But what does it involve?……Teams of 6 people get together and swim in a relay for one hour. Each team nominates a charity of it’s choice and money raised will be split between that charity and the Lions nominated charity. There’s prizes in different categories for those that want to get competitive!

It’s open to all ages – so you could do it as a family, a school, youth group, club or just as a group of friends. There’s no minimum sponsorship required and you can choose your own charity to split the funds with. To find out more contact Steve Raybould on 07834680374, have a look at the Lions Club website or pick up an entry form from reception at the Centre

Look forward to seeing you!

West Wight Sports Centre annual SWIMARATHON is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

FSB comment on fall in inflation is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Student loan early repayment penalty plan scrapped Though many on low incomes won’t benefit from repaying before the 30 year cut-off

Student loan early repayment penalty plan scrapped is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Cutting your costs, fighting your corner

25% think using voucher on first date is sexy Roses are red, violets are blue, flashing a voucher can help you woo

Save money on Valentine’s celebrations !!! is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

The Owl & Monkey Haven, Isle of Wight received gold for “Best Small Visitor Attraction in the South East of England 2011″. is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

When you do make up an advert just listing a phone number or website URL and adding your logo isn’t enough. I’m consistently amazed by the number of advertisements I look that lack any  offer if clear information on what they have to offer. Change your advert a little each time you place an advert it looks new it looks fresh……..

Make your business grow The Family Directory

www.thefamilydirectory.co.uk 01983 872191

Small business advertising is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard may not be the obvious place for love to blossom but this Valentine’s Day the site will be looking at love stories of the past and hoping to ignite future romance.

In 1949 Joyce Benton was asked by a friend if she wanted a Navy penfriend. As she felt grateful to the Navy for everything they had done during the war she agreed and received a letter from Bob Reid. He then came to Portsmouth about a month later when Joyce (aged 16) and Bob (aged 20) met on Friday evening they attended a dance on the Saturday evening before meeting again on the Sunday afternoon. Bob wrote again as soon as he returned to the Royal Navy and asked Joyce to marry him. The next time they met two months later was in the church on their wedding day 31st Dec 1949, having only met on the one weekend two months before and after only one date. They remained married for 54 years.

This is just one of the stories in the archives at the National Museum of the Royal Navy and will be displayed for the first time this year with photos of them at the time, on their wedding day and on their Golden Wedding anniversary, alongside Bob’s medals for Korea, his photo album, and Service documents, which were all donated by their daughter ensuring that their memory and love for each lives on.

An unlikely Romantic was Henry VIII, but it seems that even one of history’s most notorious womanisers had a softer side – at least in the beginning… On Thursday 16th February, The Mary Rose Museum will host their Third Thursday Talk – Love Letters From A King – 12noon-12.30pm. This talk is FREE.

For the younger generation of Romeo and Juliet’s there is a FREE drop in workshop at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, on Wednesday 15^th February (11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm) where they can make keepsakes for friends or loved ones inspired by sailor crafts and mementos from the museum’s collection.

And, for those already loved up, they can attend the Wedding Fair on board HMS Warrior 1860 on Monday 20 February (5pm – 9pm), admission is £2.50 – (specialevents@hmswarrior.org or 023 92 778604 for tickets and details.)

PLUS, for the first time this year HMS Warrior 1860 will be lighting up with a large love heart on her masts, that will stay until the end of the month for leap year lovers!

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – Fall in Love at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Hovertravel is adding the 8:30am hovercraft service from Ryde to Portsmouth due to popular commuter demand.

Neil Chapman, managing director of Hovertravel, said:  “We are always listening to the needs of customers so we can ensure that our services suit their schedules. Feedback over the last month has revealed that an extra service during the morning commuter peak period would make a big difference to our Island commuters.”

Hovertravel has seen growth over the last 6 months in travel from the Island. In particular the morning commuter period has a more concentrated flow of passengers during 7:15 and 8:45.

Neil Chapman continues, “Currently, Hovertravel has the biggest market share in our history. One of the areas of steady growth for us has been from regular travellers and commuters. This is why we have put in place initiatives for us to listen better to their needs through channels such as the Hovertravel User Group. The addition of the 8:30am hovercraft service is a great example of where we have listened and responded quickly.”

To ensure that Hovertravel develops in a way that benefits our customers, Hovertravel has been running a Hovertravel User Group (HUG). This group, made up of a small number of regular travellers, meets for quarterly meetings to voice issues and improvements direct with Hovertravel’s management.

Hovertravel has also launched a new appreciation voucher scheme as a small way of thanking their loyal customers. Those who purchase an Adult 6 month season card, Adult 250 travel card or Triple Term card can claim for 20 single appreciation vouchers that are valid for one single journey and can be transferred to friends & family. Customers that purchase an Adult 12 month season card can claim for 40 Appreciation vouchers.

For more information visit http://www.hovertravel.co.uk/

HOVERTRAVEL ADDS TO MORNING PEAK SERVICES is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Small business confidence plummeted in 2011 as businesses were hit by high inflation, rising utilities bills and reduced consumer spending power according to the latest findings from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) ‘Voice of Small Business’ Index. The Index, comprising some 1,600 responses from businesses across the UK, recorded a score of -24.5 – the lowest level since the Index started in 2010 and is a fall of some 15.2 points over the quarter. Given that economic recovery is relying on business investment to create jobs and support the recovery, the ongoing weak sentiment is worrying.

And, with one in eight (12.6%) firms expecting a worsening economic situation in the coming three months, the FSB is calling on the Government to act on policies and initiatives already announced to help boost small business confidence so that they can invest and grow. While the short term prospects look weak, an improving inflation outlook will certainly help confidence over the year.  Inflation is expected to fall back sharply this year as the impact of 2011’s VAT rise lessens, with recent energy price cuts an encouraging sign inflationary pressures are finally easing.

Falling inflation should help cash-strapped consumers and give more room for discretionary spending. Businesses will benefit too as the cost pressures they faced in 2011 fade, which should feed into better margins and improved profitability. Reforms announced by the Government should help too.  The FSB has supported many of the policies outlined in the Growth Reviews and the Autumn Statement, such as measures to encourage bank lending to small businesses and boost investment through the seed enterprise investment scheme.  Proposed reforms to the planning system and government procurement contracts to increase small firms’ access were steps in the right direction too. However, many of these measures will take time to feed-in.  The key now for all levels of government is to focus on implementation: small firms need to see action to match the rhetoric and to see tangible actions that will benefit their businesses and permanently change the business environment for the better.

Ken Moon, Chairman of the FSB’s Wessex Region, said: “The message is clear – things are going to get worse before they get better. But, we are hopeful that as the inflationary pressures lessen in 2012, that businesses will become more confident. There are some good policy proposals in the pipeline too.  However, the Government needs to quickly put in place the actions that it has promised. Small firms have heard what the Government has to say but are still waiting to see implementation. We believe that must be the Government’s priority: to make 2012 the year of doing, with the aim of creating a dynamic business landscape in which our entrepreneurs can grow and flourish.”

Charles Davis, Managing Economist, cebr, said: “The Q4 survey shows that small businesses are fighting a tough battle against a worsening economy. On the upside, falling inflation should ease the pressure on margins and should allow interest and mortgage rates to stay low for at least the next two years.”

Small business confidence crashes at end of 2011 is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Friday 13^th January to 15^th April 2012

At the Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

The Mary Rose Trust is delighted to again be able to display some of the costumes, which were worn during the final season of the Emmy Award-winning series ‘The Tudors’ starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

The costumes will go on display in the Mary Rose Museum from Friday 13^th January until Sunday 15^th April 2012. Entry can be gained with a ticket to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

The nine costumes on display will be those that were worn by Jonathan Rhys Meyers as King Henry VIII, Joss Stone as Anne of Cleves, Joely Richardson as Catherine Parr, Maria Doyle Kennedy as Catherine of Aragon, Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn, Annabelle Wallis as Jane Seymour and Tamzin Merchant as Catherine Howard.

They were on show in 2010 at the Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition in the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Museum & Galleries, Los Angeles.  They came to the UK for the first time in 2011 where they went on display at the Mary Rose Museum before moving onto the Royal Armouries in Leeds to appear in an outstanding exhibition.

Joan Bergin is the Costume Designer and winner of the 2010 Emmy for ‘Outstanding Costume for a Series’, along with Wardrobe Supervisor Susan Cave. Bergin also won Emmys for the series in 2007 and 2008 and received Irish Film and Television Academy awards in 2008 and 2009. Her museum-quality costumes were featured in a Macy’s display in New York City on St. Patrick’s Day. Bergin has contributed to movies including ‘My Left Foot’, ‘In the Name of the Father’ and ’The Prestige’. She has recently worked on the Starz Network production of ‘Camelot’, starring Eva Green and Joseph Fiennes.

Across the series of ‘The Tudors’ they made around 500 costumes and rented and modified countless others.  The degree of skill can be seen in every detail of the costumes from cloth to braid to button.

In an interview with the LA Times, Bergin described ‘The Tudors’ as a strange blend of trying to be as authentic as possible but with a twist.  She wanted people to look at it and say, ‘Look how sexy and foxy,’ rather than, ‘Oh! who would wear that?’ Balenciaga corsets and Degas ballerinas were her inspiration.

The loan of the costumes has been through the generous support of Joan Bergin and the creator and writer of ‘The Tudors’ Michael Hirst, who gave a talk about the making of the series last year at the museum.

Michael Hirst commented that:

‘I am delighted to offer my support to the new Mary Rose Museum appeal and would encourage everyone with an interest in British History to support it too, and perhaps contribute something towards the £35 million, which it will cost to transform the Museum into a wonderful contemporary space through which to explore our extraordinary past.

The discovery of Henry VIII’s flagship and its retrieval from the sea bed, with thousands of contemporary artefacts, is reason enough to reinvent and reinvigorate a Museum which already houses many iconic objects from our glorious naval history.

So I wish the Trust well in all its endeavours to do justice to what was once lost and in darkness, but is now found and in public sight once more’.

The costumes are on display during the museum opening hours which is daily from 10.00am – 4.30pm.  For more information please go to www.historicdockyard.co.uk or call the Mary Rose Museum office 02392 812931.

The Mary Rose Trust would like to acknowledge Joan Bergin for the loan of the costumes, Debenhams Southsea and the National Museum of the Royal Navy for the loan of mannequins

Emmy Award-Winning Costumes from ‘the Tudors’ to go back on display at the Mary Rose Museum is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

High street banks price war  New switching bribes mean for the first time 5 banks have entered the fray

• Halifax £100 cash + £5 per month. (Min monthly pay in: £1,000) The Halifax Reward account gives a £100 bonus plus £5 each month you deposit £1,000. Don’t go overdrawn or you’ll face £1 a day charges.
• First Direct £125 cash + top customer service rating. (Min monthly pay in: £1,500) The First Direct 1st account gives a £100 intro bonus, plus an extra £25 if you switch via comparison site MoneySupermarket.com, £250 0% overdraft (15.9% above that), though no in-credit interest.
• Santander £100 cash + a year’s 5% interest + 0% overdraft. (Min monthly pay in: £1,000) The Santander Preferred current account gives a £100 bonus, a year’s 0% overdraft (then 50p/day, max £5/month) and 5% in-credit interest on up to £2,500 for a year.
• HSBC 6% interest for a year. (Min monthly pay in: £500) New or existing customers who haven’t used the switching service for the HSBC Bank account can get 6% in-credit interest on up to £2,500 for the first year (other accounts charge a monthly fee, so ensure you choose this one) .
• Nationwide free European travel insurance. (Min monthly pay in: £750) New and existing Nationwide Flexaccount customers get free European multi-trip travel insurance (up to age 75).

High street banks price war is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Drama Classes In Portsmouth Free Taster Class this January is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Christmas holidays at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard from Saturday 17^th December 2011 to Sunday 1^st January 2012 will offer the perfect opportunity for visitors to enjoy a day out with indoor activities for those cold winter days.

Visitors can take shelter below decks and discover history at the home of world-famous ships, HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860; walk through the fascinating exhibitions at the Mary Rose Museum and the National Museum of the Royal Navy; discover the sailor within at the indoor interactive Action Stations and take cover on a Harbour Tours boat as it sails around Portsmouth Harbour and Naval Base (subject to availability and prevailing weather conditions during the winter months).

Whether it’s climbing aboard a ship or up the tallest indoor climbing tower in the UK, devouring the fantastic collections in the museums or the food in the cafes, there is something to keep everyone in from the cold this winter.

During the Christmas holidays visitors can also take part in Tudor games and pastimes and especially for the festive season or enjoy a Family Christmas trail at the Mary Rose Museum.

For full details of ‘What’s On’ over the holiday period (updated daily), please look at the listings at the end of this release and for further information about the extensive year-round events programme please visit www.historicdockyard.co.uk/events.

The ticket for Portsmouth Historic Dockyard includes entrance for 1 year. Tickets cost adults £21.50, seniors £18.35, children £15.80, students £18.35 and a family ticket costs £62.15 (up to 5 members of the same family with a maximum of 2 adults or seniors). Entrance to the Historic Dockyard is free for those wishing to visit the retailers, cafes and Antiques Storehouse.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard also offer gift vouchers, so if you need a new present idea for a loved one this Christmas, why not buy them some vouchers, so they too, can enjoy the Historic Dockyard? Call 023 9272 8060 to purchase the vouchers

The attractions open at 10am everyday throughout the year, except when closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has everything to keep you entertained this Winter is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

West Wight Sports Centre is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed the findings in the Portas Review of the high streets and urges central and local Government to take action as soon as possible.

In its submission to Mary Portas, the FSB stated that the review offered the opportunity to make the key policy recommendations needed to protect the UK’s high streets, which are at the heart of our communities. So the FSB is delighted to see the focus on planning, parking and business rates in her findings – it is here where real change can be achieved. Added to that, simple steps, such as National Market Days and removing regulations to make it easier for people to trade in the high street, will help to reinvigorate our high streets.

As the FSB has long argued, getting these policies right is key to revitalising the country’s high streets.  It is through reform in these areas where the FSB believes real change can be achieved, by creating jobs and encouraging investment. But this can only happen if central and local Government put these recommendations in place as soon as possible.

Ken Moon, Chairman of the FSB’s Wessex Region, said:

On a stronger ‘Town Centre First’ policy:

“The planning system is hugely important in shaping the character of our high streets and town centres and so our local communities. It is vital that the Government and councils take note of these recommendations – in particular that the provisions in the new National Planning Policy Framework are strong enough to provide the protection needed since there has been a notable shift towards out of town retail developments in the last 10 years.  If no action is taken, the trend is set to continue.  If we want to ensure vibrant high streets for the future, we need to carefully balance that expansion with ensuring that existing town centres are not unwittingly damaged. It looks like, through this review, Mary Portas has really understood that challenge, and has put forward measures that should ensure the long-term sustainability of our high streets. What we need now is for it to be translated into action, especially locally.”

On reforms to out of town parking:

“The lack of affordable town centre parking is driving trade away from the high street to out of town retail sites. In a recent survey of FSB members, 50 per cent said that the availability of parking had a detrimental effect on their business. We have to think carefully at how we address this. Putting in place free controlled parking schemes and introducing a parking league table could go some way in doing this. But it will only work if the wider reforms in the Portas Review help to ensure the variety and choice on the high street that consumers want.”

On reforms to business rates:

“We welcome the calls to review the way the rates system can better support small businesses, and to encourage councils to offer targeted interventions to attract and retain small retailers that add diversity to our local high street. This is exactly the sort of pro-active local action we have been calling for. The key is going to be encouraging councils to use these powers: not all councils fully utilise their existing powers to help local businesses with their rates as it is. One of the challenges will be getting councils to use their new discretion to target discounts and award reliefs if they fear it will directly affect their revenue streams. We need councils to do some long term thinking about the benefits of creating resilient and sustainable high streets and town centres in their local communities.  Help in the short term can reap benefits further down the line.”

Portas Review offers hope to England’s ailing high streets is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Hovertravel, the fastest Isle of Wight passenger service across the Solent and to Fratton Park, is offering a 20% discount on standard day returns (adult & child) for all official members of the Isle of Wight Pompey FC Supporters club travelling over on match days.

Loretta Lale, marketing manager for Hovertravel, said: “This weekend football fans on the Island are going to be focussed on the big game between Portsmouth and Southampton at Fratton Park. Here at Hovertravel, several of our staff support Portsmouth FC and we want to make sure that the team has as many fans as possible at the game so we’re offering a 20% discount for all official IOW Portsmouth fans.”

With the 20% discount a standard day return for an adult (16+) will now cost £9.20, a child fare (5-15) just £4.80 and infants as always are free. To receive this fantastic discount just show your Supporters membership card at our Ryde hoverport.

For more on crossings and other information visit http://www.hovertravel.co.uk/

HOVERTRAVEL GIVES DISCOUNT TO POMPEY FANS is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk