Lifestyle

Order and collect service to resume at council libraries from 29th March 2021

Order and collect will resume at Isle of Wight Council libraries from next week.

The service has always been popular but it is now providing the means to safely get more library books into the hands of readers.

From Monday (29 March), residents can order books by emailing their requests to [email protected] or by calling one of the six libraries directly.

You must provide your library card number, a contact telephone number and a description of the item/s you wish to order.

Residents can still request items via the online library catalogue in the usual way. Charges have been suspended for this service while library buildings remain closed.

Rob Jones, library service manager, said: “Once we have received your order we will try our best to get the items you want, whether this be books by a particular author or on a subject or genre.

“When we have selected the items you will receive a telephone call to arrange a mutually convenient time to come and collect them.”

Staff will quarantine returned items as recommended for 72 hours before they are returned to the shelves, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Staff will also be cleaning their hands regularly while selecting items and packing them to ensure customers are protected as much as possible.

Rob added: “Losing yourself in a book is great way of escaping from all the stresses and strains of the present situation. For children, reading is essential for their continuing development and education — and a wonderful way to keep them occupied.

“Order and collect is just the first step on the road to recovery for our libraries and we will monitor and review its success as we look to bring more services back to our libraries over the next few months.

“We look forward to welcoming you back.”

For more details, please ring library headquarters on (01983) 823824 or email: [email protected]

March 25, 2021 in Lifestyle

John Harris’ IOW Walks

Are you fed-up with doing the same old walks?

Walking in the Isle of Wight www.walkinginengland.co.uk/wight is the website for you!

With hundreds of walks to download and print, free, it also has books of walks, contact details for all the walking groups in the county and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group all the information is there in one place.

John said ‘There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in the Isle of Wight (part of the Walking in England suite of websites (www.walkinginengland.co.uk)  – one for each county in England) has brought it together in one place so whether you are walking from home, or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you’.

With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy.

So home or away, check out the websites and get walking!

John Harris

www.walkinginengland.co.uk

email: [email protected]

March 3, 2021 in Lifestyle

Vaccination Transport Support For Those Who Cannot Get To Their Appointments

Vaccination Transport Support For Those Who Cannot Get To Their Appointments

With second vaccination jabs about to start happening for older and less mobile members of our community – the Optio Voluntary Car Service is available Island Wide to help those in need.

If you are aware of anyone struggling and in need of transport to get their appointment, please encourage residents to call the Optio helpline on 01983 522226, where free return transportation will be provided, subject to availability of volunteer drivers.

The Optio telephone line is open from 9.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday

Transport availability will cover Monday to Sunday all throughout the day.

Passengers should be able to walk from their door to the car and be able to get in and out of it – on their own.

March 2, 2021 in Community, Lifestyle

COUNCIL CONSIDER COMMUNITY ASSET FOR EDDINGTON ROAD

Seaview and Nettlestone Parish Council convened an Emergency meeting of the Parish council (23rd February 2021) to consider proposing Eddington Road as an Asset of Community Value, following the Isle of Wight Council identifying the site as potential land for development.

Barry Elliott, Chairman of the Parish Council said ‘We wanted to ensure the views of the residents and the community are heard in this process, and are very concerned about the implications of what is being proposed by the IW Council’.

The Local Residents Association have voiced concerns over the Local Authority’s handling of the process and the Parish Council have been critical of the lack of community engagement.

Cllr Elliott added ‘Although we welcome the March Q & A session with the Leader of the Council, this should have happened earlier and we should have been more involved – the implications of what is being proposed is significant, and could have negative consequences for this and neighbouring areas’.

The Council heard from local residents and the Ward Councillor – Cllr Reg Barry and everyone agreed that the proposed 90-100 units were too many for the community. The members resolved to nominate the Eddington Road site as an Asset of Community Value.

February 25, 2021 in Community, Lifestyle

Green Waste Subscriptions 2021 – From the Isle of Wight Council

Green waste subscriptions available

Spring is on its way, gardens will be blooming and it’s time to renew green garden waste subscriptions!

Over half of our customers have already switched to direct debit payments so their subscriptions will automatically renew. Those who pay annually by card should check their email inboxes for details of how to re-subscribe, before 18 March.

Existing customers with direct debit are also asked to check that the bank details they previously supplied are still the same.

The popular green garden waste kerbside collection service collected 1,710 tonnes of garden waste since April 2020.

Councillor Steve Hastings, Cabinet member for recycling, said: “Our kerbside green garden waste service is hugely popular across the Island, with 10,000 customers benefitting – especially during 2020 with many more people getting out in the garden; saving trips to the tip, lower people’s carbon footprints and giving people more time to focus on gardening.

“All of the green waste collected is composted and goes back into gardens across the Island.”

Natasha Dix, the council’s strategic manager for waste and environment, added: “While the service is pretty full, there are a few spaces available, so if you are on the waiting list and would like to sign up I would encourage you to do so as soon as you can.

“You would have received emails from us too. Please do check your junk message folder just in case.”

For more information on the scheme, visit www.iwight.com/greengardenwaste

February 2, 2021 in Lifestyle

Census 2021 – Advice on participation from the Isle of Wight Council

Households across the Isle of Wight will soon be asked to take part in Census 2021.

The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives the Office for National Statistics the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.

It will be the first run predominantly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets.

“A successful census will ensure everyone from local government to charities can put services and funding in the places where they are most needed,” said Iain Bell, deputy national statistician at the Office for National Statistics.

“This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, schools and new transport routes. That’s why it is so important everyone takes part and we have made it easier for people to do so online on any device, with help and paper questionnaires for those that need them.”

Census day will be on March 21, but households across the country will receive letters with online codes allowing them to take part from early March.

The census will include questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Results will be available within 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations.

There’s lots of information available if you would like to find out more about the Census in advance at census.gov.uk but, also please feel free to contact Ursula Dowd, census engagement manager, Isle of Wight on 07452 936794 or email [email protected] – You can still fill in a paper copy if required – Contact Ursula or check on the IWC Site HERE

January 22, 2021 in Community, Culture, Lifestyle

Citizens Advice – Advice First Aid Volunteers required.

Citizens Advice are actively recruiting volunteers to act as ‘Advice First Aiders’. If you feel you are a well-established member of your local community who will be able to signpost people to trusted sources of information, whilst maintaining the aims and values of Citizens Advice, then this may the role for you. For further details please download this Description of the Role : advice first aider volunteer.

December 17, 2020 in Community, Lifestyle