The Waterside Pool, Ryde Esplanade. There are some brilliant new opportunities on offer that are not available at other pools on the Island – under 8’s swim free all year round and anyone can swim for just £1 during the community swimming sessions. Competitive rates are available for regular users who become members.This is the refreshing approach of the Waterside Community Trust that took over the pool on 1st December. They have secured the jobs of 11 qualified staff and are supported by a team of enthusiastic volunteers ready to help with all manner of projects and fundraisers.

It is recognised that swimming is a skill for life and there are substantial benefits to exercising in the water. The Waterside Pool has something for everyone, from toddlers to 50+ groups, with activities from casual swimming and aqua fitness classes to swimming lessons, family fun sessions at the weekends & holidays.Situated in a lovely spot with plenty of parking and easily accessible by bus where ever you live why not give it a try! For more information see the new website www.rydepool.co.uk

Find your BLISS in Cowes and Sandown!

A well established ice cream parlour in Bath Road, Cowes, has just re-opened with a new name – BLISS Ice Cream Parlour – and a fresh and fun new look, and are expanding with a new BLISS parlour in Sandown!

Showcasing the innovative flavours of Minghella ice cream, parlour owners Steve Powell and Rachel Swyers decided to completely re-brand and take the big step of opening a new shop to take gourmet ice cream to a new audience this summer.

Rachel said “We have been in Cowes for three seasons now, and have been proud to be scooping the most gorgeous Island-produced artisan ice cream from the Minghella family.  We thought it was time to branch out to another busy summer town on the Island, and re-vamp the parlours to match what we believe to be fantastic products – not just ice cream, but specialist sweets and coffees too.”

The BLISS Ice Cream Parlours will each sell numerous flavours of Minghella’s melt-in-the mouth ice creams and sorbets.  Flavours range from traditional Vanilla Bean to gourmet flavours like Sicilian Lemon and Raspberries & Champagne, and even the weird and wonderful – try English Custard, Turkish Delight or Peanut Butter!  Rachel said “I think the ice cream world is changing.  It used to be Vanilla on a cornet and that was that.  Today people want to taste something special.    Minghella offer an artisan menu of around 200 beautiful flavours all made to order – we are very excited by what they do!”

Ice creams are available on a selection of premium waffle cones or can even be whizzed up into a fabulous frothy iced milkshake.  The flavours on offer also include some ever-changing ‘flavours of the week’ – so there will always be something new to try!

Steve said “We have really enjoyed being in Cowes, and look forward to being in Sandown to meet lots of new customers.  Here’s hoping for a BLISS-tering summer 2012!”

Follow BLISS Ice Cream Parlour and get the latest news and offers at facebook.com/blissicecreamparlour or visit them on Bath Road near The Parade in Cowes, and High Street, Sandown next to the King’s Bar.

Pirate Cove is the new themed play area to open in 2012 at Blackgang Chine. The continuing appeal of the Cowboy town has encouraged the creative team at the park to develop this new Caribbean port quay-side, complete with two full-sized ships inviting all would-be pirates to do battle! A new refreshment trading shack, a buccaneer shoot-out game and other themed activities have all been added to finish the picture.

On April Fools Day, we are holding some whacky fun competitions and games to celebrate St. Stupids Day so come along and join us in making fools of ourselves!!

Blackgang’s Fairy Festival will be held over the May day bank holiday weekend, on the 6th and 7th May. Live green-wood music, wizards, magic spells, fairies, elves and even belly dancing fairies will be appearing!

The Queen’s diamond Jubilee will be celebrated in style on the 3rd, 4th & 5th June with a 3 day Pirate Party, complete with sword fighting, live music & lots of competitions.

Blackgang and Robin Hill open on Friday 30th March and are open daily from 10a.m.

Robin Hill’s re-opening for 2012 on Friday 30^th March… with a Hoot…as we introduce a new Owl Show!

Great news, spring is almost here…and it’s nearly time to open the Robin Hill gates for the 2012 season. That all happens on Friday 30^th March 2012 just in time for the Easter holidays. We have been busy working all winter to improve the park and to create some fabulous new things!

We know how much you love our falconry displays…so we’ve gone a step further and introduced an extra one that’s just about owls!..Steve Hain and his team will be presenting the new 40 minute show at 1.15pm everyday in our new woodland bowl, a 300 seater, tree-lined auditorium just a stone’s throw from our squirrel tower.

There will be some new extra special evening events happening later in the year as we create Robin Hill’s “Electric Woods”…Where we will lighting the woodland paths, pond and tree’s with beautiful lights to create a stunning new visitor experience… Watch out for details coming soon!

And with Easter just around the corner we are glad to announce that our popular Chocolate Extravaganza will be back on Easter Sunday and Monday this year with our infamous Easter Egg Dash, with loads of tokens to find to swap for eggs of all sizes both days at noon. Chocolate fanatics will also love our Chocolate Marquee, full of chocolate fun and games for all the family! These include “Guess the Brand” and “Guess the Flavour” competitions, with lots more chocolate and Easter eggs to be won.

For local Island residents the best value of all comes from joining our Membership scheme, which allows unlimited visits to both Robin Hill & Blackgang Chine all season long and includes over £50 worth of vouchers to redeem through the season. Over 1200 people joined last year… which proves how popular the scheme is for frequent loyal visitors!

Great news, spring is almost here…and it’s nearly time to open the Robin Hill gates for the 2012 season. That all happens on Friday 30^th March 2012 just in time for the Easter holidays. We have been busy working all winter to improve the park and to create some fabulous new things!

We know how much you love our falconry displays…so we’ve gone a step further and introduced an extra one that’s just about owls!..Steve Hain and his team will be presenting the new 40 minute show at 1.15pm everyday in our new woodland bowl, a 300 seater, tree-lined auditorium just a stone’s throw from our squirrel tower.

There will be some new extra special evening events happening later in the year as we create Robin Hill’s “Electric Woods”…Where we will lighting the woodland paths, pond and tree’s with beautiful lights to create a stunning new visitor experience… Watch out for details coming soon!

And with Easter just around the corner we are glad to announce that our popular Chocolate Extravaganza will be back on Easter Sunday and Monday this year with our infamous Easter Egg Dash, with loads of tokens to find to swap for eggs of all sizes both days at noon. Chocolate fanatics will also love our Chocolate Marquee, full of chocolate fun and games for all the family! These include “Guess the Brand” and “Guess the Flavour” competitions, with lots more chocolate and Easter eggs to be won.

For local Island residents the best value of all comes from joining our Membership scheme, which allows unlimited visits to both Robin Hill & Blackgang Chine all season long and includes over £50 worth of vouchers to redeem through the season. Over 1200 people joined last year… which proves how popular the scheme is for frequent loyal visitors!Robin Hill’s re-opening for 2012 on Friday 30^th March… with a Hoot…as we introduce a new Owl Show!

Great news, spring is almost here…and it’s nearly time to open the Robin Hill gates for the 2012 season. That all happens on Friday 30^th March 2012 just in time for the Easter holidays. We have been busy working all winter to improve the park and to create some fabulous new things!

We know how much you love our falconry displays…so we’ve gone a step further and introduced an extra one that’s just about owls!..Steve Hain and his team will be presenting the new 40 minute show at 1.15pm everyday in our new woodland bowl, a 300 seater, tree-lined auditorium just a stone’s throw from our squirrel tower.

There will be some new extra special evening events happening later in the year as we create Robin Hill’s “Electric Woods”…Where we will lighting the woodland paths, pond and tree’s with beautiful lights to create a stunning new visitor experience… Watch out for details coming soon!

And with Easter just around the corner we are glad to announce that our popular Chocolate Extravaganza will be back on Easter Sunday and Monday this year with our infamous Easter Egg Dash, with loads of tokens to find to swap for eggs of all sizes both days at noon. Chocolate fanatics will also love our Chocolate Marquee, full of chocolate fun and games for all the family! These include “Guess the Brand” and “Guess the Flavour” competitions, with lots more chocolate and Easter eggs to be won.

For local Island residents the best value of all comes from joining our Membership scheme, which allows unlimited visits to both Robin Hill & Blackgang Chine all season long and includes over £50 worth of vouchers to redeem through the season. Over 1200 people joined last year… which proves how popular the scheme is for frequent loyal visitors!

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/

There’s more to Action Stations than you think…

Action Stations at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is now offering special interest tours focusing on the fascinating history of the historic building, Boathouse No. 6.

Lasting approximately two hours, the tours focus on the history of Boathouse No.6, from construction in 1848 until the installation of the present Action Stations attraction in 2001.

Boathouse 6 was designed by Lieutenant Roger Beatson, Royal Engineers, Portsmouth Dockyard’s Superintendent of Civil Engineering Work, and built between 1845 and 1848. It was used for the building, repair and storage of small ships’ boats. These were pulled up one of the three slipways outside the front of the building from the Mast Pond by hand using block and tackle, and then brought into the building through large wooden doors. Some of the rings used still survive along the front of the building and set into the ground floor. The building was in use as a boathouse until the Portsmouth Blitz in March 1941, when a bomb destroyed much of the rear part. A temporary patch was added to make the building serviceable and was not replaced until the conversion into Action Stations in the late 1990s.

All this history and more can be seen throughout the building and this specialist tour will encourage visitors to view Action Stations in a way they have never done before. They may also discover that walls really can talk and tell their own unique story…

Tours will begin in either Boathouse No.7 or the Mezzanine Café with a complimentary tea or coffee upon arrival before a guided tour of the building.

Special interest tours are priced at £7.50 per person (4-10 people) and £5.50 per person (11+ people). Alternatively, if looking for something a little more special, then Action Stations can provide exclusive evening tours at £10.50 per person, giving private access to the building after normal opening hours. All tours are a minimum of 4 people per tour and include entry to the Action Stations attraction.

Please note all tours must be booked a minimum of 72 hours in advance.

Some areas within the tour are not accessible by a lift.

For further details on the specialist tours or to book please contact the Action Stations Operations Manager on: (023) 9289 3318 or email: enquiries@actionstations.org

Also available at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the world famous HMS Victory, one of the UK’s leading maritime museums – the National Museum of the Royal Navy, HMS Warrior 1860 – the first iron-hulled ship powered by steam and sail, the Mary Rose Museum[i] and a Harbour Tour. For further details, please contact 023 9283 9766 or visit the website www.historicdockyard.co.uk.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has everything to keep you entertained this Winter

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

2 Family Tickets to be won for the  ‘Santa Special’ at Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Soak up the festive atmosphere at Havenstreet Station with a visit to Santa. Stroll through the sparkling Winter Wonderland before meeting Santa who’ll have a  gift for every child. Settle back and relax with a cosy ride on the steam train through the Island’s winter country side, and enjoy free entertainment for the children.With seasonal fayre in the Refreshment Rooms and a shop packed with Christmas gift ideas, a visit to Santa at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway is a very special day out for all the family. Santa Specials - 3^rd, 4^th, 10^th, 11^th, 17^th, 18^th, 21^st, 22^nd, 23^rd, & 24^th December

For full details please contact: 01983 882204 www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk

To win a  family tickets simply answer the following question:

Q. What is the first and last date of the Santa Specials ?

Please remember only one entry per child is permitted .By the 13 th December. You can enter the competition if you visit www.thefamilydirectory.co.uk All winners will be notified by phone and by post. If you enter the competition your details will not be passed on.

The Isle of Wight Karate and Self Defence club offers a wide range of classes for boys and girls. The beginner classes are designed to teach children simple discipline and karate skills.

The weekly junior beginner classes (from 6 years old) are held every Tuesday 6-7pm and Saturday 10-11am or (from 13 years old) every Tuesday 7-8pm and Thursday 8-9pm at the Fitness Factory in Newport.

Alternatively, they also run classes on a Wednesday at the West Wight Sports Centre in Freshwater between 7-8pm in the evening. In order for beginners to try the classes the club offers the first session for FREE.

Please email Mark at Sensei@onwight.net for a free trail voucher or for more details, please visit the website www.isleofwightkarate.co.uk. Join the club on Facebook and please don’t forget to tell your friends and family www.facebook.com/IsleofWightKarate.