Hall, Drake Road, Newport.

Amongst topics regularly discussed are health facilities, particularly now in the light of new government proposals for wide-ranging reform of health and social care delivery; dementia care and diagnosis; stroke prevention and health services generally including dental and podiatry care.

There is also a full recreational programme including suppers and barbecues. New members are always welcomed so if any of this interests you, give it a go!

ADVERTISED CHANGES TO LOCAL SPEED LIMITS
Residents may have been puzzled by the official notices in the last two County Press issues apparently removing certain 30mph limits in Nodes Road and the main A3020. Please rest assured that these are technical notices to rectify certain anomalies in the old speed signage and previous speed limiting legal requirements. The practical effect of these notices is virtually nil and will not impact on our current speed limits within the village.